Virgin Birth: First Mystery and Miracle: Matthew 1

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 …

Follow Me: Matthew 9:9-13

‘ Follow me’, Jesus says to Matthew. Matthew immediately follows him without excuse or delay, and with no indications of regret. It is likely Matthew already knew of Jesus by reputation. Jesus knew his heart, and knew he was ready to give up the life he had known. Unlike fishing, tax collecting was not a profession to which he could …

New Years Resolution for Blogging

A New Year’s Resolution for me this year as I start to blog again after a few months away from it is to make sure that when I first read and write about scripture is to first reflect upon how it applies to me. Sometimes last year I tried to remove specks when there was a plank in my own …

Judging Others the Way You Want to Be Judged, Matthew 7:1-6

Judging others is wrong I am told. I hear this and I think perhaps I cannot decide what a person has just done is wrong. This passage doesn’t mean I if I see a bad behavior or hear an unkind word or witness a crime, I can’t think it wrong. What I cannot do is make a decision about that …

Poor In Spirit: The Beginning, Devotional, Matthew 5:1-12

First of the beatitudes, Am I poor in spirit? Matthew 5:1-12 When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. After he sat down his disciples came to him. Then he began to teach them by saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will …

Produce Fruit in Keeping with Repentance: Devotional, Matthew Three

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance? What does it mean to produce fruit? As a child I thought I could hide things from my parents, and sometimes I was able to get away with some things and keep some secrets. Sometimes I might now think God is far away, that he doesn’t see me, and that I can keep secrets …

Not a God of Wishful Thinking or Religious Sentimentality: Devotion, Matthew 2

God is not a god of wishful thinking based on my expectations or sentiments. Religious sentimentality and religious wishful thinking may feel good but give little value or substance to face the difficulties of life. Although I like to feel good, and the holiday season is very pleasant, I must go beyond this if I am to have a relationship …

Your Best Life Now? I Thought that Came Later

Your best life now depends more on the angle of your view rather than on your circumstances. Although anyone dealing with difficult circumstances, chronic disease, economic hardship, persecution, or difficult people agrees that it would be better if these circumstances would change, having your best life now is more about your inner life than your outward life. Perhaps Jesus wanted to …