Friday, October 31, 2014

Matthew 7:1-11

Welcome to Passionate With a Purpose!  It is a pleasure to have you here.  Grab some coffee, a Bible, and a journal, and study The Word with us! : )

***Week 3 Memory Verse***
 
In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
Matthew 6:9-13

 
 
God's Judgment
(vs. 1-5)
This passage of scripture is one of the most misused and misapplied scriptures EVER!  Many times when people want to justify sinful living this is the scripture they throw out at any Christian who dares to call sin, "SIN." 
 
To give you an example, it is daily being used against any Pastor who refuses to comply and perform homosexual marriages because they believe it is a sin.  For that matter, it is used against ANY Christian who opposes pretty much anything the world stands for.  When an issue comes up, I have heard the same scriptures quoted in debates and posted on Facebook.  "Don't you know the Bible says not to judge  (Matt. 7:1) and to love your neighbor?"(Matt.22:39)  Taking God's Word out of context will not make your stance right.  If you are a Born-Again Believer, it is out of love that you might address these things.  It is LOVE that drives evangelists to spread the truth of The Gospel.  It is LOVE that allows us to hold each other accountable for our words and actions.  Only LOVE can present God's statutes and commandments to a lost and dying world and be an effective agent of change.  Anything else is just religious legalism.  
 
I do not believe that the Lord means it is wrong to pass judgment on the actions of others.  As a matter of fact, Jesus said in John 7:24, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge RIGHTEOUS judgment!"  How else would we "prove all things" (1 Thess. 5:12) or "believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God" (1 John 4:1)?  Jesus also did not mean that it is wrong to correct a believer in their sin or in false teachings.  Matthew 18 instructs us to do just that and tells us the exact procedure we are to follow.  James 1:5 tells us, "Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins."
 
The Holman N.T. Commentary writes, It is one thing to exercise judgment, and quite another to have a judgmental attitude. One is an action that might be carried out with right or wrong motives; the other is a negative character quality.
 
I believe this passage means that if we are put in a position to address someone in their sin, or to take a stand against ungodliness, we should have well examined our own heart first.  We must make sure that we do not judge (actions or words) harshly out of anger, hate, or prejudice, but love.  We must keep our hearts in check because God discerns our thoughts and very intent. (Heb. 4:12)  We must remember that how we judge others will be "measured back to" us. (vs. 2) 
 
(vs. 6-11)
It is not a coincidence that at this particular time Jesus points out the importance of prayer.  Without communicating with God and reading His Word we do not know Him or His nature.  It is God's nature to love, to extend forgiveness, to be long-suffering, and to be merciful, as we must also be.  We are reminded of this when we pray and ask for the forgiveness we desperately need.  If we don't talk to Him regularly, we will not know what His will is.  In all that we do we must acknowledge Him first so He will direct our paths! (Prov. 3:5-6)  COMMUNING WITH GOD ON A REGULAR BASIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP OUR HEART IN CHECK! 
 
 
TIME OF REFLECTION:
In your journal, write down at least 3 scriptures that instruct Believers to JUDGE (evaluation of evidence to make a decision) between good and evil.  For example, John 7:24 says, "  Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”  Matthew 7:20 says, "Therefore by their fruits you will know them."  Proverbs 20:11 says, "Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right."  This would require judgment on our part to decide if the fruit, words and actions, are good or evil.
 
Today, as you spend time with the Lord in prayer, ask Him to show you if you have a judgmental attitude.  Pray that the Love of Christ would be the fruit that others see in your life and be evident in every word and action.
 
 
 

 

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Matthew 6:25-34

WELCOME to Passionate With a Purpose!  I am so glad you could join us today.  Grab some coffee, a Bible, and a journal and study The Word with us! : )

**Passionate With A Purpose is 160 views away from reaching 30,000 views!!!!  I am thankful to God for the opportunity to do this, the support that YOU have shown by reading everyday, and for those who have written posts for this blog!  God continues to amaze me!  : )  I am loving MATTHEW: THE KING AND KINGDOM BIBLE STUDY.  Don't forget to take a moment and share the link to the study by Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Email by using the icons at the bottom of the post.  It is not too late to invite friends and family to jump in and study with us!  Thank you again!  There is nothing better than FEASTING ON GOD'S WORD!!!!!!!** 

***Week 3 Memory Verse***
 
In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
Matthew 6:9-13
 
 
 
Here lately it seems I have been the queen of worry.  (Even though I know better) Most of us have heard the saying "When it rains, it pours."  The word in Matthew tells us to not be anxious or worried about anything.  Well, the last two weeks has really tested me.
 
