The Son will make you free! In Him all things were created both in heaven and in earth. We sow the seeds but it is Holy Spirit who makes it grow.
If our actions reflect the love of God, in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, that love will lead them home. John 3:16-17
Jesus is truth and the only way to the Father.
John 12:32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”
Joy in the Lord is our strength.
Jesus accomplished everything we need for salvation. Filled with the fruits of His righteousness our circumstances, good or bad, are used to God’s glory. Our joy in the Lord is an example of the goodness of God. The Gospel is living and is powerful for good to those who believe.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Jesus often used stories called "parables" to reveal His Truth to people who were willing to listen. Within the 41 verses of Mark 4, Jesus shared four parables, and today we'll look at one of them, the parable of the seed, which helps us better understand how the Word of God causes growth in the Kingdom of God. Jesus invites us to see ourselves as sowers of the gospel and to work together with Him as co-laborers in the Kingdom.
“And [Jesus] said, 'The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how" (Mark 4:26-27).
He was making an analogy about how the Word of God (seed) is sown into people's hearts and how God Himself is responsible for the inworking of spiritual growth.
God promises that His Word will always accomplish the purpose for which He sends it (Isaiah 55:10-11). Yet change in the hearts of those who hear the gospel doesn't always occur immediately. It's a process. Jesus explained that as the man who sowed seed went about his daily business, transformation silently began to take effect. Just as seeds grow in the soil gradually, God gradually prepares us to be changed from the inside out, by His grace, over time.
The biggest point to understand about the parable of the growing seed is that we cannot change ourselves or anyone else ... only God can.
Colossians 1:16-17 "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Little by little and day by day, our sanctification to look more like Christ is an ongoing process. Our job as believers throughout this process is to share God's Word and show God's love. Whenever we do, God will draw people to Himself, which is our greatest service to Him. First 5
We give thanks this day.
We pray that we may live not by our fears but by our hopes, not by our words but by our deeds.
We give thanks this day.
O. Eugene Pickett (Sabbath Moments)
John 8:29-32
28 Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. 29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” 30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” The New King James Version
Lift up refers to the crucifixion; simultaneously symbolizes Jesus’ atoning death and glorification. The act of crucifixion will bring awareness of Jesus’ true identity.
These disciples have agreed in principle with Jesus’ teaching, but their perseverance in following His teaching will reveal whether they are genuine disciples. Knowing the truth about Jesus is a sign of spiritual freedom from the bondage of sin. Faithlife Study Bible
The Greek phrase translated believed in occurs almost exclusively in John’s Gospel. The phrase describes faith in Jesus’ message which results in eternal life.
Abide means to remain, to continue. A believer who continues to obey the Word is a disciple, a learner. One who abides in the Word of God knows the truth. The word free refers to freedom from the bondage of sin.
Obedience to the Lord means fellowship with Him, protection from sin, and experiencing His love. The NKJV Study Bible
But the curse of the law is done away to all that submit to the grace of the gospel. Nothing but the doctrine of Christ’s grace will be an argument powerful enough, and none but the Spirit of Christ’s grace will be an agent powerful enough, to turn us from sin to God; and that Spirit is given, and that doctrine is given, to work upon those only who believe in Christ. Some say, Who is this Jesus? They allow him to have been a Prophet, an excellent Teacher, and even more than a creature; but cannot acknowledge him as over all, God blessed for evermore. Will not this suffice? Jesus here answers the question. Is this to honour him as the Father? Does this admit his being the Light of the world, and the Life of men, one with the Father? All shall know by their conversion, or in their condemnation, that he always spake and did what pleased the Father, even when he claimed the highest honours to himself. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
John 4:34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
John 7:31 And many of the people believed in Him, and said, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?”
John 8:16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me.
John 16:32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
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