Matthew 7

Jesus made it clear that critical people have altered vision … they can’t really see clearly because they have something in their eye restricting their view.

For one thing, they are usually so full of them-self that they can’t see what’s good for anyone else. Do you know anybody like that? They can only see what’s in it for them in every picture.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  Phil. 2:3,4

Matthew 6

We can’t take material items to Heaven … EXCEPT … we can take our loved ones.

The longer I live, the less I am taken with material items and the MORE I am fond of my loved ones. I intend to continue enjoying them in Heaven.

Whenever I see a family at the store or wherever, I point to their children and say, “That’s your goldmine!” It’s one of my life’s messages … that people are the important resource, not THINGS!

May we all truly focus on the people we love. Pray and believe and impress upon them the importance of being washed in the Blood of Jesus to secure their place in the hereafter.

READ/HEAR: Matthew 5

When reading Jesus’ teaching as He sat on the mountain by Capernaum (I have been there), one has the sense that Christ encourages us to consider ourselves in a higher realm than this earthly life. How we conduct ourselves here should be with an awareness that God in Heaven will judge each action and thereby reward or punish it. It’s a “Heavenly minded” mentality. We are under God’s rules … not just those of this world. In His court, the motives and deeds of our hearts are more critical than what we actually do.

God is always watching and will reward us for living for Him, living the way that honors His precepts.

READ/HEAR: Matthew 1-4

In Matthew’s account of Christ’s early days, many fulfilled prophecies are identified. They seem to provide a cohesion to the Old Testament and a platform for the ministry of Jesus.

As His fame began to spread because of His teachings and the miracles everyone witnessed, more and more sick and demon possessed were brought to Him. Matthew 4 implies that ALL were healed.

“Come to me, ALL you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” -Jesus, Matt. 11:28

READ/HEAR: Malachi 2-4

What?   How can lowly humans rob God?

Malachi 3 makes it clear that we are robbing God when we withhold our tithes from the storehouse (local church).

By God’s grace, Patty and I have tithed our entire marriage. We have NEVER done without. God has always met our needs quite comfortably. We believe in tithing and have proved God’s faithfulness. Even now, when my monthly medication bill is over $20,000., God provides the payment through Medicare and supplement plans that we can afford. I really don’t know of anybody who is any more content than we are. We credit tithing and God’s love and blessings for it.

Respectfully, if you are not giving God the first ten percent of your increase (before taxes … put Him ahead of the government), you are robbing God. Make a firm decision TODAY. Just write the check. You too will see God’s faithfulness to you and those you love.

READ/HEAR: Zechariah 14, Malachi 1

Zechariah 14 contains SO MUCH about the 2nd coming of Christ and the End Times. It was thrilling to stand on the Mount of Olives where Jesus will descend, split the mountain, and rule forevermore.

Malachi addresses the contempt the Lord had for priests and worshipers who gave Him inferior animals for sacrifice. When we give to God, it should be our best. He gave HIS BEST to us, Christ Jesus His Son. Everything Christ did was God’s best. He came to give Himself for us, not to unmercifully extract from us what He could gain.

We should give our best to everyone rather than just thinking about ourselves and what we can do for ourselves. Give the best apple to your friend. Give the best piece of pie to someone else. Help others look good rather than always being the Prima Donna.

Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.  Matt. 25:44,45

READ/HEAR: Zechariah 9-13

The prophet refers to a fountain that will cleanse from sin and uncleanness. That fountain is the blood of Jesus. It is the theme of this old hymn written by William Cowper in the 1700s:

There is a fountain filled with blood
  Drawn from Immanuel’s veins;
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
  Lose all their guilty stains:

READ/HEAR: Zechariah 4-8

The prophet saw a flying scroll upon which was written and indictment against thieves and liars. It went into the houses and lives of the offenders and began wreaking havoc as a penalty.

People who conduct their lives without fear or regard for the Lord bring into their homes a due punishment. Often they don’t even realize that they are suffering for their sin.

The remedy?  Christ Jesus, of course. Unto Christians is given a message of hope. We are ambassadors for Christ bringing the Gospel to those who are destroying their lives through sin and rebellion against God. We are ministers of reconciliation who facilitate healing for the sin-sick soul.

READ/HEAR: Zechariah 1-3

To Zechariah were given vivid and descriptive visions of God’s operations on the earth and its future.

One of the interesting facets of his enlightenment was the vision of a horseman and a band of horses behind him that were assigned to patrol the earth for God. They reported on the condition of the earth and the state of its inhabitants. The angel who rode the horse then gave a message to the prophet to “Cry out” for the Lord.

Prophets have a duty to declare God’s message to the earth’s inhabitants. These messages supersede the media news reports or administrative communications and philosophies of earthly rulers.

When God’s spokesmen speak, we should listen and pay heed.

READ/HEAR: Haggai 1,2

God told Haggai that He would shake everything in the end times.

God can cause shaking however He wishes … earthquake, storm, high winds etc. … but I envision Him taking things in His hands and shaking them. They are still IN HIS HANDS.

Moses Vegh, my spiritual mentor, used to say, “There’s only one thing worse than falling into the hands of a fearful God … falling OUT of His hands.”

As we endure His shaking, we should take heart that He still has His hands ON us. We are safe. We will be better because of it.