Matthew

January 19, 2014

When Jesus was asked why He taught in parables, he answered with this quotation from Isaiah about the “hardened” hearts of the people. Jesus was aware of their unreceptive hearts, yet still poured out His. The Lord and His gospel still have that affect on people’s hearts. It either penetrates, making the heart new and receptive or it hardens it even more. When it is made new, it responds in sympathetic resonance to the sound of God’s heart. But when it is hard, sin dampens its heart strings, so that it is deaf to God’s love.

January 15, 2014

Following Christ is an all or nothing commitment. Surrender control. Open up your clinched fists. Give Christ your entire life. And then, discover the abundant life that Christ promises.

January 13, 2014

The harvest represents those who are receptive to the gospel seed. The workers are those who would plant and water the gospel. Jesus looked at the world with spiritual eyes and saw open hearts and a people without a shepherd. There are people today in our city and around the world that are open to the gospel. Who will work in these fields? I’m praying for more workers who will carry the gospel to our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and around the world (Acts 1:8).

January 12, 2014

When Matthew was called to follow Jesus, he immediately threw a party at his house for all of his lost friends. God has shaped each of us differently. Matthew threw a party and introduced his friends to Jesus. Peter boldly preached to thousands in Jerusalem and told them they were guilty of killing the Savior. Paul stood before the Athenians on Mars Hill and reasoned with them in front of the idol to the unknown god. God has shaped each of us for significant service. How has He shaped you?

January 8, 2014

This is from Jesus’ sermon on the mount. Focus on the eternal things of God and trust Him with your temporal earthly needs. When Jesus teaches us to stop worrying and start seeking God, He is giving us the proper focus for our internal voice. Stop the self-talk (worry) and start talking to God (prayer). It takes the same amount of energy to pray as it does to worry, except the first actually works. Turn your worries to prayers. Lift up your eyes and hearts and seek God’s kingdom!

January 6, 2014

Jesus’ definition of love was so much higher than what His hearers had ever understood. He tried to describe unmerited, unconditional love (agape) to them, but they couldn’t see it. So, He went to the cross and stretched out His arms and showed them how much His kind of love required. When we receive Jesus, His Spirit resides in us and gives us access to this amazing love. Who is your enemy? How can you show them love today?

January 4, 2014

After Jesus overcame Satan and returned from His wilderness fast, He began His public ministry. News of Him soon reached other lands, including Syria. In the book of Acts we read that Christians were in Damascus in such number that the persecutor, Saul, headed there to bring them to trial. Of course, His mission was changed when the Lord struck him blind along the way. Instead of persecuting them, he ended up preaching the gospel there. A large Christian fellowship of believers has lived in Syria since the 1st century. Yet, today they are experiencing terrible persecution once again. Pray for the Christians in Syria. Before the civil war, they made up over 10% of the population. Untold numbers have been persecuted and killed. Pray that the Lord once again directs help to a street called “Straight” (Acts 9:11).

January 3, 2014

After Jesus was baptized, He fasted 40 days and nights in the wilderness, where He was tempted by Satan. Adam and Eve were tempted too, but in the garden. They were well fed and satisfied. Jesus was hungry, thirsty and tired. Satan used the same bag of tricks on both. The first Adam sinned after the devil caused them to doubt God’s Word asking, “Did God really say?” (Gen. 3:1). The “last Adam” (1 Cor. 15:22; 45) overcame by His righteousness, answering every temptation with the Word of God. We have this same Word available to us to overcome temptation.