Steven Garofalo
Spirituality/Belief • Education • News
“GOD’S CHEAT SHEET FOR UNDERSTANDING OTHERS AND EVANGELISM”
By Steven Garofalo, January 5, 2023 (Copyright 2024)
January 05, 2024

The Merriam-Webster defines a cheat sheet as “a written or graphic aid (such as a sheet or notes) that can be referred to for help in understanding and remembering something complex”. In basic form, the Parables of Jesus were given to us as a written graphic aid to help us better understand, more simply through story the more complex lessons from God.

In one of the most important parables Jesus gave us, the parable of the “SOWER” in Mark 4. I want to point out some subtle but important things about this parable and the importance of the words of Jesus for our lives and the lives He calls us to impact with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ as written about in the Jewish Scriptures and the New Testament. I will break down a few points for our takeaway today in light of starting the new year.

FIRST: Mark 4:1 opens with Again He (Jesus) began to teach beside the sea.” Jesus had been teaching a lot, and kept teaching non-stop throughout His short but world changing life-time. My challenge to you and myself is that we do the same by awaking each morning by “AGAIN”, serving God faithfully in all He calls us to do that day. Each day is new and carries a new mission for that brief 24 hour period of time. Let’s be faithful stewards to the time, talents and people God calls us to daily.

SECOND: In Mark 4: 3, Jesus opens his parable in of the seeds/sower with one word which is “LISTEN”. When Jesus says “LISTEN” we are wise to do so. Then He goes into the parable of the sower and. The seeds (different people and their condition of their faith). Jesus opens each day with the simple command to “LISTEN” to His biblically recorded Word. This is a daily call, not a Sunday EXCERCISE. Let’s be in God’s Word and prayer daily for 10-20 minutes to start and grow that in God’s time.

THIRD: God will open your eyes more deeply to His truth when we get and STAY consistently in His Word. In Mark 4:13, Jesus said, “…Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?” We will not increase in biblical wisdom and discernment unless we are in His Word, the Bible daily. In Mark 4, Jesus knew they (His disciples) didn’t understand the parable. Jesus told them point blank, that if they could not understand simple parables, how would they be able to understand more complicated ones? The sower was then explained by Jesus as one sowing “THE WORD”. The Word included both the Hebrew Scriptures and the teachings that Jesus gave them DIRECTLY over 3 years.

The sower was explained by Jesus as one sowing THE WORD. The emphasis is on the four kinds of soils, not the sower. Let’s wrap up by taking a look at them in an effort to understand ourselves, our own faith, and the faith of those around us.

FIRST: The words sown BESIDE THE ROAD fell in UNPREPARED individuals and Satan Snatched it away. This one is speaks to those who hear but brush the Word and Truth of God through Jesus Christ off with no real desire to know Him (VSS. 14-15).

SECOND: The word sown ON THE ROCKY PLACES represented individuals who received the word with joy, recognizing it as truth. But the reception was superficial and change did not follow. Seeds sown ON ROCKY PLACES represent people who receive the words with joy, recognizing it as truth. But the reception was superficial and change did not follow. The truth is that seeds germinate because there is life in the seed. But the pressure of persecution impact is similar to hot sun on rootless plants. We all know folks in this category (VSS 16-17).

A THIRD response occurred as seed is SOWN AMONG THE THORNS. There was a response, but thorns choked out the truth and no fruit developed. What did Jesus mean by THORNS? Thorns that arise include THE WORRIES OF THE WORLD, AND THE DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES, AND THE DESIRES FOR OTHER/MORE “THINGS” (vs.19)

FORTH AND FINALLY, some seed fell into PREPARED HEARTS, producing fruit; thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and a hundredfold. Although one cannot be dogmatic, if genuine conversation results in a changed life that produces fruit (cf. Matthew 7:16, 20; Luke 3:8).

Only this fourth response indicates genuine salvation. The first three responses produced no fruit, indications there was no permanent change. The purpose of this parable is not to elaborate on genuine conversion but to illuminate to his disciples, including you and I as to WHY individuals responded as they did to Jesus.

