The Daily Dose

He came to serve

Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 23:28

It is pretty amazing that Jesus, the King of all kings, didn’t come to the world to be served by His people or any other people for that matter.  He came to serve us.  It makes sense though, the reason God sent Him was to rescue us all from the grip of sin.  It is pretty evident in today’s text when James and John are trying to get into first place.  Jesus had just told all the disciples in verse 16 of chapters 20 that the last will be first and the first last.  Were they not listening or were they just sure that someone was going to get that position and wanted to have first option?  In all fairness, it was their mother that went to Jesus to try to get them into position, but they were right there ready to answer the questions and be granted the request.

This reminds me of how our society is today.  Always looking out for number one and trying to climb the ladder of success no matter who you have to step on as you climb up.  Jesus said this is what the rulers of the gentiles do.  They hold their position of authority over everyone to try to keep them under control and get them to do exactly what they desire.

Thank goodness it’s not that way with our loving heavenly Father.  He does not want us to be competing with one another trying to be the greatest at anything.  He wants us to be submitted to one another and serving each other.  In this way we complement each other’s strengths and work together to get God’s plans and agenda accomplished in these last days.  Instead of vying for position and trying to be the GOAT, we work as a team/body.  Each one of us doing our own part, the things we are gifted in.  Never considering that we could do someone else’s part better than they do.  We stay in our lane and let God’s grace make up the difference where we are lacking.

Today, this is what I want to encourage you:  To get in the place where you can start using your gifts to bring others into the kingdom.  You will start out small, but that is ok.  Be faithful in that area until God opens the next door of opportunity for you.  Keep a serving mindset.  Remember that you are here to serve and bless others, not other here for you.  Prefer others above yourself and offer to help when opportunities present themselves.  Promote others and always be trying to help them step up in their place.  There is no competition in the kingdom of heaven.  Just God’s family working together in agreement to rescue as many that are lost that we can in these last days.  God is not interested in how good you are at something, He is interested in how much you are determined to fulfil your purpose and love on others.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 20:17-28

17 Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, 

18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, 

19 and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.”

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.

21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”

22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.”

23 So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”

24 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 

25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 

26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 

27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 

28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

The Chosen

_{So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few (have) chosen.” Matthew 20:16}

God is always calling people to salvation, and He is always calling people to walk out life ministering and loving others.  Maybe you were someone who answered that call the first time you heard it, or maybe you heard the message of salvation many times and received it later on in life.  The truth is, God calls everyone.  He is not willing that any should perish. (see 2 Peter 3:8)  However, not everyone chooses to answer “yes” to that call.  Many say “no” several times before they turn to Him.

The good news is, even if you have chosen to follow Him later in life, you still have time to complete the assignment He has for you.  Jesus even said that those who come later will be first and the first ones will move to the last place.

Because our foundation is built on those who have gone before us and those who come after will be built on ours.  Those who chose earlier move to the bottom as new people are added in.  Likewise, those who come after us will be above or at the front because they came into the Kingdom of heaven and learned by a witness that was before.  But, we all have a job to do and a role to play.  To think that my reward will be greater because I have served longer than someone else is neither relevant or accurate.  We do not compare or compete with one another to receive greater or less.  Rather we work together to complete a mission.  Much like a construction project has many different contractors to work on the project, some start at the beginning of the project and other come in when their part is ready to be worked on.

The point is that we are all working toward the same goal and that is to help others know God’s unconditional love for them so they can experience it in their everyday lives.  So, no matter when you stepped on to the project, no matter how late it is in your life, you still have a part to play and a role to fill.  Choose to step into that place today and do your part to close this project out.

Today I want to encourage you to choose.  Choose to receive the call that the Master is calling you to.  Get in the place of your gifting and talent, to do your part in the mission and assignment of God.  Choose to bless and love those around you and do what you were created to do for such a time as this.  You don’t have to do everything, only do the part you were “hired” for.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 20:1-16

1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 

2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 

3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 

4 and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. 

5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 

6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ 

7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’

8 “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ 

9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 

10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 

11 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, 

12 saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ 

13 But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 

14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 

15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ 

16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”

Hard, not impossible

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 19:23

Today I want to focus on God’s blessings and how they can fill our lives with great joy.  God is not against us having things and riches, He is, however against things and riches having us.  He knows that being consumed with the things of earth can destroy us.  Instead fill up with God and let Him pour His blessings on you!

In today’s verse, Jesus told His disciples that is it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, but it is not impossible.  God wants our faith and trust to be in Him.  He doesn’t want us to put our security in things and money because they are not able to give us a satisfying life and they are temporary.  However, if we don’t have these things, our ability to expand God’s kingdom, bless and reach others that have needs will be limited. 

