Friday, January 30, 2015

Matthew 19:1-15

 
If you have been reading Passionate With a Purpose very long, you know that marriage is one of my favorite topics.  Being married takes plenty of sacrifice.  When you have two sinners, that by the amazing mystery of marriage become one, you are going to have some conflict.  But if Christ is the center, marriage can be a tool that the Holy Spirit uses to grow many fruits of the Spirit in your life like love, joy, patience, kindness, and SELF CONTROL.  Can I get an "AMEN"!?!
 
The beginning of today's passage in Matthew discusses divorce.  I realize that divorce is one of those hot topics even Christians don't want to bring up.  The fact is that Jesus hates divorce.  "What God has joined, let no man put asunder."(Matt.19:6)  Divorce is just ugly.  It is hard on the people going through it and harder on their kids.  But here is another fact I would like to bring up before I leave this subject....God is merciful!   
 
My sister-in-law, Kathleen Justice, spoke at our Ladies Retreat this past weekend and said this, "Make up your mind because your heart can change with emotion.  This applies to your marriage.  This applies to doing right in general!"  So true.  "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"  (Jer.17:9)
 
Sometimes it is good for us to step back and regroup or refocus.  Marriage needs to be our first priority after our personal relationship with the Savior!  We need to make up our mind that God created marriage.  He ordained our marriage and has made us one with our spouse.  No matter what we go through, we will fight for our marriage.  We will fight to live according to the Word of God!
 
Below are a few of my favorite posts about Marriage!
 
 
 
 


Thursday, January 29, 2015

Matt.18:21-35 & Food with Friends!

OH HAPPY DAY!  It is back! Food, friends, and fellowship all at Passionate With a Purpose!  I am So very excited to be including this throughout the remainder of our Bible Study.  Wedded Wednesday and Food with Friends on Thursday have been my favorite things to post since I began blogging over a year ago.  Even though tomorrow is not Wednesday, I will be talking about marriage as we study Matthew 19.  It's a been a great week!  ☺

Everything posted today was done by the fabulous couple, Dale and Naomi Chance!  Dale shared the devotion on Matthew 18:21-35, and Naomi shared the recipes.   

 

Grilled Lime Chicken
 
1 bag frozen chicken breast
1 c. soy sauce
1 tsp. dry mustard powder
2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 c. lime juice
1 tsp. pepper
1/2-1 tsp. cayenne pepper
4 tsp. minced garlic

Mix all ingredients then add to frozen chicken in bag. Allow to thaw and marinate overnight in refrigerator. Drain marinade. Grill and enjoy!!
*You can do this in the morning for supper as well. I just allow it to marinate and thaw on my counter. When thawed I put it in the refrigerator until time to grill.
 
 
Oven Roasted Potatoes
 
1/8 c. oil
1 Tbsp. fresh minced garlic
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. dill weed
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. dried parsley
1/2 tsp. Mrs. Dash original
1/2 tsp. steak seasoning or Tony's
8 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed

Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Mix all seasoning ingredients with oil. Toss in large bowl then arrange in single layer on cookie sheet. Cook for 30-40 minutes turning every 10-12 minutes to brown evenly on all sides.
*Your seasoning mix can be easily changed and made to fit with what you have on your spice rack. This is a very versatile recipe.
 
READ today's passage in MATTHEW 18:21-35!
 
Sometimes, when I read the bible, I forget that the people in it were ordinary men.  I mean, they walked and talked with Jesus! How could they not be wise beyond measure?  Yet, they struggled with the same issues that we struggle with 2000 years later.  Flesh!  Jesus had to constantly remind them to do the things they ought to.  To do good.  To forgive.  No Judging!!
 
In these verses, Peter wants to know how many times he has to forgive a brother that sins against him.  In his flesh, the “lenient” answer was 7 times.  Jesus’ answer?  70 times 7.
 
 
Jesus makes it clear in these passages that if we want to be forgiven our debt, we must forgive our debtors.  Otherwise, our own debt will be called due (Luke 6:57).
 
 
Without Jesus, we are in debt to the wages of sin.  We owe for the choices we have made.  (Romans 6:23).  This is what Jesus is trying to make Peter understand.  If we want to be forgiven of the Father, we must not withhold forgiveness from our enemies (Matt 6:12). 
 
