Psalm 34 I will bless You Lord! I will praise You continually! I will boast in You. I will magnify You! I will exalt Your Name!
I sought You and You answered me.
You delivered me from all my fears.
I looked to You and found Light. I will not be ashamed.
I was poor and cried to You and You heard me.
You saved me out of my troubles.
Your angel encamps around me, for I fear You alone.
You rescue me.
I have tasted and seen that You, Lord are good.
I am blessed because I take refuge in You.
I fear You, Lord, and I have no want.
Lions may lack food and hunger, but those who seek You, Lord "shall not be in want of any good thing".
I will teach the children the fear of the Lord.
To those who desire life, and to see good....
"Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it" ( v13-14)
Your eyes are toward the righteous Lord. Your ears are open to our cries.
But Your face is against the evildoers. They will be cut off.
"The righteous cry and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit." v17-18
We have many afflictions, but You deliver us from all of them!!!!
The wicked will be killed by evil. Those who hate will be condemned.
But You, are the Lord,who "redeems the soul of His servants; and none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
4 times the psalmist exalts the Lord for hearing his cries. You hear us Lord! And You help us! Light and life and salvation and good.. come from You. You are my deliverer. You are the Righteous Lord.
I will praise You and bless You and worship You! I am so thankful for Your salvation. For Your grace and mercy.
Be exalted O Lord!
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Matthew18- 19 The Kingdom life is not exactly easy, nor does it come "naturally" to our fallen worldly instincts. In fact it is IMPOSSIBLE for us, "but with God all things are possible" !!!
It is hard for us to humble ourselves like children.. in order to enter the kingdom. But that is what God requires. (18:3)
It is hard for us to sacrifice what we desire, to die to self, to cut off our offending hands or feet, to pluck out our eyes.... in order to enter into life.. into the Kingdom. But that is what Jesus teaches.
( 18:7-9)
It is really hard to forgive those who have offended us... over and over and over again. But that is what our Father desires for us to do. (18:21-35)
It is hard for us to "leave... and cleave" in marriage. To overcome hard-heartedness when our love has grown cold. But that is what God desires for us. ( 19:3-10)
It is hard to give up riches and possessions and follow Jesus. But that is what is necessary in order to be completely His. (19:16-24)
It is impossible to keep every commandment perfectly, to love completely, to forgive always, or to give sacrificially on our own.... but with God, all things are possible. And as we walk this path with Jesus we will find that the reward is worth the effort! For there is coming a day when "the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne." And that day is coming soon, I believe. "And anyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake shall receive many times as much and shall inherit eternal life."
Father in Heaven, You are the Refiner and Purifier of our souls. You desire to remove all the "dross" from our lives. Your thoughts are above our thoughts. Your ways are above our ways. Your boundless love for us seeks to make us pure like silver... that we might reflect Your glory more and more. You require hard things from us, things that are impossible for us to do by our own volition, so that we must come to You and allow You to do all that You desire in us. It is with trembling that we come and ask.. Lord, refine us. Thank You for loving us so much! Thank You for the promise of eternal life... a joy set before us... that makes every sacrifice, every "light affliction" bearable, for they produce in us "an eternal weight of glory far beyond comparison,"( II Cor.4:17). Thank You that when we come through the refining fire.. the result will be more precious than gold.. and will result in "praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" ( I Peter 1:6-7) O Lord, may we be found ready on that day! Let Your will be done and Your kingdom come! Amen.
It is hard for us to humble ourselves like children.. in order to enter the kingdom. But that is what God requires. (18:3)
It is hard for us to sacrifice what we desire, to die to self, to cut off our offending hands or feet, to pluck out our eyes.... in order to enter into life.. into the Kingdom. But that is what Jesus teaches.
( 18:7-9)
It is really hard to forgive those who have offended us... over and over and over again. But that is what our Father desires for us to do. (18:21-35)
It is hard for us to "leave... and cleave" in marriage. To overcome hard-heartedness when our love has grown cold. But that is what God desires for us. ( 19:3-10)
It is hard to give up riches and possessions and follow Jesus. But that is what is necessary in order to be completely His. (19:16-24)
It is impossible to keep every commandment perfectly, to love completely, to forgive always, or to give sacrificially on our own.... but with God, all things are possible. And as we walk this path with Jesus we will find that the reward is worth the effort! For there is coming a day when "the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne." And that day is coming soon, I believe. "And anyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake shall receive many times as much and shall inherit eternal life."
Father in Heaven, You are the Refiner and Purifier of our souls. You desire to remove all the "dross" from our lives. Your thoughts are above our thoughts. Your ways are above our ways. Your boundless love for us seeks to make us pure like silver... that we might reflect Your glory more and more. You require hard things from us, things that are impossible for us to do by our own volition, so that we must come to You and allow You to do all that You desire in us. It is with trembling that we come and ask.. Lord, refine us. Thank You for loving us so much! Thank You for the promise of eternal life... a joy set before us... that makes every sacrifice, every "light affliction" bearable, for they produce in us "an eternal weight of glory far beyond comparison,"( II Cor.4:17). Thank You that when we come through the refining fire.. the result will be more precious than gold.. and will result in "praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" ( I Peter 1:6-7) O Lord, may we be found ready on that day! Let Your will be done and Your kingdom come! Amen.
There burns a fire with sacred heat,
white hot with holy flame,
And all who dare pass through its blaze
will not emerge the same.
Some as bronze and some as silver,
some as gold,
then with great skill,
All are hammered by their sufferings
on the anvil of His will.
The Refiner's fire has now become my soul's desire,
Purged and cleansed and purified,
that the Lord be glorified;
He is consuming my soul,
refining me, making me whole.
No matter what I lose,
I choose the Refiner's fire.
I'm learning now to trust His touch,
to crave the fire's embrace,
And though my past with sin was etched,
His mercies did erase.
Each time His purging cleanses deeper,
I'm not sure that I'll survive;
Yet the strength in growing weaker
keeps my hungry soul alive.
( Jon Mohr and Randall Dennis)
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Psalm 36 David compares wicked men with a loving God. Once again it leads us to think about what we choose.
Verses 1-4 outline the life of one who chooses to forsake God:
He loves sinful living- "Transgression" ( rebellion, revolt) "speaks" (whispers) "to the ungodly" ( the wicked, condemned, guilty) "within" ( in the center of, through.. his heart, his bowels, his self) "his heart" ( his mind, his feelings, his will, his courage, his understanding, his intellect). He is eaten up within his very being with rebellion and wickedness, and he loves it.
"There is no fear of God before his eyes." It doesn't alarm him to flaunt his sins before God. He doesn't dread judgement, doesn't allow himself to even consider the facts. He is willfully ignorant of Who God is.
"For it flatters him in his own eyes." He is master of his own fate... and he thinks he has the last word.
He speaks wickedness. He lies. He is foolish. He does no good. Nothing that makes others well, nothing that is sound and beautiful, nothing accepted and beneficial, nothing earnest and favorable, nothing kind and cheerful. In fact, all he can think of at night is what evil he will do next. He has gone down the road to evil and he is happy to keep on going.
" He sets himself on a path that is not good." Once we choose to start down the road to rebellion and sin, it begins to consume us from the inside out. We don't think about the end result... that eventually the choice we made will cause us to fall, that we will be "thrust down" and unable to rise. ( v12)
Over and over this is the warning that God has given to this world. Choose life! Choose truth! Choose Christ! Forsake sin, repent from sin, flee from temptations, resist the devil... don't start down that path... the end is destruction! Choose to know God and to fear Him!
Verses 5-10 outline the Truth about God, truths that we need to KNOW and receive into our hearts.
His lovingkindness "extends to the heavens," God is a God of unlimited love and kindness!
"Thy faithfulness reaches to the skies." God is firm, secure, stable, steady, true, and faithful. He is a God we can trust. A God we can lean on, count on, and rest in!
"Thy righteousness is like the mountains of God;" God is perfectly just, perfectly right, perfectly virtuous , perfectly moral. He will never do wrong. He will never fail to be right.
"Thy judgements are like a great deep." Because His righteousness is as high as the mountains, we can count on His judgements to be as deep as the sea. He will always judge correctly. He will always pronounce the correct sentence, He will always punish the crime, the sin, the debt, with the perfect judgement.
"O Lord, Thou preservest man and beast." Our God is safe. He will deliver, defend, save, rescue, avenge and be victorious.
"How precious is Thy lovingkindness O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy wings. They drink their fill of the abundance of Thy house. and Thou dost give them to drink of the river of Thy delights. For with Thee is the fountain of life; In Thy light we see light."
As we choose to follow Christ, the truth begins to shine clearer and clearer in our hearts. He is faithful; His is righteous; He is loving and kind; He will help us. He will deliver us. He will be our refuge. He will delight us with life and light and love. This is a "good" path to choose. Therefore David prays, and we pray with him:
Verses 1-4 outline the life of one who chooses to forsake God:
He loves sinful living- "Transgression" ( rebellion, revolt) "speaks" (whispers) "to the ungodly" ( the wicked, condemned, guilty) "within" ( in the center of, through.. his heart, his bowels, his self) "his heart" ( his mind, his feelings, his will, his courage, his understanding, his intellect). He is eaten up within his very being with rebellion and wickedness, and he loves it.
"There is no fear of God before his eyes." It doesn't alarm him to flaunt his sins before God. He doesn't dread judgement, doesn't allow himself to even consider the facts. He is willfully ignorant of Who God is.
"For it flatters him in his own eyes." He is master of his own fate... and he thinks he has the last word.
He speaks wickedness. He lies. He is foolish. He does no good. Nothing that makes others well, nothing that is sound and beautiful, nothing accepted and beneficial, nothing earnest and favorable, nothing kind and cheerful. In fact, all he can think of at night is what evil he will do next. He has gone down the road to evil and he is happy to keep on going.
" He sets himself on a path that is not good." Once we choose to start down the road to rebellion and sin, it begins to consume us from the inside out. We don't think about the end result... that eventually the choice we made will cause us to fall, that we will be "thrust down" and unable to rise. ( v12)
Over and over this is the warning that God has given to this world. Choose life! Choose truth! Choose Christ! Forsake sin, repent from sin, flee from temptations, resist the devil... don't start down that path... the end is destruction! Choose to know God and to fear Him!
