"Also, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was put into the lake. The net caught many different kinds of fish. The net became full, so the fishermen pulled the net to the shore. The fishermen sat down and put all the good fish in baskets. Then they threw away the bad fish. It will be the same at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the evil people from the good people. The angels will throw the evil people into the place of fire. In that place the people will cry and grind their teeth {with pain}."
—Matthew 13:47-50
Key Thought
"I can't stand church; those people are nothing but hypocrites!" Yes, it's true. The Church is full of folks who neither walk their talk nor put their life where their mouths are.
Sometimes, this is because of weakness—we're struggling to overcome a sinful past full of addictive and sinful habits. Sometimes, this is because of ignorance—we haven't learned that what we're doing is sinful. Sometimes, it's because we are hypocrites. Sometimes, we just blow it! Sometimes, folks have never really surrendered to the Lordship of Christ and truly repented and turned their lives over to God. Rather than being discouraged by the weakness among God's people, we must respond in three clear ways. First, we must make sure our lives are on track and fully yielded to Jesus. We want to deal with our own shortcomings before tackling the shortcomings of someone else. Second, we must realize that there will always be pretenders in God's family who are not really what they are pretending to be and God knows their hearts and will judge them accordingly. Third, those who have drifted from the path Jesus is calling them to live need to be restored and we need to help do the restoring! Rather than blame or be ashamed of those among us who are not walking the talk, let's help them learn the joy of living fully for Christ!
Today's Prayer
Father, I confess that I sometimes get discouraged because some who claim to be your children don't live by your values or bring you glory. Instead of the cynicism Satan tries to put into my heart, please stir in me a passion to share the joy of your grace and Lordship so your Church shines brightly with your presence and holiness in the world. Give me a heart to restore, reclaim, and redeem rather than criticize. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. One day a man found the treasure. The man was very happy to find the treasure. He hid the treasure in the field again. The man went and sold everything that he owned to buy that field. "Also, the kingdom of heaven is like a salesman looking for fine pearls. One day the salesman found a very fine pearl. The salesman went and sold everything he had to buy that pearl. "Also, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was put into the lake. The net caught many different kinds of fish. The net became full, so the fishermen pulled the net to the shore. The fishermen sat down and put all the good fish in baskets. Then they threw away the bad fish. It will be the same at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the evil people from the good people. The angels will throw the evil people into the place of fire. In that place the people will cry and grind their teeth {with pain}." {Then Jesus asked his followers,} "Do you understand all these things?" The followers said, "Yes, we understand." Then Jesus said to the followers, "So every teacher of the law who has been taught {the new things} about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house. He has new things and old things saved in that house. And he brings out those new things with the old things." When Jesus finished teaching with these stories, he left there.Matthew 13:44-53
Related Scripture Readings
Brothers and sisters, a person in your group might do something wrong. You people who are spiritual should go to the person who is sinning. You should help to make him right again. You should do this in a gentle way. But be careful! You might be tempted to sin, too. Help each other with your troubles. When you do this, you truly obey the law of Christ. — Galatians 6:1-2
But, dear friends, use your most holy faith to build yourselves up strong. Pray with the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love. Wait for the Lord Jesus Christ with his mercy to give you life forever. Help the people that have doubts. You need to save some people. You will be pulling them out of the fire. But be careful when you want to help other people {that are sinners}. Hate even their clothes that are dirty from sin. — Jude 1:20-23
"The Son of Man will come again. He will come with great glory. All his angels will come with him. He will be king and sit on his great throne. All the people of the world will be gathered before the Son of Man. Then the Son of Man will separate all people into two groups. This is like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The Son of Man will put the sheep (good people) on his right and the goats (bad people) on his left. — Matthew 25:31-33
Ⓒ 1996-2017 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.
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—Matthew 13:47-50
Key Thought
"I can't stand church; those people are nothing but hypocrites!" Yes, it's true. The Church is full of folks who neither walk their talk nor put their life where their mouths are.
Sometimes, this is because of weakness—we're struggling to overcome a sinful past full of addictive and sinful habits. Sometimes, this is because of ignorance—we haven't learned that what we're doing is sinful. Sometimes, it's because we are hypocrites. Sometimes, we just blow it! Sometimes, folks have never really surrendered to the Lordship of Christ and truly repented and turned their lives over to God. Rather than being discouraged by the weakness among God's people, we must respond in three clear ways. First, we must make sure our lives are on track and fully yielded to Jesus. We want to deal with our own shortcomings before tackling the shortcomings of someone else. Second, we must realize that there will always be pretenders in God's family who are not really what they are pretending to be and God knows their hearts and will judge them accordingly. Third, those who have drifted from the path Jesus is calling them to live need to be restored and we need to help do the restoring! Rather than blame or be ashamed of those among us who are not walking the talk, let's help them learn the joy of living fully for Christ!
Today's Prayer
Father, I confess that I sometimes get discouraged because some who claim to be your children don't live by your values or bring you glory. Instead of the cynicism Satan tries to put into my heart, please stir in me a passion to share the joy of your grace and Lordship so your Church shines brightly with your presence and holiness in the world. Give me a heart to restore, reclaim, and redeem rather than criticize. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. One day a man found the treasure. The man was very happy to find the treasure. He hid the treasure in the field again. The man went and sold everything that he owned to buy that field. "Also, the kingdom of heaven is like a salesman looking for fine pearls. One day the salesman found a very fine pearl. The salesman went and sold everything he had to buy that pearl. "Also, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was put into the lake. The net caught many different kinds of fish. The net became full, so the fishermen pulled the net to the shore. The fishermen sat down and put all the good fish in baskets. Then they threw away the bad fish. It will be the same at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the evil people from the good people. The angels will throw the evil people into the place of fire. In that place the people will cry and grind their teeth {with pain}." {Then Jesus asked his followers,} "Do you understand all these things?" The followers said, "Yes, we understand." Then Jesus said to the followers, "So every teacher of the law who has been taught {the new things} about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house. He has new things and old things saved in that house. And he brings out those new things with the old things." When Jesus finished teaching with these stories, he left there.Matthew 13:44-53
Related Scripture Readings
Brothers and sisters, a person in your group might do something wrong. You people who are spiritual should go to the person who is sinning. You should help to make him right again. You should do this in a gentle way. But be careful! You might be tempted to sin, too. Help each other with your troubles. When you do this, you truly obey the law of Christ. — Galatians 6:1-2
But, dear friends, use your most holy faith to build yourselves up strong. Pray with the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love. Wait for the Lord Jesus Christ with his mercy to give you life forever. Help the people that have doubts. You need to save some people. You will be pulling them out of the fire. But be careful when you want to help other people {that are sinners}. Hate even their clothes that are dirty from sin. — Jude 1:20-23
"The Son of Man will come again. He will come with great glory. All his angels will come with him. He will be king and sit on his great throne. All the people of the world will be gathered before the Son of Man. Then the Son of Man will separate all people into two groups. This is like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The Son of Man will put the sheep (good people) on his right and the goats (bad people) on his left. — Matthew 25:31-33
Ⓒ 1996-2017 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware. Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.
Hello Lodseth, we're lifting up your urgent need for a financial blessing. Remember, God cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). Let's agree in prayer for His provision for you, just as He provides for the birds of the air (Matthew 6:26). Trust in His timing and goodness. We stand with you in Jesus' name! 
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