Our repayment is far worse than ten thousand talents, as the servant owed.  Our repayment is DEATH!  Praise God that Jesus was willing to assume our debt.  He is waiting to forgive all that we owe (death) if we will just ask Him.  And once we are forgiven, we are tasked to spread His word.  Forgive others.  Show them the love of Christ (1 John 3:6).  Lead them to Christ (John 12:32). 
 
Share your testimony with others (Rev 12:11), even your debtors, and never forget where you came from………..a hopeless sinner who owed much more than you could ever repay.
 
 
ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Dale and Naomi Chance have been married for 16 years, have 4 children, and 2 beautiful grandsons!  They both serve in the Media Department at Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas.  Naomi also serves as Ladies' Ministries Director.   


Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Matthew 18:15-20

 
This passage is about how to deal with a brother/sister in Christ that is in sin.  It is also a great example of how to handle conflict.  We use this passage as a Conflict Resolution Policy in the Homeschool Co-op that I am apart.  Below are tidbits from that policy!

"Because we are all sinners, misunderstanding and conflicts will occur in our group from time to time.  As we try to do in all things, we have used the scriptures to guide us on this matter and chosen to base our Conflict Resolution Policy off of the example given to us in Matthew 18."
 
"Most disputes or differences can be resolved if we will overlook offense and forgive the person who has offended us.  Very often conflict arises because of simple misunderstandings.  Because of this, we ask that if you have a conflict, you pray about the issue and decide if it is important enough to require confrontation.  If after prayer you feel the offense or circumstance must be addressed, we ask that you seek to resolve the issue between the two individuals involved."
 
"If a resolution cannot be met, then seek the assistance of the Leadership team, starting with the Director, who will decide if more of the leadership needs to be involved.  The Leadership will make the final decision as to what will best resolve the issue."

The problem begins many times in the church because we do not follow these steps.  Many people skip the part of going directly to the other person one-on-one to get things right and just start allowing others into the situation by telling their side.  Let's be peacekeepers!  Let's learn to do things God's way! 

Whether a person is in a sin that needs to be addressed or you have a conflict, there are 3 steps that were outlined in the Word for us.  Go directly to them.  If they don't hear, bring a two or three witnesses.  If they still won't listen or the conflict isn't resolved, go to the Leadership in the church. 



Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Matthew 18:1-14


 

Chapter 18 begins with the disciples asking Jesus a question. “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus then tell them that anyone who humbles themselves like a child, they would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. What is it to be humble? To not be proud or boastful and recognizing that without Jesus, you wouldn’t have anything. To give Him all the glory and praise. But then Jesus goes on to tell the disciples why it is important to not lead one of these little one to stumble or lead them to temptation.  

Kids are quick to forgive and make up. They love with all that they have and trust easily. We should be this way too in our walk with Jesus. What is it to be “Christ-like”? To love each and every one of them unconditionally. To lead them by example and not have a motto that is “Do as I say, and not as I do.” That would be contradictory and lead the children astray. What God says, He does. We are to do this too.

Not just with the kids, but with those who have just given their heart to Jesus. We are to love them with open arms. We have not been commanded to condemn them for their past before they accepted Jesus. We have been commanded to love them like we love ourselves. The first step is to admit you’re a sinner in need of a savior. God loves you so much that all of heaven rejoices when you say yes to Him. It is not the will of the Father for you to perish but to have live eternally with 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.

Monday, January 26, 2015

Matthew 17:9-27

 
 
I had such an incredible time this weekend at the annual Freedom Fellowship Ladies Retreat!  The Presence of the Lord was so strong, the Word of God taught by Kathleen Justice was so anointed and timely, and the fellowship is just unbeatable!  All of that to say, I am still a little tired and was having a hard time keeping my thoughts in place while teaching my lesson for today's post! LOL!  Despite that, the Holy Spirit really showed me some things about coming down from mountaintop experiences.  What we might face and how we can handle it!  I hope you enjoy the video and join us the rest of the week!  We have some fantastic guest bloggers who are going to teach us in the Word of God!  Love you guys! ☺
 
 
 
 If you are having trouble viewing the video, you can go to http://youtu.be/Ex0f4DTrUio
 
 
 


Friday, January 23, 2015

MATTHEW 17:1-13 (Mt. of Transfiguration)

 
Can you imagine being in the mountain alone with Jesus? Just you, a few disciples, and the Son of God who soon will take away the sins of the world. What a wonderful moment they experienced as Jesus was transfigured before them and the heavens were opened revealing the prophets of old. Then they hear from heaven, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him.” It was at this point they fell on their faces and were filled with awe. This was almost too much to handle. Many times Jesus ascended into a mountain. It was His common practice to do so and pray, or teach His disciples. Moses also had ascended a mountain. The ten commandments were given upon Mt. Sinai. The Lord called Moses to come up and he was there with the Lord for 40 days. Moses left the people behind as the Lord called him up. He went up to the presence and place where the Lord was.
 
