# 236 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:19,20. “ When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.”
With Simon Peter and Andrew in tow, Jesus walks a little farther and finds James and John mending nets. ( I wonder if He said something like, “Follow Me and I will make you menders of men?) Well, that’s a nice thought but not something we can prove.
What we can ascertain from this passage is that James and John were leaving a fishing operation that was larger than the one that Peter and Andrew left. Zebedee had hired hands, Jonas didn’t. These young men were leaving a profitable family business behind for the sake of the call, yet they never gave it a second thought as they immediately left to follow Jesus.
The call of Jesus, requires leaving some things behind, but as Paul said after he had responded to the call that Jesus put on his life, all those things he left behind were pure rubbish compared to following Christ. (Philippians 3:8)
Jesus may pop into your life today and call on you to fish for a soul or perhaps speak a mending word or do a kindly deed. What will you put aside to respond to His call?
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Undelayed Obedience
# 235 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:17,18 “Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." They immediately left their nets and followed Him.”
Peter and Andrew already believed that Jesus was the Messiah. Now, they were busy at their occupation when Jesus stops by and places a new call on their lives. He commands them to “follow Him.” They are to come alongside Him and follow after Him, listening to His words and observing His actions in order to learn a new trade. Just as they were probably taught the trade of fishermen by coming alongside their father in the boat, and listening to him, and observing his actions, and eventually being given more and more responsibility on their own, so it will be as Jesus makes them over into men who win souls for His kingdom.
It is important to note that this was not an invitation, it was a command, and Peter and Andrew did what all true believers should do when presented with a command from the Christ, the Son of the Living God.....they obeyed it immediately. The immediacy of our obedience to, and trust in the Word of God, speaks mounds about what we really believe about the Christ.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Peter and Andrew already believed that Jesus was the Messiah. Now, they were busy at their occupation when Jesus stops by and places a new call on their lives. He commands them to “follow Him.” They are to come alongside Him and follow after Him, listening to His words and observing His actions in order to learn a new trade. Just as they were probably taught the trade of fishermen by coming alongside their father in the boat, and listening to him, and observing his actions, and eventually being given more and more responsibility on their own, so it will be as Jesus makes them over into men who win souls for His kingdom.
It is important to note that this was not an invitation, it was a command, and Peter and Andrew did what all true believers should do when presented with a command from the Christ, the Son of the Living God.....they obeyed it immediately. The immediacy of our obedience to, and trust in the Word of God, speaks mounds about what we really believe about the Christ.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Bloom Where You Are Planted
# 234 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:16,17 “And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."
This was not the first meeting of Jesus with Simon and Andrew. In the Gospel of John we read that shortly after Jesus was baptized Andrew had a personal encounter with Jesus by which he was convinced that Jesus was the Messiah. He was so excited by this news that he immediately sought out his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus. Jesus immediately gave Simon the name of Peter.
Having found the Messiah, the two went back to their homes and resumed their occupations of fishermen. Good advice for all of us as the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 7:20, “Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called.”
Jesus knew where to find them and He knew when the time was right to put His call on their lives. He knows where to find you too and if He desires to place another call on your life, He will do it. In the meantime seek to grow and serve right where you are.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
This was not the first meeting of Jesus with Simon and Andrew. In the Gospel of John we read that shortly after Jesus was baptized Andrew had a personal encounter with Jesus by which he was convinced that Jesus was the Messiah. He was so excited by this news that he immediately sought out his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus. Jesus immediately gave Simon the name of Peter.
Having found the Messiah, the two went back to their homes and resumed their occupations of fishermen. Good advice for all of us as the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 7:20, “Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called.”
Jesus knew where to find them and He knew when the time was right to put His call on their lives. He knows where to find you too and if He desires to place another call on your life, He will do it. In the meantime seek to grow and serve right where you are.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Friday, September 24, 2010
What Does It Mean To Believe?
# 233 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:15 "Repent, and believe in the gospel."
Strong words from Jesus. This is not the sugar-coated invitation to have a “personal relationship” with Jesus that we have become accustomed to hearing. When Jesus preached, He called for repentance and belief in the gospel!
What does it mean to “believe the gospel?” First of all, to believe, is to acknowledge the gospel as truth. It involves a personal Holy Spirit conviction that Jesus died for those sins that you are sincerely repenting of, and God is no longer counting them against you..
Secondly, it involves an attachment. You believe the gospel when you willingly give yourself up for attachment or communion (common union) with God through Jesus. You surrender all your claim for self-government and yield to the government of the Holy Spirit.
And finally, to believe is to have confidence. Belief involves certainty and trust. It is a complete reliance in the saving power of the Good News that is embodied in the Word of God and the finished work of Jesus on the cross.
