SCRIPTURE: Matthew 15 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even…
tender-hearted, Spirit-powered
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 14 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. [Matthew 14:13-14] I am struck…
kingdom seed
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that…
Jesus and the law
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 12 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven’t you read in the…
really knowing
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 11 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. [Matthew 11:27] Do we really know Who God is? Do we really…
backed by Spirit power!
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 10 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. [Matthew 10:19] Jesus sends out His…
how sweet the Name
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 9 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.” [Matthew 9:33-34] Jesus defied expectations, He was not the Messiah anyone expected. He claimed to forgive people, like…
who is this guy???
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 8 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” [Matthew 8:27] What kind of man is this Jesus? Willing and able to heal a leper, but what is more, He touches him – shocking! A man with authority…
hard… but true
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 7 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. [Matthew 7:13-14] If Jesus were a…
worship or worry?
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. [Matthew 6:24] There seems to be two sections in this chapter, about worship and worry. The first part deals with giving,…