# 494 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:14,15 “Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. Then He charged them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod."
Let's talk a little bit more about this “leaven” of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod. Ultimately both groups wanted salvation on their own terms. The Pharisees sought salvation through their system of false holiness using ceremony and rules and regulations and the Herodians or Sadducees were a lot more into the here and now. (They had to be, they did not believe in a bodily resurrection or the eternal punishment of hell)
This belief system allowed for the unholy alliance with the Herodians and Rome. They didn't believe that God was active in the affairs of men and therefore they needed to take the bull by the horn if they were going to enjoy peace and prosperity.
These false teachings are still with us today with the Pharasaic crowd emphasizing the do's and don'ts of organized religion (salvation by works or the “I'm basically a good person so God won't send me to hell” crowd) and the Herodians emphasizing a social gospel with a temporal salvation through the government and no concern about personal morality.
I think there's a little bit of both in all of us and we need to really fight for the pure gospel, which is, simply put, an utter reliance upon Jesus.
Father, this leaven of self righteousness and self governance is hidden in all of us in the old Adam, our flesh. Give us the grace and strength to fight it, help us to ever look to Jesus alone as the author and finisher of our faith. In His name we pray, Amen.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
The Leaven of the Pharisees: Salvation On Our Terms
# 493 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:13-15 “And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side. Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. Then He charged them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod."
In Matthew's account of this incident, the Pharisees and the Sadducees were the ones that had confronted Jesus asking for the heaven rending sign. Mark lumps the Sadducees with the Herodians. And with the latest confrontation still fresh in the minds of the disciples Jesus “charges” His disciples.
This is a very important word. To charge someone is to command them to take on a responsibility. Jesus was giving His disciples the charge to (1) “take heed” (that is pay attention to,) and (2). “beware.” (The word means “see”)
In a nutshell, He is giving His church the responsibility to pay attention to the teachings of these two groups and to “see” them for what they truly are. False teaching.
The primary false teaching of both groups was they wanted salvation on their own terms, and so they demanded a sign. This kind of false teaching is still with us today. (God must be the way we want Him to be or He is not going to be our God!) This is not a dog and pony show folks. Salvation is never on our terms, it is always on God's terms and His terms are simple. Believe, be baptized. Be saved. (Mr 16:16)
Father, forgive us. Why do we call Jesus, Lord, Lord, and not do the things He says? Help us to embrace Your terms, for Your kingdom, and cease from adding to or subtracting from Your Word. In Jesus name, Amen
In Matthew's account of this incident, the Pharisees and the Sadducees were the ones that had confronted Jesus asking for the heaven rending sign. Mark lumps the Sadducees with the Herodians. And with the latest confrontation still fresh in the minds of the disciples Jesus “charges” His disciples.
This is a very important word. To charge someone is to command them to take on a responsibility. Jesus was giving His disciples the charge to (1) “take heed” (that is pay attention to,) and (2). “beware.” (The word means “see”)
In a nutshell, He is giving His church the responsibility to pay attention to the teachings of these two groups and to “see” them for what they truly are. False teaching.
The primary false teaching of both groups was they wanted salvation on their own terms, and so they demanded a sign. This kind of false teaching is still with us today. (God must be the way we want Him to be or He is not going to be our God!) This is not a dog and pony show folks. Salvation is never on our terms, it is always on God's terms and His terms are simple. Believe, be baptized. Be saved. (Mr 16:16)
Father, forgive us. Why do we call Jesus, Lord, Lord, and not do the things He says? Help us to embrace Your terms, for Your kingdom, and cease from adding to or subtracting from Your Word. In Jesus name, Amen
Friday, July 29, 2011
The "Too Late" Sign
# 492 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:12,13 “But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation." And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side.”
The demand for a sky rending sign from the Pharisees has deeply saddened Jesus. And from the depths of the Father's heart He asks sign seekers of all generations, “Why do you insist on some sort of a miracle before you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God? Isn't My Word enough?” Don't you know that “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” (Rom 10:17)
In Matthew's account of this incident Jesus said that the only sign this generation of sign seekers will receive will be the sign of Jonah. The sign of Jonah is the resurrection, and the resurrection is proof positive of a bodily resurrection for all and proof positive of a Day of Judgment.
This is a bone-chilling statement for all who refuse to receive the Word of Scripture, because it says in effect that the only sign that those who reject Jesus will get is a sign that says, “You have arrived at Judgment Day,” and then it will be too late! Hearts that have been hardened and insist on salvation by their own terms will be in for a rude awakening on that Day.
Stop looking for signs beloved, and simply believe His words! Joh 12:48 "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.
Father, my flesh loves the spectacular, but my soul loves Your Word, overrule my flesh and feed my soul with Your precious Word. In Jesus name, Amen
The demand for a sky rending sign from the Pharisees has deeply saddened Jesus. And from the depths of the Father's heart He asks sign seekers of all generations, “Why do you insist on some sort of a miracle before you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God? Isn't My Word enough?” Don't you know that “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” (Rom 10:17)
In Matthew's account of this incident Jesus said that the only sign this generation of sign seekers will receive will be the sign of Jonah. The sign of Jonah is the resurrection, and the resurrection is proof positive of a bodily resurrection for all and proof positive of a Day of Judgment.
This is a bone-chilling statement for all who refuse to receive the Word of Scripture, because it says in effect that the only sign that those who reject Jesus will get is a sign that says, “You have arrived at Judgment Day,” and then it will be too late! Hearts that have been hardened and insist on salvation by their own terms will be in for a rude awakening on that Day.
Stop looking for signs beloved, and simply believe His words! Joh 12:48 "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.
Father, my flesh loves the spectacular, but my soul loves Your Word, overrule my flesh and feed my soul with Your precious Word. In Jesus name, Amen
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Do Something Greater For Me Jesus
# 491 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:10,11 “immediately got into the boat with His disciples, and came to the region of Dalmanutha. Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him.”
Jesus has crossed the Sea of Galilee with His disciples and they are now back in Pharisee country. It's almost like these Pharisees have been working on a new way to trap Him and discredit Him and they couldn't wait to see Him again. Jesus arrives and the Pharisees come out of the woodwork and begin to dispute with Him.
The word “dispute” here means to question someone through a kind of reasoning that resorts to nitpicking. Jesus had been gone for a while and these Pharisees evidently had some time to pick their nits, and this is what they came up with:
“Never mind all the miracles of healing and deliverance that we have witnessed, do something big in the heavens, something that would make us associate you with God.
“You need to prove Yourself to us Jesus! We've got some pretty big guns in our history! Joshua stopped the sun! Elijah brought fire down from heaven! Samuel brought thunder down to scare the pants off of the Philistines.” Do something like that Jesus, because isn't it reasonable to expect the Messiah to be greater than all the prophets?
How often do we fall into the same trap....”Do something greater for me Jesus! Forgetting that He already did the greatest.....on Calvary.
Father, at those times when my flesh is disappointed in Your performance in my life, help me to remember the old rugged cross. So that I might cling to it and rejoice in it.
Jesus has crossed the Sea of Galilee with His disciples and they are now back in Pharisee country. It's almost like these Pharisees have been working on a new way to trap Him and discredit Him and they couldn't wait to see Him again. Jesus arrives and the Pharisees come out of the woodwork and begin to dispute with Him.
The word “dispute” here means to question someone through a kind of reasoning that resorts to nitpicking. Jesus had been gone for a while and these Pharisees evidently had some time to pick their nits, and this is what they came up with:
“Never mind all the miracles of healing and deliverance that we have witnessed, do something big in the heavens, something that would make us associate you with God.
“You need to prove Yourself to us Jesus! We've got some pretty big guns in our history! Joshua stopped the sun! Elijah brought fire down from heaven! Samuel brought thunder down to scare the pants off of the Philistines.” Do something like that Jesus, because isn't it reasonable to expect the Messiah to be greater than all the prophets?
How often do we fall into the same trap....”Do something greater for me Jesus! Forgetting that He already did the greatest.....on Calvary.
