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.

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