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Some a 100, Some 60, Some 30

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This week we studied Matthew chapter 13 in our Wednesday Bible study class.  We read this verse: Matthew 13:8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. I wondered. . . 100:1, 60:1, and 30:1 return on the planted seed investment. Googling various crops average yield: Corn = 500-1000:1 Wheat = 20-50:1 Soy beans = 75-300:1 Barley = 90-220:1 Lentils = 30-50:1 Today's agricultural methods undoubtedly yield larger returns than in Jesus time.  I don't know that corn or soy beans were grown in that region in that time. So Jesus may have had in mind: 100:1 - barley 60:1 - lentils 30:1 - wheat Jesus goes on to explain: Matthew 13:23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." We who have received the seed on the good ground. . . we've heard the Word and understand it. . .where it has taken root, prod...
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Remember. . .

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 I was reading the Bible, and ran across a familiar passage: Luke 1:5 (NKJV) There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division o f Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. I love looking at the original languages, especially names.  Names in the Bible often have significant meanings.   The name Zacharias, being in the New Testament is a Greek word, Strong's g2197, which is derived from a Hebrew word Strong's H2148, which means: From H2142 and H3050; Jah has remembered; Zecarjah, the name of twenty nine Israelites: - Zachariah, Zechariah. Jehovah has remembered.  What a lovely thought. . . God has remembered.  This brings back memories of some favorite passages: Hannah was barren, and deeply sorrowful.  She desperately wanted a child.  She went to the house of God and prayed.  The priest heard her prayer, and also prayed for God to answer her prayer. 1 Samuel...
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You are A Pearl of Great Value

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  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 ...
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I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people

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 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...
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When You Pray. . .

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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 ...
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Reaching out on the Aisles of Sam's Club. . .

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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...
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Repentance Comes Before Forgiveness. . .

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  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...
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