            In Psalms 24:3 this question is presented; “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place?” In other words, who will be ushered in to the glory and presence of God? The next verse answers; “He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” As the people of God we are called out to be separate. Our Father is in the mountain calling out to us to come up higher; to come out from the filth and sins of this world; to come up to the place where He dwells. It is time for the church to separate ourselves from the iniquity we are surrounded by and become like our Savior. Where is the generation that will ascend the hill of the Lord into His presence? This hill is a hill of repentance and holiness. Righteousness is what Christ did for us on the cross and holiness is what we give back to Him. Jesus is soon to return for a pure, spotless bride not having spot or wrinkle. We are exhorted many times in the word of God to live holy. 2 Corinthians 7:1 “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Hebrews 12:14 “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” Where is the generation that will obey that call in these last days?
 
            Jesus told the woman at the well, “The hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and truth.” It is not a requirement for you to find a mountain to be alone with God. The only mountains around here are overpasses! You must simply be humble. Only the humble climb this mountain.
 
            In these last days the church will once again become a force to be reckoned with (Acts 17:6). I sense a shift in the body of Christ in which the army of the Lord is soon to arise and a mighty army it will be indeed! This army will usher in the second coming of Christ with great power, signs, wonders, and glory. There is a people content with religion and the status quo, but move over because there is a generation coming that will not be satisfied or quenched by anything but the glory of the Lord; a people whom have climbed the mountain unto the holy place. As Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal, and fire fell from heaven, may the church arise and make the praise of our God glorious and reveal His power so that the world will say as the Israelites in Elijah’s day, “The Lord He is God! The Lord He is God!”
 
 
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  BUDDY BUCKNER serves as Young Adult Director, leads the New Members Training, and serves on the praise team at Freedom Fellowship.  He and his wife, Kayla, have been married for 8 years and have 3 beautiful children; Emily, J.B., and Nathan.
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Thursday, January 22, 2015

Matthew 16:21-28

 
 
Jesus is trying to prepare his disciples for what must come, his death and resurrection.  He tells them that, "he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and be raised again the third day." v. 21
Peter had just declared, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God."  But he didn't know what he was saying when he made the declaration.  He was expecting Jesus to lead a rebellion to overthrow Roman rule and for Jesus to be crowned king on the throne of David in Jerusalem.  He could not see the victory in his leader going to Jerusalem to be crucified, therefore Peter rebuked Jesus!  He said, “Far be it from You, Lord;  this shall not happen to You!”  Jesus recognized that Peter was being used by Satan to tempt him.  He turned to Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”  Peter could not comprehend spiritual things because he was not yet filled with the Holy Spirit.  He saw Jesus as an earthly leader.
Jesus continued to try to prepare his men for what was coming. He began to teach self denial,  "24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me'." We all have a cross to bear.  It is self denial.  That would seem to be a very heavy cross and for some it is very difficult but Jesus said, "My cross is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:30.  This is the key to happiness; to deny yourself and give yourself first of all to the Lord then to others.  It is the way to follow him.
Jesus says if we try to save our life we will lose it, but if we lose our life for his sake we will find it.  Our whole life must be a sacrifice to the Lord.  Everything we do needs to be for him not for ourselves.
The whole earth is after fortune and fame but Jesus said where is the profit to gain the whole world if you lose your soul.  There is none!  No earthly gain is worth a precious soul!  "What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
We will be judged by if we do indeed take up the cross and follow him.  Verse 27 speaks of  his second coming when the judgment will come, Jesus said, "Then he shall reward every man according to his works."
28 “Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”  Some believe this is speaking of the transfiguration which is spoken of in the next chapter.  Others believe it is speaking of the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit filled the believers and the church of Jesus Christ was born.

