The Sower, The Mustard Seed, The Field, The Tree, and The Birds

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Variables in the Parable of the Mustard Seed

Five variables made up the parable:

  1. the sower,
  2. the mustard seed,
  3. the field,
  4. the tree,
  5. and then the birds who come over to live in it.

Bible scholars agree that the sower in this scenario is Jesus, while the mustard seed is the Gospel. 

The parable speaks of how the seed grew into a tree, and science shows us that it can grow up to twenty feet tall.

This is substantial growth considering that it came from a seed with the size of just 1 millimeter in diameter.  

And once the tree grows big and sturdy, birds start to flock to it and build their nests in it. Interestingly enough,  the author referred to the birds as the wicked ones in another parable (Matt. 13:4, 19). We must take note of these as we will address their vitality later on in this chapter. 

Some preachers take this parable and make it a case for how God will grow big things out of the small that we plant. And to an extent, this concept is Biblical.

In another parable recorded in the Gospels, Jesus makes it a point to say that those who can be entrusted with little will be entrusted with much (Lk. 16:10). This means that if we stay faithful with whatever has been given to us now, God will eventually expand our capacity and entrust us with more. 

The Field

However, if we take it strictly, we will find that we are not the sowers. Rather, we are the field in which the mustard seed has been planted.

Once Jesus plants the seed of the Gospel into our lives, it will grow within us and take deep root in our lives. What is important to note here is that the mustard seed is pungent and fiery. And in many ways, this is an accurate depiction of the Gospel once applied to our lives.

The Bible contains many commands and passages about God, what is expected of us, and what He created humanity to be that we wrestle with it. In fact, it is the reason why many people who encounter it choose to turn away from it – it burns, and it makes us squirm. 

The quality of the field when the sower plants the seed is crucial. Here, we can draw a parallel to another insight given to us by Jesus through the parable of the sower: 

3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 Let anyone with ears[ listen!” (Matthew 13:3-9) 

The Farmer or the Seed Won’t Matter If the Soil is Bad

If the farmer planted the mustard seed on any other soil other than good soil, it wouldn’t really have borne good fruit.

We see this in the numerous people who attend church but don’t really stay.

God can use you to the tiny seed of the Gospel in other people’s hearts. However, if the state of their souls makes it impossible for these seeds to really take root and grow, then it won’t.

This can be discouraging for Christians to watch, especially if the fields still appear dry. However, we can rest in this: we can faithfully water the seeds God plants, and God will make them grow.  

Your weekly dose of prophetic wisdom and anointing awaits you. Join our LIVE Conference Call!

1) Call 515-604-9266

2) Go to startmeeting.com, and use the login: BishopJordan

Breaking Down the Parable of the Mustard Seed

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

What does the mustard seed teach us?

Countless churches and Christians today look to the parable of the mustard seed. We must take cues from the values that Jesus was presenting to the early believers when he spoke of it.

Still, the parable has important facets that we can only understand if we have the same context and knowledge as the ones who initially heard it.

While most had come to understand and appreciate how the mustard seed was the smallest seed known when this parable was given, there are elements that we do not inherently know due to cultural differences.

Agriculture was an important topic for the listeners of Jesus. The listeners knew the specific traits and functions of the different kinds of seeds.

For instance, apart from the fact that the mustard seed was known for its size, its quality was also something that was to be noted. Apparently, it is also famous for being an irritant.

Should it touch a person’s skin, it can cause contact dermatitis. The place of contact will turn red and feel as if it is burning. In modern times, we mix it with vinegar, oils, wine. People need to mix other spices with it before the public can commercially consume the seed.

Small in size but with great potential

Legend tells us that when Darius, the king of Persia, invaded Europe with his army, he sent a bag of sesame seeds to Alexander the Great to symbolize that there are as many soldiers in his army as there are seeds in the bag. Stepping up to the plate, Alexander sent back a bag of mustard seeds to Darius as a way of saying that while their army may be many, his army is biting and fiery. Such was the case for the mustard seed – small in size but large in potential. 

 

Your weekly dose of prophetic wisdom and anointing awaits you. Join our LIVE Conference Call!

1) Call 515-604-9266

2) Go to startmeeting.com, and use the login: BishopJordan

The Principle of the Mustard Seed

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Everything Starts Small

Every large corporation that exists today started with a group of people who had a dream. Apple started with three friends in one garage. They started simply building computers as a hobby. One day, they decided to sell several units to distributors. They initially had trouble going up against Microsoft. They struggled with getting customers. But they kept on pushing until they came out with the ingenious iPod. As a result, they changed the entire landscape of portable technology as we know it.

Now, MacBooks and iPhones are viewed as status symbols. They have permeated the market in ways that were initially deemed impossible for them.

Facebook started with several students deciding to make an online community platform originally limited to Harvard. This expanded to different universities until it opened to the general public. It was not without its fair share of challenges and controversy. Right now, it continues to be the most-used online networking site with over 2 billion users.

