Matthew 13:1-23

Well, it was really fun doing the video for yesterday!  I had a lot of positive comments from this trial run so I think we will try to do more of them!  As of right now, for time purposes, I am thinking perhaps once a week I will be able to post a video.  I am trying to work on future posts so that I will be ahead of the study and not have to fall behind if something should come up.  

 

I also had a lot of feedback on making videos that would teach children (or adults!) longer scripture passages using motions.  My goal is to have one posted by Saturday.  I will create a new tab at the top of the home page that will say Scripture Videos.  You will have to go there to find them.  I will let everyone know when I post a new video via a Facebook post! 

 

The posts that I have prepared for the next few days might be a little longer than the previous posts because I am using notes from a study my Pastor did on The Parables to guide us in the study.  I want to do this justice so please don't let the length deter you from studying along!  We will be back to shorter lessons Friday! 

 

Read Matthew 13:1-23!!!!

 

There are 7 parables in Matthew 13.  First off, we need to know what a parable is to understand the whole reason Jesus taught them!  The word parable comes from the Greek word parabole.  'Para'  means to come along side and compare, and 'bole' means to throw with or see with.  Jesus used parables to compare things to help others see a principle or instruction.  (Just as a side note, after reading the parables in Matthew 13, I am even more convinced that God loves creativity!)  : )

 

Jesus' disciples even wondered why he spoke in parables. (vs.10)  I'm not a Bible scholar, but I believe in verses 10-17, his answer was pretty clear.  He taught in parables to make the truth clearer and easy to remember for those who truly heard it and to make his purposes less evident for those seeking knowledge for knowledge's sake or religion's sake.  I think we forget what a gift we have to be able to understand Jesus' teachings!  We need to remember that as heart-wrenching as it is, everyone does not receive this gift as we will learn from the Parable of the Sower! 

 

Get a picture in your mind here!  Jesus is teaching to a multitude on a sea-side, not a fancy mega-church with all the latest technology.  His pulpit was a ship.  He had one purpose and that was to make the  simple truths of the Kingdom of God clear to those who would hear!  He didn't use Powerpoint or creative videos to drive the point home...He used something much more simple - Parables!  While studying Matthew 13, it was evident to me that we need to pray for ears to hear what Jesus says and for understanding given by the Holy Spirit.  Please know that I have been fervently praying this for everyone who is studying The Word with me and for myself! 

 

In a study done by my Pastor, Bro. Shannon Kilpatrick, parables can be broken down into 4 categories: Relations, Progress, Preciousness, and Separation.  The first Parable that we read is 'The Parable of the Sower' in verses 1-9.  It falls under the category of Relations because the principle given is the reception of the Word of the Kingdom and how it relates to each to each of us in the Kingdom.

 

The sower is ANYONE who is declaring the Word of God, and The Sower is sowing the TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL!  The place the seed lands is the ears and heart of the hearer.

 

There are 4 places the seed can land.  What happens to the seed?  How does the hearer respond?

 

WHEN THE SEED FALLS...................

a.) By the wayside (Matt.13:19)

 - They hear, but they don't HEAR!  They do not understand and have no desire to.  The enemy snatches that seed away.

 

b.) In the stony places (Matt.13:20-21)

-They receive it with joy, but have no roots.  They endure for a while until tribulation and persecution comes. (And it will!) They become offended and they fall.

 

c.) Among thorns (Matt.13:22)

-The hear, understand, and soil is good for growing!  BUT the cares and ways of the world and deceitfulness of riches chokes The Word and growth stops.  These hearers become unproductive in the Kingdom.

 

d.) Good ground (Matt.13:23)

-This ground produces conviction and these hearers are WILLING to repent.  They want to understand because they desire to know the Truths of the Kingdom!   

 

 

Time of Reflection

 Read Isaiah 5:1-7!  Parables were even used by prophets!  In your journal, compare the similarity between this text and Matthew 13:1-9.  God's Word is so incredible!

 



VLOG: Matthew 12:43-50

I have learned a couple of things while doing this first video blog. First, stripes do not look good on camera, AND I say "ummm" a lot more than I realized! LOL  We had a slight mishap about halfway through in case you wonder about the little break in the video.  I tried to keep it short.  It is only about 5 1/2 minutes.  After watching this, y'all should definitely let me know what you think.  Was it a good length or does it need to be shorter/longer?  Should I do these on a regular basis or do you prefer reading the blog?  I am open to all suggestions!  

