Monday, June 29, 2015
The Feast of Tabernacles
The Feast of Tabernacles – John 7:11-52
We have spent the last two days on Jesus at the Feast of the Tabernacles. On the greatest and most important day of the feast Jesus promised that anyone who wanted to may receive rivers of living waters that only he can give. He of course was meaning the Holy Spirit but He could not be given because Jesus had not yet been glorified.
The people were divided and the rulers were afraid. They wanted Jesus but when the temple guards came back they said no man had ever spoken like Him. Nicodemus stood up and said that the law does not condemn as person without a hearing without hearing what they have to say.
The others rebuked him and told him to look to the scriptures for there was no place where it indicated that the Messiah came from Galilee. There was much division over Christ. The Pharisees were against the people because they thought they knew so much about the law. The people believed and the Pharisees did not. Never become so religious or zealous for your interpretation of the truth that you lose sight and do not believe.
Friday, June 26, 2015
Samaritan Rejection
Samaritan Rejection – Matt 19:1, Luke 9:51-56 and John 7:10
Jesus sent His messengers ahead for His arrival in a town in Samaria but the people would not accept Jesus. The reason was that He was heading for Jerusalem. Long standing prejudice issues arose here. James and John took this rejection personally and their hatred and prejudices surface. They wanted to call down fire from heaven to destroy the town. Jesus rebuked them for their reaction. Jesus came to save not to destroy. Any time we are rejection it is natural to want to react but true love does take rejection personally.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Jesus rejects His Brother’s Advice
Jesus rejects His Brother’s Advice – John 7:2-9
Jesus was in Nazareth when His brothers came to him and said that He should go to Jerusalem and Judea so that people could see His miracles. He should become a public figure they thought. They want Him to show Himself to the world. Even His own brothers did not believe in Him. Jesus rejected their advice and stayed for a short time in Galilee. He would go later the feast. The brothers because of their unbelief thought like the world. Promotion, prestige and prominence is important.
They thought that Jesus should not keep Himself a secret. The world think that a person should go and show their stuff. Jesus was not there to be on display but to minister and save a lost and dying world.
His brothers were thinking selfishly. They wanted to be part of the limelight that Jesus was bringing. They wanted Jesus to show Himself to the world. They did not know that the world will hate Jesus and all who follow Him. They would not find that out till later. The world hated Jesus because he testified to it the fact that what it is and does is evil.
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Greatness Defined
Greatness Defined – Luke 9:46-62
Jesus disciples were learning about how the Kingdom works and there are so many applications for us today as well. When someone sins against us we are to forgive them 70X7. If we are not willing to forgive how can we expect our heavenly Father to forgive us our transgressions and sins.
If a person wants to be great in God’s Kingdom they must learn to be the servant of all. No room for pride in the Kingdom. Anyone who gives a drink of water in the name of the Lord will be rewarded We are taught here that we are the salt of the earth. We must touch the world with the presence of God and be at peace one with another, Never allow yourself to lose your saltiness and flavour.
Jesus makes it clear that no one can stand against Him and us. We must not be like James and John who wanted to bring fire down upon the Samaritans. This is the misuse of God’s power. Jesus taught here that a person must be willing to give up everything to follow Him. Anyone who keeps looking back into the world is no good for the Kingdom. Great lessons and truths to learn.
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Greatness define
Greatness define – Matt 18:1-35, Mark 9:33-50 & Luke 9:46-62
Jesus’ disciples were struggling what greatness was, what love is and what patience should be. Over the next two days because of the importance of these subjects we will look at them extensively. If you want to be great in the Kingdom, you have to come as a little child. We must be willing to humble ourselves and become like little children. If we welcome people of child like faith and love and work with children we are welcoming Jesus.
There will terrible judgment if we cause one little child to spiritually or physically fall. We must be careful not to do things that will cause us to sin. Purity brings power. We are to get rid of anything that will keep us from the Kingdom. Those who have child like faith will see the Father. The Lord is always seeking lost sheep.
