The Bible in Time...

Parables -  The Parable of the Mustard Seed Dear Siblings in God, Grace and peace from our loving God. I would ask you to read the Mustard Seed parables from Matthew 13:31-23 | Mark 4:30-32 | Luke 13:18-19 (Snodgrass). Luke 17:4-6 (Kendall) Kendall points out that the Mustard Seed parables attempt to have Jesus answer the question, “What shall we say the Kingdom of God is like or how shall we describe it? (Mark 4:30) This story tells us four things - Great things can come from tiny starts. God can take the most unlikely person and turn them into a holy vessel (to build the Kingdom.) God can take the most unpromising situation and turn it into triumph and glory. God can take the simplest insight and make it profound (Kendall, pp. 32 - 33) God’s rule is not like an earthly ruler but based on love as a servant. God will do things (ministry) for people in God’s own way. God will always break what we think is the norm of religion and transform it as an act of love no matter the size of ...

Parables - Jesus as Storyteller | 2nd Edition - The Parable of the Sower Dear Siblings in God, Grace and peace from our loving God. I would ask you to read the Sower parable from Matthew 13:1 - 9 and Jesus’ explanation from Matthew 13:18 - 23. Snodgrass suggests Matthew 13:3-23; Mark 4:3- 20; Luke 8:5-15 Jesus teaches us the acceptance of the Word of God by a variety of people.  Seeds on Path - bird eat them up - hears the Word but does not understand. (Kendall - The Supplanted Reaction - keeping blind.) Seeds on Rocky Ground - grew quickly but no roots and died - when persecution comes they fall away. (Kendall - The Superficial Profession - short time.) Seeds on Thorns - grew and were choked - hears the Word but cares of the world and lure of wealth chokes the word and the person. (Kendall - The Stifled Profession by the cares and worries of the world.) Seeds on Good Soil - grew and created much yield beyond imagination - the Word produces great fruit (Kendall - The Solid...

Parables - Jesus as Storyteller 1st Edition - The Parable of the Sower Dear Siblings in God, Grace and peace from our loving God. I would ask you to read the Sower parable from Matthew 13:1 - 9 and Jesus’ explanation from Matthew 13:18 - 23. Jesus teaches us the acceptance of the Word of God by a variety of people.  Seeds on Path - bird eat them up - hears the Word but does not understand. Seeds on Rocky Ground - grew quickly but no roots and died - when persecution comes they fall away. Seeds on Thorns - grew and were choked - hears the Word but cares of the world and lure of wealth chokes the word and the person. Seeds on Good Soil - grew and created much yield beyond imagination - the Word produces great fruit. In this parable, we are fortunate that Jesus takes the time to explain it to the disciples. The disciples are special to receive the teaching for there are many who don’t understand and ultimately have no faith.  The journey of the mature Christian will face ...

New Year's Eve 2021 Parables - Jesus as Storyteller This is an overview of 2022 The Bible in Time Bible Study will be a focus on Jesus as a storyteller and a teacher of parables.  A parable gives insights into the spiritual life of someone or a teaching for right living. Parables are meant to be viewed with the eyes of faith and teaching of the soul by the Holy Spirit. I will be displaying Bible verses that tell the story and then do some personal reflections. Each time I post I will just cover one parable.  If the parable is not in the current canon of the Bible, I will quote the source and reflect.  I can’t imagine what stories and parables we missed because of the lack of technology to capture them all. On the other hand, we are blessed by having a Church (universal - not one particular denomination) and community of faithful that have captured some prime pieces of teaching. I am retired so that there might not be a daily post but I will post at least once per week. I ...

Prayer O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. Read more +++ The Bible in Time | Tuesday | Proper 27, Year B | Week of the 24th Sunday after Pentecost New Testament Study | Today - Day 68 | Reflections on 1 Corinthians 12 : Next - Day 69 | Reflections on 1 Corinthians 13 : +++ Reflection Today’s Reading -    Dear Friends in Christ,  After hats and behavior/institution of the Lord’s Supper, Paul describes in our reading today the structure of the Church/the Body of Christ/the Communion of Saints. All spiritual gifts come from God through the Holy Spirit. Key point is vs 12:4-7.  There are a v...

Prayer Suggestion | Prayer for All Saints Day | Dear God, thank you for the example of the Saints. I desire to join in their company, worshiping you forever in Heaven. Please help me follow in their footsteps, and yours, Jesus Christ. Please help me to conform myself to Your image, seeking Your will in all things, as the Saints did. Please help me to devote myself, and all that I do, to Your glory, and to the service of my neighbors. Amen. Read more at: https://www.praymorenovenas.com/prayer-saints-day +++ The Bible in Time | Monday | All Saints Day New Testament Study | Today - Day 67 | Reflections on 1 Corinthians 10 : Next - Day 68 | Reflections on 1 Corinthians 11 : +++ Reflection Today’s Reading -    Dear Friends in Christ,  In today’s reading, Paul the Apostle is focusing on behavior in worship and the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. What can I say… Paul seems to have a bugaboo about women wearing hats or head coverings in worship. I am deeply apprec...

Prayer Suggestion Eternal God, you called ministers and leaders to proclaim your glory in a life of prayer and pastoral zeal: keep the leaders of your Church faithful and bless your people through their ministry, that the Church may grow into the full stature of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen ( https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/common-worship/common-material/common-saints/bishops ) +++ The Bible in Time | Saturday | Week after the 21th Sunday after the Pentecost   New Testament Study | Today - Day 66 | Reflections on 1 Corinthians 9 : Next - Day 67 | Reflections on 1 Corinthians 10 : +++ Reflection Today’s Reading -    Dear Friends in Christ,  In this chapter, Paul talks about getting paid for the work you do fairly even when your a preacher/pastor/minister. Although Paul does not take some of the rights, privileges, ...