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good ground hearers by pastor shelem flemons
After presenting the wayside hearer, the stony ground hearer, and the thorny ground hearer , Jesus Jesus let us know that we must be good ground hearers.
Matt. 13:8,9 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
He then explained that the good ground hearer understands the word. This means that they accepted all that the gospel had to offer for understanding is simply knowledge that holy people receive according to Prov. 9:10.
Matt. 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
When you bring forth fruit, the fruit of the Spirit, you may lose a husband, a wife, other family, friends, houses and lands. Jesus promised that we would be rewarded a hundred fold in this life and receive eternal life. However, when we receive a hundred fold in this life, it is with persecution.
Mark 10:29-31 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
the second “e” in refreshing – exercise, by pastor shelem flemons, a doctor of biblical wellness
Here are nine instructions to follow relating to exercise.
- Exercise consistently at least five times a week.
- Exercise should be vigorous enough to maintain a sustained increased heart rate.
- Walking in the open air is the best exercise.
- When beginning a walking program, start with mild exercise and increase both the time and duration of the walk in increments. A good starting point for most people is thirty minutes a day, increasing the time and duration in one-week increments.
- The goal is to walk briskly at least one hour a day.
- Do not do any vigorous exercise one half hour before and after each meal.
- Take a relaxing stroll after each meal. This will help digestion. Never sit down, lay down or recline just after a meal
- Morning exercise is more therapeutic than evening exercise, but exercise in the evening is very good.
- Rebounding is a good exercise as well as treadmill and other household exercise machines. These are good alternatives during inclement weather.
- In summer, exercise during the cooler parts of the day if possible.
Sharing and Caring by Sister Maria Flemons
power of prayer by ellen g. white
Ch. 28 – Be Much in Secret Prayer – Scripture Text: Psalms 91:1
“We should be much in secret prayer. Christ is the vine, ye are the branches. And if we would grow and flourish, we must continually draw sap and nourishment from the Living Vine; for separated from the Vine we have no strength.
I asked the angel why there was no more faith and power in Israel. He said, “Ye let go of the arm of the Lord too soon. Press your petitions to the throne, and hold on by strong faith. The promises are sure. Believe ye receive the things ye ask for, and ye shall have them.” Early Writings, p 73
“When the heart is divided, dwelling principally upon things of the world, and but little upon the things of God, there can be no special increase of spiritual strength. Worldly enterprises claim the larger share of the mind, calling into exercise its powers; therefore in this direction there is strength and power to claim more and more of the interest and affections, while less and less is reserved to devote to God. It is impossible for the soul to flourish while prayer is not a special exercise of the mind. Family or public prayer alone is not sufficient. Secret prayer is very important; in solitude the soul is laid bare to the inspecting eye of God, and every motive is scrutinized. Secret prayer! How precious! The soul communing with God! Secret prayer is to be heard only by the prayer-hearing God. No curious ear is to receive the burden of such petitions. In secret prayer the soul is free from surrounding influences, free from excitement. Calmly, yet fervently, will it reach out after God. Secret prayer is frequently perverted, and its sweet designs lost, by loud vocal prayer. Instead of the calm, quiet trust and faith in God, the soul drawn out in low, humble tones, the voice is raised to a loud pitch, and excitement is encouraged, and secret prayer loses its softening, sacred influence. There is a storm of feeling, a storm of words, making it impossible to discern the still, small voice that speaks to the soul while engaged in its secret, true, heartfelt devotion. Secret prayer, properly carried out, is productive of great good. But prayer which is made public to the entire family and neighborhood is not secret prayer, even though thought to be, and divine strength is not received from it. Sweet and abiding will be the influence emanating from Him who seeth in secret, whose ear is open to answer the prayer arising from the heart. By calm, simple faith the soul holds communion with God and gathers to itself divine rays of light to strengthen and sustain it to endure the conflicts of Satan. God is our tower of strength.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol 2, p 189,190
today’s prayer requests
Sister asked prayer for daughter in-law’s health.
continued prayer
Prayer for all to begin the cleansing work of allowing the Lord reveal your true heart condition so that sin can be eradicated from your life and you can then be transformed into His Perfect Image. Do the cleansing prayer work now! Jesus is soon to come!