Planted Feet!

Today I will change course a little...for this posting.

Faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains.

Faith the size of a mustard seed can also keep your "feet" planted where they should to be planted! That place should be on the Word of God, trusting Him, living for Him and not "man."

God literally breathed out (inspired), every single word of the Holy Scriptures (the books that are in total agreement with each other), through the Holy Spirit and into the minds of the men HE chose to pen each words. Those words still "live" today...over 2000 years preserved by God Himself!

Plant yourself in a good spot with the Word of God, the Holy Bible, in your hands and soak every word in. God authored this one-of-a-kind and only-of-its kind book to "communicate" with us (yes, you and me) exactly how He wants us to live. He communicates to us what we are to do and how we can survive spiritually.

Plant every word on your heart. Our hearts are filthy and we need those pure "seeds" of His truth to grow and thrive within our minds and hearts...what a perfect garden! Our dirty hearts can grow a mighty tree of faith within us by replacing what is negative in our life (bent toward the world) with the positive pure words of God (standing up and stretching upward for the "Light!").

Plant your husband or wife next to you and read the Scriptures together. Your faith will grow and bind you closer as one, and one in the Lord.

Plant your children there with you as you read out loud those precious instructions to live by. Plant the truth of God in their hearts so that when they grow up they will not depart from God.

Plant yourself steadfast against this mean, ugly, sinful world that is trying to eliminate the very One that loves them and are growingly persecuting those of us who love the God of the Universe. (By the way: Man who thinks he can rid God, Jesus Christ God's Son, and the Holy Spirit from this world...they are sadly mistaken! God owns this earth that we live on...He created it, all that is in and on it, and everything beyond the endless space we can gaze at at night.)

Plant those seeds of faith and nurture them. Keep your heart field as clean as possible, removing the "weeds" (sin) that spring up. Repent daily of those sins you know slip up on you and make you "slip" down. Repent of the sins you are not even aware you have committed! Ask God's forgiveness and ask the Lord to uproot those sins from your heart field and clean your garden up each day.

Plant yourself in the presence of others who also want to learn and fellowship with God. Build Christian friendships and love them.

Plant yourself on your knees and pray! Pray for those you love and for those who are called your "enemies". God loves them also. We need to love them in a godly manner and pray for their eyes to have the scales of spiritual blindness removed and their hearts of stone broken so that the Holy Spirit can work in their hearts bringing them to see the true "Light of the World"...Jesus Christ! And, His saving grace.

Seeds of change are blowing in this corrupt world...we need to sow seeds of faithfulness to God the Father and stand against the storms that are blowin' around us.

Our roots (faith) need to be planted firmly that we may survive spiritually.

Man may hurt us with words. He may hurt our body. But, man can never destroy a strong faith grown by digging in and "Planting That Mustard Seed!"

God Bless You All!

The Rest of the Mustard Seeds

Last post on the Mustard Seed Verses:

Matthew 13:31-33

(31) Another parable he put to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: (32) Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. (33) Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened."

The Remaining Verses on the Mustard Seeds:

Now, let’s combine and complete the ‘mustard seed’ verses. Then we will move on to the Biblical verses referencing “Faith”.

Mark 4:30-32 “And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? (31) It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: (32) But when it is sown, it growth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.”

Luke 13:18-21 “Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? (19) It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden: and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. (20) And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? (21) It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.”

 ~ * ~

All of the ‘parable of mustard seed’ verses are in complete unison proving the harmony of the gospels.

Jesus uses the mustard seed parables to explain to the disciples how Christianity and the work of grace would begin small and progress into a mighty kingdom. Jesus likened the Christian Body of Christ (the kingdom of God) to that tiny seed with a small beginning and the future of being the most substantial of herbs. Jesus used parables (earthly stories with heavenly meanings) quite a few times to help those around Him understand what He was saying to them. He wanted them to grasp the full intensity of what He was teaching.

Matthew Henry explained the parable well:

“Christ speaks as one considering the consulting with himself, how to illustrate it with an apt similitude; With what comparison shall we compare it? Shall we fetch it from the notions of the sun, or the revolutions of the moon? No, the comparison is borrowed from this earth, it is like a grain of mustard-seed; he had compared it before to seed sown, here to that seed, intending thereby to show,

1. That the beginnings of the gospel kingdom would be very small, like that which is one of the least of all seeds. When a Christian church was sown in the earth for God, it was all continued in one room, and the number of the names was but one hundred and twenty (Acts 1:15)¹, as the children of Israel when they went down into Egypt, were but seventy souls. The work of grace in the soul, is, at first, but the day of small things; a cloud of no bigger than a man's hand. Never were there such great things undertaken by such an inconsiderable handful, as that of the discipling of the nations by the ministry of the apostles; nor a work that was to end in such great glory, as the work of grace raised from such weak and unlikely beginnings. Who hath begotten me these? 

2. That the perfection of it will be very great; When it grows up, it becomes greater than all the herbs. The gospel kingdom in the world, shall increase and spread to the remotest nations of the earth, and shall continue to the latest ages of time. The church hath shot out great branches, strong ones, spreading far, and fruitful. The work of grace in the soul has mighty products, now while it is in its growth; but what will it be, when it is perfected in heaven? The difference between a grain of mustard seed and a great tree, is nothing to that between a young convert on earth and a glorified saint in heaven.”

