The Daily Dose

Well pleased

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” Matthew 17:5

For a while now, I have heard a lot of talk about being proud.  It seems like most people think it is the right thing to do to take pride in your work or be proud of who you are.  Even being proud to be an American.  Certainly, it is important to do a good job and to the best of your ability in whatever you do.  It is for sure a good thing to like who you are and whom you have become.  However, pride is not the right emotion to describe the feelings you should be having.

In today’s scripture, Jesus had been transformed into His glorified body.  Then Moses and Elijah showed up to talk to Him.  When Peter saw what was going on, he was excited and began to tell Jesus how good it was that they were there with Him. (notice who Peter is focused on) Before Peter can finish his thought or get an answer to his idea, God interrupts and tells them all to listen to Jesus, His beloved Son that He is very pleased with.  Note that God doesn’t say: “This is my Son, and I am very proud of Him.”  The reason is because God hates pride.  All through the scriptures there are warnings about being prideful and the destruction that comes with it.  Below is a short list of verses about pride:

Proverbs 11:2 – Pride brings disgrace; humility brings wisdom.

Isaiah 23:9 – The Lord will humble all who are prideful.

James 5:6 – God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble

Proverbs 8:13 – God hates pride, arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

Proverbs 16:18 – Pride goes before destruction.

Proverbs 6:16-17 – Pride is an abomination/atrocity to God.

The difference between being proud and being pleased with something is where your focus is being placed.  If you are proud of your child for an accomplishment, the focus is on yourself and the fact that you are responsible for their achievement.  If you are pleased with your child for their accomplishment, it puts the attention on the child and takes it from yourself.

Our focus should always be on others and how we can encourage and build them up. When you are preoccupied with your own life and the things you are going through, that is where pride has an open door to come in and trip you up.  I know it seems like a technicality but think about where you are drawing attention to the next time you use the word “proud”.  Don’t be fooled like some are thinking it is right to be proud because we have been given so much.  The truth is that we are blessed, but it has nothing to do with who we are, only who our God is.

Today I want to encourage you to consider if you have let pride creep into your life.  Take inventory of the feelings you have about the things you have accomplished in life.  Even if you don’t feel good about your abilities, you can still be in pride.  Pride is in place anytime “you” are the center of your life.  Make others your focus today.  Look for those you can bless wherever you are.  Listen to those who are around you and their cries for help and pray for the hurting people that God brings into your life today.  Eliminate pride from you life once and for all and ask the Holy Spirit to expose the hidden corner where it may be lurking.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 17:1-13

1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 

2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 

3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 

4 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.”

5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” 

6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. 

7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” 

8 When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

9 Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”

10 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

11 Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. 

12 But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” 

13 Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.

He is working good

From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.  Matthew 16:21

Have you ever been in a situation that someone you were close to warned you about upcoming events?  Maybe you were the one that needed to let your loved ones know about something you were going to go through?  Maybe a surgery with the risk of bad outcome or a trip that was full of unknowns?

In today’s reading, Jesus plainly told His disciples what was going to happen to Him when they went to Jerusalem.  He wanted to prepare them for what was coming up.  One reason was so that they wouldn’t be surprised, and another was so they would know what to do when it happened.  It didn’t go over so well, in fact, the disciples went into complete denial.  In fact, one of them, Peter, took Jesus away from the rest of the group and told Him to stop talking that way and that things Jesus foretold would not happen to Him.  Even though Peter thought He was doing a good thing, Jesus rebuked him and told him that he was being offensive and that he was only thinking of himself and not the plan of God.  Jesus was actually rebuking the spirit behind the words Peter was speaking. When He said: “Get behind Me, Satan!”  He wasn’t calling Peter Satan. Jesus knew the real enemy was Satan and that Peter’s idea to tell Jesus to stop talking about the plan of God came from His enemy.

That enemy is still in the world today and continues to bring thoughts and ideas to each one of us that are against the plan and will of God for our lives.  He is a destroyer and wants to thwart every plan of God in this world. The good news is that we can learn to recognize his suggestions and rebuke them the same was Jesus did.  When the enemy tries to tell you that you are not enough or that you are losing, you can cast that thought out by saying: No, I am more than a conqueror through Jesus who loves me. (Romans 8:37)  If the enemy tries to tell you that God is not going to be there for you this time?  You respond with “He will never leave me nor forsake me!” (Hebrews 13:5)  You have the promises of God available to you in the scriptures to keep them in your heart and mind.  Use those promises as an arsenal against the enemy’s plan to defeat the purpose of why you are alive in this world.