(We are about to find out if this will really work.  I am hoping everyone will be able to view this from their devices, especially mobile devices, as they can be so obstinate sometimes!)

Without further ado.....MY FIRST VLOG! 

If you can't view it, you can click HERE to link to my YouTube video!

I decided that I wasn't going to shoot this 20 times to make it right so you got the real deal!  Did you crack up as much as I did when I said it's a whole 'nother thing or when my cell phone vibrated?!  Oh brother!!!!  ; )

 

Be You!

I have to start this post with something very, very important....Happy Birthday to my best friend and the love of my life, Billy Joe!  This year is totally going to rock!!!     

Okay, I know you visited Passionate with a Purpose today to find out who the winner of the Lilla Rose Flexi-clip and Hairband is!  So, without further ado....

 

HEATHER BETH

Congratulations!  I will contact you to soon to find out what clip and hairband you would like from Lilla Rose!

If you didn't win and still want to try these out, go and check out Lilla Rose HERE!  I just want to reassure you AGAIN that I will not be bombarding this blog with sales.  : ) 

I have had two readers ask me how they could donate something they sell or make for a giveaway here at Passionate with a Purpose, and it's really simple.  Send me details of what you would like to giveaway, along with a picture, and I will create a giveaway through Rafflecopter.  Rafflecopter allows participants to enter and electronically chooses the winner. It is super simple!
 
Well, now that that's out of the way, how about a word about The Word?!  That is why I blog.  I love God's Word and I love spending time with children of the King!

For as long as I can remember, I have worked hard to be who I thought I was supposed to be.  No, I am not talking about being fake.  I simply mean I have been working hard to attain the me "I THOUGHT" others would want me to be.  I felt like I was supposed to be super wife, mother of the year, be the best homeschooling mom in the world, always know the right things to say and the right scripture to go with the situation, work tirelessly at home, church, and on my blog, and be able to give extra hours volunteering for good causes ALL while trying to attain a size 4 figure. 

Isn't that what you read between the lines of Proverbs 31?  Anybody else???  Did you experience MAJOR failure like I have?  It's a tireless job!

I might have set the bar a little high for myself.  To be honest, I have probably set some of the same expectations on others that were not mine to create.  I know I am not alone in this.  We can be so hard on ourselves, and, especially as women, I think we are pretty hard on each other!  (Let me hear an 'Amen'!)  We can let our own expectations or what we think others need or want from us dictate who we become in life.  On the other hand, we can become that demanding voice in other's lives telling them who they need to be.  A lot of times it overrides what God wants from us because we can't be silent or still long enough to hear His thoughts on the matter.

This is the truth I've learned this year, and it is very valuable and very freeing.  Every Worship Pastor's wife won't be just like me.  Every mom won't do things the same way I do.  Every wife won't work on her marriage using the same ideas I do....and you know what, that's okay!  We are all unique.  Aren't you thankful that God created us all different?!  It would be a rather boring world if we were all the same!  "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." Psalm 139:14

This is what my #1 New Year's Resolution for 2015 is......TO BE WHO GOD MADE ME TO BE and be HAPPY with just being me!  He has given me my own dreams, ideas, and talents that He expects me to use without placing limitations on them.  I will no put myself in a box created because I think it pleases others. 

The same goes for everyone of you!  Whether you work in the home or in the marketplace, whether you home educate or send your children to school, or maybe you don't have children, whether you are married or single, outgoing or shy, .......the list could go on......REMEMBER that God fashioned you.  He created and molded you exactly into who He wanted you to be!  He has you in this season, this very moment, because He has plans for you, and He wants to use you RIGHT here.

I want to be passionate about what I do without making anyone else feel like the choices they have made aren't right or good enough.  In return, I want to be treated the same.  But Even if I am not treated that way, I choose to be happy with the place that God has me!         

"But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

God alone is our Creator and HE made us the way He wanted us.  HE alone knows the intent of our heart.  He is the only one who can tell us who we're meant to be.  Use the gifts and talents He has given you!  He can and will do greater things than you ever imagined through you if you will just BE YOU! 