Coca-Cola started with a curious pharmacist developing a unique-tasting soda and a partner deciding to market it to soda fountains. When it was just beginning, it only sold nine servings per day. Now, an astounding 1.9 billion servings of Coca-Cola are sold every day.

The Megachurch Started Not-So-Mega

In the same way, every megachurch that exists now started with a small group of believers who wanted to do something for the Lord and their community. They knew that they were faithful in what has been entrusted to them. Moreover, they must have had no clue that the church was going to blow up the way it did – and yet it did. Growth can attribute this fruitfulness to the amount of passion, toil, and sincerity that they put into the work of the Lord. It also says a lot about how great things come from small beginnings if these small things are entrusted to the Lord. 

A good story to look at is that of Ralph Moore, a 70-year old pastor. In 1971, he felt the Lord speak to him about planting a church, so he did. The Hope Chapel movement began with just him, his wife, and nine other people. He just did what he knew to do: speak about Jesus, who he is, and what he has done.  

Once the church became a megachurch that had already planted 29 other churches, he felt God call him to start another congregation, and so he obeyed once again. Before long, this congregation grew into a flourishing church planting movement, so much so that right now, there are 2,300 churches. About 220,000 people can attribute to this one man’s seemingly small act of obedience. And yet, for all he has accomplished, he can only attribute it to this: not a great strategy, but a great Savior.

Your weekly dose of prophetic wisdom and anointing awaits you. Join our LIVE Conference Call!

1) Call 515-604-9266

2) Go to startmeeting.com, and use the login: BishopJordan

THE MONEY MOVES WELL

/0 Comments/in , /by

THE MONEY MOVES WELL – Your spiritual self already possesses a lot; money is not even an issue anymore. The only thing left is for you to believe.

Do not live in lack. Do not live in want. You must feel and live in the abundance of God. This truth must be exposed. The enemy has been trying to deceive you into thinking there is lack in this universe, which is the craziest thing you can ever believe. Feel the money in your consciousness — there is an abundance in the spiritual realm. You already have it yet the money moves well.

 

What did Jesus say in the face of disbelief? He said, “Don’t be afraid; just believe” (Lk. 8:50).  Practice this declaration. Make it personal for your situation.

 

Your weekly dose of prophetic wisdom and anointing awaits you. Join our LIVE Conference Call!

1) Call 515-604-9266

2) Go to startmeeting.com, and use the login: BishopJordan

Simon Peter: Commitment to Action

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Prophetic commitment is something that exists in language, and it is only by speaking and listening that you can have access to it. We all make commitments. Even self-confessed procrastinators at some point will realize that they are committed to avoid decisions.

One account in the Bible that depicts prophetic commitment to action which resulted in a new possibility is the conversation between Jesus and Simon Peter while in a boat when he walked on water (Mt. 14:22-33).

It happened again after Jesus died and resurrected from the dead.

3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. (John 21:3-8)

Everything seemed ironic. It was a time when the odds were against Simon Peter. They had all night to catch fish, but not a single one was caught. Then Jesus, a carpenter’s son, instructed him, a seasoned fisherman, to let down the nets. It was just like a kindergarten teacher coaching a rocket scientist about his job. Despite the unreasonableness and the fact that it was against any fisherman’s professional judgment, Peter committed to do as the Lord said. He faithfully let down the net as told.

Because of that faith and commitment, the result was spectacular. The nets were overflowing with too much fish that they were already about to tear. Even the boat, because of too much weight it was carrying, was almost to the point of sinking. This is what prophetic commitment does.

When we are committed to that possibility of change, we will do it despite the unreasonableness. And once we do, that possibility is realized.

Do you want to hear more about the power of commitment? Don’t miss out on our LIVE conference call and see what it means like to take control of HOW you experience life.  Here are ways to join:

1) Call 515-604-9266

2) Go to startmeeting.com, and use the login: BishopJordan

What is the Lord challenging you to commit to right now, despite the impossibility you are facing?

Your Offering Can Stop the Curse in Your Life

/0 Comments/in , /by

The prophet Samuel interceded for the people of Israel. He did it by making a sacrifice. While the sacrifice was burning with the smoke of it, his prayers ascended into heaven on behalf of Israel.

9 So Samuel took a sucking lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord; Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. 10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel; but the Lord thundered with a mighty voice that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion; and they were routed before Israel. (1 Samuel 7:9-10 NRSV)

Samuel offered a burnt-offering — a whole burnt-offering, to the Lord.  Samuel made intercession with a sacrifice. We can only intercede when we are willing to sacrifice. The sacrifice costs us something.

Samuel prayed as he sacrificed. You must do both. 1) You must be in constant communication with the Lord. 2) You must also be willing to back up your talk with your walk. His prayer without the sacrifice would not have been so prevalent. The sacrifice without prayer would not have been an empty shadow. Together, the prayer and the sacrifice teach us how we can expect God to answer those prayers made in faith, in Christ’s name.