Verses 5-10 outline the Truth about God, truths that we need to KNOW and receive into our hearts.
His lovingkindness "extends to the heavens," God is a God of unlimited love and kindness!
"Thy faithfulness reaches to the skies." God is firm, secure, stable, steady, true, and faithful. He is a God we can trust. A God we can lean on, count on, and rest in!
"Thy righteousness is like the mountains of God;" God is perfectly just, perfectly right, perfectly virtuous , perfectly moral. He will never do wrong. He will never fail to be right.
"Thy judgements are like a great deep." Because His righteousness is as high as the mountains, we can count on His judgements to be as deep as the sea. He will always judge correctly. He will always pronounce the correct sentence, He will always punish the crime, the sin, the debt, with the perfect judgement.
"O Lord, Thou preservest man and beast." Our God is safe. He will deliver, defend, save, rescue, avenge and be victorious.
"How precious is Thy lovingkindness O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy wings. They drink their fill of the abundance of Thy house. and Thou dost give them to drink of the river of Thy delights. For with Thee is the fountain of life; In Thy light we see light."
As we choose to follow Christ, the truth begins to shine clearer and clearer in our hearts. He is faithful; His is righteous; He is loving and kind; He will help us. He will deliver us. He will be our refuge. He will delight us with life and light and love. This is a "good" path to choose. Therefore David prays, and we pray with him:
"O continue Thy lovingkindness to those who know Thee;
And Thy righteousness to the upright in heart.
Let not the foot of pride come upon me;
And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away."
Father in heaven, we honor Your Name! We know You are holy and righteous, faithful and just. We know You have shown us mercy and love, giving us salvation through Jesus Christ , our Lord.
Thank You for rescuing us from the path of wickedness. Thank You for not letting us be driven away by our own wrong choices, but forgiving us from our sins and granting to us Your righteousness in Christ Jesus. Thank You for revealing the Truth in Your Word. And for giving the Holy Spirit to illuminate our path towards You. To see You in Your majesty and power and glory... to bow before You in holy awe. We praise and worship You alone!
Amen
Monday, March 24, 2014
Matthew 18 and Psalm 37 Choices... Heard a message last night by a pastor from Kenya. He spoke about choices . Jesus or Barabbas. ( Matt. 27) Curses or blessings ( Deut. 30). Life or death. Light or darkness. He chose Jesus, he shared, and found out it was a package deal... for along with Jesus, he received life and light and so much more. Because he chose Jesus, he has a family and a ministry to orphans, he has seen thousands come to Christ; lives changed from despair to joy! The pastor's mother's name in Swahili meant "trash".... but his name means "blessing".. and his daughter's name is "Grace". That is the difference Jesus makes! From trash to grace.... This is what David speaks about in Psalm 37 also. The difference between those who choose Jesus Christ and those who do not.
Evil doers will wither and fade. Those who trust in the Lord and do good will dwell in the land.
They will be cut off. We will "inherit the land".
He will "be no more". We will "delight... in abundant prosperity."
The wicked will plot evil. The Lord will laugh at him.
They draw their sword and bow. They will pierce themselves and their bows will break.
They may have abundance but their arms will be broken. They will vanish like smoke.
But, The Lord will sustain the righteous. He will give us an eternal inheritance. And He will abundantly supply everything we need.
The wicked, those who seek to destroy, who gnash their teeth in anger, who hate the righteous and despise the Lord - their package includes death, worry, fear, darkness, despair, anger, and hell.
They leave no legacy. They disappear and no one misses them. "The posterity of the wicked will be cut off." v38. They may appear to have abundance, but it is short lived and disappears in a puff of smoke.
The righteous, those who choose to live for Jesus, those who:
Trust in God
Do good.
Cultivate faithfulness.
Delight in the Lord.
Commit their ways to the Lord.
Rest in the Lord.
Wait patiently for Him.
Cease from anger and forsake wrath.
Do not fret.
Are gracious and give.
Are blessed.
Our package includes:
Gifts - "And He will give you the desires of your heart." v4
Sanctification - "And He will bring forth your righteousness as the light." v6
A Kingdom - They will inherit the land.. v9, 11.
A future - "And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity."v11
A Stronghold - "But the Lord sustains the righteous." v17
A Provider-"The Lord knows the days of the blameless; and their inheritance will be forever. They will not be ashamed in the time of evil. And in the days of famine they will have abundance." v18-19
A Leader - "The steps of a man are established by the Lord; and He delights in his way." v23
A Loving Father - "When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong; because the Lord is the One who holds his hand." v24
A legacy -We will never be forsaken. We will be able to feed our children. We will always have enough to share. We will have wisdom and do justice. We will have God's law in our hearts. God will be our advocate. He will exalt us before our enemies. We will have a posterity, a legacy to leave for our descendants. He will be our strength in times of trouble. God will help us, deliver us, save us, and be our refuge.
We will have every spiritual blessing in Christ! ( Ephesians 1:3)
In Matthew 18, Jesus also teaches about the opportunities we have to choose -
To be great, choose to be like a child, choose to humble yourself.
Choose to receive others in His Name.
Choose to not cause another to stumble. To not be a stumbling block.
Choose to pray.
Choose to forgive.
Choose to pluck out an eye or cut off a hand or foot rather than stumble or become a stumbling block.
Choose Christ. Choose blessing. Choose life. Choose light. Choose righteousness. Choose to lay down your life and pick up your cross and follow Jesus. The results are worth any sacrifice we need to make!
Heavenly Father, we wait upon You. We choose You. To trust You and follow You. To abide in Your Word and to submit ourselves to You. To come humbly before our Mighty King, to beg for forgiveness and cleansing and mercy. Forgive us for ever choosing this world and its evil ways. For choosing death over life, lies over truth, darkness instead of light.
Jesus, I choose You. I will trust in You and follow You . Thank You that "it is not the will of our Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish." Save those who are lost, Lord. Save our brothers and sisters, our sons and daughters, our grandchildren, and our nieces and nephews. May they choose You Lord. Let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done!
Amen.
Evil doers will wither and fade. Those who trust in the Lord and do good will dwell in the land.
They will be cut off. We will "inherit the land".
He will "be no more". We will "delight... in abundant prosperity."
The wicked will plot evil. The Lord will laugh at him.
They draw their sword and bow. They will pierce themselves and their bows will break.
They may have abundance but their arms will be broken. They will vanish like smoke.
But, The Lord will sustain the righteous. He will give us an eternal inheritance. And He will abundantly supply everything we need.
The wicked, those who seek to destroy, who gnash their teeth in anger, who hate the righteous and despise the Lord - their package includes death, worry, fear, darkness, despair, anger, and hell.
They leave no legacy. They disappear and no one misses them. "The posterity of the wicked will be cut off." v38. They may appear to have abundance, but it is short lived and disappears in a puff of smoke.
The righteous, those who choose to live for Jesus, those who:
Trust in God
Do good.
Cultivate faithfulness.
Delight in the Lord.
Commit their ways to the Lord.
Rest in the Lord.
Wait patiently for Him.
Cease from anger and forsake wrath.
Do not fret.
Are gracious and give.
Are blessed.
Our package includes:
Gifts - "And He will give you the desires of your heart." v4
Sanctification - "And He will bring forth your righteousness as the light." v6
A Kingdom - They will inherit the land.. v9, 11.
A future - "And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity."v11
A Stronghold - "But the Lord sustains the righteous." v17
A Provider-"The Lord knows the days of the blameless; and their inheritance will be forever. They will not be ashamed in the time of evil. And in the days of famine they will have abundance." v18-19
A Leader - "The steps of a man are established by the Lord; and He delights in his way." v23
A Loving Father - "When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong; because the Lord is the One who holds his hand." v24
A legacy -We will never be forsaken. We will be able to feed our children. We will always have enough to share. We will have wisdom and do justice. We will have God's law in our hearts. God will be our advocate. He will exalt us before our enemies. We will have a posterity, a legacy to leave for our descendants. He will be our strength in times of trouble. God will help us, deliver us, save us, and be our refuge.
We will have every spiritual blessing in Christ! ( Ephesians 1:3)
In Matthew 18, Jesus also teaches about the opportunities we have to choose -
To be great, choose to be like a child, choose to humble yourself.
Choose to receive others in His Name.
Choose to not cause another to stumble. To not be a stumbling block.
Choose to pray.
Choose to forgive.
Choose to pluck out an eye or cut off a hand or foot rather than stumble or become a stumbling block.
Choose Christ. Choose blessing. Choose life. Choose light. Choose righteousness. Choose to lay down your life and pick up your cross and follow Jesus. The results are worth any sacrifice we need to make!
Heavenly Father, we wait upon You. We choose You. To trust You and follow You. To abide in Your Word and to submit ourselves to You. To come humbly before our Mighty King, to beg for forgiveness and cleansing and mercy. Forgive us for ever choosing this world and its evil ways. For choosing death over life, lies over truth, darkness instead of light.
Jesus, I choose You. I will trust in You and follow You . Thank You that "it is not the will of our Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish." Save those who are lost, Lord. Save our brothers and sisters, our sons and daughters, our grandchildren, and our nieces and nephews. May they choose You Lord. Let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done!
Amen.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Matthew 17:24-27 Taxes... no one likes to deal with them! But we all have to, and Jesus did too.
Notice that the collectors come to Peter and not Jesus. I wonder what their tone of voice was.
Were they accusing? Were they timid? Were they demanding? or were they just asking?
Peter simply answers, "Yes". But, perhaps he didn't know the answer either. For Jesus speaks to Peter before he can even ask. The taxes are supposed to be for the strangers, not for sons, Jesus reveals.
In Exodus 30 the Lord instructed Moses to take a census of the people. Anyone over 20 was to contribute half a shekel. This money was considered a "ransom". It was given to the Lord "to make atonement for yourselves." The atonement money was given to the "service of the tent". Later, after the exile, Nehemiah wrote, "We placed ourselves under obligation to contribute yearly one third of a shekel for the service of the house of our God..... for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and all the work of the house of our God." ( Neh. 10:32-33) Jesus was about to become the Atonement offering for all of mankind. He was the King, yet He was being asked to pay a tax. And He willingly paid it!
