Never Assume - Look to God for He is Just

Another case of being taught not to assume things. The first workers assumed they would get more. They began to think that because they had worked longer and harder they were entitled to more. They forgot that if it had not been for the master inviting them in then they would have had nothing. They forgot that He was good and just. It was only through the master's will that they received anything, not theirs. Their focus had turned from the master, his promises and his work to themselves.

God look into my heart and where you see jealousy, selfishness and pride show me how wrong I am and bring my focus back to you. For you are good and you are just. Don't let me forget it.

God is Good

What interests me in this passage is that when the man comes to Jesus calling Him good teacher, he probably only meant it as a mark of respect. And yet Jesus uses it to make the man look at his preconceptions and focus on who Jesus was/ is. Jesus says - why do you call me good? Only God is good. It is like he is saying - you have called me God, do you understand what you have actually said, do you understand that is who I really am?

And only then once he has been confronted by the reality of God and who Jesus is, is he given the truth. And that is if you want to be alive, spiritually alive, then you need to obey God, give up the earthly/ physical things that hold you back and follow Jesus. All 3 are necessary.

And when the disciples heard this they realised their own fragility. Could anyone be saved, could we be saved they thought? But Jesus explains that we can. Not through our own endeavours but through God because for Him all things are possible. How great is this!

God knows, we are going to stumble and fall, but as long as we keep trying to do those 3 things, He will make it possible for us to be part of the Kingdom.

God thank you for understanding that we can never reach your level of Good. And yet you loved us so much that you made sure we could be saved anyway. God thank you for showing us in such an intimate and loving way how nothing is impossible for you. For even though you abhor the wrong things in us, the times when we don't measure up to your good, you still wanted to be with us, so you made the impossible possible. You asked Jesus to stand in our place, to cover the wrong things up so that we are only good, so that we can still be with you and be part of your Kingdom. Thank you.

Laura

We are the Kingdom - we can bring it to the world

Here we see the inclusiveness of Christ, no group is left out, no person is forbidden from coming to Him. Do we sometimes exclude others from Christ because it doesn't fit with our notion of what is important/ right? Or do we exclude other Kingdom residents because it doesn't suit us or we don't see the point of including them?

If we do then we need to be aware by rejecting Kingdom People we are actually rejecting the Kingdom. Because Jesus says in this passage that the kingdom of heaven IS this sort of people. Not that the Kingdom is made up of this sort of people but that THE PEOPLE ARE THE KINGDOM. I wonder if I sometimes forget this.

Jesus shows us here that if we want to be in the Kingdom then all we need to do is be in the right frame of mind, the Kingdom mind, and be with others with the same frame of mind, Kingdom people.

It is just another reminder of - where two or three are gathered in Jesus name then there He is also. Because if together we ARE the Kingdom, and that is where Jesus is, then He will be with us. And that can only lead to great things!

So God here my prayer for the church. This month as we meet with one another, help us to meet together in your Spirit with the right frame of mind, with no other agenda. Then we can bring your Kingdom to earth, just as you and we have fervently prayed for so many times in the Lord's Prayer.

Sex Education - Biblical Style

I think this passage is always a hard one, especially for those who are married to a divorced person, which I am.

But when my husband and I discuss what marriage means to us it is just as Jesus said, the union of two, to create one, the beginning of the family unit. Something that cannot be broken. It is easy to focus on what people do wrong in their life but nobody is perfect. More importantly we need to focus on making it right.

But what is interesting is that although God made us to be male and female, married, Jesus says this doesn't mean that if you are celibate by nature or choose to stay celibate for God that this is an issue.

So marriage is important, it is how we were originally made, but it is not what needs to drive you, that should be God.

Pharisees V. Jesus

These Pharisees where a persistent lot here they go again, testing Jesus with there well studied questions
they thought they could get the better of Him. BUT how did he answer; have you lot not read, do you not
understand.I think they made up there own rules, skipped through the scriptures took out, what suited there
way of living, and even made up the rest. And seeing how GOOD Jesus was they did not like this at all.
Every time I've been study Matthew and not skipping though the verses. More and more lesson I am learning.
And reminding me how I also can be like the pharisees so full of my own understandings,even if I am not sure.

Dear Heavenly Father help me to read your word prayerfully and if I am not sure what the teaching is about, can
you humble me to ask my Paster to make things clear to me. So that can live by your word.

Kenny

Lost Sheep

I love this paragraph because it is about the sheep that wandered away from the group. This wasn't the sheep that was already lost but rather the one that got lost. But God loves that sheep just as much and asks us to love them too.

Just like the elder brother, who questions the father when the prodigal son returns, it can be so easy for us to judge others. But Jesus asks us to have a passionate and forgiving heart. If a fellow Christian does something to hurt us, Jesus asks us to speak with them. Not to ignore them and wash our hands of them but to work it out. Didn't work well try again and bring some support. That didn't work? Then ask the church to join behind you to show compassion and forgiveness to them. Not condemnation but love - to win them back to God. Not to accuse them but to include them and throw them a welcome back party.

