Come And Listen to a Story

In Matthew 13:34 we read, “All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak to them without a parable”. The parable, a short story with a spiritual message, was the favored teaching method of Jesus. Even today, those who might not know much scripture probably know the gist of several parable.

Why?

If we look at the next verse, we are directed to Psalm 78. This psalm speak about making sure the next generation knows about what God has done. It tells of famous bible ‘stories. By these tales, they would grow and figure out how God works and how it relates to them.

That’s why we need to make sure our kids know those Bible stories. The examples, the trials, the up and downs, they help shape and guide us. Not only that but they stick with us. If you want to remember something you create a story, as you travel down that path it reminds you of the lesson along the way.

These tales are not just tales; they are lessons with a deep spiritual thrust that will help keep us close to God.

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Until Midnight

In Acts 20, there is the tragicomic event surrounding a young man by the name of Eutychus. He did what a lot of folks before and after him did, he fell asleep during a sermon. Unfortunately, he was setting in in the third story window at the time. So instead of nodding off and hitting the pew in front of him, he fell to his death. The good news was the apostle Paul was delivering the sermon and had the ability to bring him back. I don’t know, however, if we can judge Eutychus too harshly. The sermon had gone on till midnight. Paul wouldn’t finish it up till daybreak. That’s a long lesson. I know some folks that might want to jump out of a window if I had a lesson that long, yet these Christians wanted to be there to hear Paul. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not pushing for all night sermons but I think we might need to adopt these folks' dedication. They knew that Paul was only in town for a limited time only and they were determined to ...

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Mysterious Ways

William Cowper didn’t see any reason to live. He decided that he’d jump off the bridge over the Thames. So, he called a cab to take him there. But that night in 1763, a thick fog enveloped London. It was so thick the cab driver couldn’t find the bridge and couldn’t even find the way to take William home. In frustration, he ordered the driver to stop and get out to get his bearings. He walked up to the nearest house to read the number and it was William's house. Gone now were William’s thoughts of suicide and instead a new idea came into his head. So, he went in and wrote these words: God moves in mysterious ways His wonders to perform. He plants his footsteps in the sea And rides upon the storm. You fearful saints, fresh courage take; The clouds you so much dread Are big with mercy and shall break In blessings on your head. I sometimes wish we could see all the ways God watches over us when need it. There are...

Ecclesiastes 12:10

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