Matthew 18
"Who gets the highest rank in God's kingdom?" Isn't that what I'm asking when I live for success? Become simple and elemental again, like a child (18:5)...and don't treat believers arrogantly---their personal angels are constantly in touch with My Father (18:10). Yet, I think my words slip by. Repent! Combine my joy in living with profound repentance. "If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you.18:16). What you say to one another is eternal. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there" (18:20). Forgive your child 490 times. Forgive your husband 490 times (18:22). That's 980 times in one day for one husband and one child. Most of us have to go over 1,000 times every day! Forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy (18:35).
Matthew 19
"If you're capable of growing into the largeness of marriage, do it (19:12)." It's not for everyone. We will give account to Him on Judgment Day for what we did with the largeness of our marriages. I must deal with my own stuff. Tim Keller writes that we always need a new perspective on our needs and problems. We should always intertwine repentance over our unbelief and indifference to God's grace with our surrender to Truth sinking into our hearts.
Rich or poor, we all have zero chance of getting into the Kingdom if we think we can pull it off ourselves. "We have every chance in the world if we trust God to do it (19:26)." And here comes Peter still asking: "What do we get out of following You? (19:27). Eternal Life. But what about here on this earth? Jonathan Edwards comes to mind when he said that the essential difference between a Christian and a moralist is that a Christian obeys God out of the sheer delight in Who He is not to get anything. Just to live like His Beloved John in a dimlight dingy prison cell for His Pleasure---to behold His Beauty whatever circumstance you are in.
So, what is my rank this day? I think the Holy Spirit is preaching to me, as Luther would say...
Matthew 19: 23-24: "As he watched him go, Jesus told his disciples, "Do you have any idea how difficult it is for the rich to enter God's kingdom? Let me tell you, it's easier to gallop a camel through a needle's eye than for the rich to enter God's kingdom."
ReplyDeleteLoving God totally means using our money in ways that please God.
Many times "the rich man" is independent and self-sufficient. Hard to humble himself and fall on his knees and surrender.
Matthew 19: 27-30:
"Then Peter chimed in, "We left everything and followed you. What do we get out of it? Jesus replied, "Yes, you have followed me. In the re-creation of the world, when the Son of Man will rule gloriously, you who have followed me will also rule, starting with the twelve tribes of Israel. And not only you, but anyone who sacrifices home, family, fields—whatever—because of me will get it all back a hundred times over, not to mention the considerable bonus of eternal life. This is the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first."
God gives rewards to everyone, and as believers, our true reward is God's presence and power through the Holy Spirit.
Being a disciple of Christ will always cost me something.
Yes, the Holy Spirit is preaching to me today!
ReplyDeleteHe was holding on tight to a lot of things, and he couldn't bear to let go… "Then who has any chance at all?"…Jesus looked hard at them and said, "No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it."
Which one of us stands any chance at all to surive God's judgment and enter heaven because of our own action? Which one of us can forgive 490 times? Which one of us can do any “good” at all, save Jesus working through us? Huge themes of grace and forgiveness throughout today’s reading--themes that take a lifetime to work through. But for His Grace and our own trusting Him to do it, we’re lost as the wandering sheep. I’m so thankful this morning for the measure of Christ’s Spirit inside me that can forgive, that makes the impossible possible, if only I step aside—self help is no help at all.
“Not everyone is mature enough to live a married life. It requires a certain aptitude and grace…” That was a hearty “Amen” you just heard coming from the ranch in Texas.
Our words are eternal. He is with us this morning as two or three of us are gathered here because of Him.
“Come, breath. Breathe on these slain bodies. Breathe life!'" (Ezekiel 37:9, The Message)
Although I enjoyed the sweetness of experiencing God's presence with me while on my business trip, it felt good to be at home in my chair reading today's passage. Again reminded that God's mercies are new every morning and mine should be as well to my children, my husband and to "forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy."
ReplyDeleteGreat is Thy faithfulness!
Oh God my Father.
There is no shadow
of turning with Thee.
Thou changest not,
Thy compassions, they fail not!
As Thou hast been,
Thou forever will be!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning,
new mercies I see.
All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness,
Lord unto me!
Remembering our time together last week with the sounds of your voices, your laughter, your instant fellowship...love all of you so much, even those I only know by your typed words here and your tiny image. This is a sweet place here.
ReplyDelete"What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this."
Things will pass away. This world will eventually be destroyed by fire. I'm washing up a new set of bedding for my bedroom and it was an investment when I purchased it. Moth and dust will corrupt it one day. I will enjoy it's beauty while it lasts.
But, relationships are eternal.
We can speak life into our relationships or we can speak death. Every person we come into contact with will spend eternity with us or with the enemy who comes to steal, kill and destroy.
What do you see in the eyes of those you speak with or pass by as you live life?
I pray we will all see with the eyes of Jesus...looking at those who hurt us with His eyes. Looking at those who shelter us...with His eyes. Looking at those relationships as an investment into eternity in heaven.
Snatching those from the grasp of the enemy as God allows us to experience His Work in their lives through our willing submission to Him.
It would be so sad to say a final goodbye to someone just because they hurt our feelings, or were different from us. Or we were afraid of hurting their feelings.
Eternity will be so long for them to suffer punishment.
How is God working in my life to snatch people from the enemy's clutches? I can't afford to miss God's grace in this area.
Use me, God. Work through me, Holy Spirit. Jesus, grace those who You bring into my life and let me introduce them to the call of grace. Let me pursue relationship and not religion as my faith is in You.
Let me have faith like a little child.
18 -20"Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there."
ReplyDelete