Don’t Be Discouraged – Soar!

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Isaiah 40:31 Amplified Bible (AMP)
31 But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] will gain new strength and renew their power;
They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun{SON}];
They will run and not become weary,
They will walk and not grow tired.
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An interesting side effect of waiting for the Lord’s answer — IF you keep trusting => is this promise to be strengthened and lifted up! 🙂
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The Wheat and the Tares

Matthew 13:24-30 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”
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The Parable of the Tares Explained
36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.”

37 He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. 39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. 40 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
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What is this parable a picture of?
=>This is a picture of the kingdom of heaven and hell in the world

• The Son of man sows the good seed in the field{world} v37-38
  The sower sows the word. –Mk 4:14
  The good seed produces wheat = sons of the kingdom of heaven v38
  At the end of the age wheat is harvested by angles into the barn v30, 41
• The devil sows the bad seed in the field while “men” sleep v25,39
  The bad seed produces produces tares = sons of the devil v38
  The Pharisees are an example of the tares = offspring of “vipers” –Mk 3:7
  Beware of the leaven{bad seed} of the Pharisees
  = false teaching –Mt 16:12
  = hypocrisy –Lk 12:1
  At the end of the age tares are harvested by angles and burned  v30, 41
  => all that offends{causes sin} and those who practice lawlessness v41

• **Matthew 15:12-14 Amplified Bible (AMP) … 12 Then the disciples came and said to Jesus, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard you say this?” 13 He answered, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant will be torn up by the roots. 14 Leave them alone; they are blind guides [leading blind followers]. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

Who can distinguish the wheat from the tares?

• the servants of the owner of the field v27
• The mature wheat
• **Matthew 7:15-16 Amplified Bible (AMP) … 15 “Beware of the false prophets, [teachers] who come to you dressed as sheep [appearing gentle and innocent], but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them [that is, by their contrived doctrine and self-focus]. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?
  **Hebrews 5:11-14 Amplified Bible (AMP) … 11 Concerning this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull and sluggish in [your spiritual] hearing and disinclined to listen. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers [because of the time you have had to learn these truths], you actually need someone to teach you again the elementary principles of God’s word [from the beginning], and you have come to be continually in need of milk, not solid food. 13 For everyone who lives on milk is [doctrinally inexperienced and] unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a spiritual infant. 14 But solid food is for the [spiritually] mature, whose senses are trained by practice to distinguish between what is morally good and what is evil.
• ** Mark 4:26-28 Amplified Bible (AMP) … 26 Then He said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who throws seed on the ground; 27 and he goes to bed at night and gets up every day, and [in the meantime] the seed sprouts and grows; how [it does this], he does not know. 28 The earth produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head [of grain], then the mature grain in the head.

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=>How determined are you to “mature” – apply the word to your sin – apply the word to teaching you hear?
=>Are you “mature” enough to gently confront sin in brothers or sisters? –Gal 6:1
=>Are you “mature” enough to recognize and confront false teaching?  –Acts 20:27-29
*Pay close attention to your life and doctrine –1Tim 4:16
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Word Study . From NetBible Mt 13:25 slept[2518] = to yield to sloth and sin, to be indifferent to one’s salvation tares[2515] = a kind of darnel, resembling wheat except the grains are black, false grain Tares in bible dictionary = the bearded darnel whose seeds are poison, It bears the closest resemblance to wheat till the ear appears, and only then the difference is discovered. It grows plentifully in Syria and Palestine. wheat[4621] = grain . From NetBible Mt 13:41 offends[4625] = any person or thing by which one is (entrapped) drawn into error or sin, stumbling block lawlessness[458] = the condition of being without law, a) because ignorant of it, b) because of violating it .

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Rest in His Love

Zephaniah 3:17 … The LORD your God is with you, in your midst, The Mighty One, He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness{ He takes great delight in you}, He will quiet{renew} you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.

