Matthew___9

Scripture

 

Matthew 9:36-38 NLT

 

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.“So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

Observation-What does it say?

As news grew of all the healing and miracles that Jesus was performing, so were the crowds. Jesus was casting out demons from people, healing the blind, healing the paralyzed, and raising the dead to name a few things.  Jesus was able to meet and help people from all walks of life. Yet Jesus never lost focus on his main ministry while here on earth...recruiting people to God's Kingdom and sharing the good news with them. But as the crowds continued to grow, Jesus’ heart was filled with compassion for them. He saw a crowd of people who were lost and in need of knowing the truth. But between himself and his disciples there were too few of them. They needed more help! They needed to ask God's help to provide more workers to help them as they continued their works in ministry.

Understanding-What does it mean?

Being a follower of Christ is not a "spectator's sport". It is something that is going to take a total team effort, and involves all to do their part and "get in the game"!

I would like to think that all the people in this passage whose lives were touched by Jesus were all able to turn their lives around, repent from old sinful habits, and share with everyone they came into contact with about what Jesus had done for them. I hope that the crowds of people that were coming by the numbers to see him weren't just there for a "free handout", or they were just there to witness a miracle. I would like to think these crowds of people all became believers and followers of Jesus that day. That they learned about His teachings and were able to share it with others as well. Now that would be multiplying Christ Followers everywhere!

In the same aspect I would like to think that we as Christ Followers aren't just here "for the ride". We're not just in it to receive His blessings/"free handouts" from Him. I would like to think that we as Christ Followers know that we were bought at a price. That we understand that we are called to partner with our Almighty Father in Heaven to help further His Kingdom here on earth. Yes, our God can do ALL things and He is Almighty and powerful. But he desires for us to partner with Him, to be His hands and feet here on earth, to do ministry together, fellowship together, build His Kingdom...together. 

The same way Jesus looked into the crowds and had compassion for all the lost souls He saw, is the same way we need to look within our own communities and workplaces and have that same compassion towards them. There is lots to do out there, and so few of us that are willing to step in and help. Like Jesus said in verse 37, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.“  We too should do as Jesus instructed his disciples in this passage and ask God to help provide us more workers to aid us in the field of ministry. Ask God to provide us people who are willing to "get in the game" and make a difference!

Life Application

Be an influence out in the world to lead others to Christ, and lead those who already know Him, (but may not truly follow Him), to "get in the game" and partner together and serve in ministry together!

DSC is the perfect place to start serving in ministry if you're not already. Even during this pandemic, we offer outreaches within our community such as the school supply drive and our most recent Trunk or Treat event, and plenty of other ministries such as teaching online for kids church, helping with audio/visual ministry, prayer ministry, soul journal, etc. So, as you can see there are plenty of opportunities to serve and get out in the fields of ministry. And the more hands we can get in there helping each other, the lighter the load it is for our brothers and sisters. So isn't it time we get in the game and help our team?!

“God has shown you his grace in many different ways. So be good servants and use whatever gift he has given you in a way that will best serve each other.” 1 Peter 4:10 ERV

-Moses Gaddi

Daniel_6

Scripture   Daniel 6:6-7 

 Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows: “King Darius, live forever!  All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors, have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who offers a prayer to any god or person besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. Observation-What does it say?    Daniel, now in his eighties, is in service of a third Babylonian king, Darius.  Nebuchadnezer has died, as was foretold by the interpretation of his own dream in chapter two, and the kingdom has moved through two subsequent reigns that were weaker than that of his.  Throughout the reign of these different rulers, Daniel has maintained his commitment to God and held onto his Jewish heritage.  Aware of his commitment to the Lord, Darius’ advisors devise a plan that should eliminate him forever.  They lied to Darius, knowing Daniel’s faith, he was not consulted in this matter.  Aware of the decree, Daniel did not waver in his commitment knowing there could be consequences.   Understanding-What does it mean?   I rode the bus to school during my elementary years.  I have both fond and horrible memories of riding the bus.  All the kids in school were mixed, so there were times when I had to sit across from the scary big kids.  I remember being fairly young when my mom started letting us walk down to the bus stop without any supervision, which felt like a great adventure before every school day.  Granted, it was only a half block down from our house.When we lined up for the bus home in the afternoon, we had to wait by the parking lot.  Unbeknownst to me, the principal’s assigned spot was the one right by the bus line.  One day, I was seated on the curb, near the tire of this car, playing with a stick, when some older kids approached.  “I dare you to let some air out of that tire,” called out one of the boys.  Not thinking anything of it, I put the stick on the valve and let out a short burst of air.  Like a lightning bolt, the two boys ran off yelling, “He just let air out of that tire, he just let air out of that tire!!”  They ran right to the principal.  I knew then that I was set up.  I was taken directly to the principal’s office and berated for my action and the possibility of causing a tragic car accident.When this happened, I was shocked that there are people who would treat me so unfairly without just cause.  At the ripe old age of eight, my innocence was gone.  Unlike Daniel, my action wasn’t done in commitment to what I knew was right, I was just being a dumb kid who probably should’ve known better.  I imagine Daniel saw this coming from miles away.  But, there is no mention in the text of him worrying about the consequences of his actions.  His resolve was to honor his God above all else.  Jesus warned us of similar behavior from the world.  In the beatitudes, Jesus said, ““Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12).  The gospel message, though it brings us into a relationship with God the father, is contrary to the “wisdom” of the world. Later in Matthew, Jesus tells us of the division he brings.  “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.  For I have come to ‘set[a] a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.  He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:34-39)  In today's world, it is clear that the message is hated by the world, and we are going to see persecution because of this.   Life Application  Holy Spirit, help me to be strong and courageous like Daniel.  When the world presses around me, don’t let me be crushed (2 Corinthians 4:7-12).  Even when I feel like I may drown, I know you will keep my head above water (Isaiah 43:1-3).  Even though I may be facing trial, I know you use these times to make me better (James 1:2-4)(oldie, but a goodie)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1cv1tzzgbk-Tyler Galloway

Daniel_5

Scripture - What stood out?Daniel 5

5 Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote. 6 His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his legs became weak and his knees were knocking. Observation - What does it say?This chapter in the book of Daniel centers around King Belshazzar, who ordered that the plundered goblets of the temple of God in Jerusalem be brought out so that he and his wives, concubines, and nobles could drink from them. All his wise men are summoned to interpret the writing on the wall, but it is only Daniel, a man of God, who is able to interpret them. Understanding - What does it mean?Fingers of a human hand “appeared” and wrote on the plaster of the wall. I am sorry but I love stuff like this. Presumably God’s response to his temple goblets being used so haphazardly by the king, God makes fingers appear...like what?? If you are into science fiction/fantasy you loved this section as much as I did. It immediately made me think about tongues of fire, talking donkey’s, giant whales, and luscious locks of power… 2 Timothy 3:16 states, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”.  What do you think about when you read about these supernatural, logic defying happenings in the bible? As for myself these thoughts took me down a path that questioned my own level of faith and spirituality. Do we live in a time, in a culture where our ability to interact with the spiritual world is at an all time low? If so how can we get that back? Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?Lord I would like to be more in tune with the Holy Spirit. What can I do to be able to experience more of your supernatural abilities? Help me to move deeper into my faith with you, into deeper connection to you, so that I may experience more fully your amazing capability as the prophets of old and the apostles did. Show me the way Lord to living a life that not only sees the writing on the wall - show me how to understand it. In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen. -kenneth lee