GeraldG

The od that is brought out of the treasure box is the law, the scriptures, and the understanding of them. The new is sharing the good news, the gospel, and ministering to the needy. We must be cross-trained as disciples that we know the scriptures, old and new, and preach the gospel, sharing the good news of salvation and ministering to all the needy and bring forth healing to the lost and hurting

A sharp and tasty witness is important because we have to be strong in our faith, our words, and our actions; preaching the truth, standing stedfast, even knowing that persecutions will come. A bland witness to Jesus is anyone who has allowed the trials of the world to cause them to stop ministering to the lost. To stay salty is to stay strong in the word, in our prayer life, and not be blended in with the world. Stay active in our walk with Christ. People are tempted to hide their light because of trying to please the people or blend in, and because others come against their testimony they just begin to hide their light. Just said that you are a light upon a hill,so don't put your light under a bushel basket, but let your light shine for all to see. Arise, Shine, for the glory of the LORD is upon you. Shine for Jesus Christ

I have experienced more people receptive of the gospel in the street services, and rehab centers, jails and prisons. I really see myself as a sower and a reaper for I don't want to just leave someone with a word, but I want to see it through where salvation comes and heaven rejoices. People doesn't seem to want to go through with the long haul, if they don't receive it right off the bat they just quit with those people. They don't like going through the hard times to see salvation through. Yes Lord please, I want to reach as many as I can for the gospel of Christ and see salvation come, and heaven filled.

Jesus was heart broken because His sheep has been mislead, and uncared for, there scattered like sheep with no shepherd. The lost sheep of our community are the ones who have been hurt by the church and fell away. The missions that I know of, and have been associated with are like the refugees who have been pushed away and forgotten by community or even the church. I want to reach out to everyone I can to the hurt and struggling, for my heart is broken with compassion for them.

Jesus desires mercy, not sacrifice, which means that He desires us to have mercy, compassion, and love for others over our little sacrifices. Pharisees thought that sinners were unworthy of their time much less their compassion. They felt like they should just avoid sinners, pushing them away. Prideful attitude. Jesus had a merciful attitude towards sinners with love and compassion. I feel like sinners need someone who will understand, who will listen, and who will have mercy and compassion on them leading them to Jesus. The role of a spiritual doctor is to go out and reach, and heal the sin sick soul for Christ so that they may have life

Jesus uses this contrast to let the lawyer see his pride, and let us all know that we are to help anyone in need no matter who they are. Jesus is defining a neighbor as someone who is in need, or someone who needs a little help, or mercy shown, no matter the sex, race or nationalism. I have a hard time passing anyone who is down and hurting, I just have a heart that I want to see them smile with joy in their heart and know that it's from the Lord.

Jesus gave this parable to instruct and encourage His disciples to use the talents He has given them to advance the kingdom. I am going into the prisons, and in the streets, nursing homes, as well as in the churches, and even the mission field preaching the gospel unto all that will receive. Sometimes people allow problems and trials in their lives to cause them to bury their talents. Not sure exactly what the reward will be if other than salvation, although whatever the kingdom offers will be glorious. God expects more out of people who are given more, so those who are greatly talented, there is more expected out of them.

It is a parable, for Jesus is saying that just like He is a servant to us, we must also be a servant to one another. This was so shocking because Jesus was Lord and Master, therefore He should be lower Himself as a menial servant. It's a parable of cleansing in comparison just as if you take a bath then you only need to wash your feet and your clean. And just like once you're baptized, we must just wash away our sins we commit day by day in repentance. To wash another one's feet, you must put away your pride and except being a servant. It is one of the greatest lessons to humble ourselves teaching us how we must serve one another to the very lowest degree. We really need to implement this teaching in our everyday lives, for we must have a servants heart in order to serve one another and reach others for Christ

Here both of the parables, the friend at midnight, and the unjust judge, both show us that persistence, and not giving up will give us victory. My persistence in crying out to the Lord gives me the strength and the ability to keep going day after day pursuing my walk with Christ, and ministering to others. Persistence in prayer will make you stronger as a disciple, and help you grow in Christ so that you can reach others for Christ Jesus

Jesus gave this parable of asking the Father for bread to encourage them to pray to the Father, and don't worry about asking Him for what you want, for the Father is going to give you what's good, not evil. He wants to correct the misconception of being careful what you ask for, for you just might get it. But Jesus wants us to understand that this is not true for the Father will only give you what is good.

The parable of the birds and the lilies teach us that if God can take care of the birds and lilies, He can truly take care of us. He teaches us not to worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Jesus instructs us to seek ye the kingdom and His righteousness, and all the things that you seemed to worry about will be given to you, so therefore you shouldn't worry about the future. Obeying verse 33, seeking the kingdom, will give us peace instead of worry, which will make our lives easier and more peaceful.

We begin serving money rather than God, when we spend our money on worldly things for ourselves more than we give to the Lord. We can detect these things by asking ourselves if the things we are buying with our money is glorifying God or not. Jesus was telling this parable to His disciples warning them to be careful and not to get caught up with what the love of money can do to you.

No, being wealthy is not a sin for a Christian. The rich man's sin was greed, or a selfish attitude. Some people think that they have to have more, or better than what others have in the neighborhood. Some Christians think that they are liked more than others, or that they have a better office than others. Or even drive better vehicles just to be seen

He is a positive example to do good to others even though you've done wrong. We can lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven by doing good, and seeking heavenly things. God does truly look at the little things we do, for He tells us that if we will be faithful in the few things, He will make us rulers over many. God wants to see us faithful in the small things, and humble ourselves, and do good to others and love others just as He loves us. If a person is promoted beyond their spiritual growth that person could stumble or fall

Jesus teaches us to discern false leaders by watching their actions, observing their fruits, and listen carefully to their words. This is very important in our churches, for false leaders looks just like everyone else, therefore they can deceive, and mislead, pulling others away from the truth. Flawed Christian leaders makes mistakes but quickly repents and learns from their mistakes. But dangerous false prophets don't see that they are wrong, and don't care that they are wrong, and they just want to draw as many as they can to follow after them.