He has Risen, He has Risen indeed!

Scripture

Matthew Chapter 28:6 – He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.

Observation

He died for our sins on the cross and on the third day he rose again. Just as Jesus promised, he rose from the dead, we can be confident; therefore, that he will accomplish all he has promised.

Application

When someone is dying or leaving us, his or her last words are very important. He rose from the dead and promised us that he would be with us always. He gave us a promise, as his children we need to do as his last words asked. Tell others that He is risen – Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt ch:28 – 18 thru 20)

Prayer

Lord, whether it be my children or neighbors or a random stranger Lord. Help me to reach out and speak to others about your love. Thank you again Lord for saving me and dying on the cross for me and promising me that you can do all things. Lord just please forgive me for my doubts and give me the faith of a mustard seed, to know that I can do all things through you. Give me the strength and confidence and humility to reach others through you. I love you Lord.

Amen.

I could not pick one single verse in this chapter. This chapter is about Christ’s crucifixion. This chapter is always heart wrenching and so crazy amazing. I mean I am fumbling for the correct words as I write this post. He died on the cross for us. US! He was tortured, abused, sold out by his own people, and completely innocent. Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen to him and he did it with dignity, honor, and humility; he did it so that we did not have to. Our sins are washed clean by his blood. Our love for each other as human’s will never come close to comparing to the love that God has for us. That is what this chapter is about for me. Agape – love as revealed in Jesus, seen as spiritual and selfless and a model for humanity. God’s all redeeming, merciful, gracious love. He sent his ONLY son to die on the cross for us.

Prayer

Lord, I am at a loss for words. You are amazing and I am not worthy. Just reading this Chapter in Matthew leaves me stumbling in awe. Thank you Lord for dying on the cross for my sins. Lord I do not know what to say. Please give me the words and the wisdom to make a difference no matter how small or large. Give me the strength to make sacrifices for you and others. Fill me with your all powerful love.

Amen.

Scripture

Matthew Chapter 26:41 – Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.

Observation

Temptation strikes where we are most vulnerable, we can’t resist it alone. Prayer is essential because God’s strength can shore up our defenses and defeat Satan’s power.

Application

Watch & Pray! Become spiritually equipped to fight what Satan will tempt you with.

Prayer

Lord, I know that I have failed and that my defenses are not the best. I come to you now asking that you help me defeat Satan’s power in his daily barrage of temptations. It seems my biggest temptations of late are time temptations. Things that take up meaningless time away from you or away from time teaching my children or doing something constructive. These time drains are the tv, books with useless knowledge, or computer surfing. Please help me to be more time conscious and to use that time wisely. Thank you Lord for your vast power and knowledge and for your word. I would be truly lost without you.

Amen.

There are three parables in this chapter and they describe how we need to live our lives and be prepared for God’s return. I thought today that we would discuss each one a little because they are all three important together, none of them by themselves describe completely the preparation needed. I highly recommend reading all of the chapter to yourself.

Scripture

Matthew Chapter 25:1 – At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. (The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids)

Matthew Chapter 25:14,15 – Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. (The Parable of the Loaned Money)

Matthew Chapter 25:31-33 – When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and and goats on his left. (The Parable of the Final Judgment)

Observation

Jesus told the parables in Chapter 25 to clarify further what it means to be ready for his return and how to live until he comes. In the story of the ten bridesmaids (25:1-13), we are taught that every person is responsible for his or her own spiritual condition. The story of the talents (25:14-30), shows the necessity of using well what God has entrusted to us. The parable of the sheep and goats (25:31-46), stresses the importance of serving others in need.

Application

I am not to look to my pastor or my husband or anyone for my relationship with Jesus Christ, I cannot borrow or wait on someone else to push me or do things for me spiritually. My walk with God is personal and I am responsible for everything that I do.