The things here are very necessary for this time we spend on earth.  God wants us to enjoy our time here, and He is the one who gave us the things and the ability to acquire them.  Yet, the reason is for eternal purposes not for temporary pleasures.  God’s not after your things, He’s after your heart.

Today I encourage you to be thankful for the blessings that the Lord has given to you.  Thank Him that He adds no sorrow with them.  Reach out to others with the resources that you have been so richly blessed with and show others the love of God through the things He has given.  Don’t worry about replenishing them.  God will always take care and provide for you especially if you are using the blessings He has given you to bless others.  Jesus said, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.”  Matthew 19:29  Be a blessing to all those around you because He’s got you covered.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 19:23-30

23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 

24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”

28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 

29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 

30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

In the beginning

“And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ ”  Matthew 19:4

This is a passage that looks like Jesus is talking to the Pharisees about divorce.  They, of course, were trying to trap Him again with their questions, but I believe Jesus is talking about something deeper.  He is talking about God’s original intent for mankind.  He said, “in the beginning they were made one flesh, male and female. (See Gen. 1:27, 2:23) God made Adam and Eve, man and wife.  Everyone after that was to leave (separate from) mother and father to become man and wife.  Then after further questioning He goes on to say that Moses permitted divorce because of hardened hearts or rebellion against God’s original intent for mankind. 

The deeper meaning in this passage is that because of sin, God gave the law to Moses for people to have a standard of what was right and wrong.  The high priest was to make sacrifices for the people’s sin, and it was a provision offered for sin until the time Jesus’ blood was offered up for forgiveness and eradication of all sin.  In accepting Jesus’ sacrifice, God’s intention for man is brought back to the original plan of Kingdom living.  This doesn’t mean that we never sin again, it simply means that God took care of the sin problem in Jesus!

In times past, the Christian church has made it seem like divorce is a sin that cannot be forgiven or at minimum, a divorced person cannot serve in the body.  Yet, even in the law, God made provision for divorce, how much more of a deliverance is available for those who are in Christ Jesus.  Today, we live in a society that is rampant with divorce and although we know this is not God’s original plan for us, we also know that in Christ Jesus, there is life beyond it. 

Today I want to encourage you to love those who have suffered the pain and heartache of divorce and broken families.  Help them to pick up the pieces by showing them the life that is possible when given to Christ Jesus.  There is a way to get back to God’s original plan for us and that is by receiving the provision He made in Jesus and walking close to Him each day.  Don’t settle for any life less than what God originally planned for you to live. Walk in all His goodness and power that He planned for you since the beginning of time.

Today’s scripture reading:  Matthew 19:1-12

1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these sayings, that He departed from Galilee and came to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 

2 And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there.

3 The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?”

4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 

5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 

6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

7 They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?”

8 He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 

9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”

10 His disciples said to Him, “If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.”

11 But He said to them, “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: 

12 For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.”

Forgiveness

“So, My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”  Matthew 18:35

This is such an excellent principle and one I should have listed when I wrote about the kingdom of heaven ways a few days ago.  Forgiveness!  In today’s society, there is little of it.  Most people are more concerned about what they have a right to be angry about.  Even Christians, surprisingly are quick to find fault and hold on to offense as if we have never made a mistake.

There are two sides to every story.  In today’s reading, we see these two sides.  A man owed the king a great amount.  In those times, if you didn’t have funds, you could pay off a debt in a variety of ways such as: work off the dept, be sold to pay for the debt, sell all your belongings or your family.  There was no interest over time back then.  This man asked for forgiveness and was granted a pardon.  The king had compassion, he was a good and kind king.  Compassion points to kindness in a heart.

The same man who had just been forgiven and pardoned, found someone who was in debt to him and because of having a hard heat, he grabbed him by the throat and threatened him if he didn’t pay off all that is owed.  When the king heard about it, he became angry and returned the debt back on to the unforgiving man.  So now he had to pay the debt back through torture.  Yikes!

On one side of the story, the man asked for forgiveness and got it.  On the other side, the same man is asked for forgiveness and does not give it.  Does this sound familiar?  When we go to God in heaven and ask for forgiveness and invite Jesus into our life, He freely forgives.  Now it is expected and required that we forgive all others the same as we were forgiven.  Whether a greater or smaller offense, we are to forgive with compassion just as we were forgiven. No more holding on to the offense of hurting my pride, my feelings or my body physically.  We are commanded to forgive just as we are forgiven.

