Scripture: Matthew 13-Matthew 15
Observation: This gets harder every day! So much to talk about! Jesus in the middle of storms! Jesus trying to get peace and quiet and mourn the death of his cousin, and instead having to preach to and feed thousands. The disciples trying to get out of work! Jesus calling a woman a dog! So much!! But this is the verse that is resonating with me today: 15:8 “"All of you praise me with your words, but you never really think about me.”
Application: Like a dagger to my heart! There are so many days I just go through the motions. I sing the song and pray the prayer and preach the sermon and give the hugs and forget who I’m singing to, who I’m praying to, who I’m preaching for, and who I’m hugging. Sunday mornings get so hectic that my mind is on a hundred places. With VBS this week its been so apparent to me. But God is still moving! God is teaching these 250 kids about God’s love and grace! They are learning how to pray and excited to be in church. May I never just go through the motions. Let me always remember whose I am and why I’m here!
Prayer: O God. Let me never forget your power or grace or love. May I always see your children to feed and your sheep to tend! May what comes from my mouth be as pure as your love! Amen!
June 11-- Matthew 16 - Matthew 18
June 12-- Matthew 19-Matthew 21
June 13-- Matthew 22-Matthew 24
June 14-- Matthew 25-Matthew 27
June 15-- Matthew 28
June 16-- Mark 1-Mark 3
10 comments:
I am glad to know I can be as dense as the early disciples... Sometimes I just don't "get it"... but with continued study and application, it becomes more and more apparent what is expected of me as a Christian. I need to remember to go away from the crowd to just be alone and meditate to be closer to God.
The part that was a got me today was... "what goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean', but what come out of his mouth, this is what makes him 'unclean'" 15:11 and a few verses later... "the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart."
And not just what come out of my mouth when I'm calm, having a good day....But what comes out of my mouth when I'm stressed or tired or cranky or sad?? And not what comes out of my mouth when meeting new people, but what comes out of my mouth to my husband, daughter, parents, in-laws, close friends... the people I am comfortable around and let down that guard?
Are my words and actions grace filled, Christ filled, love filled? Not just in the "easy" times, but in the harder times? Not always... but I have been getting back into a set quiet time for Bible study for the past three weeks. And I can tell it's making a difference. My heart is getting some needed tune-ups, and I think my words and actions are noticing some changes...
Oh God, continue to change and mold my heart to be more like yours... so that my words and works may follow!!
Like Lindsay, I also truly "heard" God's message today about what comes from my heart and mouth. When tired or frustrated, I need to pull closer to God and pray for the patience I need rather than just let the emotion of the moment lead me. A good lesson (act thoughtfully, not react without thinking first.) I am always amazed when reading these chapters of just how busy Jesus was healing, preaching, feeding and teaching thousands without much of a break. And yet with all of this visible evidence right in front of their very eyes, the people and pharisees (and even the disciples) had doubts that He was truly the Son of God. Why does the human side of us continue to challenge with our head what should be obvious to our hearts? So much we can learn from these chapters...
Ditto! I am making a real effort to watch what I say and mnitor what kind of energy I release into the universe. Many times, like Peter we are in the midst of a miracle but our doubts overtake us and we sink. But God is patient. He catches us and gives us another chance. Oh how blessed we are by his grace.
I have to say, this was one that really got me today too! When trying to decide what to write, it was a VERY close second!!! Being said, I've seen so many examples this week at VBS (both good and bad!) about the power of words! Praying that God will remind me that my wonders are powerful and should ONLY Be used for good!
Reading daily lessons, meditating on scripture, and writing a daily devotional for my blog have been a blessing in thinking about Jesus, not just paying lip service. It is so easy, so human, to slide into a routine of service and praise that lacks the focus and the reason for all of this in the first place. Sometimes, when singing/playing with Crossroads, I'm more caught up in whether or not I'm doing/sounding like I'm supposed to than thanking the One who gave me these gifts in the first place. I'm starting to find the balance, but it is a process, not an end. All of us are on a journey with Him, all growing in Him, all needing Him more than we often admit. Yes, Sara, we are so blessed by His grace!
This has been pointed out before, but we are human beings, NOT human doings. Despite his numerous acts of service and grace, Jesus never loses sight of the fact that he is God dwelling among us. He is BEING God with us. The acts are secondary to the relationship. How easily we lose our focus!
Jesus goes up on the mountain to pray, but he comes back to the disciples, to the crowds, to the world. We need to get alone with God to give us strength and direction for our life in the world.
Miracles! When the people demonstrate their faith, Jesus shows his compassion for them through the miracle. Peter can walk on water while he keeps his eyes on Jesus. And when he loses focus, Jesus helps him back in the boat. What can I do if I keep focused on Jesus? And when I lose focus and look away, help me up, Lord!
I love Peter! I love that he never thinks twice about jumping out of that boat into the dark, churning waves. I wish I had that kind of faith. Yes, he does waver a bit, but he at least had the courage to test his faith and prove to Jesus and to himself that he was willing to take the chance. I'm certain that I have been called to step out into the waves of life many times...only to find myself huddled in the corner of the boat wearing a life vest for protection instead of the armor of God. I pray that as I grow in faith, I will someday be willing to jump head first into a life that is being led by Jesus!
Jesus really calls us out in this reading..."The hearts of the people have grown dull and their ears are hard of hearing and their eyes have been closed". He even had to explain the parables to the disciples! I saw assurance however when He said that if we receive God's word and understand it, we will flourish and bear good fruit. God's word is the seed that the sower spread, and it is offered to everyone. I pray for God's help to become a better sower in my daily living, and be less and less like the person Jesus describes in 15:8. "People honor me with their lips but their heart is far from me and in vain they worship me". The multitudes glorified God when they saw Jesus perform miracles. I pray that my life and my actions can bring glory to God.
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