#1 Wheat and Weeds and The Longest 7 Seconds of Silence I Have Ever Heard

Matthew 13:24-30

Title in NIV: A parable: Wheat and weeds.

 This is what the words refer to:

1. The one who sowed good seed= Son of Man

2. Field=world

3. Good seed= sons of the kingdom

4. Weeds= sons of evil one

5. One who sowed bad seed= devil

6. Harvest= end of age

7. Harvesters= angels

The first sentence is from the Bible. The second sentence is translated from the explanation Jesus gave about the parable. Reading them side by side deepened my understanding of what Jesus was saying to the people.

The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed…

*like a man who sowed good seen in the field

*like the Son of Man who placed his creation in the world

*but while people slept the enemy came and sowed weeds

*but while people did not notice, Satan planted evil people in the world

*wheat sprouted and weeds sprouted

*good people lived for God among the bad people who lived for Satan

*the owner’s servants came to him

*God’s angels came to him

*Do you want us to pull them up?

*Do you want us to get rid of the evil Satan planted?

*No because you may pull up some of the wheat with the weeds

*No because you may destroy some of the good people when you destroy the bad

*Let both grow together

*Let both good and bad live together

*At harvest, I will tell harvesters to gather weeds and tie them for the fire; then gather wheat and bring it to the barn

*At the coming of the Lord, the angels will gather all the bad people who denied Him and were sown by the devil and throw them to hell. Then they will gather the good people and bring them to heaven

?Can an evil person Satan planted ever turn to the Lord and reject Satan, the one who planted him?

?If good people would be destroyed when the bad people were pull up, does that mean that some of the good people are so entangled and associated with the evil in the world that they would be damaged if that part of their ‘world’, ‘self’ were to be removed?

?When I think of God saying let both live together, I can’t help but think of the verse that says God is patient and wants all to turn to him. He is giving those good people time to turn the evil ones to the Lord.

I think it is interesting how God keeps us on our toes in His word. In this parable, the evil people are gathered first and thrown into the fire then the good are gathered to heaven. In other parts of the Bible, the good seem to be gathered first (Mt. 24:31; Mark 13:27). So, when the Lord comes, I’m a little confused to know which group I want to be included in—the first or the second. I just want to go with Jesus and I don’t care which group that is. Maybe the Left Behind books are right and all the good people go first to allow the bad people to change and turn to God. But, I see evidence in the Bible for both scenarios to happen. This is where I think God is testing our faith. He also tests us to see how staunch we are in our understanding of the Word. If someone is truly open to the Lord and his teaching through their personal bible study, they will say, “I don’t know and I am at peace with that.” Many cannot say they are at peace with not knowing.

            In a large bible study I used to attend in Fort Worth, the opportunity presented itself for me to use this example. I think the conversation was heavily on ‘going first’ (ie. Rapture), but, being me and enjoying stretching people’s knowledge, I flipped over to this verse and explained that in this parable, the weeds go first and the good people second. That was the longest 7 seconds of silence I have ever heard. I suppose they were digesting that comment and new insight. My comment apparently did not fit with what they had always been lead to believe or what they whole-heartedly already believed to be true. (Just a side note: I was asked to be a leader of the bible study groups (there were about 10 groups), but I said no because I was being called to write and that particular bible study took up many hours and miles.)

            The point: Be open to new understanding from the Word. Don’t be so staunch in some of your beliefs and think everyone has to have the same view you do. Everyone has a different personal relationship with God.

            Challenge: Think of one of your staunch beliefs you could lighten up on. For example:

1.      People with tattoos are bad.

2.      People should wear a certain kind of dress to church.

3.      It is easy for people to turn to the Lord, I’ve done it. Just do it!

4.      Some people are not worth it.

5.      Worshiping the Lord should be done quietly.

6.      ‘We’ interpret the Bible correctly, everyone else does not. (arrogant!!!)

7.      There is only one translation of the Bible that is approved by God.

8.      If I get involved, I will get ‘dirty’ and God will not approve.

9.      Do not associate with sinners.

Blessings! I pray I have sparked your desire to study. Ponder God’s word.

