The good seed Jesus spoke of was the Gospel, and we are the soil. We are wise to prepare our soil by keeping it tilled and the weeds pulled. Then the precious seed can be sown and growth can occur.

A Christians home, a church, a Christian school, are all methods of preparing the soil and keeping it fertile. These are critical decisions parents make to prepare the soil of the hearts of their children.

I spoke to a man recently who turned down multiple promotions which would have required a relocation of his family because he wanted to keep his son in a Christian school. He said looking back, “It’s one of the best decisions I have made.” His son is thriving now.

READ/HEAR: Matt. 12,13

All authority in heaven and earth resides in Christ. Selah.

Christ bestowed His authority upon us, His disciples. His authority wielded His power. We are His disciples so we have that authority and power. Is it given so we can obtain a fortune or get the biggest promotion? God forbid. It was given so we could do the work of the ministry … healing the sick, casting out demons, preaching the Gospel.

It’s about time we take and use the authority and power we’ve been given. The key is using it for His Kingdom and in the sanction of His name.

Go.

READ/HEAR: Matt. 10,11

As Jesus walked about Galilee, He was moved to compassion as He beheld the aimless inhabitants walking around like sheep without a Shepherd. He sees people that way today. We see them. They NEED the Lord.  They NEED a Shepherd. They NEED a church to love them and accept them.

We are to be the love and compassion of Christ to them. Don’t allow road rage to deter His compassion. Don’t allow competitiveness to cloak it. Don’t allow self-serving arrogance to neutralize it.

“Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” [n. 15:13]

Although Christianity should not be a list of “do’s and don’ts,” Jesus called it a narrow way with a narrow door. He said the opposite was a “wide” road paved to destruction.

How do we live? Widely, or on a narrow road where we are primarily concerned with pleasing God with every deed, word, and action. When our activities are aimed at benefiting others rather than ourselves, we are on that road.

Essentially, we separate ourselves from the “wideness” and “broadness” of life. Jesus said, “I only do what I see my Father doing.”

READ/HEAR: Matt. 7

Upon hearing the teaching Jesus gave on a hillside near Capernaum, one is impressed with the spirit of meekness Jesus emanating from His words. He was continually deferring to His Heavenly Father on every issue. His Father defended Him, provided for Him, empowered Him, authorized Him, spoke to Him .. it was an existence that drew attention away from Himself and  revealed the great God over all.

This meekness as highlighted and modeled in the Sermon on the Mount is one of our primary earthly goals … to be meek and trusting like Christ was. We are ambassadors and representatives for God in a self-seeking world. Our incomparable reward WILL COME if we are faithful to the end.

READ/HEAR: Matt. 5,6

In Matthew 4 we find Jesus going about the north rim of the Sea of Galilee where He lived, teaching and preaching and healing the sick. The entire area must have been abuzz with the excitement that comes when true signs and wonders happen. People flocked to Him to hear and see such a miracle worker.

When I was a music student at BGSU, I had a composition project where I was to compose an original piece for choir and orchestra. I used this text for my project. I remember being so impressed, so captivated by the thought of a loving Savior Who had not only the necessary compassion upon the sick … but He had the POWER OF GOD to completely heal them.

He still heals today. Ask and receive in Jesus’ name.

READ/HEAR: Matt. 3,4

Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, made many consequential decisions based upon the angel visits in dreams he experienced. For instance, it was in a dream that he was made aware that Herod would try to kill the baby Jesus. So, he and Mary were instructed to flee to Egypt. Were not the angels of Heaven capable to defend the young couple and their newborn from an evil king? Surely, and yet God arranges for them to avoid the tragedy by fleeing. Sadly, Herod had all the baby boys in Bethlehem slaughtered to try to include Jesus who had fled. What a tragedy! It seems so unfair that those undeserving children would be robbed of a life. (Millions of innocent babies have been murdered through abortion)

Yet, God had a plan for Jesus to fulfill. All children BELONG TO GOD. Their eternal fate is in His hands alone. He directs our lives like He did that of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. To fully realize our destiny, we obey His commands and directions for life, even if they come through an angel in a dream.

READ/HEAR: Matthew 1,2

Two of the Lord’s followers encountered Jesus unknowingly on their way to Emmaus after His resurrection. He explained how scripture had predicted all the events of His life in a way they had never seen before. It took the presence of Jesus in their lives before they could truly understand scripture.

Likewise, it is necessary for the Lord’s presence by His Holy Spirit for us to fully understand what God fully wants us to know. In effect, those without God’s working in their lives don’t see Christ as He truly is. The people who walk in darkness need to come to the Great Light an then begin seeing the revelations hidden in the Word.

It’s critical for the lost to come to Christ through salvation. They need to be brought out of darkness.

READ/HEAR: Luke 23,24

Atlanta experienced a 4.4 earthquake last night, the strongest is 45 years.. I was just finishing my devotional post when the house began shaking and rattling. It sounded louder than my wife’s usual morning shower commotion.

As a young college student working in an engineering firm for the summer, I experienced an earthquake in Columbus, Ohio, while sitting at a drafting table on the 10th floor of an office building. I remember the rattling and movement. This was the same.

Jesus predicted that great earthquakes would happen in the end times. It’s time for us to live with a view to the end … whatever we can do for the Lord and His Kingdom needs to be done. The earthquake is a sign and we are wise to heed it.

READ/HEAR: Luke 21,22

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day tried to trip Him up continually. They posed questions designed to diffuse His reputation among the people. One such riddle had to do with marriage, at which time Christ made it clear that in Heaven, there will be no marriage. Then, He used this point to explain that to God, all are alive … even if their body is dead, God is aware of their being and is responsible for their eternal fate. The dead are merely sleeping (soul sleep).

Because so much is at stake, we who are alive and know the Lord must be obedient to His command to tell the Gospel to all. They will be eternally alive. Where will they spend eternity? Heaven or hell.

READ/HEAR: Luke 19,20