January 19
today's reading:
Matthew 12:46 through Matthew 13:23
Has the Father scattered seed of Truth or blessings in my life, but I have been totally oblivious to it?
Have I been so caught up in my own agenda that the seed could not take root?
Have trials stolen Truth from me?
With my eyes wide open and my ears attentive to listen to your direction, can I say that I have received Truth and it is now bearing fruit in my life?
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
January 18
today's reading: Matthew 12: 22-45
The Unforgivable.........
What does it mean to "blaspheme" against the Holy Spirit?
Please look up these additional scriptures to help you define this very IMPORTANT and ESSENTIAL part of God, and what it means to continually and deliberately reject this essential part of God.
If you have ever resisted the Holy Spirit or sinned against God, you are not automatically cast away from Him.
As long as you want to be forgiven by God- and you are willing to repent-to turn away from your sin-
you are not unforgivable!
Absolutely the opposite!
The Lord loves you and wants to forgive every sin.
He wants to banish your sin, as far away from you and from His memory, as the east is from the west!
Stay faithful, dear ones, stay faithful.
today's reading: Matthew 12: 22-45
The Unforgivable.........
What does it mean to "blaspheme" against the Holy Spirit?
Please look up these additional scriptures to help you define this very IMPORTANT and ESSENTIAL part of God, and what it means to continually and deliberately reject this essential part of God.
- Grieving the Holy Spirit ~ Ephesians 4:30
- Resisting the Holy Spirit leads to putting out your spiritual fire ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20
- Hardening of your heart ~ Hebrews 3: 8-13
- Rejecting the Holy Spirit results in a depraved mind (considering good to be evil and evil to be good) ~ Romans 1:28
If you have ever resisted the Holy Spirit or sinned against God, you are not automatically cast away from Him.
As long as you want to be forgiven by God- and you are willing to repent-to turn away from your sin-
you are not unforgivable!
Absolutely the opposite!
The Lord loves you and wants to forgive every sin.
He wants to banish your sin, as far away from you and from His memory, as the east is from the west!
Stay faithful, dear ones, stay faithful.
Remember to read God's Word and to pray every day!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
January 17
today's reading: Matthew 12: 1-21
Are you crying out for justice today? You can rest easy!
*The Lord's way is always right, always true and always just.
Do you feel like the bruised reed, wounded by the harshness of this life? *The Lord will not break you, but will offer you life, wholeness and healing!
Maybe you are like the "smoldering wick", your fire almost gone, barely alive at all.
*The Lord Jesus Christ will breathe new life into you so that you can burn brightly for Him!
today's reading: Matthew 12: 1-21
Are you crying out for justice today? You can rest easy!
*The Lord's way is always right, always true and always just.
Do you feel like the bruised reed, wounded by the harshness of this life? *The Lord will not break you, but will offer you life, wholeness and healing!
Maybe you are like the "smoldering wick", your fire almost gone, barely alive at all.
*The Lord Jesus Christ will breathe new life into you so that you can burn brightly for Him!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
January 16
today's reading: Matthew 11: 7-30
vs 12: "forceful men lay hold of it."
God's kingdom is attained by a pressing, yearning, longing to seek His face and His way.
Nothing can stop us!
vs 19: "But wisdom is proved right by her actions."
Right actions, lifestyle and heart attitudes prove Godly wisdom.
vs 28: "Come to me."
"Life is so free from weariness when you come to me."
(weariness=burdens that wear you down)
When we put on Christ's yoke, He alone carries the weight.
Our part of the yoke..............is weightless!
today's reading: Matthew 11: 7-30
vs 12: "forceful men lay hold of it."
God's kingdom is attained by a pressing, yearning, longing to seek His face and His way.
Nothing can stop us!
vs 19: "But wisdom is proved right by her actions."
Right actions, lifestyle and heart attitudes prove Godly wisdom.
vs 28: "Come to me."
"Life is so free from weariness when you come to me."
(weariness=burdens that wear you down)
When we put on Christ's yoke, He alone carries the weight.
Our part of the yoke..............is weightless!
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
January 15
today's reading: Matthew chapter 10:26 through chapter 11:6
verse 32-33: "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven, But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven."
Jesus Christ is available to you all the time, anytime, 24/7, 365 days of the year; every year of your life.
Who else do you know who gives you THAT much attention?
He is available to you......... but He will not force His way into your life.
He chose to love you so much that He was willing to pay the price of His own life to save you from sin and death.
And even though He did what He did for YOU, He still allows you to make the choice to either believe Him or reject Him.
Once you have decided to follow Him.. to really believe that He is who He says He is, and to believe that you are who He says you are, He will speak for you, to the Heavenly Father.
The Lord Jesus Christ will be your advocate!
Knowing that He stands up for you, defending you against the complaints that our enemy, the devil, makes against you to God the Father, don't you want to hide in Him? To rest in His protection?
Isn't it wonderful to know that you can relax in Him, safe and cared for.