In no particular order, our dryer broke, the four wheeler quit, Jimmy's truck broke down, and the freezer quit on the refrigerator. To say the least my nerves were shot.  All the while my mind kept going back to Philippians 4:19 "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.'  Praise the Lord.  All this worrying was not going to add one single moment to my life.  But then, something incredible happened. 
 
Friday night my husband, with his newly fixed truck backed into another car.  Yes, you read it right, it was incredible because it was actually a miracle taking place. My husband and I have been coming to Freedom Fellowship since day one (September 1995).  For, the first year he came faithfully, and then for the next 18 years he did not, until this last year.  The Lord moved on his heart and he has again been coming faithfully for over a year now. 
 
When he backed into that car Friday night, he didn't get mad, he just sat there.  My daughter looked at her daddy and said, "Daddy, you know why all of this is happening to us right now don't you?" He said "yes, I do."  She continued on to say that the enemy was coming against him really hard right now because he was doing the right thing and going after God!  He told her, "Yeah, baby I know, but I'm not quitting or giving up this time!"  I have witnessed miracles this year, who am I to worry about these little things life throws at us. 
 
So please, do not be anxious about tomorrow, God will take care of it all.  Live one day at a time and sit back and watch the miracles happen.
 

TIME OF REFLECTION:
There are seasons in all of our life where we have been worried or anxious.  In your journal, write down one of these times in your life.  Then, write how the Lord showed Himself faithful either by calming you or the situation.

Do you have a GO TO scripture for times when you feel worried or anxious?  If not, find one and write it in your journal.  TODAY, SHARE YOUR SCRIPTURE WITH SOMEONE WHO MAY NEED IT!




Kristi has been married to her ruggedly handsome redneck, Jimmy, for 22 years.  They have four daughters, 15, 17, 19, and 21.  Their oldest daughter has been married for 3 years, and they have a beautiful 14 month old granddaughter (Baby Kay).  Kristi has served in many ministries at Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas over the years including VBS, Nursery, Children's Church, and the Praise Team.  Kristi has homeschooled all her children and is currently the Beaumont Area Representative for Texas Law Shield.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Matthew 6:16-24

WELCOME to Passionate With a Purpose!  I am so glad you could join us today.  Grab some coffee, a Bible, and a journal and study The Word with us! : )

***Week 3 Memory Verse***
 
In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
Matthew 6:9-13
 
 
 
Fasting: Matthew 6: 16-18
Some things are just better left between you and God.   We read about God’s people fasting before battle (Judges 20:26), in sorrow after death of a loved one (2 Samuel 1:12), when pleading to God for a miracle (2 Samuel 12:16-23), in deep repentance (1 Kings 21:27), or when seeking the Lord’s guidance (2 Chronicles 20:3).  Fasting is a type of cleansing sacrifice us, as mere humans, can offer when we seek to draw close to God.  Jesus warns us to not be drama queens/kings when fasting.  Take it seriously or don’t do it at all.  Once again, Jesus reminds us that everything we do should be to glorify God and not ourselves.
Money and Possessions: Matthew 19-24
In early 2009, we had just welcomed our second child into this world. My husband had an excellent job.  We had a new house with 5 acres, a new truck and car, a boat, and a great bundle of money in the stock market stored up for early retirement.  Man did we feel comfortable. 
Then the economy went berserk and we lost everything.  Absolutely everything except for our car and our personal items. It was one of the biggest obstacles we ever went through since I knew my husband. 
I remember during this crazy time being so thankful that we were all together and that every one of us was healthy.  Our family became stronger and we became closer to the Lord. Those are the things that really matter.  Your relationship with God and your relationships with those around you.  Also, during this time, a song I had heard as a child began to repeat itself in my head, so I wrote it down in the back of my bible:
You alone are mighty,
You alone, Lord, reign on high.
You alone can hear me,
When my broken spirit cries.
You alone can touch me,
You alone deserve my praise.
I will bow down before your thrown and worship today.
As I bow before your thrown, undeserving of your love,
I have no claim to your mercy.
And if I become as Job, stripped of everything I own,
Still I will praise you alone.
 

TIME OF REFLECTION:
Time yourself, you get 30 seconds.
Write an honest list of what is most important to you in order of greatest to least. (at least 5 things)
Take time to reflect on the list you created.  Is there anything which seems out of place?  Should something be more or less important to you?
 