Today I want to encourage you  to begin to identify your enemy’s voice in your thoughts and even in the words you speak.  If you are thinking or speaking doubt, fear, unbelief and self-destruction, you are following the path of destruction.  Speaking those plans will lead you away from the good plan and things that God has for your life.  Next, start taking control of your thinking and you life by speaking the truth of God’s word in place of the lies of the enemy.  Instead of saying: “Things are looking bad and I am afraid of the outcome,” begin to say “I am so thankful that I can call on my Father in heaven and He is faithful to get me through whatever comes my way.”  Don’t deny the things that are happening in the world around you, speak life into them with the Word of God and the good He is working in and through them.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 16:21-28

21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.

22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”

23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 

25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 

26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 

27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. 

28 “Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

The Keys

And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19

In today’s world, keys are becoming obsolete.  Now there are coded locks made to open by a combination, there are scanning locks that open with a fingerprint or voice recognition.  In the case of my iPhone, it is unlocked by recognizing my face.  If anyone else tries to unlock my phone, it will try and try to recognize them until finally it will shut down because it is programed that way for security.

In today’s verse, Jesus told His disciples that He was giving them the key to unlock the Kingdom of heaven; with that key they were able to bind up/lock heaven and earth and they were able to loose/open heaven and earth.  That key is salvation in our Savior Jesus.  Through Jesus we have access to heaven and all the power of God to come in and change our situations and our lives. 

It starts with salvation.  When you begin to recognize the love God has for all people and that He sent His only Son to come and rescue us from an eternity of separation from the Father that created us, you are opening up heaven to come in and change your life and the direction you once were heading.  From that point on, you can open up heaven at any time, simply by talking with your heavenly Father.  He is always available and wants to be in close personal relationship with all His children.  When you release heaven into your circumstances, you are releasing the goodness and the love of God into this physical world.  It is quite an amazing event. 

The same is true on the other side of the key.  When you don’t turn things over to God, He is limited in what He can do for you because you have not unlocked the door to His answer to whatever you are going through.  This is not to say that God is not all powerful, but He has limited Himself in this world because He gave it to people when He created them.  He set up the parameters and reaches in when we call to Him and include Him in all we do.

Today I want to encourage you to use the key to heaven by spending time with your Father in heaven.  He loves you and desires to bring good into all areas of live.  However, first you must surrender all areas to His care and trust that He is bringing you through to victory.  Pay attention to the prompts and urges you may sense in your heart and ask Him to make plain and clear the steps and plans He has for you to walk out next.  I also encourage you to lock down the plans of your enemy by making his ideas and thoughts small.  Speak out the Word of God over all your doubts and fears and release the goodness of God’s love by speaking the promises He gave you in His Holy, unchangeable Word. Unlock all that heaven has for you today by inviting your Savior in and speaking the life of God through His holy words.

Today’s scripture reading Matthew 16:13-20

13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 

19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.

Leaven

Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” Matthew 16:6

You may remember when you were a child how your parents told you that who you associate with will become who you imitate?  Another popular phrase when I was young was that “One bad apple will spoil the whole bunch.”  It takes some time, but it is very true that if you continue to connect yourself in toxic relationships, their toxins will poison your heart.  Even if you go in with the intent of helping someone, that can backfire if you are not prepared in your heart and watching for the pollutants that can get on you.

In today’s scripture, Jesus told His disciples to watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees.  This sect was the most religious group of the day.  Hardly a place where you would think you needed to be on guard.  Ideally the priests would be the people you would trust the most to point you in the right direction and always be looking out for your best interest.  However, that was not the case.  The Pharisees had become immersed in bad doctrine and over the generations had been corrupted by the teaching of the former generation.  They were set on rules and traditions and determined to make all people obey them.  They gave no attention to love and grace so there was none of those qualities in them.

When Jesus warned the disciples about the Pharisees, He wanted them to not be so entrenched in doctrine that they had no compassion for people.  As followers of Jesus, they would see an example of grace, mercy and love and that was the attitudes Jesus wanted them to grow in, not religious rules and policies.  Jesus brought His disciples along with Him when He went out to reach hurting people.  Yes, it was so they could watch and learn, but it was also so He would surround Himself with partners to be accountable to.  Even though Jesus was God in person, the scripture say that He was a man and tempted in all ways, so He did need to keep Himself in check with others, so He was not lured away by the traps of the enemy. (see Hebrews 4:15)

Galatians 5:9 tells us that a little leaven leavens the whole lump.  This is the message Jesus was teaching the disciples.  Do not let the leaven/teaching of the Pharisees get on you or you will contaminate the whole group.  He prepared them for the future days when He would be gone so they would stick together to encourage one another and keep each other from falling into the wrong mindset.