Father, at those times when my flesh is disappointed in Your performance in my life, help me to remember the old rugged cross. So that I might cling to it and rejoice in it.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
The Feeding Miracles and Their Connection To Prophecy
# 490 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 8:9 “Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. And He sent them away,
There is one other very important lesson that we can take away from the miraculous feeding of the 9000. These miracles were meant for more than just satisfying growling tummies. They were performed for us so that we might believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the Living God, for it is God who “gives food to the hungry.” Listen to these prophetic statements about Jesus found in Ps 146:5-8,
“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, WHO GIVES FOOD TO THE HUNGRY The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; ”
Why was Jesus performing these miracles? Why were the crippled lifted back onto their feet? Why were the blind given sight? Why were the demon possessed set free? And why were the hungry given food miraculously? Because these miracles in conjunction with Ps 146: 5-8 and other Old Testament passages, point to Jesus as God.
Miracles point. It's why they're called signs. Believe in whom they point to and be saved. Jn 20:30,31, that these signs were written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ.
Father, thank You for Your sure prophetic word. Thank You for pointing me to Jesus, may I be an instrument to do the same. In Jesus name, Amen
There is one other very important lesson that we can take away from the miraculous feeding of the 9000. These miracles were meant for more than just satisfying growling tummies. They were performed for us so that we might believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the Living God, for it is God who “gives food to the hungry.” Listen to these prophetic statements about Jesus found in Ps 146:5-8,
“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, WHO GIVES FOOD TO THE HUNGRY The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; ”
Why was Jesus performing these miracles? Why were the crippled lifted back onto their feet? Why were the blind given sight? Why were the demon possessed set free? And why were the hungry given food miraculously? Because these miracles in conjunction with Ps 146: 5-8 and other Old Testament passages, point to Jesus as God.
Miracles point. It's why they're called signs. Believe in whom they point to and be saved. Jn 20:30,31, that these signs were written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ.
Father, thank You for Your sure prophetic word. Thank You for pointing me to Jesus, may I be an instrument to do the same. In Jesus name, Amen
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
12 Baskets, 7 Baskets, 5,000, 4000, What Does It All Mean?
Today's Living Word comes from: Mr 8:8,9 “So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments. Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. And He sent them away,
What is the significance of the seven leftover baskets? In the feeding of the 5,000 there were twelve baskets of food leftover. That number is associated with the twelve tribes of Judah or the Old Testament church. (Take the Gospel to the Jews!)
Here there are seven baskets left. This number as we have said signifies God's dealings with the entire world. (Take the Gospel to the world!)
And so in the feeding of the 5000 and the 4000 we see the progression of the spreading of the gospel. To the Jew first and then to the Gentile. (Ro 1:16)
What about the significance of the number 4000? The number 4 is the number of the world and 1000 is the number of perfect completeness (10x10x10) Therefore the number 4000 signifies that all people groups will have this gospel placed before them. This is the church's Great Commission, and the end will not come until it is “thousanded” completed!
These numbers and this miraculous feeding with bread and fish signify that God's church will be given His Word and Sacraments to put before the entire world. And this is what the church has done from the get-go. All Christians preach the word, all Christians baptize, and all Christians observe the Lord's Supper.
And as we the church, engage in this great commission, all people will have the opportunity to personally taste and witness that the Lord is good. As Jesus said in Mt 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
What is the significance of the seven leftover baskets? In the feeding of the 5,000 there were twelve baskets of food leftover. That number is associated with the twelve tribes of Judah or the Old Testament church. (Take the Gospel to the Jews!)
Here there are seven baskets left. This number as we have said signifies God's dealings with the entire world. (Take the Gospel to the world!)
And so in the feeding of the 5000 and the 4000 we see the progression of the spreading of the gospel. To the Jew first and then to the Gentile. (Ro 1:16)
What about the significance of the number 4000? The number 4 is the number of the world and 1000 is the number of perfect completeness (10x10x10) Therefore the number 4000 signifies that all people groups will have this gospel placed before them. This is the church's Great Commission, and the end will not come until it is “thousanded” completed!
These numbers and this miraculous feeding with bread and fish signify that God's church will be given His Word and Sacraments to put before the entire world. And this is what the church has done from the get-go. All Christians preach the word, all Christians baptize, and all Christians observe the Lord's Supper.
And as we the church, engage in this great commission, all people will have the opportunity to personally taste and witness that the Lord is good. As Jesus said in Mt 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Monday, July 25, 2011
A Picture of Word and Sacrament
# 488 - Today's Living Word comes from: Mr 8:7 They also had a few small fish; and having blessed them, He said to set them also before them. 8 So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments. 9 Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. And He sent them away,
There are some who say that the fish in the miraculous feedings of Jesus are symbolic of the Sacraments. I think we would have a hard time proving such an assumption, however I like the comparison.
I like it because I see the bread of this miracle as the Bread of Life, the Word of God. But it is not only Bread (The Word) that Jesus gave to His disciples to disperse to the hungry masses. He gave them the Sacraments as well to set before the people.
Both Word and Sacrament are means of grace, that is the vehicles which God uses to dispense grace, which is defined as “divine influence on the heart.” The Word of God of course has primacy as a means of grace (as the loaves do in this miracle) but the Sacraments are also a means of grace, they are also able to deliver the needed spiritual nutrition of God's grace.
Isn't it interesting that Christians everywhere, no matter what stripe they are, baptize, observe the Lord's Supper, and encourage their people to be fed by the Words of God?
The “bread and fish” that He set before the 4,000 to satisfy their physical need of hunger, was symbolic of the same bread and fish that we partake of even to this day, namely Word and Sacrament, and they are means to dispense the grace of God to satisfy our spiritual hunger.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
There are some who say that the fish in the miraculous feedings of Jesus are symbolic of the Sacraments. I think we would have a hard time proving such an assumption, however I like the comparison.
I like it because I see the bread of this miracle as the Bread of Life, the Word of God. But it is not only Bread (The Word) that Jesus gave to His disciples to disperse to the hungry masses. He gave them the Sacraments as well to set before the people.
Both Word and Sacrament are means of grace, that is the vehicles which God uses to dispense grace, which is defined as “divine influence on the heart.” The Word of God of course has primacy as a means of grace (as the loaves do in this miracle) but the Sacraments are also a means of grace, they are also able to deliver the needed spiritual nutrition of God's grace.
Isn't it interesting that Christians everywhere, no matter what stripe they are, baptize, observe the Lord's Supper, and encourage their people to be fed by the Words of God?
The “bread and fish” that He set before the 4,000 to satisfy their physical need of hunger, was symbolic of the same bread and fish that we partake of even to this day, namely Word and Sacrament, and they are means to dispense the grace of God to satisfy our spiritual hunger.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
The Breaking of the Bread and the Hidden Manna
# 487 - Today's Living Word comes from: Mr 8:6 “So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them ; and they set them before the multitude.
What a great picture of God's plan for awakening souls unto salvation. Jesus takes the seven loaves, symbolic of God's dealings with men through the Bread of Life (The Word) and gives thanks. He then breaks the loaves open. What had been concealed is symbolically released.
He opens the Word of Life and gives that Word to His disciples who in turn were to set that Bread before the masses. I am reminded of the time that Jesus prayed to the Father in Mt 11:25, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.”
The opening of the Bread of Life was first to the disciples (the babes) who then set it before the world. This Bread is the hidden manna spoken of in Re 2:17 “To him who overcomes I will give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give to him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows except he who receives it.”
This Bread of Life is set before you every time the Gospel is preached, take, eat, and receive your new name as a child of God, written on a slate wiped clean of all sin.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
What a great picture of God's plan for awakening souls unto salvation. Jesus takes the seven loaves, symbolic of God's dealings with men through the Bread of Life (The Word) and gives thanks. He then breaks the loaves open. What had been concealed is symbolically released.
He opens the Word of Life and gives that Word to His disciples who in turn were to set that Bread before the masses. I am reminded of the time that Jesus prayed to the Father in Mt 11:25, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.”
The opening of the Bread of Life was first to the disciples (the babes) who then set it before the world. This Bread is the hidden manna spoken of in Re 2:17 “To him who overcomes I will give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give to him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows except he who receives it.”
