Have you ever read something in the Bible, or heard someone preach something, and felt that you really didn't understand it? Most people have, at some point. But what we do when that happens is more important than most people realize. Here's why: In Matthew 13:19, Jesus said "When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart." He goes on to say, in verse 23: "But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." This whole passage, from verse 18 to 23 is where Jesus was explaining a parable He had given earlier. He wanted people to understand. In these two verses we see a contrast between those who hear "a message about the kingdom" (referring to everything and everyone that God is "king" over) and either understand or don't understand it. Those who don't understand never really get that message planted in their hearts. But those who do understand grow like a fruitful crop producing lots of fruit. So what do we do? Well, I want to encourage you to do three things when you feel you're not understanding something in the Bible or that you heard preached. First, pray and ask God to help you understand it. You don't need fancy words; any words will do. Second, ask someone you know who knows the Bible AND lives for God (possibly your pastor) for help understanding it. Lastly, re-read the passage you're having trouble with and read it in its context: pick several sentences before and after the part you don't understand and read the whole section a couple of times. Context often helps a lot.

May God bless you richly as you learn more and more about Him!
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About three weeks ago, I was diagnosed with intracranial sclerosis and the news rocked my world, as it would rock most people's world. What I didn't see coming was the effect it would have on my relationship with God. I was like so many people: complacent.  I had my career, my family and was active in my church. But my faith was lukewarm at best. If I would have died three weeks ago, I would have had to stand before God with my meager list of accomplishments and come face to face with the fact that I hadn't really accomplished anything of lasting value. It's what we do for Christ that matters. Not what we do that seems Christian, or that gives us the pats on the back that feel so good to our egos. The diagnosis, and the sudden realization that I could die really soon ignited a fire in my heart, soul and life to surrender before God and yearn to know what I could do to make my last days count for Him. I know, as many of you do too, that the Bible tells us that many who supposedly do things in Jesus' name will stand before Him one day and hear Him say "depart from Me you workers of iniquity, I never knew you" (Matthew 7:21-23). We all know also that to some He will say "well done, My good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).  Oh how sweet and wonderful it will be to hear Him say that. But will we? How can we know?  The answer is surprisingly easy. We need to examine ourselves daily, and carry our cross daily, and seek to be honest with Him daily. We just need to stop trying to direct our own lives according to our own will and humbliy follow Him. His being Lord isn't just a title; it is the role He should always occupy in our lives. He leads us, and we need to humbly follow Him and trust that He knows what He's doing. These past few weeks have been revolutionary for me. This diagnosis wasn't a death sentance; it is an enormous blessing because my faith is more alive now than it was when I thought I was 'living life to its fullest'.  My heart and my eyes are fixed on things above, as I long to hear Him say "well done".

If you are suffering with some illness, or have been diagnosed with something life-threatening, let it be a wake-up call for you and it was for me. Examine your heart and repent of every and any sin tucked away in your heart or life, and begin thinking about what He will say to you when you stand before Him. Oh, that we would all hear Him say "well done, My good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy prepared for you."
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