Reverse the Curse

 

 

Good day! I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word:

 

Isa 11:11 It shall come to pass in that day That the Lord shall set His hand again the second time To recover the remnant of His people who are left, From Assyria and Egypt, From Pathros and Cush, From Elam and Shinar, From Hamath and the islands of the sea. 12 He will set up a banner for the nations, And will assemble the outcasts of Israel, And gather together the dispersed of Judah From the four corners of the earth.

This prophecy deals with the present Messianic age. An age in which the Lord is recovering the lost, (the dispersed) through the preaching of the Gospel. These countries are all foreign to us today, but in Isaiah’s day they would be well known, and the point being made is the recovery will be worldwide.

 

The great scattering occurred originally at the Tower of Babel with the curse of confused languages, but on the day of Pentecost, the curse was reversed as the disciples spoke the mighty works of God in all languages and the gathered crowd in Jerusalem remarked:  "Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God." (Acts 2:11)

 

Both believing Jew and believing Gentile will be recovered through the church’s obedient call to the great commission. Mt 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

 

The Jews, separated after the reign of Solomon into the northern and southern kingdom will be recovered and unified with each other, and the Gentiles as well. This has been God’s plan from the very beginning.

 

Eph 1:10 tells us: that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him.

And  Ga 3:28 affirms: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

 

And this was spoken by Isaiah a full 700 years before the arrival of Jesus Christ. Let us as the church take it to heart and do whatever we can to bring the gospel to the nations and reverse the curse.

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word.

The Glorious Rest

 

Good day! I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word:

 

Isa 11:10 "And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious."

 

Isaiah shifts gears here and speaks of the first coming of the Messiah. (There shall be a Root of Jesse) This root (the Messiah) will “stand as a banner to the people” A banner is a rallying point, a pennant raised on a pole, and I believe here a picture of the cross. The cross is the rallying point for all of Christendom.

 

Jesus said this about Him being lifted up as a banner in  Joh 12:32 "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself."  33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.

 

The cross then is what we preach, and it this message that will draw the Gentiles to find Jesus! 1Co 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,  24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

 

Those who receive Jesus enter into His glorious rest. No more striving to work your way into paradise, but rather resting in Jesus and His finished work on the cross!

Heb 4:1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.

 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.

 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,'" although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

 4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works";

 5 and again in this place: "They shall not enter My rest."

 6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience,

 7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, "Today," after such a long time, as it has been said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts."

 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day.

 9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.

 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

 11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.

 

Striving for your salvation in your own strength? Look to the cross and see the Root of Jesse paying the price of your sins. Receive the risen Lord and enter into His glorious rest!

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word.

Nothing More Than A Living Slinky

  

Good day! I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word:

 

Isa 11:7 The cow and the bear shall graze; Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole, And the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper's den. 9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea.

I love how Isaiah keeps painting the picture of perfect peace in the new heaven and the new earth when Jesus comes again. God really wants us to get this. He wants us to crave it, and if we crave it, we will turn to the only one who can grant it. The Messiah, Jesus Christ.

 

Imagine a cow and a bear grazing side by side in a pasture. Their calves and cubs romping together and neither cow nor bear charging after anything drawing near to their calf or cub. No need to, there is no danger!

 

And is that a lion over there eating hay out of a manger instead of ripping apart the flesh of another animal?

 

And, “look out child!” “Don’t stick your hand into that snake’s nest!” But wait, it’s okay, it’s nothing more now than a living slinky. Let the two play together!

 

Please get this picture of perfect peace and harmony and shoot for the day, you will witness it into eternity.

 

There will be absolutely no more destruction or hurt in God’s holy mountain! His knowledge will fill the earth as water fills the sea. TOTAL!

 

Let’s talk briefly about this knowledge. Remember the tree of knowledge of good and evil? It is gone! Out of the way forever. All that will be known by the inhabitants of the new earth will be good. Evil forever banished, never to tempt or bother man or beast again! The intimacy of God permeating everything!

 

This is what 1Co 13:12 is talking about: “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

 

Perfect intimacy (knowledge) with God and all of creation. Beautiful! Can’t say it enough! Be there!

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word.

Bye Bye Wild Kingdom

 

Good day! I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word:

 

Isa 11:6 "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them.

 

Isaiah begins to speak of a time of great peace. A time in which God’s creation will be living as He intended man and animal to live from the get go. This kind of peace can only come from the Messiah. It is the ultimate peace that He will bring at His second coming.  This is the way the new heavens and earth will look after Jesus comes again.

 

Isa 65:17 "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. 18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy. 19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying.

