Stumbling

Matthew 18: ⁶ “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. ⁷ Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! ⁸ If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. ⁹ And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

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Sexual purity was the last thing on my mind when I was hanging out at the clubs. Admiration turned into action as I sought after short term fulfillment. The problem was the next day. Riddled with guilt and shame I did not feel like I had followed CHRIST and I’m sure I could not talk to my lustful companion about HIM.

• There were times I have been controlled by lust.
• There have been times when I said, “I deserve a little sin.”
• There were times I caused people to stumble.

Dragging someone into my mess is a real problem to GOD. Not only am I harming me, I am harming someone else. GOD wanted my behavior to change.

• GOD said to me “I want your mind, body and soul.”
• GOD said to me “I want you to keep the temple I have given you pure and clean.”
• GOD said to me “Watch carefully what you put in your heart.”

The passage doesn’t just talk about sexual purity. It speaks about character. If I am stealing, lying, cheating, complaining or threatening, I may have caused myself and others to stumble in their faith. GOD wants me to speak and act with HIS motives so others can be drawn to HIM.

• Are you building people up or tearing them down?
• Are you fulfilling your lusts and causing yourself and others to stumble?
• Can you stop focusing on yourself for a moment and focus on others long enough to tell them about JESUS?

Series of Events

Matthew 17: ²⁴ After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”

²⁵ “Yes, he does,” he replied.

When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”

²⁶ “From others,” Peter answered.

“Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. ²⁷ “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

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Walking past the corner house of a friend’s block I looked down and there I found a crisp dollar bill. Excitedly I picked it up and went on my merry way. Soon I found myself staring at the yard intently because I found all kinds of treasure like rulers, jewelry, pens and balls. Who would lose a ball? What an amazing yard I thought to myself.

• Many times I have not credited GOD for something amazing.
• Many times I thought “luck” existed.
• Many times I attributed a house or a shirt or a yard as having special powers.

Looking back I realize I never praised GOD for those amazing finds. Peter on the other hand was told before the miracle happened exactly the amount he would find.

GOD knew way before that someone would lose a coin and a specific fish would mistake the coin for food and swallow it. At the right time, that same fish would get hungry and get caught by Peter.

• GOD performs miracles daily that I cannot account for.
• GOD can use a discomforting eyelash to distract the bully as the person is too preoccupied to focus on me.
• GOD can have someone lose money only to be found by the right person at the right time.

JESUS was pointing out how unfair the tax collectors were, yet HE yielded to their greed. It is quite possible that the coin in the fish was dropped from the collector himself. Only JESUS knows the series of events that leads up to a miracle I benefit from.

• Have you ever found something at the right time?
• Have you ever thanked GOD for your finding?
• Will you allow GOD to work out your problems HIS way?

Missed Message

Matthew 17: ²² When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. ²³ They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” And the disciples were filled with grief.

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“We are going to leave you here while we do some business so you can play with the other children” my parents said to me. I was highly upset and began to cry. When I got older I had to go with them to do errands. “Will this ever end? I want to play with my friends” I thought to myself.

• Sometimes I miss the initial message of good news.
• Sometimes I think everything is crumbling when it actually is bright and cheery.
• Sometimes the bad news is all I hear even when the good news is coupled with it.

JESUS was a miracle machine! HE was healing people left and right. Mobs gathered to wait for HIM to hear HIM speak. They just knew HE would someday be a king, but in an earthly sense. When they heard the news of HIS impending death they were “filled with grief.” BUT GOD had a much better plan.

• GOD’s plans for me are always better than I could ever imagine.
• GOD’s plans for me are higher than I could ever think of.
• GOD’s plans for me are to prosper me in HIS way and in HIS time.

JESUS had to be blamed and murdered in order to fulfill all prophecy spoken about HIM. HE remained sinless to be worthy enough to open the scroll of judgment on the earth. By HIS death and resurrection humanity could be saved. This is far better than a temporary king who would die off in a few years.

GOD wants me to hear HIS wonderful message even when bad news comes. HIS message to me is “I love you.”

• Have you recently received bad news?
• Do you replay bad news over and over in your head?
• Can you stop thinking about the negative thoughts for a moment to listen to GOD’s message of grace and love for you?

Nothing is Impossible

Matthew 17: ¹⁴ When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. ¹⁵ “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. ¹⁶ I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

¹⁷ “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” ¹⁸ Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.

