The Daily Dose

The book of Matthew

New Wine

_{Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” Matthew 9:17}

Sadly, in many church buildings today, congregations have become old and dying off.  It is getting more common these days to see empty church buildings that were once filled with families coming together three times each week to praise and worship God. Many from the previous generation have become stuck in their way of doing service instead of intentionally pouring out the wisdom and revelation gained over the years to the next generation. Now, the up-and-coming are forced to keep to the old way of doing things instead of growing to let the next level to begin learning and leading from where the older left off.  If the previous generation would pour out the wisdom of their old wine into the new skin of the next generation instead of trying to make the new wine grow in their old wine skin of the past, then the next generation would be able to begin where the previous had grown to.  Instead, each generation has to start at ground zero, being forced to figure out the way to reach the younger crowd because the older leadership does not like the changes that are more effective in the current times.

This is exactly what Jesus was talking about in today’s reading.  He told the disciples that if they tried to put the new wine of wisdom and revelation that Jesus was teaching them into the old skin of the synagogue leaders of the day, it would be wasted because the old skin would break.  Because the old skin has become dry and brittle, it will not be able to hold on to and distribute the new wine to others, but it would burst and pour out onto the ground.  However, as the new revelation or wisdom is poured into the new skin, those ready to hear and accept His new ways, the wine and skin can exist together and be shared with others to reach the next generation.

Jesus was teaching them radically new ideas and the biggest was to love one another. The Hebrew culture had lived by the command an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. There was no talk about love until Jesus came into the world. When He talked about the new tearing or breaking the old, He was telling them that something new was coming. Jesus brought us the new covenant and in that He fulfilled the requirement of the old one. His sacrifice for our salvation was the new wine that the old wine skin would not be able to pass on to reach the world.  His disciples would become the new skin that would fulfill the commandment to go in to all the world and preach the gospel along with a new method of getting the message out.  The message of God’s love for all people and the provision He made to save them would be passed on for the next two thousand plus years.  A message that would not have been preserved through the leaders of that day in the synagogue.

Today, we face a similar issue, but it is not to late to make the shift. With our culture changing into the digital age, it can be hard for people who are not so ready to accept the new “skin” of the next generation and technology. In church buildings today, there are big screens and loud music. Most services are recorded and broadcasted online to share with the world. There is not limit when it comes to accessing the salvation message because of the technology. Still there are congregations that still insist that the old way is the only way that worship should be given. These new “wineskins” have made it possible to carry the gospel to the nations and increase the effectiveness of His calling and mission. There is no reason to think less of or try to stop other ministries that use various “skins” to send God’s message out. Our job is to pray for the others and use the resources we have available to do our part in getting the message to the next generation.  In that way God’s message will continue to go on long after we are gone from this life.

Today I want to encourage you to thank God for the wisdom of the gospel message He has given you to pour out into the next generation.  Begin to talk to your Heavenly Father about the “wineskin” you have to distribute His good news of salvation to the world around you. What mission does He have in mind for you and what is He leading you to in the future? Pour out the message of God’s love and salvation in the next generation no matter what age you are today and don’t judge the “skin” they are receiving that message in to distribute to others. Use whatever “wineskins” you have available to you and when you see others wearing a different “skin,” do not be quick to condemn.  Instead, pray for them to be just as effective as the “skin” you once received the message through. 

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 9:14-17

 14 Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?”

15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse.

17 Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

In the beginning

_{But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.  Revelation 21:22}

For as long as I can remember, I have always gone to church.  I know I started going from the time I was born because my parents took me every single time the church doors were open.  As I began to understand a little while growing up, I knew that the church was the place we came together regularly to praise God and hear from His Word.  I was never taught that church was the only place you could be with Him or be in His presence.  I realized very early in life that once I received Jesus as my Savior, He was always with me. 

When I became an adult, I still didn’t fully understand the importance of coming together with other believers as often as possible and as a result, I slowly slipped away.  My perception was that church was there if I needed something, but if not, I could just be with God wherever I was.

Now I have come to understand just how important it is to regularly come together with other believers.  The first and most important thing that I recognized through not going to church was that I didn’t place myself around other Christians to be accountable.  As a result, I began to make some very bad decisions that lead me down a road very far from God’s goodness in my life.  Oh, I did call out to Him often.  Pretty much every time I got in over my head I would yell “Help! I’m in a mess again.”  Of course, He rescued me time and time again, but for some reason, I thought I had to figure things out on my own.  I never even considered that He wanted to lead me on His perfect path of blessing and righteousness, leaving behind the sorrows and consequences of one foolish choice after another.

