Category: Matthew

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The Author

There’s an old saying that goes something like this: “I know the Author of the world’s best seller”.

It doesn’t say I am acquainted with the author or that I met the author once in a book line when I got His autograph. No, it says I know Him. I am more than acquainted with Him, I have sat down and talked with him, I have gained insight and advice for life from Him. I have studied His words and found Him to be the writer of truth.

“… let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV

It’s important for us to understand that the Bible isn’t just a good book with good principles to learn from. It is THE book of life – not just life on earth but eternal life with God, the Father.

Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. He is our example of a life lived by faith. Everything we need to know about faith, He has written. How do we learn more about faith? We read and we hear.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 NJKV

The way of faith is not hidden, it is open for all, however, there are few who choose to utilize the faith that has been provided.

“…Use good sense and measure yourself by the amount of faith that God has given you. ” Romans 12:3 CEV

The Bible tells us that when the Israelites spent 40 years in the desert God provided all they needed; their food and water and not even their shoes wore out. He had made them a promise.

“And I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn out on your feet.” Deuteronomy 29:5 NKJV

“The people asked, and He brought quail, And satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
41 He opened the rock, and water gushed out; It ran in the dry places like a river.” Psalm 105:40-41 NJKV

Jesus taught the Jewish people, reminding them of their promised blessings – building their faith in God:

“Why should you worry about clothes? Think how the flowers grow. They do not work or make cloth. 29 But I tell you that Solomon in all his greatness was not dressed as well as one of these flowers. 30 God clothes the grass of the field. It lives today and is burned in the stove tomorrow. How much more will He give you clothes? You have so little faith! 31 Do not worry. Do not keep saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘What will we wear?’ 32 The people who do not know God are looking for all these things. Your Father in heaven knows you need all these things. Matthew 6:28-32 NLV

Faith is the absence of worry and fear. Faith is trust in what God has done and said. He is the one who has given us faith and He is the developer of it. He promised to provide.

May I encourage you to spend time with the Author of our faith, read the Book and learn from Him!

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Again and Again

There’s a verse in Romans 10 that I love hearing, reading, and quoting again and again.

“So, faith comes from listening, but it’s listening by means of Christ’s message.” Romans 10:17 CEV

When we hear God’s word, and then hear it again and again it builds faith in our hearts.

Do you remember when we were kids the things we heard again and again?

It’s amazing how many things we do as adults that we were taught as children. We no longer do them because “mom” is still standing there telling us every time but we do them because we know they’re right.

Look both ways before crossing a street

Brush your teeth before going to bed

Don’t run with scissors

Don’t talk with your mouth full

Chew with your mouth closed

Don’t tattle

Wash your hands after you’ve gone to the bathroom

Say, “Yes Ma’am” “Yes, Sir”

Don’t punch your sister

Pick up your clothes

Feed the dog

All of these things are simple and right, but we had to be taught them and now that we do them, we are better for it.

When we listen too and apply God’s word, we are better for it and faith is built.

“So be strong and brave! Be careful to do everything my servant Moses taught you. Never stop reading The Book of the Law he gave you. Day and night you must think about what it says. If you obey it completely, you and Israel will be able to take this land. 9 I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9 CEV

Joshua was taking over for Moses, leading over a million Israelites into the Promised Land. Big shoes to fill – he needed wisdom and courage. This was his instruction from the Lord…remember what you were taught, you will be successful!

Today I want to remind you what you were taught. There is one prevailing theme throughout Scripture, and it’s summed up in two instructions.

“36 “Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus answered:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 38 This is the first and most important commandment. 39 The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” 40 All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 23:36-40 CEV

When we love the Lord with all our heart we will naturally and supernaturally love others as well. We learn from His example of unconditional love and we give. We give our time, our possessions, our acceptance, we give our very lives if necessary.

That is the reoccurring message of each day’s blog. Focus on loving the Lord and we will love others as well. Faith comes by hearing the Father’s message again and again and again.

Love well today!

