Wednesday Morning: 11 Sep 2019 – Matthew 9:1-17 ~ “Be encouraged, my child!”

Wednesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Grace – Wednesday)

O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Matthew 9:1-17 (NLT)

Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man

Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.”

But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?”

Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

And the man jumped up and went home! Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for giving humans such authority.

Jesus Calls Matthew

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him.

Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?”

When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’[d] For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

A Discussion about Fasting

One day the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked him, “Why don’t your disciples fast like we do and the Pharisees do?”

Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

“Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before.

“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved.”
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Morning Reflection:

“Be encouraged, my child!
Your sins are forgiven.”
– Matthew 9:2 –

Jesus’ ministry and mission was predicated upon God’s mercy – not our merit, From Jesus’ perspective, no one is unredeemable, deplorable, or despicable enough by the standards of society to be outside Jesus’ concern and saving grace.

Questions for consideration:

Is there anything that you have said, thought or done that you consider unforgivable, i.e. outside the bounds of God’s saving grace? Please explain.
What would you prefer right now, healing for your sicknesses and diseases, or forgiveness for your sins? Please explain.
What would repentance and restoration be like in your life right now? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

O most loving Father, in your mercy you put away the sins of those who truly repent, and remember their sins no more. Restore and renew in us whatever has been corrupted by the fraud and malice of the devil, or by our own selfish will and weakness. Preserve and protect us within the fellowship of the Church; hear our prayers and relieve our pain; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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“Redeemed”” – Big Daddy Weave

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Tuesday Morning: 10 Sep 2019 – Matthew 8:18-34 ~ Our fears test our faith.

Tuesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening (A Collect for Peace – Tuesday)

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Matthew 8:18-34 (NLT)

The Cost of Following Jesus

When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he instructed his disciples to cross to the other side of the lake.

Then one of the teachers of religious law said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”

Another of his disciples said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”

But Jesus told him, “Follow me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead.”

Jesus Calms the Storm

Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.

The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”

Jesus Heals Two Demon-Possessed Men

When Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gadarenes, two men who were possessed by demons met him. They came out of the tombs and were so violent that no one could go through that area.

They began screaming at him, “Why are you interfering with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before God’s appointed time?”

There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding in the distance. So the demons begged, “If you cast us out, send us into that herd of pigs.”

“All right, go!” Jesus commanded them. So the demons came out of the men and entered the pigs, and the whole herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.

The herdsmen fled to the nearby town, telling everyone what happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, but they begged him to go away and leave them alone.
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Morning Reflection:

Our fears test our faith.

“Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!”
– Matthew 8:26 –

In today’s reading, Jesus is surrounded by crowds of people who are drawn to him by him by his preaching, teaching and healing. And several of them are inclined to follow him – but first, they must face their fears. And so it is today; following Jesus in principle is one thing . But following Jesus in practice is another matter altogether- that’s when our fears challenge our faith.Here are some of the fears Jesus addressed in this reading?

+ Fear of homelessness (vs19) – the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head. Following Jesus a challenge for those who plan ahead when they travel. They want to know where they will sleep on any given night. But Jesus says trust me, don’t expect a grand hotel, but we’ll find something.

+ Fear of criticism (vs 22) -Jesus told him, Follow me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead. Families exert powerful influence on our lives, for better or worse. In this case, a man simply wanted to pay respect to his father, and not doing so opened him to criticism and perhaps even estrangement from his family. But Jesus says, following me is more important than meeting family obligations.

+ Fear of death (vs26) – Jesus responded, Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!Concern Fear for our physical safety is built into our human nature – and these seasoned fishermen were genuinely afraid of drowning. But more, they were afraid that Jesus didn’t care. But Jesus amazes them by calming the storm and their fear of death at the same time. Jesus says: “are you afraid of drowning?” – Don’t worry, I’m in control.

+ Fear of discovery (vs29) – Why are you interfering with us, Son of God? – What drives people to do wrong? The traditional answer is – the world, the flesh, and the devil. And in this case, it’s the devil. But regardless of the source, fear of discovery of their temptations translates into fear of Jesus – fear that the the temptation driving their lives will be exposed.

+ Fear of financial loss (vs34) -Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, but they begged him to go away and leave them alone. Jesus disrupted the status quo and the business and economic interests of the town. The loss of the pigs was a huge financial loss for everyone involved.

