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I finally made it to bible study again this morning. Of course this means I only had about four hours of sleep, because I don’t seem to be able to get myself to bed early Wednesday nights, so I can rise early enough to get myself showered and ready for the 6:00 AM study. I’m beginning to feel a lot better by the day and it was good to attend the ‘Son of Man’s Posse’ bible study. We tend to eat up an hour on just a few verses, so it may take a couple of years to finish this study of Matthew, but this is okay. The truth is, there is a lot of ‘spiritual’ meat in Matthew.
It’s said Matthew’s Gospel was written for Jews, who had a grasp of who God is and were already worshipping Him as He ‘prescribed’. Of course, Jesus’ coming, life, teachings, suffering, death and the resurrection weren’t easily understood by a people who counted their birthright alone as the way to God’s kingdom. After all, they are God’s chosen people. So Matthew’s gospel was written in order to explain what Jesus brought; which is the good news (gospel) based on faith and God’s sacrificial gift of His one and only Son! This is said to be a reason Matthew’s gospel is so full of information on the ‘end times’.
Every Jew male would have studied the books of Law and the Prophets. This is one reason Jesus often spoke of things prophesied about Him, of judgment and the end times. Verses and prophecy from the Psalms, Daniel, and Isaiah would have been common knowledge to Jewish men to whom Jesus would have been teaching with parables and history. Although I’m certain he left a lot of this unwritten, Matthew recorded a lot of Jesus’ explanations, to be used to teach those who would be familiar, but were ‘stuck’ on trying to observe the law; which the scribes and religious leaders had divided and added to. For beginning Christians, it’s usually recommended to begin with John’s gospel. It’s believed John’s gospel is directed to the gentiles, converts and otherwise not ‘informed’ people who wanted to follow Jesus. The one thing we can be sure of no matter where we may be in our pursuit of truth and good news; Jesus is the way to eternal life and accepting Him is to accept God’s great gift of grace. We all need to be prepared for His ‘second’ coming; in faith and determination. One day, you and I may be asked to renounce Him. Pray for strength and perseverance!
Susie B's brother-in-law is now on life support and crucial decisions will need to be made. Please pray for this family as they experience the weight of this pain and seek to respond appropriately. Please pray for my friend (and fellow alumni), Paul M. Paul woke from sleep Tuesday night with pain and was taken to the Hospital. A blood clot was discovered on or in a lung.
Father, I have accepted Your gift of salvation. I pray to be filled with grace and given strength to stand firm in my faith, and to persevere through any trial or test that may come. Remind me that nothing can defeat Your grace, or take away the forgiveness granted through Christ Jesus’ blood. Forgive my sin, as I forgive other sinners. I lift these loved ones and cares: Susie B’s brother-in-law, Paul M, Pete & Sue Z, Alex R’s family and friends, Maggie M, Ginny B, Doug F, John S, Sean C & family, Bob F, Susan H - daughter-in-law Brandelyn - son Brock & all their family, Roy and Becky M – Becky’s mom, Amy, Nick & Jane (Canada), Mitzi F, Chris & Michelle M, David, Kenny Rice, John P, Chip C, Pastor Dave Kepple, Maxine Mayhugh, Michelle S, Avery family, Aaron, Jack H, Larry W & family, Patty D, Tom & wife, Chris H, Mark & Ann C, Maddie, Cindy S, Katelyn S (infant) & her dad, Lucas, Sierra, Rodney Z, daughter-in-law & baby, Those going through treatments and medical procedures, Betty Y, Marie’s daughters, Marcie C, Tammy & son Alex, Rodney B & family, Betsye A, Unspoken needs, Dave & Carol A, Elizabeth S, Sarah M, Amanda, Teresa, Don & Brenda F, Ethan, Andee, Trina I, Jill & Joe Vanuch, Rick & Mary C, Julie S, A young mother’s employment search, Joanne, Norm M’s sister, Doug H, Terri G, James, John M, Katy H’s mom, Chris C, Jennifer W, Dan – Kristie Ward & family, Susie P, Chelsea M, Ellen S, John P, Alisha T, Melanie, Jeanine Dixon, Imogene, Emma Louise B, Bill D, Linda Z’s (Florida) brother Joe, pastor Dave M, Sue & Dan B, John P, Howard I, John & Gayle K, Jonathan, Bill C, Nellie M & family, Bud W (in LA), Mary Catherine H, Susie J, Alvin T, Kyle C, Cheri H, Jim L, Bill Blain, Dee S, J D, Ruth H, Kathy K, Sam & Mary P, Linda H, Diane M, Kevin S, Mike R & family, Joe & Lori D, Debbie F’s nephew Chris, Vangie B, Brenda M. Stacy F, Robin D & family, Jude B, Nancy F, Dave @ gym, Mazie W, Marion H, Jerry P, Bill & Shari (Arizona), Michael P, Patrice S, Gary H, Naomi’s Heart Mission, Dean S, Dustin, Dylan, those ending addiction or habit, our families for salvation and guidance, Those grieving, depressed, fighting or working for freedom, safety from terror, neglected, abused & missing children, God’s servants & churches, those looking for work, in rehab programs our families and all we hold dear in our hearts. I pray with confidence in Your power, love, grace and rely on You….
Amen
Memory Verse: Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Philippians 2:12,13 New International Version ~ ~ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Philippians 2:5-13 NIV
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