¹⁹ Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

²⁰ He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

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Faith is a strange thing. It is not enveloped in my lust, desires or sight. It is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. But what should I hope for? Should I hope to be the richest person on the planet? Should I hope that a person be healed from a terminal illness?

• GOD loves when I align my desires with HIS.
• GOD sees my tiny faith and couples it to HIS.
• GOD gets excited when I use my faith for something HE believes in.

Sometimes I thought faith was having magical powers to do some impossible things… quite the contrary. GOD wants me to believe HE can do anything and have the faith to watch the situation unfold in HIS timing.

• Faith takes time to grow as I account for the many times GOD has rescued me.
• Faith means I watch GOD at work daily to understand just how amazing HE is.
• Faith is quite powerful and only comes from GOD.

When I think “I” have to have faith I fail. When I believe GOD can do anything and I rely on HIM I succeed abundantly!

• Do you have faith in GOD?
• Do you believe HE can do anything?
• Will you allow HIM to handle the situation, HIS way in HIS time?

Nothing Else Needed

Matthew 17: ⁶ When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. ⁷ But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” ⁸ When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

¹⁰ The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

¹¹ Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. ¹² But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” ¹³ Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

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“Salvation is free, all you need to do is believe” I was told, so I did. I believed that I was saved from an eternal state of hell. “What a relief!” I thought to myself. But as time went on, problems arose. Maybe my salvation came a little too easy. “I better try to be saved a little harder by not sinning as much” I thought to myself.

• Sometimes I try to supplement what JESUS has already done.
• Sometimes I put up rules to make me feel saved by accomplishments.
• Sometimes I tell GOD “Look at what I have done” as if to say “I deserve salvation.”

GOD made salvation so easy that all I need to do is believe in HIS position, power and my problem of sin. It is that simple. But over time I thought salvation meant doing a whole bunch of stuff that seemed righteous in order to “remain” saved. I became exhausted!

• GOD’s salvation of me is permanent.
• GOD’s declaration that I am saved is final.
• GOD’s decree of my salvation is everlastingly written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

“No one can pluck you from MY hand” is what GOD says to me, not even myself. GOD’s declarations are eternal. I do not have to wait on anything else to happen. JESUS has already been raised from the dead. My belief in HIM through the measure of faith HE has provided me is all I need.

• Do you feel that following GOD is difficult?
• Do you try really hard to please GOD but feel like a failure?
• Can you stop thinking so lowly of GOD and allow HIM to love you and protect you the way HE wants to?

Greatest Conversation

Matthew 17: After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. ² There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. ³ Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

⁴ Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

⁵ While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

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Somehow, Peter knew who Moses and Elijah were without ever seeing them or meeting them. He was out of his mind as he blurted out his desire to help. I wonder what they were doing there. What were they discussing?

• On a daily basis I can have a conversation with GOD.
• Each and every day I can discuss JESUS for whom the FATHER is well pleased.
• Daily I can seek to talk about JESUS with others.

Listening to JESUS is the most important conversation I could ever have. THE FATHER makes it very clear that I should do so. HE showed JESUS in a transfigured manner letting me know there is more to JESUS than what is written.

• Are you listening to yourself or JESUS?
• Are you quieting down to hear HIS voice?
• Can you stop talking about humans and talk about JESUS today?

I Can and I Will

Matthew 16: ²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. ²⁶ What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? ²⁷ For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

²⁸ “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

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“What will they think of me?” was my question when asked to go to church. I was the life of the party for a change. I had been “Goody-goody” for a long time. It seemed like I should be able to do some sinning for a while.

“What will they think of me?” was my question when asked to send a simple faith filled voicemail throughout the company. I mean I was the leader of a very large and influential portion of the company. I had to protect my perception right? Wrong!

• I have been embarrassed to speak about JESUS.
• I have been too filled with sin to speak about JESUS.
• I have been so proud of my accomplishments that I did not want to risk losing “my” position to speak about JESUS.

GOD says to me “If you are ashamed of ME then I will be ashamed of you” and I was truly ashamed of HIM. Human standards got in the way of my living for CHRIST. I bowed to the thought of “You can’t pray here” or “We don’t want you to even speak about JESUS here” even though no one said those words to me.

• JESUS wants me to shine my light before men on a daily basis.
• JESUS wants me to be salt in a world where salt is rejected.
• JESUS wants me to take up my cross by denying myself.

Losing my life means a lot. It means I can pray for all who pass me in the hallways. It means I do not have to be angry at “those” people, instead I can ask GOD for “our” forgiveness. It means I can open my home to my neighbors for JESUS’ purpose instead of hiding my affiliation with HIM.

