New Beginnings

 Already has the New Year been ushered in; let us pause and ask, what has been the history of the past year, with its burden of records has now passed into eternity? There are many things we wish we had done, but didn't do, things said and harsh words spoken we wish we could take back but cannot; this year has given us the opportunity to right wrongs and to improve on all aspect of our lives. What will be our resolve? The admonition of the apostle comes down the line to every one of us, "Examine yourselves; prove your own selves." Let us not be as engrossed with other matters as to give no time to serious, critical self-examination! Let us consider the things which concern our eternal interests.

Studying the Bible

All those who love truth will accept the Bible as the inspired Word of God,  they will take the Word of God as it says in simplicity accept and read it asking God to help them in discerning his truth. Turning away from every sinful practice, will enter the presence of God with a heart softened and subdued, ready to listen to what God says. 

Is there a God?

In the beginning God; many have asked is there a God? The bible teaches there is a God; in Genesis chapter 1 we read the whole account of creation. In verse 2 it states the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. In the book of Psalm David said. "Thou sends forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renew the face of the earth. Here we find in the first book - Genesis chapter 1 outline the whole creation story and ended with God rested and pronounced his creation Good.

Seed: the Mustard Seed

"What shall we say the Kingdom of God is like?  What parable shall we use to explain it?  It is like this. A man takes a mustard seed, the smallest seed in the world, and plants it in the ground.  After a while it grows up and becomes the biggest of all plants. It puts out such large branches that the birds come and make their nests in its shade." (Mark 4:31-32) .

The Mustard seeds are small round seeds from the mustard plants. The seeds are usually 1 or 2 mm in diameter. They vary in colour from yellowish white to black; these seeds are used as spices. The mustard seed takes about three to ten days to germinate depending on the right climate. 

It is a marvel how something so small as a mustard seed has the capacity to grow into a massive tree, as we look at the spiritual lesson of the mustard seed we see many spiritual messages hidden within this seed parable.

The Parable Of The Talents

Money

Matthew 25:14-22, 24,26.  "The kingdom of heaven, is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.”(Matt 25:14)

The Stony Places

"He that receiveth the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended."  Matt 13:20

 “The seed sown upon stony ground finds little depth of soil. The plant springs up quickly, but root cannot penetrate the rock to find nutriment to sustain its growth, and it soon perishes. Many who make a profession of religion are stony-ground hearers.

Sin: What is It?

The Bible tells of a beautiful angel whose name was Lucifer, the meaning of this name is "son of the morning." We were told that He had great power as well as beauty. In the book of Ezekiel we read of the downfall of Lucifer. Ezekiel 28:14-15 "Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou was perfect in all thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." The bible states that sin is the transgression of the law. So  here we have the first record of one of God's creation being found with iniquity.