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Thursday, January 30, 2020

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2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29
Psalm 132:1-5, 11-14
Mark 4:21-25

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grand stands

"In the measure you give you shall receive, and more besides." —Mark 4:24

If we hear God's Word and accept it, we will bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold (Mk 4:20). Why do some Christians bear great fruit while others produce little fruit?

  • God gives each of us different mission fields, which produce different yields.
  • God gives us different charisms, supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, which can significantly increase our yield (1 Cor 12:4ff).
  • Some Christians put the lamp of God's Word (see Ps 119:105) on taller lampstands so as to give light to all. Lampstands are opportunities to proclaim God's Word.

This book and other media are stands for God's Word. Births, deaths, sicknesses, and successes all can be stands for God's Word. A marriage, family, job, school, factory, office, team, or truck can be stands from which the light of God's Word shines.

Those who produce abundant fruit by setting up stands for God's Word are not necessarily the most creative but those more deeply in love with the Lord. If we love someone, we love their word, and that love "impels us" to take every opportunity to proclaim the Lord and His Word (see 2 Cor 5:14).

Love the Lord. Use and make lampstands for God's Word (Mk 4:21). Bear a most abundant harvest.

Prayer:  Father, make me like a seed which dies to bear great fruit (Jn 12:24).

Promise:  "Who am I, Lord God, and who are the members of my house, that You have brought me to this point?" —2 Sm 7:18

Praise:  Tom does not hide his faith either at work or in public. Dozens of people have quietly asked him to pray for their needs.

Reference:  (Set up a stand for God's Word by teaching the Bible. Order, listen to, or download our Bible Teacher Series on our website. Our six CD series starts with AV 117-1 or our three DVD series starts with DVD 117.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 2, 2019

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