A New Creature. . . an Apostolic Pentecostal blog

  Parables. . . I’m studying Matthew chapter 13.  Much of the chapter is devoted to the teaching parables of Jesus. Parable             Verses Sower           4-9 Tares           24-30 Mustard seed           31-32 Leaven                   33 Hidden treasure          44 Pearl of great value            45-46 Net            47-50 New and Old Treasures 52 The parable of the sower has traditionally a heavenly perspective.  The Word of God is spread among men, and has various outcomes depending on the condition of the soil. . . (men’s hearts) The parable of the Tares, likewise has a traditional heavenly perspective.  Tares, false darnel, is a poisonous plant that looks ...

 I ran across this passage in Isaiah a couple of weeks ago: Isaiah 42:1-9 (NKJV) 1 "Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. 2 He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. 4 He will not fail nor be discouraged, Till He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands shall wait for His law." 5 Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it: 6 "I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles, 7 To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the...

I'm preparing for our Wednesday Bible study at New Life Apostolic Church.  We're in Matthew chapter 12 this week, when I ran across this verse: Matthew 12:15 (NKJV) But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all. The Apostle John concluded his gospel with this: John 21:25 NKJV  And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. In our verse in Matthew we are told GREAT MULTITUDES followed Him. . . not a mere multitude, but GREAT MULTITUDES plural, and HE HEALED THEM ALL! Jesus miracles were not the primary purpose of His ministry.  His deeper purpose and goal was spiritual healing.  Today, we often pray for physical healing. . . Not long ago, I felt a gentle rebuke during my prayers. . . The words came to me, 'You pray  more for physical healing than you do for spiritual ...

Sam's Club had memberships on sale for $15.  My wife and I used to always shop there, before they closed down the Goshen, Indiana store.  Anyway I bought a membership online, and we headed to the Fort Wayne, Indiana store today. We were most of the way through the store, when I saw a lady with a "Pray Always" shirt on, and I felt like I needed to give her and what appeared to be her daughter some crosses. They were headed in the opposite direction down the crowded aisle. I had to catch up to her from behind. I waited for an opportune moment, and I handed them to her.   I told her, "I make these."  Her eyes immediately began filling with tears, and she said, "You have no idea how much these mean to me."   She said, "My son died two days ago.  We're burying him Friday, and I don't know how I will get through this."  I told her I lost my son 5 years ago.  "How do we do this.", she asked her voice quavering.  I replied, "Ps...

  You've gotta get this. . .  God is loving. . . God is compassionate. . .  God is not willing that any should perish. . . God is hugely forgiving. . . BUT! Acts 2:38 NKJV  Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 3:19 NLT  Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Luke 13:2-3 NLT  “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered?  3  Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. 1 John 1:9 NKJV  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. None of us are perfect.   Isaiah 64:6 KJV  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; a...

Yesterday, Father's day, Jackie and I and one daughter, SIL, and grandkids were in church together.  The Pastor was teaching/preaching on the role of fathers, and how this was an earthly role.  In heaven he said, quoting the Bible, that we're not married or given in marriage. A wave of great love washed over me, no we won't be legally bound by marriage anymore, but I still want to be with my wife.  I want to explore heaven, discover all the wondrous things with her . . . maybe explore the universe. . . spend eternity worshiping God with her. . . I have no idea what heaven is like, but if possible, I will seek out Jackie to be with her there also. . .  From Lazarus, and the rich man in the Bible, it seems like we will be able to recognize one another there.  I don't know which of us will get there first, but I'm going looking for her, or waiting for her when I get there.   I want to be able to comfort her, reassure her, help take away any fear she might...