Jesus sends Peter, the fisherman, down to the sea. Peter was to use a hook and not a net. He was to catch one fish and open its mouth. There he would find a shekel. It would be the exact amount needed to pay for both of them. What an interesting way to pay taxes!
God can supply all of our needs with just the same kind of power and authority. He is the Lord of creation and nothing is too hard for Him. I am encouraged by the fact that Jesus chooses to help in every aspect of our lives. Big things and small. Fair or unfair. I am thankful that He was willing to become my atonement offering!
Father, You are good. Sometimes we forget that You are ruler of ALL! We hesitate to come to you for the little things. We fail to use the shield of faith that You have given us and wonder why we are getting hit by the fiery darts. You sent Your beloved Son to become the atonement offering for our sins. What amazing grace! How much more You are able to give us all things, richly to enjoy, in Christ our Savior. You are the provider of daily bread. Give us today, that which we need. Forgive us and lead us into righteousness, Father. Deliver us from the evil one and his fiery darts. You are King over all the earth and we bow to You alone. Jesus, thank You for being willing to humble Yourself before man, for man's sake. Help us to humble ourselves before the throne of Almighty God and truly worship You. Amen
"... we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power according to His glorious might for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." ( Col. 1:9-12)
Notice that the collectors come to Peter and not Jesus. I wonder what their tone of voice was.
Were they accusing? Were they timid? Were they demanding? or were they just asking?
Peter simply answers, "Yes". But, perhaps he didn't know the answer either. For Jesus speaks to Peter before he can even ask. The taxes are supposed to be for the strangers, not for sons, Jesus reveals.
In Exodus 30 the Lord instructed Moses to take a census of the people. Anyone over 20 was to contribute half a shekel. This money was considered a "ransom". It was given to the Lord "to make atonement for yourselves." The atonement money was given to the "service of the tent". Later, after the exile, Nehemiah wrote, "We placed ourselves under obligation to contribute yearly one third of a shekel for the service of the house of our God..... for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and all the work of the house of our God." ( Neh. 10:32-33) Jesus was about to become the Atonement offering for all of mankind. He was the King, yet He was being asked to pay a tax. And He willingly paid it!
Jesus sends Peter, the fisherman, down to the sea. Peter was to use a hook and not a net. He was to catch one fish and open its mouth. There he would find a shekel. It would be the exact amount needed to pay for both of them. What an interesting way to pay taxes!
God can supply all of our needs with just the same kind of power and authority. He is the Lord of creation and nothing is too hard for Him. I am encouraged by the fact that Jesus chooses to help in every aspect of our lives. Big things and small. Fair or unfair. I am thankful that He was willing to become my atonement offering!
Father, You are good. Sometimes we forget that You are ruler of ALL! We hesitate to come to you for the little things. We fail to use the shield of faith that You have given us and wonder why we are getting hit by the fiery darts. You sent Your beloved Son to become the atonement offering for our sins. What amazing grace! How much more You are able to give us all things, richly to enjoy, in Christ our Savior. You are the provider of daily bread. Give us today, that which we need. Forgive us and lead us into righteousness, Father. Deliver us from the evil one and his fiery darts. You are King over all the earth and we bow to You alone. Jesus, thank You for being willing to humble Yourself before man, for man's sake. Help us to humble ourselves before the throne of Almighty God and truly worship You. Amen
"... we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power according to His glorious might for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." ( Col. 1:9-12)
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Matthew 17:14-23
As Jesus and the 3 disciples return from their mountain-top experience, they are met by a distressed dad. His son was a "lunatic". He was crazy. He fell into the fire or into water. He was demonized and in horrible condition. The man had brought his son to the 9 disciples, but they were unable to help. Jesus seems exasperated by their unbelief. Nevertheless, He rebukes the demon and cures the boy. The disciples are a bit embarrassed, for they come to Jesus privately to find out why they were unable to cast out the demon. Jesus answered, " Because of the littleness of your faith;" . The greek word is oligopistos - puny trust; incredulous; unwilling or unable to believe. And these are the disciples! They had been with Jesus since the beginning. They had themselves been sent out to heal and cast out demons. Why was their faith so puny now? Oligo - puny can refer to extent, degree, number, duration, or value. Jesus speaks about the extent of their faith, the size, "I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, Move from here to there and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you." A mustard seed seems pretty puny to me! So, maybe it is not the size of our faith that is most important.... maybe instead it is the duration and/or the value of our faith that moves mountains. " But, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." Jesus continues.
Prayer and fasting take time. They take commitment. They take sacrifice.
We often want the quick fix. I know I do. I've been dealing with a painful jaw for months. Taking an anti-inflammatory for weeks, and praying for God to just touch me and make it go away. I have to admit that my faith seems pretty puny. Especially as time marches on and the pain remains. It is a small thing compared to the pain of others... don't I have enough faith for such a small thing? I try to keep believing. I want to have larger faith. But the mountain isn't moving. So what am I missing? How can I grow my faith? Faith ( pistis in the greek) means persuasion, credence, conviction, reliance upon, constancy... It is an action. An expression of trust in the One who is trustworthy and faithful. I hear the Shepherd reminding me once again that it is not the size that counts, but the duration. Keep trusting, keep believing. Keep being persuaded and convinced.
God, You are faithful! You can do anything, for nothing is impossible for You. I do believe this and I will continue to believe this. I am committed to putting my trust in You and to entrust myself to You.
Remove all doubt and disbelief Lord, I want none of that! I want to see mountains moved for Your glory. May my faith endure and grow in size, in duration, and in every way possible.
God of all grace, You have called us to Your eternal glory in Christ. May we be firm in our faith, resisting the evil one, who prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour us. Will You, Yourself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish us? To You be dominion forever and ever. Amen ( I Peter 5:9-11)
As Jesus and the 3 disciples return from their mountain-top experience, they are met by a distressed dad. His son was a "lunatic". He was crazy. He fell into the fire or into water. He was demonized and in horrible condition. The man had brought his son to the 9 disciples, but they were unable to help. Jesus seems exasperated by their unbelief. Nevertheless, He rebukes the demon and cures the boy. The disciples are a bit embarrassed, for they come to Jesus privately to find out why they were unable to cast out the demon. Jesus answered, " Because of the littleness of your faith;" . The greek word is oligopistos - puny trust; incredulous; unwilling or unable to believe. And these are the disciples! They had been with Jesus since the beginning. They had themselves been sent out to heal and cast out demons. Why was their faith so puny now? Oligo - puny can refer to extent, degree, number, duration, or value. Jesus speaks about the extent of their faith, the size, "I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, Move from here to there and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you." A mustard seed seems pretty puny to me! So, maybe it is not the size of our faith that is most important.... maybe instead it is the duration and/or the value of our faith that moves mountains. " But, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." Jesus continues.
Prayer and fasting take time. They take commitment. They take sacrifice.
We often want the quick fix. I know I do. I've been dealing with a painful jaw for months. Taking an anti-inflammatory for weeks, and praying for God to just touch me and make it go away. I have to admit that my faith seems pretty puny. Especially as time marches on and the pain remains. It is a small thing compared to the pain of others... don't I have enough faith for such a small thing? I try to keep believing. I want to have larger faith. But the mountain isn't moving. So what am I missing? How can I grow my faith? Faith ( pistis in the greek) means persuasion, credence, conviction, reliance upon, constancy... It is an action. An expression of trust in the One who is trustworthy and faithful. I hear the Shepherd reminding me once again that it is not the size that counts, but the duration. Keep trusting, keep believing. Keep being persuaded and convinced.
God, You are faithful! You can do anything, for nothing is impossible for You. I do believe this and I will continue to believe this. I am committed to putting my trust in You and to entrust myself to You.
Remove all doubt and disbelief Lord, I want none of that! I want to see mountains moved for Your glory. May my faith endure and grow in size, in duration, and in every way possible.
God of all grace, You have called us to Your eternal glory in Christ. May we be firm in our faith, resisting the evil one, who prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour us. Will You, Yourself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish us? To You be dominion forever and ever. Amen ( I Peter 5:9-11)
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Matthew 17:1-13 Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up to a mountain . They are given a vision that they were asked to keep to themselves until the resurrection. The first thing that they see is Jesus transfigured. Jesus is changed before their eyes. His face shines "like the sun". His garments become white like light. Later in his life, John, will again see Jesus in this form. Revelation 1:13-17 describes Jesus as "one like a son of man" (human form), clothed in a robe that reaches His feet. "And His head and His hair were like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire;"
He goes on to talk about Jesus' glowing feet, His majestic voice, and His face shining like the sun.
This is the glorified body of Christ - in His Kingdom. ( Some believe that this is what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 16:28. These men saw the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom.)
The second thing that the 3 disciples see is heavenly visitors - Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus.
(I have always wondered how they knew it was Moses and Elijah. But they did. ) Peter seems to think that this is IT! This is the coming of the Kingdom! He wants to build tabernacles - tents for the three. But, before he can even finish his sentence, he is interrupted by the Father in Heaven. A bright cloud, a fear inspiring voice... bring the disciples to fall on their faces. "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him." This is the second time that the Heavenly Father has announced His pleasure in His Son. The first time was at His baptism ( Matt. 3:17) and now, here at His transfiguration.
The disciples must have pondered the meaning of this vision as they walked down the mountain. They ask Jesus about Elijah in particular. The scribes taught that Elijah must come first before the Kingdom is restored and the Messiah reigns. Jesus gives them an interesting answer. Yes, Elijah is coming.. and yet, Elijah had already come - John the Baptist was the "Elijah" that was prophesied to come. Many think that the two witnesses that are mentioned in Revelation 11 are Elijah and Moses.
It appears that Elijah has more work to do in the future of God's Kingdom. Perhaps that is why he was taken up in a fiery chariot rather than just dying like everyone else? (II Kings 2:11)
I find myself also pondering this vision. Jesus seems to be making it clear to his disciples that He is the Messiah, that He is not just a man, and that He will be killed and raised from the dead. He is preparing them for what is going to happen in just a short time. We know they don't get it, that they won't get it until it actually happens, but what do we need to glean from this? Jesus the Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords will return to earth to reign. Are we as hard of hearing as the disciples were back then? Maybe if God spoke from a bright cloud we would get it? They didn't.