Now Sunday is my favorite day of the week and I love going to worship and meeting with Him each week as we gather together in corporate praise.  The power of God shows up mightily and it is clear to me now why He said to keep coming together with other believers and even more often as the day of His return is approaching. (See Hebrews 10:25)  We need each other to encourage one another and be there for one another when life hits hard.

In the time we have lived in the world, this is all we have known.  However, there was a time, at the beginning when God first created man and woman that people did not have to go to a building to be with God and they didn’t have to become the temple of God’s Spirit to have Him with them.  God just came and walked with them through the garden each day and showed them His ways and wisdom so that they could live a successful life.  That would have continued too if they had followed His direction instead of listening to the voice of a stranger in the garden.

As we come to the end of Revelation Chapter 21, verse 22 tells us that once again, there will be no temple for God to live in.  The reason is because God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are the temple.  We will always be right there with the trinity for all of eternity and lift our praise and worship to His holiness wherever we are in that holy City.

This reality is very exciting to think about.  As much as I love having the Holy Spirit living on the inside of me and showing me something new or leading me in the direction of God’s goodness, it still takes a very concentrated effort to position myself to know where He is leading.  But when we are with Him in the holy Jerusalem, He will be right there, and we will have no question about knowing His will or where He is pointing us.  He will be the light that illuminates the city, and He will keep it spotless from any stain or blemish.

So today I want to encourage you to read this passage and be filled with hope and anticipation.  The new Jerusalem is not just a distant dream, it is the reality that waits for all who trust in the Lord Jesus.  The picture of our eternal home encourages us to live with purpose and passion, sharing the light of Jesus with the world around us in need of His salvation.  Embrace the promise of God’s eternal presence and live each day in the light of His glory and grace by being filled with awe and inspiration at the thought of living with the three in one with open gates in the pure city in God’s eternal Kingdom.  Remember that our destiny is to live in the glorious presence of our Lord Jesus forever and let this promise be the inspiration that keeps the light of God’s love shining in your daily life by bringing hope and encouragement to everyone you meet.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 21:22-27

22But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 

23The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 

24And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. 

25Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 

26And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. 

27But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Faith or security?

As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him. Matthew 9:9

Matthew was a tax collector. He was despised by the Hebrew people because of the position of his employment.  He probably never imagined that Jesus would select him to be part of His ministry.  Many of His other disciples had followed John the Baptist, so when John announced that Jesus was the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world, some of John’s followers immediately left him and began to walk with Jesus.  They had John’s word that this was the Messiah and the assurance that it was right to move from the ministry of the forerunner to follow the coming One.  Matthew didn’t have that announcement to attach his faith to.

In today’s scripture we read that Jesus passed by Matthew at work one day and told him to “Follow Me.”  What great faith it took for Matthew to get up leave his job to join Jesus’ mission that day.  How many of us would have been that brave?  Think about what Matthew had to do to become a full time disciple of Jesus.  He walked out on a job that had made him rich beyond most of the Hebrew people, and the Roman people for that matter.  He had financial security and always had the best food, clothing and shelter.  He was set up for life.

Today, if Jesus were walking the earth, how would you and I respond to His call?  Would we be willing to walk off a job?  Would we be willing to give up our home and possessions?  Would we even be willing to stop scrolling, set down our devises or walk away from our favorite binge series?  It would be safe to say it would be hard, even impossible for some people.  The reason is because it takes faith to follow Jesus. 

Do you have faith, or do you need security?  Yes, I know most Christian depend on God to put them in a place where they have a steady paycheck and job security.  This is so they are not wondering where their next meal is coming from or how to pay the bills.  Certainly, there is nothing wrong with that. God blesses His people and provides positions of employment for His children to faithfully apply themselves to that position.  However, the reason is not so that we can sit back, feel secure and take it easy in life.  Our place of employment is our mission field.  When we step into a job that we have prayed for and ask our heavenly Father to give, He opens up the way for us to have a ministry for Him there.  We are being called to “Follow Him” in that place.  So, the next time you have the opportunity to encourage a fellow worker, invite someone to church or share the love of God with, don’t pass it up.  Walk out the mission Jesus has called you to, right where you are.  Then when He says “Follow Me” to the next place, you will be ready to walk away from that secure position and on to the next field of ministry, by faith.

