Matthew

April 11th – Matthew 27:1-5

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Matthew 27:1-5

As one of the 12 disciples personally chosen by Jesus, Judas Iscariot was part of the inner sanctum. Yet the Bible tells us Judas was a devil, thief, unbeliever, and spiritually unclean. So why, knowing all of this beforehand, did the Lord pick him? Even before He came to be the sacrifice for our sins, Jesus knew all it would entail, and all He would have to endure. Yet willingly and joyfully, the Lamb of God came. He came to perfectly fulfill the plans of the Father. Even though sadly, part of those plans included Jesus being betrayed. That’s why, in perfect obedience, the Lord chose Judas.

The story of Judas teaches that an outward profession doesn’t mean genuine faith. We can play and look the part of a Christian, confessing all day long with our lips that Jesus is Lord. But unless we truly believe it in our hearts, we will not inherit eternal life. Judas also shows the destruction caused by the love of money and power. Because of his greed and desire of the worldly things money could buy, Judas committed the ultimate betrayal. That’s why the Bible warns us to run from the love of money and the deceitfulness of riches. And finally Judas painfully displays the difference between being sorry and repentant. Judas’ tragic end came not through regret of his actions, but because of the consequences they brought. His heart wasn’t grieved or repentant over the sin He committed against the Lord.

Many are the lessons we can learn from the disgraced disciple. Because if we’re honest, we too have sinned and at times betrayed the Lord. But if we come before Christ in search of humble forgiveness, and in true repentance, the Lord is quick to forgive and restore!

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April 9th – Matthew 27:22

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Matthew 27:22

The word passion comes from the Latin root word, “pati” which means to endure, or to suffer. A most fitting word to describe the last days of Jesus from the Garden of Gethsemane to His Crucifixion. In this short amount of time, (called the Passion of Christ), Jesus suffered like no other. Betrayed, falsely arrested, and tortured, the Lord was made to stand before a crowd who mere days ago were joyful at His coming, yet now stood shouting Crucify Him!” (vs. 27:22) Even though at any time He could have proven that He was indeed the Son of God and made His accusers fall at His knees, He remained silent not answering even a “single charge” (Mat 27:14) Our Lord suffered unimaginable horrors to call us His own. He gave up everything, to give us everything. And I pray that my heart remains overflowing with as much love and thankfulness every day as it is on Resurrection day.

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April 4th – Matthew 22:34-40

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Matthew 22:34-40

All Jesus did and endured was because of His great love for us. And when approached by a Pharisee who asked what was the greatest commandment of all, the Lord’s answer? Love. Love for God, and each other. Love is so vital, Jesus adds, upon this is the foundation of the Law and the Prophets. But loving as Jesus loves can only happen if our love for Him, is greater than our love for ourselves. And the proof of this is in the way we treat others. For as the apostle John points out, to say that we love God and yet not love others, makes us liars. (1 John 4:20) So hearts that put Christ first, no longer demonstrate a self centered, sinful love, but the completely selfless and sacrificial love of Jesus.

That kind of love may seem impossible. But the closer we get to Christ, and the more we experience His unconditional love, an amazing thing happens. Our heart begins to change. Once hardened, selfish, and worldly, through the work of the Spirit, it becomes softened, open, and overflowing with gratitude. Gratitude for all that God has done for us. And from that thankfulness, springs forth the ability to see, and more importantly, love others as Jesus does.

Our goal as Christians, is to become transformed into the image of Christ. To mirror His unconditional love, loving one another just as He has loved us. (John 15:12) 1 John 4:9-11 powerfully reminds us, “God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love another.”  This is the message echoed throughout the Bible and especially in the teachings of Jesus. And to me, it is the greatest love story of all!

April 4th – Matthew 22:34-40 Read More »

All The World Is Not A Stage – Matthew 6

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In Matthew chapters 5-7, Jesus delivers His most famous sermon of all, The Sermon on the Mount. In it He instructs us how to live a life that is both dedicated and pleasing to God. And in chapter 6, Christ makes very clear the importance of doing the right things for the right reasons. Saying, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.” (v. 6:1)

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March 25th – Mark 1:35

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Mark 1:35

Everyone needs a little me time. Time away from everyone and everything. Jesus was no different. Everywhere He went people swarmed Him. And so to refresh and reflect, Jesus turned to God in prayer. Many times throughout the gospel, before preparing to take on God’s calling, Jesus slipped away for some valuable one on one time with the Father. And we should do the same. For we cannot answer God’s call if we have nothing left to give. Which is why it’s so important that we too, recharge our batteries. And we do that by spending time with our Heavenly Father. Through prayer, His Word, and God’s still small voice, we have all the strength and energy we need to accomplish God’s will. For like Dr. Charles Stanley says, “We can be tired, weary, and emotionally distraught. But after spending time alone with God, we find He injects into our bodies, energy, power, and strength!”

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March 23rd – Matthew 7:7-11

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Matthew 7:7-11

Do you ever doubt that your prayer makes a difference. Based on God’s Word prayer is vital in our relationship with God. Jesus encouraged us to pray and when we put forth the effort to pray, God responds. 

