Matthew 14 - 8.12.24
Scripture
Matthew 14:27-31 NIV
“But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?””
Observation
The disciples were afraid because they thought it was a ghost walking towards them on the water. However, Jesus told them not to be afraid because it was Him. Peter requested that Jesus call him out into the water if it was truly Him. Jesus did, so Peter got out of the boat, went out to Jesus in the water, and started walking on water! But, when he saw the wind, he took His eyes off of Jesus and started to sink.
When Peter started focusing on the problem around him, which was the huge wind, he took His eyes off of Jesus, became afraid and started to sink.
Peter’s fear wasn’t able to keep Him above the water.
Application
Keep our focus on Jesus and not on the problem.
How many of us take our focus off of Jesus when problems arise? We become afraid and start worrying, instead of first praying and putting our faith in Christ, knowing that He is more than able to take care of it. I admit that I am guilty of this, as my natural default is not always prayer, but worry. Worry always leads my heart to a lack of peace.
This is one of my life verses (which I have to remind myself of often) whenever my natural inclination is to worry or be anxious about a situation. I have also shared this verse with my daughters, as a reminder whenever they start to feel worried about a situation. Remembering to balance my requests with thanksgiving is very important as well!
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Prayer
Dear Lord, I admit that I would have reacted the same way as Peter did in fear because I have done so so many times before. Please forgive me for losing my focus on You. I really don’t like the unrest it brings to my spirit. When life's challenges hit, may I seek You first in prayer so that my spirit would be at peace. Instead of meditating on the problem or issue at hand, please help me keep my eyes on You and Who You are. May I also remember to balance thankfulness with my requests to You. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Numbers 24 - 8.9.24
Scripture:
”Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not resort to divination as at other times, but turned his face toward the wilderness. When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him and he spoke his message: “The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly, the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: “How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel! “Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the Lord, like cedars beside the waters. Water will flow from their buckets; their seed will have abundant water. “Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted. “God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox. They devour hostile nations and break their bones in pieces; with their arrows they pierce them. Like a lion they crouch and lie down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse them? “May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!” Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to him, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times. Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the Lord has kept you from being rewarded.” ‘Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the Lord—and I must say only what the Lord says’?“ Numbers 24:1-11, 13 NIV
Observation:
Balaam met with God and He spoke to him. I love how he introduces himself before he prophecies, “The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly, the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are openend”
Balak had seen what Israel had done to other nations and knew they would defeat him too. His army was not strong enough to fight. He recognized that what Balaam said came to pass. So, he summoned Balaam to curse them.
Before going, Balaam sought God and would not go. After several pleas from Balak, God told him to go ahead and go. However, something in Balaams’s heart must have been off because an angel was waiting to stop him. His donkey saw it and saved his life. God opened the donkey’s mouth to speak to Balaam. Then he repented and humbled himself.
At this point in the story he has given two blessings instead of curses and Balak is furious. He refuses to pay what he promised and sends him home.
Balaam did not let money or pressure sway him. Of course, the donkey incident must have been a huge red flag not to.
Application:
The same God Balaam met with is the One we have access to today. I would love to speak with assurance as he did knowing that I see God clearly and speak His will. The truth is that is available to me. May I meet with God daily for that confidence.
I also do not want to be distracted by things of the world that will try to sway me and stand firm. While it would be nice to have a conversation with Diamond (my treasured pet), I don’t want it to be a consequence of my disobedience.
Prayer:
Father God, Thank you for your love and plan for my life. There is nothing you won’t do to capture your children’s attention and direct us in what’s right, you even used a talking donkey. Like Balaam may I seek you always and have the assurance that when I obey you, your words will be in my mouth. May I only speak what you say. If I stray, please open my eyes to my error and guide me back on track. There is nothing impossible for you. You are a Mighty and Gracious God.
Amen
- Cindy Howard
Matthew 12 - 08.08.24
SCRIPTURE - Matthew 12:1-3, 5-7 NLT
“At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.”
Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry?
And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath?
I tell you, there is ONE here who is even GREATER than the Temple!
But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture:
‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’”
OBSERVATION
Jesus has a discussion about The Sabbath
There was no actual law that prohibited the plucking of grain in order to eat on the Sabbath. On the contrary, gleaning handfuls of grain from a neighbor’s field to satisfy one’s immediate hunger was explicitly permitted (Deut 23:25).
What was prohibited was for a farmer to harvest on the Sabbath for a profit—which was clearly not the case with Jesus’ disciples.
Jesus further pointed out their hypocrisy from the Law of Moses, that while the Pharisees were nit picking about the disciples eating some wheat grain, the Pharisees were the ones who actually “worked” every Sabbath as they attended to the Temple responsibilities.
Jesus kept The Sabbath as it was intended.
The Sabbath was for—rest AND WORSHIP-to Draw Close to God AND to invite others to join you in drawing close to God—not rest for rest’s sake.
APPLICATION
Called to Sabbath Worship and Rest
Jesus is LORD of the Sabbath.
Unfortunately the Pharisees never understood what Jesus—as LORD of The Sabbath—was Teaching. They were so concerned about the “letter of the Law” that they missed the Opportunity to EXPERIENCE God when HE was standing right in front of them.
Sabbath-comes from the Hebrew word Shabbat-which means REST-
A break from our regular routines—to lay down work—and breathe in Jesus.
God set this Day of Rest aside SO we may be able to JOIN Heaven and EXPERIENCE the JOY of Corporate Worship as we gather to honor and Glorify God.
Jesus set the example for us to follow:
“…on the Sabbath day Jesus went into the synagogue, as was his custom.” (Luke 4:16 NIV)
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV)
“And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven IS at hand.’” (Matthew 10:7 AMP)
PRAYER
LORD Jesus,
Thank YOU for Your Love. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that brings us into deep communion with You. Thank You that You allow us to continually DWELL with YOU.
Thank You for Sabbath rest that draws us together in Unity—to Worship and glorify You—and to encourage One another…all the MORE as we see the Day approaching.
Teach me More and More about what it means to Abide in You at Your Feet. And experience heaven on earth.
In Your Holy and Precious Name. Amen
Tina L Kudelka