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King Of Hearts
Mark 4:30, 'And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?'
MARK 4:30-34
The word 'kingdom' means 'the realm over which a king rules.' When applied to God, it could refer to all creation, since 'his kingdom ruleth over all' (Ps. 103:19), but the kingdom more often applies to His rule in and through those who are submitted to Him. 'The Kingdom of God' more specifically refers to Christ living and ruling in our hearts. So praying 'thy kingdom come' is praying for the expansion and influence of God's rule in the hearts of men everywhere and, ultimately, the establishment of His physical Kingdom here on earth at His second coming (Rev. 11:15; 20:4).
...His Love Is Our Light
Mark 4:21, 'And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?'
MARK 4:21-25
Just as a candle or lamp is not to be hid, but rather displayed so that everyone can benefit from its light, so a Christian must let his light so shine before men that they might see his good works and glorify his Father which is in heaven. God has ordained us to go and bring...
IS GOD'S WORD NOT WORKING IN YOUR LIFE. WHEN I SAY "GOD'S WORD" I AM TALKING ABOUT BEING HEALTHY, HAVING PLENTY OF MONEY, BEING HAPPY, ETC. JESUS SAYS IF WE ASK IN HIS NAME AND TO HAVE FAITH TO BELIEVE, HIS FATHER WILL GIVE IT TO US. IT SHOULD BE WORKING IN ALL OF OUR LIVES TO PRODUCE ALL GOD'S PROMISES.
WE ALL HAVE FAITH. WE USE IT ALL THE TIME IN OUR DAILY LIVES. WE ALSO NEED TO USE IT IN OUR SPIRITUAL LIVES. WE HAVE "THE" MEASURE OF FAITH AND THAT FAITH COMES FROM JESUS (HEBREWS 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.)
Worldly Cares Are Thorns
Luke 8:14, 'And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.'
LUKE 8:5-14
This third type of ground is characteristic of a large part of the Body of Christ today. These are people who have received God's Word, committed themselves to it to the degree that they are able to remain faithful in persecution, but because of being occupied with the affairs of this life, the Word sown in their heart is choked and no fruit is produced. Just as weeds in a garden will steal all of the nutrients and starve the plant, so the pleasures of this life, if we allow them to dominate our thinking,...
I HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT THIS ABOUT THREE TIMES NOW AND I STILL GET PEOPLE ASKING ME HOW WE CAN BE SURE THAT WE ARE SAVED. WELL, LET ME TRY ONE MORE TIME TO EXPLAIN IT SO EVERYONE CAN KNOW FOR SURE. I HAD HEARD ALL MY LIFE, "ONCE SAVED, ALWAYS SAVED", AND I HAD HEARD A LOT OF MINISTERS AND PEOPLE SAY THAT IT WAS NOT TRUE. WELL, WHEN I WAS NOT REALLY STUDYING THE BIBLE, MANY YEARS AGO, I REALLY DID NOT KNOW FOR SURE MYSELF. I ALWAYS HOPED IT WAS TRUE BUT NO ONE COULD NOT, OR WOULD NOT, TAKE THE TIME TO TELL ME. I DON'T WANT TO BE ONE OF THOSE TYPE PEOPLE.
No Distractions, Please
Mark 4:16, 'And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;'
MARK 4:13-20
The second type of person Jesus describes is one who does receive the Word, even with great joy, but his commitment to the Word is shallow. Just as a plant must establish a strong root system to sustain its growth, so we must become rooted and grounded in God's Word. Too much attention on visible growth will cause us to become impatient and not take the time to become firmly established in the...
Understanding God's Word
Luke 8:12, 'Those by the wayside are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.'
LUKE 8:4-13
The first type of person Jesus describes is someone who doesn't understand God's Word (Mt. 13:19). Before God's Word can penetrate your heart, you have to understand (not comprehend) what it's saying. If the Word isn't understood, then it will be like seed scattered on top of hard-packed ground (the wayside). The birds will eat the seed and there will be no fruit.
Mark 4:15 and Luke 8:12, make it clear that these birds represent Satan, and Mark says the devil comes immediately to steal away the Word. Satan did not have direct...
DOES IT BOTHER YOU TO HEAR SOMEONE TAKE GOD'S NAME IN VAIN? IT DOES ME AND I DON'T MIND TELLING THEM ABOUT IT WHETHER THEY LIKE IT OR NOT. PEOPLE HAVE EVEN TOLD ME THAT IT WASN'T A SIN. DON'T THEY EVER READ THE BIBLE. WHAT ABOUT THE TEN COMMANDMENTS? (EXODUS 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.) WHAT ABOUT JUST SAYING CURSE WORDS? DOING THAT IS A SIN ALSO. (EPHESIANS 4:29 SAYS "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.")