Today I want to encourage you to first of all surrender all to Jesus.  Tell Him you are willing to follow Him.  Second, spend time with Him growing your relationship and your faith.  Set aside some of the distractions that consume all your “free” time and make His agenda become your priority.  Lastly, begin your mission where you are today.  You do not have to go to a foreign nation to minister, you can do it in your everyday walk starting now.  Decide today that you are going to follow Him no matter what the cost is.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 9:1-13

 1 So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city.

2 Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”

3 And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”

4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?

5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?

6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”

7 And he arose and departed to his house.

8 Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.

Matthew the Tax Collector

9 As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.

10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.

11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Even the demons believe

And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”  Matthew 8:29

In chapter7 of Matthew Jesus said that on the day of judgement, He would tell some “believers” that did works in His name to depart from Him and that He never knew them (see vs 23).  In the passage today, there are two demon possessed men that run to Jesus and the demons begin a conversation with Him.  They asked if He came to torment them before it was the appointed time.  This only happened after they acknowledged that He was the Son of God.  They never questioned who He was and they didn’t even wonder about it.  They knew who He was the moment He got out of the boat.

In James 2:19 it says that the demons believe there is one God and they are afraid of Him, but that does not give them a saving relationship with Him.  No matter how much you believe and even talk about God or do great things in His name, that will not save you from the punishment of sin.  You must enter into a personal relationship with God, and walk with Him day to day through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus to cleanse you from the sin of this world.

It is frightening to me how many people believe in God and even try to please Him by being a good person.  And don’t get me wrong, your actions are important in this world, but the only action that can save you from an eternity of separation from God is entering into a personal relationship with God by inviting Jesus to come into your life to be your Lord and Savior. He is the only one that can open the door for you to have a relationship with God the Father.

God isn’t hard to access.  If fact He made it as easy for us as He possibly could.  He said:  Anyone who opens the door and invites Him in, He will come in and live there with them(Rev. 3:20).  He will walk through the storms and trials of life with you and He will be a personal guide to all who enter into that relationship with Him.

Today I want to encourage you to invite Jesus into your life if you have never done that before.  Enter into that personal relationship with God the Father through His provision of the blood of Jesus.  Then spend time with Him each day to grow that relationship and press into the love and direction He has for your life.  Pray this prayer today and start your new life with Him as your Lord and the director of your steps:

Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new.  I know Your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide and empower me to do the things that You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 8:28-34

 28 When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way.

29 And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”

30 Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding.

31 So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.”

32 And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.

33 Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.

34 And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region.

 

A firm foundation

Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Revelation 21:14                    

I’m pretty sure I have written before about how important a foundation is to a structure. Before you can build any structure, you must have a foundation.  It is what holds the building in place and keeps it secure.  If the foundation is weak and unstable, a house will not be safe.  Any structure is only as sturdy as the strength of its foundation.  In the culture we live in today, you are not even allowed to build on a foundation until it has been inspected and approved to the code that has been established by residential and commercial building requirements.  This gives us a pretty good idea how important a foundation is.

In today’s reading, one of the seven angels that had the seven bowls came to talk with the apostle John.  He showed John where the Lamb’s wife lived in the holy Jerusalem.  John described the beauty and splendor of the city by talking about the precious stones, high walls and gates and the foundations.  What really stood out to me about his description was that on the twelve foundations of the city are the names of the twelve apostles of Jesus.  As I was reading the passage, it occurred to me that those are the same people that built the New Testament church after Jesus ascended back to heaven.  Even though the church was not established at the beginning of time here in the world we live in today, it was the beginning of the opening of heaven to all people and the foundation of our faith in the Lord Jesus.

The foundations of the New Jerusalem inscribed with the names of the apostles shows me the unchangeable truth of the gospel that the apostles spread, establishing the very bedrock of our faith. Just as a physical foundation supports a structure, the apostles’ teachings and sacrifices support the spiritual structure of the church. Their lives and ministries were pivotal in spreading the good news of salvation in Jesus, and their names on the foundations of the Holy City honor their unwavering dedication and faithfulness to their calling and mission in life.

This imagery encourages me to reflect on the importance of having a solid spiritual foundation in my own lives. My beliefs, values, and actions are grounded in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. This spiritual foundation keeps me secure and steadfast, even when life’s trials and challenges come against me. Just as a building needs a strong foundation to stand tall, me faith has a strong foundation to withstand the storms of life.