The question for each of us is not, “Do I have a personal relationship with Jesus?” But rather, have I repented and believed the gospel? The personal relationship will automatically follow based on the certainty of God's Word.
My salvation is contingent on my response to what He preached! And He preached repentance and belief! Joh 12:48 says, "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Strong words from Jesus. This is not the sugar-coated invitation to have a “personal relationship” with Jesus that we have become accustomed to hearing. When Jesus preached, He called for repentance and belief in the gospel!
What does it mean to “believe the gospel?” First of all, to believe, is to acknowledge the gospel as truth. It involves a personal Holy Spirit conviction that Jesus died for those sins that you are sincerely repenting of, and God is no longer counting them against you..
Secondly, it involves an attachment. You believe the gospel when you willingly give yourself up for attachment or communion (common union) with God through Jesus. You surrender all your claim for self-government and yield to the government of the Holy Spirit.
And finally, to believe is to have confidence. Belief involves certainty and trust. It is a complete reliance in the saving power of the Good News that is embodied in the Word of God and the finished work of Jesus on the cross.
The question for each of us is not, “Do I have a personal relationship with Jesus?” But rather, have I repented and believed the gospel? The personal relationship will automatically follow based on the certainty of God's Word.
My salvation is contingent on my response to what He preached! And He preached repentance and belief! Joh 12:48 says, "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
The True Sinners Prayer: Repent and Believe!
# 232 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:15 “and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
"The message of Jesus was not, “ask Me into your heart and you will be saved.” He said, “repent and believe the gospel!” Repentance and belief are so much stronger than getting someone to say the sinners prayer. Repentance involves personal sorrow over sin. And belief involves complete trust that God has done something for you to take care of your sorrowful sin problem.
Many times people will have sorrow over getting caught in their sin, but that is not true repentance. True repentance is sorrow over the fact that you have grieved and disappointed God with your sins! When David was found out in his sin with Bathsheeba, please note his words and understand true repentance:
2 Samuel 12:13, “So David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Was David embarrassed about being caught? Possibly, but there is no hint of it in his reply to Nathan.
Similarly, our repentance must not be driven by embarrassment, but rather by genuine sorrow over the fact that we have disappointed, or grieved, or offended our heavenly Father.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
"The message of Jesus was not, “ask Me into your heart and you will be saved.” He said, “repent and believe the gospel!” Repentance and belief are so much stronger than getting someone to say the sinners prayer. Repentance involves personal sorrow over sin. And belief involves complete trust that God has done something for you to take care of your sorrowful sin problem.
Many times people will have sorrow over getting caught in their sin, but that is not true repentance. True repentance is sorrow over the fact that you have grieved and disappointed God with your sins! When David was found out in his sin with Bathsheeba, please note his words and understand true repentance:
2 Samuel 12:13, “So David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Was David embarrassed about being caught? Possibly, but there is no hint of it in his reply to Nathan.
Similarly, our repentance must not be driven by embarrassment, but rather by genuine sorrow over the fact that we have disappointed, or grieved, or offended our heavenly Father.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
The Power To Heal, Forgive, and Set Free
# 231 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:15 “and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
This was the message of Jesus. He consistently told the people in Word and deed that the time spoken of by the prophets was at hand. When John expressed his doubts about Jesus from his prison cell, Jesus said,"Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: "The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.”
As Jesus went about Galilee, these deeds, along with the pronouncement of forgiveness of sins, followed Him everywhere. It was evidence that the kingdom of God was at hand. But He didn’t stop with the evidence, He also gave the invitation.
In essence, He said, “do you want to be a part of such a kingdom where the power to heal, forgive, and set free is evident? Then repent and believe the gospel!” The offer is still on the table today. Do you want release from the guilt you carry from your sins? Do you want His forgiveness? Do you want healing of all your spiritual infirmities? Then repent and believe the gospel. There is no other way.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
This was the message of Jesus. He consistently told the people in Word and deed that the time spoken of by the prophets was at hand. When John expressed his doubts about Jesus from his prison cell, Jesus said,"Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: "The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.”
As Jesus went about Galilee, these deeds, along with the pronouncement of forgiveness of sins, followed Him everywhere. It was evidence that the kingdom of God was at hand. But He didn’t stop with the evidence, He also gave the invitation.
In essence, He said, “do you want to be a part of such a kingdom where the power to heal, forgive, and set free is evident? Then repent and believe the gospel!” The offer is still on the table today. Do you want release from the guilt you carry from your sins? Do you want His forgiveness? Do you want healing of all your spiritual infirmities? Then repent and believe the gospel. There is no other way.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The Prudent Departure
# 230 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:14 "Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,”
Mark leaves about a year and a half gap in the ministry of Jesus and zooms ahead to our Lord’s activity after the imprisonment of John. (Most of the details of that gap by the way, are found in the Gospel of John.)