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Let’s Just Get Along

Over the years Dave and I have worked with some really unlikable people. We adopted a saying, “at least they have clean fingernails”. We would look for one positive trait instead of focusing on the negative ones and sometimes that meant we could only find something small like clean fingernails.

We know in our hearts that God has given us the commandment to love one another. The loving part isn’t hard because I can see that they were created by God and He had a purpose in their birth just like He had a purpose for mine but the liking – that’s another story.

Time to get honest.

Are there people that go to your church that you really don’t like? Someone who just rubs you the wrong way? Someone you try to avoid when you see them coming your direction?

I heard a story once about a man who woke up on Sunday morning and told his wife he wasn’t going to church that morning. He had had it pretending he liked those people and so he had decided he was going to stay home. His wife told him he couldn’t act like that, he HAD to go. To that he said give me one good reason! She answered softly, because you’re the pastor. 🙂

I’m sure the Apostle Paul, with all the thousands of Christians in all the different churches must have had a couple of people he had a hard time liking but look at his final prayer in Ephesians.

“I pray that God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will give peace and love with faith to all the brothers and sisters there. 24 God’s grace to all of you who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love that never ends.” Ephesians 6:23-24 ERV

He prayed for ALL of them that they would have faith to receive God’s gifts of peace, love and grace.

When we grow in our relationship with the Father we will also grow in our relationship with each other. We will come to a place that we begin to pray for them to be blessed. That’s the Father working in us. Jesus told us to pray for our enemies so I’m sure the same prayer will work for those we just don’t like very well.

“You can see the speck in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the log in your own eye. 4 How can you say, ‘My friend, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you don’t see the log in your own eye? 5 You’re nothing but show-offs! First, take the log out of your own eye; then you can see how to take the speck out of your friend’s eye.” Matthew 7:3-5 CEV

It’s amazing how practical God’s word is. The Father wants us to live a stress free and peaceful life.

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Tornado Warning

Strong as a brick house!

I never understood how true those words were until my second summer working in Iowa. We were living in an RV Park. Dave and I were both working for our friends’ who had an aerial application service. I was in the office and Dave provided ground support for the planes and helicopters.

The winds were picking up and we knew a storm was coming but then things increased in severity, and we went from a summer storm to a tornado warning. I had lived in Arizona most of my life and more recently had moved to the Northwest. I knew how to handle extreme heat and 30 below temperatures but a tornado warning was something else entirely.

A local business had specified their basement area as a storm shelter but since we, and several other RV’ers, had pets we couldn’t shelter there. Health Department regulations. We would have to stay at the RV Park in the brick shower house.

Solid as a rock!

I think that was one of the most frightening experiences I have been through. Thank God I was there with three other women, two I found out were Christians. We prayed! We prayed for safety for not only us but for our families and all who were in the tornado’s path. We prayed for the crops and farmhouses, business and schools. We prayed that the tornado would miraculously dissipate. We prayed for our pets to be calmed. We prayed!

And when the praying was done, we began to sing! We gave praise to God for the promises of His word, for His faithfulness, His protection, His greatness!

We were living the teachings of the Bible. Everyone was safe, there was very little home and farm damage, thank God!

“You believers are like a building that God owns. That building was built on the foundation that the apostles and prophets prepared. Christ Jesus himself is the most important stone in that building. 21 The whole building is joined together in Christ, and he makes it grow and become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in Christ you are being built together with his other people. You are being made into a place where God lives through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:21-22

The cornerstone or foundational stone for our lives as believers is Jesus Christ. We are in Him! And in Him and the Spirit of God dwells in us empowering us for victory.

“Whoever hears these teachings of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house. But it did not fall because it was built on rock.

26 “Whoever hears these teachings of mine and does not obey them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house. And it fell with a loud crash.” Matthew 7:24-27 ERV

Jesus is called the Word made flesh so when we accept Him as our chief cornerstone we will be secure in our position, founded on the rock able to stand against the storms.