Understanding the protection and care He gives you, is key to your being able to tell other people about Him!
Fearlessly, acknowledge Jesus Christ to family members, friends and others.
You have nothing to fear!
today's reading: Matthew chapter 10:26 through chapter 11:6
verse 32-33: "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven, But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven."
Jesus Christ is available to you all the time, anytime, 24/7, 365 days of the year; every year of your life.
Who else do you know who gives you THAT much attention?
He is available to you......... but He will not force His way into your life.
He chose to love you so much that He was willing to pay the price of His own life to save you from sin and death.
And even though He did what He did for YOU, He still allows you to make the choice to either believe Him or reject Him.
Once you have decided to follow Him.. to really believe that He is who He says He is, and to believe that you are who He says you are, He will speak for you, to the Heavenly Father.
The Lord Jesus Christ will be your advocate!
Knowing that He stands up for you, defending you against the complaints that our enemy, the devil, makes against you to God the Father, don't you want to hide in Him? To rest in His protection?
Isn't it wonderful to know that you can relax in Him, safe and cared for.
Understanding the protection and care He gives you, is key to your being able to tell other people about Him!
Fearlessly, acknowledge Jesus Christ to family members, friends and others.
You have nothing to fear!
Sunday, January 13, 2013
January 14
today's reading: Matthew chapter 10 verses 1-25
UN-usual Suspects:
Do you know these men?
Simon
Andrew
James
John
Philip
Bartholomew
Thomas
Matthew
James
Thaddaeus
Simon the zealot
Judas
These are the original twelve apostles of Jesus!
These guys were ordinary men...... made extraordinary by Him!
They were the first people to have unlimited access to Him as He began His ministry on the earth.
They had the privilege of walking with Him every day.
They were the first to witness Jesus' miracles of deliverance and healing.
So, just who were these men? Where did they come from and why were they chosen to hang out with the Messiah over and above all others in their region? Were they brilliant scholars from the local university?
Had they graduated from bible college or even taken a class in theology?
Did they have special privileges in the synagogue because they were the best tithers or worship leaders? Did they come to the ministry because they had a truckload of spiritual gifts?
The answer to all of the above is NO.
There were several fishermen, a money manager, several with trust issues, and a dreaded tax collector in the group. One of them would even end up selling Jesus out, handing him over to be crucified.
We don't know about their education, but fishermen probably didn't attend many theological classes.
These were not the kind of people that you would expect the Lord of Heaven to choose to be the founders of the church.
They were an unusual group.
These un-usual suspects were given the first call to Christian mission! "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give."vs:8
Today He calls you and me to the same mission.
He equips us for every good work by the power of His Word (the scriptures).
2 Timothy 3:17
He will equip YOU. Do you wonder how?
He will equip YOU to do His will the same way that He equipped those 12 very special men, the Apostles; by the power of His Word!
He spoke to them, calling them to Himself.
He GAVE THEM AUTHORITY to do His work among men and women of the day.
If you commit your life to following Jesus, His Word holds that same power for you today!
He gives YOU AUTHORITY to do His work among men and women.
As you step out to serve the Lord, don't stress over every word you "should say", because the Spirit of the Father will speak through you.
Don't hold back from speaking a word of testimony or witnessing because you don't feel you are a gifted speaker. Just let the Lord use you and your life experience to encourage and teach others. He will give you the right words to say.
As you spend time in His Word, He will teach you, give you wisdom and will strengthen you to stand firm in your faith to the very end... to your last breath!
Take hold of that authority given to you by the Lord and step out to do His will!
Let's get busy for the Lord!
today's reading: Matthew chapter 10 verses 1-25
UN-usual Suspects:
Do you know these men?
Simon
Andrew
James
John
Philip
Bartholomew
Thomas
Matthew
James
Thaddaeus
Simon the zealot
Judas
These are the original twelve apostles of Jesus!
These guys were ordinary men...... made extraordinary by Him!
They were the first people to have unlimited access to Him as He began His ministry on the earth.
They had the privilege of walking with Him every day.
They were the first to witness Jesus' miracles of deliverance and healing.
So, just who were these men? Where did they come from and why were they chosen to hang out with the Messiah over and above all others in their region? Were they brilliant scholars from the local university?
Had they graduated from bible college or even taken a class in theology?
Did they have special privileges in the synagogue because they were the best tithers or worship leaders? Did they come to the ministry because they had a truckload of spiritual gifts?
The answer to all of the above is NO.
There were several fishermen, a money manager, several with trust issues, and a dreaded tax collector in the group. One of them would even end up selling Jesus out, handing him over to be crucified.
We don't know about their education, but fishermen probably didn't attend many theological classes.
These were not the kind of people that you would expect the Lord of Heaven to choose to be the founders of the church.
They were an unusual group.
These un-usual suspects were given the first call to Christian mission! "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give."vs:8
Today He calls you and me to the same mission.
He equips us for every good work by the power of His Word (the scriptures).
2 Timothy 3:17
He will equip YOU. Do you wonder how?