Jesus takes the message of the kingdom, the same message of repentance that John the Baptist preached and goes north to Galilee. It was not out of fear that He left the area around Jerusalem, it was more out of prudence. The Pharisees were already “onto” Him and His ministry.
In John 4:1 and 3 we read the reason for His departure to Galilee. “Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John...He left Judea and departed again to Galilee.”
The time was right for the gospel to be declared in word and deed, it just wasn’t the right time for the Son of Man to be delivered up to the cross. Jesus would return soon enough to Jerusalem for His passionate work of salvation for the world! Soon enough He would set His face toward Jerusalem to die for you and for me!
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Mark leaves about a year and a half gap in the ministry of Jesus and zooms ahead to our Lord’s activity after the imprisonment of John. (Most of the details of that gap by the way, are found in the Gospel of John.)
Jesus takes the message of the kingdom, the same message of repentance that John the Baptist preached and goes north to Galilee. It was not out of fear that He left the area around Jerusalem, it was more out of prudence. The Pharisees were already “onto” Him and His ministry.
In John 4:1 and 3 we read the reason for His departure to Galilee. “Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John...He left Judea and departed again to Galilee.”
The time was right for the gospel to be declared in word and deed, it just wasn’t the right time for the Son of Man to be delivered up to the cross. Jesus would return soon enough to Jerusalem for His passionate work of salvation for the world! Soon enough He would set His face toward Jerusalem to die for you and for me!
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Useful Fire
# 229 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:13 “...and the angels ministered to Him.”
In His humanity, Jesus was likely exhausted after experiencing forty days of every temptation imaginable from Satan and so the Father sends the “royal valets” to minister to His Son.
Do you know that as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, these same “royal valets” minister to your needs? Hebrew 1:14 says, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”
In the Old Testament, it was an angel who went before Abraham’s servant to guarantee that he would prosper in his search for a wife for Isaac. (Genesis 24:40)
In Psalm 91:9,and 11 we read that God gives His angels charge over all those who take refuge in Him, to keep them in all their ways.
In Psalm 104:4 we read that the angels are His ministers, a flame of fire.” Now, fire can be destructive or constructive and isn’t it great to know that God will use His royal valets, His angels, as useful fire in your life? You may never see them, but they are at His beck and call, taking care of His kingdom business, protecting you, keeping you, and prospering you for the sake of His kingdom purposes for your life.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
In His humanity, Jesus was likely exhausted after experiencing forty days of every temptation imaginable from Satan and so the Father sends the “royal valets” to minister to His Son.
Do you know that as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, these same “royal valets” minister to your needs? Hebrew 1:14 says, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”
In the Old Testament, it was an angel who went before Abraham’s servant to guarantee that he would prosper in his search for a wife for Isaac. (Genesis 24:40)
In Psalm 91:9,and 11 we read that God gives His angels charge over all those who take refuge in Him, to keep them in all their ways.
In Psalm 104:4 we read that the angels are His ministers, a flame of fire.” Now, fire can be destructive or constructive and isn’t it great to know that God will use His royal valets, His angels, as useful fire in your life? You may never see them, but they are at His beck and call, taking care of His kingdom business, protecting you, keeping you, and prospering you for the sake of His kingdom purposes for your life.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Completely Tempted
# 228 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:13 “And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, ”
When I see the number forty in Scripture I generally think of a length of time needed to accomplish what needs to be accomplished. It rained forty days and nights to accomplish the complete flooding of the world. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years to accomplish God’s complete cleansing of those without faith.
So the forty days of temptation in the wilderness was the length of time God used to allow Satan to tempt Jesus completely. Guess what? Jesus completely passed the test.
The Bible says in Hebrews 4:15, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
Although only three specific temptations are mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, we can be sure that every other temptation known to man was thrown at our Lord in those forty days. We aren’t given the details, but every type of sin ever committed by man was placed before Jesus as a temptation, but Jesus remained steadfast and was without sin.
Knowing this truth, where will you turn the next time you are tempted?
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
When I see the number forty in Scripture I generally think of a length of time needed to accomplish what needs to be accomplished. It rained forty days and nights to accomplish the complete flooding of the world. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years to accomplish God’s complete cleansing of those without faith.
So the forty days of temptation in the wilderness was the length of time God used to allow Satan to tempt Jesus completely. Guess what? Jesus completely passed the test.