Jesus has given us everything we need in his Word so that we will know how to follow him, honor him and have the best life possible.  We have to realize that things are not always as they appear.  Peter could not comprehend that there would be victory in his master dying on a cross.  And deny yourself? Where is the victory in that?  The ways of Jesus are contradictory to the ways of the world.  Lose your life to gain it?  And if you gain your life you will lose it?  He also said, "But many who are first will be last, and the last first."  Matthew 19:30

Just as Peter without the Holy Spirit was not able to comprehend what Jesus was teaching neither can we.  We must pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit and for understanding in God's Word. 
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
 
 
 
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  JULIA KILPATRICK is the wife of 45 years to Bro. Shannon Kilpatrick,  mother of 7 adult children, and Mawmaw (grandmother) of 23 grandchildren.      
Bro. Shannon and Mrs. Julia have been pastoring Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas since September of 1995. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Matthew 16:13-20


Upon This Rock!
 
Matthew 16:
13  When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"
14  So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
15  He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16  Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17  Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18  And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
19  And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
20  Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ. Jesus got very excited when He heard these words come out of Peter's mouth as to who He was.

Matthew 16:
16  Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Jesus knew immediately (by Peter's response) that the Spirit of wisdom and revelation had entered into this disciple's life. He knew that what Peter was now seeing was beyond what flesh and blood, or anything natural, could ever reveal to a man. Matthew 16:
17  Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

But, there were many times when the disciples didn't get it, and Jesus would have come again to them to explain what was happening, or who He truly was. Here is just one of those many times... John 14:
6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
8  Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9  Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

...But this time, hallelujah, Peter got it!!!

Jesus then continues speaking, and says to Peter, Matthew 16:
18  And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
19  And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

The Rock that Jesus is building His Church on is "the true revelation of who He is." Once we get this revelation, by the Spirit of the Living God, of who Jesus truly is, everything changes. Jesus will give Keys of His Kingdom to those who know by Divine revelation who He is.

These Keys of the Kingdom will then begin to unlock the "hidden things of God" and the believer can begin to rule and reign with true authority. God's Kingdom is invisible to our natural eyes. But, is made clearly visible to us by the Spirit we have been given. Ephesians 1:
17  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
18  the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
19  and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power...

The greatest Key of God's Kingdom is "revelation" and this is what happened to Peter concerning who Jesus was. Revelation is the Rock by which our Lord will build His Church and the very gates of hell will not be able to prevail against it. When all doubt is gone, and we see by Divine Revelation, Jesus for who He truly is, the enemy fears and trembles. His power is broken. He flees!

May our prayers continue to be;
Thy Kingdom come, they will be done, on earth as it is in heaven...




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  SIS. LINDA GILMORE is the wife of 39 years to Pastor Fran.  They have been pastoring Abiding Word Church in Chaplin, Connecticut for 35 years! Linda has 2 adult children, Lukas and Naomi, and one beautiful granddaughter, Ruby.  Please visit their church website, abidingwordct.com, to read more about their wonderful ministry! 




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Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Matthew 16:1-12

 
By now we have seen Jesus do some pretty miraculous things. He has healed a man with leprosy, healed a paralyzed man, healed fevers, healed the demon possessed, calmed a storm, brought the dead to life, healed the blind and mute, fed five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish, fed another four thousand people with seven loaves of bread and a few small fish, we have also seen Him walk on water and this is just to name a few.
 
    In chapter 16 we see that the Pharisees and the Sadducees ask Jesus to show them a sign from heaven.  They demanded a sign that he was the Messiah. 
 
    As I sit here and read these words, I can't help but wonder do we ever do that?  Do we ever pray for the Lord to show us a sign.  Lord write it in the clouds or something show me a sign.  Can anyone relate?  I know that I can and have in my life probably more then once. When all the while He has already shown Himself to us.  Maybe He has freed you from addiction, saved you from an abusive relationship, maybe he has healed you from a physical disease, maybe he has set you free from something that has had you held captive for years or even your whole life, or just maybe, He has filled you with peace, love and joy - something that this world can not give you.  I want you to not forget about all those signs or evidence of Jesus in your life, because as you read on Jesus told them "none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." (I recommend you read the book of Jonah it's a short one but good one. :)
 
     Then in verse 5 it says they went across the lake and the disciples forgot to take bread.  Jesus said to them "Be careful," "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."  Now here are the definitions of the two.  Pharisee- a member of an ancient Jewish group that observed both the written and the oral law.  Sadducee- a member of an ancient Jewish party that accepted only the written law.  Here is the definition of leaven (KJV) or yeast- 1. to make (dough) rise 2. to spread through, causing gradual change.  I would say after reading the end of verse 12, Jesus was talking about the second half of that definition, but lets not jump ahead.  It says in verse 7 that they discussed this among themselves and said, "It is because we didn't bring any bread."
 
