Matthew 13:3-8 (NKJV): The Parable of the Sower “Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: ‘Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” The Condition of the Soil and the Seed This familiar parable holds deep and life-changing spiritual truths. Jesus compares the Word of God to seed sown on different types of soil: the wayside, rocky, thorny, and good soil. The seed represents God’s Word, while the soil symbolizes the condition of the human heart. Just as seed cannot grow without good soil, God’s Word will not grow and produce fruit in an unprepared heart. Spiritual growth can be hindered or choked out by distractions. The phrase “Bloom…

Throughout history, names have held significant meaning. Shakespeare said, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Anne Shirley famously disagrees with Shakespeare, saying, “I read in a book once that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but I’ve never been able to believe it. I don’t believe a rose would be as nice if it were called a thistle or a skunk cabbage.” I would have to agree with Anne of Green Gables. I don’t know how many of us would go out of our way to visit a skunk cabbage garden. It doesn’t sound as nice, even if it smelled divine. The Power Behind A Name In the Bible, a person’s name was profoundly significant. A name could reflect their character, prophetic destiny, or the emotional well-being of the parent at the time of birth. My name, Angela, means angelic messenger, and I like to think that my life reflects that calling. When my husband and I were expecting our daughter, we were drawn to the name Jael. She was a fearless heroine who killed Israel’s enemy Sisera (Judges 4). But, then we looked…

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Genesis 1:27, KJV. I am enamored with the Genesis creation narrative and have always thought the conversations of origin and worldview to be fascinating. Most people during their lifetime will ask themselves, “Why am I here? What is my purpose? Who is my creator?” I remember when I was a little girl asking my mom, “If God created me, who created God?” It is amazing that you an I are masterpieces designed by a God who has no creator; because he is the master creator. Without God everything would cease to exist. Last year as I was teaching a Bible study about the creation of the world, I was asked by a curious individual, “If humans are so important to God, then why did He wait to create them last?” So, I ask you that same question. Why is humanity the last creation in the book of Genesis? It is because God is a God of divine order. Incandescent light Genesis 1:1­­–2 begins with an explanation of the earth’s condition before God’s first creative acts declaring, “In the beginning God created…

Acts 7:22 (KJV): “And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.” Mighty In Words In Stephen’s defense before the Sanhedrin, he paints a striking picture of Moses. He says Moses was not only educated in all the wisdom of Egypt, but also “mighty in words and deeds.” This scripture is surprising when we recollect Moses’ own words in Exodus 4:10: “I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.” So what happened? Either Moses lost his confidence somewhere along the way, or maybe Moses was always a capable orator, but he believed a lie about himself. Letting Go Of Internalized Limitations Like Moses, we can internalize false identities based on external opinions of others, or substantiated by our failures and fears. These lies become self-imposed limitations that conflict with who God says we are. Our identity in God can be easily splintered by the lies of our insecurities. Can we all do something right now? Can you think about at least one lie that you have believed? Whatever the lie is… I’m unlovable. I’m a victim. I’m forgotten. I’m worthless. I’m a failure. I’m hopeless. Right now I…