GOD wants my family, my business, my job, my school, my house, my car, my clothes, my wealth, my desires and lastly my health. HE can do with them as HE pleases and I should learn to praise HIM when I try to hold onto any of them. HE can pry them from my hands in a hurtful way or I can freely give them to HIM, praising HIM along the way.

• What are you holding onto?
• Can you give GOD your home or your office or your school by inviting others into it to learn from HIM?
• Will you take GOD to work with you today and pray for all who pass you?

Putting Words in Mouths

Matthew 16: ²¹ From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

²² Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

²³ Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

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“You won’t die” were my words to the person I donated blood platelets to. I mean this was my desire and I truly meant it with the best intentions. BUT GOD had other intentions.

• Sometimes when I speak about GOD, humanity is mixed in.
• Sometimes when I talk about HIS power, my sinfulness is mixed in.
• Sometimes when I utter words about GOD, I place my desires over HIS supremacy.

“GOD won’t do this” or “GOD won’t do that” may be my hopes, but may not be quite true. Peter did not know GOD’s wonderful purpose of saving mankind. He saw JESUS as the next great leader who had some better parlor tricks than anyone else. His statement “YOU are the CHRIST” was doused by saying “YOU won’t die”.

Peter did not know GOD’s intention to save the world through HIS death and resurrection so he put words in HIS mouth.  

• GOD wants me to ask what to say before I speak.
• GOD wants me to tell the truth in love speaking only from what GOD has to say.
• GOD wants me to not be afraid to give the hard news of the reality of HIS plan.

Worry ensues when I go against GOD’s plan. When HE wants to “ruin” me and I don’t want to be ruined, I worry and perhaps put words in HIS mouth. HE has taken me down many times only to build me up better than before. Following GOD’s plan means I allow HIM to be supreme. I do not have to place human words in HIS mouth.

• Are you secretly trying to steer GOD?
• Do you find yourself trying to get your way by saying you are exercising faith but you are really exercising worry?
• Can you stop trying to manipulate the situation and allow GOD to transform you into something greater?

Heavenly Words

Matthew 16: ¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. ¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” ²⁰ Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

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With a towel tucked into the back of my shirt, I immediately transformed into a flying superhero! My neighbor would try to blast me with their death ray and claim my demise. I would retort with “Uh uhn! I had my shield up that bounces off your death ray!” Apparently I also had the super power of words, because that worked.

• When I was younger I wanted super powers.
• When I was a child I wanted special abilities.
• When I was immature I wanted to be a hero who saved everyone.

Peter was given a very special ability to speak and make supernatural things happen, but it came with a special focus. His super power was to point people to the “church” which is CHRIST JESUS. With mere words he was able to capture souls or turn away evil.

The FATHER has revealed JESUS as the Messiah to Peter and the basis of Peter’s exclamation “YOU are the CHRIST” was the foundation of the church. Peter now had super powers to say this and have people believe in JESUS.

• GOD has given me super powers to speak about HIS kingdom.
• GOD has given me supernatural abilities to make heavenly things happen on earth.
• GOD has given me special talents that only I can do to reach certain people.

Having these super powers comes with super responsibility. Every word out of my mouth has to be put in heaven first. I mean, I should be slow to speak and think about what I am saying. I should then ask GOD for the right words and move accordingly. My thinking and belief should follow HIS guidance. I see GOD’s words are much more powerful than any super hero can be!

• Do you want to be considered “special?”
• Would you like supernatural abilities?
• Can you start believing in GOD and speaking about HIS SON in a faithful way today?

Label Belief

Matthew 16: ¹³ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

¹⁴ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

¹⁵ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

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“Mud” was the name of the person I was mad at. They could do no right in my eyes and I could not believe in anything they said. “Smart” was the name I gave a rising star and I listened to every word out of their mouths.

• There have been times I labeled people.
• There have been times I have given a person a name.
• There have been times I put someone in a category and treated them in that fashion.

How I perceived people was how I treated them. If I perceived them to be “higher” than me then I treated them with one level of respect, the opposite went for those I felt were “beneath” me. In my labeling practice I soon labeled GOD based on my lack of faith. HE wasn’t “GOD” to me rather “god” just like everything else.

• JESUS deserves the highest label I can give HIM.
• JESUS deserves to be called what HE is, namely GOD almighty.
• JESUS deserves my trust, faith and obedience due to HIS supremacy over all.

