# 282 – Today's Living Word comes from Mark 3:3,4 “Then He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill.”
The man with the withered hand is told by Jesus to “step forward.” Jesus wanted him to be front and center. He is to serve as a visible example for the Pharisees and for us as well. See the withered hand? See the need? You can't miss it, it is right before your very eyes.
Will you respond to that need or will you withhold mercy? What can YOU do to extend mercy to this individual? Jesus is able to heal the hand and HE will, but He challenges us here to face the age old problem of apathy, fueled by legalism. This is the parable of the Good Samaritan brought inside the church walls.
When faced with the needs of others, such as a withered hand or any other kind of malady, the question is, will we do good, or look for ways to justify our walking on the other side of the road.
To ignore the need, to withhold mercy is to do evil. The Holy Spirit speaking through James puts it this way: Jas 4:17 “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”
You and I may not be called upon to heal someone, but you and I are called upon to extend mercy. You and I will likely encounter someone in need of mercy today. Will we extend it, or look for a legalistic excuse to avoid it?
Are we really looking to be legalistic? Do we really want to follow the Law? “The commandments are summed up in this word: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law.” (From Romans 13:9,10)
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
God's Got His Fingers In His Ears
# 281 – Today's Living Word comes from Mark 3:1,2 “And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.”
Still another Sabbath incident! No pun intended, but don't you wish these Pharisees would give this Sabbath thing a rest? As I read this I am drawn to two words: “Closely,” and “accuse.”
Did you know that at this very minute you and I are being watched very closely, and one of the reasons we are being watched is to be accused? Yup! The devil and his demons are always on the prowl, looking for ways to separate us from Christ, and one of their methods is accusation.
They will nit-pick, as the Pharisees were doing here with Jesus, looking for some legalistic angle to get you to doubt your salvation, or they will try to stir up memories of your past sins causing you to doubt God's ability to wipe your slate clean.
If you struggle with these accusations remember this from Rev. 12:10, “for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.”
Cast down from where? From heaven, where, until the death of Jesus he had God's ear. (read the first two chapters of Job and you'll see what I mean. Please note his accusations against Job.) But when Jesus died and paid for all the sins of the world, God tossed him out on his ear! With all sins paid for there is no one to accuse!
In a nutshell, that means that even though the accuser is ranting and raving against you on earth, as a believer, God's got His fingers in His ears and singing a tune. (la la la la) He's not hearing any of it. Cling to God's promises of forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ.
But beware, because on the Last Day (Judgment Day) the devil will have one final opportunity to make his case against you, and only those who are found in Christ will be spared.
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mr 16:16)
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Still another Sabbath incident! No pun intended, but don't you wish these Pharisees would give this Sabbath thing a rest? As I read this I am drawn to two words: “Closely,” and “accuse.”
Did you know that at this very minute you and I are being watched very closely, and one of the reasons we are being watched is to be accused? Yup! The devil and his demons are always on the prowl, looking for ways to separate us from Christ, and one of their methods is accusation.
They will nit-pick, as the Pharisees were doing here with Jesus, looking for some legalistic angle to get you to doubt your salvation, or they will try to stir up memories of your past sins causing you to doubt God's ability to wipe your slate clean.
If you struggle with these accusations remember this from Rev. 12:10, “for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.”
Cast down from where? From heaven, where, until the death of Jesus he had God's ear. (read the first two chapters of Job and you'll see what I mean. Please note his accusations against Job.) But when Jesus died and paid for all the sins of the world, God tossed him out on his ear! With all sins paid for there is no one to accuse!
In a nutshell, that means that even though the accuser is ranting and raving against you on earth, as a believer, God's got His fingers in His ears and singing a tune. (la la la la) He's not hearing any of it. Cling to God's promises of forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ.
But beware, because on the Last Day (Judgment Day) the devil will have one final opportunity to make his case against you, and only those who are found in Christ will be spared.
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mr 16:16)
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
God's Got His Fingers In His Ears
# 281 – Today's Living Word comes from Mark 3:1,2 “And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.”
Still another Sabbath incident! No pun intended, but don't you wish these Pharisees would give this Sabbath thing a rest? As I read this I am drawn to two words: “Closely,” and “accuse.”
Did you know that at this very minute you and I are being watched very closely, and one of the reasons we are being watched is to be accused? Yup! The devil and his demons are always on the prowl, looking for ways to separate us from Christ, and one of their methods is accusation.
They will nit-pick, as the Pharisees were doing here with Jesus, looking for some legalistic angle to get you to doubt your salvation, or they will try to stir up memories of your past sins causing you to doubt God's ability to wipe your slate clean.
If you struggle with these accusations remember this from Rev. 12:10, “for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.”
Cast down from where? From heaven, where, until the death of Jesus he had God's ear. (read the first two chapters of Job and you'll see what I mean. Please note his accusations against Job.) But when Jesus died and paid for all the sins of the world, God tossed him out on his ear! With all sins paid for there is no one to accuse!
In a nutshell, that means that even though the accuser is ranting and raving against you on earth, as a believer, God's got His fingers in His ears and singing a tune. (la la la la) He's not hearing any of it. Cling to God's promises of forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ.
