Matthew 12 - 9.8.23
Scripture
Matthew 12:13-14
Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.
Observation
The Pharisees and religious leaders in Jesus’ day were in a great position of authority and influence. They were the ones responsible for teaching people about God and leading them in worshiping and honoring him. But their hearts weren’t in it. Their hearts drifted from loving God and people to loving the job perks – being greeted by the title “rabbi,” sitting in the seats of honor at great banquets, being respected and honored by people, etc.
And here Jesus highlights part of their problem when he heals a man on the sabbath. Rather than rejoicing with the man over what God did for him, they are furious that Jesus broke one of their sabbath traditions (and of course that people were now praising and following Jesus instead of them) and so they start plotting to kill him.
What stands out to me is a leadership red flag. If I ever care more about the rules or traditions (or service orders or church programs) than people experiencing God, there’s a big problem. If I ever care more about people’s opinion of me than God’s opinion, I need to take a massive step back.
Application
Do some honest heart evaluation and repent where necessary. Are there times I care more about what others think than what you think? Where am I not motivated by love for God and people? Where might I be more concerned with rules or fairness or justice than I am people? Is there any jealousy in my heart or am I truly able to celebrate with you and others when you move in and through them?
Prayer
God, please forgive me for the ways I drift from your heart. Fill me with greater love for you and for people. May I be able to say, and all of us be able to say, “Christ’s love controls us” (2 Cor. 5:14). May we hold tighter to you than anything else, live for your glory and not our own, and celebrate the ways you are moving through others around us. To you be all the glory. Amen.
-Levi Thompson
Matthew 11 - 09.07.23
SCRIPTURE:
“COME to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
(Matthew 11:28 NIV)
OBSERVATION:
The invitation
Come unto Me:
Jesus shows His authority when He says come unto Me.
This invitation is unthinkable in the mouth of anyone else but God,
and woe to the men who call people to themselves instead of to Jesus!
“Come”…He drives none away; He calls them to Himself.
His favorite word is ‘Come.’
AND—it is To Jesus Himself we must come, by a personal trust.
Not to doctrine, ordinance, or ministry but to the “ONE” personal Savior, Jesus.
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 ESV)
APPLICATION:
COME…and then—draw even closer…
To come to Jesus is to realize our very deep need of Him.
There is salvation in no ONE else.
Yet, this is only the beginning of an amazing journey.
A discovery that marks over time—our very great need of Jesus--
The Longer our Walk with Him…the More we discover our Need…
In my walk I have learned that the closer I draw—the greater my need.
Say you are in a large room with no light, you cannot see—even large objects.
But if someone lights a candle on the other side of that room, you will at least be able to see the outline of things around you.
As you get closer to the candlelight, more objects come into view—you might even be able read something that is printed.
But if someone now turns on a bright light—you will see everything around you with perfect clarity. Things that were always there—but you were unable to see before.
Our walk with Jesus is like this room…Jesus invites us to Come and draw close…
the more we submit to Jesus—the closer we draw to HIS light—and allow Him to Transform our Lives…
And as we come closer to Jesus, the Bright Light of HIS Character, Perfection, and beauty shines on our lives. We SEE with clarity how short we fall of His glorious Character.
And we desire to submit further—for Him to continue to complete the transforming work in our lives.
“The Son is the radiance and only expression of the glory of our awesome God-
[reflecting God’s Shekinah glory], and the exact representation and perfect imprint of His Father’s essence, upholding and maintaining and propelling all things [the entire physical and spiritual universe] by His powerful word [carrying the universe along to its predetermined goal].
When He [Himself and no other] had [by offering Himself on the cross as a sacrifice for sin] accomplished purification from sins and established our freedom from guilt, He sat down [revealing His completed work] at the right hand of the Majesty on high [revealing His Divine authority],”
(Hebrews 1:3 AMP)
“And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit.”
(2 Corinthians 3:18 AMP)
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus,
Thank You that You pursued me. Thank You that You revealed Yourself to me when I wasn’t looking and didn’t know how much I needed You.
You extended the invitation to Come.
Thank You that you forgive all my sins and choose to make me your dwelling place.
Thank You that You continue to offer the invitation to Come…as you transform me more and more into your image.
Only in You is there True satisfaction and Joy.
Lord draw me close, Today. Bend down and Let me hear Your great and unsearchable promises that I may glorify Your Name everywhere You send me.
In Jesus Name, amen.
Tina L Kudelka
Matthew 10 - 9.6.23
Scripture
Matthew 10:29-31
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Observation
Jesus was encouraging and giving specific instructions to His 12 disciples before sending them out on the field to “drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.” (Vs. 1) He was giving them authority to do these things. He was encouraging them not to be discouraged and afraid of the opposition they would encounter.
Application
Feeling discouraged? Jesus knows us deeply, intimately and cares. Run to Him!
We can all use a little encouragement in our walk of faith, whether we’ve been a Christ follower for 30+ years or only 3 hours.
I want to encourage us all with the words of this hymn, “His Eye is on the Sparrow.” It is based off of Jesus’ encouragement to His disciples in Matthew 10!
Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows fall?
Why should my heart feel lonely?
And long for heaven and home
When Jesus is my portion
A constant friend is He
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
Today, we have the opportunity to reach out to our community at the Canyon Country Farmer’s Market at 6p. Don’t let discouragement or fear stop us from reaching out and being part of this. God cares and has been showing us favor in that area. See you there!
Prayer
Dear Lord,
It brings me great comfort to know that You are always with me and watch over me. When I am fearful or afraid, especially with doing what you have called me to do, I’m grateful that I can always turn to You for encouragement, strength and courage. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi