KEEP STRONG

Luk 8:11   "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Luk 8:12   Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. Luk 8:13   But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. Luk 8:14   Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. Luk 8:15   But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. NKJV                   Honestly for me I can say that I have struggled with these other types of seeds. In particular the seed that fell on the rock and had no roots. It's the "camp high" seed. Being on f

Eph 5:15   So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Eph 5:16   Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Eph 5:17   Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. NLT                   Paul reminds us that God doesn't choose our actions. In our own free will he gives us the responsibility of determining our own life. Our own choices. Paul says "don’t live like fools". What does living like a fool look like? Well besides what Paul says it is in the next couple of verses, what is a practical example? For me, what I think of is when I don't do what God calls me to do. I had an incident when God called me to go talk to a boy who was about thirteen after playing some football with him. We talked for a long time and there was so much fruit and we began a relationship that was born out of heading to God's call. All glory be to Christ. But I can recall so many instances

Eph 5:15   So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Eph 5:16   Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Eph 5:17   Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. NLT                   Paul reminds us that God doesn't choose our actions. In our own free will he gives us the responsibility of determining our own life. Our own choices. Paul says "don’t live like fools". What does living like a fool look like? Well besides what Paul says it is in the next couple of verses, what is a practical example? For me, what I think of is when I don't do what God calls me to do. I had an incident when God called me to go talk to a boy who was about thirteen after playing some football with him. We talked for a long time and there was so much fruit and we began a relationship that was born out of heading to God's call. All glory be to Christ. But I can recall so many instances

2Co 1:12   For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. KJV                   By God's grace and not fleshly wisdom… I can't do it. That's my honesty, I can't do it. I've been struggling and I'm trying to use my wisdom but it’s just made everything worse. My human nature has been destroying what I've held so close and precious because I've been going back to my fleshly wisdom. I'm such a wreck. I can't say I've had conversation with the world by the grace of God. I've gone back to my sinful, carnal ways and hurt my friends and family. God I'm sorry. I've sinned and I've been shown my wrong. My testimony of my conscience hasn't been that of a godly conduct. God help me to never again lean on my own understanding and wisdom and to run t

(NLT)   Hebrews 11:6    ---    And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.   We are the distributors of what God produces. The feeding of the 5,000, the disciples never produced any of the food that was miraculously given. They simply had the faith that Jesus could feed about 10,000 men women and children with some bread and a couple fish. The disciples took what Jesus did and brought what He had produced to the people. They had faith and it pleased God. The reward for their faithfulness was twelve extra baskets of left overs. We struggle to realize God is all powerful because we can't wrap our mind around infinite power. How are we supposed to comprehend what is impossible to understand? We can't comprehend it but we can have faith in God that He can. Think about how much more we can do if we have ultimate faith in God? Never doubting when He calls us.

Jas 1:5   If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.                     WOW, God gives to ALL men liberally. This verse really encourages me to come to God and ask him for wisdom in faith. Because he will give It to me in some way. I don’t know how he will give it to me. It may require hard times and testing of faith for me to come out with wisdom but that’s not something I should ever complain about. Just a couple of verses ago he said,,,   Jas 1:2   My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Jas 1:3   Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.   Count it all joy

Psa 111:10   The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!   I love how in verse one it says " all those who practice it have a good understanding. " When I think of someone with great wisdom I think of someone who always knows exactly what to say at the right moments. And yes this is an example of wisdom but it should not be what I first think of when I hear the word wisdom. I should think of someone with good conduct. Know what to DO at the right moments rather than what to say." When I think of someone with great wisdom I think of someone who always knows exactly what to say at the right moments. And yes this is an example of wisdom but it should not be what I first think of when I hear the word wisdom. I should think of someone with good conduct. Know what to DO at the right moments rather than what to say.                 Practicing wisdom is the most important part of b

Jas 3:13   Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. Jas 3:14   But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. Jas 3:15   This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. Jas 3:16   For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. Jas 3:17   But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.             I love how in verse one it says "By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom." When I think of someone with great wisdom I think of someone who always knows exactly what to say at the right moments. And yes this is an example of wisdom but it should not be what I first think of when I hear the word wisdom. I should think of someone

Mar 10:47   And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Mar 10:48   And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Mar 10:49   And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart. Get up; he is calling you."                     I see the pattern in this week. Faith. Every IBS we've done this week has been centered around faith. But after decompressing each verse this week I see how it's opened my eyes. I need more faith. I don't have the faith of this blind man we read about in Mark 10. After being rebuked by the disciples he didn't lose heart and kept crying out to God asking him and knowing that Jesus can heal him. Believing that Jesus will heal him. And we don't see Jesus say the words but we know it's what he comman

Mat 8:9   For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it. " Mat 8:10   When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!                     The centurion is an example of how we are called to be. Having the faith that Jesus can do anything, anywhere. It takes amazing faith to say " Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed." Do we believe that Jesus can do this today? Not that he's lost his power… But we don't really think twice when we see a miracle in the bible. But if we prayed a prayer to God like that asking if he would heal one of us and God did… Our minds would be blown. As we should when God demonstrates h