Greetings, and peace to you, all! I know no one means to no listen to Christ, but listening also means we are to BELIEVE what he said and says, yes? That IS what "faith" IS... yes? And, yet...
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them HEAR.”
“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the Word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the Word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the Word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the Word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:3-9, 18-22
I have shared before that ALL of these were "seed", no? Yet, according Christ's illustration here, ALL seed don't grow... or produce.
As he said:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." John 15:1, 2
And...
“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." Luke 6:43-45
What of his words:
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34
And...
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me." John 14:1
And...
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27
And...
"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?" Luke 12:25
And most importantly...
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?" Luke 6:46
WHY... given the times? Trump has "made nice" with Korea. He is "making nice" with Russia." Last week, he invited Iran to meet... and they will. AND... they will ALL "make nice." Why? Because that is what will need to occur for the TRUE "saying" of "Peace and security!" to occur! Everyone has to make nice! But what really happens when people "make nice"? Is it for real... lasting... perpetual? Or is there always the underlying "hate", just held at bay... until something brings it out?
Given the time... and I know you all have heard THAT before, but we were warned who to listen to, what to listen to, who NOT to listen to and what not to listen to... yes? Given the time... we all want to take care as to which "seed" we are. And what kind of "builder":
"As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” [/color] Luke 6:47-49
Dear ones, I don't think now is a time to sleep. We are not only going to hear of fires... and floods... and hurricanes... and tornados... but also earthquakes... and wars. These things happen all the time... all over the earth. Yearly, if not monthly. And while all of that is going on... lots more... LOTS more... is happening unseen.
Please. If you're asleep... wake up. If you're awake... try to stay awake.
Peace to you ALL... and to your dear households!
Your servant, sister, and a slave of Christ,
Shel (please... dear ones... luvs... grasp... understand... what he is SAYING... and do it. If he says do not worry/be anxious about ANYTHING... then... Please...)
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