Sometimes it is hard to talk to someone about how they might have hurt you, and we think it is best not to say anything. But talking is important and builds fellowship. As long as you put the other person first, not your feelings, and that your aim is that both of you will be closer to God. There should be no told you so's in church!

God give me the courage to talk to others, in a deeper and more meaningful way, with tolerance, humility, forgiveness and the love of God.

Meek in Spirit

"Wouldn't it be better if...?". It is such a little, seemingly harmless, phrase. And yet it is the beginning of what the disciples were arguing about. Sometimes we have such pride in what we have done and what we can achieve that we begin to think we are better than others. Jesus reminds us that it is only when we give all that up, become like a child and depend on our God, see that we are only part of a much larger plan, that our true greatness will shine through. But he doesn't stop there he shows us how having true faith in God and humbling ourselves sets us apart. And warns us that if we don't then we run the risk of not following God and being like a false prophet, causing someone who is pure of heart to stumble.

God show me when I am proud and teach me to be humble. As only then will I be following your path.

Disciples don't...disciples do!

Disciples don’t push to the front…they do humble themselves, as little children, finding their all, with child like trust, in God.

Disciples don’t hinder access to God…they do war against stumbling blocks.

Disciples don’t shrug off the lapsed...they do leave the 99 for the one that’s gone astray.

Disciples don’t sweep it under the carpet…they do hold one another to account.

Disciples don’t hold someone’s sin against them…they do forgive and forgive and forgive and forgive and forgive.

Disciples do what Jesus would do.

Brian

God's way!

I know this was Friday’s reading but didn’t you love that wee story about Peter fishing for the coin to pay his and Jesus’ temple tax?

See God here!

He could have magically produced the coin for His Son…but He didn’t…He used natural means to supernatural ends. 

So He knows His Son will have need at just this time…and seeing all things: seeing someone on a boat losing a coin, watching a fish drawn to something shiny swallowing the coin, watching Peter bait his fishing rod, compelling that fish to swim to that side of the lake, to bite on that hook at just that moment…and so it goes on…our Lord using natural means to perform the supernatural…even in our own lives.

Glory, glory, glory to God in the Highest…who provides for His disciples…as they have need.

(So much more interesting and God-glorifying then taking out a loan!)

Brian

 

Freedom in Christ at a Cost

Wow, this is just what Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 8. We need to be careful. Just because the new way brings freedom, doesn't mean that we can do anything we want. We need to be tolerant and thoughtful of others in everything we do, even the things that we do for God. Because we can't cause someone to stumble or fall in their own spiritual path.

Or as Jesus puts it, we should not be snaring them - doing something that they do not approve of and which stops them from acknowledging God and trusting and obeying Christ and ways.

And we can ensnare everyone! Both those that believe, as well as those that don't.

God show me what I do that belittles you in others eyes through my actions so that I might change this and bring glory to you, not take it away.

God With Us

At the same time the disciples were having very different experiences. How very different at the top of the mountain to the bottom.

All were chosen by Jesus and had decided to follow Him but one group were at the top with Jesus, listening to God speak, being given instruction from God and seeing Jesus in all his glory. The others were at the bottom of the mountain being ridiculed by the Pharisees and feeling helpless because they could not heal the boy.

We all want to be at the top of the mountain and Jesus tells us the only way to get there is by faith. So if you want to get to the top we need to step out in faith. It doesn't need to be lots of faith, just a little, to get us to make that first step. The holy spirit will supply us with the rest.

God help me to make that first step in faith because I want to hear your voice and bring what I can of the Kingdom to the people I meet.

Laura

Fasting and Prayer

  

       Matthew Chapter 17 verses 20 to 21 

      So Jesus said to them " Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as mustard seed, you will   say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU.

      However, this kind does not go out except by  prayer and fasting"

    

I have just copied what Jesus our King has said to his disciples; TO me this is clear instruction how to move mountains 

Now we all know,that he did not mean we could change the scenery of the Borders." What would be the point in that "

What did he mean you ask Well let us fill our monthly  prayer meetings and then WE will see how serious Jesus is

      We may even see a   REVIVAL!     Kenny              

The littleness of my faith!

Oh Lord, it’s not fitting as Your disciple to have so little faith, smaller yet than a mustard seed…but I fear I’m given away by my prayers, by the way I live, my “making a plan” when instead I should be waiting on You…Lord, I believe – help my unbelief.

Brian

If You Want to Hear God You Have Got to Listen!

Ha ha! Poor Peter. He just wants to help but so often He speaks first and thinks later. I mean thinking back, if it hadn't been so awe inspiring, it would have been quite embarrassing being cut off by God mid sentence when you are trying to arrange sacred spaces (tabernacles) for everyone so that they can commune with Him. Talk about ironic!

Or should I say thought provoking because this passage is all about meeting with God.

And what did God say? Listen to Jesus, He is my son. He is God With You. You don't need special places to talk to me you can just go to Jesus - He is me.

And more than that when Jesus died for us He broke the barrier between God and us. No tent needed!

