A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (September 29, 2015)
Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. (Luke 13:18-19)
This parable is a prime example of how most parables have more than one application. You can read this parable with a view of the Universe, a view of Earth, or a view of an individual believer and you would be correct in each instance. Jesus is talking about what the Kingdom of God includes and looks like. From a view of the Universe this would include the entire Universe from creation to now with an ever increasing growth in the stars and galaxies. From a Earth view this would include the Kingdom of God (the Church) starting small and growing on planet Earth. And from a view of the individual believer this would refer to the Kingdom of God that resides within each believer and helps us grow and mature.
Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:21)
Our devotion today will concentrate on the Kingdom of God within you. That mustard seed was planted in you when you were born again and that seed has the potential to grow into a great and mighty tree with many branches, if watered and nourished properly.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalm 1:3)
Notice that the parable says it will grow into a great tree and the birds will lodge in the branches of that tree. Let me give you my South Georgia take on this. Doves and wild turkeys are abundant in South Georgia. I have hunted them both. There is one major thing they have in common. They look for a place to roost at night, usually in a very high tree. There is a reason for that. They are safe from all the night predators and they can rest in peace when they are in those tall trees.
I have watched ministers and ministries grow and mature over the years and usually that seed grows into a tree and that tree ends up resembling our present ministry team. It could be Total Freedom in Ocoee, FL that houses and disciples people with addictions. It could be Emily’s House in Plano, TX that houses and disciples abused women and children. It could be Destiny House in Seattle, WA that will house and disciple women coming out of sex trafficking. Do you see what I mean? If properly nourished, that little seed that started in one person’s heart will grow into a tree. That tree will become a place of rest and a place of protection and people will flock to that tree for protection and help. That is what New Life Network is all about. We are a tree with a lot of branches and our main purpose is to be a place people can come to receive peace, rest, renewal and protection.
We encourage you to consider the seed that has been planted in your heart. God has placed a treasure (the Kingdom of God) within you and God wants it to be a mighty tree.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (2 Corinthians 4:7)
The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. (Psalm 9:9)
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward. (Isaiah 58:6-8)