 
 
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  JESSICA HONC  is the wife of 14 years to Will, and homeschooling mother of three children.  She is the Director of Freedom Fellowship Home School Co-op.  Jessica has served in many different capacities at Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas, such as librarian and children's teacher.
 
 
 

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Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Matthew 6:1-15

WELCOME to Passionate With a Purpose!  I am so glad you could join us today.  Grab some coffee, a Bible, and a journal and study The Word with us! : )

***Week 3 Memory Verse***
 
In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
Matthew 6:9-13
 
 
 
Matthew begins chapter 6 with an instruction given by Jesus on how to pray and the motives behind the prayer. By showing us how we to pray, He has also given us a way to enter into relationship to the Father through Him, Jesus.
If you do good deeds to get a pat on the back by your peers then that is your reward, leaving you no reward with the Father.
But by doing what is right in “secret” and humble ourselves before the Lord will not go unnoticed by the father because He sees all things and brings all things to light.

We should not pray in vain repetition but God wants us to pray from our heart. We should never think we are educating him on things that are happening down here. He already knows. But he wants to have a personal, one on one relationship with us.
You don’t have you use words that you have to look up to find its definition. It’s not how elaborate or how extensive your vocabulary is in a prayer. God talk to you in a way you can understand. It’s not a theatrical play for all to see. To pray is going into your secret place, your prayer closet, a place you can get alone with God.
We are to go into our inner room, and pray to our Father who is in secret, and our Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. This is how we build a relationship with the Father.
Jesus then gives us an outline on how to pray.
Our Father
1.       The person – we are to pray specifically to Him. To identify Him you and you to Him.  We come into his presence as a child of his, and not on the basis of our condition that day, but as the position we are in to Him. The word “our” would indicate that I’m not an only child, but an heir with Jesus Christ and His church. Father is a vertical line directly to Him, but adding “our” is a horizontal line and encompasses the church and creates a cross, a crucified life.
Who is in Heaven
2.       The position – You are locating his sovereign judicial authority. Heaven is His throne and the earth is his footstool. It means that He reigns. He is omniscient, He is omnipresent, and He is omnipotent. There is no one or thing higher than He is. Everything is up under his authority and nothing is beyond His authority. His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.
Hallowed be Your name
3.       Praise – His name is so holy that devout Jews would not even say His name in fear of taking it in vain. How holy is just His name alone. A man’s name is embodied by his character. Just His name alone shows me that He is my provider, my banner, my healer, my refuge, and my fortress. The name of the Lord is a strong tower where the righteous run into it and they are safe. Start looking at who God is to you, and speaking it so your own ears can hear it. Faith comes by hearing, hearing by the word of God. So praise his name to access the presence of God.
Your kingdom come
4.       The power – To want His power to come, His authority, His auspicious reign. To pray for divine godly leadership to come down. It is our hedge of protection against of principalities that trespass into our life. It’s the way you want to pray when you want God’s presence to soar into your situation. Pray with a strategy, a war posture, and not out of frustrations and whining.
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven
5.       Purpose - To humble ourselves before the Lord and be obedient and submissive to his will. To be still and know His word is absolute truth. That the plans he has for you, since he created you, is better than any plan you’ve made.
 Give us this day our daily bread
6.       The provision – For whatever is released in heaven to be released on earth. He is the supplier of all of our needs.
The word “give” implies that we know He already has what we need or want. “This day”
And forgive us of our debts as we forgive our debtors
7.       Prerequisites – In proportion to how we forgive, God will forgive us. If we give conditional forgiveness, we cannot expect God to give us Unconditional forgiveness. Conditional forgiveness is when you refuse to give forgiveness because the other party hasn’t met your “conditions”. For example, refusing to forgive because no apology has been given to you. Forgiveness does not mean reconciliation nor does it mean that you are endorsing what happened. Setting conditions to forgiveness means you’ve put the ball in the other party’s court. But unconditional forgiveness means you have placed the ball in God’s hands and you trust Him to take care of the situation instead of handling it yourself. Don’t hold on to unforgiveness like it’s a life boat.  It’s like piling wet sand bags on your back filled with resentment, bitterness, and hate. It is a prideful sin. Let it go, and forgive!
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil
8.       Penitence – A penitent heart. A deep sadness of knowing we’ve done something wrong. We are asking Him not to let us walk into something we cannot handle, and if He sees us walking into something we cannot handle to deliver us from it. If we are being tempted there is a way of an escape so that we are able to bear it.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever, amen.
9.       Credit - But let everything be according to His will. He holds all the power and deserves the credit. We have received His help, leadership, protection, bread, and forgiveness, our cup runs over.
 