It is what He wants us to do today also.  He does not want us to take on a religious works mentality that makes us believe we are better than others because we do good things, and our bad things are not as bad as everyone else.  Instead, He wants us to love one another despite the setbacks and falls that we all take in life.  To help each other out and lift each other up.

Today my encouragement is to love one another, help one another and have compassion on all others.  If you are in toxic relationships that continue to pull you down and leave you empty, step away from them today.  Find yourself a group that will support and encourage you as you begin to press into all that God has for you.  Keep yourself accountable and protected by asking a person or a group of people to check in and give your inspiring words.  The best place to start is God’s Word.  Begin lining your heart and thoughts up with His love and kindness found in His Book the Bible.  Then find a small group or bible class to connect in where you can surround yourself with loving Christians that are doing the work of ministry helping others.  Make the decision today to purge out the unclean and corrupt attitudes and take the Word of God and others with you wherever you go.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 16:5-12

5 Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 

6 Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”

7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.”

8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? 

9 Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? 

10 Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? 

11 How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 

12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Discern the time

“And in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.  Matthew 16:3

These are troubling times in our world.  We are seeing the ending of days here on earth.  Oh, I know we have heard this for years, so many predictions and guesses of when Jesus will return to get His people.  However, this time it’s different.  It’s not about someone calculating a date or writing a book about “now is the time”.  It’s about discerning the time.  I’m not suggesting that we try to figure out what day Jesus will come, but I am saying that He wants us to be watching and ready.  Not with fear and anxiety, but with anticipation and a sense of urgency to finish our assignment.

Jesus told the “religious” people of His day that they were hypocrites because they were not paying attention to the prophecies in scripture about His birth and ministry.  In today’s verse, He said that they knew how to look at the outward circumstances to predict the weather, but they were unable to recognize their Messiah by what the scriptures had foretold about Him.  All of the Jewish people knew that the Messiah was coming, so the signs surrounding His birth and ministry should have been more obvious to them.  However, they had gotten distracted by putting on the appearance of being “spiritual” instead of actually paying attention to the important things on God calendar.

With all the crisis and turmoil in the world today, it is clear that the predictions Jesus made are happening all around us.  The temptation is out there to take on the fear that the world is experiencing, but that’s not our part of the plan.  We are living in the most prophetic times of all history and God chose each one of us to be on the earth for such a time as this to fulfill our assignment and ministry.   With all these distresses come the opportunity to reach those who are afraid and do not know what is going on.  The outside world can only see that the world is falling apart. No matter how hard people try to fix things, clearly, there is only one solution!  We can share the words of Jesus that these things would happen and that He has made provision for all through His Salvation!

Jesus wants us to know that the time is getting close.  Just how close?  It just doesn’t matter.  What does matter is that we are ready, watching, and helping with the harvest of people that are coming into the kingdom in these last days.  People are pouring in all over the world, and it is our job to pray for the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers, and to be laborers to help bring in this great end time crop of souls.  “Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”  Matthew 9:37-38

Today I want to encourage you to get excited, get motivated, and get ready because your redemption and salvation is coming in close!  We may not know the day He will come, but we do know that the day is closer than it ever has been before!  Jesus is coming soon!  Begin to pray for His return and also ask Him what you can do to reach those within your sphere of influence.  Let’s make sure we have completed, down to the last detail, every task He has assigned us to do!  Then when we finally stand in His presence, He will say, “Well done!”

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 16:1-4

1 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. 

2 He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; 

3 and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 

4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed.

His provision

Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”  Matthew 15:32

Jesus didn’t turn anyone away when they came to Him for help.  In today’s reading, we read that a crowd of people had been with Him for three days without eating.  He healed the lame and maimed, opened blind eyes and ears, and healed many other afflictions that were brought to Him.  He provided for all exactly what was needed.

After three days of this, Jesus knew that the people were hungry because He was hungry.  No one came to Him and asked for food, yet the scripture said He had compassion on them.  That He understood what they were all feeling because He too was feeling it.  In other places, we are told that Jesus could related to all people, because He was also a man and tempted as we are. (see Hebrews 4:15) Although He never sinned, He did know what it felt like to be human and the weakness of the body without nourishment.

