Devotional Thoughts

Matthew 13:31-33     " Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:   Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.   Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened."   Jesus taught the multitude using many parables. This was prophesied of Him in Psalm 78:2. He used parables from their daily existence to teach them about the (to them) ancient truths of God. In these parables, He taught the people concerning the kingdom of heaven. The word translated here as “heaven” carried the idea of elevation and (according to Strong’s) specifically the Gospel. Although it is in the world, the kingdom of heaven is not...

Judges 2:11-16     "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:  (12)  And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.  (13)  And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.  (14)  And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.  (15)  Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed.  (16)  Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spo...

Matthew 13:24-30    " Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:   But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.   But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.   So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?   He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?   But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.   Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."   We understand the kingdom of heaven as used in the gospels t...

Joshua 10:16-18     "But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.  (17)  And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.  (18)  And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it for to keep them" Joshua 10:22-25     "Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave.  (23)  And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.  (24)  And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.  (25)  And J...

Matthew 13:10-13     " And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.   For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.   Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand."   Matthew 13:16-17     " But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.   For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them."   We sometimes fail to realize what a blessing it is to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ with understandi...