Parables - Owner of the House (the value of bible study)

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Dear Friends,

Grace and peace from our loving God.


Let us pray …

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer - Proper 23-Year C - Lectionarypage.net


I would ask you to read the parable about this parable in Matthew 13:51-52


Jesus is teaching his disciples about the study of the Scriptures and the great treasure that it yields in its prayer and study. The study of the Bible will deepen faith and relationship with God.


One of my favorite prayers comes from Proper 28 in the Book of Common Prayer:

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.


Jesus was referring to the Scripture as the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament). The Christian Bible more or less includes the New Testament Gospels, the history of the early church and ministries of Peter and Paul, letters of teachings and instructions to early Christian communities for the deepening of faith, and the Revelation of John.


It is always amazing to me the insights or treasures that can be found in some of the biblical readings that I have been reading for over 50 years.


Look at this series of verses with a notebook or composition book, read one verse, and write down the insights you receive in the reading…


Matthew 5

GOD’S WORD Translation
The Sermon on a Mountain: the Beatitudes


1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up a mountain and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them:

3 Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

4 Blessed are those who mourn.
They will be comforted.

5 Blessed are those who are gentle.
They will inherit the earth.


6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for God’s approval.
They will be satisfied.


7 Blessed are those who show mercy.
They will be treated mercifully.

8 Blessed are those whose thoughts are pure.
They will see God.

9 Blessed are those who make peace.
They will be called God’s children.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for doing what God approves of.
The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, lie, and say all kinds of evil things about you because of me.


12 Rejoice and be glad because you have a great reward in heaven!
The prophets who lived before you were persecuted in these ways.

The Biblegateway


Things to consider:

  • Purchase a new bible published in the 21st century. Before you purchase it, read Psalm 23 and see if you understand the language

  • Join a bible study at your faith community regardless of what is being studied

  • Using the Gospel of John, read, pray, and reflect on ONE verse a day & write down your insights.

  • Find a course online to take you through the bible in a year

  • While reading Scripture hear each verse, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life.

 

May we be blessed as we journey with the Holy Spirit.


May God be with you.


Sincerely,

Dave Eitland

deitland@gmail.com


Photo Credit - 

https://www.pexels.com/photo/two-people-reading-bible-while-sitting-on-a-sofa-6860819/ 


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