Questions for consideration:

Do you have a regular place to sleep at night? What comforts would you be willing to give up to follow Jesus? Please explain.
How does your family influence your faith? Have your family obligations ever prevented you from following Jesus? Please explain.
Do you have concerns about your health or physical safety? How do they affect your ability to follow Jesus? Please explain.
Can you identify some of the temptations that are driving the society in which you live? In your opinion, which of these are demonic? Which of these affect you? Please explain.
What would it cost you, or your empolyer to follow Jesus? Would it cause you economic hardship? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: Prayer –

For Trustfulness in Times of Worry and anxiety

Most loving Father, you will us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on the One who cares for us. Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested unto us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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“Not Afraid” – Jesus Culture

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Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Monday Morning: 09 Sep 2019 – Matthew 8:1-17 ~ Jesus heals our sickness and disease!

Monday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening – A Collect for the Renewal of Life (Monday)

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Morning Reading – Matthew 8:1-17 (NLT)

Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy

Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.”

Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”

The Faith of a Roman Officer

When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman office came and pleaded with him, “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.”

Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”

But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.

Jesus Heals Many People

When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, Peter’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. But when Jesus touched her hand, the fever left her. Then she got up and prepared a meal for him.

That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick. This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said,

“He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.”

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Morning Reflection:

Jesus heals our sickness and disease!

That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus.
He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick.
This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said,
“He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.”
– Matthew 8:16-17 –

A friend of mine recently died of cancer. Both he and his family were believers and they prayed in faith for his healing. So what should we make of his death in light of today’s reading?

+ All healing is subject to the good and perfect will of God. e.g. The man with leprosy – “if you are willing, you can heal me.” –

+ All healing is predicated on belief in Jesus’ authority over sickness and disease. e.g. The Roman officer – “Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed…. Because you believed, it has happened.” –

+ All healing in this life is only a temporary reprieve from sickness and disease. e.g. Peter’s mother-in-law – When Jesus touched her hand, the fever left her. Jesus healed her of her high fever, but she eventually died, as did all the other people who were brought to Jesus that day.

+ All healing in this life is a sign of our complete and total healing in the life to come through faith in Jesus Christ and his sacrificial death on the cross – “He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.” – once and for all time.

So what do I conclude about praying for my friend? Jesus has answered our prayers for healing beyond anything I can imagine – he is perfect and whole, filled with joy, living in the presence of the One true God for ever and ever.

Questions for consideration:

Have you ever prayed for a person to be healed of a sickness or disease? What was the result? Please explain.
Do you believe that God heals people today? Please explain.
Have you prepared for your own life’s end? What do you expect it to be like? Does it fill you with fear or joy? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

for the recovery of a sick person

Almighty and immortal God, giver of life and health: We implore your mercy for our loved ones, that by your blessing upon them and upon those who minister to them with your healing gifts, they may be restored to health of body and mind, according to your gracious will, and may give thanks to you among your holy people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

for joy at the end of life (Miles Coverdale)

Lord Jesus, be mindful of your promise. Think of us, your servants, and when we shall depart, speak to our spirits these loving words: “Today you shall be with me in joy.” O Lord Jesus Christ, remember us, your servants who trust in you, when our tongues cannot speak, when the sight of our eyes fails, and when our ears are stopped. Let our spirits always rejoice in you and be joyful about our salvation, which you, through your death, have purchased for us. Amen.

for help to bear bereavement

Heavenly Father, help us to entrust our loved ones to your care. Though sorrow darkens our lives, help us to look up to you, remembering the cloud of witnesses by which we are surrounded. And grant that we on earth, rejoicing ever in your presence, may share with them the rest and peace which your presence gives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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” Give me Jesus” – Fernando Ortega

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Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Monday Morning: 26 Aug 2019 – Matthew 7:15-29 ~ Jesus’ teaching on Identifying People, Obedience, and Rock Solid Foundations.

Monday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for the Renewal of Life – Monday)

Morning Reading – Matthew 7:15-29 (NLT)

The Sermon on the Mount (Continued)

The Tree and Its Fruit

“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.

True Disciples

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

Building on a Solid Foundation

Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.
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Morning Reflection:

Jesus’ teaching on Rock Solid Foundations

“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,
for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.”
– Matthew 7:28-29 –

Jesus concludes his Sermon on the Mount with an appeal for us to listen and follow his teaching. To do so is to live wisely, building our lives on a rock solid foundation. What are the benefits of obedience?