    I guess they forgot about Jesus feeding over nine thousand people with just twelve loaves of bread and a little more then a couple of fish?  That's exactly what He said in verse 8 "You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?  Don't you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?  Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?  How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about the bread?  But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."  Verse 12 says then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.  Don't forget leaven or yeast means to spread through/causing gradual change.
 
    So in closing today, I would like you to please write out what things in this world are bad yeast to you?  What are you letting spread through you and gradually change you?  Let us use this chapter and these verses to wake us up.  Lets also not forget to write down the miraculous things the Lord has done for us. :)
 
 
 
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  MELISSA POWELL is the wife of 7 years to James, and step mother to two children.  She works full-time and serves as Co-Director of Children's Church at Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Monday, January 19, 2015

Matthew 15:29-39

Sorry guys!  I really wanted to get a VLOG done this week, but I just couldn't fit it in.  I am so disappointed because some of my favorite girls told me they watch the videos for Bible during school and that they loved them.  I will definitely have one for next week!  ☺

 
So let's create the setting here for our passage.  In the last few days, we have just witnessed some incredible things including the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus walking on water, Jesus teaching what comes out of the mouth defiles a man (You know that didn't go over well with the Pharisees), and Jesus healing a Gentile woman's demon possessed daughter.
 
So where were they?
 
 
On the map, you can find Tyre in the upper left corner on the border.  This is where the healing of the Gentile's daughter took place.  Now, when Jesus left there he headed to the Decapolis, which is the huge area you find on the right side (east of the Jordan.)  Mark 7:31 says, "Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee."  Matthew 15:29 says, "Jesus departed from there, skirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there." 
 
I said this in my VLOG last week.  Every passage of scripture could really come alive to us if we know the details of the event.  It becomes more than a story, but events in history that have come to shape our destiny! 
 
The Decapolis was primarily populated by Gentiles in the time of Jesus' life and was largely pagan in religion.  WE NEED TO GET THIS TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE PASSAGE!!!!  This location and people were unique to Jesus' ministry.  It was an exception to his general focus because the ministry to Gentiles had not yet begun.  In this passage, Jesus heals them and has COMPASSION on them when they are tired and hungry! 
 
There are two main things I want to point out about the story of the feeding of 4,000.  Jesus' ministry was not cookie cutter and will not fit into a religious box. He loved everyone....can I get an AMEN!  He did not let men tell Him what He could do or whom He was allowed to minister to.  He did not let race, religion, or any other thing stop him from finding and reaching out to the those who needed him.  WE BETTER TAKE NOTE!  Mark 2:17 tells us, "On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

The second is this, Jesus' disciples had just seen him feed 5,000, heal people, cast out demons, and walk on water.....with their own eyes........AND STILL, they doubted that He could do all things.  Jesus fed 5,000 people but here they were worried about feeding even less.  Matthew 15:33 says, "Then His disciples said to Him, “Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?” We can see amazing things in the Kingdom of God and still doubt.  We must be on guard and pray against it.  Doubt and unbelief can hinder what the Holy Spirit wants to do in our lives and through our lives!
 
In case you're curious, the last verse of the passage says that Jesus sent the multitude away, got in a boat, and went to Magdala.  You will find this city on the west side of the Sea of Galilee, close to Capernaum!
 
 


Friday, January 16, 2015

Matthew 15:21-28

GET EXCITED!  It is my privilege once again to have a younger writer lead us in Bible study at PWAP!  I am always thankful to hear the gospel from the mouths of children because it reminds me that I should become more like them!
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: JANE CHANCE is the 11 year old daughter of Dale and Naomi Chance.  Jane is a homeschooler who plays the piano, bakes, has a sweet, gentle, and giving nature, and happens to be my daughter's, Kera, best friend!  She attends Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, TX with her family and is very active the children's programs and the Freedom Fellowship Homeschool Co-op!   
 
 
The Canaanite woman had 3 assets we can learn from: faith, trust and hope.

