Parable Series: Part 1 - The Dragnet

Alright everyone, I am starting a new series on the Parables of Jesus, it should be less than 40 parts. This study typically follows along the lines of this site: http://www.bcbsr.com/survey/jpbl.html From their belief statements I have to agree that they are credible as can be. Please be sure not to take my word for it and realize that you as a discerning and thinking Christian should always investigate for yourself through the Word of God and prayer if something said is legitimate. I come humbly to share something that I'm learning. I will try to not reiterate everything on the website, instead I wanted to expand my thoughts here and would love your personal feedback so that we all can be edified. So without further hesitation:

The Dragnet - Matt 13:47-50 ^{(from amplified version)
"47}Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet which was cast into the sea and gathered in fish of every sort. ⁴⁸When it was full, men dragged it up on the beach, and sat down and sorted out the good fish into baskets, but the worthless ones they threw away. ⁴⁹So it will be at the close and consummation of the age. The angels will go forth and separate the wicked from the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God). ⁵⁰And cast them [the wicked] into the furnace of fire; there will be weeping and wailing and grinding of teeth."

What I have developed here is that the fish are Christians, we are set apart from whatever else is in the sea because the dragnet, the fishing net essentially, is what catches our attention. So what is the net? It must be the Gospel (believing it gets you caught), the Works and Life of Jesus Christ who brought us salvation and a relationship with God directly through and with Him. Now it says that NOT all the fish caught by the net was good. What makes the fish good or bad? Thinking about it as a fisherman, if you catch a dead fish, it's bad/spoiled, but if it is alive you keep it because it remains fresh. Therefore, we must remain living Christians, Christians that are living for the Gospel even on the final hour. We cannot be satisfied with the saying "I'm saved, I don't have to do anything else now." This is a dead Christian, please read on faith and fruits of the Spirit. If you are saved you must be alive, if you are alive, you must bear Spiritual fruit, if you are bearing fruit, you should be maturing that fruit. The devil likes to satisfy us with the idea of thinking your done, which is slothfulness and lazy. God always wants your very best on the other hand and wants to increase your spiritual potential. Furthermore, I have to say that we as Christians must always be on guard to do what is right and holy before God and among men and women to give testimony. If you are not on guard you are sleeping, when you sleep and not guarding the enemy can come in your camp to kill. When a tree does not get tended by the gardener or receive rain or sunlight it will surely shrivel and die. The same is with our Christian spiritual life; are we being tended by our Lord Jesus Christ? Are we asking the Father to rain mercy and kindness on us? Are we asking the Spirit to shed light on us so our branches extend for further growth?

At this point then you may be asking, what must I do to be a good/living fish? Seek Christ and do as He says. You will see that He wants you to shed light to this world and stand for what is right. Therefore, you must understand what is true and right and holy, which can only be done by reading the Word of God for yourself. Yes 'once saved, always saved,' but are you REALLY saved? Remember, Christianity is not about doing good, most philosophies and theologies portray that notion. What makes Christianity distinct is a direct relationship to God, through Jesus Christ, who is coequal with the Father and Spirit. That said I'm not saying make banners and run up to your friends telling them to change. Again, keep reading and asking the Spirit for guidance, for He will surely and gladly give it to you. He will dispense a sincere, humble, loving, and patient heart to be able to talk to others when He directs you or quite simply be an example through your good ethics/morals/diligence.

So, have you been caught by the net? Are you a bad or dead fish that will be thrown out in the wild to suffer because you truly did not believe and live out as though you believed? Or will you be the good fish that will be preserved in salt because of your faithfulness? . . . Just one person's thoughts. . .

Blog on Cursing the Christian Perspective

I've been around some people that say they are Christian, while they are constantly either cursing and/or putting other people down. I'm not saying they are not true believers, but they are definitely not mature/maturing Christians based on the Word of God, which I agree! I'm not here to judge, but as the Lord did, be put on a lamp stand, be the lamp and let the Lord shine His light through us. I know that brothers/sisters who do still have worldly tendencies and this is the result of either them pausing/stopping their pursuit in the Lord with all their heart, their mind, and strength or refuse to make God Lord (master) not just Savior. So, lets read the following bellow. Again, not to rebuke the individual, but rebuke the sin so that the person may be edified by the Truth, so that they cannot say I never knew that. This is what the Bible says:

1. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Eph 4:29
2. For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech." 1 Peter 3:10
3. "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water." James 3:9-12
4. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

So therefore brothers and sisters, do not settle in living without seeing, pick up your Bibles and learn what God calls us to be for this world, salt to preserve and light to shine the Truth and the glory of Jesus Christ. It will not save you playing dumb and saying that "I didn't know." (Read the parable of the 4 types of Christians, only one will make it all the way, the one who seeks and tests the Word, which will see the Truth and use it in their life). Well I hope this truly shed some light. It is not meant to point a finger at the individual, but instead point out the works of the inner man that must be put away before we can claim a true believer.