 

This peace will be so complete that the former remembrances of violence will “not be remembered of come to mind.”

 

No more “Wild Kingdom” with Marlin Perkins, rather it will be a perfectly “mild kingdom!”

 

You’ve watched the nature shows. You’ve seen the violence and savagery of a pack of wolves tearing into a hapless sheep. You’ve seen the leopard chase down the goat! Can you imagine a lion and a Holstein calf hanging out together, and a little child skipping and romping with them as a boy in our world today would play with his dog?

 

This is a partial picture of what life in eternity will be like for the believer in Jesus Christ. As I write this, war is brewing in the Ukraine. The peace of the world once more being disturbed. This will never happen in the new heaven and the new earth.

 

Be there! Put your faith in Jesus and ultimately live a life in a world that was built the way God intended.

 

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word.

Ever Righteous, Ever Faithful

 

 

Good day! I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word:

 

Isa 11:5 Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist.

 

Isaiah continues his description of the coming Messiah and one would have to be familiar with the clothing customs of biblical days to fully grasp the picture presented here. I’m not, so I will try to portray it in terms we might be able to understand.

 

The King James uses the word “girdle” here for belt, and the picture I get of modern day clothing would be a jock strap for the loins and a girdle for the waist. That may seem a bit crass, but it’s the best I can do.

 

A jock strap is typically used in anticipation of vigorous physical activity., and “girding up the loins” in biblical terminology, meant preparing or being prepared for battle. The Messiah is ever ready to battle for you. De 3:22 'You must not fear them, for the LORD your God Himself fights for you.'

 

On the other hand, the girdle or belt around the waist was used to “keep it all together” if you will. And it was where the sword was typically sheathed.

 

So the picture I get here is a Messiah prepared to battle in perfect righteousness and perfect faithfulness for His church. With the Word of God ever ready as the sword of the Spirit.

 

A belt or girdle being a picture of holding it all together perfectly. Righteousness and faithfulness ever with our Savior. Ever with the Son of God! No let down ever.

 

Girded in faithfulness we have His assurance that He will never break His promises and that HE will never leave or forsake you!

 

De 31:6 "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."

 

Girded in righteousness because He and His Word are perfectly right. Ps 33:4 For the word of the LORD is right, And all His work is done in truth.

 

As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, this is who goes to war for you! He is your righteousness and ever faithful to you.

 

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word.

A Wrap On Meekness

 Good day! I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word:

 

Today, we will wrap up and hopefully clarify for you, the amazing benefits of being meek! Let me list some of the other bennies specifically mentioned in the Bible that are reserved for the meek.

 

Do you want to have more awareness of the Lord in your life? Be meek!

Ps 22:26 – the meek shall eat and be satisfied -  Ps 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

 

Do you want guidance from the Lord? Be meek!

Ps 25:9 – the meek shall be led in the right way and taught the right way.

 

Do you want peace? Be meek!

Ps 37:11 – the meek will inherit the land and have abundant peace.  (Because God is now doing their fighting.)

 

Do you want vindication? Be meek! Isa 11:4 But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.

 

And,

Ro 12:19 "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.

 

 

Looking for joy in your life? Be meek!

Isa 29:19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

 

And of course as we shared a couple of days ago in this blog, it is the meek spouse who opens the doors of possibility of saving their mate.

 

How fortunate are those who have surrendered their strength to God, because now, their strength is under His perfect control.

 

And it is those who have surrendered their power to God who will inherit the earth.

 

It makes perfect sense doesn't it? 

 

The meek will inherit the earth because they have voluntarily yoked themselves to God, and now everything that is God's is theirs and God owns the earth.....now and forevermore. 

 

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. It is in His power to use it in any way He sees fit. He will allot the earth's resources to the meek through His perfectly measured strength and time. Tap into it. If you've already received Christ the gift of meekness is present.......allow God to observe it in your life, and use it for His glory.

 

A.W. Tozer once wrote, The meek man …..has stopped being fooled about himself. He has accepted God's estimate of his own life. He knows he is as weak and helpless as God declared him to be, but paradoxically, he knows at the same time that he is in the sight of God of more importance than angels. In himself, nothing; in God, everything. That is his motto."

 

This is what it is to be meek. It is simply to look to God for all your power and strength, and let Him act.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Meekness: Power Under the Control of God

 

 

Good day! I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word:

 

We’ve been talking about the trait of meekness. Meekness is not weakness, rather it is power under control. Perfect meekness would be power under the control of God and where else would you want to tap into a source of power?

