Filed under: January
Posted By: Christina Samuelson
S: Matthew 21:15-16
[15]The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.” But the leaders were indignant. [16] They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?” “Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’”
O. Jesus has just performed a miracle – he made two blind men see. Even the children praised him, but the leaders were indignant. This means that they did not approve what the children were doing. Jesus rebukes these so called leaders and quotes Scripture supporting the children and their praise.
A. If Jesus accepts the children’s praise, if he does not look down on them, should I? I sometimes find myself holding on to things that could become great ministry opportunities for students because I do not give them enough credit. I am reminded of 1 Timothy 4:12. Paul challenges Timothy and tells him that his youth is not a disability. The Christina paraphrase is this: Tim, don’t take smac from those older than you. Be an example of how to live and how to speak. If Jesus accepts the children’s praise and he accepts mine, then surely he accepts a teenager’s. I need to understand that the potential in our students is far greater then I could imagine because it is really God’s potential.
P. God, help me see the potential, Your potential, in the students of our ministry. Take my unwillingness to let go of great ministry opportunities and let our students be the example. Thank you for accepting my praise and thank you for accepting the praises of the students in our ministry.
Filed under: January
Posted by Mike Bullock
S. Matthew 20:26 Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant
O. The world always seems to tell us that we need to be great, to validate our lives. Be the best at this, be number one at that, step on whomever you have to in order to get to the top, no matter the cost. Otherwise, you’re nothing.
Jesus tells us the exact opposite. Be humble, be a servant, help others, do whatever it takes to help out anyone who isn’t as fortunate as you.
A. I need to continually try to be a servant to those around me. I can use any and all the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon me to help others and pay forward all the good things the Lord has given to me. Material possessions, health, wisdom, skills, effort, anything I have, I have because He wants me to bless others with it.
P. Father God, thank you for allowing me to delve deeper into your word everyday. Please continue to give me the wisdom and intelligence to understand it and the will to act out your wishes, by being a servant to others, no matter the cost. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Filed under: January
Posted by: Jeff Thomas
Matthew 19:13-30
V13-15 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. But Jesus said, “Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.
The disciples thought Jesus was too busy and important to spend time with some children. They told the parents of the children to get lost and take their children with them. Jesus, however, who was incredibly busy and important, stopped and took time to chat with the children.
It was Jesus’ followers that were keeping the children away — the very type of people that Jesus wanted to spend time with. I need to make sure that I am not preventing someone from coming to Christ through my words or actions. In addition, I can’t let myself get so busy, even with good things, that I fail to take time to see people around me. I need to take time to love others, even when it isn’t convenient or doesn’t fit into my plans.
Father, sometimes I get wrapped up in activities and forget about the people you put in my path. Open my eyes and ears so that I will see those you want me to love. Give me the strength to ignore the busy-ness and focus on others. Fill my heart with your love so I will have enough to give to those around me.
Posted by: Matt Prielipp
S: Matthew 18:21-35
21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times? 22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”…
O: After Peter learns that we should forgive those that sin against us, Jesus backs this up with a parable about a tax collector who gets called into the King’s office for non-payment. After the collector begs for mercy and the King grants it to him, he goes out and bullies another debtor. But, when the debtor begs for mercy, the collector has him arrested. When the King finds out, he jails the collector and tortures him until he gets payment. Jesus says “this is what the heavenly Father will do if you refuse to forgive” (v. 35)
A: Forgive those that have sinned against me and continue to forgive, but be aware of those that take advantage of that forgiveness and either help them find the Lord or steer clear of them.
P: God, thanks for forgiving me and help me to forgive others that have sinned against me. Please help me to continue to forgive those that may take advantage of this forgiveness and allow me to help them find you or avoid their temptations until they can also learn the meaning of forgiveness. Thanks for taking care of me and those around me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Filed under: January
pOSteD bY: SPrAe pHILliPs
S – MATTHEW 18:8-9 SO IF YOUR HAND OR FOOT CAUSES YOU TO SIN, CUT IT OFF AND THROW IT AWAY. IT’S BETTER TO ENTER ETERNAL LIFE WITH ONE HAND OR FOOT THAN TO BE THROWN INTO ETERNAL FIRE WITH BOTH YOUR HANDS AND FEET. AND IF YOUR EYE CAUSES YOU TO SIN, GOUGE IT OUT AND THROW IT AWAY. FOR IT IS BETTER TO ENTER ETERNAL LIFE WITH ONLY ONE EYE THAN TO BE THROWN INTO ETERNAL FIRE WITH BOTH OF YOUR EYES.
O – THIS SHOWED ME THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING PURE. IF SIN IS OCCURING OR RULING OUR LIVES WE MUST PUT AN IMMEDIATE END TO IT. WE MUST CUT THAT SIN OFF IN ORDER TO ENTER INTO HEAVEN.
A – IM MY OWN LIFE I MUST BE STRONGER AND TAKE A STAND AGAINST SIN OR ANY POTENTIAL SIN BY CUTTING THEM OFF. ALSO, I MUST KEEP MYSELF FROM EVEN THE TEMPTATION THAT SIN PRESENTS IN MY LIFE. I MUST TAKE AWAY ANYTHING THAT FEEDS SUCH SINS IN ALL ASPECTS OF MY LIFE.
P – DEAR LORD, I PRAY THAT YOU WILL PROVIDE ME WITH WISDOM AND STRENGTH TO BE ABLE TO CONQUER MY SINS AND “CUT OFF” ANYTHING THAT CAUSES ME TO SIN. ALSO, I PRAY LORD THAT I WOULD HAVE AN OPEN HEART AND MIND SO THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE THE LESSONS AND OPPORTUNITIES YOU PUT IN FRONT OF ME AND APPLY THEM TO MY LIFE AND USE THEM TO GLORIFY YOUR NAME. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING LORD, IN YOUR NAME, AMEN.