FAITH

The dictionary says faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or something. The Bible says “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

I feel like this is a perfect definition of faith. We do not see God or the Holy Spirit but we feel him and know him by his works. But do we have complete trust in God?

TRUST

The dictionary says trust is confident expectation of something. Proverbs 3:5 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” We should trust in the Lord with all our hearts and have complete faith in him. These are two things the Canaanite woman had. She had faith to take whatever the Lord offered her and trusted it would be enough.

The next, and final, thing she showed was hope.

HOPE

It is defined as a person or thing in which expectations are centered. Psalm 147:11 says, “The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” Her hope was that Jesus could heal her daughter. He was her only hope.

I wanted to give you a link to a letter. It is from an American Pastor to his daughter for her birthday. Pastor Saeed Abedini is in prison in Iran for sharing God’s Word. It’s beautiful and shows great faith, trust and hope in Jesus just like the Canaanite woman.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Matthew 15:1-20

 
The job of the Pharisees was to preserve and demonstrate God’s laws. In doing this, though, they built their own traditions that sometimes would supersede scripture. The Pharisees time and time again tried to corner Jesus with these traditions. They were trying to discount His ministry and the truth of it. Their plots were always to no avail.

Hypocrite was a Greek term used in theater. It meant for someone to act the part of another or to wear a mask. The Pharisees were hiding behind the mask of religion. Jesus pointed this out when he referred to what Isaiah prophesied:

“These people draw near to me with their mouth, And honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And in vain they do worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:8-9

           My daughters have heard me say a million times, “Pretty is as pretty does.” There is so much truth in that. I know we’ve all met someone who at first glance seems attractive…AND THEN THEY OPEN THEIR MOUTH; the defilement from within just overflows. We somehow can’t seem to get away from them fast enough. The first glance of Jesus isn’t at our outward beauty; It’s not at our job title. His first glance isn’t at our bank account or how big our house is. His first glance is at our heart.

 
 

Time of Reflection:
In this passage Jesus says a common phrase used today “the blind leading the blind”
Just for fun I have a few other common phrases that you might not know derive from the Bible:
 
>He who lives by the sword dies by the sword.  ~Matthew 26:52

>Apple of my eye.  ~Psalm 17:8

>By the skin of my teeth.  ~Job 19:20

>Nothing new under the sun.  ~Ecclesiastes 1:9

>A drop in the bucket.  ~Isaiah 40:15
 
 
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: NAOMI CHANCE is the wife of 16 years to Dale, and homeschooling mom to three children.  She serves as Ladies' Ministries Director and in the Media Department at Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas, where her whole family is very active!


Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Matthew 14:22-36

 
Jesus constrained His disciples to get into the ship and to go to the other side.  The ship could represent the church, and going to the other side could represent the mission, or purpose of the church.  The church certainly has a purpose here on the earth.  It is to be more than merely a nice group of people that gets together on Sunday morning and has different programs through the week.  The church has a mandate, and that is to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom and to manifest the fullness of the Kingdom of God here on earth.  Her purpose goes far beyond that of only leading people to salvation so they too can go to heaven when they die.  That certainly is a big part of the Gospel of the Kingdom, but if that is all that the church focuses on, then she is very shortsighted and limited in fulfilling the purpose she is here for.  What the manifestation of the Kingdom of God would look like is another blog for another time.  For now, we need to see that all true believers are in this one ship (the church) with a purpose and moving in a specific direction.  Ephesians 3:10 comes to min.  Here it is in the AMP. Bible: (The purpose is) that through the church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere.
 
We next read that the ship (which is full of disciples) gets out into the middle of the sea and there is a storm and she is being tossed about with the winds being contrary to the direction the ship was going.  The sea and the many waters often are representative of the nations of the world.  (Rev. 13:1, 17:15, Psa. 107:23).  So, we could say that the church is thrust out into the middle of all nations of the earth.  Then storms arise against the church and the winds blow contrary, or against her.  We have seen this happen throughout the history of the church and we can even see it happening in our present time as well.  Jesus told us not to be surprised, if the world hated Him, it would hate us also. (John 15:18-19)
 
Then the disciples see Jesus walking to them on top of the water!  Why did He do this?  Was it merely to "wow" His disciples?  Or was there a message in this for them?  Was there something the Lord wanted to teach them?  I don't believe Jesus did things such as this for the purpose of showing off, or just to do something "cool".  He was demonstrating something to them about Kingdom living and what to do when the storms are raging and the wind is blowing against us.  I believe Peter perceived what was going on because he called out to the Lord and asked if He could come to Him on the water.  I like the Lord's answer to Him, "Come".
 
