Matthew

August 20th – Matthew 4:1

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Matthew 4:1

Temptation is everywhere. And I don’t know about you, but more than not, in my fleshly weakness I fall to those temptations. Then it becomes a vicious cycle. I sin, regret it, pray for forgiveness, feel bad for giving in to the temptation, and to numb the pain of failing, I sin again. But thankfully, God’s forgiveness is unending, and His patience inexhaustible. Because He too faced temptation. The Lord knows the struggle of fighting the Tempter, a relentless enemy who longs for our destruction. Yet in the desert facing down Satan, Jesus was victorious. With each temptation the Lord fought back with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17) A mighty weapon available to each of us, and one that stops evil in its tracks. So when temptation rears it’s ugly head, I can rejoice knowing that God won’t let me be tempted beyond what I can bear. (1 Cor. 10:13), forgives me when I fail, and provides the path of victory through His precious Word!

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July 22nd – Matthew 23:4

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Matthew 23:4

The scribes and Pharisees insisted that every letter of the Law be adhered to, and everyone follow it to a T. They were pious, and outwardly righteous. And they clung to their self-made rules and regulations. These “religious” leaders heaped heavy burdens upon God’s people, never willing to lift their bondage or lighten their load. And worst of all, these men didn’t even follow their own unbearable rules and inside were full of “hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matt. 23:28). They did their works to be seen and praised by men. No wonder eight times Jesus pronounces, “Woe to you scribes and Pharisees”, and calls them hypocrites, blind men, fools, and serpents. For the Lord came to free us all from our burdens not increase them. And unlike the worldly false teachers, His burden is light, and His yoke easy. He is gentle and humble in heart and in Him we will find rest for our souls. (Matt. 11:29-30)

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July 1st – Galatians 5:1

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Galatians 5:1

Because of our fallen nature, it is hard for us to truly grasp the freedom we have through Christ. The perfectly simplistic message of the gospel, grace through faith in Jesus Christ, seems too good to be true. And so we try to add to it. Through legalism, good works, and man made ritualistic ceremonies, we try to earn our salvation. But God is very clear. There is nothing we can do to purchase the freedom that Jesus died to give us. It is a gift offered by God alone, and received by faith. And so Paul urges us to break from our bondage and walk in that freedom. To give the up the yoke of slavery and take up the yoke of Jesus who says, “Take My yoke upon you and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:29)

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June 28th – Matthew 24:22

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Matthew 24:22

At the end of the age, before Jesus comes to set up His earthly kingdom, evil will reign. Sadly, hearts will be hardened and rebellion and lawlessness will rule. God says this will be the most terrible and bloody time the world has ever known. Imagine that! The wars, famines, plagues, genocides, and natural disasters that have happened in the past are nothing compared to the devastation to come. The wicked and their lust for blood and destruction, cause so many deaths, that unless God intervenes, not one single person will survive. But even up until the very end, God demonstrates His great love and mercy. For in His unmerited grace, God has numbered the days of destruction. Because of His devotion to His elect on the earth, He cuts those terrible days short and gathers them unto Himself for eternity!

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May 23rd –

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Matthew 16:27

Matthew Henry once said, “A true disciple of Christ is one that does  follow Him in duty, and shall follow him to glory.” Before Jesus ascended to be with the Father, He left instructions that all who follow Him must take up His Cross. That means we not only continue in His work of spreading the gospel, but also share in His sufferings. For the Devil protects His own. And as the world hated Jesus, it will also hate those who love Him. Like Jesus, we too will face persecution, hatred, and some may even lose their lives. But worldly circumstances are nothing compared to the glory that awaits those who endure until Christ’s return. And on that illustrious day when the Son of Man returns, He will wipe away every tear, and reward every good work!

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June 17th – Matthew 24:27

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Matthew 24:27

I love a good thunderstorm. The rumbling thunder, cooling rain, wild winds, and especially the flashing lightening. Since I was a kid, I’ve been awed by lightening. The unpredictability of never knowing when or where it will hit, and the power of one flash to light up the entire sky. Lightening is caused by a discharge of electricity that has built up in a cloud. A discharge so strong that it breaks through the ionized air. And that’s exactly how the return of the Jesus will be. Like a flash of lightening, no one will no when or where He will strike. Bursting through the heavens, His power and glory will shine so brightly, the whole world will see Him!

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June 15th – 1 Peter 4:13

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1 Peter 4:13

Jesus suffered greatly during His time on earth. He was ridiculed, scorned, beaten, tortured, and made to suffer a thief’s death. And as His followers, we too will face such suffering. For as Jesus tells us, “You will be hated by everyone because of My name…” (Matt. 10:28) And though no one likes hardship, Peter tells us not only to expect suffering, but to rejoice in it. For when we suffer because of our faith, we suffer for Christ as His body on earth. We rejoice knowing the privilege it is to share the suffering of our Savior who suffered so much for us. And as Paul reminds us, our momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison. (2 Cor. 4:17) Jesus will soon be returning. And on that day, we can rejoice exceedingly when His glory is revealed to all!

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It Isn’t Fair – Matthew 19-20

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Matthew 19-20

During His time on earth, Jesus taught about the kingdom of heaven using parables. In chapter 20 we learn the story of the workers in the vineyard. At first glance it seems a tale about an unjust landowner who pays his workers unfairly. But in actuality it’s a lesson on grace and how “the last shall be first, and the first last”. …

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It Isn’t Fair – Matthew 19-20 Read More »

June 14th – Matthew 24:34

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Matthew 24:34

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples asked what would be the sign of His coming and the end of the age. The Lord responded with a series of warnings of the things to look for which would signal His soon return. And like birth pains which grow in frequency and intensity before the delivery, when we see prophecy fulfilled at increasing speed, we know Jesus is on His way. Many prophecy experts agree that we are indeed living in the season of the Lord’s soon return. And the current convergence of signs means that we are the generation of which Jesus speaks. The generation that will not pass away before all these things take place. The fig tree is blooming, and Jesus is standing at the gate. Are you ready for His return?

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June 8th – Matthew 24:12

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Matthew 24:12

As the days grow closer to the Lord’s return, the mood of the world grows angrier. The light of goodness grows dim and the love for God grows bitterly cold. The evidence is all around us. Division and hatred have become the standard of the day. And many have fought to eradicate God and any reference to Him from all parts of life. Yet there are those who truly love Jesus and remain faithful to Him while lawlessness abounds. They guard their hearts against false prophets, false doctrine, and the attacks from the Enemy. And because they endure until the very end, with hearts on fire for the Lord and His return, they will be saved. They will spend eternity in the presence of Christ and by His side.

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