Today’s Reading: Matthew 20; Matthew 21; Matthew 22
Scripture: Matthew 20:25-28
25 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Observation: Jesus tells His Disciples that they have to change their thinking. They have been in a mindset of selfish competition -- striving to get the most privilege and power. But Jesus turns that upside down. He tells them that to be truly great you don't have to strive, you have to serve. And the greater the service (doing more for others), the greater and higher is the one who serves. Jesus Himself is the ultimate example of this. He served His fellow man up to and including the point of giving His own innocent life as a sacrifice for them -- for us -- for me.
Application: Follow Jesus' example and serve. My mom has this written in the inside cover of her Bible: "You don't know what kind of servant you are until someone treats you like one." That's the problem with being a servant. People often treat you like one. And that doesn't feel too good. But it shouldn't matter to us -- it must not. I am called to serve for Jesus' sake -- to please Him. And it can be the disrespect of others that is the best indicator of the approval of God.
Prayer: Lord, help me to follow the example of Jesus and the Calvary road. May I be the kind of servant that pleases You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Friday, November 24, 2006
Title: Forgive To Be Forgiven / Topic: Forgiveness
Today’s Reading: Matthew 17; Matthew 18; Matthew 19
Scripture: Matthew 18:35 "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
Observation: Jesus tells his disciples that if they do not forgive, they will not be forgiven.
Application: We must walk in forgiveness if we want to be forgiven.
Prayer: Lord, help me to walk in forgiveness of others and to seek their forgiveness as well. If I have harbored any unforgiveness in my heart, please reveal it to me so that I may deal with it and be free.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Matthew 18:35 "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
Observation: Jesus tells his disciples that if they do not forgive, they will not be forgiven.
Application: We must walk in forgiveness if we want to be forgiven.
Prayer: Lord, help me to walk in forgiveness of others and to seek their forgiveness as well. If I have harbored any unforgiveness in my heart, please reveal it to me so that I may deal with it and be free.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Title: Ultimate Justice / Topic: Righteous Suffering
Today’s Reading: Matthew 14; Matthew 15; Matthew 16
Scripture: Matthew 14:10-11
10 [The king] had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.
Observation: John is killed -- cruelly beheaded. This is the man of whom Jesus had said there was none greater. But being great and being recommended by Jesus could not stop him from being murdered. And this great man is killed because of pathetic people: a girl's sensuous dance that caused the king's rash promise that was used for the bitter wife's vengeance. What a waste!
Application: When I read this scripture, I am reminded that my reward, like John's, is not in this world. It is in the next world. And John is remembered as a great man. We don't even know the name of the girl whose dance cause John's death. It seems strange and very sad that such a great man died in such an ignoble way. But I also believe that the great reward that John received on the other side made his earthly suffering fade to a pale memory.
Bottom line: Live for God, accept suffering, do what is right. God will straighten it all out in the end.
Prayer: I thank You, Lord that there is a system of ultimate justice and reward that will bring everything in the universe into perfect balance and order. I trust You with my life and my destiny. Help me to keep my eyes on the ultimate and not on the immediate.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Matthew 14:10-11
10 [The king] had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.
Observation: John is killed -- cruelly beheaded. This is the man of whom Jesus had said there was none greater. But being great and being recommended by Jesus could not stop him from being murdered. And this great man is killed because of pathetic people: a girl's sensuous dance that caused the king's rash promise that was used for the bitter wife's vengeance. What a waste!
Application: When I read this scripture, I am reminded that my reward, like John's, is not in this world. It is in the next world. And John is remembered as a great man. We don't even know the name of the girl whose dance cause John's death. It seems strange and very sad that such a great man died in such an ignoble way. But I also believe that the great reward that John received on the other side made his earthly suffering fade to a pale memory.
Bottom line: Live for God, accept suffering, do what is right. God will straighten it all out in the end.
Prayer: I thank You, Lord that there is a system of ultimate justice and reward that will bring everything in the universe into perfect balance and order. I trust You with my life and my destiny. Help me to keep my eyes on the ultimate and not on the immediate.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Title: The Critics / Topic: Pleasing God
Today’s Reading: Matthew 11; Matthew 12; Matthew 13
Scripture: Matthew 11:16 "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17 " 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge and you did not mourn.' 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." '
Observation: Jesus is commenting on the critics of His day. They didn’t like John the Baptist because he was too stiff. They didn’t like Jesus because He was too loose.
Application: Some people will complain and find fault no matter what. I don’t know why I think it should be different for me, but I do. I think that I should be able to get everybody’s approval, at some level. Of course I am disappointed.
Bottom line: Stop worrying about pleasing people. Jesus couldn’t do it so neither can we. Just make your performance for an audience of one: God. Please Him and it doesn’t matter who you displease.
Prayer: Lord, I do want to please You. Help me to lose the fear of man that sometimes dictates my actions and even causes me to back off some things I should do. May I have the confidence in knowing that You are my judge and my standard.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Matthew 11:16 "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17 " 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge and you did not mourn.' 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." '
Observation: Jesus is commenting on the critics of His day. They didn’t like John the Baptist because he was too stiff. They didn’t like Jesus because He was too loose.
Application: Some people will complain and find fault no matter what. I don’t know why I think it should be different for me, but I do. I think that I should be able to get everybody’s approval, at some level. Of course I am disappointed.
Bottom line: Stop worrying about pleasing people. Jesus couldn’t do it so neither can we. Just make your performance for an audience of one: God. Please Him and it doesn’t matter who you displease.