This Bread of Life is set before you every time the Gospel is preached, take, eat, and receive your new name as a child of God, written on a slate wiped clean of all sin.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Saturday, July 23, 2011
The Significance of the Seven Loaves
# 486 - Today's Living Word comes from: Mr 8:5 He asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven."
When you study the Bible, inevitably the matter of numerology comes up. Numbers in Scripture often have symbolic meaning. The trick is to determine when they have special meaning and when they are just numbers.
Numerology is a tool that God uses to enhance the meaning of Scripture, but it is a tool that must be used carefully lest we try to make the Scriptures say more than God intended. In this instance, I personally believe that there were indeed seven loaves, but that it was not by accident that the number seven is used.
What is the context here? Jesus has been ministering to the Gentiles, and there are two classes of people in the biblical world. Jew and Gentile. (everyone else)
This feeding of the 4000 was a highlight of Jesus' earthly ministry among the Gentiles (the world) and the number 7 is the sum of the number of God (3) and the number of the world (4) Seven then, is the number that signifies God's dealings with the world through His Spirit, and His Spirit deals with us primarily through His Word, the Bread of Life.
The seven loaves then are a picture of the Bread of Life given to the disciples, (the church) to be distributed to the Gentiles. This miracle foreshadows the Great Commission where we the church are to take the Bread of Life and distribute it to the world.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
When you study the Bible, inevitably the matter of numerology comes up. Numbers in Scripture often have symbolic meaning. The trick is to determine when they have special meaning and when they are just numbers.
Numerology is a tool that God uses to enhance the meaning of Scripture, but it is a tool that must be used carefully lest we try to make the Scriptures say more than God intended. In this instance, I personally believe that there were indeed seven loaves, but that it was not by accident that the number seven is used.
What is the context here? Jesus has been ministering to the Gentiles, and there are two classes of people in the biblical world. Jew and Gentile. (everyone else)
This feeding of the 4000 was a highlight of Jesus' earthly ministry among the Gentiles (the world) and the number 7 is the sum of the number of God (3) and the number of the world (4) Seven then, is the number that signifies God's dealings with the world through His Spirit, and His Spirit deals with us primarily through His Word, the Bread of Life.
The seven loaves then are a picture of the Bread of Life given to the disciples, (the church) to be distributed to the Gentiles. This miracle foreshadows the Great Commission where we the church are to take the Bread of Life and distribute it to the world.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Friday, July 22, 2011
Second-rate People?
# 485 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 8:4 “Then His disciples answered Him, "How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?"
Are the disciples really this dense? It wasn't all that long ago that Jesus had fed the 5000. Are you telling me that not one of them would remember the capabilities of Jesus to feed this throng? You don't forget something like that.
There must be something else going on with their question. Look carefully at their question. The phrase “these people” smacks of differentiating between two classes of people. The disciples are Jewish, “these people” are Gentiles.
The disciples are thinking in terms of crumbs for these second rate people. It was a crumb that the Gentile woman received from Jesus when her daughter was delivered from a demon. (Mr 7:27) In their unenlightened minds, the Gentile was only worthy of crumbs.
The word “satisfy” here means to be gorged as in what happens to you on a typical Thanksgiving day. Mere crumbs will never produce such a sensation. The disciples were merely restating what they took to be fact. Gentiles only get crumbs and crumbs do not satisfy.
At this point in their spiritual journey they did not see the Gentiles as equal recipients of the grace of God. This miracle would plant a seed necessary to dispel that notion, and in so doing would one day help the disciples dispel the gospel to Gentiles like you and I.
And by the way, let us all learn to avoid “these or those people” language in our conversations and thoughts as if we are somehow better than others. We are all sinners in need of God's grace.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Are the disciples really this dense? It wasn't all that long ago that Jesus had fed the 5000. Are you telling me that not one of them would remember the capabilities of Jesus to feed this throng? You don't forget something like that.
There must be something else going on with their question. Look carefully at their question. The phrase “these people” smacks of differentiating between two classes of people. The disciples are Jewish, “these people” are Gentiles.
The disciples are thinking in terms of crumbs for these second rate people. It was a crumb that the Gentile woman received from Jesus when her daughter was delivered from a demon. (Mr 7:27) In their unenlightened minds, the Gentile was only worthy of crumbs.
The word “satisfy” here means to be gorged as in what happens to you on a typical Thanksgiving day. Mere crumbs will never produce such a sensation. The disciples were merely restating what they took to be fact. Gentiles only get crumbs and crumbs do not satisfy.
At this point in their spiritual journey they did not see the Gentiles as equal recipients of the grace of God. This miracle would plant a seed necessary to dispel that notion, and in so doing would one day help the disciples dispel the gospel to Gentiles like you and I.
And by the way, let us all learn to avoid “these or those people” language in our conversations and thoughts as if we are somehow better than others. We are all sinners in need of God's grace.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Spiritual Constipation
# 484 - Today's Living Word comes from: Mr 8:1-3, “In those days, the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, 2 "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 "And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar."
The word “compassion” is almost always understood in the sense of action sparked by pity. The word literally means, “yearning bowels.” Just think about that for a moment. Have you ever had “yearning bowels?” Perhaps it was something you ate or maybe you had a touch of the flu, but when your bowels yearn, you can't help yourself, you must find relief. Your bowels must find an outlet to express themselves.
In the parable of the good Samaritan, the Samaritan had compassion on the man in the ditch. He couldn't help himself, he had to express mercy on the man. Same thing with Jesus and the feeding of the 4,000. He could not restrain His mercy and He wanted His disciples to note this concept of compassion because when He ascended into heaven, it would be His disciples, the church, you, and I that would serve as the means of providing an outlet for His compassion.
So the next time you are moved to physically extend mercy, remember, that's Jesus at work in you. Don't hold back, lest you become as spiritually constipated as the priest and the scribe who ignored the man in the ditch.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
The word “compassion” is almost always understood in the sense of action sparked by pity. The word literally means, “yearning bowels.” Just think about that for a moment. Have you ever had “yearning bowels?” Perhaps it was something you ate or maybe you had a touch of the flu, but when your bowels yearn, you can't help yourself, you must find relief. Your bowels must find an outlet to express themselves.
In the parable of the good Samaritan, the Samaritan had compassion on the man in the ditch. He couldn't help himself, he had to express mercy on the man. Same thing with Jesus and the feeding of the 4,000. He could not restrain His mercy and He wanted His disciples to note this concept of compassion because when He ascended into heaven, it would be His disciples, the church, you, and I that would serve as the means of providing an outlet for His compassion.
So the next time you are moved to physically extend mercy, remember, that's Jesus at work in you. Don't hold back, lest you become as spiritually constipated as the priest and the scribe who ignored the man in the ditch.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
"Snap Your Finger Praying"
# 483 - Today's Living Word comes from: Mr 8:1-3, “In those days, the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, 2 "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 "And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar."
If you have a map in your Bible, it would do you well to look at it to help you understand the state of these people. Jesus had traveled from the cities of Tyre and Sidon on the Mediterranean Sea, then east and south to the area known as Decapolis, and then to the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. He had picked up a “multitude” along the way. They had been with Him here by the Sea of Galilee for three days and had run out of any food they may have brought along with them . They were hungry, just as you or I would be.
So Jesus calls His disciples to Him. (Which usually means He has a teachable moment for them and us as well.) And He says, “I have compassion on the multitude.”
Why the big announcement Jesus? Why not just snap your fingers and take away their hunger? Because this is the teachable moment. COMPASSION DEMANDS A PHYSICAL RESPONSE It demands action. Jesus was saying, I have compassion on these people, now observe what compassion looks like, and then he proceeds to meet their need.
Sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking that our prayers are enough, (we kind of use them as finger snaps) but compassion requires that we put feet to our prayers.
Listen to Jas 2:15-17 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
What is the phrase, “depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” if not a prayer, a “snap your finger” wish?
