The Virgin Birth the First Miracle and Mystery of Jesus, but Genealogy Full of Miraculous Matthew presents the virgin birth as the first miracle of Jesus life. A study of the stories of his genealogy will reveal many interesting personalities and backgrounds. Many “respectable people” through the centuries put forth great effort in highlighting only the honorable parts of their …
Jesus Calms Storms , Matthew 8:23-27
Jesus Calms Storms, Always Jesus calms storms. Most of the time I read past this section without thinking about it. I read ‘ Jesus calms storms,’ think, ‘okay, well he is God,’ and read on. But today I stopped for a moment after reading it. Does God sleep? Do I think he isn’t aware of what is going on? Like …
Do Not Worry – Devotional, Matthew 6:19-34
Do not Worry, A Choice to Make Before I can follow the command, “Do not worry” or “Take no thought for your life,” I must realign my thinking. Which takes time and is part of the daily walk of dying to self. Matthew 6:19-34 ESV – 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust …
Enter Through the Narrow Gate, Matthew 7:13-20
The narrow gate is one man wide. This is about my relationship with God. If I focus intently on Jesus, I will find the narrow gate. If I look at anything else, I will miss it. I cannot find guidance from popular culture, my social group, family, or even my church. I must decide to reach out to God on …
The Cost of Following Jesus, Matthew 8:18-22
What does it mean to truly follow Jesus? In Matthew 8:18-22, two men pledge their loyalty to Christ, but their hesitation reveals a profound truth: following Jesus demands everything. This post explores the cost of discipleship and challenges us to examine what we’re holding onto instead of trusting God fully. Cost of Following Jesus: Matthew 8:18-22 Matthew 8:18-22 ESV …
Mission Direction for the Twelve: Matthew 10:5 – 15
My mission direction today differs from this first one given to the twelve disciples, but important lessons remain applicable to my walk as a disciple. Matthew 10:5-15 A New Mission Direction Jesus sent out these twelve, instructing them as follows: “Do not go to Gentile regions and do not enter any Samaritan town. Go instead to the lost sheep of …
Calling found in Journey: Matthew 10:1-4
Looking for an Easy Answer to Calling? To find calling, I need to prepare myself for a journey without expectation of a specific answer, time, or place. Obtaining this answer requires effort: mental, spiritual, and maybe even physical. Most of all, it requires I prepare myself to hear the whisper of God’s Spirit. Matthew 10:1-4 Jesus called his twelve disciples …
Praying Workers are Few Matthew 9:35-38
Today, praying workers are few. Why? Praying workers are few because many church workers look to the need described here, ‘harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd,’ run out to meet the need, but disobey the command stated here, ‘Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers.’ The command contained here is to ‘ask the Lord,’ …