A Morning Cup of Tea: Luke 13: New Beginning

Good morning! I hope you had a Merry Christmas and enjoyed the beginning of the new year with the church as I did. How wonderful indeed to have the year begin on the first day of the week!
    For anyone who reads this blog regularly I must first apologize. I havent written since before Christmas. I've spent the time with family, and cleaning, and stretching my wings a little in other areas. I even wrote a few pages of fiction. But I confess, other than worship and bible study with the church, I've neglected my own personal bible study.  It is so easy to let the busyness of life get in the way of our spiritual life. I've missed it. I felt the prodding, urging me to get back to where I belong. And then I lost my bible. I've looked almost everywhere in the house where I think it might be, but I still haven't found it.  I even used that as an excuse. Can't write the Morning Cup of Tea, bible is missing. Still that inner voice was saying to me, there's the other bible in the car. 
   This morning I was awakened in part by my son who wanted my spot in bed. I thought I would lie there and relax, try to get a little more shut eye, but my brain was already off and running. I got dressed, fed the cats and went out to the car to fetch the bible.
  Those of you who have read the short chapter already are probably thinking, Jesus speaks of repentance and heals a woman of her infirmity on the Sabbath, and alludes to his death. Where is she getting a new beginning from?
  The new beginning is the new year. I've asked God for forgiveness for neglecting my study, and I'm asking you for forgiveness as well.  I hope you will join me in bible reading each day. Tomorrow we will discuss Luke 13. I've read it this morning but I want to read it again a few more times before talking about it. I'd love to hear your comments today and tomorrow, or anytime for that matter.  In the meantime, have a wonderful day.

A Morning Cup of Tea: "Take Ye Heed; Watch and Pray"

Good morning! Today we are in chapter thirteen of the gospel of Mark. In today's world, probably like any other time since the time Jesus walked the earth, there are often predictions of the 'end of the world', or the second coming of Christ. Just a few months back followers of a certain man left their jobs and some left their homes, and budgeted to the day that Christ was purported to come back, the food and money they had left. They believed so much what their leader told them, that they saw no need for earthly things after that date. As we all know, the date came and went, and life continued on. The leader said he had made a mistake in his calculations, and if I'm not mistaken, has already predicted another date that Jesus will come back.  There are others who believe that the end is close to Christmas, 2012, simply because the Mayan calendar ended at that time.  If you glance at some of the fanciful tabloids at the check out stand (you know the ones --"The Last Brave Days of Mrs Celebrity"  "The President had an Affair with an Alien from Outerspace" --that type) every now and then you will see proclaimed "Nostradamus Predicts World Will End ___ (fill in the date they drew out of a hat. And I'm sure there are many other lesser known predictions out there. A friend of mine once said of such predictions, you can bet on the day it actually happens someone is going to stand up and say see! I told you it would happen today!
  None of these cult leaders or prognosticators, or even the followers for that matter, seem to read or remember the words of Jesus concerning the second coming: But that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. Mark 13:32, 33.  
 This whole chapter, Jesus speaks of the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, which happened during the lifetime of the disciples, and also the second coming.  But as for the second coming, there isn't going to be a big sign saying "Jesus is coming in five days. Time to straighten up your act." When the time comes, it will happen in an instant. Jesus himself said you dont know when he's coming back; at evening, at midnight, at daybreak, or in the morning. 
 Instead of worrying over when the second coming will be, we should concentrate on living for Christ. We should be living our lives so that others see Christ in us. We should be teaching, with word as well as our lives. 

A Morning Cup of Tea: Matthew 13: 44-58

The last few days we've been going over some of the parables of Jesus. Little stories that may seem entertaining or even confusing to some, but contain wisdom for those who seek the truth.
  He has a few more,smaller parables for us today. 
 44. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
45. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
46. Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. 
47. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind"
48. Which, when it was full, they drew to shore and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
49. So shall it be at the end of the world; the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
50. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Lots to think about there. The kingdom of heaven is something we should desire very much, and be willing to let go of earthly things to attain it.
 Once Jesus had finished his talk, he moved on to Nazareth, his own country. He taught in the synagogue, but they did not want to hear him. (Paraphrasing again!) We know him! We know his family! He's a carpenter's son. Who is he to be telling us these things?
  How sad that his own people did not wish to believe him. I think sometimes it is harder for us to teach our own families and longtime friends, because they have known us so long. They know all the mischief we were in as kids, the mistakes, all. But we should continue praying for them.
  

