Eternally Minded

" Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof." Matthew 13:31-32 Jesus often spoke in parables to communicate a singular point or truth. A parable is a method of communication like an illustration. The word parable means: to throw something alongside something else. So, Jesus would throw a parable alongside his declarations of truth.  The main thing to keep in mind when trying to interpret a parable is that it isn't usually an allegory. Not every word in a parable has some hidden meaning. In this parable, as in most of His parables, He is communicating a truth about the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, it starts small but it finishes being great. ...

Now the word of the Lord came to Solomon saying, “Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in My statutes and execute My ordinances and keep all My commandments by walking in them, then I will carry out My word with you which I spoke to David your father. I will dwell among the sons of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel.” 1 Kings 6:11-13 This is a promise from the L ORD to His chosen people, Israel, while Solomon is building the temple. Intentionally, in chapter 5, we see God fulfilling a promise He made to Solomon,  "The L ORD gave wisdom to Solomon, just as He promised him..." (1 Kings 5:12) But there is a contingency linked to this particular promise in chapter 6: That His people would obey His statutes, rules, and commandments, and to walk in them.  Maybe, if you're like me, this sounds like a lot of what is modernly called 'works religion'.   But the phrase 'walk in them' points to a devotion. ** D...