SCRIPTURE: Matthew 22 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. [Matthew 22:30] I have always struggled with this verse. My ‘theology is that when God restores the creation, He will restore the good things He created… including marriage. The…
fruit-bearing?
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 21 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. [Matthew 21:43] The bible uses “fruit” to describe what our life produces, our words and deeds. This is the real test, what the Lord…
shocking generosity
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 20 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ [Matthew 20:15] There is definitely a shock value to this story. It draws out the “that’s not fair” from my mind too. One of the problems that…
better not to marry?
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 19 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.” [Matthew 19:10] After Jesus teaches how serious marriage vows are, and God’s strong position against divorce, the disciples conclude that singleness is better than marriage. They are not…
God’s heart and mine
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 18 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier…
without rebellion
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 17 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said…
can happen to me too
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 16 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. [Matthew 16:17] Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have…
harsh?
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…