A Morning Cup of Tea: The Mustard Seed

This morning we are discussing the mustard seed. In the first few verses of this passage, Jesus tells the parable of the mustard seed. He said the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man sowed in his field (v31, paraphrasing). The mustard seed is a tiny, tiny little seed. Yet it can grow to be a big tree. Go here   to see what a mustard tree looks like. This is not the mustard plant from which we get our condiment and spice from, but something entirely different.  I thought that was pretty interesting, because I knew about mustard plants, but had never seen a mustard tree before.
  Before sending the multitude away, Jesus told them one more parable (v33) ... The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in 3 measures of meal, til the whole was leavened.
  God can take something so tiny, such as a mustard seed or yeast, and something big and wonderful comes from it. We as Christians are part of God's kingdom. If we work together, we can do wondrous things, such as bringing others to Christ.
  Once the multitudes had gone the disciples asked him to explain the parable of the tares and the field. (Verses 37-43) Again, paraphrasing. Please read this for yourself. The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of man (Jesus). The field is the world and the good seed are the children of the kingdom --those who do God's will. The tares are the ones who choose not to do God's will, and the enemy that sowed the tares is the devil.  The reapers are the angels.
  Jesus will send the angels to gather up his own, and the others will be cast into the fire.  
  In this reading I've seen Jesus say "He who hath ears to hear, let him hear." I'd like to do a study on that sometime, to see how many times he says those words. He wanted those who heard his voice to pay attention, really listen. We may not literally hear his voice today, but we have his words. He wants us to pay attention to what he says. But again, it's our choice. We can listen or not. We can do his will or not. But he is letting us know what happens when we do his will, and when we don't. It's a very sobering thought.
  I will leave you with this. Please, if you have any questions, comments, feel free to leave a comment. Tomorrow we will finish up chapter 13 of Matthew.
   
 

A Morning Cup of Tea; Matthew 13: 10-30

 in these verses, Jesus had just told the parable of the sower. This confused his disciples a bit and they asked him why he was speaking in such a way. (v 10)
 11. He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom, but unto you it is not given.
Jesus goes on in verses 12 -14 why, and verses 15 and 16 sum it up rather well:
15. For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
16. But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they see.

There are those who desire to know the truth, and are open to it, which the disciples were, and there are those like the multitudes he was speaking of here that couldn't understand because they really didn't want to know the truth. Today the same is true of people --some who see the truth when it's there in front of them, and those who refuse to see or hear. We are to teach everyone we can, in love.
  Jesus went on to explain what he meant about the seeds being sown in verses 18 -23. Then he told them another parable, this time of a man who sowed wheat. The man sowed good wheat in his fields and at night, an enemy came and sowed tares into the man's field.
  The workers saw what had happened once the wheat had started growing and asked if they should get rid of the tares. The man said no, because in doing so they might harm the wheat. Let it all grow together, then at harvest time gather up the wheat and then throw the tares into the fire (v 24 -30)
  My time is up for now. Have a great Lord's day.   

A Morning Cup of Tea: The Parable of the Sower

Good morning! This morning we are beginning chapter 13 of Matthew, which is filled with parables, so again it will take us a few days to go through it. Jesus had so much to teach and I really don't want to miss any of it by rushing through. So much of this world requires us to rush rush rush, and  this bible series in my blog is supposed to be a resting spot. A place where you can sit back and chew a little on God's Word. 
  I smile every time I hear the word sower, because back at least as far as the 1970's and 1980's, here in my area at least, there was an evangelist named Michael Guido, who had a little one or two minute spot on television called A Seed from the Sower. He also had a newspaper column in some local papers. But I so enjoyed the tv spots because he would sit there, a kindly older gentleman in his garden, and share something that would point toward Jesus. A seed, if you will, that would hopefully germinate and grow and flourish. His garden and chapel are not far from where I currently live, and I think his brother continues the ministry. Michael Guido passed away a few years back shortly after new year's of pneumonia, which he caught because he hadn't the heart to turn away those who came to see him during the holidays. He stayed outside speaking with each of them.  I hope you'll forgive my little jaunt down memory lane there, but he had a few lessons in himself: 1, his heart was so full of the love of Jesus that he wanted to spread the message to as many as possible, and 2, he freely gave of himself. Other than what I've described, I don't know what he understood or taught about baptism or other fundamentals, but he was a good man.

