Matthew 4 - 11.10.25

Scripture

Matthew‬ ‭4‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”

Observation

In this passage, Jesus is walking along the seashore of Galilee. He comes across two sets of brothers who happen to be fishermen. In the first boat Jesus comes across, He meets the first set of brothers, Simon (later to be named Peter) and Andrew. Then, as Jesus continued to walk along the shoreline, He comes across another boat with the other set of brothers, James and John. Jesus calls both sets of brothers to “Come and follow me.” And immediately they left everything behind to follow Jesus.

Application

Are you willing to leave it all behind to follow Jesus?🤔

Imagine being any of these brothers on the boats. They literally dropped everything to follow Jesus! They left their jobs as fishermen. They left all their possessions, like their boats and homes. They even left their families behind. (James and John left their dad on the boat to follow Jesus)! 😲I mean did they know where Jesus was going? Did they have a backup plan in case things didn’t work out? Did these brothers really think this whole thing all the way through?

But, these two sets of brothers heard the whispers of the coming Messiah. They heard the stories. Then, they came face to face and encountered Jesus. All it took was four words from Jesus, “Come and follow me”, and it changed these brothers’ lives forever. There was no hesitation. These brothers were willing to take that leap of faith. They were willing to trust in Jesus. They were willing to leave it all behind because they knew Who called them mattered more than where they were going. The brothers knew the future that awaited them from following Jesus is far greater than what they were leaving behind. 

So are you willing to trust Jesus wherever He takes you? Are you willing to leave it all behind the way these brothers did? Are you willing to believe that a life following Jesus leads to a path much greater than you can ever imagine? If so, what are you waiting for? Come and follow Him.

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.”-Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭24‬ ‭

Prayer

Dear Jesus, there is no better example, no better role model, no better leader to follow, than You. You are perfect in every way and I choose to follow You. I understand that following You won’t always be easy, but I know that You will always be there by my side, every step of the way. I may not always know where I am going, but as long as You are leading the way, I’m in the safest place I can be. Thank You for that assurance. Thank You for being my light and for being by my side in this world. In Your Holy and precious name I pray, Amen.🙏🏽 

-Moses Gaddi

Psalm 86 - 11.7.25

Scripture: Psalm 86:11-12

11 Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. 12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

Observation

This is a prayer of David’s, where he is crying out to God with all his heart and soul. David realizes that he can’t do things his way, that he needs to learn to live from a Great God. Not my will but yours be done. David knew he could only walk in God’s truth with a united heart.

Characteristics of an Undivided Heart: (Google)

·       Singular focus: A commitment to one primary goal, which is to live a life pleasing to God and follow His way without wavering.

·       No double-mindedness: It avoids the instability of being pulled in different directions, such as between spiritual devotion and worldly desires.

·       Holistic commitment: An undivided heart is engaged with one’s whole self, not just partially. This includes giving your whole heart in praise and obedience.

·       Submission to God: It involves a conscious decision to submit to God’s will, even when it’s difficult, and to trust in Him above all else.

·       Unwavering loyalty: It is a heart that remains steadfast in its commitment, even when circumstances are challenging or others try to sway it.

Application

I went through a divorce after being married for twenty-four years and eleven months. My world had completely crumbled around me and I didn’t know how I was going to make it with just my income and my four children. The choice I made to end my marriage was not an easy choice, but after years of verbal and emotional abuse and infidelity, I filed for a divorce. I was on my face before God everyday crying out for his will and direction. I refused to talk badly about my ex-husband to my children or anyone else, and I committed myself to an Undivided Heart. I had a singular focus to live a life that was pleasing to God. I submitted my life to God’s will and trusted Him to take care of me and my children. I spent everyday in God’s presence, up in His lap, under His wing, leaning into what God had for me. Just like the Refiner’s Fire, I went through the intense heat of life…being a single Mom, not enough food for my kids, barely making rent and car repair expenses. But during that time, God held me close, met my needs, taught me how to live a surrendered life. My whole life began to change. I forgave my ex-husband. I didn’t become bitter but better. I would read my bible and it would burn in my heart. I would praise and worship God all day long. My face would glow from being in His presence. I had Joy pouring out of my life. He had created a new vessel to pour out His glory. I wouldn’t trade that time with the Lord for anything on this earth.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I can never thank you enough for always walking me through these hard trials of my life. You have never left me or forsaken me and you have always been faithful to me. Help me to always have an Undivided Heart that is focused on pleasing you and following your ways. Thank you for making me a vessel that is worthy to pour out Your Glory. I love you with all my heart and soul!

- Michelle Craig

Revelation 22 - 11.6.25

Revelation 22:1-2, 17

S – 1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

O – Seeing the tree of life again points to a restoration of all things. “Now at last, almost at the end of the great drama of the Bible, man may return and legitimately enjoy the blessing which he was banished for illegitimately desiring.” (Preston/Hanson Blue Letter Bible.org)

Revelations closes human history as Genesis opened it, in paradise! There is one distinct difference and that is that evil is gone forever. Revelations is a book of hope. It shows that no matter what happens on earth, God is in control. It promises that evil will not last forever. And it depicts the wonderful reward that is waiting for all those who believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior.

A - As we get closer to the end times, and we can see everything lining up just as His Word was written, we have TWO choices…..BELIEVE and spend eternity with our creator in a beautiful place, where we are never hungry, hurting, or lacking for anything. A place where we get to worship our Heavenly Father face to face.

On the flip side, as we read in previous chapters is what’s in store for those who turn AWAY from God:

Rev 20:15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Rev 21:8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars – they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

Those words alone should be enough to stop everyone in their tracks and get right with the Lord. Funny, how it doesn’t affect everyone. They are hardened and they can’t see the truth, and that is a scary thought.  I know where I want to be. And I know where I want my loved ones to be. Am I doing enough to make sure they know the truth? Am I praying for those I love daily, to open their hearts and hear the truth?  Am I behaving in a way that shows that this is a matter of life or death?

P – Lord forgive me for being passive at times and for being complacent. Knowing that I get to be with you in paradise, I can sometimes be too comfortable in that thought. But you want more. You want us to love others more than ourselves so I pray you will break my heart for the lost….for those in my realm of influence that you also want in paradise with you. Give me boldness to speak Your truth to them and to remember them at all times. And thank you that this life here on earth is not where it ends. Thank you for loving me and keeping me out of that fiery pit! I love you Lord! Amen

- Crystal Flory