Tag Archives: The Word

The Sower And The Seed…

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The Parable of the Sower

Luke 8:1-14  NIV

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“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another,

proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God…

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The Twelve were with Him…

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While a large crowd was gathering

and people were coming to Jesus from town after town,

He told this parable:

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 ‘A farmer went out to sow his seed.

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 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path;

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 it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up.

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 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.

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Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.

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 Still other seed fell on good soil

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It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.’

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When He said this, He called out, ‘Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.’

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His disciples asked him what this parable meant.

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He said, ‘The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you,

but to others I speak in parables,

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 so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see;
though hearing, they may not understand.

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This is the meaning of the parable:

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‘The seed is the word of God.

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Those along the path are the ones who hear,

and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts,

so that they may not believe and be saved.

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Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it,

but they have no root.

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They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.

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 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear,

but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures,

and they do not mature.

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But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart,

who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.'”

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The summary…

A sower dropped  seed on the path, on rocky ground, and among thorns, and the seed was lost;

but when seed fell on good earth, it grew, yielding thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.

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Jesus says, “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  NIV

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“I am the vine; you are the branches.

If a man remains in Me and I in him,

he will bear much fruit;

apart from Me you can do nothing.

If anyone does not remain in Me,

he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers;

such branches are picked up,

thrown into the fire and burned.”

John 15:5-6  NIV

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“Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit,

so you can identify people by their actions.”

Matthew 7:20  NLT

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Our goal is to persevere, grow, reach maturity, and produce more fruit!

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The person who thoughtfully hears the gospel,

understands its implications,

and then consistently grows and matures,

bears much fruit as a result!

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This parable must encourage us to desire and depend on Jesus to plant us in good soil,

where we can persevere through adversity to maturity and fruitfulness,

Anything else is unacceptable!

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“But their minds were made dull,

for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read.

It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away.

Even to this day when Moses is read,

a veil covers their hearts.

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord,

the veil is taken away.”

2 Corinthians 3:14-16

Amen!

Forgiveness??? But…Really, Lord?

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It’s Impossible!!

The hardest thing…

The last thing on my mind…

To forgive those who don’t deserve it???

It’s the opposite of how I feel…

The pain they caused is just too real…

I can’t even say the word “Forgiveness…”

It flies in the face of all my pride…

It moves away the mad inside…

It’s always anger’s own worst enemy…

I really want to hold a grudge…

Lord, are You saying “Set it free?”

“Yes,  Forgiveness!”

Why should I love the unlovable???

Why should I try to reach the unreachable???

It’s impossible…

Forgiveness???

Why should I try to do the impossible???

Forgiveness???

It’s too hard!

“No, listen, my child…

It’ll clear the bitterness away…

It can even set a prisoner free…

There is no end to what its power can do…

So let it go and be amazed…

By what you see through eyes of grace…

The prisoner that it really frees is you!!”

Forgiveness!

Forgiveness!

Forgiveness!

Forgiveness!

Okay, Lord…

Show me how to love the unlovable..

Show me how to reach the unreachable…

Help me now to do the impossible…

Forgiveness!

I want to finally set it free…

So show me how to see what Your mercy sees…

Help me now to give what You gave to me!!

Forgiveness!

Forgiveness!

Forgiveness!

Forgiveness!

You can do it, too!  Do the impossible!  Free yourself by forgiving others!

Some Days, Life Is A Walk In The Park!

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Like Today!!

Lunch with my husband and two other couples…

A walk in the park…

Along the Peace River…

Cool, crisp, sun-shiny day…

It doesnt get better than this!!

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“When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said,

‘I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness,

but will have the light of life.’”

John 8:12  NIV

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“Teach me thy way, O Lord;

I will walk in thy truth…”

Psalm 86:11  KJV

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“…Walk as children of light.”

Ephesians 5:8  ESV

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“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

2 Corinthians 5:7  ESV

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“Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.”

Psalm 119:105  ESV

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“Whoever says he abides in Him

ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.”