+ Discernment of Character – People can be identified by their actions, just as trees can be identified their fruit. Our words and works eventually reveal our true character. Of these two criteria, words and works, works are the more reliable indicator of character.

+ Citizenship in Heaven – Proximity to Jesus does not guarantee that we have a ticket to heaven. We gain entrance to heaven by God’s grace through faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Trusting Jesus with our lives, and making God’s will our priority, validates our citizenship.

+ Survival of Troubles – Trials and troubles hit everyone, whether or not we are believers – the issue is survival. Will we survive the storms, or collapse under their onslaught? Wise believers who trust Jesus and put his words into practice will remain rock-solid.

Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount is not simply a recommended way of life – it is far more than that. Jesus’ teaching is a call to an allegiance that means the difference between life and death, between blessing and woe.

Questions for consideration:

If you are a believer, would anyone know it by the way you live your life? Do your actions reliably reflect your beliefs? Please explain.
People can know a lot about Jesus, and still not have a personal relationship with Jesus? Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus? (Click here if you’re not sure.) How do you nurture that relationship? Please explain.
What constitutes the foundation of your life? What is your source of identity and purpose? How do you hold up under pressure? Please explain.
Do you accept Jesus’ teaching as recorded in the Gospels as authoritative? How does that affect your life? What do you do when Jesus’ teaching doesn’t make sense to you, or seems unrealistic? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: For Submission to God’s Will

Lord Jesus Christ, I love you. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, and empower me by your Word and Spirit. Tell me what I should do; give me your orders – that I may submit myself to all that you desire of me, and accept all that you permit to happen to me. Let me only know your will. In your name, and for your sake I pray. Amen.

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“The Solid Rock” – Mennonite Hour Singers

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Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Friday Morning: 23 Aug 2019 – Matthew 6:19-34 ~ Jesus’ teaching on Wealth and Worry.

Friday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (A Collect for Endurance – Friday)

Almighty God, whose beloved Son first suffered pain and crucifixion before entering into glory: Mercifully grant that we, walking in his footsteps, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Matthew 6:19-34 (NLT)

The Sermon on the Mount (Continued)

Teaching about Money and Possessions

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

“Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
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Morning Reflection:

Jesus’ teaching on Wealth and Worry.

“Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously,
and he will give you everything you need.”
– Matthew 6:32b-33 –

How much is enough? When does preoccupation with the accumulation of wealth become a diversion from our single-minded pursuit of the Kingdom of God – from trusting God with our lives?

There is nothing wrong with wealth per se. Wise people work hard and plan for the future; they provide for their families; and they give generously to the needy. Jesus’ concern here is the accumulation of wealth (storing up treasures on earth) as a life goal.

+ Foolish people accumulate material goods that are perishable – vulnerable to wear and tear, theft, and the vagaries of world events and markets.The more they have, the more they want, and the more they worry about losing it. But the heart of their problem is trusting in what they own, instead of God.

+ Wise people accumulate spiritual wealth that is imperishable – doesn’t wear out, no one can take it away, and is based on the economy of heaven. The more they seek God, the more content they are, and the more freedom and joy they experience in life. Their hearts are focused on deepening their relationship with God – putting him first in their lives.

The thing that a person values most highly inevitably occupies the center of his or her heart. The heart is the center of the personality, and it controls the intellect, emotions, and will.

Questions for consideration:

What are some of your worries? What keeps you up at night worrying? Please explain.
Do any of your worries have to do with money? Please explain?
How does materialism influence your life? How does it affect your relationship with God? Please explain.
What would it take for you to be content with what you have, and live worry free? How would trusting God make that possible? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: For Contentment

Heavenly Father: Thank you for never failing or abandoning your children; and thank you for knowing our needs and providing for them abundantly. Thank you for your loving-kindness and generosity.

Help me to grow in the grace of contentment that I may be grateful for what I have and not worry about what I don’t have. May I be quick to acknowledge that everything I have is a gift from you. Free me from bondage to material comforts, that I may respond in faith to your leading, trusting for your gracious provision in all things.

Heavenly Father: Fill me with awe and wonder at the love you have shown me by sending your Son, Jesus Christ, that I might be adopted into your family. And give me his heart, that I might seek your Kingdom first before all else. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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“Seek First” – Fellowship Music