Lastly, this passage reminds me that my faith is built upon the legacy of those who came before me. The apostles laid the groundwork for the church, and their legacy continues to influence and inspire the body of believers still today. As we build our own lives of faith, we are contributing to this ongoing mission, adding to the structure that has been growing since the time that the Holy Spirit came on the believers on the day of Pentecost.

In a world where many things are uncertain and unstable, having a strong foundation in Christ Jesus is crucial. It provides the stability and security we need to navigate life’s challenges and reminds us that our faith is not in vain; it is built upon the truth and teachings of the Lord Jesus and His apostles, who were chosen and commissioned by Him.

Today I want to encourage you to let this passage help you to evaluate the foundation of your own faith. Are you building your life on the solid rock of Jesus’ blood and sacrifice? Are you rooted in the truth that the apostles so faithfully spread? Take time to strengthen your foundation through prayer, quiet time with Him and His Word, and connecting with other believers. By doing these things, you are ensuring that your faith remains strong and unshakable, no matter what comes your way. Remember, just as the New Jerusalem’s foundations are adorned with the names of the apostles, your life can reflect the beauty and strength of a faith that is firmly grounded in the truth of God’s Word. Build your life on this foundation, and you will stand secure and steadfast, and also fulfill the purpose you have been given breath at this place in time.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 21:9-21

9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” 

10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 

11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. 

12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 

13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.

14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 

15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 

16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. 

17 Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. 

18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 

19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 

20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 

21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

Prepared

Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  Revelation 21:2

 I have been to a lot of weddings over the years, and I recognize that a wedding takes much planning.  It’s not just one person that gets everything ready for the big day, it often takes a village to bring it all together.  Sure, the bride and her family do a lot of the preparations for the day of the wedding and the wedding party always gets involved.  Then the groom and his side of the family have things to they are working on too.  Not to mention the people who are hired for the ceremony to make it a perfect day.  The wedding planner, venue, caterer, photographer, videographer and the minister that performs the nuptials, just to name a few.  Basically, it becomes an all hands on deck project.  The entire process is not just an amount of time spent planning.  The event brings the people involved into deeper relationships as they help the bride and groom prepare for their special day.  Even new friendships are made as they connect with people that become a part of the process.  Overall, the wedding party itself is composed of people who have agreed to stand up for the couple at the wedding, but also to come along side them to walk through the planning leading up to the union to help in any way needed.

In today’s reading, the apostle John saw a new heaven and a new earth. What we see and live in today will pass away.  The verse says that John saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, that descends down from heaven, has been prepared as a bride perfected for her husband.  As I thought about this picture, I remembered the things that go into planning a wedding and the preparations that go into that day.  The bride alone will begin preparing for the day even months in advance by working on fitness, getting a tan, selecting the perfect dress and colors for the bridesmaids.  On the day of the wedding, she makes sure that her hair, makeup and nails are done to perfection so that when her groom sees her, she is a beautiful as she can possibly be.  It is the most important day of her life up to that point and the day that she has prepared herself and the surroundings to be as elegant and exquisite as possible.

The picture that John saw is no different.  All of heaven has joined together to prepare this fabulous city, the new Jerusalem for the coming day it is revealed to God’s people.  When God created the world, we live in today, He spoke it, by faith, into existence.  However, the new Jerusalem has been “prepared”, meaning there was a lot involved in getting it ready. It is all hands on deck, once again, getting ready for this big day.  I love how John phrases what he saw: “I saw the holy city coming down out of heaven.”  It’s as if he was seeing a great processional as the city descends to earth from heaven.  John said the city was prepared as or like a bride.  But the city is not the bride, it is a home that has been prepared for those who have overcome.  In fact, down in verse seven of the passage, God, Himself, said “I will be their God and they will be my people.” This great day will be the day that we are united once and for all with our Lord for all eternity.

So, today I want to encourage you to consider what a great day it will be when we see the new Jerusalem coming down from heaven.  Let this image be an inspiration to all your activities in this world.  Make a decision that you will be an overcomer and then bring the helper, God’s Spirit along with you to carry you through the struggles in life.  Don’t let the enemy rob you by procrastinating the decision to walk with God.  Instead, begin preparations for the big day when you will meet Him face to face, right now.  Start making His plan and agenda your number one priority and live your life walking on His path of righteousness instead of your own.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 21:1-8

1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 

2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 

3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 

4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 

7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 

8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Live on Mission

And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”  Matthew 8:20

I have always heard it said about this passage that Jesus was telling the scribe that He was homeless, or He didn’t have a place to sleep.  That may be true or may not be, I don’t know.  However, it doesn’t mean that it is wrong if you do have a home.  You do not have to be homeless to be a disciple.