"For everything created by God is good!" 1 Tim. 4:4a  

That means you and me!  We don't have to be anybody else because who we are is good to Him!  EVERYTHING HE CREATED IS GOOD!
Join me next week as we continue studying Matthew together! 

****Monday morning I will be posting my very first vlog...video blog.   You will actually get to see and hear me instead of just reading.  YAY!  I am looking forward to it!

LILLA ROSE GIVEAWAY!!

Let the fun begin!  If you don't know already, I LOVE Lilla Rose!  John and Missy Dorsey, the owners of the Lilla Rose company, actually had very humble beginnings in a garage. These elegantly designed accessories became a huge hit almost overnight.  You can use them for countless hairstyles, decorate your scarves or cardigans, or order the beautiful badge holders for school or work!

Lilla Rose is a Christian company which is VERY important to me!  The other VERY important detail is.....as I said before...I LOVE all my Lilla Rose products!  My flexis and hairbands have proved durable, easy to use, and are exactly as the company described.  The very first clip I ordered still looks exactly the same as the day I purchased it about 2 years ago!  (Sidenote...I have owned Lilla Rose clips way before I ever decided to become a consultant and will continue to order these even if I never sell anymore!)

Lilla Rose products make great gifts for anyone and is delivered in the most beautiful packages!

It always comes packaged this way!

 

Starting today, RIGHT NOW, through 12  a.m. January 2, 2015 you can enter the Giveaway for:
-(1) Lilla Rose Flexi Clip of your choice 
                             AND
-(1) Lilla Rose Hair Band of your choice!

YOUR INFORMATION WILL NOT BE GIVEN AWAY OR SEEN BY ANYONE ELSE!  Registering is just a way to keep up with those entered in the giveaway.  You will not be contacted or emailed unless you win.  When the giveaway is complete your registration information will be deleted. : )

Now that we are passed that, Follow the direction below to enter the fun! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

There are a few options on the rafflecopter that you can do EVERYDAY UNTIL THE GIVEAWAY IS OVER to get more entries in the giveaway!  Good luck and join me back here Friday to see who wins!

Need help with picking the right size for your hair?

 

You can also check out this Lilla Rose Sizing Video to answer any of your questions!

Let's Catch Up!!!!

WOW!  Has it already been well over a month since we met here together?  Well, last night I finally received an email saying that the issues with the blog I had been having should be completely fixed.  Let's hope so!  I have REALLY missed blogging.  “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” – Ecclesiastes 3:1  I am sure there was a purpose for our break, but I am ready to be headed into a new season and see what God is going to do!

This post is going to be random thoughts of catching up.  I hope that is okay!

Kathleen, Kelanie, Kera, and Kati

How were the holidays for you?  I thought it was absolutely fantastic.  I LOVE the holiday season!  How could I not when I get to spend it with my favorite people in the whole world.  It went by too fast though.  I can't believe it's over and we are fast approaching 2015!

I realize it's past Christmas, but I don't want it to be over!

If we don't face anymore technical difficulties (fingers crossed), I am just going to do some random posts this week because of New Year's, and get back to our Matthew Bible Study next week.  Are you as excited as I am? 

I know it might seem crazy to some of you, but during the week I don't have the time I would like to have to visit with other ladies because of school, so the little bit of time I spend blogging makes me feel like I get to visit with you everyday.  I really do enjoy it!  I love the comments and interaction on this page and on Facebook.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for joining me.  Oh....GROUP HUG!!!

What did you love about this year?  What are you most proud of yourself for accomplishing?   

I read the whole Bible straight through, from cover to cover, for the first time!  I have learned so much!  Also, I am proud of myself for finally losing the weight I said I was going to lose every year for the last 8 years. (Since my last baby was born!)  I did it!!!  I have lost almost 50 pounds....minus the few I gained during the holidays!  I DID IT!!!!!



January 2014

December 2014



(I know!  I apparently have not conquered the "Selfie" yet!)  This has been an amazing journey of learning that "I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" Phil. 4:13 

Because I haven't given anything away in a while, what better way to start out blogging again and start the New Year than a GIVEAWAY.  Join me tomorrow to find out what you can win!  

(Here's a hint: It's something from Lilla Rose and I CAN'T WAIT!!!!)