Peter gets out on top of the water and walks toward Jesus.  Although we see that Peter was not able to continue, I do believe the lesson for those disciples, and for us, is that through the power of the Holy Spirit, we too can walk with the Lord in a place and a fashion that will have us walking on top of life's storms.  This does not mean that storms will not come against us, and the church as a whole from time to time, but that through faith and by keeping our eyes on Christ Jesus, we can walk in victory through those storms.  We don't have to always be sinking and be overwhelmed by what comes against us.  There is that secret place of the Lord's presence where we can walk daily with Him and experience the fullness of a life of victory and triumph, even in the midst of the storms.  This is part of what it means to manifest the Kingdom of God and Kingdom living here on this earth, walking on water with Jesus!
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  BRO. FRAN GILMORE has been pastoring Abiding Word Church in Chaplin, Connecticut for 35 years! His precious wife, Sister Linda, has served alongside him in ministry.  They have been married for 39 years.  They have 2 adult children, Lukas and Naomi, and one beautiful granddaughter, Ruby.  Please visit their church website, abidingwordct.com, to read more about their wonderful ministry!   

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Matthew 14:13-21

 
This one might be a little different.  I am honestly not someone will wow with great words or astonish with an awesome sermon.  I know what the Bible means to me and who Jesus is to me.  This scripture in Matthew is, to me one of the more intriguing parts of the New Testament.  It’s a very direct teaching, to me, of God’s timing, compassion, and provision.
Jesus had become pretty popular by this time.  He knew of Herod’s intentions and sought to leave.  Not because he was afraid or because he was trying to escape the wrath of Herod, but he knew it wasn’t time yet.  He understood the Fathers plan and timing.  The people sought him out when they heard he was leaving.  He could get away from Herod, but the attention of the multitudes was another story! 
I can’t say I know, but only can imagine how Jesus felt when he saw all of these people coming after him.  He DID have compassion on them, as he went right away to healing their sick. He was looking for solitude, and there were people there who were seeking of what he could give them.   What stands out to me is the fact that even though Jesus knows Herod’s intentions, He did his work.  He stayed the course.  He healed, he ministered, he was Jesus to those who needed him. 
His provision as we all know came from the feeding of the multitudes with the five loaves of bread and two fish.  How great of a miracle this was!  His disciples wanted to turn the people away so they could go and get something to eat.  Jesus instead challenged them to feed them.  Like we do in life so many times, the disciples look at what they had right in front of them, or as we do, our circumstances right in front of us and said, it’s impossible.  Jesus is in the business of taking our circumstances and using them for the good.  We have to let him take our bread and fish and multiply it!  He so often uses what we have, I liken it to clay, and molds it into a great and wonderful blessing! When Jesus prayed over what they had so little of, He didn’t ask the Father to multiply it to a great number, to make it expand so that it would be enough, he simply gave thanks for what God had given them, and KNEW the Father would provide.  There was even enough to take up after the feeding was through.  To me, the symbolism here is not that Jesus will only give us the exact amount we need, but so often, if we take the time to see it, he gives us way more than we even expected.  He blesses us beyond belief.  Let’s not waste anything Jesus blesses us with.


Time of reflection:
If I can ask you to take anything from this scripture, it’s to understand those three points, His timing, compassion and provision.
 Gods timing is not ours.  Ask yourself, am I waiting on God, or am I trying to make things happen in my own time and way.  Isaiah 40:31, Psalms 27:13-14, Proverbs 3:5-6
God loves us.  Even when Jesus was seeking to be alone, he took the time to heal the people, to have communion with them, and to fellowship with them.  He has compassion on you and seeks to ease your pain and help your burden.  Mark 6:34, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 2 Peter 3:9
God will provide.  Like Pastor Shannon told us just this past Sunday, He might not give you a new Cadillac or  new Jet, but He WILL give you what you need! 2 Cor. 9:8, Psalm 37,25-26, John 3:16.
 
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  MITCHELL SANCHEZ is the husband of 5 years to Tonya, and Dad to 2.  He works in the I.T. Department at Education First F.C.U.  Mitchell attends Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas ,where he plays the drums on the Praise Team and serves as Director of the Media Department.