But surely we would, wouldn't we?
Father in heaven. Let Your Name be hallowed. Let Your Kingdom come. Let Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. We want to have ears to hear and eyes to see. To be ready for the return of Your Beloved Son. O to see Him in His glory! To be transformed from this mortal and decaying body into one that is immortal and eternal. To be forever with You in Heaven. Thank You for You loving kindness and grace. God of peace, will You, Yourself sanctify us entirely. Will You preserve us, spirit, soul and body.. without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful are You who calls us and faithful are You to bring it to pass. ( I Thess. 5:23-24) Amen!
He goes on to talk about Jesus' glowing feet, His majestic voice, and His face shining like the sun.
This is the glorified body of Christ - in His Kingdom. ( Some believe that this is what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 16:28. These men saw the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom.)
The second thing that the 3 disciples see is heavenly visitors - Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus.
(I have always wondered how they knew it was Moses and Elijah. But they did. ) Peter seems to think that this is IT! This is the coming of the Kingdom! He wants to build tabernacles - tents for the three. But, before he can even finish his sentence, he is interrupted by the Father in Heaven. A bright cloud, a fear inspiring voice... bring the disciples to fall on their faces. "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him." This is the second time that the Heavenly Father has announced His pleasure in His Son. The first time was at His baptism ( Matt. 3:17) and now, here at His transfiguration.
The disciples must have pondered the meaning of this vision as they walked down the mountain. They ask Jesus about Elijah in particular. The scribes taught that Elijah must come first before the Kingdom is restored and the Messiah reigns. Jesus gives them an interesting answer. Yes, Elijah is coming.. and yet, Elijah had already come - John the Baptist was the "Elijah" that was prophesied to come. Many think that the two witnesses that are mentioned in Revelation 11 are Elijah and Moses.
It appears that Elijah has more work to do in the future of God's Kingdom. Perhaps that is why he was taken up in a fiery chariot rather than just dying like everyone else? (II Kings 2:11)
I find myself also pondering this vision. Jesus seems to be making it clear to his disciples that He is the Messiah, that He is not just a man, and that He will be killed and raised from the dead. He is preparing them for what is going to happen in just a short time. We know they don't get it, that they won't get it until it actually happens, but what do we need to glean from this? Jesus the Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords will return to earth to reign. Are we as hard of hearing as the disciples were back then? Maybe if God spoke from a bright cloud we would get it? They didn't.
But surely we would, wouldn't we?
Father in heaven. Let Your Name be hallowed. Let Your Kingdom come. Let Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. We want to have ears to hear and eyes to see. To be ready for the return of Your Beloved Son. O to see Him in His glory! To be transformed from this mortal and decaying body into one that is immortal and eternal. To be forever with You in Heaven. Thank You for You loving kindness and grace. God of peace, will You, Yourself sanctify us entirely. Will You preserve us, spirit, soul and body.. without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful are You who calls us and faithful are You to bring it to pass. ( I Thess. 5:23-24) Amen!
Monday, March 17, 2014
Matthew 16 For the second time the Pharisees come to Jesus and ask Him for a sign, a miracle on demand, to prove Himself. For the second time Jesus says, " An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah." (16:4 and 12:39) Jesus refused their bait. He called their teaching- leaven. The disciples think that Jesus is talking about bread, but He corrects their conclusions. He is talking about leaven- yeast, that which ferments. That which subtly changes and takes over. Their false teaching had permeated every aspect of their religion. They were so zealous about their own ideas and traditions that they were missing the miracles right before their own eyes.
As they walk, Jesus begins to ask His disciples some questions. He is leading them to a correct conclusion. And a wonderful Truth:
Others, they responded, think that Jesus is John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or another prophet. They think He is an imitation, a replica. But, Peter confesses, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." A revelation from the Father, Jesus says. This is the foundation of the church that Jesus will build. The church that Hades cannot overpower. The church where the kingdom keys will be found. And "from that time Jesus Christ began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and the chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day."
This is the first time since chapter 1:1 that Matthew has used the title "Jesus Christ". The proclamation by Peter deeply affected all the disciples. There is a hush, an air of the Divine, a sense of being in the Presence of the Holy God. Like Moses at the burning bush, we are on holy ground right here. This is a significant turning point in this Gospel. Here is the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the rock on which the church was built and continues to be built. The rock on which we stand. No sign on demand could produce the Church of Jesus Christ or usher in the Kingdom of Heaven. Only " Jesus Christ" who willingly suffered death on a cross to pay for our sins, to redeem us, to cleanse us and make us whole; Who rose again on the 3rd day - the True sign of Jonah. This is the proof that the religious leaders really needed and that some of them later received by faith.
No wonder Satan was desperate to rebuke Him through Peter's words.
Not only does Jesus reveal His coming death, but He teaches His disciples that the cost of following Him will mean that they must also be willing to die. " If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself and take us his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for my sake shall find it." There is no profit, Jesus says, that is worth losing your soul for. "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and will then recompense every man according to his deeds."
That takes us back to Psalm 39 and David's prayer to know that life is short, a mere breath... for an eternity with God is of so much more value than anything we can hold onto in this world. Even our own lives.
King of all the earth, one day You will once again stand upon the Mount of Olives. You will come "in the glory of the Father". You will usher in Your Kingdom in all of its fulness. And we long for that day! No more strife, no more war, no more poverty, no more pain. Your Kingdom is righteous and peaceful. Your Kingdom is glorious and filled with love. Your Kingdom come, Lord Jesus!
Father in heaven, help us as we wait for that day. Help us to be willing to lay down our lives and take up our crosses and follow Jesus, no matter what the cost. Like Peter and the other disciples we must stand on the Truth that Jesus is the Christ, He is Your Son, and that His death and resurrection are our only hope for real life. Life that You give us by Your grace through faith.
Thank You Father for such a marvelous salvation.
Amen.
As they walk, Jesus begins to ask His disciples some questions. He is leading them to a correct conclusion. And a wonderful Truth:
Others, they responded, think that Jesus is John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or another prophet. They think He is an imitation, a replica. But, Peter confesses, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." A revelation from the Father, Jesus says. This is the foundation of the church that Jesus will build. The church that Hades cannot overpower. The church where the kingdom keys will be found. And "from that time Jesus Christ began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and the chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day."
This is the first time since chapter 1:1 that Matthew has used the title "Jesus Christ". The proclamation by Peter deeply affected all the disciples. There is a hush, an air of the Divine, a sense of being in the Presence of the Holy God. Like Moses at the burning bush, we are on holy ground right here. This is a significant turning point in this Gospel. Here is the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the rock on which the church was built and continues to be built. The rock on which we stand. No sign on demand could produce the Church of Jesus Christ or usher in the Kingdom of Heaven. Only " Jesus Christ" who willingly suffered death on a cross to pay for our sins, to redeem us, to cleanse us and make us whole; Who rose again on the 3rd day - the True sign of Jonah. This is the proof that the religious leaders really needed and that some of them later received by faith.
No wonder Satan was desperate to rebuke Him through Peter's words.
Not only does Jesus reveal His coming death, but He teaches His disciples that the cost of following Him will mean that they must also be willing to die. " If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself and take us his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for my sake shall find it." There is no profit, Jesus says, that is worth losing your soul for. "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and will then recompense every man according to his deeds."
That takes us back to Psalm 39 and David's prayer to know that life is short, a mere breath... for an eternity with God is of so much more value than anything we can hold onto in this world. Even our own lives.
King of all the earth, one day You will once again stand upon the Mount of Olives. You will come "in the glory of the Father". You will usher in Your Kingdom in all of its fulness. And we long for that day! No more strife, no more war, no more poverty, no more pain. Your Kingdom is righteous and peaceful. Your Kingdom is glorious and filled with love. Your Kingdom come, Lord Jesus!
Father in heaven, help us as we wait for that day. Help us to be willing to lay down our lives and take up our crosses and follow Jesus, no matter what the cost. Like Peter and the other disciples we must stand on the Truth that Jesus is the Christ, He is Your Son, and that His death and resurrection are our only hope for real life. Life that You give us by Your grace through faith.
Thank You Father for such a marvelous salvation.
Amen.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Psalm 38 David writes about his lowest point. He feels rebuked and chastened by God, weighed down by his own sin and burdens, wounded and rejected by his loved ones, and hunted by his enemies. His body is groaning and his heart is broken. He can't speak, he can't even hear what anyone is saying, he is so distraught and anxious and empty. We've been there. I know people who are at that point right now. They have no desire for anything and like David feel like they have the "plague".
David says, " I am benumbed and badly crushed; I groan because of the agitation of my heart. Lord, all my desire is before Thee; And my sighing is not hidden from Thee; My heart throbs, my strength fails me; And the light of my eyes, even that has gone from me." ( 8-10). As low as one can go, sinking into depression and grief.
But David does not forget Who it is that he serves. "For I hope in Thee, O Lord; Thou wilt answer, O Lord my God." v15
He confesses his own sins and hands over the others to the Lord. He takes care of the beam in his own eye and lets the Lord take care of the specks and beams in the eyes of his enemies.
"Do not forsake me , O Lord; O my God, do not be far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation." v21-22
When we have no more strength to fight the good fight. When we are struggling in the dark and feel that even God has turned against us. Even when we don't want to go on... God is our hope and our salvation. We can hope in Him. He will never, no never, forsake us. He will hasten to help us. We only have to remember. Remember Who we serve. Pray the simple prayer of the Canaanite woman, "Lord, help me!" Let God affirm in your heart what David did - "For I hope in Thee, O Lord; Thou wilt answer, O Lord my God."
Father in heaven, You are our hope. You are our help. You are our salvation. It does not depend on us mustering up the strength to believe or even on the degree of our faith. It depends on the fact that You are faithful! You are able and willing to hasten to be with us. Help us Lord ! Help us to remember Who it is that we serve. You are the Creator of heaven and earth. You hold the oceans in Your hands. You know the stars by name! You know our hearts. You know our sorrows and fears and sighs and groans. Make us to remember and put our hope in You ! Lead us beside the still waters and give us rest in Jesus Christ, our Shepherd. Thank You Abba.
