<\/p>\n
Matthew 13:10-23; Luke 8:9-18; Mark 4:21-29; Matthew 13:24-30; Mark 4:30-34; Matthew 13:31-52; Mark 4:35-41; Matthew 8:23-27; Luke 8:22-25<\/strong><\/span> Matthew:<\/strong> Matthew chapter 13 verses 11 & 12 are important for us to consider: \u201cThen he (Jesus) explained to them, \u201cYou have been permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others have not. To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>There is so much truth in these last 2 sentences.\u00a0 This is why personally I feel so blessed to be reading the One Year Bible each and every day \u2013 currently in my 8th year of doing so \u2013 and God-willing, for all of my years to come.\u00a0 I personally absolutely need the grace and wisdom that comes from being in God\u2019s Word every day \u2013 and truly, more and more understanding and knowledge of God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit does come my way I believe each day \u2013 even if (and especially if!) I am reading the Bible again for the 8th time.\u00a0 The repetition is not repetitive, but really allows for insights to soak in and to be revealed.\u00a0 I can\u2019t quite say that I feel like I have an abundance of knowledge\u2026 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 But \u2013 I know that I am on that road by reading the Bible each day and I so look forward to gaining more and more knowledge of God\u2019s story as I go.\u00a0 And \u2013 to grow deeper into relationship with God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 So \u2013 the knowledge itself is great, but the relationship and peace and grace that comes from the Trinity \u2013 even better.\u00a0 I pray that you too see the value in reading the Bible each day and being open to Jesus\u2019 teachings so that more understanding will come your way?<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s readings reminded me of the Jeremy Camp song \u201cJesus Saves.\u201d Here is a great video KLOVE radio and its listeners put together, with signs sharing what Jesus saved them from. What has Jesus saved you from?<\/span><\/p>\n Comments from You:<\/strong>\u00a0 What verses or insights stand out to you in today\u2019s readings?\u00a0 Please post up by clicking on the \u201cComments\u201d link below!<\/span><\/p>\n God bless, p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.<\/span><\/p>\n p.s. #2 \u2013 Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.<\/span><\/p>\n p.s. #3 \u2013 I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Matthew 13:10-23; Luke 8:9-18; Mark 4:21-29; Matthew 13:24-30; Mark 4:30-34; Matthew 13:31-52; Mark 4:35-41; Matthew 8:23-27; Luke 8:22-25~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~ Matthew: Matthew chapter 13 verses 11 & 12 are important for us to consider: \u201cThen he (Jesus) explained<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32625,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[1039,45,46,558,53,231],"class_list":["post-32624","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-bible-study","tag-6th","tag-bible","tag-blog","tag-chronological","tag-october","tag-readings"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32624","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=32624"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32624\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/32625"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=32624"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=32624"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblelon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=32624"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n
Verse 22 in this chapter is convicting for me, as I have experienced this in my life in the past\u2026.\u00a0 \u201cThe thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the Good News, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life and the lure of wealth, so no crop is produced.\u201d<\/em> \u2026. and I still struggle with the \u201ccares of this life\u201d crowding out the Good News in my life today!\u00a0 I think in some ways this might be a life long struggle.\u00a0 How are you doing on this verse?\u00a0 Where is God\u2019s seed of the Good News being sown in your life?\u00a0 In the good soil of your heart?<\/span><\/p>\n
In today\u2019s Matthew readings we go through 5 parables that begin \u201cThe Kingdom of Heaven is like\u2026\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0Great way to start these parables!\u00a0 They do indeed give us a glimpse of what the Kingdom of Heaven is like.\u00a0 Do these parables speak to you as you read through them?\u00a0 I know they do for me.\u00a0 Sometimes in encouraging ways.\u00a0 Sometimes in convicting ways.\u00a0 I love verses 31 & 32: \u201cThe Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants and grows into a tree where birds can come and find shelter in its branches.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I think if we cultivate the seed that Jesus plants in our hearts \u2013 the Gospel \u2013 we will see an amazing plant grow that will ultimately bless others.\u00a0 From the tiniest beginnings, with patience and faith, can come the largest of plants.\u00a0 If you haven\u2019t yet, will you let Jesus plant a mustard seed in your heart?\u00a0 And will you be patient and allow the seed time & space to grow?\u00a0 And will you water and care for the seed of the Gospel planted in your heart so that one day it will be a beautiful tree of life for yourself and others you come in contact with?\u00a0 Will you allow Jesus to grow a mustard seed tree with your life?<\/span><\/p>\n
I love the last 2 parables in today\u2019s readings!\u00a0 The treasure buried in a field and the pearl of great price.\u00a0 And the thought of being willing to give up absolutely everything to be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven.\u00a0 How about for you?\u00a0 Are you willing to give up absolutely everything to be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven?\u00a0 Is there a price too high that you would not be willing to pay?\u00a0 \u00a0I will share with you this somewhat related tangent.\u00a0 I had this really interesting jog several years ago.\u00a0 And it was before I was a Christian, so I didn\u2019t equate my thinking with the \u201cKingdom of Heaven\u201d at this time.\u00a0 But, here were my thoughts that night on the jog.\u00a0 As I was jogging I thought to myself \u2013 I am a \u201cbillionaire\u201d!\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Because I am blessed with this opportunity to jog, and to check out the beautiful night air around me, and more than anything because of this wonderfully complex thing in my skull called the brain. \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 \u00a0The brain that allows me to do all these things and to simply think and enjoy life.\u00a0 And I thought to myself \u2013 at what price would I give up the ability to use my brain?\u00a0 Would I sell my brain for 1 billion dollars?\u00a0 And the answer is obviously no \u2013 because there would then be no point to living in this life without the brain.\u00a0 So \u2013 I reasoned with myself, well \u2013 \u201cThen I am a billionaire!\u201d\u00a0 I have a billion dollar asset in my skull!\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 \u00a0I hope this isn\u2019t too random of a tangent.\u00a0 Maybe you\u2019ll realize that you are a billionaire today too though?\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 To tie this back to the Kingdom of Heaven.\u00a0 Would I sell of my rights to the Kingdom of Heaven for 1 billion dollars.\u00a0 No.\u00a0 So \u2013 I guess then technically, I am a multi-billionaire now!\u00a0 1 billion asset value for the brain + 1 billion asset value for the Kingdom of Heaven!\u00a0 The point being\u2026\u00a0 \u00a0or maybe the question to you.\u00a0 Which would you prefer\u00a0 \u2013 1 billion in cash, or the Kingdom of Heaven?\u00a0 \u00a0Is there any price you would place on giving up the Kingdom of Heaven?\u00a0 \u00a0If not \u2013 will you pursue the Kingdom of Heaven with all of your worth?\u00a0 And will you then share this amazing \u201cpearl of great price\u201d with others around you?<\/span><\/p>\n
Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Matthew chapter 13 titled \u201cThe Parables of Matthew 13\u201d<\/strong> are <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n
Mike<\/span><\/p>\n