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Parables weren’t a new way of teaching it was used by Nathan in the Old Testament, but no one used them other than Jesus in the New Testament Understanding why and how this ‘secret code’ for believers was used is explained in this lecture. It says “ for beginners” but even veterans can find this useful in unpacking the Parables for beginners and vets I hope you enjoy this lecture SHALOM❤️

The Parable of the Prodigal Son. Can you explain the meaning? Luke 15 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. Jesus told this parable to the Pharisees and scribes. Can anyone explain this parable?

If you have a chance, please do read the entire parable of the Shrewd Manager in Luke 16. The verses that real caught my attention are: ( Luke 16:8-9 ) 8 And his master praised the unrighteous manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light. 9 And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they will receive you into the eternal dwellings. Let me be very frank, I am really bad when it comes to doing business. I'm Not saying that I am wasteful when it comes to spending money. I am reasonably careful with mony. It's Not like I click purchase on every item that I like on amazon.com However, a used car salesman can probably sell me a piece of junk as a car, and I'd probably Only find out as soon as I drive it off the car dealership's parking lot. Basically, I'm Not that business-minded. Therefore, I would consider myself to be like the "sons of light" who are relatively Not as shrewd as the "sons of this age" In my family, my Dad was shrewd at business, but my Mom is Not. Therefore, my Dad would handle negotiations when we wanted to buy a car or a house, etc. One of my concerns as I communicate with Christian ladies for dating is whether or Not they are shrewd at business. It's sort of a Drawback if both of us were like the "sons of light". Could someone please provide their opinion/feedback in regards to the aforementioned case?

Daily Reading 23 If you prefer, you can look up the following verses in your own Bible, of by whatever means and in whatever version you choose. Luke 18:1-17 Genesis 29:31-30:43 Psalm 23 Audio 5:27 Audio 9:~ Audio 0:53 The above addresses are linked to Bible Gateway. That is an easy way to read (or listen to) the Bible verses, and choose your version. Personally, I prefer written, that way I can go at my own pace, on think about it, before moving on. Nothing wrong with doing either or both. The Bible says faith comes by hearing. See the picture below to get an idea of what to expect if you follow the above links. Thank you Lord for making the your word so accessible for us in these times. Amen

Daily Reading 20 If you prefer, you can look up the following verses in your own Bible, of by whatever means and in whatever version you choose. Luke 15 Genesis 27:1-45 Psalm 20 Audio 4:19 Audio 6:25 Audio 1:04 The above addresses are linked to Bible Gateway. That is an easy way to read (or listen to) the Bible verses, and choose your version. Personally, I prefer written, that way I can go at my own pace, on think about it, before moving on. Nothing wrong with doing either or both. The Bible says faith comes by hearing. See the picture below to get an idea of what to expect if you follow the above links. Thank you Lord for making the your word so accessible for us in these times. Amen

Daily Reading 70 If you prefer, you can look up the following verses in your own Bible, or by whatever means and in whichever version you choose. Matthew 13:24-58 Leviticus 19 Proverbs 29 Audio 7:23 Audio 4:39 Audio 2:44 The above verse addresses are linked to Bible Gateway. That is an easy way to read (or listen to) the Bible verses, and choose your version. Personally, I prefer written, that way I can go at my own pace, and think about it, before moving on. Nothing wrong with doing either or both. The Bible says faith comes by hearing. See the picture below to get an idea of what to expect if you follow the above links. Note: The audio will not play the exact verses, it will play the whole chapters, in which the verses exist. Thank you Lord for making the your word so accessible for us in these times. Amen