Amen.
David says, " I am benumbed and badly crushed; I groan because of the agitation of my heart. Lord, all my desire is before Thee; And my sighing is not hidden from Thee; My heart throbs, my strength fails me; And the light of my eyes, even that has gone from me." ( 8-10). As low as one can go, sinking into depression and grief.
But David does not forget Who it is that he serves. "For I hope in Thee, O Lord; Thou wilt answer, O Lord my God." v15
He confesses his own sins and hands over the others to the Lord. He takes care of the beam in his own eye and lets the Lord take care of the specks and beams in the eyes of his enemies.
"Do not forsake me , O Lord; O my God, do not be far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation." v21-22
When we have no more strength to fight the good fight. When we are struggling in the dark and feel that even God has turned against us. Even when we don't want to go on... God is our hope and our salvation. We can hope in Him. He will never, no never, forsake us. He will hasten to help us. We only have to remember. Remember Who we serve. Pray the simple prayer of the Canaanite woman, "Lord, help me!" Let God affirm in your heart what David did - "For I hope in Thee, O Lord; Thou wilt answer, O Lord my God."
Father in heaven, You are our hope. You are our help. You are our salvation. It does not depend on us mustering up the strength to believe or even on the degree of our faith. It depends on the fact that You are faithful! You are able and willing to hasten to be with us. Help us Lord ! Help us to remember Who it is that we serve. You are the Creator of heaven and earth. You hold the oceans in Your hands. You know the stars by name! You know our hearts. You know our sorrows and fears and sighs and groans. Make us to remember and put our hope in You ! Lead us beside the still waters and give us rest in Jesus Christ, our Shepherd. Thank You Abba.
Amen.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Psalm 39 The psalmist, David, prays, " Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the extent of my days, Let me know how transient I am. Behold, Thou hast made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing in Thy sight, Surely every man at his best is a mere breath."
Psalm 144: 4 echoes this thought , " Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow." And in Psalm 90:12 we have Moses' prayer, " So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom."
God alone knows the number of our days. As we grow older we realize how quickly the days fly by. How short our time on this earth really is. We cannot fathom eternity, although it is in our hearts and we long for the day when we see His glory. We live in the present and regard the past, but our thoughts of the future are limited and uncertain. We may have a plan for tomorrow or for a month or so from now, but we have no clear view of the days or weeks or years ahead. For we have learned that everything can change in a heartbeat. But let us learn to think as David and Moses, in the truth that this life is just temporary and real life is eternal.
As Paul wrote, "Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
How do we learn to live this way? These passages give us some clues.
1. We must realize and acknowledge the truth that our lives are transient. KJV uses the word frail here, the Hebrew word is chadel - vacant, ceasing, destitute . Life is short and unpredictable. We don't like to think about that. But the Word is telling us that we should.
2. We need to ask God to give us the right perspective. David prayed this. Moses prayed this. Paul must have prayed for this too. Peter makes mention of this truth in I Peter 1:24 and James does also in his letter ( 1:10). Surely this is a prayer according to God's will, His desire for us .
3. We must learn to walk by faith, not by sight. ( 2 Corinthians 5:7) It is God Who is at work in us for "this very purpose". He is preparing us for the day when "what is mortal" will be "swallowed up by life". We must believe this, trust God for it, and lead our lives according to this truth.
Father in heaven, I pray for a heart of wisdom, for good courage, and for faith to walk according to Your Word. I pray that I might not focus on the aches and pains, the troubles and trials, or the fears and failures of this mortal life, but that I might rejoice in the "eternal weight of glory" that You are working in my soul. O Father, open my eyes to see the unseen and my ears to hear Your truth, to have an eternal perspective and to live accordingly. Show me how, Lord. I ask this in Jesus' Name.
Amen
Psalm 144: 4 echoes this thought , " Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow." And in Psalm 90:12 we have Moses' prayer, " So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom."
God alone knows the number of our days. As we grow older we realize how quickly the days fly by. How short our time on this earth really is. We cannot fathom eternity, although it is in our hearts and we long for the day when we see His glory. We live in the present and regard the past, but our thoughts of the future are limited and uncertain. We may have a plan for tomorrow or for a month or so from now, but we have no clear view of the days or weeks or years ahead. For we have learned that everything can change in a heartbeat. But let us learn to think as David and Moses, in the truth that this life is just temporary and real life is eternal.
As Paul wrote, "Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
How do we learn to live this way? These passages give us some clues.
1. We must realize and acknowledge the truth that our lives are transient. KJV uses the word frail here, the Hebrew word is chadel - vacant, ceasing, destitute . Life is short and unpredictable. We don't like to think about that. But the Word is telling us that we should.
2. We need to ask God to give us the right perspective. David prayed this. Moses prayed this. Paul must have prayed for this too. Peter makes mention of this truth in I Peter 1:24 and James does also in his letter ( 1:10). Surely this is a prayer according to God's will, His desire for us .
3. We must learn to walk by faith, not by sight. ( 2 Corinthians 5:7) It is God Who is at work in us for "this very purpose". He is preparing us for the day when "what is mortal" will be "swallowed up by life". We must believe this, trust God for it, and lead our lives according to this truth.
Father in heaven, I pray for a heart of wisdom, for good courage, and for faith to walk according to Your Word. I pray that I might not focus on the aches and pains, the troubles and trials, or the fears and failures of this mortal life, but that I might rejoice in the "eternal weight of glory" that You are working in my soul. O Father, open my eyes to see the unseen and my ears to hear Your truth, to have an eternal perspective and to live accordingly. Show me how, Lord. I ask this in Jesus' Name.
Amen
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Matthew 15:29-39 Jesus reaches into the need of the individual, the Canaanite woman, and then into the needs of the multitude. As He goes back to the Sea of Galilee and up into the mountains, many bring their loved ones to Him. They were lame, crippled, blind, dumb, and "many others". Jesus healed them all. There is no hurt that He cannot touch. No disease that is too strong for Him. His power has no limit! His compassion has no end!
Jesus remains there with them for 3 days. They have used up all their resources and are hungry. Anything they had tucked into their picnic baskets is long gone. Yet they don't want to leave. Here is the One Who cares and wants to help them. So Jesus gathers His disciples and takes their meager store of 7 loaves and a few fish and He feeds the crowd. 4000 men plus women and children!
They all eat until satisfied and still there are 7 baskets left over. Only then does Jesus send the crowd home.
They go rejoicing and praising God!
"Great is the Lord and highly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Thy works to another and shall declare Thy mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of Thy majesty, and on Thy wonderful works I will meditate." ( Psalm 145:3-5)
The unsearchable greatness of God is on display for the multitude with Jesus. Imagine them telling the story to their children and grandchildren.... those who were blind and now could see; those who were carried up the mountain and could now run back down! Those who had never been able to speak a word but could now sing and shout and give praise to God! And then those who ate the bread and fish... how could they not tell everyone this marvelous act!
Oh Lord God, we need to remember that Your unsearchable greatness has never changed! You are still our Healer and nothing is too hard for You. You are still the One who provides bread for the hungry, You will provide for us. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever! As we think of these "wonderful works" let us share our praise with the next generation! Let us tell our story with the enthusiasm of those who were on the mountain with Jesus, for He has also healed us and fed us and met our deepest needs. He has washed our sins away and delivered us from the dominion of sin and death and evil! We extol You and bless Your holy Name! You are the answer to all our needs today. Everything is Yours and we are Yours. With thanksgiving we sing Your praise. "Praise God from Whom all blessing flows. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! Amen"
Jesus remains there with them for 3 days. They have used up all their resources and are hungry. Anything they had tucked into their picnic baskets is long gone. Yet they don't want to leave. Here is the One Who cares and wants to help them. So Jesus gathers His disciples and takes their meager store of 7 loaves and a few fish and He feeds the crowd. 4000 men plus women and children!
They all eat until satisfied and still there are 7 baskets left over. Only then does Jesus send the crowd home.
They go rejoicing and praising God!
"Great is the Lord and highly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Thy works to another and shall declare Thy mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of Thy majesty, and on Thy wonderful works I will meditate." ( Psalm 145:3-5)
The unsearchable greatness of God is on display for the multitude with Jesus. Imagine them telling the story to their children and grandchildren.... those who were blind and now could see; those who were carried up the mountain and could now run back down! Those who had never been able to speak a word but could now sing and shout and give praise to God! And then those who ate the bread and fish... how could they not tell everyone this marvelous act!
Oh Lord God, we need to remember that Your unsearchable greatness has never changed! You are still our Healer and nothing is too hard for You. You are still the One who provides bread for the hungry, You will provide for us. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever! As we think of these "wonderful works" let us share our praise with the next generation! Let us tell our story with the enthusiasm of those who were on the mountain with Jesus, for He has also healed us and fed us and met our deepest needs. He has washed our sins away and delivered us from the dominion of sin and death and evil! We extol You and bless Your holy Name! You are the answer to all our needs today. Everything is Yours and we are Yours. With thanksgiving we sing Your praise. "Praise God from Whom all blessing flows. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! Amen"
Monday, March 10, 2014
Matthew 15: 21-39
Jesus goes to Tyre and Sidon and is approached by a Canaanite woman who begs Him to heal her daughter. At first Jesus appears to ignore her, then He appears to dismiss her, after that He appears to test her, and finally He answers her. His statement catches my attention today, "O woman, your faith is great; be it done for you as you wish."
What was it that Jesus saw in the woman that showed her great faith? Was it her perseverance?
Was it her desperate pleas? Was it her insightful answers?
I recently heard a radio preacher talk about this passage. His insight into verses 26- 27 was encouraging.
"And He answered and said, 'It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.' But she said,'Yes, Lord but even the dog's feed on the crumbs which fall from their master's table.'"
The speaker said that the Lord's statement may have seemed harsh, comparing her to a dog... but the word actually speaks of a pet, a beloved member of the household, not a wild mangy animal that we might picture. Her statement then makes more sense. Yes, the dog is not a child, but it is a part of the family... I know people that consider their dogs to be their children!
