Beware of False Prophets

Let us take care we give no occasion to the enemy to blaspheme the holy name whereby we are called, or to speak evil of the way of salvation by Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. These seducers used feigned words, they deceived the hearts of their followers. In their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words. The ancient verdict against them is still in force, and their destruction is not delayed. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; they would even cast lots for the fatherless and barter away your friend. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

Pride Goes Before A Fall

Self-admirers and self-flatterers are really self-deceivers. Many think the proud are happy people, let me tell you they are not!  This is a mistaken thought. God resist the proud, who display pomp and make a show; Many poor ones feel far less uneasiness than the rich, with all their fancied advantages around them. The man who doesn't know God is poor, though he is rich, because he is lacking of that which alone is true riches. As I read through the book of Esther I had to laugh as I got to Chapters 5 and 6; what a story.

Deliverance

As I pondered on the Story of the Children of Israel in the land of Egypt how they suffered at the hand of Pharaoh I am reminded of their exodus from Egypt ‘The Israelites were wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ When God declared  ^“And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” 

The Pearl of Great Price

Jesus is compared to a precious pearl. The pearl of great price, the parable of the merchantman seeking goodly pearls "who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it." Christ Himself is the pearl of great price. In Him is gathered all the glory of the Father, the fullness of the Godhead.

The Parable of the Tares

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?