Matt 20:20
20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. KJV
- Worshipping as you come desiring something of someone, I think today we call that sucking up. I suppose the whole request has to do with their actually respectful view of Jesus and his kingdom. Yet their worship here seems very insincere. It seems like they are just trying to play a system to get something from Jesus. I think this attitude is still around today. I think I have hosted the attitude more then once to be honest. Do we come to God in love, in gratitude, in Awe, in respect or do we show a little respect before presenting our list of request. 1 Tim 6:5 says there are people just playing politics trying to get things without a relationship or desire to please God. We are told to avoid such men, or withdraw from them. Have we become them? Lord help me to seek you, not just a blessing.
- Hosea 7:14; Prov 21:27
Joshua had done so good about seeking God up until the below story. God had told Israel to wipe out all the inhabitants in the promise land and people showed up pretending to be from far away out of the promise land when really they lived close. God would have told Josh had he asked, but instead he was fooled by lies. It seemed locical in his analytical brain that they were from far away due to the way their food looked so he didn’t think he needed to ask God.
Even if something makes logical sense, you still MUST seek God’s counsel so that you are not deceived. Just because something is a good idea does not mean it is a God idea.
Josh 9:12-15
12 This bread of ours we took hot for our provision from our houses on the day we departed to come to you. But now look, it is dry and moldy. 13 And these wineskins which we filled were new, and see, they are torn; and these our garments and our sandals have become old because of the very long journey.”
14 Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the LORD. 15 So Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them to let them live; and the rulers of the congregation swore to them.
NKJV
…Josh 9:22-23
22 Then Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying,’We are very far from you,’ when you dwell near us? 23 Now therefore, you are cursed, and none of you shall be freed from being slaves — woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”
NKJV
Amanda Vander Klok
Matt 18:7
“Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! ESV
- Sometimes it is easy to just see it as apart of the world we live in to see things as unavoidable. That doesn’t make it okay. It says here that temptation is sure to come but woe to the one who brings it. God standard doesn’t change just because it seems to be everywhere.
Proverbs 15:32
32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.
- Prov 22:6
- If you avoid instruction, and rebuke you rob yourself and your future. You will repeat your folly because you are a fool. Prov 26:11
Matt 14:36
36 and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well. ESV
- They had a part to play to receive their miracle. They had to reach out and touch him. They had to reach out in faith believing they would receive a miracle from God’s power when they touched Him. So often we expect it all to come to us. But we have a part to play, God’s blessings are received by faith. Lord help me to reach out in faith for the things that you have given me. I think there were others there that didn’t reach and didn’t get healed, all who touched were healed. God I don’t want to be one of the others. I want to reach out in faith and receive all that you have for me. Heb 11:1
Matt 14:13
When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. NKJV
- Jesus took time to withdraw. He spent time with the Father so He would be ready and able to pour out on all the people. If Jesus needed to step away and pray and spend time with God alone how much more so do we need to do the same.
Matt 13:44-46
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. NKJV
- These two parables communicate the same thought. The kingdom is not something you do half way. When someone wants to be apart of the kingdom it costs them everything. In both stories the guy gives up everything he has for something he views as more valuable. Have you given up everything to follow Jesus? Has he become your hearts number one desire? Matt 6:24 says that you cannot have two masters. God help me to set you first above everything else. I want to honor you with all my heart. I want to honor you with everything I do.
Matt 5:19
19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. NKJV
- You will be held accountable for what you teach. James 3:1The example and the places you lead people you will get credit for whether you want it or not. So please think carefully about how you are influencing people.
Matt 5:13-16
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. NKJV
- 2 Cor 6:17, John 17:15-17
- Are you living a life that is any different then the lives of those who don’t know the lord? The statistics in the world and in the church should be drastically different, but they aren’t. God help me to always live in a way that shines brightly help me to stay salty. I want my works to bring glory to God’s name. Do your works bring glory or shame to God’s name? Titus 1:16; Rom 2:24
- Life in the Light Rom 13:12-13; John 8:12; 12:46; Rom 2:19; 1 Thess 5:4; 1 John 1:6; 2:9-11;
Matt 5:6
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. NKJV
- What do you hunger for? Jer 29:13 Those who pursue God with all their hearts will be filled. What you search for determines what you will find. What is your number one desire? Nothing else can fulfill us see Ecclesiastes, but if we seek God first fulfillment comes with it Matt 6:33.