He will equip YOU to do His will the same way that He equipped those 12 very special men, the Apostles; by the power of His Word!
He spoke to them, calling them to Himself.
He GAVE THEM AUTHORITY to do His work among men and women of the day.
If you commit your life to following Jesus, His Word holds that same power for you today!
He gives YOU AUTHORITY to do His work among men and women.
As you step out to serve the Lord, don't stress over every word you "should say", because the Spirit of the Father will speak through you.
Don't hold back from speaking a word of testimony or witnessing because you don't feel you are a gifted speaker. Just let the Lord use you and your life experience to encourage and teach others. He will give you the right words to say.
As you spend time in His Word, He will teach you, give you wisdom and will strengthen you to stand firm in your faith to the very end... to your last breath!
Take hold of that authority given to you by the Lord and step out to do His will!
Let's get busy for the Lord!
January 13
today's reading: Matthew Chapter 9 verses 18-38
verse 36 of Chapter 9, book of Matthew says:
"When He saw the throngs, He was moved with pity and sympathy for them. because they were bewildered, harassed, distressed, dejected and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."
Jesus could see the needs of each person he came in contact with. He knew exactly what they were experiencing, not only in their physical body, but also He could see their spiritual poverty, their stress, their weaknesses, their confusion. He did not leave them in their condition. He helped each one in the area they most needed Him.
Do you have need for physical healing?
Are you ever overcome with a sense of helplessness?
Do you feel lost?
Are you stressed out? Maxed out? Tired out? Overworked? Underloved?
He sees you in your need, and He is filled with compassion for you.
His desire is to help YOU, with the same power He had when He "went through all the towns and villages, teaching..preaching...healing every disease and sickness"vs:35
You know, Jesus is the same today as He was all those years ago!
He is the same Jesus for you that He was for the demon possessed mute. He is the same Jesus for you that He was for the ruler whose daughter had died.
He is the same Jesus for you that He was for the woman who had suffered the severe medical condition for 12 long years.
What He did for those people so long ago, He is able to do for YOU TODAY!
Say outloud .......with conviction.....until it becomes REAL to you..."He is the same Jesus!"
vs: 37-38 "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field.
Is there a field in your life that could use some extra work?
Maybe a "field" in your family, where you have been working and working, but haven't been able to see much progress?
How about your workplace or your community? We can spend hours in those "fields" trying to accomplish something good for the Lord, but feeling like our efforts are going nowhere.
There are many untended "fields" in our country... or even other faraway countries, where people need to hear about the Lord. They need to hear, but quite often the gospel message is banned and unwelcome.
Let's pray purposefully for more worker's to be sent out into our communities, both near and far.
Pray that more believers will come alongside to help us pray for and minister to our friends, family members and co-workers.
Believe today that Jesus Christ who walked in compassion on the earth, healing every sickness and disease, is the same Jesus Christ who is ready to come into your life and do some "fieldwork".
today's reading: Matthew Chapter 9 verses 18-38
verse 36 of Chapter 9, book of Matthew says:
"When He saw the throngs, He was moved with pity and sympathy for them. because they were bewildered, harassed, distressed, dejected and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."
Jesus could see the needs of each person he came in contact with. He knew exactly what they were experiencing, not only in their physical body, but also He could see their spiritual poverty, their stress, their weaknesses, their confusion. He did not leave them in their condition. He helped each one in the area they most needed Him.
Do you have need for physical healing?
Are you ever overcome with a sense of helplessness?
Do you feel lost?
Are you stressed out? Maxed out? Tired out? Overworked? Underloved?
He sees you in your need, and He is filled with compassion for you.
His desire is to help YOU, with the same power He had when He "went through all the towns and villages, teaching..preaching...healing every disease and sickness"vs:35
You know, Jesus is the same today as He was all those years ago!
He is the same Jesus for you that He was for the demon possessed mute. He is the same Jesus for you that He was for the ruler whose daughter had died.
He is the same Jesus for you that He was for the woman who had suffered the severe medical condition for 12 long years.
What He did for those people so long ago, He is able to do for YOU TODAY!
Say outloud .......with conviction.....until it becomes REAL to you..."He is the same Jesus!"
vs: 37-38 "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field.
Is there a field in your life that could use some extra work?
Maybe a "field" in your family, where you have been working and working, but haven't been able to see much progress?
How about your workplace or your community? We can spend hours in those "fields" trying to accomplish something good for the Lord, but feeling like our efforts are going nowhere.
There are many untended "fields" in our country... or even other faraway countries, where people need to hear about the Lord. They need to hear, but quite often the gospel message is banned and unwelcome.
Let's pray purposefully for more worker's to be sent out into our communities, both near and far.
Pray that more believers will come alongside to help us pray for and minister to our friends, family members and co-workers.
Believe today that Jesus Christ who walked in compassion on the earth, healing every sickness and disease, is the same Jesus Christ who is ready to come into your life and do some "fieldwork".
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