Jesus pulled His disciples away from the crowd just to teach them this truth....may we learn or relearn it today.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
If you have a map in your Bible, it would do you well to look at it to help you understand the state of these people. Jesus had traveled from the cities of Tyre and Sidon on the Mediterranean Sea, then east and south to the area known as Decapolis, and then to the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. He had picked up a “multitude” along the way. They had been with Him here by the Sea of Galilee for three days and had run out of any food they may have brought along with them . They were hungry, just as you or I would be.
So Jesus calls His disciples to Him. (Which usually means He has a teachable moment for them and us as well.) And He says, “I have compassion on the multitude.”
Why the big announcement Jesus? Why not just snap your fingers and take away their hunger? Because this is the teachable moment. COMPASSION DEMANDS A PHYSICAL RESPONSE It demands action. Jesus was saying, I have compassion on these people, now observe what compassion looks like, and then he proceeds to meet their need.
Sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking that our prayers are enough, (we kind of use them as finger snaps) but compassion requires that we put feet to our prayers.
Listen to Jas 2:15-17 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
What is the phrase, “depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” if not a prayer, a “snap your finger” wish?
Jesus pulled His disciples away from the crowd just to teach them this truth....may we learn or relearn it today.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
He Does All Things Well
# 482 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 7:36,37 “Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."
Jesus brings the formerly deaf man back to the crowd. This miracle is just another in a series of miracles he performed among the people of the Decapolis. In Matthew's account of this incident we see that Jesus also caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, and the maimed to be made whole.
I can't help but think of the people who have disabilities in this life. Whether they were born with them or picked them up along the way through this minefield we call life, we know that one day, through faith in Jesus Christ, they will be in heaven with perfectly restored bodies.
And on THAT DAY, when all who are in Christ, stand on that glassy sea, we will join in the chorus that was sung right here in Mr 7:37, “He has done all things well!”
Well, it won't be those exact words, but it'll be close! Re 15:2b,3 says we will be “standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!”
Isn't that just another way of saying, He does all things well! But why wait until that final day. Why not join in the chorus today, praising our God who indeed does all things well. For we among all people should know “ that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28)
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word,
Jesus brings the formerly deaf man back to the crowd. This miracle is just another in a series of miracles he performed among the people of the Decapolis. In Matthew's account of this incident we see that Jesus also caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, and the maimed to be made whole.
I can't help but think of the people who have disabilities in this life. Whether they were born with them or picked them up along the way through this minefield we call life, we know that one day, through faith in Jesus Christ, they will be in heaven with perfectly restored bodies.
And on THAT DAY, when all who are in Christ, stand on that glassy sea, we will join in the chorus that was sung right here in Mr 7:37, “He has done all things well!”
Well, it won't be those exact words, but it'll be close! Re 15:2b,3 says we will be “standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!”
Isn't that just another way of saying, He does all things well! But why wait until that final day. Why not join in the chorus today, praising our God who indeed does all things well. For we among all people should know “ that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28)
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word,
Monday, July 18, 2011
Can You Say Ephphatha?
# 481 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 7:34,35 “Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened." Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly.”
Remember, this man whom Jesus is about to heal cannot hear. Jesus has already communicated to the man that He is aware of the mans malady by touching his ears and his tongue and now communicates to the man where the man's help will be coming from.............. Jesus looks to heaven and sighs.
The word “sigh” here in the Greek indicates an inaudible prayer. Jesus wants this man to make the connection to His divinity in what is about to happen. Why speak the Aramaic word “Ephphatha?” My guess is that it is a language the man knew and it is an easy word to lip read. (Go ahead, try it! Eff fath' thuh) As Jesus mouthed the word, the man understood Him to say, “Be opened, be unshackled, be freed to function normally!”
And so Jesus completes His message to the deaf man. A message that can be restated in this manner: “ Because of My divine power, I am commanding your ears and mouth to be opened” And just as we pray in the Lord's prayer, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” It was so. Spoken in heaven....done on earth. And “immediately his ears were opened and the impediment of his tongue was loosed.”
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Remember, this man whom Jesus is about to heal cannot hear. Jesus has already communicated to the man that He is aware of the mans malady by touching his ears and his tongue and now communicates to the man where the man's help will be coming from.............. Jesus looks to heaven and sighs.
The word “sigh” here in the Greek indicates an inaudible prayer. Jesus wants this man to make the connection to His divinity in what is about to happen. Why speak the Aramaic word “Ephphatha?” My guess is that it is a language the man knew and it is an easy word to lip read. (Go ahead, try it! Eff fath' thuh) As Jesus mouthed the word, the man understood Him to say, “Be opened, be unshackled, be freed to function normally!”
And so Jesus completes His message to the deaf man. A message that can be restated in this manner: “ Because of My divine power, I am commanding your ears and mouth to be opened” And just as we pray in the Lord's prayer, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” It was so. Spoken in heaven....done on earth. And “immediately his ears were opened and the impediment of his tongue was loosed.”
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
God Bends Over Backwards
# 480 - Today's Living Word comes from: Mr 7:32 “Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. 33 And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue.”
A deaf man with a speech impediment is brought to Jesus for healing. Jesus then does some things that seem strange to us. He takes this man aside privately for some one on one ministry. This was important because He wanted this deaf man to understand fully what was going to take place and how it was going to be done.
Much is made about the methodology of Jesus here, but I like what the Lutheran commentator Lenski has to say about it. He maintains that all Jesus was doing here with the fingers in the ears and the spitting and the touching of the tongue was communicating with the man in a way that he would understand what was going on.
In touching his ears Jesus was letting the man know that He knew of his hearing problem and in spitting He drew attention to the function of the mouth and then touched the mans tongue indicating that He knew of that problem as well. This was nothing but sign language. It was only meant to connect the man's need directly to Jesus, not to connect some healing ritual and formula to be used for the healing of the deaf.
There is a lesson for us here and it's simple. God bends over backwards in His attempt to connect our need to Jesus. He speaks to us through nature. He speaks to us through His Word. He spoke to us through the prophets, and He spoke to us through Jesus. On rare occasions He even spoke directly to the people. “This is My Son in whom I am well pleased.” (Mt 3:17)
God wants to get through to you. He wants to get through to me. He wants to get through to those people who have not yet come to repentance. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. (Rom 10:17) Even if that hearing is via sign language.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
A deaf man with a speech impediment is brought to Jesus for healing. Jesus then does some things that seem strange to us. He takes this man aside privately for some one on one ministry. This was important because He wanted this deaf man to understand fully what was going to take place and how it was going to be done.
Much is made about the methodology of Jesus here, but I like what the Lutheran commentator Lenski has to say about it. He maintains that all Jesus was doing here with the fingers in the ears and the spitting and the touching of the tongue was communicating with the man in a way that he would understand what was going on.
In touching his ears Jesus was letting the man know that He knew of his hearing problem and in spitting He drew attention to the function of the mouth and then touched the mans tongue indicating that He knew of that problem as well. This was nothing but sign language. It was only meant to connect the man's need directly to Jesus, not to connect some healing ritual and formula to be used for the healing of the deaf.
There is a lesson for us here and it's simple. God bends over backwards in His attempt to connect our need to Jesus. He speaks to us through nature. He speaks to us through His Word. He spoke to us through the prophets, and He spoke to us through Jesus. On rare occasions He even spoke directly to the people. “This is My Son in whom I am well pleased.” (Mt 3:17)
God wants to get through to you. He wants to get through to me. He wants to get through to those people who have not yet come to repentance. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. (Rom 10:17) Even if that hearing is via sign language.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Be Ready To Tell of His Mercy
# 479 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 7:31,32 “Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee. Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him.
Jesus continues to keep His distance from the ruling authorities of Jerusalem who were out to get Him. Take the time to look at a map and note the wide berth He took from Sidon to the Decapolis. This likely provided an extended time for Him to be alone with His disciples where he could continue their personal instruction. He travels through Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee where He will eventually catch a boat and go back to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.
The last time Jesus was in the Decapolis area the citizens asked Him to leave after He had delivered the Gadarene demoniac. The demoniac had begged Jesus to take him along, but Jesus instructed him to stay there and tell others what Jesus had done for him.
