Much Is Possible Where There Is Hope

Much Is Possible Where There Is Hope For some of us, a simple explanation can tell all. For others, we need more that just words. Then there are others who will just never get it. A beautiful picture can paint a thousand heartfelt words. An exemplary individual can prove living a holy life is possible. A good story can help us see what we ought to see. However, sometimes even though the message seems clear, there may still be confusion, doubt and disbelief. Try to reach those who don’t understand the goodness in their lives. Perhaps sharing a parable might open their eyes in a new enlightening way. Jesus shared with his disciples, “The reason I speak to them in parables is that “seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.” We have all been given many gifts from Heaven. Only a believer in Christ can recognize their gifts already enjoyed. Only a spirit filled practicing believer can expect even more in abundance. Will you be sharing the parable or telling it? If you are sharing, tell your story with holiness in your heart always allowing The Holy Spirit to guide you. If you are the one who will be listening, groom your ears to pay attention, make ready your heart to receive, and train your eyes to take notice of the gift of a true story or parable shared by a person filled with faith. The only way you will lose, is if you just don’t get it. Keep from breeding a hardened heart by allowing hope to always be an option. Matthew 13:10–13 Then the disciples came and asked him, ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’ He answered, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. The reason I speak to them in parables is that “seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.”

Living On Holy Soil

Living On Holy Soil If your life was to be compared to a seed recently planted would your life survive? Could your life be considered one planted in good soil? Does your life lack roots that would keep it from withering away? Viewed from a human perspective, we might believe we will live no matter where we are planted. The quality of our life may be poor, mediocore or even good in our eyes. However, in the spiritual realm how will your life fare? Could you say your life is evident of having been planted on holy soil? Could you say that the fruit you are bearing is a hundredfold, sixty or thirty? We are all living on holy soil. We are all called to be holy. We are all able to bear fruit that is plentiful. Each morning, examine your potential harvest from yesterday. If you are not where you could possibly be when your harvest is ready, take time to add fertilizer to your thoughts, water to your spirit, tender loving care to your tongue, hands and attitude. Each night when you retire, take time to reflect on your day. You will know on what type of ground you’ve rooted yourself in. You’re already off to a great start. God creates only holy things. Man decides what gifts he chooses to receive. Chose to receive the gift of living on holy soil. Matthew 13:1-9 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the lake. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: 'Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!'

Getting Comfortable In Our New “Norm”

Getting Comfortable In Our New “Norm” “Do not hold on to me.” We can hold on to past grudges, the spirit of our loved ones who have past and the painful memories of yesterday. We may feel the need to grasp at almost anything to keep us feeling as we did before. We could mindlessly let an event, haunting words or a feeling hold us hostage robbing us of our spirit. Our complicated hearts may try to keep us connected to what felt safe, normal, effortless and even a bit crazy. Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”” We too, at some time that is right for us, can work toward letting go of feelings or circumstances that hold us back from experiencing the life that God intended for us. However, we may never let the past or our feelings about another leave us completely, and that is normal and okay. Today, we might feel as though we need to hold on, but one day, be encouraged to let go, one day and one step at a time. It is important that we expect that there will be days we will revert back, but don’t lose heart. Your progress may seen slow; so don’t beat yourself up. There will be days you may feel as though you give in barely enough to still live fruitfully allowing life to again resume. God is with us as we get more comfortable with change. God’s hand is on us as our lives miraculously can feel safe again. God is continually blessings us so that we may again feel joyous in our new “norm.” John 20:14–18 When she had said this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” ’ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’; and she told them that he had said these things to her.