Christ, the Messiah, was the “Seed” of Christianity (I say that in total respect of my Saviour). He was one Person. After His death, burial, resurrection, and the witnessing of His ascension, His disciples gathered in the upper room where the 120 met for safety reasons. Just as Jesus promised to send a Comforter, the Holy Spirit came in, filled and anointed them and the Christian church was planted.

God is at work building His kingdom. The “leaven” as stated in Luke 13:18-21 is at work. Just as leaven helps breads to rise and spread, the leaven of grace is helping Christianity rise and spread out.

Satan has many people blinded to Christ and it may seem as though he is doing a fine job at hindering the work; however, his failure is eminent. The work of God is very significant and His kingdom is being built strongly with millions of faithful followers all over this planet. Believers, no matter how small their mustard seed of faith is, make a tremendous difference when united together with other Christians. Together, we can accomplish great things for Christ.

 ~ * ~

¹Acts 1:15 “And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about hundred and twenty,”

Other Study References Used:

Thomas Nelson King James Study Bible

Tyndale Life Application Bible King James Version

OF OTHER NOTE:

Studying about the mustard plant I picked up some tidbits of information to share about the characteristics of mustard compared to our lives in a Biblical sense:

Characteristics of Mustard:

1.   Any of several annual plants of the mustard family, with yellow flowers and slender pods contained round seeds.

Cynthia: The sun is yellow like the flowers of the mustard plant. Without sunshine plants would not grow. Jesus is the light of the world, as the sun lights the earth, God’s word lights our path to righteousness. Without the gospel of Jesus Christ our faith could not grow and we would not have the hope of Heaven. Humans are shaped like slender pods and are full of seeds (sin seeds or faith seeds) and we are contained to a round earth. Our heads are shaped roundly – like the mustard seed. Our knowledge of Christ should grow within our minds and down to our hearts.

2.   The ground or powdered seeds of some species of these plants, often prepared as a paste, used as a pungent seasoning for foods, or as a counter-irritant in medicine.

Cynthia: The Gospel, when read and studied (ground), is a pungent seasoning for our soul. Like the paste that would be sticky, we should allow God’s Word to stick in our minds and our hearts. It is the great word of God! And, as mustard is a counter-irritant in medicine, the Gospel is a counter-irritant to sin.

3.   The color of ground mustard a dark yellow – adj. designating or of a family of plants with cross-shaped flowers, pointed pods, and strong, cabbage-like odors, including cabbage, turnip, broccoli, radish, horseradish, alyssum, etc. – ‘cut the mustard’ (colloquial) to come up to expectation or to the required standard.

Cynthia: Dark yellow as a golden sunset to remind us of another day God has allowed us to be blessed with countless breaths. Here are the tears – some of the plants have cross-shaped flowers. Jesus Christ was nailed to a wooden cross for me where He died. How appropriate He chose this plant with pointed pods – pointing to the way He would be crucified - on a cross, the same as the shape of the flowers. The odor is strong, such should the odor of our existence here for Him in this place we are just passing through until our physical bodies cease to live; or, He steps out of Heaven and splits the Eastern sky! Jesus Christ lived (and died) up to the expectations of His Father – God. So should we be able as Christians to “cut the mustard.”

MORE:

1. Mustard oil: oil extracted from mustard seed, used in making soap

     Cynthia: Like the mustard oil, the Gospel is for our study to show us how to be washed as white as snow with the soap of forgiveness provided through the death on the cross of our Saviour.

2. Mustard plaster: a paste made with powdered mustard, spread on a cloth and applied to the skin is a counter-irritant to rubefacient (Rubefacient: to redden, causing redness, as of the skin, any external application, salve or plaster, causing redness of the skin)

     Cynthia: The Gospel is our “paste”. By opening the pages of the Holy Bible, God’s breathed word, and applying it to our sinful lives, the irritants of sin can be healed and removed for all who will believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and follow His commandments.

Poem: "A Faith Like That" Copyright (c) September 8, 2008 Cynthia S Groff

In the next post I will expound on our first 'Mustard Seed' verse. I have more studying to do! 

This morning, I wanted to share a poem with you that I began in December 2007 and completed in September 2008. It took me a little too long didn't it? However, let me tell you a little about the background of this poem. 

Prior to being diagnosed with terminal breast cancer, I was reading of the woman with the issue of blood and thinking about how diligently this woman sought out the Lord for healing. How desperate she was.  Yet, how much faith she had and belief that Jesus was the One person she knew in her heart that could bring about a miracle in her body! Little did I know that the Lord had already begun to allow a test to be revealed to teach me just what kind of faith I have. He was allowing cancer to be the vehicle to test my faith through the tribulation of the battle. Her battle literally drove her to her knees...not just on her knees, but crawling on her knees through dusty dirt and between peoples trampling feet. She pressed on through the press who were surrounding Jesus...the only One that could heal her.

