Matthew

December 8th – Matthew 1:18-25

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Matthew 1:18-25

When we see the nativity scene, we are reminded of the precious gift of our Savior. But also found in that stable is a reminder of the faithfulness of a man named Joseph. A man who stands in the shadows, but whose obedience to God is a lesson for us all. Any other man after learning his fiancé was pregnant by another, would have walked away, or wanted her to be punished. But Joseph wanted neither. Instead when visited by an angel of Lord telling Joseph of Mary’s divine conception, he was willing to obey God. No matter the personal cost. For Joseph not only loved God, he loved Mary and the child she was carrying. So in that love and faithfulness, Joseph obeyed God and named the child Jesus. And that act of obedience accomplished two things. First, it gave the Son of God an earthly father. And second, gave Jesus his noble ancestry as a descendent of the house of David, fulfilling the prophecy of God.

December 8th – Matthew 1:18-25 Read More »

November 16th – Matthew 6:25

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Matthew 6:25

If you have food in your fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and clean water to drink, you are richer than 75% of the world. Much is there to be thankful for. Because as Christians, God provides for those who love Him and follow His commandments. Fear and anxiety are powerful tools of the enemy. But God did not design us to be anxious or worried. In His Sermon on the Mount Jesus told the crowds, “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’….Do not worry about tomorrow.” (Matt. 6:31,34) Our loving Father knows what we need, and promises to fill those needs. All we have to do is trust in His provision. Throughout their 40 year journey, not once did the Israelites go without. From their food, clothing, and shelter, God never failed them.(Deut. 29:4-6) And He won’t fail us. So rejoice and give thanks. For in God’s goodness, He gives us everything we need to live a godly life. (2 Peter 1:3)

November 16th – Matthew 6:25 Read More »

What A Friend We Have In Jesus – Matthew 26

Leave a Comment / Bible Study /

Matthew 26

“What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.” This hymn by Joseph M. Scriven, is one of my absolute favorites. It always brings up wonderful memories of my Grandmother and her sisters gathered around the organ singing with glee. And it’s also the first thing that enters my mind when I read Matthew chapter 26. …

What A Friend We Have In Jesus – Matthew 26Read More »

What A Friend We Have In Jesus – Matthew 26 Read More »

October 25th – 1 Corinthians 13:12

Leave a Comment / Uncategorized /

1 Corinthians 13:12

There’s a reason that some mirrors come with warning labels. Because they produce limited and flawed reflections. Paul describes our knowledge of God like a mirror. While we are on the earth, we only have a partial or dim reflection of our glorious, heavenly Father. But one day everyone of us, believer or not, will stand before the Lord face to face. And all will be revealed.  Gone forever will be the foggy mirror, and we will fully know God as He fully knows us. Imagine that! Our great Creator knows us down to the number of hairs on our head. (Matthew 10:30) He knows our most private thoughts. God sees our hopes, dreams, greatest fears, and all we were created to be. And in His great love for us, His children, He wants us to know Him as intimately as He knows us. And how wonderful it will be spending an eternity by His side. Where we will be forever growing in knowledge and love for the One who created, redeems, and calls us His!

October 25th – 1 Corinthians 13:12 Read More »

October 14th – Matthew 18:6

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Matthew 18:6

We all have a spiritual walk, and are in different places on the path of faith. And as children of God, our Father expects us to help each other make the trek to becoming mature Christians. While it’s true that we all stumble, God gives us an extra warning against causing a fellow believer to fall into sin. In fact, Jesus says it would better to be drowned in the sea, than face Him and the consequences for making a fellow brother or sister fall in faith. So in light of the seriousness, we need to be extra careful . Careful about the examples we set, the words we say, and the teachings we share. We should be constantly aware of the weakness of others, and never encourage them to act in a way that the Bible specifically prohibits. God calls us to builders of faith, not demolition crews. Brightly shining lights on the path to righteousness, so that others following don’t lose their way.

October 14th – Matthew 18:6 Read More »

October 11th – Luke 6:35

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Luke 6:35

From childhood we are all taught the golden rule. “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” (Matt. 7:12) Easier said than done. Because no matter how well you treat people, there will be some that will still mistreat you. The truth is, in our own strength it’s impossible to treat those who hurt, abuse, and misuse us. But in the strength of the Spirit, nothing is impossible. But why is God so insistent on us being different from the world? Why does He want us being good to all people? Because if God treated us in the way we deserve, there would be no hope. For we too were once His enemy. But God has nothing but love for all of His children. And so His greatest desire is for us to turn from our sin and receive the salvation He freely offers. And we as followers of Jesus, should want the same for all of our brothers and sisters. So we are to show God’s love and mercy to both friends and enemies, in the hope that they too will repent and be saved!

October 11th – Luke 6:35 Read More »

October 8th – Matthew 19:14

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Matthew 19:14

I can remember going to Sunday school and learning all of the wonderful things Jesus did for me. And at the end of each class we would sing, “Jesus loves the little children.” Although I didn’t quite understand what this meant, I happily belted out the words. Because it was pure joy to know I was precious in His sight. And that kind of innocent, childlike delight and faith, the kind that believes God can do anything, is just what our Father wants us to have. Children, in their humility, aren’t concerned with the things of the world. They aren’t worried about fame and fortune. All they know is the tender care and trust they put in the one they love. The arms of Jesus are always open to His children. He wants us to approach His throne of grace with joy, innocence, and humility. To have open, moldable hearts of a child. Hearts that believe, Jesus loves the little children of the world!

October 8th – Matthew 19:14 Read More »

October 6th – Philippians 2:15

1 Comment / Daily Devotional /

Philippians 2:15

In a poem Shakespeare once wrote, “All the world is a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” On the world’s stage, the spotlight on Christians is particularly harsh and bright, checking to see if our actions line up with our preaching. And God tells that as His sons and daughters, the lights we project should be above reproach. That means living lives that are completely opposite from the fallen world in which we live. We are to be in the world, not of it, becoming distinctly different examples of Christ. Just as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:16. “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). And after all isn’t that the goal as a Christian? To live for the Lord in all that we do so that when He returns, we will have “reason to glory!” (Phil 5:16)

October 6th – Philippians 2:15 Read More »

October 4th – 2 Corinthians 6:18

1 Comment / Daily Devotional /

2 Corinthians 6:18

Trying to live with one foot in the flesh and the other in the Spirit is a balancing act doomed to fail. For as Matthew 6:24 tells us, “No one can serve two masters.” God wants both of our feet firmly planted with Him. And to do that means separating ourselves from the evils of the world. God called His children of Israel to live a life separate and distinct. To be holy among the other nations. And for us to be sons and daughters of God, means doing the same. We too are to lead lives separate and distinct. Holy among the wicked of the world. Which means loving the lost, sharing the Gospel with the lost, and being godly examples for the lost. But it doesn’t mean becoming influenced by the lost. Because it doesn’t take much for temptation to get a foothold in our lives. And Satan never passes up an opportunity to tempt us into compromising our faith.

October 4th – 2 Corinthians 6:18 Read More »