Wow!! The book of Matthew is full of tons of great scripture.
I was thinking how Jesus told the disciples we all needed to become like little children. I was thinking about my boys (18mo and almost 3). They have such an innocent faith in the Lord. They do not question or doubt, but believe what they are told. Fortunately, we will give them the tools they need to defend their faith, but that is a topic for another day. I can't help but wonder if that is what He meant when He said to be like little children.
I have really noticed this pattern of forgiveness Jesus teaches about. We really have NO right to hold grudges or be angry. It is imperative we constantly remind ourselves all we have been forgiven. I am ashamed to think how long I have held on to some anger towards my husband knowing how much I have been forgiven.
Marriage. Jesus is clear. Unless you divorce your spouse for marital unfaithfulness you are an adulterer. We are NOT allowed to leave a marriage when we are unhappy or we feel unloved, or we don't feel like our needs are being met. There is no "we grew apart" excuse if you are a believer in the Word of God. I find myself continually frustrated with professing believers who are not doing everything in their power to save their marriage.
"Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." Matthew 19:21-22
We say we long for sanctification in Christ, but do we strive for perfection. Lord help me give all I have to follow you.
"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife[q] or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
There are those who truly leave everything to serve Jesus with their entire lives. It is important we pray for our missionaries and pray God would reveal to us how we can contribute to those who leave their families and land to go forth and preach the gospel to the nations. I'm convinced they will be first in heaven.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Matthew 15-17
"For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornicators, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.” Matthew 15:19-20
I have had some pretty ugly things come out of my mouth, defiling things to be sure. It is a daily battle for me to think before I speak. God tells me in His Word this is a heart issue. Even the evil thoughts we do not say come out of our heart. I find when I am in His Word my heart is better and less likely to defile me before man and God. We must remain steadfast in what we put in our minds. We must think on things above and not on earthly things.
Jesus heals more and feeds more and I am left in awe of His provision, not only the examples set forth in His Word, but by the miraculous ways He has provided for myself, my family and other believers I know and love.
"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:26
What do we give in exchange for our souls? Fornication, adultery, drunkenness are just a few ways I see the world around me giving up their souls for instant gratification and temporary fulfillment.
The account of the Transfiguration of Jesus was in today's reading. I have to say Matthew 17:10-13 is probably the most confusing scripture to me. I really have to do a little more reading into this area of scripture.
And my last thoughts for the day are wishing I had the faith of a mustard seed. The disciples were trying to cast the demon out. They even asked why they couldn't do it. It was like they didn't know their faith was lacking. What if I don't know my faith is lacking. Lord please reveal to me if and when it is.
I have had some pretty ugly things come out of my mouth, defiling things to be sure. It is a daily battle for me to think before I speak. God tells me in His Word this is a heart issue. Even the evil thoughts we do not say come out of our heart. I find when I am in His Word my heart is better and less likely to defile me before man and God. We must remain steadfast in what we put in our minds. We must think on things above and not on earthly things.
Jesus heals more and feeds more and I am left in awe of His provision, not only the examples set forth in His Word, but by the miraculous ways He has provided for myself, my family and other believers I know and love.
"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:26
What do we give in exchange for our souls? Fornication, adultery, drunkenness are just a few ways I see the world around me giving up their souls for instant gratification and temporary fulfillment.
The account of the Transfiguration of Jesus was in today's reading. I have to say Matthew 17:10-13 is probably the most confusing scripture to me. I really have to do a little more reading into this area of scripture.
And my last thoughts for the day are wishing I had the faith of a mustard seed. The disciples were trying to cast the demon out. They even asked why they couldn't do it. It was like they didn't know their faith was lacking. What if I don't know my faith is lacking. Lord please reveal to me if and when it is.
Matthew 13-14
Yesterday was a lovely day for reading. Not only did I get to read Matthew 13-14, but later I had an opportunity to go back and over the reading and take notes on some areas of interest. It was a lovely time of gleaning and review. Unfortunately the day got away from me after the fact and I never had a chance to post.
The parable of the sower is so famous, but as I read it again and Jesus interpretation I found myself intrigued by the words. I wondered if enough of us, as professing believers, even considered that we might be seeds among thorns being choked out by the cares of the world and its riches. We often as Christians make cliche comments about being "not of this world" but how caught up are we really in the cares and riches of the world when we really do a serious evaluation.
Then there was of course the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price. Have we given up everything to seek after the Kingdom of Heaven. When I honestly ask myself this question, I must sadly answer no. It doesn't often feel like I've given up anything. My life is full of abundance. I must ask myself where I am lacking and fervently pray the Lord would reveal such things to me.
Sadly in chapter 14 we are given the account of the death of John the Baptist. We are given yet another example of how a woman of the world can negatively effect the choices men make. Be there helpers ladies. Do not influence the men in your life to sin or follow after the desires of the world. Be very careful to not be deceived in this area.
