Matthew 10 - 3.25.25

SCRIPTURE:  MATTHEW 10:28 – 31

28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

OBSERVATION

Jesus is preparing the disciples for what’s to come in the days ahead. There will be persecutions and many more trials – even to the point of death. Jesus doesn’t want them to worry or be afraid and shares what’s more important:  our soul and value to the Father.

Jesus knows everyone will be concerned about the worst case scenario: dying. But the death of our body isn’t what matters most but the death of our soul. We will all physically die at one point and there’s nothing we can do about it. But we do have the ability to affect our soul. We can have a healthy fear of “the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” That healthy fear is what causesd me to seek God in my life. But is fear where we should live our life? No, that’s why Jesus immediate shares just how precious and important we are to the Father.

Jesus tries to provide a valuable comparison just to help the disciples understand their fear but to also give them hope and comfort.  He takes a common sparrow, which were not valuable then or now, yet are cared so much by God that “not one will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” What a tender and loving vision this creates of God gently caring for the sweet little sparrows. God’s love doesn’t end there. Jesus goes on to say that “even the very hairs on your head are all numbered.” God loves us that deeply!  Jesus comes full circle on the fear of death, our value above sparrows, to then encourage the disciples “So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

APPLICATION

Physical death is inevitable. Our bodies will pass away one day. My fear shouldn’t be about my body but my soul. Am I living a life that glorifies God? Am I more concerned about God or people on this earth? It’s all about our priorities and the choices we make each day. We can live in fear or can live our life for God. Understanding how important and deeply loved we are to our heavenly Father can easily turn every fear into praise.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, thank you for the comfort your Word provides. You care about what we feel – and provide exactly what we need to hear.  You help us to see, in comparison with sparrows, that we’re more important to you! Thank you for loving me. Help me to always keep my focus on you. Help me to remember this scripture when any form of worry or fear comes along. In Jesus name! Amen

- Mary Oberg

Psalm 52 - 3.24.25

Scripture

Psalm 52:7-9

7 “Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!” 8 But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. 9 For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people.  And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.

Observation

In this Psalm, King David is exposing the deceit and evil of Doeg the Edomite, who “informed Saul of David’s whereabouts.” “King David wrote this Psalm during the period when Saul was seeking his life.” (Reference: biblegateway.com footnotes)

King David is comparing and contrasting those like Doeg who trust in wealth, do evil and grow strong by destroying others, to those who trust in God’s unfailing love and hope in His good name alone!

Application

Take some time to meditate on God’s unfailing love and pour out that love on others! 

When we put our hope in anything but Jesus, we will always be disappointed. People and relationships will fail us; money and success fails; our possessions fail us; beauty fails and even our health fails. There is only ONE thing that will never fail us and that is Christ’s unfailing love. 

Let’s set aside time to meditate on His unfailing love and faithfulness towards us, everyday this week. 

However, it’s not enough to just keep His love to ourselves! We need to share it with others too! What are some ways that we can pour out that love on others this week? (Examples include providing for a need, blessing with a meal or a gift, writing a note of encouragement/blessing, spending time with them, sharing the Gospel message, inviting to church, being generous with our finances to further the Kingdom, etc.)

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your love that never fails. Thank You that when we seek You, You will always be found. I praise You for being a God who never changes, especially in Your affection for us. Please forgive me for the many times I have sought worth in things that fail. May I always fill myself up with You so that I could pour out Your love and joy to others as well. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

Matthew 6 - 3.21.25

Scripture: ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬-‭34‬ ‭NIV

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Observations:

Jesus is teaching many foundational principals in this passage.  He tells them to not practice righteousness for show by giving, praying and fasting in secret. He tells them to store treasures in Heaven and not earth.  Then He says, “Therefore I tell you do not worry about your life ….” and things like clothes and food. God knows you need them.  Because of all God has done, we need to seek His Kingdom and Righteousness first and ALL these things will be given to us.  Jesus closes with repeating not to worry. 

Application:

The world, especially media, feeds us reasons to worry, but we have a hope that goes beyond their understanding. God will provide all we need and even the desires of our hearts. “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ . Therefore, there is no reason to worry. In fact, we should be doing the opposite!  We should be rejoicing that we have a God who loves us and paid the ultimate price for our salvation. He will provide for us. We are His children. 

I am grateful for this reminder to Seek God’s Kingdom and righteousness first and not worry about tomorrow. He has it all in His hands. 

Prayer:

Lord, Thank you that you are an all-knowing Father. You have a purpose for my life and give me a hope and a future.  When challenges come, help me seek you first. I want to remember your kingdom is powerful and no matter what, to look to be like you in responding righteously. As I do this, I will become more like you and you will be glorified. 

Thank you for your grace and mercy to walk through today and the reminder to not worry about tomorrow.  Amen

- Cindy Howard