The woman's answer gained her the Lord's favor! She was not a Jew, she didn't pretend to be anything that she was not. She just needed His help. She recognized the fact that Jesus was able to help her and she was determined to not give up! This is faith, great faith, in the Lord's eyes.
The other word that kind of jumps out to me is the word -wish. "..be it done for you as you wish." Jesus tells her. We reserve that word for blowing out birthday candles, for seeing a falling star, for thoughts of magical genies. But we hesitate to use it in the context of prayer. God is not a genie!
Of course not. But Jesus uses this word. "WISH" - the greek word is thelo - to determine, to choose, or prefer, to wish, be inclined to, to delight in, desire, intend, love, mean, please, have rather, will.
The woman wanted, wished for, pleaded for, help for her poor daughter. This is more than a casual whimsical wish upon a star. This is a deep, abiding, feel it in the center of your gut, kind of desire. She was desperate for her daughter! She wanted , no she needed, she was desperate for help that no one else could give! It was that kind of plea. That kind of a prayer.
And Jesus, the Lord and King of heaven and earth, heard her plea and answered her deepest need.
Is my faith like this?
Oh Lord, make my faith great, like this Canaanite woman's. I know that You are willing and that You are able to do whatever we ask according to Your will. You have promised this. You have instructed us to ask and seek and knock. Your Word tells us to "ask in faith without doubting." Without wavering or hesitating. You know that we need Your help. May we know this, admit it, humble ourselves to confess it... You know we need to recognize that You alone are able to help us. I know that this is true. May I persevere in prayer. Help me to prayer effectively and earnestly, like this woman, like Elijah, like the many who have gone before me. Teach me to pray this way, Lord!
Forgive my unbelief, my doubting, my fickleness. I love You Lord and I need You always.
Thank You for having patience with me and for leading me deeper into Your heart.
amen
Jesus goes to Tyre and Sidon and is approached by a Canaanite woman who begs Him to heal her daughter. At first Jesus appears to ignore her, then He appears to dismiss her, after that He appears to test her, and finally He answers her. His statement catches my attention today, "O woman, your faith is great; be it done for you as you wish."
What was it that Jesus saw in the woman that showed her great faith? Was it her perseverance?
Was it her desperate pleas? Was it her insightful answers?
I recently heard a radio preacher talk about this passage. His insight into verses 26- 27 was encouraging.
"And He answered and said, 'It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.' But she said,'Yes, Lord but even the dog's feed on the crumbs which fall from their master's table.'"
The speaker said that the Lord's statement may have seemed harsh, comparing her to a dog... but the word actually speaks of a pet, a beloved member of the household, not a wild mangy animal that we might picture. Her statement then makes more sense. Yes, the dog is not a child, but it is a part of the family... I know people that consider their dogs to be their children!
The woman's answer gained her the Lord's favor! She was not a Jew, she didn't pretend to be anything that she was not. She just needed His help. She recognized the fact that Jesus was able to help her and she was determined to not give up! This is faith, great faith, in the Lord's eyes.
The other word that kind of jumps out to me is the word -wish. "..be it done for you as you wish." Jesus tells her. We reserve that word for blowing out birthday candles, for seeing a falling star, for thoughts of magical genies. But we hesitate to use it in the context of prayer. God is not a genie!
Of course not. But Jesus uses this word. "WISH" - the greek word is thelo - to determine, to choose, or prefer, to wish, be inclined to, to delight in, desire, intend, love, mean, please, have rather, will.
The woman wanted, wished for, pleaded for, help for her poor daughter. This is more than a casual whimsical wish upon a star. This is a deep, abiding, feel it in the center of your gut, kind of desire. She was desperate for her daughter! She wanted , no she needed, she was desperate for help that no one else could give! It was that kind of plea. That kind of a prayer.
And Jesus, the Lord and King of heaven and earth, heard her plea and answered her deepest need.
Is my faith like this?
Oh Lord, make my faith great, like this Canaanite woman's. I know that You are willing and that You are able to do whatever we ask according to Your will. You have promised this. You have instructed us to ask and seek and knock. Your Word tells us to "ask in faith without doubting." Without wavering or hesitating. You know that we need Your help. May we know this, admit it, humble ourselves to confess it... You know we need to recognize that You alone are able to help us. I know that this is true. May I persevere in prayer. Help me to prayer effectively and earnestly, like this woman, like Elijah, like the many who have gone before me. Teach me to pray this way, Lord!
Forgive my unbelief, my doubting, my fickleness. I love You Lord and I need You always.
Thank You for having patience with me and for leading me deeper into Your heart.
amen
Friday, March 7, 2014
Matthew 15:1-20
The Pharisees and scribes come to Jesus to complain that the disciples are not washing their hands, transgressing their tradition. Jesus turns this around and accuses them of making their traditions more important than God's Word. Which is more important? What God commands or what man teaches?
They paid God lip service, but in reality their traditions had become more important and their hearts were impure because of it.
"Not what enters into the mouth defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man." Jesus taught. ( v11) He explains this further to his disciples, " But the things that proceed out of the mouth come form the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man."
Hear and understand, Jesus reminds us once again, it is what is in the heart that matters. Good heart= good words. Evil hearts=evil words. It has nothing to do with what we eat! Or how we eat it!
It has nothing to do with food or drink, clothing, or possessions. It has everything to do with what is in the center of our beings - with our hearts.
If we do not keep our hearts filled with the good seed, with the Word of God, through the Spirit of God, then we are in the same position that Jesus talked about in Matthew 12:44-45. The evil spirit finds it unoccupied and comes with more evil spirits to occupy and make us worse than ever.
Father, cleanse our hearts! You alone are strong enough to cast out all evil from our hearts and make us perfectly pure. Wash us and we shall be whiter than snow! Take every thought captive. Take every false idea and tradition and habit, expose them with the Light of Your Word. That we might confess our sin and be forgiven and set free. Give us a love and desire to know Your Word, that we might know You more. We ask this in the Name of the One Who paid it all, Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Matthew 14 John the Baptist was killed by Herod and John's disciples came to tell Jesus. Jesus withdrew from the crowd, going away to a "lonely place". But before He has time to be alone, He is met by a multitude of people. Jesus reacts with compassion for them and He heals those that are sick. He also provides food for this crowd of over 5000, by taking 5 loaves and 2 fish and handing it out through the hands of His disciples.
Finally, Jesus sends them all away, including His disciples and spends His time alone in prayer.
Early the next morning Jesus walks across the water to be with His disciples. When Peter asks to join Him, Jesus allows it. When Peter doubts and begins to sink, Jesus reaches out His hand and rescues him.
After they reach the shore at Gennesaret, Jesus is immediately recognized and the people bring all their sick to Him, they entreat Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak. Again they are cured when they touch Him.
Jesus is revealed to be Lord, Master of all, in this passage. He is the compassionate healer, the miraculous provider, the supreme controller, and the generous giver. But most dear to my heart is His is example of grieving friend. No doubt that Jesus loved John, his cousin. He knew John's destiny to die in such a sad and hideous manner. But the news, all the same, caused Him sadness. Yet even in His sorrow, He served others.
These great miracles were the "signs" that the Pharisees should have noticed! Multiplying food, walking on water, healing the sick. But they weren't done for show. They were done out of compassion. Pity. Grief. Jesus sees us in the same way that He saw the multitude that day.
He sees our sickness and has compassion to heal us.
He sees us sinking and reaches out His hand to rescue us.
He sees our sorrow and grieves with us, and comforts us.
Do we recognize Him? "And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent into all that surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick; and they began to entreat Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were cured."
This is what we are also doing when we tell others about Jesus. Do we recognize the Lord Who heals with compassion, Who provides with power, Who rules over nature, and Who loves without limit? Oh, my faith is faltering sometimes like Peter! Help Lord! I don't want to doubt, but to trust and obey. To bring those in need to You, that they might touch You too.
I bring to You those who are sick and entreat You to heal.
I bring to You those who are sinking and ask You to rescue.
I bring to You those who are grieving and ask You to comfort.
I bring to You those who are hungry and ask You to provide.
Have mercy on us, precious Savior.
Command us to come and walk with You and increase our faith to walk where we cannot go alone.
We worship You and know that You are the Son of God, King of kings and Lord of lords.
Amen
Finally, Jesus sends them all away, including His disciples and spends His time alone in prayer.
Early the next morning Jesus walks across the water to be with His disciples. When Peter asks to join Him, Jesus allows it. When Peter doubts and begins to sink, Jesus reaches out His hand and rescues him.
After they reach the shore at Gennesaret, Jesus is immediately recognized and the people bring all their sick to Him, they entreat Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak. Again they are cured when they touch Him.
Jesus is revealed to be Lord, Master of all, in this passage. He is the compassionate healer, the miraculous provider, the supreme controller, and the generous giver. But most dear to my heart is His is example of grieving friend. No doubt that Jesus loved John, his cousin. He knew John's destiny to die in such a sad and hideous manner. But the news, all the same, caused Him sadness. Yet even in His sorrow, He served others.
These great miracles were the "signs" that the Pharisees should have noticed! Multiplying food, walking on water, healing the sick. But they weren't done for show. They were done out of compassion. Pity. Grief. Jesus sees us in the same way that He saw the multitude that day.
He sees our sickness and has compassion to heal us.
He sees us sinking and reaches out His hand to rescue us.
He sees our sorrow and grieves with us, and comforts us.
Do we recognize Him? "And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent into all that surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick; and they began to entreat Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were cured."
This is what we are also doing when we tell others about Jesus. Do we recognize the Lord Who heals with compassion, Who provides with power, Who rules over nature, and Who loves without limit? Oh, my faith is faltering sometimes like Peter! Help Lord! I don't want to doubt, but to trust and obey. To bring those in need to You, that they might touch You too.
I bring to You those who are sick and entreat You to heal.
I bring to You those who are sinking and ask You to rescue.
I bring to You those who are grieving and ask You to comfort.
I bring to You those who are hungry and ask You to provide.
Have mercy on us, precious Savior.
Command us to come and walk with You and increase our faith to walk where we cannot go alone.
We worship You and know that You are the Son of God, King of kings and Lord of lords.