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Write Your Story

Today I’m going to offer you a physical challenge. It may take you outside your comfort zone. I want you to write down how you came to faith in Jesus. Someday when you are no longer here you’re family and loved ones will want to know how your relationship with the Lord began.

Jesus asked this of his disciples: “Jesus went to the area of Caesarea Philippi. He said to his followers, ‘Who do people say I am?’ 14 They answered, ‘Some people say you are John the Baptizer. Others say you are Elijah. And some say you are Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ 15 Then Jesus said to his followers, ‘And who do you say I am?’” Matthew 16:13-15 CEV

Who do you say that I am?

If that were the topic of your High School English class essay, how many words, how many pages would it take to answer the question? Sitting here this morning my heart runs to so many places; each time reminding me of God’s love and faithfulness revealed through Jesus.

Peter’s answer to Jesus was this: “Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16 ERV

Peter’s answer was God given. These men who had lived with Jesus day in and day out, had experienced life, God directed life, up close and personal. Yet earlier in this chapter they once again doubted, thinking in mere human terms and not in God’s terms.

Jesus reminded them that they should be founded on the rock – in Matthew we have the story of the man who built his house on a rock and when the storms of life came, he was not shaken; when we know that our foundation is Christ, the storms of life won’t shake us.

I’m sure, if asked, the shepherds would have said He was a babe, born to be our Savior. The wisemen called Him a king. John the Baptizer said he’s my cousin but He’s also the Lamb of God who comes to take away the sins of the world. The woman with the bleeding condition called Him healer and the Samaritan woman at the well called Him the man who told me all I ever have done. Saul on the road to Damascus called Him Lord. John, while on the Isle of Patmos, called Him Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Mary called Him master.

So let me ask you again – Who do you say that I am?

“ Your heart should be holy and set apart for the Lord God. Always be ready to tell everyone who asks you why you believe as you do. Be gentle as you speak and show respect.” I Peter 3:15 NLV

I say His name is Jesus. He is my Savior, my dearest friend, my healer and the One who gives me peace in any storm, my constant companion. My Lord and My God.

Give voice to your testimony. The world needs to hear your story!

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Carry the Load

I know there are so many hurting people in the world and those who are friends and family need us to help them with our prayers and encouragement. But as hard as we try, we can never really know the pain they are going through.

We can empathize and sympathize with them, but we are limited in truly understanding their grief, sorrow and personal battles.

However, there is One who knows the depth of the pain and has come to carry it.

“He was hated and men would have nothing to do with Him, a man of sorrows and suffering, knowing sadness well. We hid, as it were, our faces from Him. He was hated, and we did not think well of Him.

4 For sure He took on Himself our troubles and carried our sorrows. Yet we thought of Him as being punished and hurt by God, and made to suffer. 5 But He was hurt for our wrong-doing. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so we would have peace. He was beaten so we would be healed.” Isaiah 53:3-5 NLV

In one version of these verses it says, “He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief”.

Christ came to carry the load. We are limited in our resources and understanding to help in life’s most trying times but not Jesus. He knows the depth of the hurt and He doesn’t want us trying to handle it on our own. He wants us to let Him carry the load.

“ Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7 ERV

We can become weary, exhausted and emotionally drained from “trying” to do it all on our own. Our own efforts will fall short every time. But there is a place of rest and that is found in Jesus.

“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 CEV

Jesus grieved the death of His friend Lazarus. He wept. His heart was broken over the calloused ways of humankind. He wept. He was moved with compassion over those suffering with sickness and disease and also those who were ridiculed and considered social outcast.

He came to bring comfort and healing. He promises to be our help.

“ We have a great high priest who has gone to live with God in heaven. He is Jesus the Son of God. So let us continue to express our faith in him…16 With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:14-16 ERV

When we come to Him, He promises to carry the load.

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Receiving Our Inheritance

Some days just don’t go as you have planned. That was today…

We’re home, under the air conditioning, I have my feet up and I’m listening to the Holy Spirit share with me, heart-to-heart.

