1 August - Matthew 7

Today we’re reading some of the most well known words of Jesus. They’re found in Matthew chapter 7. Here are a few thoughts:

1. The words of Jesus recorded in the opening two verses should really influence every single thought and interaction with another person. Jesus said in whatever way we judge other people we will be judged in the same way. We shouldn’t be hypocrites. Most often the things we judge in others are same “problems” we have ourselves, or worse. Jesus tells us to take care of our own problems first, then we can help others.
2. Jesus also talked about how God knows what to give us in life. He says we should take everything we need to God in prayer.
3. Most people would say that they’re going to heaven when they die. They have many different reasons for saying this; some believe the faith of their parents will get them in, some think they live “good” lives and that’s enough, and others are just hoping there are other people who are way worse than they have been. Jesus tells us in this chapter that the “way” to God is a narrow path that few people find. We shouldn’t just assume we’re right with God. Instead we should have confidence we are by a relationship with Jesus.
4. Have you ever heard the term “wolf in sheep’s clothing”? Ever wonder where that expression came from? The answer is, from Jesus and his words were recorded in this chapter of the Bible. The “wolf in sheep’s clothing” refers to people who say they’re speaking on behalf of God but they’re really not. Jesus said you will know who these people are by how they live their lives.

It’s easy for us to be judgmental towards people. Do you have this problem? Ask God to help you see the things you need to work on in your own life first. Do you ever feel like your needs are too small to pray to God about? Jesus tells us that God doesn’t see anything in our lives as insignificant. Jesus said we will know what kind of person we are by the “fruit” we produce in life; a good tree produces good fruit and a bad tree, bad fruit. What kind of tree are you? Do you think you have a relationship with God? Does the “fruit” of your life prove that you do? 

31 July - Matthew 6

We’re reading Matthew 6 together today. Below are a couple things to think about:

1. In this chapter we continue the teaching Jesus was giving his disciples. Jesus was telling them that when they do a “good dead” or an act of kindness don’t do it so other people will see you. Many people do something nice for other people but make sure everyone knows about it. Jesus  tells them if they do that then they will get their praise from men. But if they help people without making a show of it then God will reward them as he sees fit. 
2. Then Jesus talked about how to pray and continues the same message; don’t do it for show. The religious leaders in Jesus’ time would stand in public and pray loudly so others would hear them and think they’re more holy. We should pray to God as a way of communicating with him because we’re in a relationship with him. Jesus said we should pray to God like we’re talking to our Father. It’s about a relationship with our loving Father.
3. Jesus goes on to talk about fasting in the same way. Fasting is when you refrain from eating certain foods or stop eating all together for a set period of time to grow closer to God. The purpose of fasting isn’t to lose weight. Fasting is about using as much time as possible to connect with God through reading the Bible and talking to him. Fasting is a great way to connect with God but should not be something we parade around to others to make them think better of us.
4. Jesus ends with telling his disciples not to worry about temporary things here on earth. Instead we should be trying to grow closer to God and trust he will take care of us.

When you do something nice for people do you secretly hope other people will see you and think you’re a good person? If so, Jesus says then you’ve already received your reward. When you talk to God do you try to use special words or hide your sins? God just wants us to talk to him like we would our best friend. Have you ever tried fasting to grow closer to God? If not, try to get another person who is trying to follow Jesus to do it with you for a day. Fasting is a great way to recharge your relationship with God and if you do it with a friend you can both help each other. Lastly, do you spend a lot of time worrying about life? Stop. Ask God to help you trust him more instead of worrying about things. He loves you more than you can imagine and he wants what’s best for you.