Amen
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Matthew 13 Jesus continues speaking in parables, fulfilling the prophecy that "I will open my mouth in parables;" which is a quote from Psalm 78:2. The rest of that statement, " I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world", does not appear in that psalm. The closest thing I can find to this is in Daniel 2:22 " It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him." and verse 28 " However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries..." In other words this is another proof that Jesus is God, for only God can reveal these mysteries.
These parables are given:
v31-32 "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed..." A small seed that becomes a large tree. A tree that provides a home for the birds that come and nest there.
v33 talks about the kingdom of heaven being like a bit of leaven, hid in the dough to make it rise.
Both of these talk of expansion or growth. Something small, unremarkable, and easily overlooked, but powerfully transformed and of significant benefit.
v44 The kingdom of heaven is described here to be like a wonderful treasure, discovered in a field, hidden again until the man can sell all he has to purchase the field and claim the treasure.
v45-46 The kingdom of heaven "is like a merchant" who buys pearls. When finds one that is of "great value", he sells everything else in order to buy this one.
The final example is found in verses 47-50 where the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet, it is used to gather fish of every kind, but when it is filled the fish are sorted into those that are good and those that are thrown away.
So Jesus has revealed that the kingdom of heaven is like: a sower, a seed, leaven, treasure, a merchant, and a dragnet. It is mysterious.....
But we can draw some conclusions about these "profound and hidden things".
The Kingdom of heaven is not loud, showy, full of fanfare, or even obvious.
The Kingdom of heaven is not cheap, it costs everything, but it is obtainable by anyone.
The Kingdom of heaven is only for those considered "good". The bad seeds and the bad fish are thrown out. Only those that are righteous are saved.
We can't come to the Kingdom accidentally or casually. We must seek it. We must give up everything we have to get it. We must be redeemed, made righteous by Jesus' standards in order to stay in it.
The Jews thought that they were born into the kingdom of God because they were Israelites. But they were wrong. Just like their ancestors in the past, they were unfaithful and rebellious. They wanted Jesus to give them a show. But He gave them a seed. They wanted all the treasure, but they didn't want to pay the price of surrender. They thought that it didn't matter if you were a tare ( a weed) and not true wheat, as long as you were in the field. Or if you were a bad fish, as long as you were in the net. They didn't believe that they would be judged for their sinful hearts.
But Jesus taught otherwise. Lord, give us ears to hear and hearts to receive Your Word.
Father, plant the Word of the Kingdom deep in our hearts. We seek You. We surrender all that we have (which is only what You have given us in the first place) to seek You first and Your kingdom and Your righteousness. And Father, forgive us our sins and debts and trespasses. Forgive all of our unrighteous, self-righteous, sinfulness. Redeem us and cleanse us with the blood of the Lamb of God, our Mighty Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord. Thank You Jesus for revealing the hidden things to us. That we might know our Father and You our King. amen.
These parables are given:
v31-32 "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed..." A small seed that becomes a large tree. A tree that provides a home for the birds that come and nest there.
v33 talks about the kingdom of heaven being like a bit of leaven, hid in the dough to make it rise.
Both of these talk of expansion or growth. Something small, unremarkable, and easily overlooked, but powerfully transformed and of significant benefit.
v44 The kingdom of heaven is described here to be like a wonderful treasure, discovered in a field, hidden again until the man can sell all he has to purchase the field and claim the treasure.
v45-46 The kingdom of heaven "is like a merchant" who buys pearls. When finds one that is of "great value", he sells everything else in order to buy this one.
The final example is found in verses 47-50 where the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet, it is used to gather fish of every kind, but when it is filled the fish are sorted into those that are good and those that are thrown away.
So Jesus has revealed that the kingdom of heaven is like: a sower, a seed, leaven, treasure, a merchant, and a dragnet. It is mysterious.....
But we can draw some conclusions about these "profound and hidden things".
The Kingdom of heaven is not loud, showy, full of fanfare, or even obvious.
The Kingdom of heaven is not cheap, it costs everything, but it is obtainable by anyone.
The Kingdom of heaven is only for those considered "good". The bad seeds and the bad fish are thrown out. Only those that are righteous are saved.
We can't come to the Kingdom accidentally or casually. We must seek it. We must give up everything we have to get it. We must be redeemed, made righteous by Jesus' standards in order to stay in it.
The Jews thought that they were born into the kingdom of God because they were Israelites. But they were wrong. Just like their ancestors in the past, they were unfaithful and rebellious. They wanted Jesus to give them a show. But He gave them a seed. They wanted all the treasure, but they didn't want to pay the price of surrender. They thought that it didn't matter if you were a tare ( a weed) and not true wheat, as long as you were in the field. Or if you were a bad fish, as long as you were in the net. They didn't believe that they would be judged for their sinful hearts.
But Jesus taught otherwise. Lord, give us ears to hear and hearts to receive Your Word.
Father, plant the Word of the Kingdom deep in our hearts. We seek You. We surrender all that we have (which is only what You have given us in the first place) to seek You first and Your kingdom and Your righteousness. And Father, forgive us our sins and debts and trespasses. Forgive all of our unrighteous, self-righteous, sinfulness. Redeem us and cleanse us with the blood of the Lamb of God, our Mighty Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord. Thank You Jesus for revealing the hidden things to us. That we might know our Father and You our King. amen.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Matthew 13 The first thing that Jesus tells us about the Kingdom is that it starts with the Word. The Word received with listening ears and open eyes. The Word taken into our hearts with faith, nurtured and protected, so that it will be fruitful.
I am reminded of what Jesus said in Matt. 12:35:
" The good man our of his good treasure brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth what is evil." If we want to produce good fruit in our lives and families, then we must have a treasure of good - Like the psalmist wrote in Psalm 119:72 "The law of Thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces." The Word of God is a treasure more valuable than anything this world can offer. Better than tv shows and video games. Better than sports or recreational activities. It is the "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence, and if anything is worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things", that Paul speaks of in Philippians 4:8.
In Colossians 3:2 he tells us to "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." And in Romans 12: 2 he tells us "and do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. "
All the more reason that we must read the Word, learn the Word, meditate on His Word, and teach the Word to our children! Praying all the while for ears to hear and eyes to see!
The 2nd kingdom parable that Jesus tells is also about good seed. But this time we find that the enemy has sown some bad seeds, some tares, along side the good seed. ( Matthew 13:24-30) Jesus tells us in verses 37-43 that He is the sower of the good seed. That those who belong to His kingdom are the good seed. It is the enemy, the evil one, who has sown the tares. These are his sons. Both are in the world. Both will stay until the time of the harvest. It is the ending that is different.
The tares will be gathered and burned, tossed into the "furnace of fire; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
But the good seed, the righteous, will "shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father."(verse 43) Both are eternal destinations. Only those who have the good seed, the Word of God, will have a good result .
How vital is it that we remember this! Do we know the value of God's Word like this? If we do not have it sown into our hearts and minds and lives, we are tares! We might look like the real wheat, but we are not! And the end result is the furnace. But only if we set our minds on His Word, if we love to read it and think on it, and allow it to transform our lives, yielding to the Spirit of God... then we are truly His!
Father in heaven, thank You for Your Word! Thank You for planting the good seed, the Word of the kingdom into my heart and mind. Continue to transform me and renew my mind by Your Word, so that I might always know Your good, acceptable, and perfect will. Let Your will be done Father.
I give you all my attention, to hear Your Voice, so that I may follow You.
Amen
I am reminded of what Jesus said in Matt. 12:35:
" The good man our of his good treasure brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth what is evil." If we want to produce good fruit in our lives and families, then we must have a treasure of good - Like the psalmist wrote in Psalm 119:72 "The law of Thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces." The Word of God is a treasure more valuable than anything this world can offer. Better than tv shows and video games. Better than sports or recreational activities. It is the "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence, and if anything is worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things", that Paul speaks of in Philippians 4:8.
In Colossians 3:2 he tells us to "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." And in Romans 12: 2 he tells us "and do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. "
All the more reason that we must read the Word, learn the Word, meditate on His Word, and teach the Word to our children! Praying all the while for ears to hear and eyes to see!
The 2nd kingdom parable that Jesus tells is also about good seed. But this time we find that the enemy has sown some bad seeds, some tares, along side the good seed. ( Matthew 13:24-30) Jesus tells us in verses 37-43 that He is the sower of the good seed. That those who belong to His kingdom are the good seed. It is the enemy, the evil one, who has sown the tares. These are his sons. Both are in the world. Both will stay until the time of the harvest. It is the ending that is different.
The tares will be gathered and burned, tossed into the "furnace of fire; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
But the good seed, the righteous, will "shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father."(verse 43) Both are eternal destinations. Only those who have the good seed, the Word of God, will have a good result .
How vital is it that we remember this! Do we know the value of God's Word like this? If we do not have it sown into our hearts and minds and lives, we are tares! We might look like the real wheat, but we are not! And the end result is the furnace. But only if we set our minds on His Word, if we love to read it and think on it, and allow it to transform our lives, yielding to the Spirit of God... then we are truly His!
Father in heaven, thank You for Your Word! Thank You for planting the good seed, the Word of the kingdom into my heart and mind. Continue to transform me and renew my mind by Your Word, so that I might always know Your good, acceptable, and perfect will. Let Your will be done Father.
I give you all my attention, to hear Your Voice, so that I may follow You.
Amen
Monday, March 3, 2014
Matthew 13 Jesus teaches using parables, comparative stories, to talk about the kingdom of heaven. He addresses the multitudes, but distinguishes between those who have been granted the privilege of knowing the mysteries of the the kingdom, and those who have not. It all depends on whether or not one has "ears to hear". Jesus uses a passage from Isaiah to help explain this.
Some people hear without understanding.
They see, but don't perceive.
For.... their hearts are dull. Their ears are closed. They close their eyes. They don't want what God has to offer. They refuse His gift of grace. They reject His healing.
Eyes that see and ears that hear are a blessing, our Lord says, a blessing that many others long desired. A blessing that we must seek.
The first parable recorded here is the story of the sower. The seed, we are told is the "word of the kingdom" The same seed is sown in the 4 places, the same Word is spoken to 4 kinds of hearts.