1 John 2:6  ESV

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“He has told you, O man, what is good;

and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice,

and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?”

Micah 6:8  ESV

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“If we live by the Spirit,

let us also walk by the Spirit.”

Galatians 5:25  ESV

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“…who walk not according to the flesh

but according to the Spirit.”

Romans 8:4  ESV

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“Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6  NIV

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“Let your eyes look straight ahead,

fix your gaze directly before you.”

Proverbs 4:25  NIV

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“Calling to those who pass by,

who are going straight on their way.”

Proverbs 9:15

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“…a man of understanding keeps a straight course.”

Proverbs 15:21  NIV

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“For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came

and testified to your truth,

as indeed you are walking in the truth.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

3 John 1:3-4  ESV

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“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar,

praise and extol and honor the King of heaven,

for all His works are right

and His ways are just;

and those who walk in pride He is able to humble.”

Daniel 4:37  ESV

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“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord,

urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling

to which you have been called,

with all humility and gentleness, with patience,

bearing with one another in love.”

Ephesians 4:1-2  ESV

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“And, as shoes for your feet,

having put on the readiness given

by the gospel of peace.”

Ephesians 6:15  ESV

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“Observe the commands of the LORD your God,

walking in His ways and revering Him.”

Deuteronomy 8:6  NIV

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“Yes, LORD, walking in the way of Your laws,

we wait for You;

Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.”

Isaiah 26:8  NIV

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“When Abram was ninety-nine years old,

the LORD appeared to him and said,

‘I am God Almighty;

walk before Me faithfully and be blameless.'”

Genesis 17:1  NIV 

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“…Then Peter got down out of the boat,

walked on the water

and came toward Jesus.”

Matthew 14:29  NIV

Yes, walk straight into His arms…Amen!

Holy Spirit, You Can Steal My Show!

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I love this song!

It’s about our God, His Son Jesus, and His Holy Spirit…

Taking over our lives…

And being allowed to take over our “show!”

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,

they are the sons of God.”

Romans 8:14  KJV

http://youtu.be/HOeLa2Qefa0

What we really need is You, Lord!

You’ve got something to say…

Go on and take it away!

I’m hyped that You showed up tonight!

I’m anticipating…

And craving something more than smoke and lights…

I’ll step out the way…

I’ll give You center stage…

The spotlight’s on You, Lord!

I need You to steal my show…

I can’t wait to watch You go…

So take it away…

When You arrive…

We come to life…

Our hearts collide…

They’re beating in the same time…

You’re coming through…

All eyes on You…

No matter who we are…

No matter what we do…

Every day we can choose!!!

To say…

When You wanna steal my show…

I’ll sit back and watch You go…

My life!

My pride!

My heart!

It’s all Yours now…

Take it away…

My fame!

My feet!

My family, my career

Take it away…

It’s all Yours now…

So take it away…

It’s You I wanna live for!!

My sentiments, exactly!!

Bloom Where You’re Planted!

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We’re all different, but we’re all beautiful!

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“The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom;
it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
…they will see the glory of the Lord,
the splendor of our God.”

Isaiah 35:1-2  NIV

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“…Who knows but that you were brought to the kingdom for a time like this?”

Esther 4:14  ISV

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“But in fact God has placed the parts in the body,

every one of them, just as He wanted them to be.”

1 Corinthians 12:18  NIV

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“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in Him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8  NIV

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“That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.”

Psalm 1:3  NIV

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“I know that the Lord is great,
that our Lord is greater than all gods.
The Lord does whatever pleases Him,
in the heavens and on the earth,
in the seas and all their depths.”

Psalm 135:5-6  NIV

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“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,

they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;

planted in the house of the Lord,

they will flourish in the courts of our God.

They will still bear fruit in old age,

they will stay fresh and green,

proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright;

He is my Rock…'”

Psalm 92:12-15  NIV

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“Nevertheless,

each person should live as a believer

in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them,

just as God has called them…”

1 Corinthians 7:17 NIV

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“There are different kinds of gifts,

but the same Spirit distributes them.

