A New Creature. . . an Apostolic Pentecostal blog

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...

 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...

  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 ...