But the reading closed with miracles. The first account of Jesus feeding the multitudes and of course the even arguably more famous account of Jesus walking on water. Why did Peter doubt with Jesus right there in front of him? Why do we?
The parable of the sower is so famous, but as I read it again and Jesus interpretation I found myself intrigued by the words. I wondered if enough of us, as professing believers, even considered that we might be seeds among thorns being choked out by the cares of the world and its riches. We often as Christians make cliche comments about being "not of this world" but how caught up are we really in the cares and riches of the world when we really do a serious evaluation.
Then there was of course the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price. Have we given up everything to seek after the Kingdom of Heaven. When I honestly ask myself this question, I must sadly answer no. It doesn't often feel like I've given up anything. My life is full of abundance. I must ask myself where I am lacking and fervently pray the Lord would reveal such things to me.
Sadly in chapter 14 we are given the account of the death of John the Baptist. We are given yet another example of how a woman of the world can negatively effect the choices men make. Be there helpers ladies. Do not influence the men in your life to sin or follow after the desires of the world. Be very careful to not be deceived in this area.
But the reading closed with miracles. The first account of Jesus feeding the multitudes and of course the even arguably more famous account of Jesus walking on water. Why did Peter doubt with Jesus right there in front of him? Why do we?
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Matthew 11-12
Today was a wonderful day, but I didn't get to start it in the Word. I read the first part of Matthew 11 last night and finished off the 2 chapters tonight reading my boys the Word before they went to bed.
Today I was reminded that Jesus asks us to come to Him. He tells us we will only know the Father through Him. There was the tough reminder: if we are not for Jesus then we are against Him.
I was convicted in the area of my words...
"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
May the words I choose to speak show the character of a woman after God's own heart. Tonight I pray for this.
Then of course how could I not comment on the scripture at the end of chapter 12 where Jesus tells us that his mother, brothers and sisters are those who do the will of His Father in heaven. Doing God's will came up in yesterdays scriptures too. We must remember how important it is to be in the will of God. We must not take for granted our choices.
God write Your Word on my heart. Let me be disciplined enough to set aside time daily in your Word. Help me to make you ALWAYS my first priority. Thank you for your abundance of blessing in my life. You truly deserve all the glory. I am so unworthy.
Today I was reminded that Jesus asks us to come to Him. He tells us we will only know the Father through Him. There was the tough reminder: if we are not for Jesus then we are against Him.
I was convicted in the area of my words...
"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
May the words I choose to speak show the character of a woman after God's own heart. Tonight I pray for this.
Then of course how could I not comment on the scripture at the end of chapter 12 where Jesus tells us that his mother, brothers and sisters are those who do the will of His Father in heaven. Doing God's will came up in yesterdays scriptures too. We must remember how important it is to be in the will of God. We must not take for granted our choices.
God write Your Word on my heart. Let me be disciplined enough to set aside time daily in your Word. Help me to make you ALWAYS my first priority. Thank you for your abundance of blessing in my life. You truly deserve all the glory. I am so unworthy.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Day 1-4
When you get behind in a task like reading the Bible in one year, it is generally said not to try to catch up, but to start on the day you should be on. This is advice I generally adhere to however this morning I was blessed to have a significant amount of time in bed while my husband watched the boys. I sat with my beautiful 4 week old Josie and read 10 chapters of God's glorious Word. It was such a rare blessing to sit for so long and enjoy so much reading.
Matthew 1-10 is filled with some of the most amazing verses in all of scripture. The genealogy of Jesus, John the Baptist, Jesus' baptism and Jesus being tested in the wilderness, not to mention the Sermon on the Mount, full of so many beautiful scriptures we as Christians choose to live by, were just a few of the passages I was blessed to read through today in one sitting.
Thank you Lord for Your beautiful Word. Thank you for a godly husband who sacrificed the things he wanted to do this morning so that I could be immersed in the scriptures. You are so faithful to meet our needs. Fill me with all I need to be obedient to You. Let me be one who does the will of my Father in heaven so that I may enter the kingdom of heaven. May I not be one who says "Lord, Lord" and hears the words " I never knew you" from the Savior of the world.
Matthew 1-10 is filled with some of the most amazing verses in all of scripture. The genealogy of Jesus, John the Baptist, Jesus' baptism and Jesus being tested in the wilderness, not to mention the Sermon on the Mount, full of so many beautiful scriptures we as Christians choose to live by, were just a few of the passages I was blessed to read through today in one sitting.
Thank you Lord for Your beautiful Word. Thank you for a godly husband who sacrificed the things he wanted to do this morning so that I could be immersed in the scriptures. You are so faithful to meet our needs. Fill me with all I need to be obedient to You. Let me be one who does the will of my Father in heaven so that I may enter the kingdom of heaven. May I not be one who says "Lord, Lord" and hears the words " I never knew you" from the Savior of the world.
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