Parables of the Kingdom- 7/17/21

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.

3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.

4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.

11 By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.


Psalm 19:1-4, 7-11

Questions for Reflection:

"I want to “get” You more ... I know I “get” You some but I want to “get” ... really “get" You and Your kingdom reign in my life and the world ... more!" - What part of Jesus would you like to "get" more of today?

How have you been impacted by parables? How have word pictures, symbols and nature given their testimony about who God is?

In your life, what words of Jesus are "sweeter than honey?"

Prayer of the Week:

Heavenly Father, I thank and praise You this day for revealing Yourself to me through Jesus! Thank you Jesus for loving me so much that You passionately and persistently keep reaching out to me with Your word, by Your Spirit and through people so that I might “get” You by faith and live now the meaningful life you intend for me. To be honest though, I want to “get” You more ... I know I “get” You some but I want to “get” … really “get” You and Your kingdom reign in my life and the world … more!

Jesus, I praise You for the creativity and passion that You revealed in using parables to reveal truth to all of us. As I pray through a portion of the sower parable I ask You to reveal afresh, today, what You know I need from You.

"Speak Lord, Your servant is listening".

Matthew 13 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Take a few moments to listen.)

Jesus, I also lift up to You by name people that I know are trapped in “unproductive soil” lives and I contend in prayer for them now. (Take a moment to name people now who need to be “good soil” hearers of the word.) I pray that Your kingdom would come in their hearts and Your name would be hallowed in their lives Jesus! Reign Jesus reign over them.

Thank you Father for revealing yourself to me. I desperately desire to live the meaningful life Christ intends for me this day!

Amen