The Bible says in Hebrews 4:15, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
Although only three specific temptations are mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, we can be sure that every other temptation known to man was thrown at our Lord in those forty days. We aren’t given the details, but every type of sin ever committed by man was placed before Jesus as a temptation, but Jesus remained steadfast and was without sin.
Knowing this truth, where will you turn the next time you are tempted?
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
How To Handle Post Mountaintop Experiences
# 227 Hello friend. Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:13 “And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.”
The Spirit has descended upon Jesus and drives Him out into the wilderness. What a reception committee for our Lord! Satan and wild beasts! These could be literal wild beasts, or they could be symbolic of demons. Whatever the case, Satan and some other unpleasant things were waiting for the Son of Man.
To tempt someone in the evil sense is to try and entangle them in sin, or to show them unapproved. Think about the preceding events here. God had just publicly stated that this was His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased, and now Jesus is face to face with Satan who is bent on showing God that His Son isn’t so well pleasing after all.
Isn’t that just the way it goes. You and I have a mountaintop experience with the Lord, we get just a glimpse of His love and good pleasure toward us, and Satan and his demons are never far behind, trying to bring us down.
Remember that tactic of his and be ready for it as Jesus was, He didn’t counter with fond memories of the emotional high....He countered Satan’s attack with the Word of God.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
The Spirit has descended upon Jesus and drives Him out into the wilderness. What a reception committee for our Lord! Satan and wild beasts! These could be literal wild beasts, or they could be symbolic of demons. Whatever the case, Satan and some other unpleasant things were waiting for the Son of Man.
To tempt someone in the evil sense is to try and entangle them in sin, or to show them unapproved. Think about the preceding events here. God had just publicly stated that this was His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased, and now Jesus is face to face with Satan who is bent on showing God that His Son isn’t so well pleasing after all.
Isn’t that just the way it goes. You and I have a mountaintop experience with the Lord, we get just a glimpse of His love and good pleasure toward us, and Satan and his demons are never far behind, trying to bring us down.
Remember that tactic of his and be ready for it as Jesus was, He didn’t counter with fond memories of the emotional high....He countered Satan’s attack with the Word of God.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Grace = God Reliance
# 226 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:12 And immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.”
One of the functions of the Holy Spirit is to take the church into the wilderness. In Revelation 12:14 we read, “But the woman, (figurative language for the church) was given two wings of a great eagle, (figurative language for the Holy Spirit) that she might fly into the wilderness to her place,”
Why? Why is the wilderness our place? Because it is a place of utter reliance upon God for survival. It is the perfect picture of salvation by grace. This is where the true church of Jesus Christ is to be found, we must learn to be reliant upon God and His grace for all things.
This is the first lesson that Christ in His humanity had to demonstrate and it’s the first thing we must learn as well, “for it is by grace (God-reliance) that we are saved through faith.” (Ephesians 2:8)
But not only are we saved by grace, but we must learn to live by grace. The Word of God is the chief “means of grace,” and Jesus made that clear when He responded to the devil's first temptation in the wilderness by saying, “Man does not live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God” This is where you and I need to be, and it’s the Spirit’s job to get us there....trust Him, and learn to live a God-reliant life.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
One of the functions of the Holy Spirit is to take the church into the wilderness. In Revelation 12:14 we read, “But the woman, (figurative language for the church) was given two wings of a great eagle, (figurative language for the Holy Spirit) that she might fly into the wilderness to her place,”
Why? Why is the wilderness our place? Because it is a place of utter reliance upon God for survival. It is the perfect picture of salvation by grace. This is where the true church of Jesus Christ is to be found, we must learn to be reliant upon God and His grace for all things.
This is the first lesson that Christ in His humanity had to demonstrate and it’s the first thing we must learn as well, “for it is by grace (God-reliance) that we are saved through faith.” (Ephesians 2:8)
But not only are we saved by grace, but we must learn to live by grace. The Word of God is the chief “means of grace,” and Jesus made that clear when He responded to the devil's first temptation in the wilderness by saying, “Man does not live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God” This is where you and I need to be, and it’s the Spirit’s job to get us there....trust Him, and learn to live a God-reliant life.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Jesus and the Stretch Limo
# 225 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:12 And immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.”
Coming up out of the water, the Holy Spirit has anointed Jesus in full measure, and God the Father has given Him the ultimate public encouragement, calling Him “beloved and well pleasing.”
Without any delay, the Holy Spirit pulls alongside Jesus in a stretch limo and says, “hop in.” Now, you and I might expect a ride to Jerusalem, to the temple, or some other hot spot or hub of activity. But the Holy Spirit drives Jesus into the wilderness! I can picture myself in that limo, tapping on the window to get the driver’s attention, “Hey, where are we going, Jerusalem is the other way!” But the Holy Spirit knows what He is doing, and His strong urging is met with willing obedience on the part of Jesus.