 

The meek are weak in just one sense and that sense is they are no longer relying on their own puny power of the flesh, but rather relying on the controlled power of the Holy Spirit. Zec 4:6 So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.

 

How foolish to trust in anything else but God's power? 1 Cor 1:25 says that the weakness of God  is stronger than men.

 

 

Paul saw the value of  surrendering his strength to God when he was battling a thorn in the flesh

 

2Co 12:9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

This is soooooo important that God personally spoke it to Paul! And it is nothing but a paraphrase of the third beatitude. Blessed are those who become weak and  rely on the perfectly controlled strength of God.

 

Meekness in the Old Testament is foreshadowed for us through the first born children. The first-born are symbols of strength and the whole Old Testament system of offerings is about consecrating the first born, because they are symbols of  giving up our strength to God. Pharaoh wouldn't give up his strength and so God took it from him, when He eliminated his first-born.

 

Seek meekness! Seek to live in the controlled perfect power of God!

 

 2Co 13:4 For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. (He lived meekly) For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. 

 

Oh yes, blessed are the meek. It’s controlled strength from God and those who have it shall inherit the earth!

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

How Meekness Saved A Soul and A Marriage

 

Good day! I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word:

 

I hope my story will be a help for those who are married to an unbeliever.  It’s a story of a wife who bought into the truths of 1 Peter 3:1-6 and a husband who upon observing her meekness was “won without a word.”

 

Note where meekness comes into play in this passage: “Likewise wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives....when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external....the braiding of hair; the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing....but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a meek and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. (He wants to see it in action!) For this is how the holy women who hoped in God (looked to Him for strength) used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.”

 

Meekness, I can think of no better term to describe my wife as she submitted her strength to God in an attempt to bring me back to Christ. It was power under control. (meekness) In my prodigal years, she could have rightfully said so many things, done so many things in her own strength to get my attention and attempt to straighten me out. (I think she even tried that fruitless route for a while,)  but it wasn't until she let God observe her new found harnessed strength in action that He acted, and He acted because her demonstration of meekness was very precious to Him.

 

Was it easy? No! It took time, but with the help of God she made it through, and I’m here today because of it!

 

Oh yes, blessed are the meek, (those who have put all their strength under the control of God.) Not only will they inherit the earth, but they may even save a soul and a marriage along the way.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word and it’s my story of salvation through meekness.

More on Meekness

 

 

Good day! I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word:

 

We’ve been talking about the word “meek” and the bum rap it often gets. Today we will look at more biblical examples of meekness and what it looks like in the life of a believer.

 

Part of meekness is to curb the natural desires to rebel, fight, do it our own way, etc. Rather, the meek  submit to the Lord in obedience to His will.

 

James 3:13 says, “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. (Power placed under the control of God is wisdom)

 

Time after time in the New Testament, we are reminded to live in the power of Christ under control.

 

Gal 5:23 – speaking of the fruit of the Spirit....”meekness self, control” it's no accident that this fruit of the Spirit is linked with self-control.

 

Eph 4:2 - “Walk with all humility and meekness (power under control)

 

Col 3:12....put on humility, meekness, and patience  (power under control, again linked with patience

 

1 Tim 6:11 “Pursue meekness (power under control)

 

Titus 3:2 – to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be meek, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. ( talk about power under control!) Who can control the tongue?

 

1 Pet 3:15, defend the faith with meekness (power under control so no one can slander you.)

 

Power abused or misplaced in the church is detrimental to the cause of Christ. Just look at the source of church scandals, aren't they almost always caused my misused power?

 

And in Gal 6:1, 2 Tim 2:25, we are told to correct erring brothers with meekness (power under control) come to them with the correction of a gentle breeze.

 

And Paul when dealing with the sexual sin in the church at Corinth said, “should I come to you with a rod (a hurricane) or in a spirit of meekness. (power under control) a gentle breeze

 

Power under control is a beautiful thing. It is achieved when we learn to yield to the Holy Spirit

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word.

More on the Meek (Power Under Control)

 

 

Good day! I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word:

 

I want to continue talking about the “meek” today, because I think the word gets a bad rap. Use it in a word association game and you are likely going to hear words such as “pushover,” “pansy, ” “weakling,” and so on. But as we learned yesterday “meek” is better described as “power under control.”

 

Jesus whole life on this earth was power under control wasn't it? Even when that lady with the bloody issue  touched His garment, He could feel the power go out from Him. But even that power was controlled and measured by the Father, and she received just enough to heal her.

 

Without being under control, it would have been like touching a high voltage wire and she would've been fried on the spot. Jesus was aware of this allottment of power, He felt it, it was power under control.