This is true even today in whatever we go through.  Jesus is not still with us here in a physical body, but He is our high priest.  He understands the things we are feeling and the troubles we go through and just as He healed and provided 2000 years ago, He will do for you today, also.  As you walk with Him each day and talk with Him along the way, He will lead you to the provision you need to be successful in your life mission.

Today I want to encourage you to trust Him to provide and supply the needs that you have.  Recognize that He understands and knows what you are going through each day and wants to help you complete that plan.  He was in the world once and knows that struggles come.  He wants to provide all for you that He did for those that were brought to Him when He was here in body form.  Include Him today in all that you do and follow where He leads you because He know where that provision is.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 15:29-39

29 Jesus departed from there, skirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there. 

30 Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them. 

31 So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.

32 Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”

33 Then His disciples said to Him, “Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?”

34 Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few little fish.”

35 So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. 

36 And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. 

37 So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left. 

38 Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 

39 And He sent away the multitude, got into the boat, and came to the region of Magdala.

Get rid of offense

But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” Matthew 15:26

Today we are reading about the woman that came to Jesus with a demon possessed daughter.  She was from Canaan which probably meant that she was half Jewish and half some other nationality.  She was shunned and detested by the Israeli people.  When she came to Jesus, the disciples wanted to tell her to go away.  I’m sure they were surprised when Jesus actually talk to her.  During His conversation with her, Jesus speaks what looks like an insult to her. He calls her a little dog.  She had the opportunity right then and there to be offended and not receive anything from Him.  Instead, she pressed in and humbled herself and that is when Jesus noticed her faith.  He told her she had great faith and that He had given her what she was desiring, the demons cast out of her daughter.

We have many occasions today to be offended at the things going on around us.  We can be offended by the ridiculousness going on in our government. We can be offended by the pandemic restrictions.  We can even be insulted by new laws that seemingly take away our rights.  However, taking the opportunity to be offended is not what brings answered prayer, it is faith.  Despite the world view of today, we still need to be in faith.  If you feel yourself becoming angry and irritated with your surroundings, you are on the road to offense.  If you surrender to those feelings, your faith will not be activated.

An example of being offended is when I started a new job. I had the opportunity to become irritated and annoyed by the way I was treated because of a seniority and entitlement mentality. Instead, I remained full of faith to do my job as I was expected to without murmuring and complaining and I kept a thankful heart.  Thankful for a job, thankful for work and thankful for my Father’s love.  Being faithful and thankful opened the doors to a position that never existed before so that I was able to walk out my job each day without having the complaints that the others did.

Today I want to encourage you not to become offended.  Don’t let the outward circumstances of the world around you determine your words, thoughts and ideas.  Stay in faith a believer that God has a plan above your surroundings and surrender all your hurts and distresses over to Him to carry far from you.  Remain consistently in faith in the little things and the big, and soon the doors will open around you to a whole life that is beyond the one you are living right now.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 15:21-28

21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 

22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”

23 But He answered her not a word. and His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.”

24 But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”

26 But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”

27 And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”

28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Let it Flow

Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.  Matthew 15:11

Germs, bacteria and virus are common words we hear in today’s world.  A pandemic started and we have become aware of their presence more than ever before.  There is now instructions on how to properly wash your hands and masks to be worn to prevent the spreading of these microbes.  There is nothing wrong with these new preventative measures, but there is a deeper cause for the afflictions we face in life.

In today’s passage, Jesus said that the words we are speaking is what defiles or corrupts a person.  Although this concept doesn’t involve germs and unsanitary conditions, He does indicate a direct connection.  Jesus said that the words that we are speaking root in the heart.  As we continue to speak words, that root is fed and grows, choking out the growth of His Word that sustains our faith walk.  Proverbs 18:21 says Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.  Each word you speak is either producing roots of life and strength or feeding a root of death and destruction.

Now I have a better understanding of how to choose the words I speak.  It all starts with what I expose my heart to.  I begin to follow the instructions of Proverbs to keep the word of God at the core of my heart because His words are life and health to my body (Prov. 4:22)  I guard and protect my heart diligently from the perverseness of the world because that is where issues come from. (vs.23) Jesus said we speak what is in abundance and overflowing from our heart, so I must fill my heart with His Word and goodness each day, so I can speak His grace where ever I am.  At my home with family, at my job with co-workers or with my friends.

Today I want to encourage you to fill you heart with an abundance of God’s Word and His love.  Let those words flow out of you as you walk through your life each day.  Then fill up again tomorrow.  Don’t let roots of bitterness and anger grow in your heart by complaining and criticizing others.  Fill your mouth with good things, and you will be energized to complete the mission He has for you. (Psalms 112)

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 15:1-20

1 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, 

2 “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”

3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 

4 For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 

5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— 

6 then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. 

