Friday, March 10, 2017

Talk Tuesday-Lenten Reflections: Where Did The Seed Fall For You?

In Luke Chapter 8, JESUS tells this parable:

5 'A sower went out to sow his seed. Now as he sowed, some fell on the edge of the path and was trampled on; and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 Some seed fell on rock, and when it came up it withered away, having no moisture. 7 Some seed fell in the middle of thorns and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 8 And some seed fell into good soil and grew and produced its crop a hundredfold.' Saying this he cried, 'Anyone who has ears for listening should listen!' Luke 8:5-8 (NJB)

When His disciples ask him about the meaning of this, He prefaces His explanation with the following revelation; “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you...” Luke 8:10 (NIV). This 'secret of the kingdom of God' has been passed down to us! So what is it?

 “This, then, is what the parable means: the seed is the word of God,” Luke 8:11 (NJB). The Gospel-the seed- is the message of SALVATION, THE GOOD NEWS that through the blood of JESUS CHRIST shed on the cross, the price of our sin is paid, the penalty of sin which is death is fulfilled, our lives are ransomed (bought back from death and hell), we are redeemed, our sins are atoned for, we are made right with GOD (justified), and we are cleansed from the stain of sin (purified by His blood). That means that instead of the hopelessness fate of sinners, we have a future hope of eternal life in the presence of GOD forever! Death is not the END! It is the BEGINNING of an eternity of joy and peace!What a relief!

“12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved,” Luke 8:12 (NIV). This can happen in so many different ways, at so many different stages in life-from elementary school, to university, to the work place, peer pressure, and social interaction at all levels. The end result is DOUBT and UNBELIEF.

“13 Those on the rock are people who, when they first hear it, welcome the word with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of trial they give up,” Luke 8:13 (NJB). This one is tricky because trials come for us all-there is no life without troubles. Who likes pain anyway? No one. This is where the challenge of walking by faith and not by sight becomes an unavoidable reality. When we go through difficult times, the first question we ask is, “Why me?” If we are not careful, discouragement, bitterness and disillusionment set in, then we simply GIVE UP.

“14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature,” Luke 8:14 (NIV). It is so easy to be completely focused on these things to the exclusion of all else. Our faith can become shrivelled up when we do not make time to attend to it. It becomes STUNTED.

“15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop,” Luke 8:15 (NIV). Patience, faith, obedience and trust are key elements to producing a good crop! When we trust GOD, meditate on the promises in the Bible, let His HOLY SPIRIT guide us, and keep our eyes on JESUS CHRIST, we will be able to stand firm in our faith, watch it GROW and spread out to affect the lives of those around us.


So I ask you, where did the seed fall for you? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved,” Acts 16:31 (NKJV).

*Online Bible tools: biblegateway.com, catholic.org/bible/ & bible.com* Versions of the Bible: NJB (New Jerusalem Bible), NIV (New International Version), NKJV (New King James Version). 

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Wishing You A Blessed New Year!

Dear BGOers,

We want to wish you a Blessed New Year. 2017 is a time to be sober, vigilant, obedient and focused on the will of GOD for your lives. During the latter part of last year, the LORD took us personally on a journey with the Holy Spirit, reminding us of the power He has given us from on high. We cannot be victorious without  GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. The LORD has great plans for the lives of Believers throughout the world. Step out in faith and obedience this year. Pray in the Spirit, walk in the Spirit, use the gifts of the Spirit, receive the Baptism of the Spirit. 

We leave you with these Scripture verses the Holy Spirit laid on our hearts to share with you:

1 John 3:1 (New Jerusalem Bible)
1 You must see what great love the Father has lavished on us by letting us be called God's children -- which is what we are! 

1 John 3:23-24 (New Jerusalem Bible)
23 His commandment is this, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and that we should love one another as he commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments remains in God, and God in him. And this is the proof that he remains in us: the Spirit that he has given us.

1 John 2:28 (New Jerusalem Bible)
28 Therefore remain in him now, children, so that when he appears we may be fearless, and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.

Jude 1: 20-21 (New International Version)
20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Acts 2:38-39 (New King James Version)
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

Blessings,
BGO