Matthew 13 offers us several of the Lord Jesus’ parables. This episode examines one of those…the parable of the wheat and the tares/weeds. The Lord gives us the instruction to pay careful attention to His interpretation of the parable.
The parable has an application for us in the here and now. We live in the time before the wheat and tares will be permanently separated. What does it mean for us to know that good and evil are growing up, side-by-side, in our time?
We examine the current phenomena of “doomscrolling.” It is, in light of this parable, a lopsided way to view the events of our world. It concentrates on bad news and ignores the good. A “spiritual prescription” is offered….Isaiah 26:3
Today, we are blessed to have texts of Christian prayers from over the centuries.
In this episode, we read a prayer from 11th century England for the spread of Christ’s kingdom across the world. This prayer is not simply a kind of museum piece. It’s words ring as true and relevant to our time as it did a thousand years ago. Here is an instance in which 11th century devotion can shape ours today.
Are you a secret Christian? An answer in the 21st century and an answer in 17th century England would be different. Rather than trying to prevent others from knowing you are a believer in Christ, in the 17th century, a believer carried on three types of spiritual duties (Public – Fellowship with large numbers; Private – Fellowship with smaller numbers of persons; Secret – The spiritual duties/activities carried on by oneself in solitude.
This episode reviews these and looks to encourage us in the “secret duties”, not so much as to check off a spiritual activity list but with the mindset of taking time to commune with Christ and find rest for our souls.
The 17th century Puritans knew their theology along with having devoted hearts for Christ.
This episode shows one, great example.
It is a short prayer found in the writings of the English minister John Flavel (1627-1691). It sounds like the Eastern Orthodox Jesus Prayer. Yet it calls upon Jesus, whose name means, “God Saves” to be a Savior to His people.
This episode examines John 17:23. It is taken from Christ’s High Priestly prayer on the night before His death. In this verse, we discover something staggering.
The Lord is praying for those who would come to believe in Him. If we are believers, that’s us, now.
He prays that the outside world would perceive that the love which God the Father has for His Son is the same love He has for us.
Exploring the themes of Christ and light as found in the Bible
