Monday, January 28, 2013

Matthew 21

Matthew 21 is filled with many events.   Jesus’ Triumphant Entry is described with Jesus instructing his disciples about the donkey, and the people responding to His coming.  We also see Jesus turning over the tables at the temple....declaring that God's  house is to be a House of Prayer.  We understand that Jesus was willing to confront sin.  This is followed by stories of the Kingdom which confront the error of the religious leaders.  Remember God desires to talk to you as you read today.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Matthew 19

Matthew 19 has so much teaching that we need today. First Jesus talks about divorce and relates that God honors marriage. In Jesus day a woman could be divorce at the drop of a hat so to speak for any reason the husband was displeased. It didn't make for a secure relationship. Some teachers taught this was wrong while others taught that it was acceptable. Jesus reminded the disciples that from the beginning God made marriage to be a commitment that lasted.

The middle of the chapter brings a young man who wants to have eternal life and he ask Jesus what he must do. He seemed to have an a high opinion of himself and his abilities to keep the commandments. Jesus pressed further and said, "Sell all tha you have and give to the poor and follow me". Matthew adds that the young man went away sad because he had much weatlth. Some mistakenly think Jesus was saying everyone has to sell everything and be pennyless. Jesus was getting to the root of his problem...he trusted in his riches instead of God. His faith was in what He had and he didn't have care for the poor. Salvation is a gift and accepting Jesus is about loving God with your whole heart and mind. Jesus told the disciples that they would be blessed both in this life and in the life to come...so eternal life is not about buying a ticket....Jesus was pressing for this young mans willingness to give his all to God. He calls us today too...what do you trust most in?

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Matthew 18

Matthew 18 talks about a variety of topics from who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, to what to do if you have offence toward someone in your life, to why God wants His children to walk in forgiveness towards those who have hurt you.  Take a look and see what the Lord is speaking to you.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Matthew 17: The Transfiguration

Matthew 17 recounts an exciting event for three of Jesus' disciples.  Peter, John and James went with Jesus to a high mountain to spend some time together.   Men today still enjoy such trips and true to expectations it proved to be a trip to remember.  As the men watched Jesus appearance changed as He revealed to them who he is.  Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking to Jesus.  This brings some interesting observations.  First, it reminds us the God is the God of the living...and though Moses had passed away on this earth....He lives with God and the disciples were able to get a glimspe of eternity as they watched.   Second, interestingly enough the three disciples recognized Moses and Elijah even though they didn't live in the same time period.  It gives us the knowlege that in heaven we will know those who are there with us.   The whole thing came to an ubrupt stop when Peter put his foot in his mouth so to speak.  He started babling about settting up memorials for Jesus, Moses and Elijah.  God the Father spoke from heaven reminding them that Jesus was worthy of worship.  No matter who we respect God is our source and worthy of Worship.  The rest of the chapter has some great highlights so go ahead and read and enjoy.

Here is the video we made a few years ago....we used the KJV because it doesn't have a copyright....but you can read a different version on biblegateway.com. 

Matthew 16

This chapter starts out with the Pharisees and Sadducees demanding a sign from Jesus to prove who He is and why He has authority to do the things He is doing.  They were not really interested in understanding as evidenced by the fact they ignored the prophecies in the Bible and the miracles that Jesus performed among the people.  Jesus let it be known that He would give them no sign except the sign of Jonah.  (Jonah was in the belly of the fish 3 days as Jesus would be buried 3 days) Jesus warned His disciples not to be fooled by the teaching of the Pharsees and Sadducees .   He compared their teachings to yeast in bread.  The disciples started to argue because they thought Jesus was upset they forgot to bring bread. Jesus having to clear that up gives me hope that when I miss the obvious He will be patient while He explains.  Yeast starts out in a small but expands just like false teaching.  It starts out small and expands as it sucks in its prey. 

The rest of the chapter deals with some pretty heavy stuff about who Jesus is and Peter's recognition of it, followed by a big blunder by Peter.  Praise God that we serve a Savior who deals with us with such patience.

Read the chapter yourself in a translation you can understand.  I often use the New Living Testament at blogger.com   Also Pastor John and I did a through the New Testament video series a few years ago using the King James (because it has no copy right)  He asked me if I was putting them on the blog and I had to admit I hadn't been.  We have most of the chapters but are missing some. 

Here is today's

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Matthew 15: Wash your hands


The gospels share the story of an event in their life when the Pharisee's complained to Jesus that He didn't make his disciples wash their hands before eating. For years I was confused with this passage. I remember thinking, "Didn't Jesus know about germs...He is God". Eventually I studied more about it and discovered it really had nothing to do with hygiene. Rather it had to do with ceremonial washing as a religious rite. The Pharisee's actually believed that if you didn't follow the right pattern to wash your hands you opened yourself up to the devil. Jesus explained that their tradition was not God's instruction but rather man made. Jesus told them that they are more about their tradition but they forsake the commands of God like honoring your parents and helping them in their old age. Therefore, Jesus was not ignorant of hygiene and the importance of washing your hands but he was not into man made rules that put a spirit of bondage on people. The next point in this story was that our words show our heart. The rest of the chapter talks about a persistent Gentile who believes Jesus can help her...and Praise God He did....it shows God can help anyone. 

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Matthew 14: The Character of Jesus

John 14 tells the story of John the baptist death and the injustice that caused it. When Jesus heard it he went to a deserted place most likely to have some time alone realizing that He too would share the fate of being put to death by unjust men, telling the Father of his emotions at the loss of a good man like John the baptist. We see it is not wrong to take some time and reflect. People found out where Jesus was and followed him many desiring healing. It would have been easy for him to say, "Not now, I'm mourning the loss of my dear friend, but instead the Bible tells us He had compassion upon the people and healed their sick. Knowing the crowd hadn't eaten he preformed a miracle which multiplied the food. (This is one of time such events recorded in the gospels).

Read the chapter yourself and ask God to reveal His Character. Somethings I noticed are that Jesus did slip away and desire to be alone. It is not a sin to take some time away and reflect and let God bring restoration of your soul. Jesus also reacted with love when His plans where changed because the crowd followed Him.

The next paragraph talks about Peter making a big step of faith. Write down the things that Holy Spirit is teaching you as you read.