My Journey to my Kingdom Study

Kingdom of Heaven Study: Where I Got the Inspiration

            My journey began several years ago when a sweet young lady came to my door and wanted to share some Scripture with me. Of course, I allowed her to do so. For about a year she would come and share a scripture about every 2-3 months and give me some reading material. Sometimes she had a ‘trainee’ with her. One day she turned to a passage in Daniel (I tried to look up the specific one but there are 53 references to the kingdom in Daniel and I really don’t remember which one). She read about the kingdom and asked my opinion. I told her I believed there is a kingdom of God’s believers on earth that are called to win as many into the kingdom of believers as they can before the Lord returns to take us to the heavenly kingdom. She did not agree with that. She only believes there is a heavenly kingdom. 

            After she left, that got me to thinking. I did a long study on the kingdom and how it IS here on earth and how there is a heavenly kingdom we will go to when we die (or Jesus comes back). The next time she returned, I was armed with scripture. It just so happens that my house was clean the day she and her trainee stopped by. I invited them in and we sat on the couch and all opened our Bibles. I shared with them my scriptures. She shared with me her scriptures. After a short while when I decided this was going no where, I said, “You know, we probably should agree to disagree. Whether you believe your interpretation or I believe what I have found, neither is a ‘bad’ view to hold. Neither is denying God or against his teaching. And, believing that a kingdom of believers is here on earth is not a bad concept, it is just different than your concept.” Well, they really didn't like that, but they were nice about it and the sweet lady expressed that it was really refreshing to actually have someone talk to them and not brush them off. It was nice to know someone took the time to study the scriptures. 

         After that, she did come back several more times but we did not talk about the kingdom any more. What I found to be most interesting came after the visit I had with her about the kingdom. Two older men came to my house. They were obviously from the same church as the sweet lady. It seemed they were ‘checking up’ on me because of something she had told them. God was with me that day!! They asked me questions and I talked with them on the front porch for a short while. At one point in our conversation, I made a comment (I really don’t remember what it was, but it was about my understanding of some scripture we were discussing.) You know that long pause you get when someone is digesting something you said? Well, they paused and stared at me. One finally nodded in agreement with a look on his face like, “I never thought of that before.” I credit God for putting the words in my mouth for that situation and for giving me the opportunity to nicely debate others who have a zest for scripture, too. I like debating. I learn a lot.

            Anyway, I have always been fascinated by the whole ‘kingdom’ concept ever since these encounters. So, I started researching the “The kingdom of heaven is like…” passages in Matthew. Each week I will share one of those with you. And my interpretation is that there has to be a kingdom on earth fighting good and evil. There is also a kingdom in the heavenly realm fighting good and evil. But, Heaven, I think, is were there is no evil and no tears and all is at peace with us worshiping God constantly.

            Next week, I will start with Matthew 13:24-30 “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.”

What Ring Are You?

What ring are you?

You have heard the story about the pebble thrown in the lake, right? The rings get bigger and bigger as they seemingly float and bobble to the shore. 
You are one of those rings in each persons life. You are the closest ring for your immediate family. You touch their life daily and are a huge impact. The next ring may be family or friends you see once or twice a week at church.  The next ring may be the people you continually bump into at the grocery store. 

Ring 1: you are an example, you are seen, you are hands-on, you pray with, you give advice, you discipline, you pray for, you make time for. You are meeting their every need.

Ring 2: you are only seen occasionally. And let's face it, you can portray what you want to these people. You see them occasionally and I bet your typical answer is, 'I'm just fine.' It is easy to hide a few things when you only see someone a couple times a week for a few minutes. 

Ring 3: strangers like at the grocery store or bank or favorite restaurant. You may only know their name. All they know about you is your personality of always nice, happy, or complainer and grumpy. 

Ring 4: people you never see but you know they are there.  People who want nothing to do with you. 

Ring 5: society, leaders, world

What can we do? 

Ring 1: pray for, be there, guide,direct, love, sacrifice for
Ring 2: pray for, love, be real!, support by letting them know you are there for them, do unexpected things for them
Ring 3: let them see you give glory to God and when you walk away, let them say that you are always happy and full of joy, pray for them
Ring 4: get into the Word and pray very specific prayers for them!!
Ring 5: pray for them daily

What To Do When You Are Duped, Cheated or Wronged

I have been duped. I allowed someone to be a part of something because it would have beneficial-if it had worked out. I was warned! This person had duped someone before. I thought I’d be so nice and it would all work out. I’m all about giving people second chances. Like the boyfriend I had in high school who was an alcoholic. I thought I could fix him and give him just one more chance (over and over) to prove he was ‘kicking the habit’. That did not work out.