There are different kinds of service,

but the same Lord.

There are different kinds of working,

but in all of them and in everyone

it is the same God at work.”

1 Corinthians 12:4  NIV

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“All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,

and He distributes them to each one,

just as He determines.”

1 Corinthians 12:11  NIV

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“Just as a body, though one,

has many parts,

but all its many parts form one body,

so it is with Christ.

For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body

—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—

and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.  

Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.”

1 Corinthians 12: 12-14  NIV

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“Now you are the body of Christ,

and each one of you is a part of it.”

1 Corinthians 12: 27  NIV

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“And over all these virtues put on love,

which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,

since as members of one body you were called to peace.

And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach

and admonish one another with all wisdom,

and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs

with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

Colossians 3:14-16  NIV

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We’re all needed in the Kingdom!

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So…Bloom!

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Present yourself to the King!

“See how the lilies of the field grow.

They do not labor or spin.”

Matthew 6:28  NIV

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Take a stand!

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Be confident!

“Yet I tell you that not even Solomon

in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”

Matthew 6:29  NIV

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Don’t remain silent!

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It’s your time!

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Live loud for Christ!

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Persevere!

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Obedience always brings blessing!

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God is working through His people!

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He will accomplish His purpose!

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Let Him use you!

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Stay faithful!

And…Bloom!!

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“Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime;

it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds.

He gives showers of rain to men,

and plants of the field to everyone.”

Zechariah 10:1  NIV

The Battle’s Already Won!

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Even the battle for your mind!

No!

I’m not giving up now…

I’m claiming victory!

I’m not giving in now…

The war’s already won!

The struggle’s between God and the devil…

Love against the enemy!

No!

I’m not giving up now…

The war’s already been won for me!!

Amen!

I just read an article by Joyce Meyer, entitled,

“Are Your Thoughts Powerful or Pitiful?

Taking Battlefield of the Mind to a New Level”

Joyce Meyer Ministries

publishes

“Enjoying Everyday Life” Magazine.

In this Special Edition issue article,

She shares “Power Thoughts” from Scripture…

To encourage you to bring your thinking into agreement with God,

So you can enjoy Him…

And His good plan for you.

Here are three “Power Thoughts” she  mentions:

Power Thought #1:

God Loves Me Unconditionally!

Psalm 139:14

  We are “…fearfully and wonderfully made.”

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,

the new creation has come: 

The old has gone,

the new is here.”

Power Thought #2:

I will Not Live In Fear! 

“This is the day which the Lord hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad in it.”

Psalm 118:24

Each morning, she says to herself,

“I will enjoy this day

and I will not live in fear.”

Power Thought #3:

I Am Difficult To Offend

“Whoever is slow to anger

is better than the mighty,

and he who rules his spirit

than he who takes a city.”

Proverbs 16:32

Win the battle for your mind!!

The war’s already won!

“East To West”

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“As far as the east is from the west,

so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

Psalm 103:12

Have you allowed Him to cast your transgressions that far???

“Who is a God like You,   

who pardons sin and forgives the transgression   

of the remnant of His inheritance?

You do not stay angry forever

but delight to show mercy.

You will again have compassion on us;   

You will tread our sins underfoot   

and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”

Micah 7:18-19

Have your iniquities been hurled into the sea of forgetfulness?

This song by Casting Crowns, is so powerful!

Here I am, Lord!

I don’t want to end up where You found me!

In the arms of Your mercy I find rest!

Jesus,

You’re holding on to me…

You know just how far the east is from the west

From one scarred hand to the other!

Amen!

“Orange” You Glad You Know Jesus!?

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Sorry!  Couldn’t resist this title!

Kids,

Click below for a crazy worship song we do in our Kids Church about…

The Fruit Of The Spirit!

Galatians 5:22-23  NIV

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“…for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true…”

Ephesians 5: 9  ESV

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LOVE

“Love the Lord your God

with all your heart

and with all your soul

and with all your strength.”