If a brother or sister sin against you, go to them alone and if they do not repent the next step is to take something with you that you both trust. If there is still resolution to your impasse take two or three witnesses you both trust to resolve the matter. If there is still no solution bring It before the church. If there is still no resolution than you will have to break fellowship.
This last point is so powerful. Whatever is bound on earth is bound and heaven and whatever is loosed on earth is loosed in heaven. Also if two or three touch anything on earth it shall be done for us in heaven. This of course is dealing with prayer and how powerful united prayer is. Clearly these principles we have shared today were and are still revolutionary.
Monday, June 22, 2015
Paying Taxes
Paying Taxes – Matt 17:24-27
Jesus arrives at Capernaum and the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter and asked him if Jesus paid temple taxes. Peter said, “Yes,” and then went into the house. Jesus asked Peter, if kings of the earth collect taxes from their sons or from others. Peter said, “Others.” Jesus then told him to go to the lake and catch a fish and in it he would find enough to pray both Peter’s and Jesus’ temple tax.
Jesus saw that Peter answered a question without thinking and she let him off the hook by telling him to go and do what he did best, fish. He would catch a fish and in its mouth would be enough to take care of the need.
Jesus will always use our natural skills and abilities first when we are called to do something for Him. Jesus taught here that the people of God are not to offend the authorities or bring shame to His name by not paying our taxes. This helps insure that we will live a quiet and peaceful life.
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Friday, June 19, 2015
The Transfiguration
The Transfiguration – Matt 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13 & Luke 9:28-36
Jesus took His disciples, Peter, James and John up to a high mountain where before their eyes He changed and His appearance was like the sun. Moses and Elijah appeared with Him and then they began to talk. Peter spoke up and said that it was good that the disciples were there because they could build three shelters. One for each one of the men. Then they heard a voice from heaven confirming that Jesus was the Son of God and that the Father was well pleased with Him. The voice then told the disciples that disciples should listen to Jesus. The all of a sudden no one was there are Jesus came to His disciples and they were amazed and He told them not to tell anyone about this until after He had risen from the dead. Over the next two days we will learn the following truths from this account.
Jesus when He was on the mountain became His pre-incarnate self. His face shone like the sun and His clothes were pure white. He came in similar form to Paul and John.. His appearing with Moses and Elijah is significant. Moses represented the law and Elijah represented the prophets. Jesus came to fulfill both the law and the prophets.
Peter wanted to build three shelters for the three of them. People always want something visible to worship. Peter is showing that mankind still wants to worship the creature, a place or time period instead of the creator. A lesson we can learn here that has tempting as it is the have a place of remembrance where God met with you, do not camp there but when you have learned your lessons there, move on and
Go the the next place God has for you.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
The Kingdom of God is Promised.
The Kingdom of God is Promised.
Jesus promises that His Kingdom is coming and His will shall be done. People on the day of Christ coming will be rewarded for what they have done. In the day of Christ’s coming man will stand in victory the sad part is that many who think they will stand won’t The promise is that those who endure to the end will see His Kingdom come in great power and glory. So as the day of His appearing hastens the challenge we face is to stay focused and directed. We must remember how we finish our race is more important than how we start. Let us finish well and receive the victor’s crown of righteousness.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Jesus tells of His death
Jesus tells of His death – Matt 16:21-26, Mark 8:31-37 & Luke 9:22-25
Jesus warns His disciples to not tell anyone of this event until after He has risen from the dead. Jesus then tells of His death and the cost that must be made to be His followers. Jesus would suffer much at the hands of the priest, scribes and elders. He would die and then rise on the third day. If anyone wants to follow Christ, they must be willing to deny themselves, pick up their cross and follow Him.’
Whoever wants to save their own life will lose it but the one that loses their life for Christ’s sake will find it. If we are ashamed of Christ he will be ashamed of us. Jesus is coming back in the glory of His angels and at this time all things shall be revealed. Jesus said that some who were standing in that place would not taste death.