A Song:
You are my hiding place  –Ps 32:7
You shelter me beneath Your wings –Ps 36:7
And sing over me

O sing over me
I trust in You Lord –Ps 32:10
O sing over me …

O sing over me
Quiet me within Your love –Zeph 3:17
Beneath Your wings

O sing over me
I trust in You Lord –Ps 32:10
As You sing over me …
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@Khollandsblog Tweets: The LORD your God is with you, The Mighty One, He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness{ He takes great delight in you}, He will quiet{renew} you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. –Zephaniah 3:17 #TrustHim

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Word Study . From NetBible Zeph 3:17 save[03467] = to save, to be liberated, to give victory to *from a primitive root, Greek [5614] = hosanna He will quiet you[02790] = make silent, give rest * “he causes [you] to be silent by his love,” that is, “he soothes [you] by his love.” The present translation follows the LXX and assumes an original reading יְחַדֵּשׁ (yÿkhaddesh, “he renews”) with ellipsis of the object (“you”). love[0160] = God’s love for His people, faithfulness .

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My Light and Salvation

Psalm 27:1 New King James Version (NKJV)
27 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
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The Lord is my Light and Salvation
My Deliverer
My Strong Defender
My Strength and Song
My Joy –Ps 97:11
My Victory –Ps 118:14
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Whom shall I fear? –Ps 27:1
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Isaiah 12:2-3 New King James Version (NKJV)
2 Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song;
He also has become my salvation.’ ”
3 Therefore with joy you will draw water
From the wells of salvation.
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Word Study . From NetBible Ps 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation{delivers and vindicates me}; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life{stronghold, defense of my life}; Of whom shall I be afraid? * “Light” is often used as a metaphor for deliverance and the life/blessings it brings. See Ps 37:6; 97:11; 112:4; Isa 49:6; 51:4; Mic 7:8 . From NetBible Ps 97:11 Light is shed{sown[02232] like seed, dawns, shines} upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. * “Light” here symbolizes the joy that accompanies deliverance and the outpouring of divine favor upon the righteous. . From NetBible Ps 118:14 The LORD is my strength and song{protection}, And He has become my salvation{deliverer}. * “my strength and song [is] the Lord”) in which case one might translate, “for the Lord gives me strength and joy” (i.e., a reason to sing) .

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Be Still and Taste!

Psalm 46:10 Amplified Bible (AMP)
10 Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.
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With all your heart –Pro 3:5-6
Be still and know –Ps 46:10
Taste and see
The Lord He is good –Ps 34:8
Trust Him in all you do –Ps 37:5
For He is faithful and true –Rev 19:11
To come through! –Lam 3:22-23
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Psalm 46:1 Amplified Bible (AMP)
1 God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable],
A very present and well-proved help in trouble.
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Psalm 34:17 Amplified Bible (AMP)
17 When the righteous cry [for help], the Lord hears
And rescues them from all their distress and troubles.
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Psalm 46:7 Amplified Bible (AMP)
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower]. Selah.
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Word Study . From NetBible Ps 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Be still and know = cease/stop striving and recognize, be at peace in the knowledge * To the nations who rage against God and His people, this is a rebuke to stop fighting/ striving against the Sovereign Lord * To God’s children this is a call to trust and rest secure in the Sovereign Lord’s protection exalted means recognized as Sovereign King => The Lord of Hosts, King of Glory(Ps 24:10) who fights and delivers on behalf of His children(Ps 46:11)

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Light Upon the Rock

Jesus Light of the world –Jn 8:12
Light in the darkness –2Cor 4:6
Rise up, rise up –Num 10:35
Arise and shine –Isa 60:1
Light of the world
Upon the Rock –Ps 71:3
A city, a city
On a hill can not be hidden! –Mt 5:14
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Only when we are upon the Rock who is Jesus we can see and reflect His light to the world – this is the only way we see = in His light!

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Psalm 36:9 Amplified Bible (AMP)
9 For with You is the fountain of life [the fountain of life-giving water];
In Your light we see light.
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Psalm 119:130 Amplified Bible (AMP)
130 The unfolding of Your [glorious] words give light;
Their unfolding gives understanding to the simple (childlike).

