I am always amazed at the incredible variety of ways God works to bring people to Himself. Jesus illustrates this fact in two of His parables in Matthew 13:44-45, the Parable of the Treasure in the Field, and the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price.
The Treasure in the Field
In this parable, a man who was not looking for treasure stumbled upon one accidentally. But when he realized what he found, he sold everything he had to buy the field and possess the treasure.
The Pearl of Great Price
Here, a man has been on a quest for one pearl of great value. After a long search, he finally found that one pearl for which he had been searching. He too sold all he had to buy and possess the pearl.
The Greatest Treasure of All
There are some important truths we can gain from these parables. First, people find God in different ways, some by surprise; some after a long search. In both cases God was working to bring them to Himself. And second, in both cases the treasure of the gospel was worth giving all they had to possess. Nothing we possess in this world matches the value of the gospel and knowing Christ as our Savior. Do you value the treasure of the gospel? Do you realize how great a treasure you possess and how God orchestrated events in your life to bring you to faith in Him? I pray that you will embrace Christ for the joy of possessing the treasure of surpassing value.
Read more of Jeff's blogs at http://www.HeartoftheCanyons.com
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
A DAY OF DESTINY – LUKE 19:41-44 by Jeff Steele
On this bright spring morning, Jesus reached the top of the Mount of Olives as He prepared to ride down into Jerusalem for His triumphal entry. But He stopped to take in the sight of the glorious temple and began to weep. While people cheered all around Him, Jesus knew that their adoration was shallow and fleeting. By Friday they would scream, “Crucify Him!”
Israel’s Day of Destiny
But notice why Jesus wept. He wept because this was Israel’s day of destiny, the day of their visitation when God Himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, entered His city and His temple. It should have been the greatest day in Israel’s history. But Israel was blind to their day and in the end the words of Jesus were fulfilled completely. Less than 40 years later, Jerusalem was surrounded by armies, laid siege to and destroyed. Judgment would come upon Israel for its failure to recognize its day of destiny.
Our Day of Destiny
All of us have a day of destiny as well, a day when God reveals Himself to us and calls us to turn from our self-centered lifestyle and follow Him. It may come in the midst of crisis; it may come at a time of great success. But that day of destiny will come. Don’t think, as Israel seemed to believe, that there will always be another day to answer God’s call. Paul warns us in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “…for He says, ‘at the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.’ Behold, now is ‘the acceptable time,’ behold, now is ‘The day of salvation.’”
Decide to Follow Christ — Today
Don’t put off making a decision to follow Christ. Do it today, while it is still today. For one day, as Israel found out to its own destruction, it will be too late to follow Him and judgment will surely follow. Make today your day of destiny.
Read more blogs at http://www.HeartoftheCanyons.com
Israel’s Day of Destiny
But notice why Jesus wept. He wept because this was Israel’s day of destiny, the day of their visitation when God Himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, entered His city and His temple. It should have been the greatest day in Israel’s history. But Israel was blind to their day and in the end the words of Jesus were fulfilled completely. Less than 40 years later, Jerusalem was surrounded by armies, laid siege to and destroyed. Judgment would come upon Israel for its failure to recognize its day of destiny.
Our Day of Destiny
All of us have a day of destiny as well, a day when God reveals Himself to us and calls us to turn from our self-centered lifestyle and follow Him. It may come in the midst of crisis; it may come at a time of great success. But that day of destiny will come. Don’t think, as Israel seemed to believe, that there will always be another day to answer God’s call. Paul warns us in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “…for He says, ‘at the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.’ Behold, now is ‘the acceptable time,’ behold, now is ‘The day of salvation.’”
Decide to Follow Christ — Today
Don’t put off making a decision to follow Christ. Do it today, while it is still today. For one day, as Israel found out to its own destruction, it will be too late to follow Him and judgment will surely follow. Make today your day of destiny.
Read more blogs at http://www.HeartoftheCanyons.com
Monday, May 11, 2009
The Parable of the Widow and the Unrighteous Judge
Jesus told parables for a number of different reasons: to reveal truth, to hide truth and to illustrate a point. Sometimes we are informed exactly why Jesus told a particular parable. That is the case with the parable of the widow and the unrighteous judge. Luke writes that Jesus told this parable to show that we should keep praying at all times and not give up. Apparently Jesus was concerned about our willingness to persevere in prayer and not give up when answers don’t come immediately.
The point of the parable is rather straight forward: if an unrighteous judge who doesn’t fear God or respect men eventually gives in to a widow with no clout or resources — just so she will quit coming to him day after day, how much more will a loving Father answer the prayers of His children and bring justice for them swiftly. That doesn’t mean that God will necessarily answer quickly in every situation, but once He chooses to act, He will act swiftly.