Prayer: Lord, I do want to please You. Help me to lose the fear of man that sometimes dictates my actions and even causes me to back off some things I should do. May I have the confidence in knowing that You are my judge and my standard.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Title: True Life / Topic: Destiny
Today’s Reading: Matthew 8; Matthew 9; Matthew 10
Scripture: Matthew 10:39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Observation/Application: True life. It's what we are all looking for. To live a life that is truly living -- truly significant -- true life. We strive for it, work for it, save for it, search for it. And we despair when we are unable to find it. People even take their own lives when they feel powerless to find it. But Jesus says the quest to find life is a losing proposition. Only if we give up our life for His sake will we find the true meaning of life.
Prayer: Lord, this is my desire. To truly lose my life for Your sake. I want to fulfill Your destiny for my life and not my own ideas about what I am to do and be. Help me, Lord, to walk this road of self-denial and death that produces true life. Lord, You know my struggle. Help me, Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Matthew 10:39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Observation/Application: True life. It's what we are all looking for. To live a life that is truly living -- truly significant -- true life. We strive for it, work for it, save for it, search for it. And we despair when we are unable to find it. People even take their own lives when they feel powerless to find it. But Jesus says the quest to find life is a losing proposition. Only if we give up our life for His sake will we find the true meaning of life.
Prayer: Lord, this is my desire. To truly lose my life for Your sake. I want to fulfill Your destiny for my life and not my own ideas about what I am to do and be. Help me, Lord, to walk this road of self-denial and death that produces true life. Lord, You know my struggle. Help me, Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Title: In Secret / Topic: Motivation
Today’s Reading: Matthew 5; Matthew 6; Matthew 7
Scripture: Matthew 6
1 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
Observation: Jesus' teaching in these three chapters in today's reading is amazing. So many wonderful and also challenging principles. Here Jesus is telling them to practice their religion in a private way -- a way so that it does not draw attention from other people.
Application: It seems God wants to be sure that as we do "acts of righteousness," whether it be giving to the poor or praying or whatever, we are doing it for Him, and not for PR. PR is a corrupting factor in people's lives. If I do something for PR, that is so I increase my positive Public Relations, then my motivation is essential selfish, based on pride. Lots of people go to church and act a certain way so that others will think better of them. God doesn't want that kind of religiousity. He wants us to do righteous acts because we love Him and want to please Him -- we are playing to an audience of One: God Almighty. I need to always inspect my motivation and eliminate those things that could possibly taint my spiritual life with pride. (Oh, and notice that Jesus says we are to do this preemptively -- to remove even the possibility of a less-than-pure motivation. Interesting.)
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You want to know me and relate to me. I am amazed that You are interested in me at all. But I am thankful. Help me to live for You and You alone. To do good because of Your nature which You have birthed in me and to cultivate the life of Your Spirit in my life, that I might know You and please You more.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Matthew 6
1 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
Observation: Jesus' teaching in these three chapters in today's reading is amazing. So many wonderful and also challenging principles. Here Jesus is telling them to practice their religion in a private way -- a way so that it does not draw attention from other people.
Application: It seems God wants to be sure that as we do "acts of righteousness," whether it be giving to the poor or praying or whatever, we are doing it for Him, and not for PR. PR is a corrupting factor in people's lives. If I do something for PR, that is so I increase my positive Public Relations, then my motivation is essential selfish, based on pride. Lots of people go to church and act a certain way so that others will think better of them. God doesn't want that kind of religiousity. He wants us to do righteous acts because we love Him and want to please Him -- we are playing to an audience of One: God Almighty. I need to always inspect my motivation and eliminate those things that could possibly taint my spiritual life with pride. (Oh, and notice that Jesus says we are to do this preemptively -- to remove even the possibility of a less-than-pure motivation. Interesting.)
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You want to know me and relate to me. I am amazed that You are interested in me at all. But I am thankful. Help me to live for You and You alone. To do good because of Your nature which You have birthed in me and to cultivate the life of Your Spirit in my life, that I might know You and please You more.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Title: Change Required / Topic: Heaven
Today’s Reading: Matthew 1; Matthew 2; Matthew 3; Matthew 4
Scripture: Matthew 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
Observation: It's a simple message: "Heaven is close, make your changes now!"
Application: If you want to make it into heaven, change is required. I can self-justify all I want, but that won't alter the reality of my deep imperfection. Only the perfect is allowed into heaven. Any imperfection, no matter how minute, would pollute heaven and it wouldn't be heaven any more. So change is in order. Get ready to let God do some radical heart surgery. Here am I, Lord. Strap me in.
Prayer: Lord, I thank You that heaven is a place of perfection with no impurity allowed. And I thank You that You created a means by which imperfect people like me could be changed so we qualify to get in. Do Your wonderful work of change in my life. May I walk in repentance as a way of life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Matthew 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
Observation: It's a simple message: "Heaven is close, make your changes now!"
Application: If you want to make it into heaven, change is required. I can self-justify all I want, but that won't alter the reality of my deep imperfection. Only the perfect is allowed into heaven. Any imperfection, no matter how minute, would pollute heaven and it wouldn't be heaven any more. So change is in order. Get ready to let God do some radical heart surgery. Here am I, Lord. Strap me in.
Prayer: Lord, I thank You that heaven is a place of perfection with no impurity allowed. And I thank You that You created a means by which imperfect people like me could be changed so we qualify to get in. Do Your wonderful work of change in my life. May I walk in repentance as a way of life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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