He knows this limo driver, (the Holy Spirit) was sent by the Father, and so in the humanity and humility of the Son, He obeys. He allows the Holy Spirit to take Him to the place where He needs to be.
Therein lies the lesson for us. When we have tested the Spirit’s urging to be sure it is not outside the will of God as found in His Word, we need to exercise willing obedience IMMEDIATELY and allow the Holy Spirit to take us to where the Father wants us to go.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Coming up out of the water, the Holy Spirit has anointed Jesus in full measure, and God the Father has given Him the ultimate public encouragement, calling Him “beloved and well pleasing.”
Without any delay, the Holy Spirit pulls alongside Jesus in a stretch limo and says, “hop in.” Now, you and I might expect a ride to Jerusalem, to the temple, or some other hot spot or hub of activity. But the Holy Spirit drives Jesus into the wilderness! I can picture myself in that limo, tapping on the window to get the driver’s attention, “Hey, where are we going, Jerusalem is the other way!” But the Holy Spirit knows what He is doing, and His strong urging is met with willing obedience on the part of Jesus.
He knows this limo driver, (the Holy Spirit) was sent by the Father, and so in the humanity and humility of the Son, He obeys. He allows the Holy Spirit to take Him to the place where He needs to be.
Therein lies the lesson for us. When we have tested the Spirit’s urging to be sure it is not outside the will of God as found in His Word, we need to exercise willing obedience IMMEDIATELY and allow the Holy Spirit to take us to where the Father wants us to go.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Affirm Your Children
# 224 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:11 “Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
There is much more going on here than words of encouragement for Jesus from the Father. In addition to announcing God’s “cuddly” love for His Son by calling Him beloved, the Father also announces that he is very pleased with His Son.
God has given fathers an example of how they need to relate to their own children. Children need to know that they are tenderly loved by their father. They need to be held, embraced, nurtured. They also need to know that they are pleasing to their dad. They need to know that you appreciate them for who they are. They need to feel that if you were picking a team, they would be the first one you’d choose. They need to feel accepted. If these two things are missing in a child’s life, he or she is an addict waiting to happen, because if they can’t find nurture and acceptance at home, they will find it in other people or in other substances.
Father’s, mothers, learn to express love and acceptance for your children. You may not be able to boom it from the heavens, but they still need to hear you say, “this is my beloved child in whom I am well pleased.”
And if this kind of affirmation was missing in your life, causing you to seek love in all the wrong places, remember there is a heavenly Father who is more than willing to give it to you. He gives it to any and all who receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
There is much more going on here than words of encouragement for Jesus from the Father. In addition to announcing God’s “cuddly” love for His Son by calling Him beloved, the Father also announces that he is very pleased with His Son.
God has given fathers an example of how they need to relate to their own children. Children need to know that they are tenderly loved by their father. They need to be held, embraced, nurtured. They also need to know that they are pleasing to their dad. They need to know that you appreciate them for who they are. They need to feel that if you were picking a team, they would be the first one you’d choose. They need to feel accepted. If these two things are missing in a child’s life, he or she is an addict waiting to happen, because if they can’t find nurture and acceptance at home, they will find it in other people or in other substances.
Father’s, mothers, learn to express love and acceptance for your children. You may not be able to boom it from the heavens, but they still need to hear you say, “this is my beloved child in whom I am well pleased.”
And if this kind of affirmation was missing in your life, causing you to seek love in all the wrong places, remember there is a heavenly Father who is more than willing to give it to you. He gives it to any and all who receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Cuddled By God
# 223 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:11 “Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
These words were not spoken for Jesus’ benefit. They were spoken for the gathered witnesses. Remember, this gospel of Mark is taken from the eyewitness account of Peter, and this pronouncement by God had a profound effect on him. When Jesus asked the disciples who they thought He was, Peter blurted out, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!” How was that information relayed to Peter? Perhaps at this very moment. It’s one of those things he never forgot.
Let’s not skip over the word “beloved” here either. It is the strongest possible language for love between a parent and a child. It's a “hold you in my arms and embrace you,” kind of love.
Whereas God so loved the world that He sent Jesus, He could not regard the world as beloved to the point of pressing it against His chest, simply because the world is sinful. God is holy and has nothing to do with sin.
But Jesus is His beloved sinless Son and he loves Him with a pressing to the flesh cuddly kind of love. Perhaps you’ve seen the picture of Christ cuddling a lamb in a similar fashion. Now, here's the Good News!
