Jesus taught the disciples to attend to their own sin, repenting and forgiving quickly. We see much wrong with the world and with our culture today, but we rarely look in the mirror. When asked “What’s wrong with the world?” Author and apologist, G.K. Chesterton replied simply, “I am.” The world is certainly in need of repentance, but rather than accusing, perhaps we should lead the way.
Words have power. So, the wise person will “guard” what they say. Read Eph.4:29 to receive instruction on what kind of words to say and to avoid. Your words should “preserve life” giving grace and edifying the hearer. Ask the Lord to help you guard your tongue because only His power can help us “tame” it (James 3:8).
From the parable of the lost sheep. Jesus taught the importance of seeking the lost, which Israel had forgotten. They had become inward focused and self-absorbed. Today’s church can be like this. The focus tends to be on keeping the 99 happy and meeting their needs. But the mission of the church should be to help rescue the one. If we want our churches to experience the “joy of heaven,” we will get out of our comfort zones, take our eyes off ourselves, and put them on seeking the lost.
Joshua had replaced Moses as leader. God wanted to “exalt” Joshua so that the Israelites would respect his leadership, so He called him to part the Jordan much as Moses had been called to part the Red Sea. God instructed him to have the priests carry the Ark into the Jordan and as their soles touched the river, the waters would stop, so that the people could cross on dry land. I wonder if this is where the saying “Sometimes you just have to get your feet wet” came?
I’ve been on Mt. Nebo. It is located in the modern nation of Jordan. The Bible says that Moses could see all the promised land from there. I’ve stood on Mt. Nebo and I can confirm that this is true. The five books of Moses can be confirmed archaeologically and geographically. Here are some photos taken from Mt. Nebo…
One of many parables of Jesus describing the kingdom of God (or heaven). This parable teaches the “small to great” effect of the kingdom. That just a little leaven causes the whole bread to rise, perhaps points to the small gathering of disciples in an obscure country that will turn the world upside down with the gospel. God often chooses the little to affect the great, the weak to overturn the mighty, the foolish to confound the wise. The kingdom may be “hidden” for a time, but that doesn’t mean God isn’t at work making everything new.
A very practical proverb for those who desire achievement. It teaches us that the one who is “diligent” (Marked by persevering, painstaking effort; conscientiousness in accomplishing one’s duties; hardworking) will eventually be recognized and promoted to leadership positions. And the one who is “slothful” (Disinclined to work or exertion; lazy; slow and apathetic in behavior) will end up having to work menial jobs just to pay their debts. We make much of education these days, but not enough of hard work. ‘Work hard and don’t quit’ is a good word for those in secular as well as sacred work.
The gospel moves us from a religious response to a relational one. The question it asks is not ‘have you been a good person,’ but ‘have you acknowledged Jesus as the Christ?’ This acknowledgement is not only internal, but external, causing us to confess Christ as Lord and Savior before men. How we decide to treat Jesus on earth affects His response to us in eternity.
The Pharisees represented the highest attainment of human religion, yet their approach like all religious effort, affected only the exterior life, leaving the heart unchanged. Religion attempts to work from the outside-in, but the gospel works inside-out. The gospel is about relationship, not religion. It is about a relationship with Jesus as Savior and Lord. Have you had your life turned inside-out by Him?
Most have mouthed silent prayers, but how many have ever cried aloud to God? This is not about God’s hearing. Knowing our very thoughts, certainly He hears our whispered prayers as well as our shouted ones. But the prayers that are cried “aloud to God” show an increased intensity on the part of the supplicant to get God’s attention. The one who cries aloud to God no longer cares what others think. They only care that God hears and answers.