 

As He told Peter after Peter cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest. Why are you relying on your puny little sword, don't you know that I could appeal to the Father and  He will at once send Me more than twelve legions  of angels?”   Power under control.

 

“Hey if You're the Christ, come down from there”.......power under control.

 

 

Then, there's Moses. Did you know that the Bible says that Moses was the meekest man of his day? Num 12:3 says, “Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.”

 

Somehow, we just don't equate Moses with meekness do we? Yet think about it He was definitely a living example of power under control. Who's control? God's control.  Because He had committed himself to God, he had surrendered his strength to God. And look what strength and power God released through him to deliver His people.

 

Look at the power God released through Jesus to deliver us from sin, death, and the devil.

 

 

David demonstrated meekness in his treatment of Saul. He had every right to wipe him out and he had more than one opportunity to do so, but he waited for and relied on God's strength and timing in the matter rather than his own.

 

The meek have a very interesting character trait, they seek the Lord, and desire to do His commands. Zeph 2:3 says, “Seek the Lord, all you meek of the land who do His just commands.”

 

It's what the meek do. They don't rely on their own wisdom or strength or the wisdom and strength of the world, they rely on God, and demonstrate their reliance by seeking His commands and doing them. And I’m told, the meek shall inherit the earth!

 

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

More on Meekness

 

 

Good day! I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word:

 

I want to continue talking about the “meek” today. It’s a word associated with those who Jesus said will inherit the earth, but I think the word gets a bad rap. We have come to define it as “pushover.” No! The “pushovers will not inherit the earth, the “meek” the “surrendered” will inherit it!

 

As I was looking for Greek paraphrases for meekness, I stumbled across an article on the internet by a man named Grady Scott. Using the Greek word for meek (praus) he came up with a couple of good usages. The word “praus” was used by sailors to describe a gentle breeze. The same word was used by farmers to describe a broken colt.

 

These are calm and gentle,  but they don't necessarily have to be. Using these definitions, Scott makes a good case for meekness being “power under control.”

 

Think about it. Think about the damage caused by uncontrollable wind. Is not a gentle breeze  nothing but a hurricane under control. Or think of the power of a stallion, or a Clydesdale. The strength is still there, it's just under control. I suppose we could say the same for nuclear energy. When it's out of control, we're in trouble, but when it's harnessed, it serves us, rather than the other way around.

 

This explains so much of the self-described meekness of Jesus, who said in Mt 11:29, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am meek (power under control) and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls.”

 

 Wow, does that take put some extra pzazzz into that passage!  A yoke connects you to the strength of what is also under the same yoke, Jesus in effect is saying tap into My power and you won't have to exert yourself!  “I'll do all the work and you will find rest.

 

One of the problems we have with the meekness of Jesus is we think of the table overturning incident in the Temple, and the various run-ins with the Pharisees and we wonder aloud, “Where's the meekness in that? But when you realize that meekness is power under control, you can see that His actions were only a small tempest of what He could've done.

 

This overturning of the tables was a carefully measured response from Jesus to the abuses of the temple. He had checked out the twisted business of the moneychangers the day before, Mr 11:11 And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

 

On the next day,  Jesus meted out His measured response (power under control) Mr 11:15 So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.

 

The meek are not pushovers, they are followers of Jesus who have yielded their power to the control of the Holy Spirit.

 

More on meekness next time.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word.

The Meek (Not what You May Think)

 

Good day! I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word:

 

Isa 11:4, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth;

 

If I were to ask you to give me a Bible verse with the word “meek” in it, most likely you would tell me that the “meek” will inherit the earth. (Mt 5:5) The Psalmist had this to say about the meek: Ps 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

 

Imagine that a whole new earth with an abundance of peace for those who are meek. I like the prospect of living in such a place for eternity, how about you? I wanna be meek!

But, who are the meek? I think the meek have gotten a bum rap in that we have relegated them to sissy’s who dwell in mamby pamby land! But that’s not what it means to be meek!

Let’s delve deeper into the meaning of meekness as we look at the first three beatitudes from the sermon on the mount and perhaps get a glimpse of the progression of a follower of Christ. Let’s see where “meekness” comes in.

 

First of all Jesus said in Mt 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

So, in order to enter the kingdom of God, one must recognize their spiritual bankruptcy. In a sense we are spiritual beggars relying solely on the richness of the mercy of God.

 

Next: Mt 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.

 

The mourners are those who recognize their sin and mourn over it, They have godly sorrow over their rebellion against God. This is called repentance.

 

 Next we have, Mt 5:5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

 

The meek are submissive indeed. In that they have submitted their lives to God. They acknowledge that He is on the throne of their heart and it is their desire for Him to rule their lives.

