Thursday, September 3, 2009

Daily Reading: Matthew 7-9

Reading Through the Bible in a Year!
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4 comments:

  1. johnaraulersonSeptember 3, 2009 at 6:29 AM

    From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 4:17

    Jesus proclaimed the “kingdom of heaven is at hand.” It is not something we have to wait for but that which can be and should be experienced now. The Sermon on the Mount as found in Matthew 5-7 is Jesus’ photo album of what “kingdom living” looks like. He begins with snapshots of kingdom dwellers. They are the poor in spirit, those who mourn (over their sin), those who are meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, those who are meek and pure in heart, those who are peacemakers and yet, are persecuted for righteousness sake. He then reveals other snapshots of kingdom dwellers in daily life by fulfilling the spirit of God’s law as they love their neighbors as themselves. They never murder with their tongue or covet with their eyes. They love their enemies and are slow to judge. Kingdom dwellers do not fret over the things of the earth because they store their treasures in heaven. Their one desire is to please God and seek Him with all of their heart. Jesus warns that not everyone will enter into the kingdom. It is only populated by those who come to Him with a repentant heart and believing heart. As I flip through this album of “kingdom living” I must ask, “Do I see myself?” or am I only an imposter.

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  2. debseverydaySeptember 3, 2009 at 3:09 PM

    ok, I have a question...in Matthew 8, after Jesus heals the two demon possessed men, in verse 34 it says 'And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.' Why would the people beg Jesus to leave?

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  3. johnaraulersonSeptember 3, 2009 at 7:32 PM

    Fear was certainly a motivation for the people asking Jesus to leave. When demonic activity is exposed and dealt with this normally produces a spirit of fear for those around. Also, the witness of the power of Jesus can also produce fear, especially if one is living in sin (Note: either these were disobedient Jews who owned pigs or worldly Gentiles). Yet, fear was not the major motivation. The people were probably angry that 2000 of their pigs were destroyed by the demons. Just like many people today, they were much more concerned about possessions (pigs) than the redemption of people.

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  4. UnknownSeptember 3, 2009 at 7:38 PM

    "Rise pick up your bed and go home. And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid and, they glorified God, who had given such authority to men." Matthew 9:6-8

    Oh that we may work for the Lord with such self-abandonment. That at our actions crowds would see and not glory in our presence or power or name. That we would be motivated by His glory and that we would live in humble obedience relying on the power of God to do the extraordinary. That we would consider ourselves so weak that any possible good that arose from our speech or physical ability would glorify the Father. Do we ever allow ourselves to get to the uncomfortable place of complete helplessness, so that if God does not appear and work, there is nothing else to rely on. It is at this place we as believers must dwell, so that the Son may shine through us and radiantly reveal the Father's glory to a dark world.

    "The harvest is plentiful" 9:37
    Wow, I walk around daily as if the world does not want to hear about the Savior. What a promise for we who seek to reap God's harvest. What a privilege that the God of the ages would allow us to take part in His harvest. Treasures anyone?

    "but the laborers are few"
    But this portion of the passage is an indictment as to our lack of working for Christ to reap His harvest. May we earnestly approach God to send workers into the harvest. Be careful, this prayer is harmful to the flesh; and the Lord may just send you For His Name Sake!!

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