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When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread.  “Be careful,” Jesus said to them.  “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”  Matthew 16:5

From a baker’s viewpoint, there’s a simple message about yeast: a small amount can make a big difference. Just half a teaspoon can change an entire loaf of bread. The same principle applies spiritually—Jesus warns us that spiritual yeast can be harmful. Therefore, we should be mindful of the company we keep, as our relationships can significantly impact our spiritual journey.

The disciples, however, missed the point. They thought Jesus was referring to physical matters instead of spiritual ones. He tried to hint that He was talking about the Pharisees and Sadducees, warning that spending time with them could expose them to the spiritual dangers they represented. 

Pharisees were quick to judge others based on how closely they resembled them, believing they were the only ones favored by God. They made no room for diversity; if you were Gentile, you were excluded from worshiping God. This mindset feels all too familiar today. Fundamentalist thinking often causes people to see their own denomination as the only valid one. Protestants might view any Catholic as an unbeliever, while Catholics consider Protestants separated brethren, separated from the fullness of faith and the sacraments. Baptists may see Presbyterians as misguided, just as Presbyterians might find the Baptist culture unappealing. It’s troubling how we categorize people based on differences instead of unifying around the core tenets of the Gospel. 

I’ve traveled to Canada many times over the years. I saw firsthand that denominations collaborate closely because Christianity is a shrinking minority in their country. They recognize that without coming together, spreading the Gospel effectively is a challenge. I was so encouraged by their example.  

What about your church? Is there a sense of exclusivity? Do they speak poorly of those outside your denominational group?  Be careful of such influences. We each need to guard against spiritual arrogance.  We are bent that way in our flesh, and we must starve the beast.  To hang around with spiritual elitists is to endanger our hearts with the most dangerous sort of spiritual yeast.  

Make spiritual arrogance repulsive to me. In Jesus name, Amen

Jesus said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” Matthew 13:52

Every child of God has a unique history in their faith journey. Some come to Jesus with a blank slate, having no prior experience with Christianity. Their hearts are open and ready for God to write a story that’s uniquely theirs. It’s a beautiful beginning, free from preconceived notions. Others, however, bring years of church experience with them. They know the scriptures inside and out, having been well indoctrinated in many teachings. Yet, if their past has been marred by rigid legalism, it can feel tempting to wipe the slate clean and start fresh with Jesus. But is that truly necessary?  

In this simple parable, Jesus shows us the beauty of blending the old with the new. He reminds us that while teachers may be flawed, the truths they share can still be sound. These truths are treasures worth holding onto. As we grow in our faith, it’s vital to separate the gold from the grime—to appreciate the wisdom that remains while letting go of what doesn’t serve us anymore.  Maturity in faith is all about recognizing these truths and allowing God to guide us in discerning what is beneficial. 

God is always with us, guiding us to let go of the teachings that hinder our growth while keeping the gems that enrich our journey. So, whether you’re starting fresh or carrying years of church experience, remember that each of us has a unique path—we should embrace it and feed it voraciously, letting the Holy Spirit guide us into all Truth.

And finally, as we navigate this journey, we can maintain a calm and relaxed mindset, allowing ourselves the space to grow and learn without the pressure of perfectionism.

If there is more of the old I need to embrace, reveal it.  If there is more I am to discard, I am willing.  Be the sifter, Lord Jesus. Amen

“There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. When the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit; and the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did the same to them. Afterward he sent his son to them, saying, `They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, `This is the heir; come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.” Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures: `The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it.” Matthew 21:33-46

Those who heard Jesus share this parable understood it well. The hills of Galilee were full of vineyards, and it was common for owners to lease their estates to tenants. Although the Pharisees grasped the illustration, they felt offended by Jesus’ implication. They saw it as prophetic and a direct warning, because they knew that God regarded the Jewish nation as the ‘vineyard of the Lord.’ Isaiah 5:7

The message from Jesus was clear. You are not aligned with God’s plans. Although you believe you are acting effectively as religious leaders, you are wrong. You are mistreating faithful servants, and furthermore, you are rejecting me, the very son of the Vineyard owner. 

Jesus has graciously entrusted His kingdom to us to steward in His absence. Before leaving, He demonstrated how to tend it properly. His leadership approach is rooted in service, prioritizing relationships over rituals, and heart over intellect. Is it possible, however, that we are behaving like Pharisees?  

In Jesus’ absence, I’m given the freedom in Christ to run the vineyard any way I want.  The tenants in the parable could abuse, even kill, servants.  When the ‘son’ came, the one with ownership rights to the vineyard, they took his life because he threatened what they wanted for themselves.

As I govern my sphere of influence today, I am compelled by Christ to prioritize the heart over intellect, grace over performance, and relationship over religion. The Son is returning and will one day evaluate how well I cared for His sheep. Will the harvest look like what it might have been if Jesus had stayed to oversee it? That’s humbling to consider. 

