verseoftheday

Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.  When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared." Matthew 13:24-26 NIV When the seeds of the enemy are planted they look just like the good seed...not only is this cunning, it's subtle. In our lives what could these be? Words that have the sound of truth but aren't... How about the cult of being busy. The subtle message is that being busy is good - a badge of honour, a mark of success. Yet Jesus always had time for people. What are my priorities? I don't want to miss the good because I'm chasing the weeds planted by the enemy... #wordsofJesus #kingdomvalues #lovepeople

But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 Amp Not only is there no law against these things, there's no scorecard either. There's no performance standard that we can meet. These things just appear like fruit in the orchard as we give ourselves more and more to God, ask His Spirit to permeate our thinking and decision making. There's no comparing with this fruit...and no guilt...no anxiety...no fear... And there's nothing to lose... #fruit #kingdomvalues #inthistogether

"And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands and grasps it; he indeed bears fruit and yields, some a hundred times [as much as was sown], some sixty, and some thirty" Matthew 13:23 AMP Grasps it. When we really get it. Our roots are deep in the word, & the weeds that would choke us off are at least held in check...then there's fruit. 2 things: The amount of fruit is different for different people. We don't have to look the same as anyone else And the fruit is not described. So I'm going to guess it's the Fruit of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness & Self-control That's the outcome, the fruit, the harvest...not a scorecard of souls won, church's planted, people helped this week...not performance...but our heart & how God is gently transforming us on the inside... #wordsofJesus #kingdomvalues #fruit

The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God's word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. Matthew 13:22 NLT I'm no gardener & sometimes can't tell the weeds from the good plants...Jesus highlights a couple of weeds for us... This life will have its worries. There'll be stuff that keeps us up at night - but don't let that overwhelm our faith  And then there's the lure of wealth - we think it, or what it can buy us - will solve everything - & it becomes what we value more than the Kingdom. We all have some weeding to do & sometimes we need help to see what the weeds are & to pluck them out before they take over & ruin the garden... #wordsofJesus #kingdomvalues

But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God's word... Matthew 13:21 NLT Jesus is unpacking the parable of the farmer planting seeds - & in there is a quiet warning - problems or persecution will come, & having deep roots in God's word on that day, knowing what we believe, having a deep seated faith, on that day, will be critical. Don't wait for the storm to put our roots deep into God & his word. Do it when the sun is shining & the rain is gentle, so that in the storm we can stand... #faith #deeproots #wordsofJesus

Friday! Proverbs! Lazy people don't even cook the game they catch, but the diligent make use of everything they find. Proverbs 12:27 NLT We don't see the opportunities that are right in front of us, don't use wisely the resources at our disposal...buying fast food instead of learning to cook...complaining about gym fees but could walk to work for free... But what about our spiritual life? I listen to a sermon but don't take notes... don't read God's word for myself... in the tough times I just want God to fix it, take it away, heal...& right now...rather than ask Him to walk with me thru it...'cos that's where I learn about God, about me, about His purposes... with God is where the diligent make use of everything they find... #diligent #with #proverbs #wisdom #somethingtochewon

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised. Amen. Romans 1:25 NIV John Calvin in 1530 wrote "...man's nature...is a perpetual factory of idols..." or as Tim Keller said when our heart takes the good things (love, career, business, things we own or want to own, even family) & make them the ultimate thing. The thing we think will give us significance, security, fulfillment if we could just attain them... It's so easily done...if only I had That - I'd be happy / content / safe / valuable... Paul says don't swap the living God for the things He's made or we've made. In Him we ARE significant, loved, & secure & it's Him we should choose to worship... #dearlyloved #childrenofGod #jesusatthecentre #loveGod #Romans #keepingitreal #encourageoneanother