 

The first beatitude speaks of heartfelt inadequacy, the second speaks of repentance and the third is a realization of spiritual weakness that leads one to look to God for strength. We might rephrase it by saying, “Blessed are the surrendered.”

 

Meekness is not an absence of strength, only an absence of the strength of my flesh and a reliance on the omnipotence of God. Indeed, if I’m meek, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13)

 

More on meekness next time.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word.

The Poor In Spirit

 

 

Good day! I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word:

 

Isa 11:4 But with righteousness He shall judge the poor

 

Isaiah continues to speak of the Messiah and he echoes the thoughts of Solomon in Ps 72:2 He will judge Your people with righteousness, And Your poor with justice.

 

Righteousness and justice will be the benchmarks of the judgement wielded by the Messiah. Are you perfectly righteous? Have you never sinned? I don’t think so. As far as our own righteousness goes, we are in trouble aren’t we!

 

No one can make that “perfect life” claim except Jesus. Therefore, we need His righteousness in order to pass muster. Paul tells us in Php 3:9 that he (we) we must “be found in Him, not having my (our) own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

 

That’s the benchmark for entering the kingdom of heaven. It’s our only pass. Perfection! Ps 37:29 The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell in it forever. What a great promise for the believer’s future!

 

How do we become righteous? By faith, which, by His grace, is a gift! This gift of grace comes to the “poor in spirit,” those who are humble enough to admit they bring nothing to the table, only a plea for God’s mercy.  

 

The poor sinner who is aware of his spiritual poverty and acknowledges his sinful state before God and asks for God’s mercy, will be heard and saved. He is like the tax collector we read about in Lu 18:13 "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' Listen to what Jesus says about this in the next verse!

 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."

The poor in spirit will find favorable judgement with the Messiah. Or as Isaiah states it, the Messiah will judge the poor! His judgment is in favor of the poor in spirit and the kingdom of heaven is given to them!

 

Jesus said in Mt 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

God Sees the Heart

 

Good day! I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word:

 

Isa 11:3 His delight is in the fear of the LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;

 

Hypocrites! They look so good on the outside, they sound so good in their speech, but the Lord doesn’t look at outer trappings…..He looks at the heart.

Samuel learned that as he sought a successor to Saul as king of Israel. 1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

 

It turns out, David was the man whom the Lord had chosen.  1Sa 16:11 And Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all the young men here?" Then he said, "There remains yet the youngest, and there he (David) is, keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him.

 

In his book, “Travelling Light” Max Lucado comments on this passage: He writes, “Jesse’s term for “the youngest,” was not complimentary. He literally said, “I still have the runt.”

 

Our tendency is to look at the outside, but thankfully God looks at the heart! The question begs to be asked, “What then does God look for in the heart?” And the answer is found in  Ac 13:22 b " 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.

 

Willing to do the will of the Father, always gets God’s attention! 2Ch 16:9 "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him

 

He looked at all of Jesse’s strapping young men and turned each one away and selected the runt of the litter…David.

 

Jesus saw the heart of the woman caught in adultery. He saw the heart of the Samaritan woman at the well, and He saw the heart of that runt Zacchaeus. He sees your heart as well. My question for you today is what does He see in your heart. Someone who balks at doing God’s will, or one who ever seeks to do His will.

 

It’s not whether you look the part or talk like the part, it’s your heartfelt attitude toward God that matters.

 

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Aim To Please

 

 

Good day! I’m Duane Matz and this is Today’s Living Word:

 

Isa 11:3 His delight is in the fear of the LORD,

Isaiah continues to speak of the coming Messiah. The Messiah’s delight will be found in His fear of the Lord. This reverence for the Father will break out in a perpetual actions that will be pleasing to the Father.  Jesus made this clear in Joh 8:29 "And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him."

 

ALWAYS! He never missed the mark, every single act on His part was pleasing to the Father! This desire to please the Father is wrapped up in proper fear and love of the Father. It ought to be the same for you and I. De 13:4 says: "You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice, and you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.

 

I’ve always loved Luther’s explanation of the Ten Commandments as found in the Lutheran catechism. As confirmands, we had to memorize every one of them, and they still ring in my ear. After every command, Luther asks the question, “What does this mean?” Then responds with, “We should fear and love God so that we…..,” and then describes how we can work out obedience to God’s commands in our day to day living.

 

It’s an ongoing battle for each one of us, but pleasing the Father in all that we do ought to be our motivation. When one considers what God has done for us through Jesus, it is the only fitting response.

Joh 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word