Matthew 15 - 8.13.24

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 15: 10 - 20

 10 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. 11 What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”

12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

13 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Leave them; they are blind guides.[d] If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

15 Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”

16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

OBSERVATION

The Pharisees and teachers of the law had just come to Jesus, in verse 2, and the disciples to questioning why they “break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”. See the Pharisees and teachers were looking for every opportunity to catch Jesus and the disciples in some act that would disprove them as being from God. They were also looking at the external and Jesus was looking at the internal. Jesus ends up calling them out in verse 8 – 9:

8 “‘These people honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.
9 They worship me in vain;
    their teachings are merely human rules.”

In verse 10 – 20, Jesus explains it’s not about what goes into a body but what comes out.

The Disciples couldn’t understand and were more concerned about offending the Pharisees and teachers. They thought it’s important to alert Jesus that these esteemed leaders were offended by what Jesus said. They were all used to the Old Testament teachings about what goes into the body. Jesus explains it’s not about what goes in with food or lack of washing hands but it’s more about what’s in their heart that comes out. Jesus told them to leave the Pharisees alone – saying they were blind, not planted by God and would be pulled out at the root. Yikes!

Then Jesus makes it even more evident:

Jesus answers Peter with “Are you still so dull?” Jesus is basically telling Peter are you dense and blind? Whoa!! What an eye opening statement to help them understand the bigger picture. Peter’s example, just like we all might have thought, is that he’s still thinking in the physical as opposed to the spiritual inner heart of humans.

APPLICATION

I recently had a conversation with my new daughter-in-law about cursing. She warned me about a new movie that had a lot of cursing and knew I wouldn’t like it. I proceeded to tell her that in my younger non-Christian days, I had a potty mouth and could curse like a sailor. Once I became a Christian, seeing that God healed and changed me from the inside out, foul language became something foreign and obnoxious to me. This only comes from the inward transformation Jesus does to those who accept the transformation.

Ephesians 4:29

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Jesus is specifically calling out true transformation comes from inside the heart and isn’t about following external rules and regulations. Once a believer gives their life over to Jesus, that’s when the internal transformation begins and continues each day we give our life over to Christ. Just like a caterpillar that transforms into a butterfly, we are changed from the inside.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Jesus mentions several sinful thoughts and actions that come from within. I think he brought these up not only because many can identify with the sins but possibly to also speak to the Pharisees and leaders who were walking one way in their life and doing something completely opposite. No matter what, the list explains those who do these things is evidence of an inward heart issue. Jesus is the only one who can transform the inner heart.

PRAYER

Lord, I come before you and ask forgiveness for any internal thought or external action that displeases you. Help me, Lord, to see that changing sinful actions can only start with changing our heart towards You. It’s only through Your eyes, your Word, prayer, and the Holy Spirit, that can change a heart to your ways. In Jesus name I pray. Amen!

- Mary Oberg

Matthew 14 - 8.12.24

Scripture

Matthew 14:27-31 NIV

“But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?””

Observation

The disciples were afraid because they thought it was a ghost walking towards them on the water. However, Jesus told them not to be afraid because it was Him. Peter requested that Jesus call him out into the water if it was truly Him. Jesus did, so Peter got out of the boat, went out to Jesus in the water, and started walking on water! But, when he saw the wind, he took His eyes off of Jesus and started to sink.

When Peter started focusing on the problem around him, which was the huge wind, he took His eyes off of Jesus, became afraid and started to sink. 

Peter’s fear wasn’t able to keep Him above the water. 

Application

Keep our focus on Jesus and not on the problem.

How many of us take our focus off of Jesus when problems arise? We become afraid and start worrying, instead of first praying and putting our faith in Christ, knowing that He is more than able to take care of it. I admit that I am guilty of this, as my natural default is not always prayer, but worry. Worry always leads my heart to a lack of peace. 

This is one of my life verses (which I have to remind myself of often) whenever my natural inclination is to worry or be anxious about a situation. I have also shared this verse with my daughters, as a reminder whenever they start to feel worried about a situation. Remembering to balance my requests with thanksgiving is very important as well! 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Prayer

Dear Lord, I admit that I would have reacted the same way as Peter did in fear because I have done so so many times before. Please forgive me for losing my focus on You. I really don’t like the unrest it brings to my spirit. When life's challenges hit, may I seek You first in prayer so that my spirit would be at peace. Instead of meditating on the problem or issue at hand, please help me keep my eyes on You and Who You are. May I also remember to balance thankfulness with my requests to You. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

Numbers 24 - 8.9.24

Scripture:

”Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not resort to divination as at other times, but turned his face toward the wilderness. When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him and he spoke his message: “The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly, the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: “How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel! “Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the Lord, like cedars beside the waters. Water will flow from their buckets; their seed will have abundant water. “Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted. “God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox. They devour hostile nations and break their bones in pieces; with their arrows they pierce them. Like a lion they crouch and lie down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse them? “May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!” Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to him, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times. Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the Lord has kept you from being rewarded.” ‘Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the Lord—and I must say only what the Lord says’?“ ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭24‬:‭1‬-‭11‬, ‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

Balaam met with God and He spoke to him. I love how he introduces himself before he prophecies, “The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly, the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are openend”

Balak had seen what Israel had done to other nations and knew they would defeat him too.  His army was not strong enough to fight.  He recognized that what Balaam said came to pass. So, he summoned Balaam to curse them. 

Before going, Balaam sought God and would not go. After several pleas from Balak, God told him to go ahead and go.  However, something in Balaams’s heart must have been off because an angel was waiting to stop him. His donkey saw it and saved his life. God opened the donkey’s mouth to speak to Balaam. Then he repented and humbled himself. 

At this point in the story he has given two blessings instead of curses and Balak is furious. He refuses to pay what he promised and sends him home. 

Balaam did not let money or pressure sway him. Of course, the donkey incident must have been a huge red flag not to. 

Application:

The same God Balaam met with is the One we have access to today.  I would love to speak with assurance as he did knowing that I see God clearly and speak His will. The truth is that is available to me. May I meet with God daily for that confidence.  

I also do not want to be distracted by things of the world that will try to sway me and stand firm. While it would be nice to have a conversation with Diamond (my treasured pet), I don’t want it to be a consequence of my disobedience. 

Prayer:

Father God, Thank you for your love and plan for my life. There is nothing you won’t do to capture your children’s attention and direct us in what’s right, you even used a talking donkey.  Like Balaam may I seek you always and have the assurance that when I obey you, your words will be in my mouth. May I only speak what you say.  If I stray, please open my eyes to my error and guide me back on track. There is nothing impossible for you. You are a Mighty and Gracious God. 

Amen 

- Cindy Howard