7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:

8‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.

9 And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”

10 When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: 

11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”

12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”

13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. 

14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”

15 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.”

16 So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? 

17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? 

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 

19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 

20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

Bid me come

_{“And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water.” Matthew 14:28}

Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t know what to do?  Maybe you had an important decision to make and weren’t sure what was the right direction to go.  How about when you hear something new from God’s Word and you aren’t quite sure that it means what you want it to?  Well, in today’s scripture there’s a phrase that can lead you to take the right steps.

When Jesus’ disciples saw Him walking to them on the water, they were not sure it was Him.  Even when He spoke to them and said who He was, they still weren’t sure.  So, Peter asked Him to call him out on the water if it was truly the LORD.  He said, “Lord, if it’s you, bid me come.”  In other words, Peter was asking Jesus to make it plain and clear that it was Him by empowering Peter to go in His direction.

I have often used this same approach when I wasn’t sure what to do.  At one point I wasn’t sure about something that was even in God’s Word because it is so widely debated in today’s “church”.  So, I ask the LORD, “If it’s right, open my eyes to the truth.”  I realize that isn’t the same question Peter asked, but it’s along the same line.  I was actually saying LORD, if this is you, bid me come in that direction.  The point is, that shortly after that, He opened doors and made connections to answer questions I had in that area and then made it very plain and clear that it was indeed of Him and the way I could walk closer with Him.  He will do this with anything we are struggling with.  Anytime we don’t know what the right move is to make, simply asking Him to “bid you come in that direction” will assure you of the right steps to take.

Today I want to encourage you to ask the LORD to help with anything you may be struggling with.  Ask Him to “Bid you come” in the right direction for the situation you may be facing.  Don’t stay in the “boat” of “I don’t know” or “I’m not sure”.  Ask the Holy Spirit to make the path plain and clear.  Ask Him to open the doors and make the connections to get you there.  Ask Him to line up your desire with the right way, especially in the area of your spiritual growth and walk.  Don’t let others’ unbelief keep you from all that God has for you in this life.  Step out of the “boat” in faith, in His direction as He empowers you to complete all the wonderful plans He has for your life!

Today’s scripture reading:  Matthew 14:22-36

22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 

23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 

24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 

26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 

30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 

32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

34 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. 

35 And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, 

36 and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

Overcoming Evil

And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.  Matthew 14:14

Jesus was the perfect example of overcoming in hard times.  He showed us many times throughout His ministry how to squelch the flames of evil and that was by doing good instead. Usually, my first response when evil is done is the desire to do evil back.  For instance, if you’ve been wronged in one way or another or even if someone is just pushing you, the natural response is giving them a “piece of your mind,” wait for the next opportunity to put them in their place or plan a way to “get even with them”.  But the scriptures say to overcome evil with good. (see Romans 12:21)  Or you could say it like this: Overcome evil thoughts and feelings with good words and actions.  What does that even look like?

In today’s reading, Jesus displays this principle flawlessly. In Matthew 14:12 John the Baptist’s (who was  Jesus family) disciples brought Jesus the news that John had been beheaded.  The scripture says that Jesus went to a deserted place to be alone.  But watch what happens next.  “And when Jesus went out, He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them and healed their sick.”  Talk about overcoming evil with good!  Then Jesus went on to feed all 5000 of them that were there.  He could have said, “Guys, this really isn’t a good time for me.  My family is in crisis, and I need to go be with them”. Or “I really need to be alone right now to process all this new information”.  But He almost immediately turned His focus to those who came to Him needing His compassion and love.

I do want to make note here that overcoming evil with good doesn’t necessarily mean doing good to the one who caused the evil.  Jesus just went ahead and did good right where He was for the people that came to Him.  He didn’t go and seek out the offender to do good to him.  He knew that the real enemy was Satan, so He was able to overcome all the grief and feelings of evil by giving God’s goodness and love right where He was.

Today I want to encourage you that the next time evil comes your way, remember the best way to get the victory is to overcome that evil with good.  Overcome your feelings and thoughts for evil with walking out God’s goodness and love right where you are!

Today’s scripture reading Matthew 14:1-21

1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus 

2 and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.” 

3 For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. 

4 Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 

5 And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

6 But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. 

7T herefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.

8 So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.”

9 And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. 

10 So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. 

11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 

12 Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

13 When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 

14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. 

15 When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.”

16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17 And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”

18 He said, “Bring them here to Me.” 

19 Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. 

20 So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. 

21 Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.