Matthew 13 - 7.13.26
Scripture
Matthew 13:31-32 NIV
“He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.””
Observation
This parable about the mustard seed was used to describe what the Kingdom of Heaven was like.
“The scope of the parable of the seed sown, is to show that the beginnings of the gospel would be small, but its latter end would greatly increase;…..From these parables we are taught to expect a gradual progress.”(Matthew Henry on Christianity.com)
Basically, the spread of the Gospel and the Church starts small, like a mustard seed; but the Kingdom of God would gradually grow just like a very large tree-larger than any other garden plant around it.
Application
It doesn’t take much for the Kingdom of God to grow, but we need to do our part. We need to have faith.
Where else is a mustard seed mentioned in the Bible? If you said with faith, you are correct!
“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” -Matthew 17:20 NIV
“He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.” -Luke 17:6 NIV
If we start with faith as small as a mustard seed, that faith has the ability to grow even greater! God can do impossible things with a little. God sees the potential growth! He just needs a little faith.
The growth of the church is the same as the growth of faith in individuals. It starts off as something as small as a mustard seed, but can gradually grow into a large tree that gives shade (a.k.a. comfort, nourishment and a home) to others around it.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank You for revealing to me the parallel between faith and the Kingdom of God. Thank You that You don’t require much faith from me to further Your Kingdom since You are the One Who makes all things grow. Please forgive me for my lack of faith and when I get discouraged when my faith is not big enough. Please help me remember that every small seed of faith eventually grows into something great! I pray that my small faith continues to grow greater in order to further Your Kingdom. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Matthew 10 - 7.10.26
Scripture: Matthew 10:5-13
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.
Observation:
The disciples have been watching Jesus heal the sick and do other miracles. Now, he is sending them out on their own to do as He has done. They were told not to bring any money to fund their journey or spare clothing. Jesus encouraged them to give what they have received. They are to go proclaiming that the Kingdom of Heaven has come and do miracles. When they entered a town and lodging at a home of a person worthy, those who live there would receive a blessing of peace.
This was a huge endeavor for the disciples. They needed to go out with a bold amount of faith. Until this point there is no record of them doing miracles. Jesus was pushing them out into the fire. Sometimes it takes getting out of our comfort zone to have the miraculous flow through us.
Application:
It is easy to think you are not supposed to go out on a journey, mission trip, or other faith challenging mission until we have enough money and other supplies we need. Jesus had the disciples go out with just the clothes on their backs. He told them to freely give as they have received. I need to remember this when I feel God nudging to do something. He will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory.
Also, to train those who I am working with in ministry and then challenge them to go out with a partner on their own. We heard a great teaching at the Pacific Region Conference on how to train a disciple. Have the person you are discipling watch you do the task, then talk about it. You do with them helping, talk about it. They do, with your help and talk about it. They do on their own. Talk about it. We discussed the key we often forget is the “talk about it part”. Jesus made disciples we are to follow His example.
Prayer:
Father God,
Thank you that your heart is to equip us to do the work you’ve done. Help me to follow your example to step out in faith as you instructed the disciples. I need to trust you more for your provision. Also, may you work through me to follow your example of training and sending out others. Please keep my eyes open for opportunities. I know the key is listening to you and going where you lead me. Thank you for your example and provision. May I give to others as you have given me. Amen
- Cindy Howard
Exodus 26 - 07.09.26
SCRIPTURE
“Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the covenant law behind the curtain. The curtain—will separate—the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.”
Exodus 26:33 NIV
OBSERVATION
Approaching God
Why did God give such explicit directions for the Tabernacle? And why is it important that all these building instructions for the Tabernacle and its contents are preserved for us in God’s word? All God’s word is useful for teaching what is true (2 Tim 3:16). So I wanted to dig a little deeper and seek God for understanding.
One truth God highlighted is His holiness.
At that time the Tabernacle was the one—and—only place in the entire world where people could enter God’s Presence. The design of the Tabernacle itself—the division of the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, and everything included inside—were all purposefully constructed and meant to point us to the Holiness of God and importance of His Worship.
No one doubted that God was indeed there—but access to HIM was an entirely different matter.
Only the priests could enter, and only when performing their priestly duties. And as soon as they stepped inside, they faced another curtain. THE Curtain that separated them from the Holy of Holies. According to the Jewish Talmud, this Curtain was four inches thick (15’ high) and required more than a hundred priests to move. All of this was designed to show the supreme holiness of God.
This curtain could only be travailed once a year by the High Priest as a representative who would carry in a blood sacrifice offering for his sin as well as for the people’s sin.
The Israelites had a keen understanding of God’s Holiness. They had stood at the foot of Mount Sinai—covered in a thick cloud like the smoke of a kiln. The very mountain itself trembled like an earthquake. Its peaks were charged with lightning and the rocks were blazing with fire while sounds of thunder reverberated in their bodies. A trumpet sound blowing—grew louder and louder. The whole mountain quaked—under the Israelite’s feet. The Israelites were so afraid they were literally shaking and trembling (Exodus 19:16). This was the awesome, fearsome holiness of God that the Israelites witnessed. God’s Presence—a theophany on that Mountain.
If I had lived in those days I would be thankful God presented Himself in a Tabernacle behind a Thick unpenetrable Curtain that common people could not travail. His Holiness was so Awesome (a word we use to describe many things not coming close to God’s Awesome Power and Holiness) that it caused people to be tremble and physically shake with Fear.
APPLICATION
Approaching God Today
Good News and Good News
The Tabernacle was always meant to point us to Jesus—the earthly copy of a heavenly reality (Hebrews 8:5)—teaching us both God’s overwhelming holiness and the deep separation our sin creates. Yet Christ, our true High Priest, did not enter a man‑made tent but stepped into heaven itself, offering His own perfect blood—so—we could draw near to God’s throne” (Hebrews 9:11–12, 24).
Jesus opened the way into (Heaven) the Most Holy Place, into God’s very Presence (Hebrews 10:19–22). Because His sacrifice is complete—I can receive full forgiveness and redemption (Ephesians 1:7). I can come so near that God has placed His Spirit within me as the guarantee of Heaven (Ephesians 1:13–14).
Jesus death on the Cross tore that thick heavy curtain—four inch thick and fifteen feet high—that separated us from God’s Presence! The one that took over one hundred priests to move it was so heavy. Yet Christ’s blood sacrifice on the Cross—Abolished the separation. It is Finished!
“And at once the dividing curtain of the sanctuary of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; the earth shook and the rocks were split.”
(Matthew 27:51)
The God who welcomes me is the same Holy God—awesome, worthy, deserving of holy fear whose throne John saw surrounded by flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder.
“At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.
(Revelation 4:2, 5a)
Yet—Approaching Him today is good news upon good news: the Holy God has made a way for sinners to come close.
“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ.
It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believesin Christ as Savior—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.””
(Romans 1:16-17 NLT)
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Loving me and Calling me into Your Saving Grace.
Thank You for Tabernacling with me.
Help me Lord Jesus to be mindful of the Awesome Fear You are worthy of that reminds me to Obey and Serve You first and to give You my Whole heart.
May nothing in me be divided. You are a Holy God and You say—Be holy because I am Holy. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit to guide me into Your Truth and supply the Strength to Follow You. Thank You for Your never ending love and Faithfulness. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Come Lord Come.
Tina L Kudelka