Daily Reading 69 If you prefer, you can look up the following verses in your own Bible, or by whatever means and in whichever version you choose. Matthew 13:1-23 Leviticus 17-18 Proverbs 28 Audio 7:23 Audio 2:39 Audio 3:07 The above verse addresses are linked to Bible Gateway. That is an easy way to read (or listen to) the Bible verses, and choose your version. Personally, I prefer written, that way I can go at my own pace, and think about it, before moving on. Nothing wrong with doing either or both. The Bible says faith comes by hearing. See the picture below to get an idea of what to expect if you follow the above links. Note: The audio will not play the exact verses, it will play the whole chapters, in which the verses exist. Thank you Lord for making the your word so accessible for us in these times. Amen

(I'm quoting words from a man who wrote this about 1,800 years ago! This man's teacher was Polycarp who was taught by John the disciple of Christ. Please hear his call to compare things.) If any one, therefore, reads the Scriptures with attention, he will find in them an account of Christ, and a foreshadowing of the new calling. For Christ is the treasure which was hid in the field, that is, in this world; but the treasure hid in the Scriptures is Christ, since He was pointed out by means of types and parables. Hence His human nature could not be understood, prior to the consummation of these things which had been predicted, that is, the advent of Christ. And therefore it was said to Daniel the prophet: "Shut up the words, and seal the book even to the time of consummation, until many learn, and knowledge be completed. For at that time, when the dispersion shall be accomplished, they shall know all these things." But Jeremiah also says, "In the last days they shall understand these things." For every prophecy, before its fulfilment, is to men [full of] enigmas and ambiguities. But when the time has arrived, and the prediction has come to pass, then the prophecies have a clear and certain exposition. And for this reason, indeed, when at this present time the law is read to the Jews, it is like a fable; for they do not possess the explanation of all things pertaining to the advent of the Son of God, which took place in human nature; but when it is read by the Christians, it is a treasure, hid indeed in a field, but brought to light by the cross of Christ, and explained, both enriching the understanding of men, and showing forth the wisdom of God and declaring His dispensations with regard to man, and forming the kingdom of Christ beforehand, and preaching by anticipation the inheritance of the holy Jerusalem, and proclaiming beforehand that the man who loves God shall arrive at such excellency as even to see God, and hear His word, and from the hearing of His discourse be glorified to such an extent, that others cannot behold the glory of his countenance, as was said by Daniel: "Those who do understand, shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and many of the righteous as the stars for ever and ever." Thus, then, I have shown it to be, if any one read the Scriptures. For thus it was that the Lord discoursed with the disciples after His resurrection from the dead, proving to them from the Scriptures themselves "that Christ must suffer, and enter into His glory, and that remission of sins should be preached in His name throughout all the world." And the disciple will be perfected, and [rendered] like the householder, "who bringeth forth from his treasure things new and old."

Daily Reading 25 If you prefer, you can look up the following verses in your own Bible, of by whatever means and in whatever version you choose. Luke 19:1-27 Genesis 32-33 Psalm 25 Audio 5:29 Audio 7:39 Audio 2:18 The above addresses are linked to Bible Gateway. That is an easy way to read (or listen to) the Bible verses, and choose your version. Personally, I prefer written, that way I can go at my own pace, on think about it, before moving on. Nothing wrong with doing either or both. The Bible says faith comes by hearing. See the picture below to get an idea of what to expect if you follow the above links. Note: The audio will not play the exact verses, it will play the whole chapters, in which the verses exist. Thank you Lord for making the your word so accessible for us in these times. Amen

Daily Reading 21 If you prefer, you can look up the following verses in your own Bible, of by whatever means and in whatever version you choose. Luke 16 Genesis 27:46-28:22 Psalm 21 Audio 4:27 Audio 5:~ Audio 1:03 The above addresses are linked to Bible Gateway. That is an easy way to read (or listen to) the Bible verses, and choose your version. Personally, I prefer written, that way I can go at my own pace, on think about it, before moving on. Nothing wrong with doing either or both. The Bible says faith comes by hearing. See the picture below to get an idea of what to expect if you follow the above links. Thank you Lord for making the your word so accessible for us in these times. Amen