My time, abilities, and money are not mine, – I am a caretaker, not owner. Have I done well, with what God has entrusted to me? I am responsible to use well what God has given me. My issue is not how much I have, but how well I use what I have.

To serve others is one of my main missions as a christian. I can do acts of kindness and mercy everyday, I need not wealth or special abilities to help others in need.

Prayer

Lord, I come to you asking forgiveness for my actions as a caretaker of what you have given me. I feel that I could do so much better with my time, money, and abilities. Please have mercy on me Lord, you have entrusted me with so much and I feel that I have squandered much of it. I ask for wisdom to plan my time better. To save, invest, give, and spend the money you have given us wisely. To be more like the wife/mother of Proverbs and to show me my talents and abilities so that I may use them for you. Give me compassion and love that I may shower it on those in times of need and that I may help the needy. Lord, I know many times I am scared to do with what you have given me, please make me bold and strong in you. Wipe away my fears and doubt and make me whole in you.

Amen.

This chapter was intriguing to me, partly because recently the head of a church somewhere said something about the world was going to end the other day at 6:00pm and then it didn’t happen so he just rescheduled that for later. It was also intriguing in the fact the many christians and non-christians seem to want to know and they want signs that show when the Lord is coming back. To get the full gist of it, I would read the entire chapter, but to me it is pretty much summed up in two separate verses.

Scripture

Matthew Chapter 24:27 – For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Matthew Chapter 24:36 – No one knows about the day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Observation

Jesus’ return will be unmistakeable; no one will doubt that it is he. If you have to be told that the Lord has come, then he hasn’t. Christ’s coming will be obvious to everyone(…and all the nations of the earth will mourn – all nations will know at once). It is good that we do not know exactly when Christ will return. If we knew the precise date, we might be tempted to become lazy in our work for Christ. Heaven is not our only goal; we have work to do here.

Application

Do not concern ourselves with dates and times, but live God’s way consistently; until he takes us home.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the reassurance as a christian that I need not worry about tomorrow or when my time will come. With knowing this give me the strength to not doubt you or your timing. Let me always be prepared in heart, soul, and mind. Lord, I think back to a praise song – saying let me be your hands, let me be your feet on this earth. In every step I will need you Lord.

Amen.

I feel like a Pharisee. I had the opportunity last week to humble myself and be a true child of God, by showing his love to someone. I failed miserably.

Scripture

Matthew Chapter 23:25,26 – Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

Observation

If I do not have my time with the Lord everyday throughout the day and ask his counsel in all situations, then I fail him and those around me. I must be in his word and on my knees daily.

Application

Have time with the Lord every morning/every day. With only him, if it is before the kids get up or after they go to bed, I need time to focus and spend time in His word and in prayer.

Prayer

Lord, I come to you asking for forgiveness for my failings and for being selfish and lazy with my time. Lord, I thank you for carrying me during the times I do not actively spend time with you. I ask forgiveness in not being humble and for giving the wrong testimony to others, Lord, please help me to forgive myself and those that have wronged me. Please give me the passion and capacity to spend time with you daily. Help me to remember that days are always better if begun with you. I love you Lord and so want your will and way.

Amen.

Good Morning all. I am craving donuts, but I have stopped eating sugar. Please pray for me.

Scripture

Matthew Chapter 22:32 – …He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living.

Observation

Do not worry or overthink heaven. God says it will be far beyond our greatest expectations, that is all we need to know. Think more on our relationship with God while we are on this earth. Think of obeying him and be used by him to the fullest and greatest. Do for Him, you, friends, family, and strangers everyday that you are on this earth.

Application

In every generation and culture people think of the ever after. Once we are a child of God, we know that there is no need to worry about what happens after we pass on. Now, we need to ask God to use us for the here and now, to help with the harvest. Like the verse says, “God is a god of the Living”, lets be his hands and feet and speak to the living.

