Parable

September 1st – Luke 8:11-15

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Luke 8:11-15

God’s Word is like a seed. It carries life and power. But whether it grows in us depends on the condition of our hearts. Jesus explained that some people hear the Word, but before it can take root, the enemy distracts or discourages them. Others start strong, excited about what they hear, but when life gets hard, their faith fades. And many of us know what it feels like to let worries, busyness, or even chasing after “more” crowd out what God is trying to do. But then there’s the good soil. A heart that truly clings to God’s Word, holding onto it with patience and a willingness to obey. That’s where the harvest happens. Growth doesn’t just happen by accident. It comes as we daily choose to make space for God. Even the small, quiet choices to obey are like watering the soil of our hearts, helping roots go deeper. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it, because obedience leads to lasting fruit, peace, joy, and a life that points others back to Jesus. And it all begins with one seed. God’s Word planted in a heart that’s ready to receive it.

Reflection Question: What’s one area of my heart that needs softening so God’s Word can take deeper root?

Prayer Focus: Lord, help me to receive Your Word with a willing heart and walk in obedience so my life may bear lasting fruit.

September 1st – Luke 8:11-15 Read More »

May 8th – Matthew 25:1-13

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Matthew 25:1-13

In Matthew 25:1-13, the parable of the ten virgins illustrates the critical lesson of readiness for Christ’s return. Five virgins, wise and vigilant, kept their lamps burning, while the other five, foolish and unprepared, let their lamps go out. This story serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual alertness and preparedness. Let us learn from their example and keep the flame of faith burning brightly within us, fueled by our love for the bridegroom, Jesus Christ. May we be counted among the wise, eagerly awaiting His arrival with hearts fully devoted and lamps ablaze. As we journey through life’s uncertainties, let us remain steadfast in our faith. As the Bride of Christ, may we be ever watchful for His imminent return. Let us not get distracted by the world, or become drowsy and sleepy. So when the bridegroom comes, we will be found ready and waiting. Shining as beacons of light in a darkened world, ready to enter into the joy of our Lord’s eternal presence.

May 8th – Matthew 25:1-13 Read More »

April 2nd – Mark 4:26-29

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Mark 4:26-29

Just as seeds planted in the ground grow and bear fruit, our faith can flourish when nurtured by God’s Word and Spirit. In the quiet soil of our hearts the seeds of hope are planted, watered by the streams of grace that flow from the Lord. With steadfast trust, we scatter seeds of kindness, compassion, and love, knowing that even the smallest acts can yield abundant harvests. Sowing seeds of faith, we become instruments of God’s grace, spreading His love to all who cross our path, rejoicing in the abundant blessings that He bestows upon us. As we journey through life’s seasons, let us tend to the garden of our souls. May we till clean the soil of our hearts, removing weeds of doubt and fear, allowing faith to take root deeply within us. In moments of uncertainty, let us cling to God’s promise that His Word never returns empty, but accomplishes what it sets out to do. And with patience and perseverance, let us await the appointed time for growth and fruition, trusting in God’s timing and provision for the harvest to come.

April 2nd – Mark 4:26-29 Read More »

June 22nd – Luke 7:43

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Luke 7:43

“Simon replied, ‘I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven. You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.”

Some hurts run deeper than others, and some wrongs harder to forget. But in His parable about the moneylender, Jesus tells us that no matter how we’ve been sinned against, great or small, we are to forgive. That’s not to say it will be easy. Forgiveness can be an uphill battle. But God knows the healing that comes along with letting go of grudges, bitterness, and resentment. And the sweet freedom it brings. Because forgiveness allows us to let go of negative emotions and liberate ourselves from the burden of the past. Forgiveness frees us from the pain of guilt. And studies have shown that holding onto anger and bitterness affects our physical and mental well being. One of the hardest things God calls us to do is forgive. Especially forgiving those who have hurt us the most. No doable in our strength. But through the strength of the Holy Spirit of God living inside of us, nothing is impossible! (Luke 1:37)

June 22nd – Luke 7:43 Read More »

March 15th – Luke 18:1-8

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Luke 18:1-8

Have you been praying for something or someone for a long time, and nothing seems to be happening? It’s tempting to give up, isn’t it? We can become discouraged praying for the same things over and over again and never seeing even a glimmer of hope. We can begin to doubt whether God’s going to answer us, or even if He’s listening to us at all.

We all have prayers that continue to go unanswered. And if we’re honest, we’ve been tempted at times to simply give up, or question our ability to pray. We know our God is able, therefore we must doing something wrong. Satan will always do his best to discourage us and keep us from persevering in prayer. But God doesn’t want you or I to quit praying!

The most effective prayers in the Bible are those that persevered in prayer. In Psalm 55:16-17, David wrote: “I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.” David, was “a man after God’s own heart” and he knew the importance of persisting in beseeching God.  Even Jesus demonstrates this for us on the night before He was crucified in the Garden of Gethsemane. (John 17) So, why should we be persevere in our prayers, even when you don’t get an answer?

1.) Persistent prayers prepares our heart for the answer.

I’m sure you’re able to testify that at times, when we make a request to God, God often wishes to answer in a better way than we’ve prayed for. Therefore, I believe sometimes God denies our prayer requests because we’re thinking and asking too small. He wants to give us something bigger and better that will put His glory on display! But first, he has to prepare our hearts for it. So God uses delays in answering our prayer to help us grow, get ready, and prepare us for a bigger and better answers.

2.) Persistent prayer works to focus our attention.

God doesn’t need to be reminded! I believe it’s more to remind us Who the source of our answers and all our needs is. If every prayer you ever prayed were instantly answered we might be tempted to look upon God as a Genie and fail to revere Him as we should. God wants us to reverence the Blesser over the blessings.

3.) Persistent prayer clarifies our request.

A delayed answer gives us time to search within to see exactly what we are asking for and to refine our prayers if need be. I believe when we persist in prayer to your heavenly Father, it tend to separate the deep longings from mere whims. It’s not that God doesn’t want to answer our prayers, but He wants us to be certain of what we really want.

4.) Persistent prayer tests your faith.

James 1:3-4 says, “When your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” (NLT). I believe God uses these times to grow our faith and those closest to us. Just think how Hannah’s faith grew once her prayer was answered – enough to give her son Samuel back to God. Spiritual maturity comes from having our faith tested, one of the ways God’s going to test our faith is by delaying some answers to your prayers.

Blessings, Sue

March 15th – Luke 18:1-8 Read More »

September 4th – Matthew 13:30

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Matthew 13:30

I remember a time when young son stood on the porch with a proud grin on his face and flowers in his hands. “Look mama. I picked these for you!” he happily said. To my dismay there in his little hands was a bouquet of my garden flowers mingled with some weeds. Not knowing the difference between the two, he picked a handful and gave them to me to sort out. Jesus is our great Sorter, and He tells us so in the parable of the wheat and tares. After planting his field, an enemy of the farmer came along and planted weed seeds, to sabotage the good harvest. And because the wheat and the weeds look so similar, the farmer had to wait until harvest time to separate the two. At the time of the Lord’s great harvest, He too will reap both the wheat and the tares. Christ will sort out His precious bounty, bringing them to dwell with Him forever, binding the rest as weeds, to be discarded and separated from Him for eternity.

September 4th – Matthew 13:30 Read More »