When we receive Christ, are sins are forgiven and we are able to be cuddled by God in like manner. Oh what a precious thought....we are held beloved by God the Father! As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, cherish that thought and live in that reality today!
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
These words were not spoken for Jesus’ benefit. They were spoken for the gathered witnesses. Remember, this gospel of Mark is taken from the eyewitness account of Peter, and this pronouncement by God had a profound effect on him. When Jesus asked the disciples who they thought He was, Peter blurted out, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!” How was that information relayed to Peter? Perhaps at this very moment. It’s one of those things he never forgot.
Let’s not skip over the word “beloved” here either. It is the strongest possible language for love between a parent and a child. It's a “hold you in my arms and embrace you,” kind of love.
Whereas God so loved the world that He sent Jesus, He could not regard the world as beloved to the point of pressing it against His chest, simply because the world is sinful. God is holy and has nothing to do with sin.
But Jesus is His beloved sinless Son and he loves Him with a pressing to the flesh cuddly kind of love. Perhaps you’ve seen the picture of Christ cuddling a lamb in a similar fashion. Now, here's the Good News!
When we receive Christ, are sins are forgiven and we are able to be cuddled by God in like manner. Oh what a precious thought....we are held beloved by God the Father! As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, cherish that thought and live in that reality today!
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Grace For Your Circumstances
# 222 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:10 “And immediately coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove”
Jesus climbs out of the water and the very heavens open up! Whenever we read of the heavens opening up in Scripture we know that God is about to reveal Himself in a special way.
The prophet Ezekiel saw the heavens open up and God revealed many things to him in visions. (Ezekiel 1:1) When Stephen was being stoned to death, the heavens opened up and He saw the risen Son of God standing at the right hand of God.(Acts 7:56)
Both men were given a special grace from God for their circumstances. Jesus was about to begin His earthly ministry as the Christ, the Son of the Living God. In His deity, He did not need special grace from God, but in His humanity, He needed the fullness of the grace of God in order to carry out His mission of redemption.
The Holy Spirit always graciously comes to us from God. He brings His gifts to equip us and empower us for the tasks that He has set before us. Jesus yielded perfectly to the Holy Spirit, we, only in part, but the more we learn to yield to the operation of the Holy Spirit in our lives through His means of grace (the Sacraments and His Word) the more fruitful our work will be.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Jesus climbs out of the water and the very heavens open up! Whenever we read of the heavens opening up in Scripture we know that God is about to reveal Himself in a special way.
The prophet Ezekiel saw the heavens open up and God revealed many things to him in visions. (Ezekiel 1:1) When Stephen was being stoned to death, the heavens opened up and He saw the risen Son of God standing at the right hand of God.(Acts 7:56)
Both men were given a special grace from God for their circumstances. Jesus was about to begin His earthly ministry as the Christ, the Son of the Living God. In His deity, He did not need special grace from God, but in His humanity, He needed the fullness of the grace of God in order to carry out His mission of redemption.
The Holy Spirit always graciously comes to us from God. He brings His gifts to equip us and empower us for the tasks that He has set before us. Jesus yielded perfectly to the Holy Spirit, we, only in part, but the more we learn to yield to the operation of the Holy Spirit in our lives through His means of grace (the Sacraments and His Word) the more fruitful our work will be.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Baptism Does Not Have To Be By Immersion
# 221 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:10 “And immediately coming up from the water,”
Get the picture here. Jesus has been baptized by John and now comes up out of the water, that is, He steps out of the water and onto the shore. That is all that is being said here. Some have used this passage to prove that the baptism of Jesus was done by immersion, and then intimated that all baptisms must be done by immersion in order to “count.”
Dr. Iver Olson in his booklet, “Baptism and Spiritual Life” says, “There is not a single instance of a New Testament baptism that can be proved to have been by immersion. People read immersion into the text...or approach the text with their minds already made up that baptism absolutely means immersion.”
A thorough study of the word baptize as used in scripture would go a long way in clearing up this misconception. (It doesn’t always mean “immerse.”) While baptism by immersion is a beautiful picture of “being buried and raised with Christ,” it’s not the “picture” that we are after in baptism, it is the actual effect.
That effect is summed up by Paul in Titus 3:5, “according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.
And as Peter states in 1 Peter 3:21, “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you”
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Get the picture here. Jesus has been baptized by John and now comes up out of the water, that is, He steps out of the water and onto the shore. That is all that is being said here. Some have used this passage to prove that the baptism of Jesus was done by immersion, and then intimated that all baptisms must be done by immersion in order to “count.”
Dr. Iver Olson in his booklet, “Baptism and Spiritual Life” says, “There is not a single instance of a New Testament baptism that can be proved to have been by immersion. People read immersion into the text...or approach the text with their minds already made up that baptism absolutely means immersion.”