Peter tried to rebuke Jesus but Jesus saw it was satan and Peter had the mind of men and not the mind of Christ. Jesus wants all human kind to speak on His behalf in this terrible time. Jesus said that when He comes back, people will be rewarded for all the things they done. All awhile we must be doing what Jesus wants us to do.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Peter’s Confession
Peter’s Confession – Matt 16:13-20, Mark 8:27-30 & Luke 9:18-21
Jesus went from Bethsaida to Caesarea Philippi. On the way His disciples asked Him who He was. One said that He was John the Baptist, another said that He was Elijah or one of the prophets. Jesus then asked them who they thought He was. Peter says, “You are the Messiah, the Christ.” Jesus told Peter than God had revealed this truth to him.
Many people know about Christ but they do not know Him. We must come to the fact that He is the Christ and the Son of the Living God. This truth does not come from man it only comes from God. The Holy Spirit draws us and the Father by His grace allows us to come into relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.
When we come to Jesus we can become like a rock that hell can shake or move. Whatever we bind on earth is bond in heaven and whatever we loose on earth is loosed in heaven. Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah comes into our hearts and the rest of our lives should follow to have this reality become life.
Monday, June 15, 2015
Blind man healed and the disciples rebuked
Blind man healed and the disciples rebuked – Matt 6:5-12 & Mark 8:14-26
Jesus warned His disciples to be careful of the yeast of the Pharisees. They thought He was rebuking them because they had forgotten to bring bread. Jesus was again correcting them because they had the wrong ideas. Jesus was telling them to be careful of the teachings of the Pharisees.
Jesus called the disciples men of little faith because they did not know what he meant by the teaching of the Saduccees and the Pharisees. They missed the point. Jesus used every day stories to bring about a spiritual truth.
They went to Bethsaida and a blind man was brought to Jesus. He took him outside the village and spit on the man’s eyes and he saw men as trees walking. Jesus then spit on his eyes once more and he saw all things clearly.
Jesus took him out of the village so all the confusion and unbelief would be done away with. Outside the village Jesus could concentrate on the man’s healing. Jesus had to touch this man twice probably because this man’s faith was not strong but as he saw things his faith increased. Sometimes healing is also progressive. Jesus when He heals wants all to see and give glory to God.
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Friday, June 12, 2015
Afflicted Healed
Afflicted Healed – Matt 15:15:29-31 & Mark 7:31-37
Jesus left the area of Tyre and went up to the area of Galilee and many people followed Him. They brought to Him people that were afflicted by many diseases and He healed them all. The people praised God for what they saw. Nothing like this had ever happened before in Israel. The people brought a dumb man to Jesus. This man could hardly speak because he was deaf. Jesus took this man and put His fingers in the man’s ears and said, “Open up,” and immediately his ears were opened up. People were amazed because Jesus could make to deaf to hear and the dumb to speak.
The people knew that Jesus was the only one who could heal so they brought this man to Jesus. Jesus was moved by love and compassion to heal this man. Jesus believed in touching people to heal them. This was an affliction that had to be rebuked. The people were overwhelmed and amazed by what Jesus did. Hr does everything well. Jesus is the man of miracles. So whatever you need today come to Him and get your miracle,
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Aborted Retirement
Aborted Retirement – Matt 15:2`-28 & Mark 7:24-30
Jesus left Capernaum and went off to Tyre and Sidon and even there people came to Him. A Greek woman came to Him and she asked Jesus to heal her daughter. Jesus told her that He had come for the lost sheep of Israel. The woman gave Him an answer He was not expecting. She told Him that even the dogs under the table got crumbs. She marvelled Jesus with her faith and her daughter was made whole.
Jesus had come primarily for the people of Israel. He ministered to them but He was willing to have mercy on people who the Jews considered no more than dogs. Jesus was the only one who could set that woman’s child free and she knew it. So she pressed Jesus on her child’s behalf.