Prayer

Lord, I ask to be used for your work. In asking Lord, I have a worry of confrontation and speaking to others, please Lord give me the words and the peace to do these things for you. Lord, help me to not get downtrodden if rejected or slandered, but to know that it is my job to help with invitations and leave the rest to you.

Amen.

There are so many great teachings in this chapter; such as – faith, how do your live your life (for God or the world), obeying His Word, etc,… I recommend that you read this chapter for yourself and see what God wants to share with your heart. God, has really laid on my heart my children and their walk and how I am affecting that walk as their mother. What I say and do and allow them to watch and read. Every piece of information that goes into their sweet precious hearts and minds. We as mothers and fathers are their guides and God specifically says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these”. How often do we hinder our children and not realize it?

Scripture

Matthew Chapter 21:16 – “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise.” (if you go to Psalms Chapter 8:2, you will see what Jesus is referring to)

Observation

He has ordained praise! Wow, Am I teaching and giving my children the opportunities and subject matter to praise God? God is not just a Sunday guy, He is an everyday in everything God. Turn off the TV, there are hundreds of amazing and powerful stories in His word that are so much better than anything Hollywood can produce, and God’s word is real and true.

Application

Before bed, my son asked me who God was and how big is he? (he is four yrs old) We have talked about this before, but this was the first time we actually started talking about the plan of salvation. Mommies heart wept and jumped for joy. I want more times like this with my children and it is up to me to make them. I challenge myself and ask God in prayer that I make it a daily routine, so much that it is natural conversation to talk about and read God’s word with my kids.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you for my sweet children, but I feel that I have been lacking in showing them the way to you. Lord, they know who you are, but just knowing who you are is not enough. I don’t want it to be enough. I want my children to love, adore, praise, live, obey, and breathe you. I want their lips to praise you. Lord, help me, give me the passion and wisdom to be your instrument to show my children your will and your way. I love you Lord, and I humbly ask your forgiveness for allowing so many obstacles into our house, that take away from your teachings. Please open my heart and the heart of my family, so that we may together clear these obstacles, with contentment and joy to be rid of them.

Amen.

Good Morning.

Scripture

Matthew Chapter 20:16 – “So the last will be first, and the first will be last”.

Observation

These words are repeated over many times in God’s word. They are repeated quite a few times in the book of Matthew alone. That should tell me how very important they are. I struggled out of my own stubbornness what to write about this morning and everytime I prayed about it and said Lord, “What message is for me in this chapter”, he brought me back to this verse. I would argue with him and say, but what else is their to say, it stands alone, I can’t write anything. Hello, knock knock knock! It does not need to be explained, it does not need to be observed. Sometimes, we just need to be reminded. Humble thyself and serve.

Application

Humble thyself and serve.

Prayer

Lord, by grace and grace alone are we able to come to you. Lord, open my heart so that I can be your humble servant. Give me the strength to be your servant and to remember that you will always be with me.

Amen.

Good Morning all! I have missed quite a few days of our bible study lately. I apologize and hope you will stay with me. God reminded me this morning that my calling and most important thing to do at this time in my life was my family and being a mom. I worried because I have not been blogging much this past week, but I have been spending time with family which is much more important than being on the computer.

Scripture

Matthew Chapter 19:14 – Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Observation

As a parent and a mom, I have a huge responsibility to my children. Not to be a stumbling block to them. To guide and protect them. My life is a testimony to my children. My children see me day in and day out, all day long. When it comes down to it, they probably know me better than anyone, they copy my mannerisms, attitudes, words, and expressions. Are they learning God’s will and way of life through me?

Application

Live my life being obedient to God’s will and his Word. See the fruit of this life in my children. How completely awesome is it to know that your children love and adore our heavenly Father?

Prayer

Lord and Heavenly Father I want to thank you for the three blessed children that you have given me care of. Lord I want them to love, adore, and obey you. I know that this can be done through you. So, I ask Lord that you give me what I need to be the parent that they need to live a life for you.

Amen.