How did God respond to the prophet’s sacrifice? God gave him a gracious answer. The Lord heard him. Samuel asked and God granted it. The Israelites had victory in the battle against the Philistines. The power of God was highly magnified because of this incident. When God answers us, when we sacrifice our offerings on our spiritual altars, He is also glorified.

Don’t miss out on our LIVE conference call and see what it means like to take control of HOW you experience life.  Here are ways to join:

1) Call 515-604-9266

2) Go to startmeeting.com, and use the login: BishopJordan

Question: What is it that God telling you to sacrifice to put a stop to whatever curse or stronghold that is present in your life?

CHOOSE LIFE

/1 Comment/in , , , /by

A person gets lost in what other people think about him. Operating in the flesh, this person is concerned with image. He allows tasks, rules, standards, and the urgency and scope of being in the realities of this world rule his ways of being. Needless to say, these things take hold of choices for possibilities.

Martin Heidegger calls this invisible pressure from other people to conform the “they.”  The “they” has concealed the way it has silently robbed the individual of the choice between “yes” or “no.” It becomes unclear who is really choosing what.

When you allow the “they” to rob you of your choices, you get caught up with inauthenticity. Therefore, when you have an inauthentic existence, your behavior and everything in your being is out of integrity. This is because who you know yourself to be is different from who you are being. Note that the process to integrity and authenticity can only be experienced once again when you take your existence back from the “they”.

Visit Prophecology to learn more about being your authentic self.

Prophecology-logo-V-maroon

Who/what are the “they’s” in your life right now that are robbing you of your choices?

THE POWER OF DISTINCTION

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

God created the world, and everything in it, out of nothing.

“Let there be light,” God commanded and there was light. In the story of creation, we saw the power of distinction. Our ability to distinguish something allows us to bring something into its own existence. In our own lives, we distinguish our experiences as “problems” or “opportunities” or we label people as either “good” or “evil” and so they become according to our word.

Learn more about the power of distinction, join us in our daily conference calls and be equipped to live the life you’ve always longed for.

Here are ways to join:

1) Call 515-604-9266

2) Go to startmeeting.com, and use the login: BishopJordan

Try this activity right now: DISTINGUISH your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in fulfilling your purpose in the Lord.

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH CHRIST

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

Being one with God means, as long as we are living in integrity of being a Christian nothing is impossible with us as well. Christ is in us and he is never terrified of the circumstance we are facing. We may be going through storms, but Jesus is not afraid because he can calm the storm. If Jesus is not afraid, and he is in us, then there is nothing to fear.

Faith bonds us to the Lord. Therefore, it is also what allows us to make the IMPOSSIBLE a reality.  In Mark 11:22-24, it is written:

And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

 

Join us in our next conference call:

1) Call 515-604-9266

2) Go to startmeeting.com, and use the login: BishopJordan

What mountains are you moving this year? List them and by faith consider them MOVED, in Jesus’ Name!

Moving Together As One

/0 Comments/in , , /by


Pain is a signal that you need someone. Just like the drug addict had to find the person who could supply him the drugs, you have to find the person who can give you the healing ingredient for your life. Sometimes your ego won’t allow you to find the person who can help you because you are determined to do it on your own. But it is going to take a prophet (a person) to get you out of the confusion that you are in and into the Divine Purpose of God. That is the Power of Prophecy!

“…Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the
sea…” (Genesis 1:26) God created man for the purpose of having dominion. If you don’t understand your purpose, you will be disillusioned and unable to exercise your true rulership, because whatever situations you don’t have control over, those situations will have control over you.

 

One way in which people fail to understand their purpose of demonstrating dominion in the earth is by operating out of a principle of lack. God puts your treasure in an earthen vessel. However, many people look up into the sky for a “treasure” that is hidden in an “earthen vessel.” Until you understand from where God brings the harvest, you will not work the “field.” If you want to work the “field,” then get into your earthen vessel.

Notice that treasures in the natural earth are in the deep. You have to go into the deep to find gold and diamonds. Pearls are in the deep. In order for an oyster to produce a pearl, the oyster must endure the intrusion of an irritant in its mouth. The irritant is under pressure, but in time it will become a pearl.

“…Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created he him, male and female created them.” (Genesis 1:26-27)

One of man’s greatest downfalls is that we do things in isolation. God did not make man in isolation. Some people are trying to work their miracle in isolation. When Elisha told the woman to go and borrow vessels, and not just a few, she knew that she could not fulfill the prophet’s request alone. (1 Kings 4:1-6) She was sensible enough to (1) call on her sons and (2) send her sons to borrow pots from others. You cannot work miracles in isolation.

You cannot come into wealth through isolation, regardless of how tirelessly you work. Talk to any smart business person and he will tell you that he did not become wealthy independently. He assembled a team, and together they found customers and clients. They were in the business of pleasing someone else.

Google