Jesus was not trying to send her away or to be prejudiced, He wanted to see if this woman had faith. She told Him that even a dog such as herself should be allowed to eat the crumbs under the table of the Jews.
Jesus saw that she had faith and He granted the request she asked. Her request was met that very hour. All Jesus wants is to find out if we have faith and believe and He will grant our request quickly for the glory of God,
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
True Teaching
True Teaching – Matt 15:1-20 & Mark 7:1-23
Yesterday we learn how the Pharisees had perverted the word of God for their own purpose. That even happens today with the cults. They like one aspect of the gospel but not another or they turn Jesus into a relative of someone or Jesus into a created being. Jesus would straighten out many truths,
Jesus taught it is not what goes into a person that makes them unclean but it is what comes out of them that makes them unclean. Food goes into the body and waste comes out. What makes a person unclean is their vile tongue. It is what comes from the heart that makes a person unclean. The mouth only speaks what the heart is full of. Sexual immorality, theft, murder, vice, adultery, greed deceit, envy slander, lewdness, arrogance and folly. All these make a person unclean.
Men seem to look at their own and traditions first. We have to be very careful that we do not put church traditions before the commands of God. There is one thing that Jesus could not stand and that was a hypocrite. Jesus called the Pharisees, blind guides who were leading people down to death.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Traditions attacked or clarified by Jesus
Traditions attacked or clarified by Jesus - Matt 15:1-20 & Mark 7:1-23
When Jesus was in Capernaum some teachers of the law that were from Jerusalem asked Him why His disciples were not eating their food properly and according to the law. They were also eating food that was considered unclean. Jesus answered them and gave a teaching on how men had perverted the laws of God,
Isaiah was right when he prophesized against the people of Jesus’ time when he said that they honoured the Lord with their lips but their hearts were far from Him. They taught rules that are of men and that their worship of God was in vain. They would let go of the teaching of God and hold onto the teachings of men. They set aside the rules of God so they could do their own traditions.
Moses said that the people of God were to honor their fathers and mothers but the Pharisees said that you could say anything to the parents if it would help them. They also taught that their children were not obligated to help their parents. They in reality were nullifying the word of God by traditions handed out by men.
Monday, June 8, 2015
Jesus is the Bread of Life
Jesus is the Bread of Life – John 6:22-7:1
Jesus had been giving some hard and difficult teaching to people. Up to this point He has been popular but His audience cannot accept His teaching and they begin to leave Him.
If we are not willing to die with Christ and partake of His suffering we will not last to the end. The Spirit gives life and the flesh amounts to nothing. Jesus gives words that are spirit and life. Jesus knows from the very beginning who will believe in Him and those who will betray Him. No one can come to the Son unless the Father brings them.
There is no other place to go to get the words of eternal life except Jesus. Jesus is the Holy One of God. Jesus even knew which one of the twelve would betray Him.
Friday, June 5, 2015
Jesus walks on water
Jesus walks on water – Matt 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52 and John 6:16-21
Jesus sent His disciples ahead of Him and then he went to a lonely place to pray. Later on that night the disciples saw what they thought was a ghost but it was Jesus walking on the water. When Peter saw that, He asked Jesus if He could that also. Jesus told him to come and he walked out on the water but when he saw the wind and the waves he lost his nerve and he began to sink. He cried out to Jesus and Jesus saved him. The disciples were amazed,
Jesus was a man that had to get away from the crowds from time to time to pray. He was a real man of prayer. It was because of these prayer times that Jesus could do the miracles He could. Jesus in this instant walked on water. In the storms of life Jesus is saying to us, be still and not be afraid, I am here.
