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!

Matt. 55-7 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Being a Christian does not insure smooth sailing. In fact, challenges can be counted upon. Christ drew attention to His teachings by saying, “The WISE man builds his life (house) upon my Words.” We don’t really know what a life is built upon UNTIL the storms come.

Can we assume that the storms of life in 2024 are more severe than the storms of 30 a.d.? What kind of tragedies could possibly befall those simple Judean inhabitants who were gathered on that hillside near Capernaum? Were they all torn up that their oxcart overturned on the way to market? Did one of their children have an affliction that wouldn’t be remedied? Were the Roman tax collectors calling them to court over some inconsistencies in their tax return? Did their fishing boat capsize and they couldn’t afford a new one?

Life happens. Cling close to Jesus and His Teachings.

Matt. 4:23, 24 [NIV Dramatized audio]

When I was in my second year of music school, we were given a composition project in which we were to tale a scripture text and put it to music for choir and instruments. I chose the above passage and distinctly remember the dramatic inspiration I had. The verse implied that there were miraculous healings EVERYWHERE Jesus went. Not only that, He cast out demons and healed conditions that WON’T BE FOUND IN HEAVEN!

We pray, “Thy Kingdom come here on earth even as it is in Heaven.” This is a good way to pray for the sick … the removal of all afflictions that will not be in Heaven. Obviously, we use THE NAME of Jesus in our prayer.

Pardon me as I reminisce about my ministry journey.

Matt. 2-4 [NIV Dramatized – audio]

I will never forget my visit to the Holy Land. When I hear the narration of Matt. in the NIV Dramatized, I am taken back again to the shores of Galilee and the town Capernaum. It was there Jesus began preaching and called His Disciples. Picturing these locations in my mind is a joy. I’m so glad I went. It has made my Bible reading come alive.

Our group was having breakfast in the cafeteria of our hotel in Tiberias, a prominent town on the SW edge of Galilee. I happened to be reading Matt. 2 where it says, “The people who walked in darkness saw a great light.” Jesus, of course, was that great light. I looked out the window and saw the sun, rising in the east. It’s brilliance reflected upon the water of this key lake. In that moment, it occurred to me that I was in the very right spot to put it all together in my mind. I shall NEVER forget that moment from my Holy Land visit.

Matthew 1 [NIV Dramatized]

Matthew begins his gospel with the genealogy of Jesus. Each name listed gives significance to each person whose family reputation contributed to Christ’s earthly beginning. Realize that His actual Father was God and Joseph’s blood was not Christ’s. The blood Jesus shed at His execution was derived from the Holy Spirit of God Who gave Christ’s mother conception.

His name was given to Joseph by one of God’s angels who said, “His name shall be Jesus.” It meant Emmanuel, God with us.

Loving parents generally give their children a name that has significance, either from the family or to positively influence the destiny of that child. When Patty delivered our third child, he seemed so peaceful so we gave him the name Jeffrey which means peaceful. My name was my father’s middle name. Little did we know that our son Mark would marry a Julie, and our firstborn daughter Julie would marry a Mark.

Johnny Cash sang a song about a boy named “Sue.” He developed a toughness because of the harassment he received having a girl’s name. When he finally met his father, He asked, “Dad, why did you name me Sue?” His dad responded, “This is a rough world, and I knew that name would prepare you to handle adversity.” Here’s a recording of that song. (Please pardon some of the crude language.)

Mal. 4 [The Message]

A fire will consume God’s enemies, but those who trust in Him will romp like calves set free from the stall. The Sun of Righteousness (JESUS) shall rise (and be born) and His presence will heal you like the warming rays of the sun.

You can’t tell me that salvation is without miraculous feelings. Can you feel the warming rays of the sun … Yes you can, and so do we receive a boost when Christ comes into our lives and saves and heals us. Hallelujah!

Get ready for a boost tomorrow when we return to listening to the NIV Dramatized. It’s my favorite. We have completed the entire Bible in The Message. Thank you Kelly Ryan Dolan ( voice) and Eugene Peterson (paraphraser).

Mal. 3 [The Message]

The prophet declared that God Himself would look after us IF we were faithful in our tithing. He will, “forbid the locusts to destroy the produce of your soil, and the vines in your fields will not be barren”, says the Lord of hosts. [v.11]

In now-a-day language, God will protect you from suffering loss in your business and personal finance. When the fiscal health of the dollar is in doubt, the Christian can find comfort in knowing that the Lord is his Heavenly Financial Advisor.