Sermon Notes; a Daily Devotional

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace." We are living and playing in God's Garden. God is very generous in providing us many different fruits and vegetables for us to enjoy. This week we want to study thyme. Thyme is a delightful herb with a pleasant, pungent, clover flavor. Often used in cooking. There a...

Psalms 100:4 & 5 "4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. 5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations." All of Heaven rejoices when one prodigal returns! And, the prodigal rejoices too; "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD," and, "come before His presence with singing." God treats us like we are HIGHLY DESIRED. The thing in us that we act on to become prodigals is wrong. We stray from our Lord and Savior's good grace. We should never leave God's PASTURE or His care. God is very good to us. The verses that finish chapter one-hundred of the Psalms teach us what we need to do; "Enter into His gates with THANKSGIVING, and into His courts with PRAISE: be thankful unto Him, and BLESS His name. For the LORD is GOOD; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations." We can and should do all these thing...

Psalms 100:1-3 "1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture." All of Heaven rejoices when one prodigal returns! And, the prodigal rejoices too; "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD," and, "come before His presence with singing." God treats us like we are HIGHLY DESIRED. Like the father of the prodigal son; God has COMPASSION, and RUNS to us, hugs us and KISSES us! God doesn't harbor any ill will for you! God wants the best for you. Come home to God. Read about God in the pages of Holy Scripture. Really get to know our HIGHLY DESIRED GOD. We have a PLUM GOD! These verses from Psalm chapter one-hundred say it so wonderously; "Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath MADE US, and not we ourselves; WE ARE HIS people, and the sheep of H...

Luke 15:22-24 "22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry." All of Heaven rejoices when one prodigal returns! Our relationship with GOD is HIGHLY-DESIRED. God treats us like we are HIGHLY DESIRED. God brings "forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and BE MERRY: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to BE MERRY." We have a PLUM GOD! GOD does more than we have any right to expect. Like The Prodigal Son we run away from Him. Like this son we chose to waste years in "RIOTOUS living." It costs us. And, when we return to GOD; He...

Luke 15:20 & 21 "20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son." We are in the parable of The Prodigal Son. The Father in this parable is God. The younger son is like the children of God who run away from Him. This son chose to waste years in "RIOTOUS living." It costs the younger son literally EVERYTHING. This young man has reached the BOTTOM, so low, that even the slop the pigs are eating looks good to him. From this low point the young man decided to repent and return home. He has a big speach planned and he gets half of it out in today's verses; "And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father SAW him, and had COMPASSION, and RAN, and FELL on his neck, and KISSED him. ...

Luke 15:17-19 "17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants." We are living and playing in God's Garden. Jesus teaches just how GOOD God is in His parable of The Prodigal Son. This is a ripe, juicy and flavorful parable. Lots of details and little bits that have deep meaning. This parable is SO delicious it has us returning to it again and again. If this lesson was a fruit tree in God's Garden it would be a PLUM! Delightful and varied fruit tree that is closely related to peaches and cherries and are widely eaten fresh as a fruit, cooked as compote or jam, or baked in a variety of pastries. Delicious! The Father in this parable is God. The younger son is like the children of Go...

Luke 15:14-16 "14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him." We are living and playing in God's Garden. God is a Good, GOOD FATHER. Jesus teaches just how GOOD God is in His parable of The Prodigal Son. Recorded here in the Gospel of Luke, chapter fifteen, we know the The Father in this illustration is God. The younger son is like the children of God who run away from Him. All too often we WASTE years of our lives AWAY from God's house. We choose the "RIOTOUS living" that our culture and society offers. It all comes at a great cost. In this parable it costs the younger son literally everything he has. In today's verses, the younger son is there jealous of the slop he is feeding to pigs...

Matthew 7:7-11 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" We have a good, GOOD FATHER in God. As we studied this past week He has COUNTLESS "thoughts" for the whole wide world. God has FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made all created things! GOD'S care and plans go beyond this life and this world, He has done everything necessary to secure salvation for our souls! For eternity!  God's thoughts are "THOUGHTS of PEACE. His plans for us are not based on our own merit. God's plans are based on His merc...

