276, big day.  Lots going on. Please read Matthew 6:5-34, Matthew 7:1-6, Luke 6:37-42, Matthew 7:7-20, Luke 6:43-45, Matthew 7:21-29, and Luke 6:46-49. So many highlights – teaching straight from the Master.  What are you learning from the Word today? 

Matthew 6 – it’s really important to notice that Jesus teaches 3 disciplines here:

WHEN you pray (6:2)

WHEN you give (6:5)

WHEN you fast (6:16)

Jesus said “When”, not “if”. These are expectations, foregone conclusions in the mind of Christ. Of course, disciples would pray, disciples would give, disciples would fast. These aren’t for “extra credit”, they are required. Don’t overlook the power of these three!

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you” Matthew 7:1-2

Matthew 7:1-6 about judgement.  It’s critical that we be able to differentiate between right judgement and what the world thinks is being judgmental.  You should to be able to judge rightly. Judgement means to discern the truth or the reality – to discern that an orange tree would produce an orange, or a cat would produce a kitten is not being judgmental, it is using judgement.  The negative context in which we use the term “being judgmental” isn’t the same.  

Being judgmental means that one has decided whether another is worthy of love, value or attention based on their actions or situation.  To say I have blue eyes is using your judgement – you saw me, and I do have blue eyes.  To say that I am unworthy of love or I am of lesser value because I have blue eyes is being judgmental.  It’s a silly example, but can you follow?  Jesus is telling us to value everyone, treat everyone the way He would have us treat everyone – He is not telling us to close our eyes.

Take every opportunity to be kind – see the truth, and see that everyone is deserving of love.  What an example Jesus sets before us – and what a challenge to grow!

275 – it’s kind of a mile stone day! 🙂 You are doing great – I can’t believe how far we’ve come together!  Today, we are reading Mark 3:7-19, Luke 6:12-16, Matthew 5:1-12, Luke 6:17-26, Matthew 5:13-48, Luke 6:27-36, and Matthew 6:1-4.  I have lots of little thoughts, I’m just going to write them as they come, may seem a little disjointed, but thank you in advance for giving me a little space. What is your highlight?  Did you have more than one?  Let’s read and then visit!

“He… called them to Him…. and they came to Him” (Mark 3:13). Isn’t it just that simple? Lord, let me just come when you call!

” Coming down off the mountain with them, he stood on a plain surrounded by disciples, and was soon joined by a huge congregation” (Luke 6:17). He came and stood on their level. As we come to Him, He comes to us, too. Right where we are, wherever we are.  He’ll come to meet us and lead us from there. I love that.

Look at these verses:

Luke 6:30 MSG, Jesus says, “To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.”

Now see Proverbs 3:27-28 MSG: “Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God’s hand for that person. Don’t tell your neighbor ‘Maybe some other time’ or ‘Try me tomorrow’ when the money’s right there in your pocket.“ Jesus always agrees with the word of God. (And again, there is no difference between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament – God was always kind, but didn’t have have the benefits associated with the Son of God made manifest).

I like how we can match up the Beatitudes to the Psalms – and how these blessings are specific to the ministry of Jesus. 5:4 – tenderness, 5:6 – desire for right living, 5:9 – restoration, 5:16 – reflecting glory back to God…

What a sweet day 🙂

Are you loving the New Testament?  I have to tell you, I love the Old Testament too, and it gave us such a great backdrop for what is happening today.  Now we are better prepared to receive the Word, reading it in its entirety.  Let’s go to John 5, Mark 2:23-28, Matthew 12:1-8, Luke 6:1-5, Mark 3:1-6, Matthew 12:9-14, Luke 6:6-11, Matthew 12:15-21.  I’d love to hear what you think – read a bit and come on back, let’s visit!

