Category - Devotionals

02/19               Matthew 12:33-37

33 “A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. 34 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.” 

WHAT?

What are you saying about the Lord as you live your life each day?  Our words are remembered, and our actions are remembered even more.  Be careful how you live.  Be careful what you do.  We are action creatures.  We are accountable for our words and deeds. 

02/18               Matthew 12:30-32

30“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.  31 “So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come. 

CAREFUL

Careful what you say.  Too often the crowd curses the Lord and people get caught up in it and then they curse the Lord.  Careful how you live and what you say.  The Lord is with you. 

02/17               Matthew 12:26-29

26 And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive. 27 And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. 

28 But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.  29 For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house. 

POWER

WE Live by the Power of God.  He is able to bring us into His family and take care of us forever.  We are blessed by the glorious strength of our loving Father who will always take care of us.  One day we will stand before Him and see Him face to face.  Praise the Lord. 

02/16               Matthew 12:22-25

22 Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see. 23 The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.”  25 Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 

GOD

Jesus said He was the Son of God and that He and the Father were One.  You and I believe by faith that Jesus is Lord and that He has paid the price for our sin, forgives us of our sin and sinfulness and brings us into the Family of God.  He is Lord and praise God that we believe in Him. 

02/15               Matthew 12:15-21

15 But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, 16 but he warned them not to reveal who he was. 17This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him: 18 “Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. 19 He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public. 20 He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious. 21 And his name will be the hope of all the world.” 

OBEDIENT

Jesus was obedient to the Father even unto death.  He paid the price of our sin willingly.  He is victorious over death and the grave and He is alive today at the right hand of the Father interceding for us as we seek to follow Him.  Jesus is Lord. 

02/14               Matthew 12:9-14

9 Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, 10 where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.) 11 And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. 12 And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.” 

13 Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one!  14 Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus. 

MIRACLE

A miracle is welcome 24/7.  Jesus said people count with God.  He is available whenever we need help and is always there to listen and talk with us.  He is Lord over everything including us. 

02/13               Matthew 12:7-8

7 But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’  8 For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” 

LORD

Jesus is Lord.  He, Father and Holy Spirit are One.  Jesus is the only way to the Father.  He is the Creator, and He is deeply involved in each one of our lives.  He calls us to forgive as we have been forgiven.  Show mercy as the Father shows mercy towards us. 

02/12               Matthew 12:5-06 

And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath?  6 I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! 

DO

Do what the Lord tells you to do.  Obey Him.  This is more important than sacrifice.  Obedience is our call.  Love the Lord with all of your heart and your mind and your actions.  Jesus is Lord. 

02/11               Matthew 12:1

1 At about that time Jesus was walking through some grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. 2 But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.”  3 Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry?  4 He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat.

LOVED

THE Lord Jesus loved YOU before you were created.  His love extends to everything about you.  When you trust in Jesus and believe in Him you are in His family and beloved of God forever.  The Law was not made to persecute us but instead it was made to guide us.  Jesus is Lord and He is our life and light.  Follow Him and He will guide you in the way you should go.  If you are starving, you eat what you have. 

02/10               Matthew 11:28 

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

TRUST

Trust in Jesus, believe in Him and He will change your life.  He will protect you, lead you, give you wisdom, walk with you and if you will listen speak to you.  Follow Jesus because He is Lord.