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. Matthew 13:22 While studying the parable of the Sower and the Seeds I came across this quote from the Life App. Study Bible: “Guard your schedule and associations and resist the desire to acquire more things. The more time you spend with God and His Word, the more you will see what truly productive living looks like.” The word productive caught my full attention as this is a word that I think of on a daily basis. I’m a planner and…

You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.  A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.  But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. Matthew 12: 34-36 What if everything we have ever said were to be played back for all to hear? Would that give you cause for concern? I find it interesting that the beginning of this passage starts with ‘brood…

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.  Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.  Then he told them many things in parables. Matthew 13:1-3 All Jesus did that day was tell stories—a long storytelling afternoon. His storytelling fulfilled the prophecy: I will open my mouth and tell stories;I will bring out into the open    things hidden since the world’s first day. Today these passages seemed more alive to me, possibly because I was sitting on the bank of the river while reading them. It was easy to picture the whole scene…

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;    he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.  The righteous person may have many troubles,    but the Lord delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:17-19 I received the updated curriculum for the next session of Grief Share the other day and as I was reviewing it I came across this statement: “What you allow in your heart, when it is so broken and exposed, will shape the years to come.” The timing of the quote was perfect. I was dealing with different kinds of heartbreak. It was Brock’s birthday and I was missing him and thinking of him, and…

Blessed is __________ if she is meek, for she shall inherit the earth.  Matthew 5:5   ____________ your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.            1 Peter 3:3-4  But in your heart _________ set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and…

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. – Matthew 5:5 To be meek means to possess a strong but gentle spirit of selfless devotion to God that humbly submits to His purposes.  In other words, it is power under control.  The Godly character of meekness is shown in the life of those whose actions and words demonstrate the proper attitude or temperament of a servant of God that is in tune with the Holy Spirit. Jesus set an example of meekness for us when He washed His disciples feet, then challenged us to do the same.  “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet,…

Deep calls to deep    in the roar of your waterfalls;all your waves and breakers    have swept over me.  By day the Lord directs his love,    at night his song is with me—    a prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42:7-8 I have the privilege of taking a few days off this week and spending time with God all by myself. When I first scheduled this God retreat I was exhausted, worn out, and emotionally out of energy. In the last few days, however, I have felt much better and even thought of canceling the trip. But when I prayed about it and read through my memory verses I realized that it was the enemy that wanted…

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119 :11 For several years I’ve had a small book with memory verses on each page that I would review while walking on the treadmill. I had read that it helps you memorize things better if you are doing a common task while reading whatever it is you want to memorize and have found it to be true. Since the weather has been nicer I have taken to outdoor walks and runs which means I’m paying more attention to my surroundings and have not taken my memory book with me for quite some time. But…

So this is what the Sovereign Lord says, “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.” Isaiah 28:16 The great British preacher Charles Spurgeon said, “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to a person that isn’t.” May that be said of your Bible one day. I like bibles and have several different translations. One bible is my travel bible because it’s smaller and I take it with me on all my adventures. The pages are worn and wrinkled, partly due to a rouge wave incident on a beach, but mostly from…

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. Isaiah 26:3 The last few weeks have been filled with moments of witnessing women live out today’s passage. The first received a bad test result which will require more medical procedures. The earliest she can see a specialist will be in 6 weeks. The second is a woman who has to have major surgery and will likely have a kidney removed. The third is a younger woman who was experiencing back pain and numbness in her leg which turned out to be a tumor…