A thorough study of the word baptize as used in scripture would go a long way in clearing up this misconception. (It doesn’t always mean “immerse.”) While baptism by immersion is a beautiful picture of “being buried and raised with Christ,” it’s not the “picture” that we are after in baptism, it is the actual effect.
That effect is summed up by Paul in Titus 3:5, “according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.
And as Peter states in 1 Peter 3:21, “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you”
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Why Did Jesus Need To Be Baptized?
# 220 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:9 “It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.”
Why was Jesus baptized? In Matthew’s gospel, we read that John even tried to prevent the baptism, but Jesus said, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”
The baptism of Jesus was fitting. The Greek Word for “fitting” here is the idea of something being conspicuous, like a tower. It was to stand out. For what reason was it to stand out? To fulfill, (to fill up) all righteousness.
The righteous requirements of God are met (filled up) in baptism. Jesus didn't need to be baptized to meet God's righteous requirements, (He is God!) but He did need to be baptized for the sake of those who weren't, because according to Mark 16:16, baptism is a requirement for righteousness. (salvation)
To understand this, we must first understand the circumcision of Jesus. Why was it necessary for Jesus to be circumcised? It was necessary because the Old Testament Law required circumcision for salvation. “Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.” (Gen 17:14)
Jesus didn't need to be circumcised for His sake. He is God! But in His circumcision He fulfilled that necessary part of salvation for all who have put their trust in Him and were not circumcised.
Because He was circumcised, and because we have put on Christ in our baptism, we receive everything that He has done for us, including the Old Testament righteous requirement of circumcision.
The Bible tells us in Mark 16:16, that baptism is necessary for salvation. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” Well what of all the Old Testament believers who had faith in Christ, but were never baptized? What about the thief on the cross? How can they meet this righteous requirement of salvation?
They meet it because they were connected to God and all He has done for them through faith and circumcision. And in Christ, the requirement for “righteousness” as spelled out in Mark 16:16, was fulfilled for them.
That doesn’t mean we can ignore baptism today. This is the new sign of the new covenant, and God has commanded it as a means of washing away our sins, and delivering the Holy Spirit. Col 2:11 says, “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”
The baptism of Jesus then “stands out” as a way to fulfill righteousness for those from Abraham to the thief on the cross, and any others who have had faith but have not been able to receive baptism.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Why was Jesus baptized? In Matthew’s gospel, we read that John even tried to prevent the baptism, but Jesus said, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”
The baptism of Jesus was fitting. The Greek Word for “fitting” here is the idea of something being conspicuous, like a tower. It was to stand out. For what reason was it to stand out? To fulfill, (to fill up) all righteousness.
The righteous requirements of God are met (filled up) in baptism. Jesus didn't need to be baptized to meet God's righteous requirements, (He is God!) but He did need to be baptized for the sake of those who weren't, because according to Mark 16:16, baptism is a requirement for righteousness. (salvation)
To understand this, we must first understand the circumcision of Jesus. Why was it necessary for Jesus to be circumcised? It was necessary because the Old Testament Law required circumcision for salvation. “Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.” (Gen 17:14)
Jesus didn't need to be circumcised for His sake. He is God! But in His circumcision He fulfilled that necessary part of salvation for all who have put their trust in Him and were not circumcised.
Because He was circumcised, and because we have put on Christ in our baptism, we receive everything that He has done for us, including the Old Testament righteous requirement of circumcision.
The Bible tells us in Mark 16:16, that baptism is necessary for salvation. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” Well what of all the Old Testament believers who had faith in Christ, but were never baptized? What about the thief on the cross? How can they meet this righteous requirement of salvation?
They meet it because they were connected to God and all He has done for them through faith and circumcision. And in Christ, the requirement for “righteousness” as spelled out in Mark 16:16, was fulfilled for them.
That doesn’t mean we can ignore baptism today. This is the new sign of the new covenant, and God has commanded it as a means of washing away our sins, and delivering the Holy Spirit. Col 2:11 says, “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”
The baptism of Jesus then “stands out” as a way to fulfill righteousness for those from Abraham to the thief on the cross, and any others who have had faith but have not been able to receive baptism.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Power For Living
# 219 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:8 “I indeed baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
How was John’s baptism different from the baptism of Christ? Both effected the forgiveness of sins, but John’s lacked the depositing of the Holy Spirit in the believer.
John’s baptism with water was for the “remission of sins” (Mark 1:4) a removal, a cleansing, a washing that is necessary in order to have fellowship with God.
