Matthew

September 22nd – Matthew 6:26

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Matthew 6:26

Corrie Ten Boom once said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” It’s only human to fret over things we can’t control. But as Christians we can let go of worry and anxiety because of the faith we have in God, our gracious Provider. Many suffer in this world with not having clean water to drink, food to eat, or shelters over their head. And as hard as that can be, life is more than just about basic necessities. It’s about working for God, including trusting Him to provide what we need to live. Jesus tells us to look at the birds of the sky. They don’t plant, harvest, or store up their crops in a barn. They live day to day, moment by moment. And still they get fed from the hand of God. We are much more valuable to our Father than the birds. And as such, we can trust God to take of us in every way. Meaning we may not always get what we want, but God promises to always provide exactly what we need at exactly the right time.

 

September 22nd – Matthew 6:26 Read More »

September 11th – Matthew 13:23

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Matthew 13:23

In the parable of the sower, or parable of the four soils, Jesus explains four different responses of people who hear the Gospel. The first is a hard soil, in which the seed, (the Word of God), does not penetrate the heart. And God’s seed becomes nothing more than food for the birds. The next is stony soil. It provides just enough for the seed to sprout, but doesn’t have the depth needed for the seed to take root. And at the first sign of trouble, the seed withers and dies, and God’s Word forgotten. The thorny soil, allows the seed to grow, but the love of the world takes over. It chokes out the good plants with weeds and produce no fruit. But the good soil is fertile and eager to receive the seed of God. It hears, understands, and obeys His Word, producing much fruit. It sprouts and blooms in glory to the Lord. The good soil provides a bountiful harvest for God to reap. So let me ask, which soil are you?

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September 4th – Matthew 13:30

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Matthew 13:30

I remember a time when young son stood on the porch with a proud grin on his face and flowers in his hands. “Look mama. I picked these for you!” he happily said. To my dismay there in his little hands was a bouquet of my garden flowers mingled with some weeds. Not knowing the difference between the two, he picked a handful and gave them to me to sort out. Jesus is our great Sorter, and He tells us so in the parable of the wheat and tares. After planting his field, an enemy of the farmer came along and planted weed seeds, to sabotage the good harvest. And because the wheat and the weeds look so similar, the farmer had to wait until harvest time to separate the two. At the time of the Lord’s great harvest, He too will reap both the wheat and the tares. Christ will sort out His precious bounty, bringing them to dwell with Him forever, binding the rest as weeds, to be discarded and separated from Him for eternity.

September 4th – Matthew 13:30 Read More »

September 1st – Matthew 9:37

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Matthew 9:37

If there’s anyone who knows about labor shortages, it’s Jesus. When looking over the huge crowd of people all coming to Him for healing and teaching, He was filled with compassion. Like sheep, they were lost and alone without a shepherd to guide and protect them. The people were eager and desperate for the message of hope Jesus provided, ripe and ready for harvesting. Yet the workers were few. So Jesus, our great Shepherd, issued a calling. Go and reap the field of lost souls and bring them home to His flock. How? Through prayer and action. First we need to plead that God will send out the workers needed to get the job done. Second, we need to be willing and ready to be those workers. To go out into the field and glean it of every soul for the Lord. For the harvest is great and the time to reap is upon us!

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August 22nd – Matthew 5:12

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Matthew 5:12

Proverbs 10:18 says, “He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and he who spreads slander is a fool.” Throughout history Christians have been falsely accused of many things. Cannibalism, treason, immorality, and fanaticism were just a few. And Jesus Himself was the recipient of many unfounded and ridiculous accusations, for many were His enemies. It hurts when we find ourselves on the receiving end of other people’s lies and rumors. Yet Jesus tells us when we are mistreated for our faith, to “rejoice and be exceedingly glad.” Literally translated this means that when we are persecuted we should, “leap for joy”! Because just like God’s prophets before us, our reward in heaven will be greater than we could ever imagine! It’s hard to see our reputations dragged through the mud as a blessing. But one day as we stand at the side of a Jesus, our victory will be complete and the critics silenced forever!

August 22nd – Matthew 5:12 Read More »

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)

July 22nd – Matthew 23:4 Read More »

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!

June 28th – Matthew 24:22 Read More »

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!

May 23rd – Read More »