So you want to get closer to God? You want to hear Him? There is nothing stopping you, only yourself. You just have to listen. So maybe the old Sunday school song read your bible, pray everyday and you'll grow, grow, grow isn't so wrong after all. But you won't just be growing you'll be meeting with God. And as we see from this passage that is awe inspiring stuff - enough to change you into something out of this world and make the Kingdom of God shine out of you.

Laura

They did not recognise him...

Sometimes we get just a glimpse of Him…and it takes our breath away!  Jesus here, transfigured…reminds me of John’s vision of Jesus on Patmos, so shockingly awe-some that John fell to the ground as dead. 

Jesus glorious, transfigured for a minute, for 5 or 10?  And then Jesus Son of God taking on His body of humiliation looking like you and me…just a man…as Isaiah says, “without stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him!”   

Here is seeing Jesus:  so, so, so humble!  God’s heart so so so humble!  And they did not recognize Him.

Just as they did not recognize John the Baptist.

Therefore they shall not recognize, perceive, understand accurately His disciples.

Father, I hate the look of my pride…give me out of this humility…though the world about will not recognize me.

Brian

 

Matthew: A Book for Believers: The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions

Doesn't this passage just confirm what has been going before? Even those who are in possession of the truth of who Jesus is, and who have such strength of faith like Peter, can be lured to focus on human issues/constraints.

'For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God' - even the greats. So be careful that pride in your own beliefs, even if you think they are based on sound reasoning, doesn't make you an adversary of God and Jesus.

Jesus' way, not ours, is the right path. And what does Jesus say to Peter? Get behind me! He re-asserts his authority and place: He is first. And shows us what our role is, to support him in His ways, and to be behind him all the way.

So if you want to follow Jesus you've got to get behind Him. You've got to support Him and let Him lead the way!

God help me to hear your voice.

Laura

The Essence of The Kingdom Life

What a moment for Peter,

Jesus ; Who do men say I, The Son of Man am?

Peter ; You are the Christ , The son of the Living God

Jesus; Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, " for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in
Heaven. And also I say to you that you are the rock I well build my church,and the gates of Hades shall not prevail
against it. Here is Peter having an encounter with the Father so Jesus makes it clear that Peter's confession about
His person was right. Then the next statement Jesus was saying, the disciples did not quite understand,that he had to
suffer and be crucified for the sins of the world. Two central truths here in 16 Matthew. One The lord Jesus Christ is
The Messiah .And two, the duties of the disciples of the Kingdom of God and these duties are not just for the disciples
but for you and I that we must be crucified to or selfs and reborn in Christ and be ready to suffer and willing to do so
for the Kingdom of God. Following and saying yes to Jesus is not all about putting our hands up in the air and singing
great worship song, there is responsibilities a way of life we have to live, a commission we have to fulfil, to be a
disciple of the Kingdom of God we have to be taught the truths of the Gospel and live it no matter what the world
thinks. Our reward is waiting in Heaven for us . And also we have a Holy Spirit willing and ready to help us in our
duties to in large the Kingdom.

In Christ Jesus or Lord Kenny.

Forgotten Soul

Isn't it easy to get caught up in the physical things in life - what the weather is going to be like, how much food we have? And it takes us away from thinking about the spiritual things in life. But we should never forget that like Jonah's leaf the physical things are transient, but the spiritual things are everlasting.

So let's focus on Jonah's sign - judgement, repentance, compassion, salvation - "For my salvation comes from the Lord alone".

Lord help me to let the Holy Spirit sort out the spiritual things in my life and like yeast He will permeate everything that I do, think and say. He will radically change me into something that can provide others with LIFE - spiritual and physical.

Laura

Lest We Forget

Why is it that we start getting so blasé about things? If we have heard a story once, when heard again it never has the same impact. I mean it isn't everyday that someone feeds over 4000 people on a few loaves and fishes and yet here I am thinking, it's very similar to the other story!

Then the doubts creep in? Is this actually the same event - it is pretty similar. But it's not - the number of people are different, the number of loaves are different, the number of leftovers are different, even the type of baskets they used were different!

It is so easy to belittle what our God does for us. Maybe we start to compare it with others experiences. Or we have the same experiences again and again and begin not to take notice. Maybe we start to doubt, was it really God or was it just coincidence?

God keep reminding me that you are God and help me to look for you and your miracles in my life and others' lives everyday.

Laura

Compassion for Outsiders

Hi folks Kenny here I have had a bad day health wise sometimes it gets me down. So what better way to end the
day getting my head into Matthew.Matthew is very keen to show us the same type of miracles here. One in the
Jews demean and one in the Gentles, one of the lesson here that Jesus wanted his Disciples to learn, was that
there is no differences made. When you look closely at these verses you see the Disciple where very quick to
say to Jesus that the Jews had nothing to eat and that they should be sent home, for there dinner, super,what ever.But
When it came to Gentles it took them three days before they noticed, and Jesus had to go to them His Disciples
to point out that the crowds where hungry and he had compassion for them feed them He said.Do we even
feed or own let a lone outsiders?Food for thought.