GAINING ACCESS The true story is told in the scriptures of blind Bartimaeus who was trying to get Jesus' attention, but was seemingly being prevented by those around Jesus (Mk.10:46-52; Lk.18:35-43), as were the two blind men (Matt.20:29-34), but when they obtained Jesus' attention, or access to Him, He healed them. There can be nothing more frustrating than knowing help is available, but not being able to gain access to the source or solution of that help to obtain the aid

Hebrews 3:18 says, "...and to whom swore He that they should not enter into His rest, but to them that believed not?" HOUND DOG The humorous anecdote is told of the farmer that had an old hound dog lying out on the wooden porch, and every now and then the dog would let out a howl. Observing this, a friend of the farmer asked him, why the old dog would let out that moanful howl so consistently; what was wrong with the dog? The farmer replied that the dog was laying on a nail s

Luke 8:13 says, "... in time of testing [they] fall away." This scripture is parallel to that of Matthew 13:21, and Mark 4:17, which clearly indicate that this testing, is tribulation or persecution "... because of the word...". There is no reference to sickness or disease, or actions against us, because of our bad behavior, but rather, this is physical violence against us (persecution), or verbal; mental; or emotional abuse (tribulation), because of the Word in our lives. CL

Luke 8:13 says, "...and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of testing fall away." TESTING The necessity of revisiting this portion of scripture, is found in the depth of insight gained from this word "testing". It is without any contradiction of scripture that every true Believer will encounter trial by fire, as it is metaphorically referred to in the Word (1 Pet.4:12). If we do not experience the testing of the Word in our lives, (Matt.13:21; Mk 4:17),

Matthew 13:7 says, "And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up, and choked them." This passage and the interpretation that Jesus gives, is recorded a total of 6 times, with slight variations. (Matt. 13:7,22; Mk.4:7,18,19; Lk.8:7,14). The fact that something is repeated so much means that "...it is established by God..."(Gen.41:32), for "...in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." (2Cor.13:1; Matt.18:16; Jn.8:17; Dt.19:15). In other wo

[There are several aspects of the parable of the seed, and the different type of soils that are important for us to understand, to gain clarity, as to how Jesus' words in this teaching impact our lives on a daily basis.] Luke 8:7 says, "... the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it." SPRANG UP The words " sprang up with it", in the Greek, do not just mean to sprout, or grow, in fact, this phrase is one compound word, which means to grow together with, to such an extent tha

CARE Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19; and Luke 8:14, talk about the "cares" of this life, as one of the "thorns", that choke or suffocate the word from our heart. This word is only used six times in the NT, and four of those references speak of the "cares" of this life. In fact, as mentioned, three of the references refer directly to the parable of the seed and the different types of soils. (Matt.13:22;Mk.4:19;Lk.8:14;21:34). The other two references are to the care of all the churc

[The parable of the seed and the soils (Matt.13:22;Mk.4:19;Lk.8:14) speak of the cares of this life, but other equally well loved passages, provide further definition and meaning to the word "cares"]. 1 Peter 5:7 says that we are to cast all our cares on the Lord, because He cares for us. CAST - This is a word meaning to deposit with someone, once and for all. ALL- This word speaks of the WHOLE of our care. CARES - This word speaks of what occupies our thoughts, with the impl

Luke 8:14 says, the word is choked out of our lives by, "...cares and riches and pleasures of life..." Luke 8:14 is the only one of the three passages, concerning the parable of the different types of soil, that links together what chokes the word out of us, as pertaining to this "life"; whereas the other two passages seem to separate the cause of "choking" into their own individual sources. [ "... (1) cares of this age, and the (2) deceitfulness of riches, and (3) the lusts

Matthew 13:22 speaks of the "... deceitfulness of riches..." RICHES The focus of this study is on the word translated "riches", in the KJV. It is important, that as Believers, we have a healthy, and biblical perspective concerning how God views wealth and finances. This word has two meanings: 1) FIRST, there is a very literal, and primary meaning which refers to a super abundance of material possessions of every kind. 2) SECONDLY, there is a figurative meaning of the wealth;

Matthew 13:22 speaks of "... the deceitfulness of riches..." PLEASURE The word "deceit" has very interesting origins. Originally, there was no negative connotation, or morally reprehensible attachment to its use. The word simply meant pleasure. [ Several literal translations of this passage, render the verse, "... the pleasures of riches..." ]. It was a term used for the pleasant distraction of the theatre, from the everyday business and concerns of life, implying no ev

Mark 4:19 speaks of "... the lusts of other things..." as being one of the thorns that chokes the word out of our lives. Two things to notice about this verse, is that both "lusts" and "things", are in the plural, meaning that it is not just one lust, or one specific thing that is referenced, as a potential threat, to the survival of the word in our lives. There are many different "lusts" , and many different "things" that distract from us fulfilling our purpose and calling

Luke 8:14 says, "... and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of (this) life..." PLEASURES The word "pleasures", is an interesting word, that is only used 5 times in the NT. (Lk. 8:14; Tit.3:3; Ja.4:1,3; 2Pet.2:13). It is where we get the English word "hedonism" from, which by dictionary definition, has to do with 'moral value being defined by pleasure'. In other words, something is valuable to the degree that we derive pleasure from it, whether it be people; thing

Luke 8:15 says, " But that on the good ground are they who, in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep (it), and bring forth fruit with patience." HONEST and GOOD HEART The focus of this study is the phrase "...honest and good heart...". Here we have a description of the individuals who actually receive the seed of the word of God, and bring forth fruit. The two words describing the heart of these individuals, are actually both usually translated as "good",

Luke 8:15 says, "...but that on the good ground are they who, in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep (it), and bring forth fruit with patience." KEEP The emphasis of this study is the word "keep". There are at least 11 different main Greek words that are translated "keep", and all of them have significance, but the Holy Spirit chose to use this word, in this passage, to convey a very specific meaning. The base of this word means to "keep", or to "hol

Luke 8:15 says, "... that on the good ground are they who, in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep (it), and bring forth fruit with patience." PATIENCE The focus of this study is on the word translated as "patience". Every word, as a vehicle of vision, congers up images that help us to identify the word with relatable experiences, enabling us to visually grasp its meaning. This English word is usually seen as a passive acceptance of situations and circums

Acts 17:11-12a says, "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore, many of them believed..." The purpose of this study is to present one aspect as to why some receive the word of God, and some reject it, or are not in a position to receive it. There are two words that are used in this text to describe the character of those of Bere

The purpose of this word study, is to demonstrate through scripture, the absolute certainty of the word of God to produce its desired effect in our lives. Matthew 13:23 says, "... the person that hears the word, and understands... also bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundred, some sixty, some thirty." DEFINITION: BEARS FRUIT This phrase refers not only to (1) the natural development of plants, but is used frequently with the metaphorical meaning of (2) consequences t

This word study expresses the certainty of God's word concerning you. Matthew 13:23 says, ".... he/she that hears the word, and understands, ... also bears fruit, and brings forth, some 100, some 60, some 30." [Though a slight paraphrase, the scriptural context and meaning of the text is maintained in the above quotation]. The scripture says, we hear, and understand the word. UNDERSTAND The word understand has three aspects to it: 1) To perceive something with the

God's word concerning you is an established fact. Matthew 13:23 says, "... he that hears the word, and understands, ... also bears fruit, and brings forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." PARTICLE This word study concerns another "particle", that is very emphatic in its use, yet not translated in the text, into the English. This word is used over 180 times in the Greek New Testament, and yet is only translated into the English about 1/3 of those times.