I get so irritated every time the Pharisees get mad….. Today, they are upset because the cripple was carrying his mat and Jesus was healing on the sabbath, which they considered “work”.  Talk about missing the entire point! But, if we’re honest, we have to admit: we do this same thing today.  We can easily let our emotions distract us from the real work, and get angry over things that won’t matter at all in the final analysis. Jesus gives a great explanation in Matthew 12:11-13 MSG:

He replied, “Is there a person here who, finding one of your lambs fallen into a ravine, wouldn’t, even though it was a Sabbath, pull it out? Surely kindness to people is as legal as kindness to animals!” Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” He held it out and it was healed.”

Of course, the Pharisees did not accept Jesus’ reasoning, more determined to prove themselves “right”: “The Pharisees walked out furious, sputtering about how they were going to ruin Jesus” (Matthew 12:14).

LOVE JOHN 5 in the message translation! Have to highlight everything! Love Matthew 12:15-21 too.  What is your highlight today?

Today, please read: Luke 5:1-11, Mark 1:40-45, Matthew 8:1-4, Luke 5:12-16, Mark 2:1-12, Matthew 9:1-8, Luke 5:17-26, Mark 2:13-17, Matthew 9:9-13, Luke 5:27-32, Mark 2:18-22, Matthew 9:14-17, Luke 5:33-39. Come on back and let’s visit – what is your highlight today?

Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed” Mark 1:41

Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Matthew 8:3

Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Luke 5:13

I know its easy to skim, and repetition can be repetitive 😉 but here it’s important to notice: every one reported the cleansing of the leper in the same way – the leper said, “If You are willing” and Jesus replied “I am willing” – Jesus WANTS to heal us! He WANTS us to trust Him in everything, praise His Name. Different writers, different perspectives, but there was only one way to communicate this story: Jesus was willing to heal!

Jesus always followed His passion and let His purpose dictate: He was about inviting outsiders, drawing people from any walk of life closer to God. Let’s be the same!

Lots of Jesus today – I love that!  The writers of the Gospels often record the same histories – if you will take the time to read each one, you might notice slight differences in their perspectives.  Remember that repetition is good as you are studying! Please read Mark 1:14-15, Matthew 4:12-17, Luke 3:23, John 4:46-54, Luke 4:16-30, Mark 1:16-20, Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:21-28, Luke 4:31-37, Mark 1:29-34, Matthew 8:14-17, Luke 4:38-41, Mark 1:35-39,  Luke 4:42-44, and Matthew 4:23-25.  What’s your take-a-way today?

“Time’s up! God’s kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message.”                     Mark 1:15 MSG

Matthew 4:20 says the disciples didn’t even ask questions – they just dropped their nets and followed Jesus. Sometimes (all the time), it takes that kind of crazy faith to truly follow Christ successfully: don’t ask, just go. Don’t worry, just trust. Don’t hesitate, just act in obedience because you have that much trust in the One leading you.

p.s. I did just say “don’t ask, just go”, but let me qualify that.  By now, we know each other well enough for a little grace, but just in case: We are ALWAYS allowed to ask!  There is never anything wrong with asking!  As you are following the Lord, He encourages the dialogue – He wants to speak to us – but it’s as we are following, while we are following. Sometimes, we can get deceived into thinking that our questions are more important than God’s wisdom. Sometimes we can allow our questions (and the answers that in our limited wisdom we think are missing) to stop our progress.  Allow a learning curve to be part of your process.  Trust that as you follow Jesus, more and more will become clear.  He is always working things out for your benefit.  Don’t let a question stop you in your tracks – move forward to the Answer!

Didn’t have time to hit all the highlights, but what else did you notice? I see that Jesus healed everyone. He didn’t allow the devil to speak.  He is always representing the Father well. What a tremendous example!

Today, we are reading John 3, John 4:1-45, Luke 3:19-20.  Check it out and come on back!

I like reading the New Testament in a translation I’m not used to – makes it hard to “skim” in the familiar passages! Look at how the MSG translates John 3:

“There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews. Late one night he visited Jesus and said, ‘Rabbi, we all know you’re a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren’t in on it.’

Jesus said, ‘You’re absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom.’ ” John 3:1-3 MSG

Jesus always pointed back to the Father, always reflected the Father’s goodness. We ought to do the same!