Daily Readings – Articles – Devotions
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Authority 3 (Matthew 9
We have been watching Matthew describe the incredible authority Jesus demonstrated over all kinds of illnesses and diseases, over natural forces and demonic forces. His authority continues … in fact, his authority knows no limitations!
O Lord, be my wisdom. Give me eyes to see you as I read and study. Give me a heart that bows in awe over your authority … your words … your actions … your very presence. Guard my heart from cynicism and criticism.
Authority 2 (Matthew 8
Let’s finish chapter 8 today. Read Matthew 8: 23 – 34.
The lens through which we are observing Matthew 8 is the lens of authority. We are witnessing Matthew’s accounting of Jesus demonstrating his absolute authority over so many things that exist in this natural, fallen world of ours. We have observed Jesus’ authority over leprosy, illness and fevers. Today our verses give us the opportunity to see Jesus’ authority over storms – winds and waves … and over demons.
This Jesus … this Lord … has AUTHORITY over disease – the things that rack our bodies and cause such pain More >
Cost (Matthew 8
Jesus was popular … for awhile. Everyone wanted to jump on the “Jesus train” … for awhile. Jesus was the happening Rabbi … for awhile. Crowds rushed to see him … to be around him … to hear him … to benefit from him … for awhile. But Jesus, Son of God, was not impressed. He was not manipulating people to gain the most followers … more hits on his site than any other Rabbi in Galilee! In fact, in our reading today, it sounds as if Jesus is putting people off.
No one could ever say that the decision More >
Life Source – Week 11
As we continue to relish “the story” … today read John 20: 1 – 10.
I want us to consider the three primary players in these verses today – Mary, Peter and John.
But to set the scene consider these historical and cultural insights: First …
“It was the custom in Palestine to visit the tomb of a loved one for three days after the body had been laid to rest. It was believed that for three days the spirit of the dead person hovered round the tomb; but then it departed because the body had become unrecognizable through decay. Jesus’ friends could not More >
Authority
Our focus has been on the teachings of Jesus in the previous 3 chapters. Today we will begin looking at a section in Matthew’s gospel that is more about Jesus’ doings, his activities. Chapters 8 and 9 are full of healings. They are packed with examples of Jesus’ authority. In fact, remember what Matthew records in chapter 7: 28 – 29
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Yes, his teaching had authority … and his actions carry More >
Tests for True Righteousness
Fall – 2012. Jesus – the center – the pivot point in history. The study this fall will be reflecting on the Gospel of Matthew. My desire is that we grow closer to Jesus throughout these weeks … that we know him better … that we love him more deeply. Join us, won’t you? In times of chaos and confusion, of turmoil and trouble, we need an anchor, a stability point … and that anchor is Jesus.
Tests for True Righteousness – 2 (Matthew 7
Jesus said in Matthew 5: 20 “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
OK … so if the Pharisees’ righteousness was not good enough, not sufficient, then how can I know if my righteousness is pleasing in the eyes of God? Jesus does not leave us in the dark about it … we don’t have to guess. He gives us three tests of true righteousness in Matthew 7.
- the first test was explained in Matthew 7:13 – 14 which was More >
Thirst
My home town of Houston is suffering from drought this summer. We did not experience the usual spring rains that keep the trees green and the flowers in bloom. Therefore the ground is hard, plants are not growing … in fact, they are dying unless someone is consistently watering them. Trees are reaching that critical point where the reserves of their own moisture have been exhausted. Without water they will die. Without water, growth and life and beauty cannot exist.
Listen to Jesus as He speaks with a woman at a water well in Samaria. The words are found in John More >
Tests for True Righteousness
We have come to the last several verses in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew 5 – 7. The sermon, this teaching from Jesus, is all about life in the kingdom of heaven; about how citizens of the kingdom of heaven behave and think; about what true righteousness looks like. For Matthew 7: 13 – 29, let’s use the umbrella of “True Righteousness is Proved” as the theme for these verses. How do we test to see if our righteousness is true or false? What is the measuring rod to determine genuineness? Well, Jesus tells us.
Today, More >
