Reading for today: Genesis 18:1-8, Matthew 20:1-16

‘Is it not lawful for Me to do what I wish with My own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ Matthew 20:15

We sometimes think about what rewards we deserve, or that other people don’t deserve.  We shouldn’t be jealous of others when God blesses them.  Instead, we should rejoice when other people receive God’s blessings. Jealousy and envy can be destructive, and can blind us to our sins.  The life of King Saul shows jealousy can have tragic results.

Reading for today: Genesis 17:23-27, Matthew 19:13-30

And behold, one came and said unto Jesus, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do to have eternal life.” Matthew 19:16

Jesus responded by saying, there is none good, but one: God. Do we think our assurance of eternal life is by doing good things? Eternal life cannot be earned by works. Jesus has already prepared the way for eternal life; surrender your life to Him.

Reading for today: Genesis 17:15-22, Matthew 19:1-12

Then Abraham fell upon his face and laughed and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old bear a child? Genesis 17:17

Abraham isn’t the only one that has doubted God’s Word.  How many of us are guilty of that?  Remember  Psalm 33:4 which says, “For the Word of the Lord is right; and all His works are done in truth.”

Reading for today: Genesis 17:1-14, Matthew 18:21-35

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? till seven times?” Matthew 18:21.

How many of us are holding grudges against someone, and haven’t yet forgiven them? Jesus said we are to forgive seventy times seven - as many times as it takes!  Christ forgave us completely when He died on the cross, and when we harbor feelings of bitterness and anger against someone we dishonor the love Christ showed when He died for us.

Reading for today: Genesis 16:10-16, Matthew 18:10-20

Even so it is not the will of the Father which is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. Matthew 18:14

Shepherds will go out to the field in search of that one lost sheep. We are that lost sheep, and God is looking for us. He loves us so much that He gave His only Son to die for us. He doesn’t want us to perish. Do you have that love and have you shared it with others? What is keeping you from being committed to the Lord, from giving your whole heart?

Reading for today: Genesis 16:1-9 and Matthew 18:1-9

“And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.” - Matthew 18:9

Jesus is using an “eye” as a metaphor for “whatever causes you to sin.” If you look at something that causes you to sin, blinding yourself isn’t going to take that away - it’ll still be in your mind. Sin is a heart thing, it is committed in the heart. Jesus is telling you to remove things that can cause you to sin. Do you watch things that you shouldn’t? Block those channels. Get rid of the cable. Computer causing you problems? Get rid of it if you can, otherwise put barriers and safeguards in place. You must cast that thing away from you.

” Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” - 2 Corinthians 7:1

Reading for today: Genesis 15:13-21 and Matthew 17:24-27

“Then He said to Abram: ‘Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them…’” Genesis 15:13

God told Abram what would come to pass, and it did. When God says something will happen, it’s going to happen. I’m so thankful for John 14:2 where Jesus says He is going to prepare a place for us and will come back for us. When life is hard and the world seems dark and cold, it’s wonderful to know that this world is not our home. Someday, Jesus is going to come back and receive us unto Himself. He said it will happen, and I believe it!

Reading for today: Genesis 15:7-12 and Matthew 17:14-23

“…for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” - Matthew 17:20b

One of the most oft misused verses in the bible is Matthew 17:20. It seems that with faith, we are told, we can do anything. As A.W. Tozer put it, “Faith is confidence in the goodness of God.” So if you believe that God is good, does that mean nothing is impossible for you? Faith will get a new car for me? A new house? My kids saved? Remember the context: the disciples had been unable to cast out a demon. If you have complete faith in God, then your life should be transformed, you should be clay in the hands of the potter. If it is God’s will for that mountain to move, then your faith can move it. If it is not God’s will, then why are you asking for the mountain to move? If it is not God’s will, then you lack the faith to allow God to work fully through you. If you want to know what to ask for, then just know God’s will. How can you know God’s will? Easy - He gave us a book about it.

“Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” - Matthew 6:30

Reading for today: Genesis 15:1-6 and Matthew 17:1-13

“Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’” - Matthew 17:4

Peter spoke foolishly, likely not knowing what to say but thinking that he should say something, anything. Moses and Elijah would probably have told him the same thing angels tell to anyone who attempts to elevate them above mere men: don’t worship us, worship God alone! Seek always to understand, don’t jump to conclusions, ask questions, learn why you believe what you believe, test what people say against what God’s Word says. I’m glad that Peter is in the Bible. God’s Word shows us that, although we can and often do act foolishly, it is His design to work through foolish people.

Reading for today: Genesis 14:21-24 and Matthew 16:13-28

“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’” Matthew 16:15

We read the Bible. We go to church. We try to make the right choices. We pray. But do we realize who He is? In every situation, He is always “The Christ, the Son of the living God.” He is always in control. He is always strong, always true, always loving. In her book “Authentic Beauty,” Leslie Ludy writes: “He is the only One who can meet your deepest longings; He is the only One worthy of your entire heart, life, soul, and body - all that you have.” Whatever this day holds for you, remember who He is.