PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:15-35 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “Treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” (Matthew 18:17) Jesus has demonstrated His compassion and passion for rescuing, restoring and reconciling with ‘little ones’, those who are struggling, wandering or looked down on (Matthew 18:1-14). Now…
Author: Norm
Reading through Matthew 18:15-35
This week (April 14-20, 2025) we are focusing on Matthew 18:15-35. Pray for the Spirit of Jesus to speak to your heart. Watch the Bible Project video below (Part 2) to review the big picture. Read this chapter through a few times, with silent reflection. Make note of any words or sentences, thoughts or questions that arise….
Doing the Father’s will!
PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:1-14 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “Your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:14) I’ve spent the whole week reflecting on God’s compassion and passion for the ‘little ones’. As Christians we talk a lot about…
Leaving the 99?
PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:1-14 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “What do you think? Will he not leave the ninety-nine and go to look for the one that wandered off??” (Matthew 18:12) I’ve often wondered about how Jesus describes the shepherd leaving the 99 to find the wandering 1. Jesus’s…
Being an angel of blessing!
PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:1-14 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “Their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10) Jesus urges his disciples (1) to humble themselves like little ones, (2) to welcome other little ones, (3) to not cause the little ones…
Jesus, not Religion!
This is my story, I was born and raised in and converted to religion. Jesus was a part of that religion, but was buried beneath it. I find myself still digging out from religious thinking and behaving. It is not easy to break free from, but when I experience the moments of relationship with Jesus,…
DO NOT be the reason they stumble!!!
PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:1-14 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble…” (Matthew 18:6) Jesus is talking to His disciples about how to be great in God’s kingdom – by humbly valuing others above yourselves (Philippians 2:3). Now he…
My new daily prayer!
“Three things I pray: to see you more clearly, love you more dearly, follow you more nearly, day by day.” (Richard of Chichester (1197–1253) I’ve heard this prayer before, but this morning these words hit home in a powerful way. So much so that I am making this my new daily prayer. These words may…
How am I treating Jesus?
PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:1-14 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” (Matthew 18:5) Jesus responds to the disciples’ question about greatness by urging them to become like little children. He then adds this thought about welcoming little children, for in…
Becoming small and weak with Jesus!
PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:1-14 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1) Why were the disciples asking this question? Was it an academic question, or were they selfishly seeking a way to be one of the great ones? This…