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There are times when I can read right through a passage of scripture, or become so familiar with it that I miss the meaning and application for my life. For years I have read, studied, and preached a passage in Matthew’s gospel. “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied,“‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22: 36-39
When reading this I have always focused on Jesus’ initial instruction to love the Lord, but not given much thought to His follow up statement that is equally important…”Love your neighbor as yourself.” That really is a tall order when we take time to think through its meaning. It doesn’t say to just be nice…be friendly…take them a casserole, it says love them as yourself. While being nice and friendly and meeting others needs are expressions of love, loving your neighbor as yourself encompasses so much more. Two questions immediately come to mind:
Allow the power of Christ to help you love your neighbor as yourself. Bro. Joe Questions for Reflection:
This Week’s Suggested Readings: Sunday - Matthew 19:16-27 Monday - Romans 13:8-10 Tuesday - Matthew 22:34-40 Wednesday - Galatians 5:13-14 Thursday - Matthew 5:43-44 Friday - Luke 10:25-37 Saturday - John 17:20-21 Prayer Lord, show me how to love my neighbor as myself. Amen
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Many times I bring my burdens, my concerns, my circumstances and lay them at the feet of Jesus, then just as quickly I turn right around and pick them back up. Doesn’t show a lot of trust, does it? Can you relate?
I’m tired of it!…How about you?
I believe the main ingredient in completely trusting Jesus is obedience. As the hymn says, “Trust and Obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey”. Sounds like a good place to start. Bro. Joe Questions for Reflection:
This Week’s Suggested Readings: Sunday - Psalm 25:1-2 Monday -Psalm 62:5-7 Tuesday - Matthew 7:24-28 Wednesday - Eph. 6:10-18 Thursday - John 15:1-17 Friday - Proverbs 3:5-6 Saturday - Isaiah 40:28-31 Prayer Lord, I want to give you absolutely everything and nothing less. Amen What would you do if Jesus walked into our church service this morning? You may say, “Well, I hope He is here every time we gather.” So do I…and in truth He is. But what if He physically walked in the door and was invited to speak, how would you respond? Would you be open to what He had to say? Would you hope to engage Him in one-on-one conversation? Would you act on what He may challenge you do?
In Luke’s gospel there’s an account given of Jesus coming back to His hometown and going to the local synagogue. He wasn’t received well. They didn’t know Him. Oh, they knew Him as Joseph’s son, but not the Son of God. He tried to tell them who He was according to scripture. They didn’t want to hear it. They didn’t receive Him…they rejected Him. How about you…today…right now? Jesus is here…Jesus is speaking. He is waiting to engage you in one-on-one conversation. Are you listening? Will you share your heart with Him? Do you know Him? Will you receive Him? Will you respond to what He is asking of you? He’s bringing Good News…release from captivity…sight for the blind…freedom from oppression…the coming of the Lord’s favor. His message is not only worth listening to, but also worth responding to. Bro. Joe Questions for Reflection:
This Week’s Suggested Readings: Sunday - Luke 4:14-21 Monday -Matthew 5:3 Tuesday - Mark 1:14-15 Wednesday - Acts 10:36 Thursday - Luke 13:10-16 Friday - Luke 4:22-30 Saturday - John 8:32, 36 Prayer Lord, I want to hear what you have to say to me today. Thank you for speaking. Help me to tune into your voice, and give me the courage to respond to what you ask of me. Amen Many people choose to live their lives to please themselves, or to please someone they are close to. Let me ask you a question. Do you really want to live a life that is truly pleasing to God? If so, then are you willing to make changes in your life that may be necessary in order to do it?
Because we have been born with a sin nature that separates us from God, you and I are totally incapable of living our lives in a way that pleases Him apart from experiencing a transformation. God is Holy - Man is not. One of us has to change in order to connect with the other…God does not change…Malachi 3:6 “I am the LORD, and I do not change.” Transformation begins with a new birth. "Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:3 NLT However, it continues with consistent renewal throughout your life. "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT So, you should "work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:12-13 Bro. Joe Questions for Reflection:
This Week’s Suggested Readings: Sunday - Philippians 2:12-23 Monday -John 15:1-17 Tuesday - Colossians 3:16-17 Wednesday - 1 Thessalonians 4 Thursday - Colossians 1:10-12 Friday - Galatians 5:16-25 Saturday - John 3:1-17 Prayer Lord, help me to see any changes that may need to be made in my life. God, do your work in me, giving me the desire and power to do what pleases you. I want to live a life that is pleasing to you. Amen |
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July 2018
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