Jeremiah 29:11 & 12 "11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you." We are marveling at the COUNTLESS "thoughts" that GOD has for the whole wide world. God has FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made all created things! GOD'S care and plans go beyond this life and this world, He has done everything necessary to secure salvation for our souls! For eternity! How can we even imagine changing what GOD has planned. We should protect life. Life is special and important to GOD! We should use our lives to spread God's love; further His plan. Today's verses provide more insight into GOD'S COUNTLESS "thoughts," from the writing of the prophet Jeremiah, chapter twenty-nine, verses eleven and twelve; "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, THOUGHTS ...

Psalm 139:17 "How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!" Just think of the COUNTLESS "thoughts" that go into FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY making a baby in a mother's womb! The planning for all the things to happen that we take for granted, they just happen in our experience. But, God PLANNED for this development and all the things needed to bring another life into the world.  We think of God, as The Father, and many have the experience of being a parent. Parents have COUNTLESS "thoughts" for their children; providing for them; teaching them; counseling them; anticipating their needs, and caring for them. And, that is on the family level. God is operating on the world wide level. We cannot even wrap our minds around the infinite number of "thoughts" in caring for the WHOLE WIDE WORLD! "O God! how great is the sum of them!" There is no way for us to understand COUNTLESS "thoughts" GOD has ...

Psalm 139:15 & 16 "15 My substance was not hid from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 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." Jesus taught His Disciples and followers to deny one's self honor and glory in this life. Serving others, even when faced with difficulty, and opposition. Jesus lived like us. He died like we die and came back to life so that we might have eternal life! We can all be appreciative of the blessings God is giving us.   For our study of God's Garden with a focus on the FRUIT of the WOMB, we turn to some famous verses in the book of Psalms, chapter one-hundred and thirty-nine, begining with verse thirteen. Where we read about being FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made in our mother's womb! This is Holy Scripture clearly teaching that God makes each of us!  Tod...

Psalm 139:13 & 14 "13 For Thou hast possessed my reins: Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." As we study this week hold onto last week's lesson of God's great gift of GRACE inspiring us to do good for Him. Denying one's self honor and glory in this life. Serving others, even when faced with difficulty, and opposition. And, Jesus's message; "deny yourself, and take up your cross, and follow Me." This week are continuing our study of God's Garden with a focus on the FRUIT of the WOMB. Our lives have immeasurable value. Yours and mine. The BEST measure is that God became human and dwelt with us. He lived like us. He died like we die and came back to life so that we might have eternal life! We can all be more appreciative of the blessings God is giving us.  God has His own schedule and His own plan. And, God doe...

Matthew 16:24 & 25 "24 Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it." From last week's study we learned that because of God's great gift of GRACE to us we want to do good for Him. From God's perspective; GREATNESS is people who work for Christ and bring GLORY to GOD. Knowing and faithfully following The Word.  Denying one's self honor and glory in this life. Serving others, even when faced with difficulty, and opposition. It's a difficult journey following Jesus, and yet it is the best journey we can go on. The only journey worth going on. As we transition to this week's study we want to review more words from Jesus. From the Gospel of Matthew, chapter sixteen, verses twenty-four and twenty-five. "Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come a...

Matthew 20:28 "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." The words of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus did not come to rule and be served, He came as a servant. He used His abilities to heal the sick, resurrect the dead and give the gift of eternal life for all who will believe in Him. It is more incredible than words can describe. The idea that we need to be FIRST needs to be squashed. The idea we are ABLE to earn our gifts from GOD needs to be SQUASHED. We can flip our thinking around; because of God's great gift of GRACE to us we want to do good for Him. From God's perspective; GREATNESS is people who work for Christ and bring GLORY to GOD. Knowing and faithfully following The Word.  Denying one's self honor and glory in this life. Serving others, even when faced with difficulty, and opposition. 

Matthew 20:26 & 27 "26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:" This week we are studying some things we NEED TO "SQUASH!" Squash as in suppress, stifle, or subdue. Like the type of ambition and motivation to get ahead of our peers. As demonstrated by Salome, the wife of Zebedee and mother of John the beloved and James the great (two of Jesus's Disciples.) This idea that we must be FIRST needs to be squashed. And, the idea we are ABLE to earn our gifts from GOD. This idea also needs to be SQUASHED. We can flip our thinking around; because of God's great gift of GRACE to us we want to do good for Him. Our vanity and ambition will create anger and annoyance by what is perceived as unfair treatment for our peers. Like it did for the ten Disciples. And, all this drama distracted from Jesus's message and mission. In today's ver...

