Matthew 15 journal

Matthew 15 journal

Proverbs of the day 15:1, a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. In the middle of Matthew 15, Jesus says that what comes out of a man is what defiles him. What is coming out of my mouth? In what areas do I have pride? How do I talk to my wife, daughter, and parents?

In Matthew 15, the Pharisees demonstrate their power comes from the law and their traditions. They seem to pounce on people when the law is violated. How do you know what you worship? By what makes you angry. In John 5 Jesus says they diligently studied the Scriptures because they thought that was the road to eternal life.  The Pharisees got angry when Jesus didn’t follow their traditions because they feared they were going to lose their power. Jesus demonstrates that his power comes from God and can be determined by the heart and what it desires. What does my heart desire? How persistent and strong is that desire? The Canaanite woman was very persistent when Jesus denied her daughter’s healing. She demonstrated many of the benefits that Proverbs 15 mentions. Verse 4 “The soothing tongue is a tree of life. . . verse 7 the lips of the wise spread knowledge. . .”

My prayer for today is that I will be filled with the Holy Spirit and all that comes out of my mouth today will bless others.

Matthew 14 Journal

Matthew 14 journal

King Herod demonstrates his human nature. He did not want to do what was right. John the Baptist had the boldness to tell him. Herod wants to kill John, but he is scared of what the people will think. I’ve found myself in that situation. Why do we care so much about what other people think sometimes? Herod continues down his path of unrighteousness and has John executed because he was afraid of what other people think again. God is asking me “What areas of your life are you allowing unrighteousness because you are afraid of what others think?” I see some areas in finances. We will be buying a car soon (Finance or pay cash. Hmm) A good friend of mine says “PAY CASH” “stay out of debt.”

In verse 14, the word that sticks out the most is “Compassion.” Jesus has compassion and then there is a miracle. How can we stimulate Jesus’ compassion? This crowd was hungry for more than food. They wanted to hear what he had to say and they wanted him to heal their loved ones. How hungry am I to hear what God has to say and heal my loved ones? Would I risk going to a mountain, where I might not get to eat, to hear what God has to say?

In verse 22 through the end of the chapter, I am amazed by Peter’s trust in Jesus. He put his life in Jesus’ word “come” and Peter walked on water. Would I be the one disciple out of 11 who gets out of the boat? Am I stuck in my comfort zone so much that I’m not willing to take a risk by doing what God has asked me to do? What is my “boat” or comfort zone?

Matthew 13 Journal

Matthew 13

Jesus tells a lot of parables but only some can understand. What is the difference between those who understand and those that don’t? Praying the opposite of Isaiah’s would put me in the understanding category : Open my eyes to see you God; open my ears to hear you; let my heart be soft and forgiving. Another clue lies in Jesus’ description of the parable of the seed. The first group allows Satan to snatch the seed from their hearts. The second group did not allow the roots to grow deep. The third group allows thorns and weeds (aka deceit) to choke the word. But the fourth group yields a huge crop. Protect your heart from the birds of lies. Grasp the bible and embrace it’s message to drive your roots deep in the truth. Eliminate the distractions and deceit of wealth to have a pure heart towards God. Then you will experience the abundance of peace and joy that comes from living in the kingdom.

Leadership principle from Proverbs 13:1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to a rebuke. In Jesus’ parable of the sowing the seeds, there is a rebuke for those who do not allow their hearts to be fertile ground. The people could not hear the rebuke.

Jesus is very vocal about the end times and the separation of the righteous and unrighteous. There is a hell that will be utter torment for those who reject God. What is your image of being in hell? How can we share the message of life, hope, and love that God gives?