TIME OF REFLECTION:
       Start a relationship today with the Father through Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. Get away by yourself and talk to Him. He knows who we are better than we do ourselves, but He also wants us to know Him. Read your bible as often as you can. Ask for understanding of His word and it shall be revealed to you by Him.  

 
  
 
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: ASHLEY WHISNEANT is the wife of 8 years to Josh, and a home schooling mom of 3 children. She and her husband are serving as Associate Pastors of Trinity Church since February 2014 and have an evangelical ministry called Intense Ministries since 2010.








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Monday, October 27, 2014

Matthew 5:38-48

***Week 3 Memory Verse***
 
In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
Matthew 6:9-13

 
 
 
Love Your Enemies!
 
If you have been married very long you know that love is not just a warm feeling or a sentiment.  True love is not something you fall in and out of.  True love strengthens and grows with time.  The more Jesus-centered your heart is the easier love comes.  Love is a declaration in your heart that you will care and be concerned for the good and well-being of another human being regardless of their response.  It is not always easy, but Jesus even wants us to take it a step further.  He doesn't just want us to love those who love us back.  He wants us to love our enemies, those who curse, hate, persecute, and spitefully use us.     
 
In verse 44, the word enemy is translated from the Greek word echthros which means 'adversary or foe whose actions and words manifest hate toward you'.  The co-worker who tried to have you fired.  The sibling who diligently works to keep everyone in your family from associating with you.  The ex-spouse who tries to turn your children against you.  The neighbor who intentionally destroys your property.  The unbeliever who does everything in their power to cause you to stumble and lose your testimony in front of others.  These are who we are called to love, and this love is only made possible through Jesus Christ.
 
Psalms 86:5 NLT says, "O Lord, You are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for ALL who ask for help!"  In our receiving of this wonderful forgiveness, we must also be ever giving of the forgiveness we have received.  We can't just give a little if we are to be like Jesus....we must be "full and abounding in mercy" (Ps.86:5 NKJV)    
 
My Bible's commentary says this, "Just as God indiscriminately sends the rain and sunshine on the just and unjust alike, so Jesus' disciples must be indiscriminate in their extension of love to friend and enemy ALIKE." 
 

TIME OF REFLECTION:
Is it just me or does it seem like Jesus is asking an impossible task of me when He tells me to LOVE those who HATE me?!  Jesus understood the weight of this task better than you or I because he endured hatred and persecution that most of us will never experience.  Take a look in Acts 26 at the life of Saul of Tarsus who is known for persecuting followers of Jesus, has a remarkable experience with the Lord, is converted and becomes a great missionary known as Apostle Paul.  If we were alive in that day Saul would have been considered our enemy and an enemy of Jesus.  Jesus chose to love Saul in spite of the persecution, and because of this, we see an amazing story of victory over the enemy!

In your journal, write down the names of those you would consider your enemy.  Find scripture about love/loving your neighbor under this list.  (Ex. Mark 12:31And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”) Pray the scriptures over these names and ask the Lord to bless them, and to strengthen you for the task of loving them!  Be prepared to see victory!

 


Friday, October 24, 2014

Matthew 5:21-37

 ***Week 2 Memory Verse***
If your right eye causes you to sin,
pluck it out and cast it from you;
for it is more profitable for you that
one of your members perish,
than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
And if your right hand causes you to sin,
cut it off and cast it from you;
for it is more profitable for you that
one of your members perish,
than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 
Matthew 5:29-30
 
 
 
Today, four different areas of sin are referenced.  1) Murder, 2) Adultery, 3) Breaking of the marriage vows, 4) Making Oaths outside of Jesus.  All four can arise in our heart when seeds become planted; all can and will bring spiritual death:
 
When we call out to the Lord for salvation, we ask Him into our heart.   Daily we should ask the Lord to protect our heart; ask Him to protect His investment in us.  Ultimately we want Jesus to fill every crevice of our heart, leaving no space for seeds of evil (sin), to be planted there.
 
Matt 22:37-38, Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and great commandment.”
Deut. 6:5,  Love the lord God with all your heart, all your soul , and all your strength.  
This seems pretty clear to me.  If we are full of the Lord, and we put Him first, there is no room for evil.   Easy to say…. Right?  Temptation is at every corner and our lives are often hectic.
 See Psalm 119:1-3, & 11
These three areas, our heart, our soul, and our mind create a three- fold cord representing your whole person….’Who you are’.  The first and most important of these as listed in the scripture is your heart, the vital key. 
Our spiritual heart can be easily compared to our physical heart.   According to Webster’s Dictionary, our physical heart is a hollow muscular organ that receives and pumps blood.  It is the center, and most inner part of our body, its  vital.  Our spiritual heart, prior to salvation was also hollow, void of life.  Once Jesus came in he filled our heart with new life and we have a responsibility to cultivate that seed of life in our heart.  Remember if we are full of life, there is no room for death.
 
