Matt. 22,23

We just had our 50th wedding anniversary. The best part was having our family all together for the weekend … all except our grandson Caleb who is attending seminary in Brussels. I’m in hog-heaven when my kids and grand-kids are close-by. It’s always a longing of mine to have them near.

God longs to have His Children near also. He loves “gatherings of the saints.” Jesus expressed this longing when He addressed the inhabitants of Jerusalem by saying, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, … how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.”

It makes our Heavenly Father’s heart glad when we gather together on Sundays for worship, fellowship, and the teaching of The Word.

Matt. 21

Jesus quoted the Psalmist when He stated, “‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”

Clearly, He referred to the praise and acclamation coming from children in the temple as a fulfillment of the prophecy. He commended it. He still wants praise from His children … children of all ages. Many translations call it “Perfect praise.” Children have pure hearts. Their excitement and enthusiasm is from hearts uncluttered by the baggage of life. This is praise that God wants and deserves.

May we all revert to this simple heart of affection and devotion to Christ when we praise Him. Do it all the time!

Matt. 19, 20

I am amused when I see the ambition of some in the church. What are they trying to prove? Do they consider themselves “special” so they keep jockeying for promotion or authority? When they get authority or leadership positions, they always have eyes for a greater position or opportunity to esteem to in the future.

Jesus debunked this aggressive ambition when He said, “He who would be the greatest should humble himself and become everyone’s servant.

Look for those who just want to serve … they are the great ones who will be commended by the Heavenly Father at the judgment.

Matt. 17, 18

Jesus told His disciples to be very careful how they treat children … that their guardian angels always have eye to eye access to the Father in Heaven because of His great care and concern over them. Jesus warned them to never offend the children. They would be better off tied to a heavy millstone and drowned in the sea rather than offend them – cause them to trip and fall into sin.

There is a painful penalty for souls who violate children and get them on the wrong track for life, whether they be parents of exploiters. All the more that we endeavor to love, nurture and train children in God’s ways. Conversely, there should be a notable reward for those who train children in righteousness.

Matt. 14-16

Jesus told His disciples that there was a day coming when they would be rewarded for what they had done, their deeds, their actions, their works.

Good works ARE important. They don’t merit salvation but to a person already saved by the blood of Jesus they will qualify for rewards from God.

What kind of reward do we qualify for? While we still have time, let’s be about our Heavenly Father’s business.

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’  Matt. 25:37-40

Matt. 13

Jesus referred to the process of life whereby a farmer left his weeds grow among his wheat. He valued the wheat so much that he dare not cut down a weed for fear of damaging the precious wheat. The weeds (tares in the King James) was allowed to remain living until the day of harvest where they were all bundled together and thrown into a big fire.

We live in a world where evil abounds all around us. Often, it seems as though evil is getting more evil, yet we strive to become more holy and given to God’s purposes. God allows us to coexist … until His judgement.

When I hear of the fiery furnace prepared for the weeds, I keep remembering my “blue light” treatment mentioned back in December. “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth,” is merely a way to describe the torture that will be experienced for an eternity by those who reject Christ.

It’s good to be a wheat.

Matt. 12

In the same way that Christians can be filled with God’s Holy Spirit, so also can demon spirits possess humans. That’s a chilling thought, but true. Matthew 12 implies that they actively look for people to live in and operate through.

They see a human as a house to live in. This is one reason why Christians must be filled with God’s Holy Spirit and His Word to guard against being occupied by the Devil’s imps.

Hypothetically, if persons resist the Lord and His Word, doesn’t it stand to reason that they are ripe for the opposite spiritual power to abide in them? I think so.

Jesus gave His Disciples the power and authority to cast them out of people. The power is in His Name. Use it!

Matt. 10,11

Jesus dispatched His disciples to share the good news of His Kingdom after teaching them. He instructed them to be wise as serpents but harmless as doves. This should characterize our demeanor among unbelievers.

We are wise if we avoid the pitfalls of a life of self-service and sin. Our conversations should always be calculating to give testament to God’s grace and His power. Yet, our spirit should be vulnerable and without malice in every motive.

That’s the way Christ was. He didn’t defend Himself when accused. He didn’t carry a big bat and clobber people with His message. His Word were loving and gentle, but powerful enough to calm the storms on Galilee. What a man, what a Savior.

Matt. 8,9

The healing power of Jesus is NOT LIMITED. He healed every disease brought to him by his contemporaries. He didn’t even need to make a diagnosis for each case. He simply healed them.

We have a subconscious system of categorizing afflictions from the common cold to ravaging cancer. Is any one easier or more difficult for Christ? NO. The same faith is effective for every physical issue known to man.

The question Jesus posed to them was, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” He clarified that their faith made them whole again.