Matthew 13:1 – 23:39
It didn’t take long for God to drive home a point from the scriptures so let do the same and get right to it.  In the first part of Matthew 14 we ready about John the Baptist beginning beheaded due to a dancer none the less.  In 14:12 the disciples took John’s body and buried him and then went to tell Jesus.  This is the point God revealed something awesome about our Savior.  When Jesus heard about John’s death he withdrew to a private place most likely to mourn but when he landed on the shore He had compassion on the people and began to heal them (vs. 13-14).  Wow, I would have thought Jesus would not have engaged in ministry so soon.  Why?  John the Baptist was a pillar for the faith.  John had faith before Jesus came.  He prophesied about Jesus’ coming, faithfully.  HE BAPTIZED JESUS!  Jesus could have stopped the work of the ministry because he felt sad for himself but He didn’t…and neither should we.  Press on through trials, live the Christ, much to gain and nothing to lose.

Romans 5:3-5
3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Tweet This Post Facebook

I handed out the challenge yesterday to all who would join me in reading the New Testament in 30 days (see post).  Let me tell you day 1 was awesome and here is what stuck out to me the most.

Matthew 6:22-23
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

What we take into our hearts and lives have a huge affect on our spiritual disposition.  We have to always be on guard to what we are putting into our lives.  The statement at the end of verse 23 kicked me directly in the teeth.  “If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!“  What does it mean “the light within you is darkness?”  Can light be dark and still guide our path?  I don’t think so.  The powerful imagery here is that darkness is so powerful that will consume the light in our lives and we will become spiritually dead.  Keep the light bright.  Guard your heart, pray, fast, serve, love all.
Jeff

Tweet This Post Facebook

Steven Furtick, from Elevation Church, has set a challenge to read the New Testament in 30 Days.  This is a bold challenge and one that will take some effort.  I want to pass this challenge on to you.  Who is with me?  You can download the reading schedule HERE.  Let me know if you will be reading the New Testament in 30 days.

Tweet This Post Facebook