Matthew 24- Alert & Ready

 

We are called to be ready at every moment for Jesus to return.  That means we need to be following Him every second of the day. No lapse in focus, no chasing sin for a second, no selfishness…always pursuing Jesus.  I need help to do that!

Matthew 23- Secret Pride

 

What a horrific passage to read for the 100th time…never seeing myself so clearly described before.  I didn’t see it at the time, but my pride was in full bloom years ago as I had these prideful motivations while in full time ministry.  Lord, help me to serve others well…would all that I do for Your kingdom bring You alone glory!

Matthew 22- All Invited

How awesome to see Gods persistence in bringing people into His feast…all are invited, yet each person gets to choose if they will participate.  Even better Jesus provides us all the proper clothing for the feast, we are to put on Christ and be recognized as His.  Shockingly, some will reject His covering and demand to wear their own efforts…only to be tossed out.

Lord, clothe me in your salvation and help me to depend on You alone for my entrance into Your kingdom.

Matthew 11- Find Rest

 

What a promise! Jesus calls us to go to Him, accept His yoke and learn from Him…our response: rest for our soul.  Not just relaxation, but our entire self- head, heart, bones and body will experience REST… Lord, I need that today!

Strengthen me to: 

 -go to You in prayer.

 -accept Your guidance, direction and presence.

 -learn Your way, see Your fingerprints around me.

Matthew 10- Suffering Sanctification

 

I don’t know why it is comforting to know that the trials we face were expected, but Jesus knew that His disciples would get put in some pretty uncomfortable spots…yet in the midst of all of that, He reminds them (and us) that the Spirit will guide AND the hard moments will be a testimony to the watching world.  Lord, thank You for Your presence and guidance even through trial.

Matthew 9- Perfect Perception

 

It’s incredible that Jesus looks at our actions and perfectly knows what motivates us and drives us.  Hebrews 4 talks about the Word of God doing the same thing.  Lord, help me not to hide these things from myself, because You already know.

Matthew 7- Good Gifts

 

What a great illustration of Gods character.  He compares God to a human father and reminds us that if fathers give good gifts God is able to do way better.  He has none of the weakness or constraints of human fathers, knows perfectly what we actually need and Loves us perfectly!