Evidently, he did his job well for not only was this deaf man brought to Him, but in Matthews account we see that “great crowds” came to Him for healing.
We may not bring great crowds to Jesus with our personal testimony, nonetheless, we should (like the Gadarene demoniac) always be ready to tell others of how “He has had mercy” on us. ((Mr 5:19)
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Jesus continues to keep His distance from the ruling authorities of Jerusalem who were out to get Him. Take the time to look at a map and note the wide berth He took from Sidon to the Decapolis. This likely provided an extended time for Him to be alone with His disciples where he could continue their personal instruction. He travels through Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee where He will eventually catch a boat and go back to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.
The last time Jesus was in the Decapolis area the citizens asked Him to leave after He had delivered the Gadarene demoniac. The demoniac had begged Jesus to take him along, but Jesus instructed him to stay there and tell others what Jesus had done for him.
Evidently, he did his job well for not only was this deaf man brought to Him, but in Matthews account we see that “great crowds” came to Him for healing.
We may not bring great crowds to Jesus with our personal testimony, nonetheless, we should (like the Gadarene demoniac) always be ready to tell others of how “He has had mercy” on us. ((Mr 5:19)
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Friday, July 15, 2011
Just A Crumb of Grace
# 478 - Today's Living Word comes from: Mr 7:28-30, “And she answered and said to Him, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children's crumbs." 29 Then He said to her, "For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter." 30 And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.”
Wow! A “long-distance” exorcism! No laying on of hands, no loud incantation. Jesus simply said, “the demon has gone out of your daughter!” This is further proof of His absolute dominion over the devil and his forces . Distance is no obstacle when it comes to the authority of Jesus!
The woman had been dogging Jesus to heal her daughter and He had ignored her. What was it that turned the tables for her? In verse 29 we read, “for this saying go your way.” What saying? Her saying or the saying of Jesus? Both! In Jesus saying we have Him stating a biblical truth concerning God's plan for spreading the Gospel. Her response to His saying was a resounding “Amen.” She understood the plan and accepted it, but she also understood that even a crumb of God's grace would be enough to overpower the evil one.
When God showed His power to Elijah, He wasn't in the wailing wind, or the earthquake, or in the raging fire, He was in the “still small voice,” And that still small voice was enough to deliver Elijah from his bout of depression.
Anyone who has ever suffered from depression can appreciate the power involved in such a deliverance. Yes, just a crumb of God's grace is enough to overpower the enemy, may His grace come to you through faith and deliver you in your hour of need.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Wow! A “long-distance” exorcism! No laying on of hands, no loud incantation. Jesus simply said, “the demon has gone out of your daughter!” This is further proof of His absolute dominion over the devil and his forces . Distance is no obstacle when it comes to the authority of Jesus!
The woman had been dogging Jesus to heal her daughter and He had ignored her. What was it that turned the tables for her? In verse 29 we read, “for this saying go your way.” What saying? Her saying or the saying of Jesus? Both! In Jesus saying we have Him stating a biblical truth concerning God's plan for spreading the Gospel. Her response to His saying was a resounding “Amen.” She understood the plan and accepted it, but she also understood that even a crumb of God's grace would be enough to overpower the evil one.
When God showed His power to Elijah, He wasn't in the wailing wind, or the earthquake, or in the raging fire, He was in the “still small voice,” And that still small voice was enough to deliver Elijah from his bout of depression.
Anyone who has ever suffered from depression can appreciate the power involved in such a deliverance. Yes, just a crumb of God's grace is enough to overpower the enemy, may His grace come to you through faith and deliver you in your hour of need.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Are We Making Others Jealous?
# 477 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 7:27 But Jesus said to her, "Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs."
As I read this account of bread and table, I cannot help but think of the Lord's Supper. What an amazing right has been given to us Gentile dogs that we should be allowed to dine at this table. “But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. (Jn 1:12)
We have moved from the status of house dog to children of the King! The table was set by God for the Jews, but they rejected the Bread of Life and God in His foreknowledge has by grace through faith given us the privilege of partaking in His heavenly food. Rom 11:11 says, “Rather through their trespass (the Jewish rejection of Jesus as their Messiah) salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.”
I wonder, do we Christians make ANYONE jealous of the peace, forgiveness, and joy granted to us by faith in Christ, much less the Jews? Jealousy is aroused when someone else possesses something you wish you had.
What does our attitude toward the Bread of Life (Jesus) say to those not seated at the table? Would anyone observing us, desire this Bread? Desire this life? This Bread satisfies our need for fellowship with God through the forgiveness of our sins!
Let us learn to live in thankfulness as we treasure Him, perhaps others will see and desire and we will have opportunity to share the delectable Bread of Life with them.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
As I read this account of bread and table, I cannot help but think of the Lord's Supper. What an amazing right has been given to us Gentile dogs that we should be allowed to dine at this table. “But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. (Jn 1:12)
We have moved from the status of house dog to children of the King! The table was set by God for the Jews, but they rejected the Bread of Life and God in His foreknowledge has by grace through faith given us the privilege of partaking in His heavenly food. Rom 11:11 says, “Rather through their trespass (the Jewish rejection of Jesus as their Messiah) salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.”
I wonder, do we Christians make ANYONE jealous of the peace, forgiveness, and joy granted to us by faith in Christ, much less the Jews? Jealousy is aroused when someone else possesses something you wish you had.
What does our attitude toward the Bread of Life (Jesus) say to those not seated at the table? Would anyone observing us, desire this Bread? Desire this life? This Bread satisfies our need for fellowship with God through the forgiveness of our sins!
Let us learn to live in thankfulness as we treasure Him, perhaps others will see and desire and we will have opportunity to share the delectable Bread of Life with them.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The Proverb of the Little Dogs
# 475 - Today's Living Word comes from: Mr 7:27 But Jesus said to her, "Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs."
A Gentile woman has approached Jesus to ask for deliverance for her demon possessed daughter. Like a dog she keeps nipping at His heels with her persistent pleas, and finally Jesus answers her in the form of a proverb.
There is a great spiritual truth revealed in His answer that deals with the order of the dispensation of the Gospel. To the Jew first and then the Gentiles. The Holy Spirit speaking through the Apostle Paul restated it this way in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, (the bread) for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”
Jesus uses the setting of a typical meal in the Orient to make this point, but in so doing, there is even more we can learn from His illustration. The little children represent the Jews and the little dogs represent the Gentiles. Don't miss the use of the term “little dogs,” here because in using it, Jesus softens the perception that most Jews held toward Gentiles.
A dog in the Orient was either a wild scavenger or a pet house dog. The term “little dogs” signifies a pet house dog. The Jews typically regarded all Gentiles as wild dogs, unclean scavengers that needed to be driven away, but Jesus makes it clear here that there is room in His house for the “little dog” Gentiles.
I think we would all do well to ask ourselves how we treat others. Do we seek to drive them away and avoid them, or do we draw near to them and allow the blessings of love and forgiveness that we have received spill over into their lives?
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
A Gentile woman has approached Jesus to ask for deliverance for her demon possessed daughter. Like a dog she keeps nipping at His heels with her persistent pleas, and finally Jesus answers her in the form of a proverb.
There is a great spiritual truth revealed in His answer that deals with the order of the dispensation of the Gospel. To the Jew first and then the Gentiles. The Holy Spirit speaking through the Apostle Paul restated it this way in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, (the bread) for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”
Jesus uses the setting of a typical meal in the Orient to make this point, but in so doing, there is even more we can learn from His illustration. The little children represent the Jews and the little dogs represent the Gentiles. Don't miss the use of the term “little dogs,” here because in using it, Jesus softens the perception that most Jews held toward Gentiles.
A dog in the Orient was either a wild scavenger or a pet house dog. The term “little dogs” signifies a pet house dog. The Jews typically regarded all Gentiles as wild dogs, unclean scavengers that needed to be driven away, but Jesus makes it clear here that there is room in His house for the “little dog” Gentiles.