God bless in your walk with Christ.

An Empty Culture

Comments from the article “The Priorities and Consequence of an Empty Culture” from The Christian Watershed (www.thechristianwatershed.com – 7/9/10)

After reading this article the phrase that was still ringing in my ear was “we are told to better ourselves by what we buy” and even more so on censoring our eyes to reality. This is the new “American” motto that will bring itself first to enslavement and second, inevitably, to its downfall.

“The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” Luke 8:14

“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7

Look around at what people are buying, 60” TVs and Yachts, and the people they idolize, Lady Goo Goo; typically it is fanatically over people in the fortune 500 club and million dollar superstars. The rich and famous country club membership is becoming less and less exclusive, because everyone is compounding themselves into debt to get in and/or mirror the vanities of those we idolize. Our nation is no different; instead of protecting the borders or the rights of its citizens, America takes lethargic actions while the overcast nears.

The Problem: Sin is definitely blinding and both the media and we buy into it to shield ourselves from the truth. Truth about greed, slothfulness and most importantly that we are not perfect. We live in a world promoting blindness; ask the last place of a youth soccer team who still gets a trophy. It is okay to root for valiant efforts, but it’s better for that child to admit defeat in humbleness and learn that one must work harder to get better, but still may come out empty handed. Sin tells us I deserve a trophy or if I work hard I should get everything that I want and my way.

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6

“In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.” Proverbs 21:20

The Solution: Honorable living comes from seeking what the hand of God asks of what our lives should be and following it, which is far better and holy. Let’s face reality, which can be given to us by our Father in Heaven. We need to hunger for the things that are right, even if it’s hard to swallow. We need to prioritize; you do this by building a good work ethic and living virtuously. We need to focus on saving money and when we can afford to offer it back to God in donations for relief foundations. If you want to travel, why not save with a friend and do a mission trip; your money is well invested because you helped others in need, you got to travel somewhere new and exciting, and most importantly you keep your eyes open to the reality of this world. Also, be bold. You need to live it and teach it to the youth, expose others to this more fulfilling lifestyle, in meekness and in Christ.

More Scripture:
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8

"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' Luke 14:28-30

“Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” Proverbs 13:11

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Matthew 6:24

Intro to my blog = Introducción

Mi primer intento = My first try.

I’m here to discuss the word of God. I want this place to be an open journal for those who wish to discuss honestly and respectably what the Word of God says. I would appreciate comments that are truly thoughtful and refrain from explicit language. Also, I am not a native speaker, but do wish to learn how to properly write in my family’s language, Spanish. So my Spanish writing skills will be rustic at first, but I hope by the end it is as good as yours. My family is from El Salvador and I’m proud to stay it, because its name alone recognizes that there is a Savior, our God. I seek meekness and diligence in keeping His word. Brothers and sisters have faith today, meaning walk as if I already know the things I hope for will come. And I also have hope for tomorrow, which keeps me goal oriented.

Estoy aquí para hablar de la palabra de Dios. Quiero que este lugar sea un libro abierto de mis pensamientos a los cuales desean leer e comentar con honestidad y siempre respectar lo que la palabra de Dios dice. Apreciara comentos que son bien pensados y se refrenan de palabras sin educación. Como me puedo imaginar te has dado cuenta que no soy un hablante fluente, pero si deseo hablar la idioma de mis padres. Sin embargo mis ‘blogs’ empezaran rustico y con un poco de suerte en tiempo sería bueno tal como la tuya. Mi familia es de El Salvador y soy orgulloso a decirte esto porque el nombre reconoce que hay un Salvador, nuestro Dios. Busco mansedumbre, humildad y diligencia en mi mantenimiento de la Palabra de Dios. Hermanos y hermanas, hoy reclama tu fe, significando que tenemos caminar como si ya sabemos que las esperanzas de mañana serán. Y también tengámonos esperanza para mañana para mantenernos en el blanco. (Objetivo)