Building Your Vineyard

Mark 12:1

"And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country."

In the verse above, Jesus taught a parable about a man who planted a vineyard. There were many things this man did in planting a successful vineyard, but there were also some things this man did that hurt it. The desire of this man was that his vineyard would be able to produce grapes and juice for many people.

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Finding Fault with Perfection

Mark 3:2

"And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him."

One would think it to be hard to find fault with Jesus Christ. Jesus is the sinless Son of God. Finding fault with whatever Jesus did would seem to be impossible. Yet, the Pharisees found a way to find fault in Jesus. Albeit, what they considered a fault was truly a personal problem they had with Jesus. Finding fault in perfection was detrimental to the Pharisees. What would cause people to find fault with Jesus?

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Bible Thoughts by Terry Hedderman

Sunday, 6/29/14  Ps 139:16 (referring to the Psalmist when he was in the womb) Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.YOU are a Designer’s original: act special cuz you are.              God has a will for every aspect of our lives. Either He communicates His wishes by commandment, principle, example, or wise common sense. If we’re unsure of what we should do, we should always err on the side of more godliness, more holiness, less carnality. These current debates about modest dress on women are absolutely retarded, in my opinion. I personally think God is rather clear on what He wants in how 21st century American women dress. If it’s unclear to you, that’s fine, but why is it that in your uncertainty, you choose the option that is “easier” on you? That makes “more sense” to you? That is closer to how the unsaved dress? That is less noticeable by the ungodly crowd? If you must choose, why not choose the more modest, the more reserved, the “holier,” option? The option that more clearly signifies that there is something different about you? The option that is unquestionably not wrong.  To put it simply, I believe the debate is not a search for God’s will or what He says in His word: it’s a cover for hearts unwilling to submit to whatever He wants. Ps 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

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Hindrances to Your Prayer Life

Matthew 26:36

"Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder."

It was right before Jesus was to be taken when He went to Gethsemane to pray. Jesus knew that He not only needed to spend some time in prayer, but that His disciples needed the strength from prayer. When Jesus arrived at the place where He would pray, He told His disciples to wait while He went further to pray alone. To Jesus' dismay, when He came back to see how the disciples were doing, He found them asleep. Though the disciples had a sincere desire to pray, they found some hindrances that kept them from praying.

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Wasting Your Own

Matthew 13:57

"And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house."

One of the few places where Jesus' ministry had no effect was in his home city. This is truly sad in that they watched him grow up. They knew something was different about Jesus. They knew that He was not like every other child. His demeanor was different from those with whom He grew up. His desires were different from those with whom He grew up. His life's ambitions were different than any other child that had grown up in that city.

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