I think we would all do well to ask ourselves how we treat others. Do we seek to drive them away and avoid them, or do we draw near to them and allow the blessings of love and forgiveness that we have received spill over into their lives?
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Pray Persistently
# 474 - Today's living Word comes from: Mr 7:26 The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter.”
Why did this woman have to keep asking Jesus? Didn't He hear her the first time? In Matthews account of this incident we get a few more details of the situation. Mt 15:23 says, “But He did not answer her a word.” Ever felt like that when you pray? Learn from this woman. She kept asking Him even though He was apparently ignoring her!
Look what she does next and learn from it as well. She turns her attention to the disciples and started bugging them. As we read in the next verse, “And His disciples came and begged Him saying, “send her away, for she is crying out after us.” In other words, “grant her prayer request Jesus so we can have some peace and quiet!”
The whole situation reminds me of the parable of the persistent widow found in Luke 18. She kept bothering a judge for justice and he finally gave in. He said, “yet because this widow keeps bothering me I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.” (Lk 18:5)
In the matter of prayer, sometimes one and done is sufficient, but more often than not it is persistence that makes the difference. Never weary in prayer! If you must, get your church and fellow believers involved as this woman did. Persistent prayer from all quarters speaks volumes about enduring faith.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Why did this woman have to keep asking Jesus? Didn't He hear her the first time? In Matthews account of this incident we get a few more details of the situation. Mt 15:23 says, “But He did not answer her a word.” Ever felt like that when you pray? Learn from this woman. She kept asking Him even though He was apparently ignoring her!
Look what she does next and learn from it as well. She turns her attention to the disciples and started bugging them. As we read in the next verse, “And His disciples came and begged Him saying, “send her away, for she is crying out after us.” In other words, “grant her prayer request Jesus so we can have some peace and quiet!”
The whole situation reminds me of the parable of the persistent widow found in Luke 18. She kept bothering a judge for justice and he finally gave in. He said, “yet because this widow keeps bothering me I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.” (Lk 18:5)
In the matter of prayer, sometimes one and done is sufficient, but more often than not it is persistence that makes the difference. Never weary in prayer! If you must, get your church and fellow believers involved as this woman did. Persistent prayer from all quarters speaks volumes about enduring faith.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Monday, July 11, 2011
One Reason For Praying With Closed Eyes
# 473 - Today's Living Word comes from from: Mr 7:24b-25, “ And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden. For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet.
The word was out. News of the Gentle Healer had reached the ears of this desperate Gentile woman whose daughter was possessed by a demon. Let us note her approach to Jesus and see what we can learn.
First of all, she fell at His feet. The idea is that she gently prostrated herself in homage to Him for the purpose of asking for a favor. This falling at the feet of Jesus is simply a physical manifestation of what was going on in this woman's heart. It is a sign of humility.
Scripture tells us that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. There is an interesting passage in Job concerning humility before the Lord, Job 22:29 says, “When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person. {the word humble here means “him that hath low eyes.”}
One of the reasons we pray with lowered eyelids is to demonstrate humility before the Lord. We can also show this through kneeling or praying on our face as this woman did.
Is it necessary to do these things in order to be heard? Of course not, but all three help us embrace the humility that God desires in our hearts.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
The word was out. News of the Gentle Healer had reached the ears of this desperate Gentile woman whose daughter was possessed by a demon. Let us note her approach to Jesus and see what we can learn.
First of all, she fell at His feet. The idea is that she gently prostrated herself in homage to Him for the purpose of asking for a favor. This falling at the feet of Jesus is simply a physical manifestation of what was going on in this woman's heart. It is a sign of humility.
Scripture tells us that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. There is an interesting passage in Job concerning humility before the Lord, Job 22:29 says, “When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person. {the word humble here means “him that hath low eyes.”}
One of the reasons we pray with lowered eyelids is to demonstrate humility before the Lord. We can also show this through kneeling or praying on our face as this woman did.
Is it necessary to do these things in order to be heard? Of course not, but all three help us embrace the humility that God desires in our hearts.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
He Could Not Be Hidden
# 472 - Today's Living Word comes from: Mr 7:24b “ And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden.
“But He could not be hidden.” You may be able to put a candle under a bushel basket to hide it, but trying to hide Jesus, would be like trying to put the sun under a bushel basket. He is light!
The Holy Spirit speaking through John declared that Jesus was the true Light, “That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.” (Jn 1:9) and Jesus Himself said in Joh 12:46 "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.”
“He could not be hidden.”
Through the miracle of new birth, Jesus, the Light of the world lives in believers like you and me. We, now, ARE the Light of the world. Not could be or should be, we ARE. Mt 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Let us step out from under the bushel basket. Let us stop being closet Christians, In trust, let us start to treasure the Word of God and live by it. The Holy Spirit yearns to shine forth in your life and mine. He could not be hidden in Jesus then, and He should not be hidden in us, now!
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
“But He could not be hidden.” You may be able to put a candle under a bushel basket to hide it, but trying to hide Jesus, would be like trying to put the sun under a bushel basket. He is light!
The Holy Spirit speaking through John declared that Jesus was the true Light, “That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.” (Jn 1:9) and Jesus Himself said in Joh 12:46 "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.”
“He could not be hidden.”
Through the miracle of new birth, Jesus, the Light of the world lives in believers like you and me. We, now, ARE the Light of the world. Not could be or should be, we ARE. Mt 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Let us step out from under the bushel basket. Let us stop being closet Christians, In trust, let us start to treasure the Word of God and live by it. The Holy Spirit yearns to shine forth in your life and mine. He could not be hidden in Jesus then, and He should not be hidden in us, now!
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Saturday, July 9, 2011
God's Timing
# 471 - Today's Living Word comes from: Mr 7:24 “From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, ”
Have you ever stirred up a hornets nest? What did you do after riling them up? You beat feet out of there before they could do to you what they wanted to do. Jesus had just riled up the scribes and Pharisees as He had pointed out their sins and subsequent hypocrisy. They were likely mad as hornets and Jesus decides to leave for Gentile country.
It's not that He was afraid of them, (He would put Himself into their hands soon enough) its just that HE would be in charge of the timing of His death and resurrection, and not them.
Tyre and Sidon were Phoenician cities located on the Mediterranean Sea. They were well noted for their wickedness and immorality. With the Pharisees aversion to external uncleanness, Jesus would not be followed here by the Pharisees.
But there is another reason that Jesus came to these cities. He had a divine appointment to meet with a faith filled Gentile woman, and a very important lesson to teach His followers concerning the orderly flow of the Gospel and it's associated blessings.
Consider God's concern for timing as we begin to look at this account of the deliverance of this syrophoenician woman's daughter, and then let us learn to wait for Him to act in our own situations. Ps 145:15 says, “The eyes of all wait for thee; And thou givest them their food (what they need) in due season.”
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Have you ever stirred up a hornets nest? What did you do after riling them up? You beat feet out of there before they could do to you what they wanted to do. Jesus had just riled up the scribes and Pharisees as He had pointed out their sins and subsequent hypocrisy. They were likely mad as hornets and Jesus decides to leave for Gentile country.
It's not that He was afraid of them, (He would put Himself into their hands soon enough) its just that HE would be in charge of the timing of His death and resurrection, and not them.
Tyre and Sidon were Phoenician cities located on the Mediterranean Sea. They were well noted for their wickedness and immorality. With the Pharisees aversion to external uncleanness, Jesus would not be followed here by the Pharisees.
But there is another reason that Jesus came to these cities. He had a divine appointment to meet with a faith filled Gentile woman, and a very important lesson to teach His followers concerning the orderly flow of the Gospel and it's associated blessings.
Consider God's concern for timing as we begin to look at this account of the deliverance of this syrophoenician woman's daughter, and then let us learn to wait for Him to act in our own situations. Ps 145:15 says, “The eyes of all wait for thee; And thou givest them their food (what they need) in due season.”
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Friday, July 8, 2011
The Importance of Being made Aware of Sin
# 470 - Today's Living Word comes from: Mr 7:21-23 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, "thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. "All these evil things come from within and defile a man."