This does not have to be hard.  If you decide and plan ahead of time that you are going to forgive others just as you were forgiven, you will begin to practice it in your everyday life.  You put on kindness and wear it wherever you go.  You decide that you are going to be kind and love all other people because of who you are and who you belong to, not because of what others have done to deserve your kindness.  The truth is none of us are deserving of anything good.  We have all missed it at one time or another.  So now our job is to offer grace and compassion to draw lost and offended people into the kingdom.

Today I want to encourage you to forgive.  Make the decision that you are going to live a life of God’s grace and forgiveness.  Practice kindness to all people in your daily life.  Make an intentional decision to treat others the way God treats you.  He has compassion on you each day and He is always looking out for your good, not to do evil to you.  Put away this mindset that says: “I’ll be nice to them if they are nice to me.”  Thank goodness God didn’t have that attitude, He loved us before we were His family, He loved and died for us while we were still sinners, far from anything good and walking in rebellion.  He has compassion on us because of who He is, not who we are.  Love others today and keep loving them until they turn from evil and run to the goodness of God’s unconditional love.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 18:21-35

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

22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 

23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 

24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 

25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 

26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 

27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 

29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 

30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 

31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 

32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 

33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 

34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

The power of agreement

“Again, I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.  Matthew 18:19

This is a scripture that I like to remember when I am hoping and asking God for a specific answer to prayer.  This verse indicates that I have some control of the outcome of my request.  Jesus said that when I get into agreement with someone about anything I am asking God for, it will be done by my Father in heaven.  The verse right before this one, verse 18 also tells me that I have a part to play when I am talking to God about a request.  It says whatever I bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever I release on earth will be released in heaven.

This is very interesting to me and I find that my next question is: How do I bind and loose something in the spirit realm?  Well, just as I talk with my Father in heaven to bring heaven’s answer into the physical world, I must speak into the spirit world to bind and release whatever is hindering the prayer I am putting before Him.

For example, if I am having a financial struggle and I get into agreement with a friend or my husband, I would ask God to meet that need. I would also bind up the enemy in Jesus’ name from stealing that provision and anything that is holding back that answer, I would release in Jesus’ name.

When we received salvation, God gave us the power to become the children of God. (See John 1:12) As part of God’s family, He gave us back the authority that Adam lost in the garden at the beginning of time.  Now we have that dominion and authority, and Jesus gives us instructions on how to use that authority all through the gospels.  He not only told us, but He also display it for us.  Jesus is our perfect example of bringing the power of heaven into the earth today.

So now my question is: Why don’t we see more of this power in the mess of today’s world? Why does this world always look like it is in so much chaos?  Why aren’t the people of God stepping up to take their authority in the messes of this world.  I believe God’s people have changed the course of the world in times past such as:  During times of war, during times of storms and during times of recession and depression.  Mostly, I think we forget that the power of God is real and that He wants us to utilize it to change current events and outward perils.  Please don’t get me wrong.  I am in no ways saying that we can do any of this on our own without God’s help.  I am simply saying that we have been given so much more power than we consider because the enemy has tricked us with our own bogged down circumstances into just trying to get out from under them.

Today I want to encourage you to get in agreement with others.  Look for like-minded people that will stand and take hold of the current crisis in the today’s world.  Bind up the work of the enemy to destroy people and countries around the world and release the forces of heaven with your prayer of faith.  God wants to reach into the physical realm to rescue hurting and lost people, but He set it up to work with our voice of agreement to do it.  Decide today to ask for His solution and then watch as He comes through the spiritual doorway to change the course of events that you are up against. He loves us so much that He made a way to always come to the rescue.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 18:15-20

15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 

16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 

17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 

20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

Don’t leave the ninety-nine

“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? Matthew 18:12

Do you remember the old cartoons with the sheep and the wolf?  The wolf was always trying to steal the sheep to have for lunch, but the sheep dog would come along at just the right time to rescue the sheep.  The interesting thing was, the wolf was always getting the sheep that were off by themselves away from the rest of the flock.

It’s a similar picture of our walk through life.  We are to stay close with other “sheep” where the Shepherd is keeping watch.  We encourage and pray for one another and look out for each other.  It is a very important way of life for believers.  I know this from experience.  When I first started making my own decisions in life, I was headed in a direction that I thought was right to take care of myself.  My desire for independence tainted my ability to make good decisions.  In the process, I often found myself on the “edge of the flock” as it were.  Basically, I was out from under the protection and encouragement of the church and other believers.  Many times, I found myself vulnerable to the “wolves” of the world.  As I continued to go through life, often I felt the need to try to find my place in a body of believers, but because I didn’t want to take the time to invest in others or get to know other believers in my area, I didn’t stay on that path very long.  It was uncomfortable and awkward.

