God often gives in one brief moment that which He has for a long time denied.
Thomas a Kempis
The Mustard Seed
He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32 (ESV)
There are varying opinions on the interpretation of this parable. One interpretation is based on observations from previous parables. Jesus is the man who sows the seed; which is the kingdom (Matthew 13:37), the field is the world (Matthew 13:38). Some commentators propose that mustard does not grow to be a tree but only a shrub. So, the growth of the mustard seed into a tree must signify something unnatural. Thus the kingdom of God started with meager beginnings (smallest of all seeds) and as it grew in became something “unnatural” or perverted through false doctrine, sinful practices and hypocrisy. The birds of the air are considered to be satanic spirits which have found a home in which to roost (Matthew 13:4; Mark 4:15). Continue reading
Outward Motions
“We belittle God when we go through the outward motions of worship and take no pleasure in His person.”
John Piper
God Reserves
God has reserved to Himself the right to determine the end of life, because He alone knows the goal to which it is His will to lead it. It is for Him alone to justify a life or to cast it away.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
God Inclines
No man ever believes with a true and saving faith unless God inclines his heart; and no man when God does incline his heart can refrain from believing.
Blaise Pascal
Smallest Package
The world’s smallest package is a man wrapped up in himself.
Charles Swindoll
Manifest in Time
Written by Stephen Matthew Pruitt
before the world began
Manifest in time
predestined
Giving glory to the father
Like a lamb to the
slaughter
Laid his life down to take it
up again
Defeating sin and death
Christ our salvation
Redeemer and friend
The I am
the beginning and the end
His Work
Written by Steve Pruitt
God spoke a word; the world was formed
He breathed a new creation
When he had finished all his work
He gazed in jubilation
God sent his Word into the world
The firstborn of creation
With his last breath his work was done
The joy of his salvation
Genesis 1:1, 9, 31; John 1:1, 14; Colossians 1:15; John 19:30; Revelation 3:14; Psalms 51:12, 35:9; Isaiah 53:10