Seed that lands on the path is eaten up by the birds.
Seed that lands on the rocky places grows but withers quickly.
Seed that lands on the thorny ground grows but gets choked out.
Seed that lands on good soil yields a crop.
The Word that is heard but not understood is snatched away by the evil one.
The Word that is heard and received but not rooted in the heart is quickly withered by any affliction.
The Word that is heard and received but not nurtured, is choked out by worries and riches.
The Word that is heard, understood, and taken care of, will bear fruit!
Was Paul thinking of this when he wrote Romans 10:17 " So faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ." To be saved, Paul tells us, we must:
Call on the Name of the Lord.
To call on Him, we must believe in Him.
To believe in Him, we must hear about Him.
To hear about Him, we must have someone tell us!
He goes on to say that the Word has gone out, even to "the ends of the world". ( v18). Not only to Israel, but to the Gentiles also. It has gone out to anyone who is willing to open their ears and their eyes.. and their hearts to receive the Word, to allow it to be rooted in their hearts, to nurture it, and guard it. To desire it like a treasure found in a field, like a pearl of great price.
It is not enough to just hear the Word of God, of His Kingdom, we must really HEAR it! We must choose to take it into our hearts. To believe the Word. To call on Jesus. To "confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead," to be saved. This is not a one time occurrence . It is a constant abiding. Jesus said, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you..." ( John15) He is the Vine, we the branches. The Word that is planted in our hearts must take root there, they must be cared for there. They must abide there.
Heavenly Father, You are the giver of the Word. John said that, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This is the Word that we must receive into our hearts. O that we would have opened ears to hear and eyes to see, that we would receive and understand. That we would believe and know the mysteries of Your Kingdom fully! We choose to abide in You and in Your Word, and we ask that You would open the eyes and hearts of our loved ones that they also will receive the True Word with faith, that they would be saved. That they would constantly abide in Your Word, in Christ our Lord. Father, will You give us hearts that are filled with the abundance of fruit, from Your Word, planted and flourishing in our lives, so that we will be that someone who will tell others about Jesus? So that they can hear, believe, call on Your Name , and be saved too. we ask this in the Name of Jesus, our Savior. Thank You. Amen.
Some people hear without understanding.
They see, but don't perceive.
For.... their hearts are dull. Their ears are closed. They close their eyes. They don't want what God has to offer. They refuse His gift of grace. They reject His healing.
Eyes that see and ears that hear are a blessing, our Lord says, a blessing that many others long desired. A blessing that we must seek.
The first parable recorded here is the story of the sower. The seed, we are told is the "word of the kingdom" The same seed is sown in the 4 places, the same Word is spoken to 4 kinds of hearts.
Seed that lands on the path is eaten up by the birds.
Seed that lands on the rocky places grows but withers quickly.
Seed that lands on the thorny ground grows but gets choked out.
Seed that lands on good soil yields a crop.
The Word that is heard but not understood is snatched away by the evil one.
The Word that is heard and received but not rooted in the heart is quickly withered by any affliction.
The Word that is heard and received but not nurtured, is choked out by worries and riches.
The Word that is heard, understood, and taken care of, will bear fruit!
Was Paul thinking of this when he wrote Romans 10:17 " So faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ." To be saved, Paul tells us, we must:
Call on the Name of the Lord.
To call on Him, we must believe in Him.
To believe in Him, we must hear about Him.
To hear about Him, we must have someone tell us!
He goes on to say that the Word has gone out, even to "the ends of the world". ( v18). Not only to Israel, but to the Gentiles also. It has gone out to anyone who is willing to open their ears and their eyes.. and their hearts to receive the Word, to allow it to be rooted in their hearts, to nurture it, and guard it. To desire it like a treasure found in a field, like a pearl of great price.
It is not enough to just hear the Word of God, of His Kingdom, we must really HEAR it! We must choose to take it into our hearts. To believe the Word. To call on Jesus. To "confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead," to be saved. This is not a one time occurrence . It is a constant abiding. Jesus said, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you..." ( John15) He is the Vine, we the branches. The Word that is planted in our hearts must take root there, they must be cared for there. They must abide there.
Heavenly Father, You are the giver of the Word. John said that, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This is the Word that we must receive into our hearts. O that we would have opened ears to hear and eyes to see, that we would receive and understand. That we would believe and know the mysteries of Your Kingdom fully! We choose to abide in You and in Your Word, and we ask that You would open the eyes and hearts of our loved ones that they also will receive the True Word with faith, that they would be saved. That they would constantly abide in Your Word, in Christ our Lord. Father, will You give us hearts that are filled with the abundance of fruit, from Your Word, planted and flourishing in our lives, so that we will be that someone who will tell others about Jesus? So that they can hear, believe, call on Your Name , and be saved too. we ask this in the Name of Jesus, our Savior. Thank You. Amen.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Matthew 12 Jesus demonstrates His authority as "Lord of the Sabbath" by first defending His disciples for eating grain plucked from the field, then by healing the man with the withered hand, and then by casting out the demon from the blind and dumb man. In fact He healed all those that followed Him. It is lawful to "do good on the Sabbath", He declares. God desires compassion. He values people. Jesus proves that over and over again.
The Pharisees, on the other hand, hate this. They plan on destroying Jesus. Their first step is to try to destroy His reputation by accusing Him of serving "Beelzebul". How hideous is this accusation. That Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah, the One who came to save, Who only did good... would be accused of belonging to satan... shows just how little the Pharisees knew God or satan. They could not even discern the difference between good and evil!
Three times Jesus calls these religious leaders "evil".
v34 "You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good?"
v39 "An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign..."
v45 "That is the way it will also be with this evil generation."
Condemnation is coming for those not "with" Christ. (v30) Jesus spells out their sinfulness.
v31 - They blasphemed the Holy Spirit. They looked at a miraculous healing and deliverance of a man who could not see or speak, and proclaimed that satan did it.
v34-37 They spoke evil from evil hearts. Whatever fills the heart comes out when we speak. What we say either justifies us or condemns us. Their words were evil, therefore their hearts were evil.
v38-42 They wanted a sign of their own choosing. Signs were all around. Everything Jesus did and said should have been enough. But they wanted more. They were worse than the people of Ninevah! That is pretty bad.
The words and actions of these scribes and Pharisees would bring judgement. They brought it upon themselves. Just like each of us do. When we choose not to honor the Lord for the good that He does. When we fill our hearts with evil instead of good. When we ignore the Truth and seek after what we want God to do for us instead of being thankful and recognizing what He has already done.
Jesus teaches some other spiritual truths in this discussion with the Pharisees.
v25-29 A truth about kingdoms. Divided kingdoms fall. Satan won't cast himself out. The only One who can cast him out is someone greater! That is the Spirit of God. Yes, Satan is strong, but God is stronger! Satan is bound up and can not stand against God! Hallelujah!
v43-45 Unclean spirits seek rest. They will come into unoccupied houses. They take over . The result is always evil. If we do not have the Spirit of God occupying our hearts then we should not be surprised that evil spirits will take up residence there.
Father, how we thank You for saving us, for giving us hearts filled with Your Spirit! Thank You for salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. We live in an evil generation also, that glorifies evil and refuses what is good. A generation that fills their hearts with evil things and seeks their own desires.
Open our eyes to know You more! To discern truth from lies. Fill our hearts with Your Word that we may honor Your holy Name. That we may do Your will, for "whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother." We are Yours Lord. Your family.
Thank You! Hallelujah, What a Savior! Father, occupy our hearts. Cleanse us from all evil that we have allowed there. Let Your Spirit continually fill our hearts. May Your fountain of living water never stop flowing in us. That the strong man will never find even a foothold into our lives. Amen!
The Pharisees, on the other hand, hate this. They plan on destroying Jesus. Their first step is to try to destroy His reputation by accusing Him of serving "Beelzebul". How hideous is this accusation. That Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah, the One who came to save, Who only did good... would be accused of belonging to satan... shows just how little the Pharisees knew God or satan. They could not even discern the difference between good and evil!
Three times Jesus calls these religious leaders "evil".
v34 "You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good?"
v39 "An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign..."
v45 "That is the way it will also be with this evil generation."
Condemnation is coming for those not "with" Christ. (v30) Jesus spells out their sinfulness.
v31 - They blasphemed the Holy Spirit. They looked at a miraculous healing and deliverance of a man who could not see or speak, and proclaimed that satan did it.
v34-37 They spoke evil from evil hearts. Whatever fills the heart comes out when we speak. What we say either justifies us or condemns us. Their words were evil, therefore their hearts were evil.
v38-42 They wanted a sign of their own choosing. Signs were all around. Everything Jesus did and said should have been enough. But they wanted more. They were worse than the people of Ninevah! That is pretty bad.
The words and actions of these scribes and Pharisees would bring judgement. They brought it upon themselves. Just like each of us do. When we choose not to honor the Lord for the good that He does. When we fill our hearts with evil instead of good. When we ignore the Truth and seek after what we want God to do for us instead of being thankful and recognizing what He has already done.
Jesus teaches some other spiritual truths in this discussion with the Pharisees.
v25-29 A truth about kingdoms. Divided kingdoms fall. Satan won't cast himself out. The only One who can cast him out is someone greater! That is the Spirit of God. Yes, Satan is strong, but God is stronger! Satan is bound up and can not stand against God! Hallelujah!
v43-45 Unclean spirits seek rest. They will come into unoccupied houses. They take over . The result is always evil. If we do not have the Spirit of God occupying our hearts then we should not be surprised that evil spirits will take up residence there.
Father, how we thank You for saving us, for giving us hearts filled with Your Spirit! Thank You for salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. We live in an evil generation also, that glorifies evil and refuses what is good. A generation that fills their hearts with evil things and seeks their own desires.
Open our eyes to know You more! To discern truth from lies. Fill our hearts with Your Word that we may honor Your holy Name. That we may do Your will, for "whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother." We are Yours Lord. Your family.
Thank You! Hallelujah, What a Savior! Father, occupy our hearts. Cleanse us from all evil that we have allowed there. Let Your Spirit continually fill our hearts. May Your fountain of living water never stop flowing in us. That the strong man will never find even a foothold into our lives. Amen!
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