While the Merriam-Webster defines a cheat sheet as “a written or graphic aid (such as a sheet or notes) that can be referred to for help in understanding and remembering something complex”, Jesus simplified for us His complex wisdom for better understanding God’s truth in life and in relation to others. My two take-away for you today is simple. Read Mark 4 and the Parable of the Sower (Seeds) and refresh your mind and heart as to the four possible faith scenarios in those around you and perhaps, for some of you, your own faith. And then commit to use this great wisdom of Jesus in your life and life mission-hear forward. I have started to do this myself and it’s something we call all do. Blessings-Steven

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Jesus addresses when God rewards us for our good deeds. To be more specific, Christ discusses three pharisaic practices of piety. They include: 1) GIVING 2) PRAYER and 3) FASTING. Today, we are going to look at the first of these, which is when God rewards or does not reward our “GIVING”.

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DON’T ALPINE ON THE “GOOD OLD DAYS”

“Say not, “Why were the former days better than these” (Ecclesiastes 7:10).

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ARE YOU AS ZELOUS AS SAUL WAS?

It never ceases to amaze me how lethargic we as Christian’s can be. When we were saved we were called to. Called not to rest from God’s mission but rest only from the ways of this world. Sadly, most Christians are on the sidelines in today’s world. WHY? I think it’s because we feel we are in the safe cacoon of the Lord’s arms.

While true in one sense, the truth is that we are called to get out of the cacoon and into the battle of good and evil as representatives of Lord and Savior-standing slbodly for His goodness once saved. We are not called to relax by the beach but to share the love and truth of a Christ with anyone who happens to be at the beach when we are visiting. And the same wherever we go 24/7.

Our family is at the beach in Charleston this week and a nice Southern lady came up to Heather in the beach to speak with her-saying “you are a good southern Christian” aren’t you?” She was half right but we are not southern😎. Heather explained that she met me at a church in ...

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DO PETS GO TO HEAVEN?

When I was in seminary, the question was raised as to if pets or animals in general go to heaven. Our professor, Dr. Norman Geisler said this: “Jesus Christ came to earth and died on the Cross for the human race, not animals.” I was working out at the gym one day when one of the regulars, who had just moved to Charlotte, NC from California told me that one of her beloved dogs died; and would that dog go to heaven. I have her the same answer. But, was that the whole story? That’s what we are going to look at today.

In a peace by Michael Housman, Founder of GotQuestions.Org, Housman wrote that “The BIble does not give any explicit teaching on whether pets or animals in general have souls, or spirits, or whether pets and other animals will be in heaven.

His answer was short but the animals not having souls maybe up for debate.

We can use general biblical principles to develop some clarity on the subject though Housman wrote. The Bible states that both man (Genesis 2:7) and animals (Genesis 1:30; 6:17; 7:15 and 22) have the “BREATH OF LIFE” that is, both man and animals are living beings. Furthermore, the primary difference between human beings and animals is that humanity is made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27), while animals are not.

Being made in the image and likeness of God means that human beings are like God in some ways; they are capable of spirituality; they have a mind, emotion, and “will”; and part of their “being” continues after death.

If pets and other animals do have a “soul” (or spirit or immaterial aspect), it must therefore be of a different and lesser “quality”. This difference possibly means that pets and other animal “souls”  do not continue in existence after death.

Another factor to consider regarding whether pets will be in heaven is that animals are a port of God’s creative process in Genesis. God created the animals and said they were good (Genesis 1:25). Therefore, there is no reason why there could not be pets and animals on the NEW EARTH as described in (Revelation 21:1). 

In the end, there will most definitely be animals during the millennial kingdom (Isaiah 11:6; 65:25). It is impossible to say definitely whether some animals of these animals might be the pets we had here on earth. We do know that God is just and that when we get to heaven, we will find ourselves in complete agreement with His decision on this issue, whatever that turns out to be.

So, there you have it. I think that’s the best answer on the subject in all honest. Please remember to SUBSCRIBE to our channel and check out StevenGarofalo.Com for exclusive content and early release of our two weekly podcast.

Until next time, I’m your host Steven Garofalo, and this is your reason for truth for today.

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AN ETHICAL ECONOMY IS GOOD FOR ALL
By Steven Garofalo, May 2, 2025

WHAT MAKES A GOOD ECONOMY

Government corruption comes to the advantage of a few-but at the expense of many if not all the rest of society. Today, I am going to show you through Ecclesiastes 5:8-9 that vanity and wealth, if not kept accountable, will devour one’s honor and the honor or the nation in whole. Let’s get started.

The Vanity of Wealth and Honor is an interesting subject in light of wealth, corruption, and the human heart. This subject effects many things, including what makes a good economy. 

In the Book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 5, verses eight to nine, Solomon says the following:

Ecclesiastes 5:8-9
“8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. 9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.”

