Prayer-Soldier Newbie
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Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 11:57 am Post subject: Blessed is the Nurturing Soil |
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Blessed is the Nurturing Soil
Scripture:
And as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return no more thither, but soak the earth, and water it, and make it to spring, and give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be, which shall go forth from my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall do whatsoever I please, and shall prosper in the things for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)
For I reckon that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that shall be revealed in us. For the expectation of the creature waits for the revelation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity: not willingly, but by reason of him that made it subject, in hope. Because the creature also itself shall be delivered from the servitude of corruption, into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. For we know that every creature groans and travails in pain, even till now. And not only it, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit: even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption of the sons of God, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:18-23)
The same day Jesus going out of the house, sat by the sea side. And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went up into a boat and sat: and all the multitude stood on the shore. And he spoke to them many things in parables, saying: Behold the sower went forth to sow. And while he sows some fell by the way side, and the birds of the air came and ate them up. And other some fell upon stony ground, where they had not much earth: and they sprung up immediately, because they had no deepness of earth. And when the sun was up they were scorched: and because they had not root, they withered away. And others fell among thorns: and the thorns grew up and choked them. And others fell upon good ground: and they brought forth fruit, some an hundred fold, some sixty fold, and some thirty fold. He that has ears to hear, let him hear.
And his disciples came and said to him: Why do you speak to them in parables? Who answered and said to them: Because to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven: but to them it is not given. For he that has, to him shall be given, and he shall abound: but he that has not, from him shall be taken away that also which he has. Therefore do I speak to them in parables: because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And the prophecy of Isaias is fulfilled in them, who said: By hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand: and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive. For the heart of this people is grown gross, and with their ears they have been dull of hearing, and their eyes they have shut: lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. For, amen, I say to you, many prophets and just men have desired to see the things that you see, and have not seen them: and to hear the things that you hear and have not heard them. Hear you therefore the parable of the sower. When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, there comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart: this is he that received the seed by the way side. And he that received the seed upon stony ground, is he that hears the word, and immediately receives it with joy. Yet has he not root in himself, but is only for a time: and when there arises tribulation and persecution because of the word, he is presently scandalized. And he that receives the seed among thorns, is he that hears the word, and the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches chokes up the word, and he becomes fruitless. But he that received the seed upon good ground, is he that hears the word, and understands, and bears fruit, and yields the one an hundredfold, and another sixty, and another thirty. (Matthew 13:1-23)
Reflection:
As we ponder the creation about us, its complexity, its beauty, its awesomeness; we should also ponder the expanse of what we do not know and do not comprehend of it. Some subscribe to the belief that all which is, exists simply by accident; but if we consider all which has come to pass and how the rain from the skies, the seasons of the sun and the passing of the days allow life to flourish; we must wonder, how could all which we experience be a matter of coincidence and accident? We must marvel at all which we see and the glory of He who has created it.
The physical existence which we know is but a part of His creation. Though we may marvel at all the beauty which surrounds us, what is even greater is the blessing of His Word. He guides us to love, so that we may care for one another, share blessings, and live in peace so all may prosper. The possibilities are before us; but what is to be is a matter of our choice.
We are subject to the needs of our soul and needs of our body. We must remember, the time for the body of this world is but for a moment, but what we do here in this place will determine our eternity. We are tempted to the desires of the flesh, but it is what nourishes the soul for which we should be the most concerned.
From the day we were conceived to the world, we began a path which yielded much to learn. We have learned what we must do to survive for the time, but we must also learn what He asks of us so that we may find our place for eternity. He seeks to show us the way, but we must also seek to learn the way.
As we walk our path, we may blindly wander or we may seek a guide. If we seek Him, He will take our hand and lead us, but He did not make us to walk the journey alone. He made us so we may share, and through that sharing we may form the blessings of His church. In this place, though, we must be careful in how we seek to discern the truth, for the evil one will also come to us, seeking to guide us, putting false, yet convincing prophets before us. Through prayer, He will reveal to our heart that which is false and that which is true; but if we do not study His scripture and pray to ask for comprehension of His Word, we will walk the path before us in blindness.
Many have come to the door of His house and many, after a time with those inside, have decided to leave. The reasons are many, but the question in each case, is: Was the reason those who entered His door decided to leave because they could not abide by His Word or was it for reasons brought about by the actions or inactions of those who professed to be members of His church?
He made His house for all the children of His creation, and should we live by His Word, all may share in the blessings of love and peace. If we understand His Word and the love which He commands, all should feel welcome, but if we allow the evil one to confuse and confound us, those who would be found will be lost again. He has left it to those within to maintain an inviting door. He has also left it to those within to go forth and invite in those who are without.
No one can be forced through His door or be forced to remain within. It is for this very reason He granted each of us free will, for if the choice to be a member of His church is coerced, it is not a choice; it holds no meaning. And if one is deceived to become a member of His church, it is not a choice, for deception is only another form of coercion. He seeks our love, given of our free will; and when given, the choice, then, has meaning, for it comes from our heart.
There are those who criticize what they find within His church, but that is the challenge in that all within His doors are sinners. All have weaknesses and all have failings. It is upon this which the evil one seeks to prey. Jesus told us that the gates of the netherworld would not prevail against His church (Matthew 16:1. What He has promised shall be, but in this time, we might ask, how is it that those who profess to be members of His church are not united? How is it that the children of His creation are so set against one another? How is it that crime, corruption, violence and wars are the way of the world instead of the faithful caring for one another according to His commandment to love (John 13:34)?
From the first moment the serpent was able to deceive Eve, the children of His creation became prey for the stealer of souls. The world has become as it is in this moment from the choices made throughout the generations. Some have made choices of faith, while others have not; but all have made choices at times to walk the path away from His commandments of love. And so it is that as the evil one continues to meddle within the affairs of the generations, the children of His creation continue to offer up an evil world.
Blessed are those who seek His way, for though they may fail to stay the course on any given day, they still stand to walk His path. The evil one is dedicated to offering us the hand of death, but the only begotten Son of God offers the hand of eternal life. He is clear in His Word, but if we are not certain as to what we comprehend, then, we must pray that the Holy Spirit will guide us. He will not deny the sinner who is contrite and repentant. He will answer the prayer of all who seek Him.
Blessed are the faithful who enter the doors of His church and are not swayed by the meddling of the one who is false. Those who pray to learn from His Word are the strength of the church, for they may see the fog of sinners before them, but they are not blinded to His light. The faithful are the blessing of His church, for they understand His Word, they believe His Word and because of the glory of what they see, they seek each day to share His blessings with others so that all shall be nourished. Blessed are those who pray to Him for the strength and wisdom to become the fertile soil from which faith will grow and be spread. It is upon these souls through which His church shall prevail against the gates of the kingdom of evil. Blessed are we, for unlike the soil of the earth, we may choose whether or not to be the nurturing soil by how we choose to be nourished.
May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier
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