I believe what Jesus was telling the man was a little deeper than that.  Jesus wanted him to consider the lifestyle that was lived as a disciple or one who stayed with Jesus all the time.  It was constant.  This wasn’t a time for retreat or for relaxation, it was full time ministry.  Jesus knew that he was here in the world for a short time and pressed hard to ensure that He completed His mission down to the last detail.  He never said to His disciples, “Tomorrow, I’m taking the day off to go be by myself for a while.”  He did get up early to spend quiet time with God before the day started, but that was by far anything like a vacation.

Jesus said: “Even animals have a place of rest and retreat, but there is no time in this ministry for your own agenda.”  In the very next section of this chapter, Jesus is on a boat laying His head down to sleep. So, we know that He took time to give His body rest.  What He didn’t do is take time to go off on His own to pursue His dreams and aspirations.  We know this because His focus was the cross and the mission He came to earth for.  But He didn’t dream about that day. In fact, right before it was time for Him to be crucified, He pleaded with His Father to come up with another way to provide redemption for people.

How does this apply to us today?  What message is Jesus sending to His disciples of that day and this one?  Certainly, He doesn’t expect us all to sell all our belongings and walk around reaching out to people?  What He does expect is that we are on mission.  We are here in the world on assignment, and that is what our day-to-day focus should be.  God’s plan is not for His children to live this life the way those without Him does.  He never planned that we would settle down, have a family, work a job for 25 years and then retire and travel the world on vacation for the rest of our days.  His plan is for us to reach this lost and dying world every day, wherever we are.  Just as Jesus was on mission right where He was by teaching the crowds, training His followers and ministering to the broken ones, that is what He expects us to do.

Today I want to encourage you to stop walking around people and ignoring those who clearly need a Savior.  Make it a priority to notice who is around you each day and what they are going through.  Don’t look at others and judge if they are worthy of your attention or love.  Make all people that you come into contact with feel the love of God in your presence.  Then be ready to share His love when the opportunity presents itself.  Decide today to get off of your own agenda and mission and take the mission you were designed to complete before your time here runs out.  Seek His direction each morning before you go out into your day and then check inward often to make sure you don’t miss any detail of what you were sent here to do.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 8:18-27

 18 And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side.

19 Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”

20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

21 Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him.

24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.

25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

27 So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” 

Don’t settle

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.” Matthew 8:17

Chapter 8 of Matthew continues with Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law and then healing and casting demons out of people.  In fact, He did these things and many other wonders all through His ministry.  In all the gospels, Jesus only turned one person away, and it was because she was not an Israelite, but then He ended up healing her daughter anyway when she pressed Him. (see Matthew 15) 

Jesus healed all people that came to Him.  He didn’t tell anyone that their sickness was to teach them something or that He didn’t have time for them.  Not at all.  The key verse today said that He fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah that said He came to take sickness and infirmities from people, so we don’t have to bear them ourselves.

The very next verse in the Isaiah prophecy says: But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.   Yes, it is true that Jesus paid the penalty for our sin on the cross, but He also took stripes for sickness, disease, infirmities and sorrows there too.  Everything that sin brought into the world, Jesus suffered and died to eliminate.  Even death has no sting now, for those who live in His salvation. (1 Corinthians 15)

Jesus’ payment on the cross not only brought us into a right relationship with our Heavenly Father, that payment also made provision for every suffering here in this world.  Jesus suffered, died, was buried, rose up from the dead and resurrected into Heaven, to restore those who would receive His sacrifice back to God’s original intent for man.  Oh, I know we will never live in paradise in this world.  The curse of sin is so heavy that the scripture says all creation is groaning under the pains of sin. (Romans 8)

This is what makes us as God’s children different than the people lost in sin.  We are not subject to the effects of sin in this world because Jesus redeemed (bought us back) us from the curse of it.  In the same way that you ask Jesus to come into your life and save you and believed by faith that He does when you invited Him, is the same way you receive your healing and deliverance from all the afflictions in life.  By coming to Him and asking.  John 6:37 says that everything that God gave to Jesus we can have by coming to Him.