My thought that night when reading my Bible was: "O, if I could only have a faith like that"! Well, I'm trying! I do want to be a woman who will be on my knees crawling diligently and fervently against the press of troubles in prayer to reach Heaven where Jesus is now. O to touch the hem of His garment for others (and for myself)! 

A Faith Like That

Copyright  © September 8, 2008 Cynthia S Groff

(Began December 28, 2007 – Completed September 8, 2008)

There was a woman with an issue of blood sick for many years

Spent all she had to be cured and hardly nothing left but tears

That “hardly nothing” left was a faith inside her heart

She knew she had nothing to lose so from home she did depart

Her destination decided she gathered all her might

To walk the many miles to find Him in her sight

Many were gathered around the One who she knew she needed

Absolutely determined in her heart not to be defeated

She reached the crowd and begged to be let through

Now her faith unbridled this she had to do

The press was great upon the Man whom she had come to see

If there was anyone who could cure her surely it was He

She knelt upon the ground dust swirled around her face

Crawled upon her hands and knees struggled to keep her pace

Determined she would not give up and displayed no hesitation

To reach the One-and-Only was her ultimate destination

Desperate to reach Him using all her might she tried

Just a few more feet and she would be along His side

Her arm outstretched she forged on refusing to be grim

She felt her fingers slightly touch His garment on the hem

“Who touched me?” He asked as the crowd became silent all around

As the One-and-Only looked and saw the woman on the ground

She looked up into His face and said that it was she

He held out His hand and helped her up and off her knees

Rabbi it was I, I knew you were the One

And since I touched your garments’ hem I know it has been done

The issue of blood I’ve had for many years has finally been relieved

In You the One-and-Only I so faithfully believed

“I knew you were on your way”, He said, “So I slowed down you see,

“It was your faith in action that has now set you free”

Believing this woman He did heal, I desire in my heart and mind

That I would have what that lady had, a Faith like that same kind

Inspired by:

A woman with great faith!

Study: The Mustard Seed

The mustard seed is the smallest of all herbal seeds. It's also the one that grows into the largest herbal plant; and, if allowed – into a large tree. Luke 13:19 says "it grew, and waxed a great tree". That's pretty large if you think about it! I looked up pictures of mustard trees, and they were very large. Hopefully, I will be able to find just the right one for this blog.

God uses the grain of a mustard seed, the tiniest herbal seed, in comparison to personal faith - such a significant part of a Christians' life! Actually, without faith, there would be no belief in God would there? He says in Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (I will post a study on this verse after studying the five verses listed below.) I’ve never seen God - He is invisible; however, I believe in Him with all there is in me!”  Faith gives us the hope that He does indeed exist. Faith gives us the evidence of things not seen – God for One!

My husband likes to use questions like these sometimes when teaching Adult Bible Study one Sunday a month (he’s an assistant teacher), but I will take the credit for using this object. He usually uses a country overseas. Okay: “If you have never seen a cow ant up close and personal, do you really believe that there is such a thing?” I’ll even go one better! “Can you prove it exists without seeing a picture of one or seeing one?” Are you really going to believe that there is such a thing as a cow ant just because I tell you that there is such a creature on planet earth? Well, I’m here to tell you…I’ve seen one up close and personal and I know that there is such a thing as a cow ant! Perhaps you believe me. I would hope so. However, you may ask my husband! Then again, are you going to believe him? : ) Just kidding!

No, not one living person I know has seen God. Yet, I personally and absolutely believe He is, was, and will forever be! I know hundreds of people who believe just as I do. I have a Book (actually quite blessed to have a few copies of it) that was written all about Him (breathed out by Him to penmen), His Son (Jesus Christ), and His Spirit (the Comforter sent in Jesus’ stead following His resurrection) and it has been preserved for centuries! And, not just that…I have “that feeling inside of me, deep in my ‘gut’ that is too difficult to deny” that I just know! That’s faith that I ‘feel’ in my chest. At least I have my seed!

Let’s each ask ourself these questions:

1)      Is my belief in God my mustard seed of faith?

2)      How large of a “plant” do I want my faith to be compared to?

I am on a personal endeavor to grow my faith into the “largest mustard tree” that I can “muster” up! (Forgive the pun!) With the help of Him Who created me and published His Book for “me” and a group of friends along with me – you – there is no doubt that we, as "Faith Trees", can become that wonderful orchard for our God!

With today’s blog post, I will leave you with the questions above to be dwelling on and reflecting on for your personal goal and below I’ve listed the five verses from my KJV from whence God refers to the grain of mustard seed.

I will take a verse and expound on it at a time, one per blog post. Then, move on to verses of which God speaks of faith.

My prayer for this study is that each of us will soar up into the sky like a mighty tree, so to speak, with a grand faith that will make our Master smile at us. And with such an abundance of faith that it will spill out all over those around us!

Here are the five verses in the Holy Bible that refer to a grain of mustard seed:

1) Matthew 13:31  "Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:"

2) Matthew 17:20  "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."

3) Mark 4:31  "It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:"

4) Luke 13:19  "It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it."

5) Luke 17:6  "And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you."