John 15:7,8 - "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. Bythis my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples." Some are willing to spend hours in prayer asking for a miracle instead of planting the word of God in their hearts, which in time would produce the miracle. Prayer is what water and fertilizer are to a seed. They help the word release its life. But if you haven't planted the seed, it doesn't matter how much water and fertilizer you apply, the soil still won't produce fruit. It's the seed that has life! Genesis 3:11 - "And He said, Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?" By taking the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they found a source of the knowledge of right and wrong outside of God. This can be identified as the principle of reasoning. They no longer needed the wisdom of God; they could govern themselves according to their sense of right and wrong. This is why God questioned them "who told you?" They replaced obedience with reasoning. Jesus compares the Church to virgins who "all got drowsy and began to sleep" (Matthew 25:5). Virgins sleeping at the end of the age: this seems incomprehensible with all the signs in the Heavens and wonders upon the earth, not to mention the increasing presence of Christ. Yet this phenomenon is something we each battle: THE TENDENCY TO BECOME SPIRITUALLY DROWSY AND LOSE OUR FOCUS as we wait for the Lord's return. There is a subtle activity of the enemy that dulls our perception and seduces our zeal. Our vision takes a backseat to other less important aspects of life. From the beginning, the voice of satan has had this lulling effect on mankind. Eve's excuse for disobedience was, "The serpent hath caused me to forget" (Genesis 3:13Young's Literal Translation). This sense of spiritual forgetfulness, of drowsiness, is the cloud of blindness that we each must discern and overcome. Today, God is awakening us to the reality of His presence. The promises the Lord gives us in the Scriptures must become more to us than dream-like realities only reserved for the hereafter. Jesus unveiled God's glory on the Mount of Transfiguration! Paul says that we all can behold the glory of God and be transformed by it (see 2 Corinthians 3:18). For this reason, the Scripture says, "Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you" (Ephesians 5:14). If we truly want Christ to "shine" upon us, we must arise from the distractions that entomb us in lethargy and spiritual darkness. Right at this moment, the presence of the living God is near enough to hear the whisper of your heart. But if we want our dream of standing in the presence of God to come true, we must wake up. AFFIRMATIONS: God has given me his Spirit, not the world’s spirit, so that I may realize and comprehend and appreciate the gifts of divine favor and blessings so freely and lavishly bestowed on me by God. (I Corinthians 2:12) I am complete in Him who is the head of all principality and power. For I am His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God has before ordained that I should walk therein (Colossians 2:10; Ephesians 2:10). Out of His glorious riches He strengthens me with power through his Spirit in my inner man (Ephesians 3:16). I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Galatians 5:16 - "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh." He has put an unlimited potential within us by His Spirit. Don't think about what you can't do. Think about what you can do through Christ. Exercising faith to fulfill your call will always result in permanent spiritual results - "fruit which remains" measured by the lives you have dramatically changed. Affirmations: I AM DEVELOPING MY OWN HUMAN SPIRIT, AND I AM BECOMING MORE SENSITIVE TO THE SPIRIT OF GOD. I HAVE ACCEPTED THE CALL OF GOD TO LEAVE THE LOW LIFE BEHIND, AND I AM FOLLOWING THE SPIRIT OF GOD TO A HIGHER REALM, WHERE I WILL LIVE IN CONTINUAL PEACE, JOY, AND VICTORY. Luke 18:9 - "He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others." Like all expeditions, my journey starts with a departure. Long before I ever arrive at holiness, I must depart from self-righteousness and pride. Romans 6:18 - "Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." Affirmations: SINCE I HAVE GIVEN MY LIFE TO JESUS, THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD HAS BEEN IMPARTED TO ME. BECAUSE THROUGH JESUS, I RECEIVED GOD'S NATURE. SIN AND THE DOMINION OF SATAN CANNOT HAVE AUTHORITY OVER ME BECAUSE JESUS IS MY LORD. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

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