The New Life In Christ: But he knows the way that I take; When he has tested me, I shall come out like gold. Job 23:10.

I am a laughingstock to my friends; I, who called upon God and he answered me, a just and blameless man, I am a laughingstock. Job 12:4.

“As for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit and unsearchable, marvelous things without number. Job 5:8-9.

“Surely God is mighty and does not despise any; He does not keep the wicked alive, but gives the afflicted their right. Job 36: 5-6.

Did I not weep for those whose date was hard? Was not my soul grieved for the poor?

But when I looked for good, evil came; and when I waited for light, darkness came. Job 30:25-26.

For he will complete what he appoints for me; Job 23:14. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. Matthew 13:17.

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought it.

“Again the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.

This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

… “Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” Matthew 13:44-52. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvesters are angels. Matthew 13:38-39.

 “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

“The owner’s servants came to him and said, “Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?”

“ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

“ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

Matthew 13:24-30. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.” Matthew 13:35.

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:

When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, (has no fear of God) the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.

The one who received the seed that fell on rocky and at ones receives it with joy. But since he has no root, (spiritual blessings) he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.

The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns (worldly desires) is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.

But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil (walks in the Spirit) is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty time what was sown. Matthew 13:18-23. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants. Psalm 92:11.

When I thought, “My foot is slipping,” your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.

When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. Psalm 94:18-19.

“You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”;

do not fear, I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you.

I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

Yes, all who are incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced;

those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish.

You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them;

Those who war against you shall be as nothing at all.

For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.” Isaiah 41:9-13. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hands of evildoers. Jeremiah 20:13.

For I hear many whispering: “Terror is all around!

Denounce him! Let us denounce him!”

All my close friends are watching for me to stumble,

“Perhaps he can be enticed, and we can prevail against him, and take our revenge on him.”

But the LORD is with me like a dread warrior;

therefore my persecutors will stumble, and they will not prevail.

They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed.

Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten.

O LORD of hosts, you test the righteous, you see the heart and the mind;

let me see your retribution upon them, for to you I have committed my cause. Psalm 20:10-12. Amen.

The New Life In Christ: As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied beholding your likeness. Psalm 17:15.

O LORD, who abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?

Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth fro their heart;

Who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends nor take up a reproach against their neighbors;

in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the LORD;

who stand by their oath even to their hurt;

who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent.

Those who do these things shall never be moved. Psalm 15:1-5. Amen.