Category - Devotionals

01/06               Matthew 9:14-15

 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?” 15 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.

SOON

Soon Jesus would die on the Cross.  He knew the difficulty ahead for His disciples.  He knew the pain and suffering they would go through as they shared their testimony of Jesus.  Each one of the disciples, except Judas who betrayed Him would suffer the rest of their life as they proclaimed Jesus.  Soon they would suffer but now they would spend time with Him so that Jesus can teach them how to live. 

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01/05               Matthew 9:11-13 

But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum? ” 12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” 13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” 

SIN

Sin separates us from God.  Before the foundation of the World the Father, Son and Holy Spirit had a plan for the redemption of mankind.  You count.  I count.  He offers each one of us the opportunity to believe in Him and accept His free gift of eternal life and relationship.  We now are members of His family.  We belong to Him. 

http://www.rememberme.com

01/04               Matthew 9:10

Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 

VALUE

Jesus place great value on all people.  We are made in the image of God and He loves his creation.  He would that none be lost.  He offers us the free gift of salvation.  People count with Jesus. 

http://www.rememberme.com 

01/03               Matthew 9:9 

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. 

KNEW

He knew those he would call.  He knew what His mission would be and He knew the pain and agony he would have to face for us and yet He willingly followed the Father totally. 

http://rememberme.com

01/02               Matthew 9:4-8 

Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? 6 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!” 7 And the man jumped up and went home! 8 Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for sending a man with such great authority. 

GOD

Only God can heal his creation.  Only God can do those things that Jesus Christ did.  Few believed him before he died on the Cross but today billions follow Him for He is Christ the Lord and He is the One we have come to believe in for our forgiveness of sin and salvation.  Jesus is Lord. 

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01/01/20          Matthew 9:1-3 

Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. 

2 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.” 3 But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?”

YES

Jesus declares He is God.  He heals the sick and raises the dead.  Soon he will die and pay the price for our sin.  Jesus is God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit One.  He said when you have seen me, you have seen the Father.  The Father and I are one.   

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12/31               Luke 2:42-52 

When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. 43 After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, 44 because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. 46 Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 

47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.” 49 “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 

50 But they didn’t understand what he meant.  51 Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.  52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

SON

Jesus is the Son of God.  As a young child he was still the Son of God but being obedient to the Father, he recognized the responsibility his Earthly parents had and lived under their leadership until he began his ministry in the Galilee.  My question that I often ask myself is am I living obediently under the Father’s guidance?  Seek the Lord with all your heart and you will surely find Him.  Jesus loves you.

12/30               Luke 2:39-41 

When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. 40 There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him. 41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. 

PROCESS

Process is critical for our life.  The Father has a process (PLAN) for us that unfolds day by day.  It includes joy and pain, success and failure because that is how we learn.  Your life like mine is difficult and requires dependence upon the Lord.  Spend time with Jesus. 

12/29               Luke 2:36-38 

Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. 37 Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 38 She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem. 

ALL

All of the prophecies of the Old Testament about the Messiah were fulfilled in Jesus.  NOTE to the reader: JESUS IS GOD.  Follow Him. 

12/28               Luke 2:33-35 

Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him.  34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him.  35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” 

YOU

Do you forget what Jesus calls us to do?  I do.  His parents did-they didn’t know him as the Messiah at that time but we do.  Follow Jesus.  Do what He says.  Spend time with Jesus.  Keep the focus of your life on Jesus.