Some explain this parable as meaning that the Kingdom of God had humble beginnings. Jesus’ life and death did not attract much attention at first, but his message grew to have worldwide influence from which everyone could benefit. Some define the Kingdom of God as awareness of God’s presence, both here now and not yet.
This parable for me defines our personal faith: When planted in us, it can grow larger than anything else in our lives, helping us be aware of God’s presence in joy and in sadness. Our faith helps us rest in the shade of its branches, knowing we are not alone.
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those who have been hurt, killed and impacted by terrorist attacks, unnecessary violence and accidents. Come to the side of those experiencing violence in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, and the Sudan. Please hear the pleas of all those suffering around the world - and give them strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen
Wonderful reflection, Patricia! For me also, it defines my personal faith. I am gradually learning to hear the voice of God. "I believe though I do not comprehend, and I hold by faith what I cannot grasp with the mind." St. Bernard of Clairvaux
*** Pray with me for God's healing upon Jessi's tail bone or wherever the pain is in Psalm 6:2, "Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled!" Amen ✝️ *** Jessi's text yesterday 4:30pm after two days without any signals for cell phones, "Think I broke my tailbone jumping off the back of the boat... Headed back to pulculpa now!...Yes lol it was a 30 ft jump and I think the second time I may have bruised or broke it...No lol there’s nothing to do for a broken tailbone other than let it heal ...Yea it’ll be fine it’s just kinda funny. Hopefully the flights go smoothly. Do you guys want anything specific from Peru? " *** Salina, "Just a healthy 'wise' daughter with complete healing on her tailbone!" ******* What do you do with a 'wild' daughter? Jumping off the 30 ft from the back of the boat into the Amazon river!!! Not once but twice...Pray, pray and pray ✝️ She is flying back on 2/2 from Lima directly to Colarado for a 3-day wilderness medicine conference! Pray for God's favor in healing so she can be comfortable for the long flight from Lima ✝️
Lifting Jessi in prayer right now to feel God’s healing on her tailbone. Amen.
Salina, having broken my pelvic bone in two places in a bicycle accident, I can attest to several things. It’s very painful, there’s nothing they can do for it, Jessi will be in discomfort for a few weeks. The good news is that she will heal up and be back to normal again in 5-6 weeks. May our Lord watch over her and provide His healing touch.
Salina, praying for Jessi, that she may have a good trip home without discomfort. May the Lord be with you all. Love, Rita.
AMEN!
inspirational words Patricia thank you. Your comment about the seed being planted in us made me realize that we are the soil it is planted in. I ask myself is my soil healthy enough to grow that seed? Blessings to all the LFF especially those with extra needs these days, Garrett, Kim, Craig, Debbie and Anna, Amy, Christine, Joanne and Jessi in her travels. jane I wish we could taste the new dishes you now know how to cook. I bet they are amazing. May we all help to plant the seed of Gods love through all the world today and everyday. LFF you are all an inspiration to me!
Thanks Stormi. Learning many things! Friday nights are pizza nights. We make the dough during the week and then everyone gets to make their own personal pizza to bake in the wood burning oven. Airy, crispy and delicious!
I’ve read this passage and heard various interpretations many times over the years. Your comments have touched me on a very personal level today, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. Have a blessed day.
Amen!
How do I grow my faith? It is only through my Lord Jesus Christ! *** 2 Peter 3:18, “Grow in the grace (personal experiences and encounters with Christ) and knowledge (studying Scripture) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Glory belongs to Him both now and forever. Amen!” *** Sharing these valuable questions from my BSF leadership to evaluate my faith growth in relation to my vertical relationship with God: 1. Do you thirst for God? 2. Are you governed increasingly by God’s Word? 3. Are you more sensitive to God’s presence? 4. Are the spiritual disciplines increasingly important to you? 5. Do you still grieve over sin? 6. Do you yearn for heaven and to be with Jesus? *** Sharing these valuable questions from my BSF leadership to evaluate my faith growth in relation to my horizontal relationship with others: 1. Are you more loving? 2. Do you have a growing concern for the spiritual and temporal needs of others? 3. Do you delight in the bride of Christ (the church)? 4. Are you quick to forgive others? ******* Loved Psalm 37:3-11, 16-19, 22-23, “Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live in the land and enjoy its food. Find your delight in the Lord. Then He will give you everything your heart really wants. Commit your life to the Lord. Here is what He will do if you trust in Him. He will make the reward for your godly life shine like the dawn. He will make the proof of your honest life shine like the sun at noon. Be still and wait patiently for the Lord to act. Don’t be upset when other people succeed. Don’t be upset when they carry out their evil plans. Turn away from anger and don’t give in to wrath. Don’t be upset, because that only leads to evil. Sinful people will be destroyed. But those who put their hope in the Lord will receive the land. In a little while, there won’t be any more sinners. Even if you look for them, you won’t be able to find them. But those who are free of pride will be given the land. They will enjoy peace and success…Those who do what is right may have very little. But it’s better than the wealth of many sinners. The power of those who are evil will be broken. But the Lord takes good care of those who do what is right. Those who are without blame spend their days in the Lord’s care. What He has given them will last forever. When trouble comes to them, they will have what they need. When there is little food in the land, they will still have plenty…The Lord will give the land to those He blesses. But He will destroy those He curses. The Lord makes secure the footsteps of the person who delights in Him!”
I really can't take any credit for anything I comment on this site because I am sharing what I learn by the power of the Holy Spirit from the daily Scriptural readings, the contributors and LFFamily comments ✝️ *** This verse was given to the servants team for TeenCBS many years ago as we were trained in Colorado Springs and sent out to serve the hign school students in our town in PA! This verse has imprinted on my heart and I live by it daily until the day I die in 1 Thessalonians 2:8, "We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too!"
Salina – I’m extremely grateful for your dedication and enthusiasm towards scholastic theology. Your faithful contribution to this site helps me tremendously… A sincere thank you and blessings to you and Jessi and the rest of your family! -Jamie
Amen... thank you Patricia.... thank you Salina for this insightful breakdown through which we should truly live by
Amen.
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Patricia, I loved your devotion today. Thank you sharing. Loved the line about knowing God’s presence in our joy and in our sadness - knowing we are not alone. Sometimes I think about that during my rosary. Lord, please send your light to all those impacted by the horrible plane crashes in Washington D.C. Such a terrible tragedy. Amen.