How does this apply to me?  I will be quiet and be teachable, as Your Holy Spirit brings this home.  Amen

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”  Luke 10:25-37

Each of us knows that we are called to love others. This is easy to accept when it is vague, but we often convince ourselves that we’re excused from showing love to certain people. We’re eager to share Jesus with those we believe deserve it. Jonah was willing to speak difficult truths to the people of Israel, but when God told him to go to the Ninevites, he simply couldn’t stomach the idea. The Ninevites were a bloodthirsty people and had long inflicted cruelty on God’s people. Jonah’s heart had its limits, but they weren’t God’s.

For the Jews during Jesus’ time, enemies were no longer Assyrians but Samaritans. Although ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ was one of the laws in the Old Testament, they only saw ‘neighbor’ as including people of their own nationality and religion. It was for this very reason that the following conversation happened. 

A Jewish teacher of the law approached Jesus and asked, “Which of the commandments is the most important?” Jesus answered, ‘Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.’ The seeker was insightful enough to ask the next question, ‘Who is my neighbor?’ Jesus could have directly answered, ‘Well, a Samaritan is your neighbor!’ But sometimes the truth is so threatening that someone needs to discover it on their own through a non-threatening approach. What a wise teacher Jesus is. He avoids giving a sermon and instead brings truth in through the gentle persuasion of the Jewish teacher’s heart.

Are you facing a tough conversation with someone today? You might feel nervous because the truth could seem too threatening if stated outright. However, the truth needs to be uncovered and embraced. Following Jesus’ example, a series of thought-provoking questions might be the way for something spiritual to unfold. The Holy Spirit promises to provide wisdom, and He will fill your mouth with words beyond your own ingenuity.  

Lord, I ask that You show me who my Samaritans are.  Forgive my prejudices, Lord.  Amen

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”  Luke 18:9-14

It is easy to read this parable and identify with the tax collector, imagining myself as a humble seeker of mercy. The temptation to look down on others—those with different struggles, faults, or outward appearances—is never far away—the lines between humility and subtle arrogance blur.

This parable holds up a mirror, reflecting not only the overt pride of the Pharisee but also the quiet ways I can distance myself from those I judge. It is not just the act of being proud that is rebuked, but the act of comparing others to my own standards and withholding compassion from them.

While I would describe both of my parents as generally humble, they had moments of pride. Whenever they saw people not doing what they believed they should, comments would be made.  

“Wouldn’t you think they’d clean up their yard?  It’s disgusting.”

“Why can’t they control their children?  It’s embarrassing!”

I am struck by how often the word ‘disgust’ came up in their words and how often it can come up in mine. My attitude toward another’s weakness should be sadness, not disgust. Sadness over another’s sin prompts me to pray for them, while disgust tempts me to distance myself.  

Pride is insidious. When you think it’s gone, you realize you can still be proud about thinking it’s gone. When disgust arises, I need to remember… ‘There but for the grace of God go I.’

When I believe I’m justified in deciding who should receive mercy and who should be judged, convict me, Father.  Amen

Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables.  Matthew 13:34

I love a good story, especially if shared by an exceptional storyteller. Jesus must have been a powerful storyteller because we are still talking about each of his stories thousands of years later.

Many of his stories were parables, and He spoke in this literary form to fulfill prophecy.  “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”  Matthew 13:35  In this passage, Jesus reaches back to Psalm 78.  Israel had strayed from Yahweh ~ even though He’d rescued them repeatedly from their enemies.  Their unbelief was unfounded because he had spoken openly to them, displaying His power with signs and wonders, only to be rejected. 

Many centuries later, Jesus spoke in parables to bring judgment on Israel’s collective hardness of heart.  Only those who had a true relationship with Jesus would understand the meaning of the words.

Jesus also spoke in parables to fulfill another prophecy, this one from Isaiah.  “You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; and you will keep on seeing but will not perceive; for the heart of this people has become dull; and with their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes…”  Matthew 13:14-15

What does that mean for us as we continue to immerse ourselves in the language of Jesus’ parables?  Isaiah would tell us that it’s possible for us to hear them but not understand them.  Unbelief skews the message and renders it impenetrable.

I’m praying for each of us during this study ~ that we will be more than hearers, but women of understanding. I want us to enjoy full disclosure.

If there is anything that will compromise my ability to understand Your stories, would you reveal it to me?  Amen

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are? And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life? Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin.  Matthew 6:24-28

Have you ever been caught in the middle? It’s a terrible place to be. Some people are well-practiced because they’ve assumed the role of peacemaker as children. They’ve learned that the stress of trying to please both sides is crippling. Compromise helps temporarily, but neither side is ever truly satisfied because neither feels like they have won.

