Matt. 21-23 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Jesus said, “If you want to be great in My Kingdom, be the servant of all.” It seems that we do whatever we can to advantage ourselves. Being a servant is continually looking to give the advantage to others.

If you only look to take care of yourself, you have only one on your side. If everybody serves everyone else, you have everyone on your side.

Matt. 17-20 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Children seemed to have a special place in Christ’s heart. He declared severe penalties for those who prevented or deterred chidden from relationship with Him. In the same sense, can we deduce that those who bring, teach, and encourage children to come to Him receive special favor in His Kingdom. As for me, I THINK SO!

To the special personnel at Trinity and all Christian ministries who have devoted their lives to children, I SALUTE YOU!!!

Matt. 14 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

How would 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes be enough to feed a large gathering of people listening to the Lord’s teaching? Christ said, “Bring the food to me.” He then blessed it, broke it, and fed the multitude.

Whatever you have that seems to be not enough, begin by blessing it. As you begin using it BY FAITH, it will begin multiplying. God will either produce enough, or He will reduce the need.

David said, “I’ve never seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging bread.”

Matt. 133 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

As Christ was teaching about the conclusion of life, He told of a great furnace into which angels would cast the souls of those who “offend and do iniquity.” There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. It will be horrible beyond description.

When I hear people foolishly say, “Yeah, I’m going to hell because that’s where all my friends will be,” or “That’s where the big party will be.” I grimace. Scripture says there will be torment there.

I once had a blue light treatment to deal with pre-cancer on my face. The burning on my face was “torment.” I can’t imaging that pain on every square inch of my body in Gehenna Hell … FOREVER.

We must rescue the perishing.

Matt. 12 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

The religious leaders accused Jesus of performing miracles by the power of the devil. How foolish and near-sighted of them. God’s power threatened their strangle-hold on the control they had over believers. The same happens today when evangelical zealots accuse Pentecostals of being controlled by the devil when they speak in tongues or exercise the gifts of the Spirit. They say, “Tongues shall cease.” NOPE.

Jesus actually warned about speaking against the operations of the Holy Spirit. God gave the Gift of His Holy Spirit to “All who are afar off.” These gifts did not cease after the Apostles died. [Acts 2:39]

Matt. 11 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Jesus was harsh with towns, even Capernaum, if they did not repent after seeing such a display of miraculous power. He predicted their judgment to be painful. This begs the question … what if great miracles were happening in our midst?

Yes we pray for miracles and often wonder why we don’t see more. This is an aspect of spiritual accountability we don’t think about. It also proposes, “Would we see more miracles if there was more personal repentance on our part?”

Christ was not received with faith from the inhabitants of His own locale. His miracle ministry was hindered there. {Mark 6:1-6] The unbelief in our daily lives needs to be addressed with repentance and holy living. Then, let the miracles begin.

Matt. 9 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Miraculous healings seemed to be frequent on Christ’s agenda as He walked about Galilee. The personal faith of the follower became an apparent key to the results they experienced. It’s no different today.

Jesus said that if our faith was the size of a mustard seed, we could move mountains into the sea. It is less a matter of how much faith we have. We just need MORE FAITH than we presently have. Paul said faith comes by HEARING the Word of God. Then, let’s get on with it. This is a great reason to LISTEN to God’s Word on Biblegateway.com

Matt. 9:4 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

“It’s the thought that counts.” Yes, but the thought can count against you. Your thought-life is a critical element in the Christian walk, especially for men. In fact, it’s a battle-ground for many men … resisting impure thoughts. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart (mind); they shall see God. Moral purity BEGINS in the mind.

Here are some tips on achieving a pure thought-life:

• Imagine every thing on the screen of your mind is being projected in Heaven. (because it is)
• Pray, “Your Kingdom come in my earthly mind like like is in Heaven.”
• Hold court on each thought and rip down the ones that don’t match up to Phil. 4:8. Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—think on these things.
• Begin quoting a memorized verse, singing a praise song, or begin praying in the Spirit.
• Pray the “Our Father” and start going down your prayer list.

Wrong thoughts are displacing RIGHT thoughts. Don’t let the devil win.

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried (stands before the Judgement Seat of Christ), he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. [Jam. 1:12]

Matt. 8:24-27 [NV Dramatized Audio]

For such a small lake (13×7 miles), Galilee has an amazing ability to work up a scary storm. The unusual combination of being below sea level, shallowness, and weather whipping up from the east can produce life threatening waves for small boats such as Jesus’ disciples would have had. [see 13 min. video below]

Although rare, I believe Jesus arranged this storm to show the disciples AND you and me that He is the Master of life’s storms. The wind and the waves obey His Voice. All of creation obey His Voice. He created the universe with the sound of His Voice. [Jn. 1:3] For His people, He dispenses peace.

Whatever storm you’re in right now, just stay is Christ’s boat and say, “Master, the tempest is raging. Save me.”

Done!