Time today planning family get togethers, a memorial service and then I received good news on a family member’s health. All in all, it has been a day of blessing!

Although my morning was not my usual routine, and I apologize to all of you for not putting out the blog, I really had a great day with the Lord. Let me share…

“For the Holy Spirit speaks to us and tells our spirit that we are children of God. 17 If we are children of God, we will receive everything He has promised us. We will share with Christ all the things God has given to Him. But we must share His suffering if we are to share His shining-greatness.

18 I am sure that our suffering now cannot be compared to the shining-greatness that He is going to give us. Romans 8:16-18 NLV

“We will share with Christ all the things God has given to Him.”

I spent a large portion of my morning reflecting on the life of Jesus here on earth. He walked from town to town preaching. He slept in the homes of friends and ate at their tables. He was ridiculed by His family, they didn’t understand His calling.

He went to wedding and funerals. He had compassion on the hurting and sick. He was criticized by the religious elite for eating and “drinking” with people who had a poor reputation.

Any of this sound familiar? If it does congratulations, you are acting like your older brother, Jesus.

His closest friends were often questioning his actions and his teachings. The man he trusted with the contributions and financial support stole from him. Other of his disciples were creating a power play to see who would be Jesus’ right-hand man.

So many distractions, so many issues. How did Jesus stay focused.

“After He had sent them away, He went up the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone. ” Matathew 14:23 NLV

“ In the morning before the sun was up, Jesus went to a place where He could be alone. He prayed there. 36 Simon and the others looked for Jesus.” Mark 1:35 NLV

If we’re going to “share with Christ all the things God has for him” we’re going to need to act more like Him. He spent time listening to His Father. He spent time being silent.

I saw something on Facebook today I don’t ever want to forget. The same letters in the word listen are also in the word silent. If we are going to be good listeners, we need to learn to be silent.

We all need to learn the lesson that a young boy named Samuel learned from the old priest Eli.

“Eli said to Samuel, “Go lie down. If He calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 Then the Lord came and stood and called as He did the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” 11 The Lord said to Samuel, “See, I am about to do a thing in Israel which will make both ears of everyone who hears it feel strange.” I Samuel 3:9-11 NLV

Listen – I’ve been doing that all day. The Father has spoken quietly but He told me I’m living below my station. His inheritance for me is so much greater than what I have been expecting.

His inheritance to each of us who call him Father starts here on earth but will continue to all eternity!

“Father, I’m listening with great anticipation!”

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Needing Water?

Living in the desert I have learned to be observant of the cacti. They stress when they go too long without rain. Prickly Pear start to droop. Even the giant saguaros become thinner.

Heat! Dry heat!

Everything now is waiting for the summer monsoons to come so that they are refreshed. It’s amazing what a little water does to restore life in the desert.

Those of you in the mid-West and the East might have high temperatures but it is also accompanied with high humidity. I’ve been in Iowa when it was 95 degrees with 95% humidity. WOW! That will take your breath away but it’s great for growing corn and soy beans.

Growth requires both warmth and moisture.

We are a lot like that. Have you felt like you were going through a “desert summer” season in life? Everything around you seems to be drying up – scorched, dry, cracked. Is there any relief in sight?

There is!

“I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born. Israel, don’t be terrified. You are my chosen servant, my very favorite. 3 I will bless the thirsty land by sending streams of water; I will bless your descendants by giving them my Spirit. 4 They will spring up like grass or like willow trees near flowing streams. 5 They will worship me and become my people. They will write my name on the back of their hands. 6 I am the Lord All-Powerful, the first and the last, the one and only God. Israel, I have rescued you! I am your King.” Isaiah 44:2-6 CEV

Jesus made this comment:

“Those who are hungry and thirsty to be right with God are happy, because they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 NLV

When we are thirsty for the Father and all of His goodness, we will be filled, just like the desert landscape that drinks in the moisture after a rain. We are refreshed and we blossom.