Matthew 20:24 & 25 "24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. 25 But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them." INDIGNATION. (anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment) John and James' peers don't like hearing that these two wanted to get ahead of them. That their mother is trying to get them a place on the THRONE. The brothers think they are better than the rest.  Missed by all listening when Jesus is talking He is talking about His place on the CROSS. Something no mom would want for her sons. And, no peers would be jealous of. Jesus is leading the way for them. Jesus is the first to suffer and to demonstrate the GLORY of resurrection. His words should be chilling to James and John, because they will suffer also. James will be killed by sword and John will be imprisoned on...

Matthew 20:23 "And He saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on My right hand, and on My left, is not Mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of My Father." This week we are looking at things we NEED TO "SQUASH." Squash as in suppress, stifle, or subdue. Like the type of ambition and motivation to get ahead of our peers. As demonstrated by Salome, the wife of Zebedee and mother of John the beloved and James the great (two of Jesus's Disciples.) She asked Jesus to make her sons His right and left hand men. Putting them ahead of all their peers. James and John and their mom are thinking of a THRONE and a place of privilege. We like to think we are better than others and deserve our own THRONE. But we are not as good as God, and Jesus is talking about His place on the CROSS. Something no mom would want for her sons. When Jesus askes them they say "WE ARE...

Matthew 20:22 "But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto Him, We are able." We are studying God's Garden, this week we are looking at the Squash and it reminds us that there are somethings we NEED TO "SQUASH." Squash as in suppress, stifle, or subdue. Like the type of ambition and motivation to get ahead of our peers. As demonstrated by Salome, the wife of Zebedee and mother of John the beloved and James the great (two of Jesus's Disciples.) She asked Jesus to make her sons His right and left hand men. Putting them ahead of all their peers. But, wait! There is more... today's verse has James and John and their mom, thinking of a THRONE and a place of privilege. We like to think we are better than others and deserve our own THRONE. But we are not as good as God, and Jesus is talking about His place on the cross. Som...

Matthew 20:21 "And He said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto Him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on Thy right hand, and the other on the left, in Thy kingdom." We are studying God's Garden, this week we will look at the delectable and versatile Squash! Squash are herbaceous vegetables in the gourd family, native to the Americas. The vegetable Squash got it's name from the native American word “askutasquash”, which means “eaten raw or uncooked." We think of the word "squash" which means to crush or squeeze (something) with force so that it becomes flat, soft, or out of shape. We began our Holy Bible study in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter twenty, verse twenty. This is a time when Jesus has some acclaim and many are expecting GREAT things. Salome, the wife of Zebedee and mother of two of the Disciples (John the beloved and James the great) comes forward to ask a favor of our Lord and Savior; "And He said unto her, What wilt thou...

Matthew 20:20 "Then came to Him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping Him, and desiring a certain thing of Him." We are studying God's Garden, and all the wonderful fruits and vegetables that grow there. All the plants "yielding seed" are food for us to eat! Nourishment that sustains us. It is all a GIFT from GOD! And, the seed is a symbol of the word of God! This is all by GOD'S design! Last week we began with Honeydew Melons. A delicious fruit that reminds us to make to do lists for the ones we love. And, to do the "Honey dos" assigned to us! This week we will look at the delectable and versatile Squash! Squash are herbaceous vegetables in the gourd family, native to the Americas. Five species are grown worldwide for their edible vegetable, variously known as squash, pumpkin, or gourd, depending on species, variety, and local language. The vegetable Squash got it's name from the native American Narragansett word “ask...

Genesis 1:29 "And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." BEHOLD! God's Garden... "upon the face of all the earth!" All the plants "bearing seed," and fruit "yielding seed" are food for us to eat! Nourishment that sustains us. It is all a GIFT from GOD! Praise the Lord! And, this is how God works; not only are the beautiful varieties of plants and seeds made to physically satisfy our appetites, also the seed is a symbol of the word of God! This is all by GOD'S design! As we studied this week; seeds grow wherever they land. Seeds need the opportunity to take root and need nourishment and protection to grow. We need to CAREFULLY listen to and learn God's Word with "an honest and good heart." We cannot let the many PLEASURES available today distract us. We have RICHES that...