ASK: We need to make our requests known. Going to God is a recognition that you have needs and you need His help. God doesn’t want us to think that we are self sufficient and do not need Him. Contrary to what some may teach, however, this is not a promise that God will give us our every whim and desire. He is not a genie in a bottle. But, He will give us what we He determines we need and what is best for us according to His will. 

SEEK: God wants us engaged with Him and His Word. He wants us to have an inquiring mind and a teachable heart. Seeking God grows our faith and prayer is an act of faith. “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”  Hebrews‬ ‭11:6‬ ‭

KNOCK: We knock on a door when we seek admittance. That means we believe that someone will respond and give us access. Prayer becomes that knock on heaven’s door and through the blood of Jesus, we have access to the very throne of God. We have access no matter our race, sex, age, position, etc. We can enter even though we are not worthy. Christ makes us worthy. He is that door of access to our Heavenly Father. 

We aren’t promised every thing we desire,  but we are promised that God will give us good things. Just think. If selfish, human parents can provide what they know is good for their children,  how much more can we trust in the goodwill of our Heavenly Father to provide what He knows will be for our ultimate good.

May I encourage you to embrace prayer as vital to your Christian growth and wellbeing. It’s very simple. Your Heavenly Father is waiting for you, His beloved child ,to meet with Him. Ask, seek, knock. He will provide, be available and bless You with what is meant for your ultimate good.

Blessings, Becky

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March 18th – Matthew 5:44

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Matthew 5:44

One of the most amazing and radical teachings of Jesus was His command to love our enemies. I think about that now with the war waging in Ukraine. Praying for those who hurt or disappoint us is one thing. But what about those who are actively trying to take our homes, land, families, and even our lives? Jesus tells us that no matter how or who persecuted us, we are to pray. And not just say the right words, but to actively and purposely pray for our enemies with love. This goes against everything we feel and believe in our own human frailty. But if we truly want to be the salt and light of the earth, we need to rise above and walk as Jesus. Impossible in our own strength, but through the work of the Holy Spirit, instead of fleshly hearts of stone, we can have hearts of Christ. Hearts not bent on seeking revenge, but bent on sharing the love of Jesus!

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March 16th – Matthew 26:41

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Matthew 26:41

Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, knew that he was facing the biggest spiritual battle of a lifetime. He also knew that his disciples would be facing great spiritual battles too. They would be afraid and feel alone as their leader was taken from their presence and imprisoned. Jesus knew that even though they loved him and said they would never deny or forsake Him, in their own strength, they would fail to carry through. He knew their weaknesses and the cunning power of the enemy and that’s why he strongly encouraged them to pray.

Prayer is how we engage in spiritual warfare. Temptation is a tool of the devil. One he used in the Garden of Eden to lure Eve and then Adam into sinful desires and disobedience to God. We all will face temptations. But God’s Word tells us that there’s no temptation He hasn’t encountered. And certainly no temptation He can’t help us overcome. In His time of deepest sorrow, Jesus had mankind on his mind. One of the most beautiful things about God taking on human flesh to dwell among man is that He can relate to all of our struggles and hardships. Jesus provided reconciliation for us to God and He actively intercedes for us.  What a privilege to know we have access to the throne of God for our petitions and prayers. 

Blessings, Becky

  

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March 13th – Matthew 18:19

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Matthew 18:19

I once read it said as prayer warriors we must remember that no matter how hopeless a situation may appear to us, God gives us power in prayer to do something about it. Especially when Christians come together to pray as one. We know that the prayer of one righteous person can accomplish astonishing things. (James 5:16) But when two or three have gathered to pray with one mind, God says He will be with them in a special and unique way. For we are the church of Christ, made up of one body. And we are called to pray together as that one body for God to heal, bless, uplift, and strengthen all. Many times in the Bible we read stories of amazing things that happened when Christian’s prayed together. And those amazing things can happen for us when in unison, we pray for the needs of each other.

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March 8th – Matthew 6:5-8

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Matthew 6:5-8

Why is it important to pray in secret? And why is Jesus careful to add that when we pray we should seek a secluded place and shut the door behind us? As I thought about that, I thought of the children’s book called, The Secret Garden by, Frances Hodgson Burnett. The story is about two children who are transformed from being weak, sickly, and friendless, to physically and emotionally healthy children in the garden. And I thought perhaps F.H. Burnett might be onto something here. Because like the children in the garden, our souls can be transformed by our time in secret prayer.

Secret prayer is simply a term used to described our time in prayer alone with God. Psalm 91 has much to say about dwelling in the secret place of the Most High, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

I’d love to encourage you to spend some time reading over Psalm 91. Because I believe here Moses, who walked so incredibly close to God while here on earth, is encouraging us. Moses is saying, if we truly wish to grow deeper in our walk with the Lord, it will be through our time. Time  spent in the “secret place of the Most High.” So if you struggle to make time to spend time alone with God, confess it! Share your heart with Him. And then give the responsibility to meet together each and everyday over to Him! After all He desires to meet with you just as much if not more! God cannot fail. So make it His responsibility to provide time for the two of you to meet in your secret place.

Blessings, Sue

 

March 8th – Matthew 6:5-8 Read More »