COMMENTARY: There are two things king Solomon is saying here within the theme of the vanity of WEALTH and HONOR. Wealth and honor are two different things, as one can have wealth with or without honor or honor with or without wealth. That being said, let’s look at verses 8 and 9 independently to see the simple message God provides us today through Solomon.

BREAK DOWN
Ecclesiastes 5:8-9

THE ABUSE OF AUTHORITY & WEALTH
 “8 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them." 

COMMENTARY: Verse 8 clearly illustrates that there is a corruption at every level of government, with higher level oppressors plundering the equally oppressive lower-level magistrates. This perhaps explains the st state of America and the world. With blackmail running. Rampant and the public sector unchecked, they have been robbing the everyday citizen of their hard earned money. As a result, the system became insulated and division between the haves and have nots became more defined. When the high level government officials rob and abuse those below them, someone above that person robs and abuses the higher level person himself.

In America, where we print money out of thin air for the world, in this short period of history, there is little need to plunder those under one authority because there is so much to steal that those in authority can simply pay them off or blackmail them; whichever is most convenient. Either way, Solomon makes abundantly clear that when there is nobody minding the ship, evil perpetuates to the point of overtaking the government in whole. As a result, we end up with a 2024 government, riddles with corruption, immorality, blackmail, lawlessness, and all other things evil due to the lack of God-ness which equates to “goodness”. 

Economically speaking, when this happens to a country, its own economy begins to decline into debt due to their insatiable desire and emotional need for more money and resources. When resources are stripped and money is squandered, the elite few are smart enough to collect those resources and money and we end up with a U.S. Stock Market where only 5% holds up to 80%  of the entire market wealth. 

WHAT IS THE ANSWER?
The answer and solution is to keep to return to the system we created in the first place which is free market capitalism that allows those who desire to work hard, to have a fair chance at success, making money and turning a fair profit. This is called “honor for everyone”.

HONOR FOR EVERYONE
"9 But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.”

CONCLUSION:

Government corruption comes to the advantage of a few-but at the expense of many if not all the rest of society. Vanity and wealth, if not kept accountable, devours one’s honor and the honor or the nation in whole. Solomon (Qohelet) considered goverment to be frustrating becuase it was a necessary evil, something deply flawed but indespsnsible. On the one hand people sould "not be shocked" when they see OPPRESSION and injustice in a governmental province (v.8). After all, bloated government bureaucracy tends to frustrate justice (v.8b). On the other hand, government has it advantages (v.9). Many hold to the belief that this verse continues the negeative assessment of government. Others see this passage better understood more positively since it fits with Qohelet's normal pattern of "on the one hand, on the other.." way of teaching. 

Even a corrupt government is better than anarchy, which devastates a country, it's culture and in Solomon's time, an agrarian economy that would lead to starvation. Keeping to God's ways is the only solution to man's sinful nature; especially in governmental rule. In the end, a king who devotes himself to developing the resources of the land ushers in a systems that brings the opportunity for profit to all, not just the corrupt few.

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SOLA SCRIPTURA
A Protestant & Catholic View Comparison

I grew up Catholic and now go to a Protestant or non-Catholic church in Charlotte, NC. Michael Houdmann, Founder and CEO of GotQuestions.Org writes that a major difference between the two boils down to believing in the Bible alone as God's word verses believing that God's word plus man's input as the divine inspired word of God.

WHAT DO PROTESTANTS BELIEVE?

A major difference is the issue of sufficiency and authority of Scripture. While Protestants believe that the Bible alone is the source of God's special revelation to mankind, it also speaks to everything we need to understand as necessary for our salvation from sin.

Protestants view the Bible as the STANDARD for Christian morality and ethics which governs our behavior. This is called sola scripture and is one of the five Solas in Christianity. (Solas meaning "alone" in Latin. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 makes clear that "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (ESV).

WHAT DO CATHOLICS BELIEVE?

Catholics do not believe in sola scriptura hence do not believe that the Bible alone is sufficient. They see both the Bible and sacred Roman Catholic tradition as equally authoritative and binding on the Christian. While not all Catholics hold to doctrines such as purgatory, praying to the saints, worship or veneration of Mary, etc., the Catholic doctrine hold to them even though they have little or no mention or basis in the Bible. In truth, these doctrines are based on Roman Catholic traditions based on the Catholic Church's insistence that the Bible and tradition are equal in authority. The problem with this is that it undermines the sufficiency, authority, and completeness of the Bible. The view of Scripture is at the root of many, if not all, of the differences between Catholics and Protestants.

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