 Our verses today focus on Matthew 13: 1-9. I won't be copying them this time, but please read them.  Here we find Jesus by the sea side. The multitudes are still following him, hungry to hear his message. I'm sure there were some curiosity seekers as well, but they were there to hear what Jesus had to say. This time he spoke to them in parables, from a boat. 
 A parable is story that explains what he is trying to teach.  This one is about a sower.
  The sower went out and he began to sow his seed. Some fell by the wayside, some fell upon rocky ground, some fell among the thorns, and some fell into good ground.
  The seeds that fell by the wayside soon got eaten up by birds. These are like people who hear the Word but for one reason or another, do nothing with it but discard it. Those that fall on rocky ground soon shoot up because they have very little soil in which to anchor their roots, but the sun soon withers them away. These are like the ones who want to become Christians, but the root system isnt there to anchor them --the teachings, the bible study, the support --and then something happens in life and they give up.
 The seeds that fall into the thorns are those who want to try and live both for God and for the world. Eventually the thorns, or cares of the world are going to choke it out.
  And then we come to the seeds that fall into good soil. They settle in nicely, have a good root system, and flourish. They bring forth fruit, some a little, some a lot.  This of course, is the person who lets the Word of God really take hold. It may take him or her awhile to show, but they are there, studying each day, attending and participating in worship service, teaching others. 
  Enjoy your day. I look forward to our time together tomorrow. : )

A Morning Cup of Tea: Matthew 12:38-42. We Would like a Sign.

Good morning! I'm up a little later than usual today, but J is still asleep and I have two cats on either side of me... such a peaceful way to start the morning. 

Jesus is still addressing the multitude around him, focusing on this point at the pharisees. For this part I am not going to copy verses, just going to paraphrase a little. But a little friendly advice: never, ever, not from me nor a preacher nor your best friend, take someone's word for it when it comes to the bible and its teachings. When scripture is mentioned, look it up and read it for yourself. We are all humans and humans tend to make mistakes sometimes. And some will lead you astray if given a chance. That part is very sad, but there are those who know the scriptures and yet will twist them and take them out of context to say what they want to say. Having said that, anything I write here in the Morning Cup series is my understanding. I know there are some with far more understanding and maturity in Christ than I who reads this blog, and if I don't understand, or misread something, I pray they will let me know.
  
Now, back to today's lesson. : )

A scribe asked Jesus for a sign. (v38). But Jesus answered, this generation isn't getting a sign except for that of the prophet Jonah.  Jonah spent 3 days in the belly of a whale and then told the city of Ninevah  that if they did not change their ways, they were going to be destroyed. Ninevah repented. Jesus said that Ninevah would rise up and judge this generation (v41). But one greater than Jonah is with you, he said.
  Also the Queen of the south (Queen of Sheba) would rise in judgement against them. She had traveled great distances to hear the wisdom of Solomon. She understood. Once again, Jesus said , one greater than Solomon is with you.
  During this time Jesus compared himself to Jonah, and said that he would spend 3 days and 3 nights in the heart of the earth (v 40), alluding to his death and burial.
  Jesus was right there with them to teach them and show them the error of their ways. We can apply these verses to our own lives by remembering that we do not have Jesus here physically with us, but we do have the bible. We have Jesus to intercede for us when we pray. And I think we as a nation need to wake up and repent, like Ninevah. We have allowed much sin to become the norm here instead of speaking against it. And as much as I try not to become political in this blog, especially in this series, it needs to be said: This country will fall not so much because of what the politicians are doing, but because of the sin involved behind their decisions, sin that is deemed "not wrong" by the people at large, and the silence of those who know better.
  I had planned to finish out the chapter today but I see I've gotten rather long winded.  We will pick up with verse 43 tomorrow, barring any unforseen circumstances.