Well, I won’t be dooped again. I can be nice and genuinely ask how this person is doing if I ever meet them somewhere. However, the trust is GONE! What is the saying “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”

But here is my dilemma. I do not advocate talking bad about anyone. In this group, I only referred to this person as the ‘mystery person’. I never used a name. But, I now know this persons motives are not pure by the two acts that have occurred. So, do I tell others in this group to watch out for So-N-So in the hopes that sabotage cannot be used again on different people? Do I allow it to ‘play out’ in the hopes that it will be different the next time like with my old boyfriend? Hummmmm. I wonder! (Another layer, I think a relative is in the group with us. What then?) I also do not want to be passive aggressive and just let this act go unanswered. I would love to go talk to that person and show them all the false emails and communication in a hard copy and say 'thank you , but no thank you!"  (But I was advised by a VIP to just take person off email contacts.) I hate passive aggressiveness.

I hate those kind of prayers, too, that are wrapped in LOVE. “Let’s pray for (name). She is not wearing her wedding ring.” Okay, let’s acknowledge that is just gossip!! I don’t want to gossip but I want to warn. But warning seems like gossip to me. GRRR!

I also am comfortable with the fact that I tried to give this person another chance. Jesus gave lots of second chances. So, I would rather have 'sucker' written on my character than 'you are not worth it' written there. So, I guess what I am saying is, be open to being duped and cheated and  wronged and don't take it personally when you are. If there is a chance a person will made a different choice and make a good choice, give them the  chance. It may make you look foolish but risk it. Jesus looked foolish to the Sadducees and Pharisees. But Jesus did say, "Go and sin no more!" If  our action enable a person to sin, we are perpetuating the behavior. So, somewhere there is a fine line between giving second chances and helping someone stay in their sin. (That would be an interesting debate.)

1 Corinthians 3:18 If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a 'fool' so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight.
1Corinthians 1:27 God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, God choose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
1 Corinthians 6:7 Why not rather be cheated? Why not rather be wronged?

When I get to heaven, I know all of my life will be laid bare before the Lord and I will have to give an account. I guess I would rather have 'sucker' on my soul rather than 'no chance' written there. 1 Cor. 14:25, 2 Peter 3:10 and Heb 4:13 says everything will be laid bare and and uncovered before the Lord. I sure hope I have bound love, forgiveness, mercy, grace for others, boldness for gospel and other good traits on myself. I hope I have loosed  and scraped off the dross of selfishness, pride, fear, unforgiveness, lust and other negative stuff when my motives and heart are laid bare before the Judge.

What do you have growing in your heart? As much as it depends on you, what has ahold of your mind, soul and heart?

Read Acts 2:14-21
Title in NIV: Peter's explanation of Pentecost.

Vs. 17- "In the last days.." the Spirit will be poured out on all people including men, women and servants. I believe we are in the last days. The Spirit was poured out on many at Pentecost. There are 15 different nationalities listed with all having a different language. I read there were closer to 70 different languages represented. (I know there are many opinions about the last days...and that is ok.) I believe the last days started when Jesus died and ascended to heaven.

Vs. 18 Sons, daughters, men and women will prophesy. Prophesy is simply an inspired revelation about future events. We prophesy when we say "Jesus is coming back." We prophesy when we say there will be a new heaven and a new earth. We prophesy when we say our sins will be washed away (they already are). We can prophesy with bold confidence because we know God cannot lie and we know who wins... Rev 17:14 "They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings-- and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers." I mess up at times but I AM a chosen and faithful, follower. Are you confident in that?

Vs. 19  There will be wonders in heaven and I can't wait to see them, but I bet they pale in comparison to seeing Jesus coming in a cloud. There will be signs on the earth too "blood, fire and billows of smoke."

Verse 20  Talks about the sun being turned to darkness. (also in Rev 16:10, 9:2; Joel 2:2,10, Matthew 27:45 (when Jesus died on the cross). Also, talks about smoke (Rev9:2) and the moon turning to blood (also in Matthew 24).

All these events/signs sound horrible, but if we are in Christ, we will call these things what Joel did…’great and glorious'.

Vs. 21  says ‘everyone who calls on the name of the lord will be saved.