God was always so faithful to seek me out and come rushing in to protect me when I was about to be devoured. Much of my pain and lasting regrets from wrong choices could have been avoided had I stayed “connected” with God’s people. Today’s verse says, “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?” (Matthew 18:12)

Today I want to encourage you to stay connected with God’s people.  If you have a church you regularly attend and serve at, keep serving.  If you don’t, I strongly urge you to ask God to direct you to the right place for you.  The place that He has planned for you to be “planted”.  It’s not always easy starting out, but it is the best place to stay accountable.  You may want to start by finding a “small group” close to where you live.  It is a more personal setting and a great opportunity to get to know believers that also have been through life and can help you to stay on the path God has for you.  Soon you will find you depend on the encouragement of others and can begin encouraging and building up others who may be struggling with similar things you have already been through.  In God’s eyes, life is all about people and relationships. He wants us to stay “connected” to Him and to each other!

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 18:6-14

6 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 

7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!

8 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. 

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.

10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 

11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

12 “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 

13 And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 

14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Child-like

And He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 18:3

Throughout Jesus’ ministry, He began teaching about the kingdom of heaven.  It was a radical teaching in that day because He taught that you cannot see the kingdom of heaven on the outside, it is inside of each believer.  (Luke 17:21) This is an important detail to keep in mind when reading scripture, especially the words of Jesus.  Every time he talked about the kingdom of heaven he was not talking about the place of heaven that we go to after we leave this body in this world.  He was talking about the kingdom of heaven principles that we live by after we receive salvation.  Or you could say the kingdom of heaven is God’s government and statutes that He set up to be successful and to empower His family in this world.  Principles such as Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, love one another, tithing, reaping and sowing just to name a few.  The kingdom of heaven is the citizenship with authority over the curse of this world that you receive at the point of inviting Jesus into your heart and life.  (See Gal. 3:13)

In today’s reading, the disciples are trying to figure out who will be the greatest in the kingdom.   I don’t know exactly what they were thinking, but the interesting part is the answer Jesus gave them.  He said you have to become as a little child to enter His kingdom.  I’m sure this was not the answer they were expecting.  Maybe they were thinking it was the high priest or one of the prophets of old? Someone who looked great in the eyes of the people.

Jesus went on to expand on the idea.  He said you must humble yourself as a little child.  When you receive a little child like this in His name you are receiving Him and if you cause one of these little ones to sin there will be a terrible outcome for you.  Then He goes on to teach about how precious and valuable the lost are to Him.

Some of the childlike mentality to consider in this teaching are: Trusting God and people, innocence, sweet and pure, honesty, energetic and eager to learn new things especially about God’s ways and love for others.  Not weighted down with the cares of life.  Always happy and ready to face each day.  When you consider these attitudes, it is easy to see the difference between a grown up and someone with a childlike heart.  That is how you become great in God’s kingdom.

Today I want to encourage you to take a look at your heart and attitude in your life right now.  Are you heavy with things going on in this world?  Are you worried about the latest conflicts and inflation?  Do you carry this weight around with you and talk about it everywhere you go?  Change the direction of your heart and life today by looking at your heavenly Father and His word about this life.  Be eager to believe what you read in His book of promises.  Enjoy the blessings that He has graced your life with such as family, friends and employment.  Drop those cares and concerns that the news and media would have you focused on and admit that these things are no surprise to God. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and realize He is bringing everything together for the good of those who love Him in agreement with the power that you fill your life up with. (Romans 8:28)  Get in line with the kingdom of heaven’s ways today and walk out all the blessings and purpose God has for your life.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 18:1-5

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 

3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 

4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 

5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

Go fishing

“Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”  Matthew 17:27

Have you ever been stressed about a bill you had to pay?  Maybe your house or rent payment?  Maybe one of your utility bills is going due or maybe it was your taxes?  When you think about that time you worried about how you were going to pay or the hours spent trying to figure out a solution, was there anything accomplished?  Ultimately and hopefully, you turned the care of it over to God and He provided the funds or payment in some way.  All the stressing in the world couldn’t pay that bill, but when your heavenly Father got involved, there was nothing to worry about.

In today’s reading, it looks like Peter is concerned about paying the taxes.  Although he is not the one to bring up the subject to Jesus, he is the one that Jesus talked to about it.  Jesus knew what Peter was feeling and addresses the situation before Peter has a chance to turn it over to him.  Notice that Peter didn’t tell Jesus that he would figure it out or handle it.  He just listened and then did what Jesus told him to do. How many times have we ignored the voice of the Holy Spirit inside our heart because we didn’t thing His idea would work?