30 July - Matthew 5

Today we’re back in the book of Matthew, chapter 5. This chapter is packed full of great stuff. We will talk about a few:

1. Matthew records a time when Jesus taught his disciples about living in a relationship with God. Jesus starts off by showing some things we should see in our life as a result of having a relationship with God. We should be: humble, thirst for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers. 
2. Jesus goes on to say that following him does cost us one thing; our whole life. We can’t follow Jesus half way. It’s all or nothing. 
3. Jesus gives a couple different illustrations to help us understand how having a relationship with God should cause us to share God’s love with others. He said we’re like salt, which was used to preserve and flavor food but if we lose our “saltiness” we’re useless to help other people find God. He also said we’re like a light that shouldn’t be hidden. We shouldn’t hide our faith; instead the love of God we’ve experienced should overflow towards others.
4. Many people think Jesus took the old laws (or guidelines) away but Jesus never says that. What he says is that he fulfilled the laws God had put in place for us to follow so that we can live in a relationship with him. This doesn’t mean we ignore the old laws. In fact, Jesus raised the standards for us to live by now because we have a direct connection with God to help us live. Jesus shows what he means in the following laws: The law said “do not murder” - Jesus said don’t even stay angry with someone or it’s the same as murdering them. The law said “do not commit adultery” - Jesus said if you even think about someone sexually inappropriately it’s the same as having sex with them in your mind. 
5. Jesus wants our whole life to be a relationship with him. He is trying to show his audience that it’s not a list of rules to check off. We can’t compartmentalize God.  It’s about a relationship. In our relationship with God we don’t try to do just the minimum (like the law) instead we strive to draw closer to him everyday. This is why Jesus raises the bar for us.

Have you been trying to do just the minimum to “get by” with God? Jesus shows us it’s a complete commitment to him. Are you completely committed to Jesus? Does the love you’ve experienced from God spill over into your daily life? Are others around you positively effected by God’s love in your life? If so, how? How can you show people God’s love today?

29 July - Matthew 4

We’re reading Matthew chapter 4 together today. Here are a couple things to think about:

1. Immediately after Jesus was baptized (see Matthew 3) the Spirit of God led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil himself. Notice that God didn’t tempt Jesus; elsewhere in the Bible we learn that God will not tempt anyone to do evil. However, God does allow us to be tempted to strengthen our faith and relationship with him. 
2. Jesus began to preach after his time out in the desert. Did you notice that it was after God had provided an opportunity for Jesus to grow closer to him that Jesus started helping other people. Since Jesus is God he didn’t need to wait but he did. Perhaps it was to show us a pattern that God uses. Often it’s after times of great struggle we have the opportunity to help others in the same way but only after we’ve turn to God and grown closer to him.
3. Then Jesus called four guys to follow him and become his disciples. They were common blue collar workers not the religious elite like some would have expected. Honestly, we have the same expectations of who God wants to use today don’t we? We always think we aren’t “special” enough to be used by God and maybe he should pick someone else. But God wants to use everyone to show other people his love.

Have you ever thought God was tempting you? Today we talked about how God doesn’t tempt anyone to do wrong. Next time think of it as an opportunity to grow closer to God. Have you ever went through some really tough times and thought, why would God allow you to go through them? Maybe God was preparing you so you could help other people. Do you ever feel like God wants to use you to do something for him but give him the excuse that you’re not “special” enough? Well stop! God does want to use you and through you he will help lots of other people in this world; if you will only allow him to. 

28 July : Genesis 49

Genesis 49

1. Here we read Israel telling his sons what the future will hold for them. We aren’t entirely sure but we can safely assume that God had revealed these things to him. 
2. Israel speaks of his sons as “tribes” and they do become the divisions amongst the Israelite people.
3. It must have been tough for Israel to say some of the things he had to say to a few of his sons, especially the three oldest. 
4. Israel foretold how Judah would be a ruler over his brothers and we will see how the tribe of Judah carries this role. Israel told of how God had blessings in store for Joseph. Surely as a reward for his obedience during the tough times he went through while trusting God.
5. Then Israel gave his sons instructions on what to do with his body when he died.

In this chapter we read how the nation of Israel will be separated in the future. We also read about how God planned to bless Joseph. We aren’t explicitly told but surely this is because of how Joseph faithfully followed God during the times of trouble he went through. Joseph suffered much for his faith and would be rewarded for it. Just to be clear though that is not a guarantee God gives us as Christians. Sometimes it’s true but it’s not a standard. Often people faithfully follow God and have very difficult lives but we’re told repeatedly in the Bible that our reward as Christians is the privilege to follow God and will be ultimately experience in the life to come.