But the baptism that Jesus would bring to the church on the Day of Pentecost would not only effect the remission of sins, making it possible for fellowship with God, but the Holy Spirit would come through this means of grace and actually live in the believer! Fellowship with God would become an intimate, empowering reality, as a result of the baptism of Christ, and it would be necessary for the process of sanctification.
In Titus 3:5,6 we read, “He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” This then defines all baptism after the Day of Pentecost. It is a means by which the forgiveness of sins is effected, and at the same time, a means of communicating the Holy Spirit to the individual. By it, we enter the kingdom and through it we receive the power for living in the kingdom.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
How was John’s baptism different from the baptism of Christ? Both effected the forgiveness of sins, but John’s lacked the depositing of the Holy Spirit in the believer.
John’s baptism with water was for the “remission of sins” (Mark 1:4) a removal, a cleansing, a washing that is necessary in order to have fellowship with God.
But the baptism that Jesus would bring to the church on the Day of Pentecost would not only effect the remission of sins, making it possible for fellowship with God, but the Holy Spirit would come through this means of grace and actually live in the believer! Fellowship with God would become an intimate, empowering reality, as a result of the baptism of Christ, and it would be necessary for the process of sanctification.
In Titus 3:5,6 we read, “He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” This then defines all baptism after the Day of Pentecost. It is a means by which the forgiveness of sins is effected, and at the same time, a means of communicating the Holy Spirit to the individual. By it, we enter the kingdom and through it we receive the power for living in the kingdom.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Those "Thou Shalt Nots" Prepare the Way For Jesus
#218 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:7 “And he preached, saying, "There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.”
That John was mighty in word cannot be disputed. He thundered the Law, and the Law penetrated the hearts of many who heard it and convicted them of their sin, and their need for forgiveness and cleansing. That's what we all need to hear in order to experience true repentance.
But there was One coming after John that was far superior, namely Jesus Christ and His Gospel. He was so superior to John and the Law, that John was not even worthy to do the common work of a slave, who would have to stoop down and untie their master’s shoe laces.
John represents the Law here and the One coming after him (Jesus) represents the Gospel. The Law is mighty and powerful, and necessary, but the Gospel is far superior because the Gospel saves, the Law cannot. The Law serves the purposes of its master, the Gospel. The Law makes the preparations for the Gospel as a slave makes preparations for his master.
Do you want to taste the fullness and sweetness of the Gospel? The fullness and the sweetness of the Master? Then stop and consider your own sinful state and allow the Law to do it’s preparation in your heart.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
That John was mighty in word cannot be disputed. He thundered the Law, and the Law penetrated the hearts of many who heard it and convicted them of their sin, and their need for forgiveness and cleansing. That's what we all need to hear in order to experience true repentance.
But there was One coming after John that was far superior, namely Jesus Christ and His Gospel. He was so superior to John and the Law, that John was not even worthy to do the common work of a slave, who would have to stoop down and untie their master’s shoe laces.
John represents the Law here and the One coming after him (Jesus) represents the Gospel. The Law is mighty and powerful, and necessary, but the Gospel is far superior because the Gospel saves, the Law cannot. The Law serves the purposes of its master, the Gospel. The Law makes the preparations for the Gospel as a slave makes preparations for his master.
Do you want to taste the fullness and sweetness of the Gospel? The fullness and the sweetness of the Master? Then stop and consider your own sinful state and allow the Law to do it’s preparation in your heart.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
John's Lifestyle, A Sermon By Itself
Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 1:6, “ Now John was clothed with camel's hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey”
John’s physical appearance and lifestyle were a sermon in themselves. It was a call to all those who then and now make food and drink, house and clothing their main concern, rather than the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
While these things are necessary, they are not to be our first focus. As Jesus said in Matthew 6:31-33 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' "For after all these things the Gentiles (the unbelievers) seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
John’s lifestyle prepared the way for that message from Jesus. John obediently sought the kingdom of God, always looking for the Anointed One and when He came, he was ready for him, because he had his priorities straight.
God provided for John in the wilderness and He will even provide for us too, if we just learn to seek His kingdom and His righteousness first.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word.
John’s physical appearance and lifestyle were a sermon in themselves. It was a call to all those who then and now make food and drink, house and clothing their main concern, rather than the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
While these things are necessary, they are not to be our first focus. As Jesus said in Matthew 6:31-33 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' "For after all these things the Gentiles (the unbelievers) seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
John’s lifestyle prepared the way for that message from Jesus. John obediently sought the kingdom of God, always looking for the Anointed One and when He came, he was ready for him, because he had his priorities straight.
God provided for John in the wilderness and He will even provide for us too, if we just learn to seek His kingdom and His righteousness first.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word.
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