QUESTION: What is more important?  Understanding what is meant by the 'last days', the smoke, the moon turning to blood, when the darkness will come and figuring out when Jesus will come? OR Sharing Jesus with those who need it and bringing a little heaven to those who live in hell on this earth. (Hell on earth I expect would be those who do not have a job and they have a family to support; the homeless; the addicted; some disabled; those who do not know the Savior; the hungry in other countries; the oppressed; on and on.)

How can you bring some heaven to people??

More on Peter’s explanation of Pentecost next week.

Answers to my question: What does the Holy Spirit manifest itself as? Fire, dove (Mt. 3:16), wind, sword of Spirit Eph 6:17. Can you think of any others?

Internet and Division

This is a special blog sent to special people who are my supporters. You may think I'm crazy, but you love me anyway. Thanks!! -Erin

I have two stories. Then I will connect them at the end.

Recently, I figured out how to search for blogs I might be interested in reading. That may sound easy peasy, but remember I am computer illiterate.
Story one: I searched the Internet with words like: Christian blog, faith blog, spirit blog (i tried to find mine but I guess it is buried under a mountain of other blogs). To my absolute, horrified amazement, I found blogs bashing Christians. Ok- I knew they were out there but never searched for or found them before. (I like my naivety and I also realize the depravity of the world.) I was curious about a blog and its post about someone finding an image of the Virgin Mary in a tree. The writer's first mistake was to clump all Christians into Catholicism. He assumed all Christians put stock in seeing images of the Virgin Mary in flakes of cereal or wet window screens. (We do talk about and appreciate Mary, but we don't light candles, have a shrine and ask her for things, but you know that). Then I read the comments!!!!!!! I was applaud at the disrespect, dishonor, filthy images and down right blasphemy of God's character the commenter's hurled. I wrote a message but could not make myself send it. I didn't want my e-mail out there for them to respond. I said, "The Christians who understand what Jesus is all about don't worship the created (like tree trunks and cereal). We worship only the Creator. As a Christian I can say I love all of you because you are beautifully created by God. I pray blessing on all of you because you are all his children." I'm sure that would have sparked 1000 negative comments and not made a dent, so I did not see the point.

Story two: As a Christian, we need support. We know how the world is and it helps when we feel like we are not alone. When we band together, we can find confidence we never knew we had. When we get support, we feel like our talents are not for nothing. I realize God should be enough, but it sure gives me a spark to keep going when others support me and love me unconditionally. The opposite is also true: It sure snuffs out my fire when others, Christians and family especially, don't support me and dangle approval before me based on my actions. I have both in my life and I praise God for both. I learn so much from both sides of the coin.

The connection: Shouldn't Christians stick together and support one another? Christians surely would not follow and support those bashing blogs ( I couldn't even support them with a comment of Truth), but how much more harmful is it when Christians don't support other Christians because of pithy things like the name on the building or musical instruments. Pick your poison and I call it poison because it divides and kills!!!!!!! We are to be unified. A precious lady I know said, "Unity has less to do with what we believe and more to do with Who we believe in." Not sticking with others who are following their God given desire is hurtful and lonely. It may cause one to think the other has a 'holier than thou' attitude.

I listen/read a little bit of everything. For example, a sweet lady comes to my house every couple of months from the Jehovah's Witnesses. We share bible verses together and even debated about something I said for a couple of months. I made a list of verses to make my point, she made a similar list. I finally said, "Let's stop this. Whether we agree or not, this is not a concept against what God teaches. (If you want to know the topic, e-mail me. I'd love to share, but not now.) It is not wrong nor is it a salvation issue. It boils down to our opinions being different." Then we agreed-- to disagree. Point is, she is a Christian sharing Jesus. I don't go from house to house. I stay behind my screen. In ways, she is bolder than I. KUDOS Kelsey!!

I read so much from Christian writers. Some are radical, some, I think, have it wrong, but they try hard. I read stuff from non-Christians too, like Deepak Chopra (I was studying why he was such a big deal) and Bonnie Goldberg, an author of a writing book I have. Many people have great ideas and concepts but they do not focus on Jesus. Bonnie focuses on the Buddhist religion, but her writing advice is solid. If I just refocus her thoughts, I can use them because I know Proverbs 16:3: "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." I know some succeed who are not Christians, but their success has no eternal value and when the fire comes, their success will burn up. Not so with eternal plans that God has blessed (1 Corinthians 3:11-15).

