Month: January 2016

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 13:1-23 (day four)

Everywhere Jesus went, He drew a crowd. Sitting on a mountain…in a house…by the sea…multitudes gathered around Him. He was constantly teaching them the ways of God. Not all heard Him. Not all understood what He was saying. The eyes and ears of only a few would understand. Hundreds of years before, the prophet Isaiah spoke the Words of God…verses 14-15 refer back to those words. Only a relationship with Christ, only the work of the Holy Spirit, will correct our spiritual eyes and ears. Only those who are ‘fertile soil’ will hear and bear fruit in God’s kingdom. Multitudes gather, but only a few are genuine. Discipleship is more than just following a style of life, listening to sermons and memorizing verses of scripture. True discipleship is to follow the words of the Lord. Obedience. Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only!

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 13:1-23 (day three)

“Blessed are your eyes because they see.” Some eyes see revelation, others see barriers. So it was when men looked at Christ. Some looked at him and saw a Savior. Others looked at him and saw a hindrance. Some saw him as the Son of God, others as useful revolutionary. Such observation continues in our day. Some see him as the Lord who will make us holy and acceptable to God, others see him as an inspirational teacher who will coach us to become our best selves. But what kind of sight did Jesus call blessed? He called blessed the sight that perceives Jesus as the one who will lead us into life under the reign of God. That means we forsake our plans, our ambitions, and our “best selves” for life as his apprentice. Do you see this?

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 13:1-23 (day two)

For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. vs. 15

If you have ever done any work with your hands for an extended period of time you understand about blisters and callouses. Musicians who play the guitar or bass understand well the benefits of building up a callous on your fingers. When you begin to learn the instrument your fingers are unused to the pressure and irritation caused by the constant manipulation of the strings. After a painful bout with blisters and bandages persistent players will develop a good callous to protect their sensitive skin.

Great for those musicians, not so for our hearts. We will often react in a similar fashion when we are tested or challenged. It hurts, and that isn’t fun. One of our defense mechanisms is to develop a protective layer around those areas that are vulnerable to wounding. This, however, puts a barrier between a true healing that can come from being faithfully obedient to God’s Word. Whatever it is, remove it. God will take care of the rest.

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 13:1-23 (day one)

“He who has ears, let him hear.”–v 9.

Is hearing a choice?  Physical hearing often isn’t.  Profound or partial hearing loss can’t be remedied by “paying attention” or “concentrating”.

Spiritual hearing is different.  What a person hears or doesn’t hear from God often depends on what he or she is willing to hear.  God has given us the equipment to hear His word, comprehend His will.  Whether we do or not depends on our use of God-given means.

Luke 9 tells this truth in a vivid picture.  Jesus is transfigured before the disciples.  Brilliant, white light fills the scene.  And Peter feels the need to talk!  Don’t talk, says the Father in gentle correction.  Don’t offer your suggestions! LISTEN!  Hear His heart! Grasp His direction! Treat each word as the precious treasure it is!

“The heavens declare the glory of God. . .day to day POURS FORTH SPEECH”–Psalm 19:1

God is speaking.  Am I listening?

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 7:1-27 (day seven)

“Don’t throw your pearls before pigs. . . they will trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.”–v 6.

Danny got me thinking. (Panter)  He gave the devotional Wednesday night at prayer meeting.

Jesus’ words of caution (Danny said) implied an EXPECTATION of actual practice.  People who are not giving the gospel away don’t need to be careful about how they do it.

It’s a fine line, I guess.  Give the truth of Christ to unconverted hearts and they may trample it. Flood the church with worldly values–tear it to pieces.

The other extreme is just as dangerous.  Become critical of the lost world, convince yourself that they won’t listen and you will eventually stop sharing.

Be careful as you give this gift away.  But, NOT so careful that you don’t do it.

(Sorry, Danny, if this is not what you said.  Like I said, you got me thinking.)

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 7:1-27 (day six)

I think one of the points of Jesus’ message in Matthew 7:1-6 is that, by all means, we should love and help our neighbor, we only are to do so with great humility and discernment. In fact that is exactly how Kingdom people conduct themselves; fully aware of their own need, they make an appeal to others to enter into the Kingdom, just like Jesus has done for them. He does signal to us that we should still use discernment when casting our pearls; we should not overly invest in those who consistently reject the Kingdom of God. But here’s the deal, the assumption is that Kingdom people cast their pearls, they give what is holy to their neighbors.

You might be surprised by how many people in your neighborhoods and communities are very open to talking about spiritual things, about the Kingdom of God. So by all means, cast Kingdom pearls to your neighbor ! In fact do unto others, as you would have them do unto you!

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 7:1-27 (day five)

After reading Matthew 7, I think it would be healthy and helpful for each of us to answer a few questions:

1) Have I entered in God’s Kingdom through the narrow gate? (Matthew 7:13-14)

2) Is there visible change and consistent indication of God’s presence and power (fruit) in my life? (Matthew 7:17-20)

3) Am I building “my house on the rock” by being intentional and desperate to hear the words of Jesus AND by practically and generously obeying those words? (Matthew 7:24-27)

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 7:1-27 (day four)

Absolutely amazing! Jesus is completing His sermon on the mount…the most comprehensive, insightful, and vital teaching ever taught. The people are amazed. What a radical departure from the Scribes and Pharisees…Jesus speaks with authority. Jesus closes with the admonition that it is the one who not only hears His words, but actually obeys them that will be counted as wise. Verse 21 says, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” The saddest scenario I can think of would be to stand before judgement, thinking I had done everything right, and hear the words, “Depart from me.” Jesus has given us the foundational teaching in this sermon that will not only result in heaven, but will cause us to stand against the flood waters of temptation and testing, anchored on a rock solid foundation.

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 7:1-27 (day three)

“Knock and the door will be opened to you.” We are not anonymous blips of static echoing in an indifferent, unresponsive expanse. To the contrary, the Bible teaches us that the universe will yield to our questions. The scriptures invite us to ask, seek, knock, question, inquire, wrestle, cry out, call, pursue, search. God will be found. How serious are you about looking?

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 7:1-27 (day two)

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” vs. 7

This oft-quoted verse is predicated on the understanding that nothing we do will initiate grace and faith, but it is God who seeks after us. Consider what John says in his Gospel: “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.” 15:16

This is very freeing to me because I often hear people quote Matthew as if it is open season  on getting what you want. If we first recognize that we are called by God to be God’s children then when we ask, seek, and knock we will do so in the light of his plan of hope and future for us. Get in God’s will, recognize his power and authority, and then seek out that which will best fulfill his purpose for your life.