What does this have to do with what I’ll eat or what I’ll wear? It’s about worry and anxiety.  And anxiety serves Master Satan as we wonder if God will be faithful.  Satan is the author of such storylines.  Worry leads to autonomy as I take matters into my own hands to care for myself, believing that God might not come through for me. 

Remember the daisy game? ‘He loves me – He loves me not.’ Although it was childish, I still recall the suspense as I got to the last few petals. Which way would it go? Love me – or loves me not? This captures the tension of serving two masters.

When the stakes are high, so is the battle. How can this tug of war be won? Remove the influence of the evil one.  Nothing Satan says is true. He is a liar, and his default language is based on deceit. Today, I step out of the middle. When the first thought of worry comes, I will capture it and kill it at the root with the sword of the Word. 

No middle, Father.  No torment.  Only a simple, childlike trust built on every single promise You have made.  Amen

Jesus also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A rainstorm is coming,’ and it does. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and there is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how can you not know how to interpret the present time?  Luke 12:54-59

How can someone close to God miss the obvious? This was Jesus’ question to the crowds. They were good at reading weather signs but struggled to interpret the times spiritually.

When Saul pursued David to kill him, only a small number of people stood by David. But a group called the ‘sons of Issachar’ understood things correctly. They saw Saul for who he truly was — a disobedient king under God’s judgment. They also saw David for who he was — God’s anointed man who was destined to become king. Based on all the evidence, it seemed that Saul was threatened by a possible coup led by a renegade named David. However, these 200 men understood the situation accurately.  

The children of Issachar, men who understood their times, knew what Israel ought to do.  I Chronicles 12:32

What kind of spiritual insight do I have? The men of Issachar looked at Saul the way God looked at Saul. His crown did not influence them. They could judge his actions and leadership style to recognize that he was out of God’s favor. They searched for his anointing but couldn’t find it. They also looked at David and saw beyond his poverty and ragtag militia. They perceived spiritual greatness and the signs of a kingly anointing.

Not everything is as it seems. Influential people are often fragile like a house of cards. They can crumble after just one confrontation. The humble are often seen as weak, but they may rise to power if God promotes them. Jesus is coming soon, and understanding the times has never been more critical.

Oh, for divine eyesight.  Train me.  Amen

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?  Luke 18:1-7

The tragedy of this parable, though the contrast between the judge and the Father is striking, is that I have often seen the Father as the judge. I feel I dare not ask for too much because God won’t have a heart for me. And, if I keep asking, He will see me as a pest.

Although many wouldn’t admit to feeling this way, I believe it’s the reason why more people don’t live a lifestyle of prayer. All teachers of the Word should stand up for God’s character. With that in mind, I’d like to present a contrast based on the whole counsel of God’s Word.

• The judge did not have a heart for people.  The Father does.
• The judge was unfamiliar with this woman. The Father knows the number of hairs on our head, and we are His precious children
• The judge was not moved by the widow’s story of injustice. The Father promises to avenge all wrongs done to any of His children.
• The woman had to plead her case on her own, but Jesus rose again to be our advocate, our lawyer in heaven’s courts.
• The woman had a one-time audience with the judge.  We have round-the-clock access to our Father. 

Put your faith in the unwavering character of God.   Though you may feel one way (based on human experience), you can act on a truth you do not feel yet affirm to be true.  This will always be the right choice.

You are always my Father, and when I fear You’re the judge, I need Your Holy Spirit to fuel my faith. Amen

And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.”  Mark 4:26

What a wonderful parable to start our series. It offers great comfort if you need reassurance that the spiritual seeds you have sown will continue to flourish, even in your absence.  When sown into a person’s heart, it works in secret. Jesus intentionally conveyed the nature of the combustible seed of the Word of God.  I can count on its power. 

If I’ve planted seeds in the hearts of a loved one, those seeds are still at work. “Oh, but I don’t see any signs of change,” you might say. No matter. The overarching message of Jesus’ words is that the one who sows might not see evidence right away. Our confidence rests not in our ability to sow but in the power of the seed. God oversees the process, and transformation belongs to God alone. 

I have a window of time with each person in my life. With my children, it’s the first eighteen years. With a spouse, it’s longer. With a friend, there is usually an adequate window. I faithfully plant the seed when there is proximity. That access may one day end, and I may become discouraged, thinking my ability to effect change is over. Oh no! The seeds I’ve sown by the power of the Spirit are still there, still at work, still stirring up the soil and bringing holy conflict. The one I love may be out of my sight, but the Word is more active than it has ever been. 

I can find comfort when I see little or no harvest. While I sleep, the seeds are working. While I pray for them from a distance, the seeds are germinating in the soil of their hearts. My prayers of joyful confidence water the seeds, even from afar.  

I forget how thunderous Your Word sounds in the soil of a man’s heart.  What has been sown, You will faithfully cultivate, and in that, I rest. Amen