Therefore, I can listen/read other's opinions but I don't overvalue what they say. I can take those concepts that are TRUE and aligned then with the Lord and leave the rest. Some get so offended by 'the rest' that they miss out on some really good stuff. Just because someone is a different denomination, do not think that is who the Lord is saying we should not  associated with. That is Christians dividing Christians just like when Jesus was accused of being Satan when he drove out a demon. Jesus said, "If Satan is divided against himself, how can he stand?"(Luke 11:18) How can Christians stand if they find things about other Christians to divide them? I don't care if another Christian is poor, rich, Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Pentecostal, black, white, Indian, Jew etc. I want them on my side in a fight against the Evil One!

So, work hard at being a Christian. Test everything. Don't just rely on someone to preach the Word to you and agree with every thing without thinking about. Don't just read or listen to what someone from your denomination writes or says (are they the only one's who have a connection to God through writing or speaking? Does God only give gifts to those in your building) Doing so does not stimulate your mind nor does it prepare you to give an account of why you believe what you believe.  When Kelsey and I debate, I am preparing for when I have to give and account in heaven or to someone who asks why I believe in God when times are touch. If you have never defended your faith, you might be tongue tied or at a loss for words when you are asked.

Also, support other Christians. Support family. We ARE Christians. The labels we give ourselves are not as important as Who we follow.

Do You Transition?

Heart Pours Forth

Do You Transition?

            Some people never transition from “I have to keep the law to be considered good and worthy of Jesus’ salvation” to “His grace is sufficient for me.” 

            The first attitude keeps score for themselves (and others). The latter attitude says “I will never be good enough. I will always fail because sin lives inside me, but because I have accepted Jesus, I appear righteous and perfect because of Jesus’ blood covered my sins. I will treat others as God’s children too.”

There is a very fine line between these two concepts and the key is MOTIVATION. What motivates you to do good deeds and live right? Is it the “I have to follow the rules” attitude or is it “I love Jesus and others” attitude?

People of both motives may look and act just alike, but their heart—the why—is very different. The why is what God sees. We cannot see the why for other people. We cannot judge their motives. Prov 16:2; James 4:11-12.

Life example: If you see a man on the street with a sign reading, “I’m hungry!” What do you automatically think? (Be honest before you read further.)

1) The Law Follower thinks:  He is not worth it. He does not contribute to society. He just wants hand-outs for nothing. He will just spend what he gets on the wrong things (cigarettes, alcohol). I’m not going to contribute to that. Workers deserve their wage and he is not working (Luke 10:7).

2) The Love, Heart for Jesus Follower thinks: I will grab a couple of dollars and tell him Jesus loves him. I will buy him a hamburger. I will tell him to use the gift wisely and allow God to judge me and him.

What category do you find yourself in?

After hearing our preacher, Michael Lum’s lesson, I’ve learned there is another way to transition too. We can transition into a free life with Jesus Christ or stay in our life of bondage.

You may be saying, “I am not in bondage or a slave to anything.” You are free to make choices, but have you made these choices?

1) Have you made the decision to forgive someone? If not, you are a slave to unforgiveness. Transition from unforgiveness to forgiveness.

2) Are you a slave to your past? Do you blame your parents and wish they had not raised you like they did. Do you feel like their upbringing contributes to your emotional unstability or unability not to trust? Transition from blame to breaking the pattern and effect it had on your life. Learn from it and do not repeat it.

3) Are you timid and enslaved I fear? Do you fear teaching a class, leading a prayer, asking a question or answering one, sharing Jesus to a stranget? Are you worried what people will think? You are wonderfully and perfectly made right down to your personality (Ps 139:14). If you do not believe it, you have big problems. You don’t believe GOD, you don’t trust Him and you make him out to be a lier. You don’t believe God can help you with your timidity because you think, “That is the way I am.” We all have things to overcome. Timidity is one of them. Transition from timidity to freedom and confidence with boldness God supplies to those who ask (2 Tim 1:7) (Heb 4:16).

4) Are you a slave to your desire to wanting the next new updated thing? Several times a year they come out with the new phone, gaming system, ipod, ipad, itouch. When do istop? This could apply to cars, jewelry, clothes, kitchen gadgets, shoes etc. Transition from the bondage for “I want” to the freedom of contentment.

To transition means to move. You can’t change by doing what you have always done. Do something different. It may be hard at first, but trust God for strength (1 Cor 13:10)