It takes faith to walk on the water in the storms of life but with Jesus we can do all things. It is important to not look at the winds and the waves but only upon Jesus. We must have faith and don’t doubt. We are to worship the Lord. People recognize that Jesus is the power and they have to come to Him and even the smallest touch can bring victory.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
5000 fed
5000 fed – Matt 14:13-21, Luke 9:10-17, Mark 6L30-44 and John 6:1-14
Jesus went out into the desert with the people for many days. The people ran out of food and Jesus asked His disciples to feed them. Immediately the disciples panicked. They answered that they did not know where to get enough food and that it would cost a lot of money to feed the people. They wanted the people to go to nearby villages and buy food for themselves. A little boy offered his lunch of five small loaves and two fishes. Jesus fed the people with this lunch. He had them sit down in rows of 50 and 100 and the people were all fed. After Jesus blessed the food and the food was distributed there were twelve baskets up of food left over.
This story shows that Jesus was a man that did things in abundance. Eph 3:29 says that the Lord can do abundantly beyond what we can think or imagine. Jesus came to multiply of meagre resources. With God little becomes much and there is always some left over. Jesus can do miracles in abundance but also it takes an act of faith to do whatever He says.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Herod kills John
Herod kills John - Matt 14:1-12, Mark 6:14-29 & Luke 9:7-9
John is put into prison by Herod because he spoke against the king’s marriage to his brother’s wife Herodias. John was kept there for a long time and Herod listened to him many times even though John’s talks disturbed him. One day when Herod had a feast his step daughter danced for him and his guests. He enjoyed it so much he promised her half the kingdom for a reward. At the advice of her mother she asked for the head of John the Baptist. John was killed. Jesus and the people mourned over his death.
Herod was afraid to kill John because of the people. He knew that John was a holy and righteous man. John was a man that puzzled and made people upset. He was an honest man. Many people thought that Jesus was John the Baptist come back to life but Jesus told them John was Elijah and the greatest prophet of his day.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Jesus sends out the Twelve
Jesus sends out the Twelve – Luke 9:1-6
Jesus has sent out the twelve and they came back with great stories of victories. Jesus says they should rejoice not because the demons are subject to them but that their names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. We learn that no servant is greater than his master. All that is hidden will be revealed in due time. All that is kept in secret will be shouted from the housetops.
Do not be afraid of death. Be afraid of God who has death under His power. We are worth more than anything else in the world. We are not to be ashamed of Jesus or else He will be ashamed of us. Jesus has not come to bring peace in the world but repentance even if it means that families will be against each other.
We must be willing to give up all, even our families for Jesus Christ. We must be willing to take up our cross to follow Him. The greatest reward is to lose your life for the gospel. All who receives us receives Christ and whoever rejects us rejects Christ. There are prophet rewards and rewards for acts of righteousness. Even giving a cup of cold water in Jesus name will receive a reward.
Monday, June 1, 2015
Jesus sends out the Twelve
Jesus sends out the Twelve – Matt 10, Mark 6:6-13 and Luke 9:1-6
Jesus sends the twelve out with His authority. They were able to cast out demons in Jesus’ name. He sent them out two by two so they would always have each others back. They were told to take no provisions with them their needs would be met by those who would house them. They went from town to town proclaiming the good news. They were to preach in the town and if the people of the town rejected their message they were to shake the dust off their feet and go to the next town. This act of shaking the dust off their feet was a sign of God’s judgment. They went and preached the gospel and many people believed. Demons were cast out. This was of course an assault on the kingdom of satan.
The laying on of hands and anointing with oil was part of the ceremony for healing of the sick even when Jesus was alive. Jesus gives authority to His disciples over demonic spirits. Jesus healed the sick as a sign of victory for the gospel message.
The disciples were sent to the lost sheep of Israel and their message was the Kingdom of God is near. They were heal, cast our demons and as they received so they were to give. The worker is worthy of his hire. We bring peace when we come into a house.
To a person who rejects a Christian they shall be judged because of this rejection. We must be wise as serpents and yet harmless as doves. We will be persecuted for Jesus but the Holy Spirit will help us to know what to say.
People and families are fighting among themselves right until Jesus comes. All mankind will hates us because of Jesus. Never think the world will be your friend because they will not. All who stand firm to the end will be saved.
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