Today I want to encourage you to walk in your salvation, yes!  But also walk in the wholeness that Jesus died to get back for you.  Oh, there will be days when you don’t feel so well, but when they come, quickly receive your healing by asking Him for it.  Then remember to be thankful when you ask (not when you see it). Your wholeness will show up and you will go through that infirmity right into victory.  Don’t settle for part of your salvation, receive all that Jesus died to get for you.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 8:14-17

 14 Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever.

15 So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.

16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,

17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.”

 

Equal Ground

And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.  Revelation 20:12

I remember watching the Titanic movie shortly after it was released on dvd years ago.  It was all the rage at the time, so I was compelled to see it.  It was basically about a poor guy falling for a rich girl. As the film began and people were boarding the ship, it was easy to recognize the upper class from the peasants.  The status of each passenger was evident by which deck their cabin was on.  There was one scene in that drama that made a great impact on me.  That was the part when the boat was going down.  Suddenly, everyone’s position changed, and it didn’t matter how much money or how little money anyone had.  All the money and importance in the world could not stop the vessel from sinking and no amount of fame could save those who were going down with the ship.  Every person on that voyage became equal because of the circumstances. They were all in the same boat, literally, and faced the same fate regardless of how hard they had worked in life.

I bring this up because it is what I thought of when I read today’s passage in Revelation 20.  After Satan is finally put away forever, the apostle John saw a great white throne and heaven and earth was no longer there.  Just every person, great and small, rich and poor, famous and common.  No status at all.  Just people! Each person was faced with the same question of: “Is your name in the Book of Life?”  Everyone will be equal in that day, or at least face the same judgement.  Their works were written in the book and each person will be judged accordingly.  This event seems like it would take a long time to play out, but in the end, the only thing that mattered was walking in a personally relationship through the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is also what is important to us today.  The activities and objectives that we strive for in today’s world will not even be noticed when we stand before the Lord.  Even if we do know Him, the only things that will make it into the next life are the results that bring others along with us.  Reaching people with the good news of salvation will be the only thing that we can take into eternity with us and every pursuit for wealth and fame will burn up and fade away like a vapor.

So today I want to encourage you to make sure your name is written in the Book of Life.  This is no joking matter, but it is a matter of life or death for all eternity.  Don’t miss out on spending forever with your loving heavenly Father.  Accept His gift of salvation today through the blood and sacrifice of His Son Jesus, the first born of many brethren.  It is not too hard, and it is not too late.  Pray this salvation prayer out loud from your heart and Jesus will come into your heart and into your life and you will live with Him in splendor for all eternity.

Pray: _{God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today.  I know Your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in the blood of Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen}

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 20:11-15

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 

13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 

14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 

15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

You can depend on it!

 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.  Revelation 20:9

 Recently, I was in a discussion with a group of people who were contemplating if Jesus could have said no to dying on the cross for our sin.  It was argued that if Jesus didn’t have a choice, than the victory that was accomplished there was not a big deal.  I was slightly offended by this conversation because the work that was done in Jesus, death, burial, resurrection and ascension into heaven is so precious to me that I want to celebrate it every day of my life!  The fact that it was prophesied at the beginning of time and all through the Old Testament assured that God’s spoken word would bring it to pass, is a reality that brings me much encouragement.  I know that if God said it in His word, I can depend on His promises happening, no matter what circumstances occurring.

In today’s reading, there is another future promise that I am so thankful that we can count on!  God’s goodness will prevail over evil, once and for all time.  The enemy of God the Father and all His hosts and people will be consumed by fire from heaven.  When the enemy comes to surround the camp of the saints, that force of evil will be destroyed once and for all!  You can depend on it!

 You may be thinking, that’s great for the sweet by and by, but I am struggling right in the right here and now.  The good news is that we can trust God’s promises today in life right now, before we enter into eternity.  When the enemy tries to come against us, all we have to do is go to God’s Word to find out what He says about the situation and take ahold of that promise instead of surrendering to the natural circumstances trying to take us out.  He promised those who are in Christ Jesus to be more than conquerors and He also promised that the greater One lives inside of us to empower us through every bit of trouble to victory on the other side of it. Glory to God!

So today, I want to encourage you to not get caught up in wondering about things like “Is there a chance could God fail in His mission or is it possible for the enemy to thwart the plan of God?” Instead, rejoice that you can depend on God’s Word to come to pass and nothing in the world or beyond it will stop that Word!  God’s Word is a sure thing, and He has given it to you and me and He wants us to depend on it to come through for us no matter what we are up against!

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 20:7-10

7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 

8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 

9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 

10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.