Be Faithful to Keep Praying
From our perspective, we worry God won’t answer our prayers. But from Jesus perspective, He has an even bigger concern. Luke 18:8 says, “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
The real question that worried Jesus wasn’t God’s willingness to answer prayer, but His people’s willingness to keep praying. He worries that by the time He returns will there be anyone here who still has the faith to pray? Do you? How’s your faith? How’s your prayer life? Jesus not only commands us to pray, but also to keep praying, even when God seems slow to answer. Hang in there. Don’t give up. God is moving to answer even now. Do you have the faith to keep praying?
Read more blogs at http://www.HeartoftheCanyons.com
Jesus told parables for a number of different reasons: to reveal truth, to hide truth and to illustrate a point. Sometimes we are informed exactly why Jesus told a particular parable. That is the case with the parable of the widow and the unrighteous judge. Luke writes that Jesus told this parable to show that we should keep praying at all times and not give up. Apparently Jesus was concerned about our willingness to persevere in prayer and not give up when answers don’t come immediately.
The point of the parable is rather straight forward: if an unrighteous judge who doesn’t fear God or respect men eventually gives in to a widow with no clout or resources — just so she will quit coming to him day after day, how much more will a loving Father answer the prayers of His children and bring justice for them swiftly. That doesn’t mean that God will necessarily answer quickly in every situation, but once He chooses to act, He will act swiftly.
Be Faithful to Keep Praying
From our perspective, we worry God won’t answer our prayers. But from Jesus perspective, He has an even bigger concern. Luke 18:8 says, “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
The real question that worried Jesus wasn’t God’s willingness to answer prayer, but His people’s willingness to keep praying. He worries that by the time He returns will there be anyone here who still has the faith to pray? Do you? How’s your faith? How’s your prayer life? Jesus not only commands us to pray, but also to keep praying, even when God seems slow to answer. Hang in there. Don’t give up. God is moving to answer even now. Do you have the faith to keep praying?
Read more blogs at http://www.HeartoftheCanyons.com
Monday, May 4, 2009
Prayer is Preparation by PastorJeff Steele
Power from Prayer
After Jesus came down from the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter, James and John, He came upon a scene where his disciples we’re trying to cast a demon out of a man’s son, and were unable to do it. When Jesus saw what was happening, He called for the boy to brought to Him and promptly cast out the demon. Later, when Jesus was inside a house alone with the disciples, they wanted to know why He could cast out the demon and they couldn’t. So Jesus gave the answer that this kind only can be driven out with prayer.
“When He came into the house, His disciples began to question Him privately, ‘Why couldn’t we drive it out?’ And He said to them, ‘This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.’” Mark 9:28-29
Prepare For Each Day with Prayer
What struck me as I read this is that Jesus didn’t know what He would encounter when He came down the mountain. He expected to meet the rest of His disciples and continue his itinerant ministry. Instead, He encountered the helpless disciples. This story tells me is that Jesus made it a point everyday to pray, to spend time with His father to make sure He was prepared for whatever He might encounter. He didn’t wait until He confronted a problem, but instead knew He would need His Father’s strength for any problems He encountered. So when He met the young man with the demon, He was ready and drove it out.
We need to pray every day, recognizing that prayer is preparation. Don’t wait to hit a problem before you pray. Pray daily, asking God to give you grace for the challenges you will face. Prayer is preparation, so make it a first priority, not a last resort.
Read more blogs at http://www.HeartoftheCanyons.com
After Jesus came down from the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter, James and John, He came upon a scene where his disciples we’re trying to cast a demon out of a man’s son, and were unable to do it. When Jesus saw what was happening, He called for the boy to brought to Him and promptly cast out the demon. Later, when Jesus was inside a house alone with the disciples, they wanted to know why He could cast out the demon and they couldn’t. So Jesus gave the answer that this kind only can be driven out with prayer.
“When He came into the house, His disciples began to question Him privately, ‘Why couldn’t we drive it out?’ And He said to them, ‘This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.’” Mark 9:28-29
Prepare For Each Day with Prayer
What struck me as I read this is that Jesus didn’t know what He would encounter when He came down the mountain. He expected to meet the rest of His disciples and continue his itinerant ministry. Instead, He encountered the helpless disciples. This story tells me is that Jesus made it a point everyday to pray, to spend time with His father to make sure He was prepared for whatever He might encounter. He didn’t wait until He confronted a problem, but instead knew He would need His Father’s strength for any problems He encountered. So when He met the young man with the demon, He was ready and drove it out.
We need to pray every day, recognizing that prayer is preparation. Don’t wait to hit a problem before you pray. Pray daily, asking God to give you grace for the challenges you will face. Prayer is preparation, so make it a first priority, not a last resort.
Read more blogs at http://www.HeartoftheCanyons.com
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