Treating JESUS as common was my problem. Yes HE is a brother and a friend but HE is GOD. HE tells me to stop labeling people HE made and get them to focus on HIM who can raise them from the dead. The higher the label I can place on JESUS the stronger my belief will be in HIM.

• What do you call GOD?
• Is your lack of faith blocking you from placing HIM above everything in your life?
• Can you stop labeling those around you and give them over to GOD today?

Strange Teaching

Matthew 16: ⁵ When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. ⁶ “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

⁷ They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”

⁸ Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? ⁹ Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? ¹⁰ Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? ¹¹ How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” ¹² Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

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“Maybe people should use a pink envelope” I thought to myself as I dreamt of ways to distinguish the collection for the parking lot. It would require teaching as the collection was already complicated. But this was necessary!

• There were times I thought of rules for participating in church.
• There were times I dreamt of ways to “easily” follow the rules.
• There were times I believed that more rules meant more order.

When I look back on my church tenure I notice a soulless march towards rules and regulations. I mean, I “had” to be in church and I “had” to give and I “had” to sing and I “had” to pray.  There could be no deviations from the schedule, structure, dress or tone in order to fit in. BUT GOD wants me to act different.

• GOD wants me to follow HIS teachings, not the soulless teachings of man.
• GOD wants me to test every word that is being said to hear if GOD is in the words rather than man.
• GOD wants me to teach from HIS word, not from sinful, efficient ideas.

Having needs as a church is not the sin, but sometimes I can focus a little too much on the church building or group and not enough on GOD and HIS flock. I find myself name dropping the church name rather than JESUS’ name. GOD wants me to be part of the church of JESUS which could include every local gathering if they believe.

• Are you proud of your church?
• Do you name drop your church name more than JESUS’ name?
• Can you stop coming up with more church rules and teach GOD’s words of love?

Prove Yourself

Matthew 16: The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.

² He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ ³ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. ⁴ A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.

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“If YOU are GOD then…” were the immature words out of my mouth as if to say, “Prove YOURSELF to me.” Looking back on these words, I can see why they were a problem with GOD.

• When I say “If YOU are GOD” I really mean “I don’t believe who YOU are.”
• When I say “If YOU are GOD” I really mean “YOU should bow YOURSELF at my demands.”
• When I say “If YOU are GOD” I really mean “I am a better judge than YOU so prove YOURSELF to my standards.”

“Prove it” was the approach the Pharisees and Sadducees took towards JESUS. Their expectation of a military genius and a mighty, muscular, king was thwarted by this insignificant looking being who spread love and peace versus conquering enemies.

Since JESUS did not meet “their” expectation, they put up barriers to make HIM prove HIMSELF as being GOD to them. I have done the same. BUT GOD guides me back to HIM.

• GOD wants me to believe in HIM with childlike belief.
• GOD wants me to trust in HIM with my whole being.
• GOD wants me to obey HIM rather than tempting HIM to prove HIS abilities.

Parlor tricks are not GOD’s style. HE does not bow down to any human no matter their demands. HE deserves praise, honor and reverence from me because HE is GOD. All I need to do is believe.

• Do you doubt GOD?
• Do you try to force HIM to perform a miracle in front of you so you can believe?
• Will you stop trying to get GOD to prove HIMSELF to you and start trusting in HIM today?

No Questions Asked

Matthew 15: ³³ His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?”

³⁴ “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.

“Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”

³⁵ He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. ³⁶ Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. ³⁷ They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. ³⁸ The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children. ³⁹ After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.

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Eight to ten thousand people were fed by seven loaves of bread and a few small, sardine like fish. I would imagine they had no idea a miracle was happening. They were probably too elated that their family and friends were now seeing and walking and healed of their ailment.

• GOD loves performing miracles around me that I do not notice.
• GOD loves when I am elated by what HE has done in my life.
• GOD loves showing me compassion even when I think I don’t deserve it.

What I noticed about this slice of history is JESUS never asked the crowd any questions. HE asked HIS disciples a question about the amount of food probably to make sure they knew what was about to happen was a miracle. But HE never asks the crowd what they would do with the bread or if they deserved it.

HE did not try to ration it to more needy families nor did HE hoard it for the rich and wealthy. JESUS simply gave thanks and then gave bread and fish to those who were delighted in HIM.

• JESUS wants me to delight in HIM daily.
• JESUS wants me to be fed on a daily basis.
• JESUS wants me to have abundance even when I do not notice it.

