Tree & Dough

Week 2 Day 6

Genesis 31-33; Luke 13

Luke 13:18-21
¹⁸Then Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? ¹⁹It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches."
 ²⁰Again he asked, "What shall I compare the kingdom of God to?  ²¹It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."

//  THOUGHTS:


_the Kingdom of God grows
_it also provides shelter, comfort, refuge
_it penetrates - works ALL through out
_yeast = makes the dough grow, expand

The Kingdom of God that's within us should not be stagnant.  We must be growing as well, like into a tree that can eventually be strong, provide refuge, comfort and shelter.  The Kingdom of God within us must also be working through ALL parts of our lives.  This is a great test on how to see whether or not the Kingdom of God is living within our lives. 

Are we growing?  Are becoming strong?  Do we have a strong "bark" that can hold the branches up and provide shelter, comfort, and refuge to those who come and pay a visit?  Or are we still a mustard seed; barely sprouting and growing leaves?  Is our spiritual dough rising?  Are we allowing the "yeast" to grow our spiritual dough for us to be used as "food" for those who are in need? 

// BELLE:

God is really great!  I praise God for His goodness.  This is a great reminder and affirmation of what God is doing in my life as I continue to follow Him daily.  By accepting Christ as my personal Lord and Savior, living my life for Him daily and consecrating my life to Him, I know that the Kingdom of God is living within me.  I personally have seen the miracles God has done in my life, Hallelujah!  Although I do not discount the fact that I have also failed Him many times - yet the conviction and the heart to repent is growing day by day.  Praise God for His grace and mercy!  Which stage of the "tree" or the "dough" am I in in this context?  I will continually grow this tree; grow this dough and allow the Kingdom of God to work through ALL of my being. 

Specific steps to grow this tree/dough:
_growing in my prayer life
_removing distractions that causes the stunting of growth or working against the yeast
_focusing on Kingdom-work (others-centered); how I can provide shelter, comfort, refuge, and sustenance to others by this tree or dough (my life)_


// Lord, thank you so much for Your Word that truly reminds and affirms my standing with You.  I pray that You will continue to work within me and that Your work will not be hindered by my will.  In the name of Jesus, I ask that You refocus my attention to what's most important - serving You in all aspects of my life rather than thinking of the things that bothers me daily.  Forgive me for the wrong choices I've made today; the wrong motivations and the selfish attitudes I have embarrassingly showed to You.  I pray that You just cleanse me as I know You will; I confess these to You.  All these I lift up to You in Jesus' name, amen.