Deuteronomy 6:5  NIV

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JOY

“May the God of hope

fill you with all joy and peace

as you trust in Him,

so that you may overflow

with hope

by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13  NIV

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PEACE

“You will keep in perfect peace   

those whose minds are steadfast,   

because they trust in You.”

Isaiah 26:3

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PATIENCE

“And so after waiting patiently,

Abraham received what was promised.”

Hebrews 6:15  NIV

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KINDNESS

“But love your enemies,

do good to them,

and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.

Then your reward will be great,

and you will be children of the Most High,

because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”

Luke 6:35  NIV

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GOODNESS

“Our people must learn

to devote themselves to doing what is good,

in order to provide for urgent needs

and not live unproductive lives.”

Titus 3:14  NIV

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FAITHFULNESS

“For we live by faith,

not by sight.”

2 Corinthians 5:7  NIV

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GENTLENESS

“Take My yoke upon you

and learn from Me,

for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:29  NIV

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SELF-CONTROL

“For we do not have

a high priest who is unable

to empathize with our weaknesses,

but we have One

who has been tempted in every way,

just as we are—

yet He did not sin.”

Hebrews 4:15  NIV

Know Jesus!

Bear Fruit!

Walk in the Fruit of the Spirit…

Display the Fruit of  the Spirit to others!

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…

It’s not easy all the time!

But produce good fruit!

Not rotten fruit!

 Dried up fruit…

Useless fruit…

Or no fruit at all!

Be a juicy piece of fruit!

Big and flavorful!

Yum!

Don’t Fall For The Counterfeit!!

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Beautiful statues!

“When anyone hears the message about the kingdom

and does not understand it,

the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.

This is the seed sown along the path.”

Matthew 13:19  NIV

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But nothing like the real thing!

“Jesus turned and said to Peter,

‘Get behind me, Satan!

You are a stumbling block to me;

you do not have in mind the things of God,

but the things of men.'”

Matthew 16:23  NIV

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“And no wonder,

for Satan himself masquerades

as an angel of light.”

2 Corinthians 11:14  NIV

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“Submit yourselves, then,

to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.”

James 4:7  NIV

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“The God of peace

will soon crush Satan under your feet.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”

Romans 16:20  NIV

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“So the great dragon was cast out,

that serpent of old,

called the Devil and Satan,

who deceives the whole world;

he was cast to the earth,

and his angels were cast out with him”

Revelation 12:9  KJV

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“Prove all things, hold fast that which is good”

1 Thessalonians 5:21, KJV

“Satan, who is the god of this world,

has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe.

They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News.

They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ,

who is the exact likeness of God.”

2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV

Hold Fast!!

Don’t fall for the counterfeit…

from the father of lies!!

Sitting On The Fence? Ouch!

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(I received this photo through e-mail…photographer unknown!)

Who owns this adorable dog???

The people in the brown house?

Or the people on the other side of the fence?

Is this dog coming home?

Or running away?

Who owns you?

Jesus or satan???

Are you coming home?

Or are you running away?

Get off the fence!

Sitting on the fence hurts!

It hurts us, and it hurts others…

Lack of commitment to Jesus holds us back!

We can’t help anyone…

Or disciple people from the fence…

Satan keeps us bound to it!

We can only help others from a position of total freedom…

Of true liberty in Jesus…

From our position at the foot of the Cross!

Are we too complacent to make an effort to get off the fence?

Choose Jesus!

Encourage others to get off the fence, too!

Help them see Jesus’ glorious face…

At the gate ahead in Heaven…

Show them His love in you…

Point them to Heaven…

So they can turn their back on hell!

It’s the right direction to receive abundant blessings…

From our Lord and Savior.

Jump off the fence!

Today!

All the way off!

For once and for all!

Into the arms of Jesus!

And stay as far away from the fence as you can!

Stop trying to run away!

And go home!

*Based on my previous post Straight To The Gate