“Happy is the man who does not walk in the way sinful men tell him to, or stand in the path of sinners, or sit with those who laugh at the truth. 2 But he finds joy in the Law of the Lord and thinks about His Law day and night. 3 This man is like a tree planted by rivers of water, which gives its fruit at the right time and its leaf never dries up. Whatever he does will work out well for him.” Psalm 1:1-3 NLV

It’s amazing how often we can find references to dryness and be refreshed in Scripture if we look for it.

“He lets me rest in fields of green grass. He leads me beside the quiet waters.” Psalm 23:2 NLV

If you’re feeling dry and thirsty today ask the Lord to refresh you with the Living Water that only He can give!

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Sound the Alarm

What do a beeping smoke alarm and the early morning hours have in common? Nothing good!!!

Why is it that smoke detectors always seem to wait until the wee hours to chirp or in this case beep intermittently? Trying to tell us it’s time to change the battery but it’s unsettling to say the least…

Isn’t that the way it is with “warning” devices? They interrupt the normal flow – they come with annoying sounds that set us on edge and that is their purpose. A warning has to be something loud or out of the ordinary so that we stop, look and listen!

The same is true in spiritual things. God gives warnings.

He sent Moses to the pharaoh; Noah preached to the world before the flood; Daniel’s dream foretold the fall of the Medo-Persian empire; Jesus came preaching salvation and the end of the age!

“Later, as Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him in private and asked, ‘When will this happen? What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the world?’

4 Jesus answered: Don’t let anyone fool you. 5 Many will come and claim to be me. They will say that they are the Messiah, and they will fool many people. 6 You will soon hear about wars and threats of wars, but don’t be afraid. These things will have to happen first, but that isn’t the end. 7 Nations and kingdoms will go to war against each other. People will starve to death, and in some places there will be earthquakes. 8 But this is just the beginning of troubles.

9 You will be arrested, punished, and even killed. Because of me, you will be hated by people of all nations. 10 Many will give up and will betray and hate each other. 11 Many false prophets will come and fool a lot of people. 12 Evil will spread and cause many people to stop loving others. 13 But if you keep on being faithful right to the end, you will be saved. 14 When the good news about the kingdom has been preached all over the world and told to all nations, the end will come.” Matthew 24:3-14 ERV

“The Spirit clearly says that in the last times some will turn away from what we believe. They will obey spirits that tell lies. And they will follow the teachings of demons. 2 Those teachings come through people who tell lies and trick others. These evil people cannot see what is right and what is wrong. It is like their conscience has been destroyed with a hot iron.” I Timothy 4:1-2 ERV

Things are happening all around us; things around the world and even in our own country and states are alarming. However, we have no need to fear or be in distress.

“Then people will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to happen, stand up tall and don’t be afraid. Know that it is almost time for God to free you!” Luke 21:27-28 ERV

The good news is this. The warning signs are given so we won’t lose hope, so we won’t give up. The alarms are sounding. It’s time to look up, the day of His coming is soon!

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Let It Be

Reading through the Scriptures this morning I paused in several different places, reading and re-reading the verses, then saying “Lord, let it be as Your word says”.

You remember the words of the Beatles song – let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be, speaking words of wisdom, let it be. There is no other place that we should go for wisdom than to the word of God.

Let it be!

In light of all we hear and see these verses are so pertinent.

“Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body. And always be thankful. 16 Let the teaching of Christ live inside you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.” Colossians 3:15-17 ERV

Peace in Christ should rule our thinking.

Thankfulness should always be in our hearts.

The Word of God should live richly within us.

Everything we do and say should bring honor to the Father.

The Father has placed these things within us – peace, thankfulness, His promises. There is one more verse I would like to add to these.

“Let your light shine in front of men. Then they will see the good things you do and will honor your Father Who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NLV

We should be a shining light for all to see.

I can’t help but think that the light Jesus was referring to was the peace, joy, thankfulness and the promise we have from the Father. In all these things we are a conduit from the Father to those around us. When they see these good things, our Father will receive honor.

Say with me, “Lord, let it be”!

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