It now becomes clear why the first parable, the parable of the soils, is so important. It not only describes the measured advance of the Kingdom in terms of varied human responses, but implicitly challenges the hearer or reader to ask what kind of soil he or she is.

We can’t play around with the Word of God. God’s Word is powerful, and if you fall back into disobedience and unbelief as they did, then you stand under this Word which brings its own judgment.

The first commandment is to love God with heart and soul and mind and strength; the second is to love our neighbors as ourselves, but these people are characterized first and foremost by loving themselves

No matter how much you have, if you’re discontented, you’re really poor. Sometimes we want things we don’t need. Sometimes we need things we don’t want, and we get all mixed up.

True fear comes from faith; false fear comes from doubt. True fear is joined to hope, because it is born of faith, and because men hope in the God in whom they believe. False fear is joined to despair, because men fear the God in whom they have no belief. The former fear to lose Him; the latter fear to find Him. BLAISE PASCAL

It takes the strength and resolution and perspective that only God can provide to live above changing, difficult circumstances. But to live above circumstances, utterly content in Christ Jesus, is to ensure that you will never give up the Christian walk. Resolve to learn the secret of contentment.

He was a slain lamb. “Ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.” (Exodus 12:6) prophecy of Mary’s Lamb that would one day be butchered on a cruel Roman cross.

It was no coincidence that this imperial decree of Caesar’s happened to take place at this time, forcing them to make the journey to Bethlehem. Here is the most powerful emperor in the world acting out the decree of God himself. Caesar Augustus, in the final analysis, was but a pawn in the hands of the Lord God omnipotent. Remember how the prophet Micah had prophesied: from ancient times (Micah 5:2).

How the sin arises in Satan’s heart, we do not know. What we do know is that God is sovereign over Satan, and therefore Satan’s will does not move without God’s permission. And therefore every move of Satan is part of God’s overall purpose and plan.

1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. 3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. 4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: […]