Day 8~ Matt. 22-24

"But you have neglected the important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness."(Matt. 23:23) This verse stuck out to me because I just finished Jeremiah in my Old Testament reading. It is amazing to me how readily God would forgive Israel if only they would turn from their wicked ways. I read about God's mercy in Jeremiah 18, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Hosea 11:9, and Isaiah 43:25, to name just a FEW places in "the Law".  But now, 700 years after Isaiah and about 500 after Jeremiah, these teachers of the law, during the time of Jesus, seem to have forgot all about God's justice, mercy and faithfulness.  Jesus tried to redirect them in his teachings we read in Matthew 5, but they still missed the point.  I think people today are still missing the point. How many times have you heard people say (or you may think it yourself) that "God is just up in heaven judging your every move". Therefore being a Christ follower is no fun. "It's just a b…

Day 7~ Matt. 19-21

Today I thought I would share some trivia I found interesting. I was kind'a caught up in today's reading about how a proud mother is trying to position her boys in Jesus' kingdom (20:20-22). So, this is the wife of Zebedee, and we know his sons were James and John (Matt4:21); the Sons of Thunder (Mark 3:17). It is thought this mom's name was Salome (Mark 15:40) and she was the sister of Mary (the mom of Jesus ~John 19:25).  That means James and John were cousins of Jesus! Isn't that interesting? Maybe they grew up near each other and, Jesus, as a boy, saw how loud these boys were so he called them Sons of Thunder-who knows?! Hahaha
Well, even though Jesus shut Salome down on her request, she was still a devoted aunt and follower of Christ. She was one of the women at the foot of the cross (Matt. 27:56). Can you imagine her holding her sister up as they both grieved over what they were witnessing? They both saw this boy grow up and be the Lord they both knew he was! It…

Day 6~ Matt. 16-18

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (18:3) Thi is the verse that stood out to me in my reading today.  My footnote describes a child as “trusting and unpretentious”. I started thinking of what a child is like. My little guy is nearly 5 years old. I can tell you what he is like… Everything turns into a game or a race. He is content being with his family. He cries when he gets hurt, but he is easily comforted.  He says, “I'm frustrated!”, and can explain why. He knows to obey and knows there are consequences when he doesn't. He calls on Mommy often to have her watch him. He tells me when he's hungry. He prefers snacks to meals, so I have to guide him to choose the right stuff. He is curious. He has more of an elaborate imagination when he plays. Everyone starts out as his friend until they tell him they aren't (which shocks him!). Lastly, I agree with my commentary, he is completely trus…

Day 5~ Matt. 13-15

As I was reading the parables in chapter 13, I had questions about them, but kept going in the reading. Jesus tells seven parables in a row, all about what "the kingdom of heaven is like". Basically he is saying, the kingdom is very valuable; some will get in and someone won't.😬
So, when Jesus asked, "Have you understood all these things?" (13:51), I literally felt like a student in a classroom ready to blurt out, "Well, actually, no! I have some questions!" But then everyone else in the classroom said "Yes", they understood! I'm looking around the room thinking, "Really? You got all that?"
So, since the majority of the classroom nodded understanding, the teachers goes on, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of the house who brings out of the store room new treasures as well as old."(13:52)
Whew, that doesn't apply to me, right? Actually,...Bible …

Day 4~ Matt. 10-12

I am a mom of five. I love my children with all my heart. So, it really stood out to me when Jesus said, "… anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." (10:37-38)
That is radical commitment! Jesus doesn't want "Sunday Christians" or C.E.O.'s (Christmas and Easter Only). That is not being a Christ follower (Christian). A Christian is one that is totally committed to Christ above ALL things… even above one's adorable, wonderful children.
Just a reminder when Christ said this, he hadn't died on the cross yet. His disciples knew that the cross was how people were executed in those days. So, they understood that Jesus was saying he wanted them fully devoted to Him, even to the point of dying for Him. If you aren't totally committed, you aren't worthy of Jesus! Those are his words, not mine!
So, to illustrate this point, I imagine a scenario where on…

Day 3~ Matthew 7-9

What stood out to me in today’s reading is that Jesus is looking for and observing the faith that people have.
“He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” (8:26) “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” (8:26) “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” (9:22) “According to your faith will it be done to you.” (9:29)
The one verse that really stuck out was, “When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” (8:10) Other versions use the words “amazed” or “marveled”.It’s remarkable to me that Jesus was astonished or amazed! Conversely, in Mark 6:6, it sadly says, “And he was amazed at their (the people in Nazareth) lack of faith.” Lord, please, when observing me, I pray you see the “great faith” that astonishes you, not the lack of it!!

Day 2~ Matthew 4-6

There are a lot of things to ponder in todays reading!I would love to hear from you as to what stood out!!
Two things caught my attention today.
First, when I think about what I have learned about angels in previous readings, I was struck with a thought about Satan as he was tempting Jesus.We know that angels don’t die, or at least we can deduce that by reading about the angel, Michael, for example. (Daniel 10:13 and then again in Revelation 12:7)We also know that angels don’t know everything (Eph 3:10 &1 Peter 1:12). It seems they don’t know anymore about the future than we do. Although both angels and us humans have a good idea of what is to come since we have Revelation available to us. Well, Satan is a fallen angel…so...these attributes should apply to him as well, don’t you think? I found it interesting that Satan, when talking with Jesus in Matt. 4:3 & 6, says, “If you are the Son of God,….”Doesn’t that sound like he isn’t quite sure?I always looked at the temptation o…