As we wrap up this section of Scripture I pray that we all have a better understanding of what these “evil things” are that defile a man. It is far too easy to read these lists of evil things and gloss over them because they are words that have lost their true meaning. They just don't “compute” with our intellect. When we do that, we often fall into the trap of thinking that they are archaic and don't apply to us.
But there is nothing archaic about sin. And I don't know about you, but as I seek to understand the real meaning of these terms, I find that there is no escaping the fact that I am a sinner in desperate need of a Savior. It's at times like these, that the Holy Spirit moves me to the place of the publican who stood in the back of the temple beating his breast and praying. “God have mercy on me...a sinner.” And the Good News is He will.
As Jesus said in Lu 18:14 "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
That's where I want to be.....justified! How about you?
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
As we wrap up this section of Scripture I pray that we all have a better understanding of what these “evil things” are that defile a man. It is far too easy to read these lists of evil things and gloss over them because they are words that have lost their true meaning. They just don't “compute” with our intellect. When we do that, we often fall into the trap of thinking that they are archaic and don't apply to us.
But there is nothing archaic about sin. And I don't know about you, but as I seek to understand the real meaning of these terms, I find that there is no escaping the fact that I am a sinner in desperate need of a Savior. It's at times like these, that the Holy Spirit moves me to the place of the publican who stood in the back of the temple beating his breast and praying. “God have mercy on me...a sinner.” And the Good News is He will.
As Jesus said in Lu 18:14 "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
That's where I want to be.....justified! How about you?
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Thursday, July 7, 2011
A Nation of Fools
# 469 - Today's Living Word comes from: Mr 7:21,22 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, "thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
Last on this list of “evil things,” is foolishness. Wait a minute! Foolishness is an “evil thing?” “Thou shalt not be foolish? Where's that in the ten commandments? What does Jesus mean here?
Strong's concordance uses the word “folly.” The Apostle Paul uses the same word in 2 Cor 11:1. He says, “ Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly--” and then he goes on to uncharacteristically use the personal pronouns “I” “me” and “myself” 48 times in this chapter.
In 2 Cor 12:11 he says, “I have become a fool in boasting;” which could be restated, “I am foaming at the mouth in all my boasting. In other words, it is sheer madness to boast about yourself as if you had anything to do with your accomplishments apart from God.
Ro 1:21 says it best, “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their FOOLISH hearts were darkened.” This is the sin of foolishness.
It is an evil thing to live without glorifying God and giving Him thanks. Please take the time to read the rest of Romans 1 and see where such living leads.
Ro 1:22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them............
Does any of this stuff sound familiar? Perhaps we have become a nation of fools.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Last on this list of “evil things,” is foolishness. Wait a minute! Foolishness is an “evil thing?” “Thou shalt not be foolish? Where's that in the ten commandments? What does Jesus mean here?
Strong's concordance uses the word “folly.” The Apostle Paul uses the same word in 2 Cor 11:1. He says, “ Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly--” and then he goes on to uncharacteristically use the personal pronouns “I” “me” and “myself” 48 times in this chapter.
In 2 Cor 12:11 he says, “I have become a fool in boasting;” which could be restated, “I am foaming at the mouth in all my boasting. In other words, it is sheer madness to boast about yourself as if you had anything to do with your accomplishments apart from God.
Ro 1:21 says it best, “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their FOOLISH hearts were darkened.” This is the sin of foolishness.
It is an evil thing to live without glorifying God and giving Him thanks. Please take the time to read the rest of Romans 1 and see where such living leads.
Ro 1:22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them............
Does any of this stuff sound familiar? Perhaps we have become a nation of fools.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Spittin' On Jesus
# 468 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 7:21,22 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, "thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
Next on the list of “evil things,” is pride. In the Greek it is defined as haughtiness or arrogance. It is the character trait of one who, with a swollen estimate of his own powers or merits, looks down on others and even treats them with insolence and contempt. This pride breaks out in actions and attitudes that “spits” on others.
Oh, you know these others. You see them every day and you may not physically spit on them, but your attitude toward them does. It is an evil thing to believe that somehow God has chosen to make you superior to others. And when that evil seeks to get a place in your heart and foment an attitude of superiority toward others, you and I need to go to the foot of the cross and take a good look at Jesus.
Is that some spit I see on Him? (Mr 14:65 Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him,) I believe it is. Is some of it mine? I'm afraid so.
Friend as we see what Jesus had to do for our sin, how can we be haughty. Who could we possibly spit on now?
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Next on the list of “evil things,” is pride. In the Greek it is defined as haughtiness or arrogance. It is the character trait of one who, with a swollen estimate of his own powers or merits, looks down on others and even treats them with insolence and contempt. This pride breaks out in actions and attitudes that “spits” on others.
Oh, you know these others. You see them every day and you may not physically spit on them, but your attitude toward them does. It is an evil thing to believe that somehow God has chosen to make you superior to others. And when that evil seeks to get a place in your heart and foment an attitude of superiority toward others, you and I need to go to the foot of the cross and take a good look at Jesus.
Is that some spit I see on Him? (Mr 14:65 Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him,) I believe it is. Is some of it mine? I'm afraid so.
Friend as we see what Jesus had to do for our sin, how can we be haughty. Who could we possibly spit on now?
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
The Blasphemy of God and Others
# 467 - Today's Living Word comes from: Mr 7:21,22 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, "thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
Next on the list of “evil things,” is blasphemy. Here's another word we just don't use very much anymore. When it is used, we take it to mean any kind of trash talking toward God, but if we limit this sin to mere words, we have failed to grasp the true meaning of the word.
To blaspheme someone is to “say something or ACT in a way that causes them to be viewed as having less importance or having less value. Be careful of how you speak about God. Be careful of how you act or behave. Seek to speak and act in ways that are in accordance with His Word and thereby bring glory to His name.
But this “evil thing,” of blasphemy is not restricted to trash talking God! It is words or actions that defame the character of any and all people made in the image of God! To speak evil of another or to act evil toward another is is to speak evil and act evilly toward God Creator.
In Luther's explanation of the eight commandment, “thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor,” he said, “We should fear and love God so that we do not deceitfully lie about, betray, backbite, nor slander our neighbor but defend him, speak well of him, and put the most charitable construction on all that he does.”
This saying from Luther ought to be on a plaque above every water cooler, in every break room, and on every electronic device that we use to enter today's social media venues. Because if we would seek to do these things we would avoid the sin of blasphemy against others, (which is really blasphemy against their Creator)
And let it be your motto the next time the conversation turns to the shortcomings of others.
By the way, this is not an unforgivable sin. The only unforgivable sin is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and if you are concerned that you have committed it....you haven't. For more on the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit read my blog at todayslivingword.blogspot.com for January 21, 2011
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Next on the list of “evil things,” is blasphemy. Here's another word we just don't use very much anymore. When it is used, we take it to mean any kind of trash talking toward God, but if we limit this sin to mere words, we have failed to grasp the true meaning of the word.
To blaspheme someone is to “say something or ACT in a way that causes them to be viewed as having less importance or having less value. Be careful of how you speak about God. Be careful of how you act or behave. Seek to speak and act in ways that are in accordance with His Word and thereby bring glory to His name.
But this “evil thing,” of blasphemy is not restricted to trash talking God! It is words or actions that defame the character of any and all people made in the image of God! To speak evil of another or to act evil toward another is is to speak evil and act evilly toward God Creator.
In Luther's explanation of the eight commandment, “thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor,” he said, “We should fear and love God so that we do not deceitfully lie about, betray, backbite, nor slander our neighbor but defend him, speak well of him, and put the most charitable construction on all that he does.”
This saying from Luther ought to be on a plaque above every water cooler, in every break room, and on every electronic device that we use to enter today's social media venues. Because if we would seek to do these things we would avoid the sin of blasphemy against others, (which is really blasphemy against their Creator)
And let it be your motto the next time the conversation turns to the shortcomings of others.
By the way, this is not an unforgivable sin. The only unforgivable sin is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and if you are concerned that you have committed it....you haven't. For more on the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit read my blog at todayslivingword.blogspot.com for January 21, 2011
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Monday, July 4, 2011
What is the Sin of the Evil Eye?