Interestingly enough, Jesus told Peter to go fishing.  I believe this was Jesus’ way of letting Peter know that he didn’t need to worry about it.  Jesus basically told Peter to take the day off from the ministry and go do something he loved to do.  Since Peter was a fisherman before meeting Jesus, it was in his core to be one.  I don’t believe Jesus was telling him to go to work because at the time his work was Jesus’ ministry.  Jesus was telling Peter to take a little time to step away from the problem and spend some time by the water resting.  If you have ever fished, you know it requires a lot of down time waiting for the fish to bite.

The rest of the story is that Peter did go fishing and found the money in the fish’s mouth.  It didn’t make sense to the natural mind, but his obedience resulted in the solution. The only detail that isn’t disclosed is how long before he pulled that first fish in and what he thought about while he waited.  My guess is that Peter caught the fish as soon as he stopped worrying about the taxes.

Today I want to encourage you that whatever you are stressing over, and what ever you are worried about, turn it over to Jesus.  Cast your care on Him and let Him provide the solution.  He may not rain a miracle of money down from heaven, but he will give you the wisdom and ability to where that miracle is.  Like Peter, you may be required to obey a simple step like go fishing or take the day off, but when you take that step, you can be sure that provision is on the other side.  Don’t try to figure out what God is doing when He tells you to “go fishing” just be quick to follow direction and don’t worry along the way.  It may not make sense to you at the time, but most of the time the answer to our concerns come only when we stop worrying and start trusting that God our Father can handle it.  And He handles it in a way that is far superior than what we would ever think of.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 17:22-27

22 Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, 

23 and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful.

24 When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?”

25 He said, “Yes.” And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?”

26 Peter said to Him, “From strangers. Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 

27 Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”

Prayer and fasting

“However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”   Matthew 17:21

Prayer and fasting.  You don’t hear much about it today.  We have a National Day of Prayer each year and occasionally there may be a national “call” to prayer. However, the last president to call for a national fast was Abraham Lincoln.  Think about that.

 In Jesus’ day, it was a common practice, so common that religious leaders were fasting so whoever saw them would think they were “super spiritual.”  Jesus said, “When you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.”  (Matthew 6:16) Notice Jesus said, “When you fast”, not if you fast.  He was teaching them the right way because it was the right thing to do. 

So, what is fasting all about?  Fasting is a time of separating from the things of the world to “tune in” to the things of God.  It doesn’t have to be food, though it certainly can be.  It could be things such as social media, tv/movies, news, or gaming, anything that takes time that you can turn your attention to God instead.  The things you fast usually aren’t bad things, it’s just a time you purpose in your heart to spend with God in the place you usually spend with those other things.  Fasting can also be a time when you decide to reach out to others more or in a different way than you usually do, a time of giving of yourself. 

When fasting foods, it can be for a time of cleansing in your body for more healthy living.  The timing is also flexible.  It can be one day as the Israelites did weekly on the sabbath or three days as Esther did to seek God’s wisdom.  Daniel fasted twenty-one days, he still ate food, he just fasted “pleasant foods” and Jesus and Moses fasted forty days.  Fasting is not a ritual practice; it is a spiritual discipline.  In fasting, your physical body is forced to submit to your spirit/will because it must obey what you tell it to do instead of you obeying what your flesh demands to be comfortable.  It is not something you do to try to get God to move closer to you or in your behalf.  Fasting is for you to move closer to God and to get in line with the good plans He has for your life. 

In today’s scripture, Jesus told His disciples that faith goes out by prayer and fasting and with it there is much power.  The disciples wondered why they couldn’t get the demon out of the boy when they had done it many times before.  Jesus told them this kind (of power) goes out only by prayer and fasting.  In conclusion, prayer and fasting produces more of God’s power in your life.

I know this is not so interesting to some, but it is truly a powerful habit to take on.  By putting your flesh in subjection to your spirit, your spirit becomes dominate and more discerning of the things God is speaking to your heart.  Today I would ask that you consider and pray about prayer and fasting.  Read about it in the Word and listen to what God has to say about it.  It is not a bad thing, for sure, and it is not obsolete.  The same results can be had today that were given all through Bible times.  If nothing else, in fasting you show yourself just how serious you are about the things of God.

Today’s scripture: Matthew 17:14-21

14 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying,

15 “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 

16 So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.”

17 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” 

18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.

19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”

20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; 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. 

21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”