From NetBible Ps 119:130

• unfolding[06608] = opening, entrance, doorway

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=>OPEN the door and let Jesus and His word shine – then you will see and shine also!
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Related:
Light Upon the Rock{prayer}
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Narrow Way = Hard Pressed

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1Peter 4:12-14 NASB … Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you. But to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
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Hard pressed on every side –2Cor 4:8
Don’t be surprised –1Pe 4:12
Narrow is the Way
Difficult is the path
That leads to eternal life –Mt 7:14
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Jesus, the Way, the Truth, the Life! –Jn 14:6
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Matthew 7:13-14 Amplified Bible (AMP)
The Narrow and Wide Gates
13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it.
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2 Corinthians 4:8-9 Amplified Bible (AMP)
8 We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; 9 hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed …
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Test – Recognize Good!

Good advice! Before you walk in “anyone’s advice” — go to the Lord and test it!

🙂
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1 Samuel 17:38-39 Amplified Bible (AMP)
38 Then Saul dressed David in his garments and put a bronze helmet on his head, and put a coat of mail (armor) on him. 39 Then David fastened his sword over his armor and tried to walk, [but he could not,] because he was not used to them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, because I am not used to them.” So David took them off.
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Acts 17:11 Amplified Bible (AMP)
11 Now these people were more noble and open-minded than those in Thessalonica, so they received the message [of salvation through faith in the Christ] with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
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1 Thessalonians 5:21 Amplified Bible (AMP)
21 But test all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good.
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Roaring Prowling Lion

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Be sober, alert and cautious at ALL times
Be firm in your faith –1Pe 5:8
Test-Prove all things  –1Thess 5:21
Submit to God
Resist the Devil
And he will flee from you! –Ja 4:7

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1 Peter 5:8-9 Amplified Bible (AMP)
8 Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.]
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James 4:7 Amplified Bible (AMP)
7 So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.

Trail of Seeds

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Jeremiah 31:3 … “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness{unfailing love} I have drawn you”.
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Song 1:2-4 … Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth — For your love is better than wine. Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name is ointment poured forth; Therefore the virgins love you. Draw me away after you and let us run together! The king has brought me into his chambers.” “We will rejoice in you and be glad; We will extol your love more than wine. The upright love you.”
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I was thinking of being drawn away by the Lord Jesus again. This prompted me to look up the word “draw” in the above verses. One of the meanings for draw is to trail seed as if sowing! Remember the Sower Parable?

I love this image of Jesus scattering the seeds of His word{His kisses} in a trail, to draw His bride after Him. The Bride is so drawn through His words of love that she “runs swiftly” – “follows hard” after Him!

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Psalm 63:2-3,8 … I have seen you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory{personally experienced}. 3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. … 8 My soul follows hard after{clings to} You; Your right hand upholds me securely.

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Word Study . From NetBible Jer 31:3 Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness{unfailing love} I have drawn[04900] you . From NetBible Song 1:4 Draw[04900] me away after you and let us run{swiftly, making haste} together!  draw[04900] = drag along, lead along, lift out to trail (seed in sowing) . From NetBible Mt 13:3 And He[Jesus] spoke many things to them in parables, saying, “Behold, the sower[4687] went out to sow[4687] . From NetBible Mk 4:14 The sower[4687] sows[4687] the word. sower[4687] = sows, scatters seed *from greek [4685] = to draw . From NetBible Ps 63:2 I have seen[07200] you in the sanctuary, beholding[02372] your power and glory. behold[02372] = to perceive, experience, contemplate(with pleasure), prophesy sanctuary[06944] = holiness, holy place see[07200] = perceive, experience, discern From NetBible Ps 63:8 My soul follows hard after{clings to} You; Your right hand upholds me securely. my soul follows hard[01692] = my soul clings, cleaves, pursues hard enough to overtake, pursues with determination * “follow hard” The expression means “to pursue with determination” (see: Judg 20:45; 1 Sam 14:22; 1 Chr 10:2; Jer 42:16). => stay right on the heels .

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Related:
The Sower, the Seed and Four Soils{blog}