Joseph forgives his brothers and offers to care for them during the famine. In spite of the years of slavery and prison, Joseph trusted God’s sovereignty. Instead of kicking against our circumstances and blaming others, we can learn from Joseph. We can trust that God is in charge, leaving the results up to Him.
Jesus directs this to His disciples who are able to understand His parables. There is an encouragement here for the preacher to set a table from the storehouse of both Old and New Testaments.
God never tires. He takes no naps, nor feels discouraged. God is omnipotent. And He sends His Holy Spirit to dwell in those of us who believe. Rise up believer! Declare your love for Him and draw on His strength! Rise up and be the world-changing overcomer God has called you to be!
Jesus compares God’s Word to a seed and the human heart to soil. He names types of soil that illustrate four heart conditions- hardened path, rocky, weedy, and good. Which is yours?
This is real praise, an awareness of what the Lord has done, is doing and will do, and then, praising Him for it. When is the last time you wrote a love and praise letter like this to God?
Matthew quotes Isaiah to show how Christ the King has fulfilled the prophecies in the OT. The Name of Jesus has indeed become the hope of the world. Will you call on His Name today? Will you pray in His Name believing?
Jacob spends a dark night of the soul wrestling with God. God changes his name from Jacob (pulling my leg/deceiver) to Israel (wrestled with God). Jacob walks with a limp the rest of his life, but he has a new identity from God. Have you ever experienced a dark night of the soul, wrestling with God?
Surely Peter recalled these words from Jesus after denying Him three times. Yet Jesus didn’t leave Peter in this broken condition. He restored Peter saying, “Do you love me?” Isn’t that what this is about? If you really love Jesus, then you’ll stand up and tell others.
What Jesus told His disciples about fear of witnessing. Our part is to go and to share. It is the Holy Spirit that abides within us who will speak through us, if we are obedient to go. No fear.
There is a spiritual principle here for singles. Don’t be unequally yoked (2 Cor. 6:14). This includes dating. Why tempt your heart? Put a person’s spiritual condition at the top of your “What I’m looking for in a mate” list!