1 Corinthians 3:6 & 7 "6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." God's Garden... the seed is the word of God. The stark reality of FAITH is that not everyone who gets it... keeps it! The seed grows wherever it lands. The seed needs the opportunity to take root and needs nourishment and protection. It needs CARE. All of that care comes from Jesus. Jesus's love for sinners. We might not understand it but the Holy Ghost unlocks our minds to the understanding of Jesus's teaching.   We can be CAREFUL; listen and learn God's Word with "an honest and good heart." We cannot let the many PLEASURES available today distract us. We have RICHES that allow us to pursue CARES beyond our wildest dreams. We are aggressively distracted from The Word of God. It is understandable to expect that our FAITH will be CHOKED OUT! We have to fig...

Luke 8:14 & 15 "14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." The Disciples didn't understand and asked what is the meaning of this parable? It is about the sower, the seed and the soil. It's about God's Garden... Jesus explains in detail; The seed is the word of God. The stark reality of FAITH; not everyone who gets it... keeps it!  Jesus continued His explanation in today's verses; "And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are CHOKED with CARES and RICHES and PLEASURES of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection." This one has to grab our attention! This describes our society and culture to a tee. We have so many PLEAS...

Luke 8:11-13 "11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away." Jesus wants everyone who has ears to HEAR! Jesus has placed His trust in you and me!!! The Disciples didn't understand and asked what is the meaning of this parable? This the parable of parables. It is about the sower, the seed and the soil. It's about God's Garden... Jesus explains in detail in today's verses; "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word OUT of THEIR HEARTS, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive ...

Luke 8:9 & 10 "9 And His disciples asked Him, saying, What might this parable be? 10 And He said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand." We are living in GOD'S Garden. For us it's the New Year and we are making "Resolutions" to do better. It is our "To Do" list for ourselves. When we make "To Do" list for others; we call them "Honey Dos!" Jesus's "Honey Do" for everyone who has ears; "LET HIM HEAR." Jesus's expectation is that we will ALL be GOOD GROUND for the seeds that He is planting! This is the man going to the cross. He is dying for our sins. Naturally He trusts that we will be "GOOD GROUND, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold!!!" Jesus has placed His trust in you and me!!! In today's verses the Disciples don't understand and ask what is the...

Luke 8:6-8 "6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. 8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when He had said these things, He cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." This week our focus is on SEED planting as we begin a new sermon series titled; God's Garden. We are living in GOD'S Garden. For us it's the New Year and we are making "Resolutions" to do better. Most of the year we make "To Do" list for ourselves. Or, we make "To Do" list for others and even call them "Honey Dos!" And, a lot of the time we achieve the items on these lists. When this occurs it reminds us just how sweet, nutritious and delicious Honeydew Melons are! Our featured fruit from God's Garden this week. We have turned to the Gospel of Luke,  chapter eigh...

Luke 8:4 & 5 "4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to Him out of every city, He spake by a parable: 5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it." Last week we looked to the wise men of the Nativity scean for inspiration to study GOD'S word, look for His guiding star and worship and give our best to His son... so that we too will have a RELATIONSHIP with GOD. Hopefully the seed of this idea can grow and flourish in the New Year.  This week we turn our focus to SEED planting as we begin a new sermon series titled; God's Garden. We are living in GOD'S Garden understand seed grow and how we get the harvest that we have. For us it's the New Year we are making "Resolutions" to better. Making list for ourselves of goals and things we want to do better. Most we will likely come up short on, but we need to still try.  Like the people g...

2 Timothy 2:15 & 16 "15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness." This last week we studied the wise men who came from far away. They had a RELATIONSHIP with GOD. We can look to their example; if we will study GOD'S word, look for His guiding star and worship and give our best to His son... we too will have a RELATIONSHIP with GOD. AND, He will fulfill His purpose in our lives. It is my sincere desire that we could all be more like the wise men in the New Year! Like the wise men; all believers will face challenges and we will have to take a stand against the tyranny and the evil forces of the world. Whatever we have to face, GOD will gave us a way out. God will not give us more than we can handle.  For today's verses we turn to the writing of Saint Paul to Timothy, the Second letter, chapter two, verses...

1 Corinthians 10:12 & 13 "12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." This week we have studied the wise men who came from far away to worship Jesus. These wise men have read God's Word in the prophesy, they have been guided by the star and they have seen and given gifts to the newborn Son.  As they head home they have revelation from God through a dream. There is a RELATIONSHIP between GOD and these wise men. We can look to the example of the wise men; if we will study GOD'S word, look for His guiding star and worship and give our best to His son... we too will have a RELATIONSHIP with GOD. AND, He will fulfill His purpose in our lives. It is my sincere desire that we could all be more like the wise m...