See Col 3: 12-17      ……14But above all these things, put on love, which is the bond of perfection.  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom,…...

 
 
TIME OF REFLECTION:
Phil 4:6-8  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
·         Ask the Lord to search your heart!
·         Identify parts that may not be fully in surrender to Him.
·         Ask Him to purge & heal your heart bringing in life anew.
·         Don’t forget your heart is where life is generated!

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: TERI GORUM is the wife of 25 years to Sheldon, and the mom of 2 daughters in college.  She attends Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, TX and has been attending since 2000.
 


Thursday, October 23, 2014

Matthew 5:13-20

 ***Week 2 Memory Verse***
If your right eye causes you to sin,
pluck it out and cast it from you;
for it is more profitable for you that
one of your members perish,
than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
And if your right hand causes you to sin,
cut it off and cast it from you;
for it is more profitable for you that
one of your members perish,
than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 
Matthew 5:29-30
 
 
 
 
To me these verses are about taking hold of your responsibilities.
People desire salt to turn a bland meal into a tastier one.  A follower of Jesus has a responsibility to be such an example to unbelievers so that their Christian lifestyle causes others around them to desire the flavor of life a Christian leads.
It is a disappointment to see a fellow Christian turn away from God and turn back to drugs, alcohol, lust, greed, etc.  It leaves a bad taste in my mouth, not a flavorful one.  Revelation 3:16 “So then because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”
When I look at my children playing together, their eyes alive with light, I know it is my responsibility to keep that light alive within them.  Very few things in life are as sad as when you see a child who has had their “light” darkened by the world, by things such as abuse, anger, divorce, death, etc.  It is our responsibility to protect our children just as a flame must be protected from the elements around it which seek to put it out.  And it is our responsibility to reach out to children whose flames need to be rekindled.  2 Samuel 22:29 “You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.”
Keeping our lives flavorful and full of light is a responsibility which begins within the walls of our homes.  Daily reading or hearing of God’s Word can rekindle a child’s flame and add flavor to your life.  If you choose to only read or listen to the Word of God on Sunday, you are fighting a losing battle.  How will you defeat that temptation on Monday?  How will you protect the light inside your child if they receive blow after blow Monday-Saturday?
Jesus points out that he did not come to abolish the laws and writings of the prophets, but to fulfill them.  He states that the old laws (such as the 10 Commandments) should still be revered, followed, and taught.  That sounds about right, but then in verse 20 he gives us a warning, “Unless you obey God BETTER (emphasis added) than the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, do, you can’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven at all!”
Wow, sounds kind of impossible right?  Well, that’s because it is. I would bet that those words caused many disciples to have a look of confusion come across their faces, but it was all made clear to them eventually.
WE cannot do anything to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. No amount of time feeding the poor or sacrificing lambs is going to save our souls.  It is still our responsibility to be the salt and the light, leading others to Jesus, but then we must hand it over to the Boss.   
 

 
TIME OF REFLECTION:
One of the biggest hurdles we have to overcome to maintain our saltiness and to keep the light ablaze, is the feeling of needing to be part of this world. John 16:9 “The world’s sin is unbelief in me.”

Once we realize, we are God’s people in a land full of sin and evil, and we decide to step away from those worldly things that are holding us back from a fuller, freer, eternal, life, we can truly begin to do God’s work.  Our goal is not to draw attention to ourselves, but we are responsible for pointing out the goodness of God; everything we do, see, hear, or speak, should be something that glorifies Him.  Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Take time to reflect upon the areas of your life that have been pressing on your heart because you know these areas don’t glorify God.  Write them down on post-its if it helps you to stay away from them, like putting a post it on the T.V. reminding you to read your bible before you watch the news in the morning.
2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
 

 
 
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  JESSICA HONC  is the wife of 14 years to Will, and homeschooling mother of three children.  She is the Director of Freedom Fellowship Home School Co-op.  Jessica has served in many different capacities at Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas, such as librarian and children's teacher.
 
 
 

 
 
 
If you are enjoying Matthew: The King and The Kingdom, please take a minute and share the link to this Bible Study by Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or by email using the icons below and invite your friends and family to study along with us!  Thank you!