The Parables of Jesus: Mark 4: 30-32
30Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 32Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade."
The very first church ever started out with Jesus and 12 other guys. When Jesus made this statement, he was looking at the group that was going to turn the world upside down one day, but right then they were 12. And that's the way God's Kingdom on Earth started. Yet now those 12 guys have multiplied themselves by a billion. The Bible says that we shouldn't despise small beginnings. I know you have certain goals and dreams that you want to accomplish, but sometimes it's easy to look around you and wonder how you are ever going to get there. Step by step, day by day and eventually you're going to grow, as long as you're doing everything you can do to get there right now.
-Jeff-
The Parables of Jesus: Luke 18: 1-8
1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'
4"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' "
6And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
Have you ever been to the grocery store and seen a toddler with their parents? Having two kids myself (Soon to be three!) I can tell you that there may be nothing more annoying than when you're kids won't stop asking for things at the store. Usually after the second or third time asking, my jaw starts to clench, and my blood pressure goes up, and I set myself up against them getting anything at all! So when I read this I can feel what the judge is going through (if you don't have kids, try to imagine when your little brother or sister won't stop harassing you). Imagine that you are that judge, and that this person won't stop bothering you. Ever. Until they get what they want. No matter how strong you are, you will finally end up giving in to them, just to make them go away.
In the same way, Jesus says, we need to go after God like that in prayer. And then He calls that faith. If you want mercy, or anything else, go to God with persistence and passion. Drag your heels and stomp your feet if you have to, like a toddler who wants a new toy. And in the end, God says that He will bring about justice for you.
-Jeff-
The Parables of Jesus: Luke 11:5-9
Luke 11:5-9
5. Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes
to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6.
because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing
to set before him.'
7. "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already
locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you
anything.' 8. I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the
bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness, he
will get up and give him as much as he needs.
9. "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will
find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Some people think if they ask God for anything they are bugging
God, imposing on him, thinking God will be to busy, get mad, think God
won't think it's important enough, or he simply won't answer.
How many of you would go to your friend house...in the middle of
the night....lights are out....you know their in bed, sleeping and ask
them for some sandwiches, chips and some Mountain Dew? Not me! (well
maybe for a Mountain Dew!)
But Jesus is telling us in this parable to do just that. Go to
him with Boldness! I'm sure the guy in this parable didn't just knock
once. He rang the doorbell several times, Knocked loudly, after all they
were sleeping. then the guy in the house said "don't bother me" Most of
us would of walked away but the guy wanting the bread started shouting
to the guy inside the house. " I Want Bread Dude!" The outcome is....
he got what he wanted.
Sometimes in my life I've prayed for a few seconds walked away
and no answer, other times I've gone to the altar or gotten on my knees
and cried out to God until I heard him speak to me or felt the prayer
had been answered or the Holy Spirit gave me a peace. It was not a fast
food type of prayer but I really persisted and God came through for me.
Ask, Seek, Knock and God will answer!
Later,
DJ Jackson
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