HE sent the crowd away and I never heard anyone saying “Thanks” to HIM for the food. They did praise HIM and acknowledged HIM as GOD and that was enough for JESUS. I praise HIM and acknowledge HIM as my savior and GOD today.

• Are you busy looking for a miracle?
• When is the last time your heart was filled with delight?
• Can you seek delight in GOD instead of looking for a miracle?
• When you are being generous, can you stop asking questions about how much they deserve what you are giving?

Watched Over

Matthew 15: ³² Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”

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“GOD do you care?” was my exclamation. I mean I was facing some huge issues and it seemed like GOD was silent and invisible. I mean, cant HE simply zap the problem away and make my life smooth? Oh, and by the way, throw in a few riches and some comfort and turn HIS back while I sin.

• I have sought GOD with sinful intent.
• I have acted like a spoiled brat wanting my way with GOD.
• I have tried to manipulate GOD into giving me “my” way versus following HIS way.

After getting their friends and relatives healed, the crowd could have left but didn’t They stayed and listened to JESUS teach and to watch HIS every move. They were filled with so much hope that they ran out of all they had brought to eat. It did not matter to them. They were being healed physically and spiritually.

• GOD wants me to seek HIM especially when it is risky.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing.
• GOD wants me to trust HIS loving intent for me.

Once I stopped throwing my sinful tantrum, I could already see HIS compassion on me. HE was providing, protecting and leading me to better places. Although I wanted HIS timing to happen quicker and I wanted the answer to be what I thought of, GOD showed me HIS grace and blessed me more than I could ever dream.

Sometimes “my” answers to problems are way too small for GOD. I must learn to trust HIS answer in HIS time.

• Do you feel like GOD has left you?
• Are you feeling isolated?
• Can you seek GOD without putting your sinful timing on the solution?
• Will you allow HIM to open your eyes to HIS marvelous ways so a miracle can happen in your life?

First Thought

Matthew 15: ²⁹ Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. ³⁰ Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. ³¹ The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.

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From a distance I could see the trouble coming so I made plans. When my plans started to disintegrate I made mitigation plans. When they failed, I cried out to GOD! “LORD, What?!”

• Sometimes I try to handle things on my own.
• Sometimes I try to fix problems using my wits.
• Sometimes I try to jump in and modify the situation.

I was amazed when GOD stepped in and answered my prayers, even ones I hadn’t asked. Amazed and shocked, I walked away delighted. This lasted until the next problem came up. I could see the trouble coming. “Wait, I have been through this before. What should I do?” was my thought.

• GOD says to me “I AM the first and the last, the Alpha and Omega.”
• GOD says to me “Seek ME first and you will be blessed.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the way, the truth and the life.”

Great crowds brought their hurting, broken and ailing friends and relatives to JESUS, maybe as a last ditch effort. They were amazed that this even worked!

I have noticed a difference in trouble patterns when I add CHRIST first. When I see the trouble coming from a distance, GOD wants me to cry out to HIM first, even if it is a false alarm. HE wants me to cry out with tiny issues and large. During the storm, GOD wants me to praise HIM!

• What is your first thought when trouble hits?
• When you see the slightest sign of trouble, can you turn to GOD?
• Will you seek GOD first today instead of following your own plans?

Breaking Barriers

Matthew 15: ²¹ Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. ²² A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

²³ Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

²⁴ He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

²⁵ The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

²⁶ He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

²⁷ “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

²⁸ Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

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Fear of another race came quite naturally for me. My neighborhood was full of people who looked like me and acted like me. Then high school came. I travelled out of my neighborhood to attend a school where the students were multi ethnic. All of my assumptions about “those” people were challenged.

• Fear of others who did not look like me was a barrier.
• Assumptions of others who did not look like me was a barrier.
• Wanting others to act like me was a barrier.

If I wanted “friends” I needed to change my thinking, quickly! How?

• GOD said to me “I came to save those who are lost.”
• GOD said to me “I came for all mankind.”
• GOD said to me “I came to show you how to love the world.”

JESUS could read the racial and gender barrier easily. HE could see into the hearts of those around the Canaanite woman and leveraged the situation to break down barriers with HIS words and actions. HE wants me to do the same. HE wants me to humbly serve those who do not look or act like me and serve those who do.

GOD wants me to take down barriers to HIM to enable many to follow HIS ways.

• Are you racially blind?
• Do you feel inferior or superior to another gender?
• Can you remove barriers to people coming to CHRIST today?