# 466 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 7:21,22 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, "thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
Next on the list of “evil things,” is an evil eye. What? When's the last time you heard a sermon warning you about having an evil eye? What is Jesus talking about here?
One of the helpful sayings for understanding Scripture is: “Scripture interprets Scripture.” In other words, it is helpful to use cross-references when studying Scripture. Are there other places in Scripture where the “evil eye” is mentioned?
In Mt 20:15 we read, 'Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your “eye evil” because I am good?' The occasion of this passage is a parable that Jesus was telling about the laborers who worked for one hour and received the same pay as those who worked all day. Those who worked all day were complaining about this arrangement. Their sin was envy, and Jesus called it “an evil eye.”
This is a great evil. Don't believe me? Read the Book of Genesis sometime and see it raise it's ugly head in Cain's heart. Envious of Abel, he rises up and kills his own brother! Then there was Esau, who swore vengeance on his brother because Jacob received the blessing of Isaac. Then there were Joseph's brothers. They would've killed him for envy over their father's preferential treatment of Joseph, but they sold him into slavery instead.
Oh, beware of the evil eye! See it raise up in your own heart whenever you feel you've been treated unfairly. If it is not curbed it can lead you to do horrible things to other people in word and deed.
When you struggle with the evil eye, the cure is to look at the cross and see what unfair treatment is really about. Has anyone ever been that unfairly treated? Why should Jesus have to die for our sins? What did He do?
You and I will never be that unfairly treated, and that is reason enough to put aside the sin of “the evil eye.” Rather than fall into the trap of the evil eye, let us fall into the arms of Jesus. He could've given us the “evil eye,” we deserved it, but He didn't. He gave us mercy and forgiveness.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Next on the list of “evil things,” is an evil eye. What? When's the last time you heard a sermon warning you about having an evil eye? What is Jesus talking about here?
One of the helpful sayings for understanding Scripture is: “Scripture interprets Scripture.” In other words, it is helpful to use cross-references when studying Scripture. Are there other places in Scripture where the “evil eye” is mentioned?
In Mt 20:15 we read, 'Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your “eye evil” because I am good?' The occasion of this passage is a parable that Jesus was telling about the laborers who worked for one hour and received the same pay as those who worked all day. Those who worked all day were complaining about this arrangement. Their sin was envy, and Jesus called it “an evil eye.”
This is a great evil. Don't believe me? Read the Book of Genesis sometime and see it raise it's ugly head in Cain's heart. Envious of Abel, he rises up and kills his own brother! Then there was Esau, who swore vengeance on his brother because Jacob received the blessing of Isaac. Then there were Joseph's brothers. They would've killed him for envy over their father's preferential treatment of Joseph, but they sold him into slavery instead.
Oh, beware of the evil eye! See it raise up in your own heart whenever you feel you've been treated unfairly. If it is not curbed it can lead you to do horrible things to other people in word and deed.
When you struggle with the evil eye, the cure is to look at the cross and see what unfair treatment is really about. Has anyone ever been that unfairly treated? Why should Jesus have to die for our sins? What did He do?
You and I will never be that unfairly treated, and that is reason enough to put aside the sin of “the evil eye.” Rather than fall into the trap of the evil eye, let us fall into the arms of Jesus. He could've given us the “evil eye,” we deserved it, but He didn't. He gave us mercy and forgiveness.
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Lascivio What?
# 465 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 7:21,22 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, "thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
Next on the list of “evil things,” is lewdness. The King James uses the word, “lasciviousness” here and it's a better choice of words simply because modern day usage of the term, “lewdness” restricts this “evil thing” to improper sexual behavior. It's more than that.
A good picture of modern day “lewdness” would be the Mardi Gras in New Orleans. This annual event is a snapshot of unrestrained sensuality. The term lasciviousness, on the other hand, means “readiness for all pleasure.” There is a subtle difference.
A lascivious person is one who acknowledges no restraints. They are governed by sensual impulses rather than the Word of God. If it feels good, they WILL do it. Lewdness may break out, but lasciviousness is never corralled in the first place. It is in total bondage to the flesh.
I don't like to picture myself parading down Bourbon Street in New Orleans during Mardi Gras, but that's what I must look like to my heavenly Father whenever I lose His gift of self-control and OVERINDULGE in any and all sensual pleasures.
“Father, thank You for all that is good and pleasant. I acknowledge that my flesh would live on nothing but pleasure if it could. Forgive me for those times when I give in to my flesh and serve it and love it more than You. Help me to enjoy those good and pleasant things You provide and at the same time learn to exercise your gift of self-control. In Jesus name, Amen
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Next on the list of “evil things,” is lewdness. The King James uses the word, “lasciviousness” here and it's a better choice of words simply because modern day usage of the term, “lewdness” restricts this “evil thing” to improper sexual behavior. It's more than that.
A good picture of modern day “lewdness” would be the Mardi Gras in New Orleans. This annual event is a snapshot of unrestrained sensuality. The term lasciviousness, on the other hand, means “readiness for all pleasure.” There is a subtle difference.
A lascivious person is one who acknowledges no restraints. They are governed by sensual impulses rather than the Word of God. If it feels good, they WILL do it. Lewdness may break out, but lasciviousness is never corralled in the first place. It is in total bondage to the flesh.
I don't like to picture myself parading down Bourbon Street in New Orleans during Mardi Gras, but that's what I must look like to my heavenly Father whenever I lose His gift of self-control and OVERINDULGE in any and all sensual pleasures.
“Father, thank You for all that is good and pleasant. I acknowledge that my flesh would live on nothing but pleasure if it could. Forgive me for those times when I give in to my flesh and serve it and love it more than You. Help me to enjoy those good and pleasant things You provide and at the same time learn to exercise your gift of self-control. In Jesus name, Amen
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Planned Lying
# 464 - Today's Living Word comes from: Mr 7:21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, "thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit..... (Mr 7:21,22) Next on the list of “evil things,” is deceit. When you and I hear the word deceit, we automatically thing of lying. But deceit goes much deeper than mere lying. The word in the Greek means, “to decoy or trick with bait.” Deceit might be called “planned lying.” It's an attempt to cover our sins by covering our tracks. And so we take precautionary measures hoping no one will see us enter the abortion clinic, or the motel room, or the internet chat room or the porn site.
We scheme against others and sometimes ourselves in order to get something we feel we need. The heart's bent toward deception plays out in so many different scenarios. We see it in advertising, relationships, false prophets, and even in justifying our own sins. Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us that , "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” And 1 Jn 1:8 we read, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
The covering or justifying of our own sins is perhaps our deadliest deception. Listen to the words of David as he dealt with the pain of hiding his sins of adultery and murder: When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. (Ps 32:3) In denying his sin, who was he really deceiving? Himself!
Are you guilty of deceit? Here's the solution. Admit your sin! It's what David did when God sent the prophet Nathan to him to confront him on his sin. He said, "I have sinned against the LORD." (2 Sam 12:13) And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die”
Don't let deceit get the upper hand in your life, there is no sin that you or I have committed that the Lord won't forgive. Cling to the promise of 1 Jn 1:9 and put it into practice! 1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
We scheme against others and sometimes ourselves in order to get something we feel we need. The heart's bent toward deception plays out in so many different scenarios. We see it in advertising, relationships, false prophets, and even in justifying our own sins. Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us that , "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” And 1 Jn 1:8 we read, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
The covering or justifying of our own sins is perhaps our deadliest deception. Listen to the words of David as he dealt with the pain of hiding his sins of adultery and murder: When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. (Ps 32:3) In denying his sin, who was he really deceiving? Himself!
Are you guilty of deceit? Here's the solution. Admit your sin! It's what David did when God sent the prophet Nathan to him to confront him on his sin. He said, "I have sinned against the LORD." (2 Sam 12:13) And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die”
Don't let deceit get the upper hand in your life, there is no sin that you or I have committed that the Lord won't forgive. Cling to the promise of 1 Jn 1:9 and put it into practice! 1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.
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