But beware, because on the Last Day (Judgment Day) the devil will have one final opportunity to make his case against you, and only those who are found in Christ will be spared.
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mr 16:16)
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Still another Sabbath incident! No pun intended, but don't you wish these Pharisees would give this Sabbath thing a rest? As I read this I am drawn to two words: “Closely,” and “accuse.”
Did you know that at this very minute you and I are being watched very closely, and one of the reasons we are being watched is to be accused? Yup! The devil and his demons are always on the prowl, looking for ways to separate us from Christ, and one of their methods is accusation.
They will nit-pick, as the Pharisees were doing here with Jesus, looking for some legalistic angle to get you to doubt your salvation, or they will try to stir up memories of your past sins causing you to doubt God's ability to wipe your slate clean.
If you struggle with these accusations remember this from Rev. 12:10, “for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.”
Cast down from where? From heaven, where, until the death of Jesus he had God's ear. (read the first two chapters of Job and you'll see what I mean. Please note his accusations against Job.) But when Jesus died and paid for all the sins of the world, God tossed him out on his ear! With all sins paid for there is no one to accuse!
In a nutshell, that means that even though the accuser is ranting and raving against you on earth, as a believer, God's got His fingers in His ears and singing a tune. (la la la la) He's not hearing any of it. Cling to God's promises of forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ.
But beware, because on the Last Day (Judgment Day) the devil will have one final opportunity to make his case against you, and only those who are found in Christ will be spared.
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mr 16:16)
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Jesus Is Our Sabbath
# 280 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 2:27 And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28 "Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath."
It is just as Moses said in Exodus 16:29, “See! For the Lord has given you the Sabbath!” The Sabbath, the day of rest was made for man by God. It was His gift to Adam! It is still His gift to us today.
The Sabbath and everything about it pointed to Jesus, and when Jesus (the Son of Man) came and fulfilled His mission, the legal requirements were no longer necessary.
The word Sabbath means to “desist from exertion,” You see in the Old Testament, it was necessary to exert one’s self to follow the ceremonial Law because it was a display of trust in God’s promise of a coming Savior. But now that Jesus has come, we no longer need to exert our self. We just need to rest in what He accomplished for us on Calvary.
This is what the command “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy is all about. Remember that Jesus has done it all! You must not add work to your salvation. Keep His rest holy, or separate from your works! It is grace alone, works are only a fruit of the joy and peace we find as we rest in Him!
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
It is just as Moses said in Exodus 16:29, “See! For the Lord has given you the Sabbath!” The Sabbath, the day of rest was made for man by God. It was His gift to Adam! It is still His gift to us today.
The Sabbath and everything about it pointed to Jesus, and when Jesus (the Son of Man) came and fulfilled His mission, the legal requirements were no longer necessary.
The word Sabbath means to “desist from exertion,” You see in the Old Testament, it was necessary to exert one’s self to follow the ceremonial Law because it was a display of trust in God’s promise of a coming Savior. But now that Jesus has come, we no longer need to exert our self. We just need to rest in what He accomplished for us on Calvary.
This is what the command “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy is all about. Remember that Jesus has done it all! You must not add work to your salvation. Keep His rest holy, or separate from your works! It is grace alone, works are only a fruit of the joy and peace we find as we rest in Him!
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Jesus IS Our Sabbath
# 280 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 2:27 And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28 "Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath."
It is just as Moses said in Exodus 16:29, “See! For the Lord has given you the Sabbath!” The Sabbath, the day of rest was made for man by God. It was His gift to Adam! It is still His gift to us today.
The Sabbath and everything about it pointed to Jesus, and when Jesus (the Son of Man) came and fulfilled His mission, the legal requirements were no longer necessary.
The word Sabbath means to “desist from exertion,” You see in the Old Testament, it was necessary to exert one’s self to follow the ceremonial Law because it was a display of trust in God’s promise of a coming Savior. But now that Jesus has come, we no longer need to exert our self. We just need to rest in what He accomplished for us on Calvary.
This is what the command “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy is all about. Remember that Jesus has done it all! You must not add work to your salvation. Keep His rest holy, or separate from your works! It is grace alone, works are only a fruit of the joy and peace we find as we rest in Him!
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
It is just as Moses said in Exodus 16:29, “See! For the Lord has given you the Sabbath!” The Sabbath, the day of rest was made for man by God. It was His gift to Adam! It is still His gift to us today.
The Sabbath and everything about it pointed to Jesus, and when Jesus (the Son of Man) came and fulfilled His mission, the legal requirements were no longer necessary.
The word Sabbath means to “desist from exertion,” You see in the Old Testament, it was necessary to exert one’s self to follow the ceremonial Law because it was a display of trust in God’s promise of a coming Savior. But now that Jesus has come, we no longer need to exert our self. We just need to rest in what He accomplished for us on Calvary.
This is what the command “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy is all about. Remember that Jesus has done it all! You must not add work to your salvation. Keep His rest holy, or separate from your works! It is grace alone, works are only a fruit of the joy and peace we find as we rest in Him!
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Be Thankful For the Thorns
1Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
I want to share a story with you today that came across my desk some nine years ago. It’s called the Thanksgiving Special:
Nancy walked into the florist shop feeling as cold as the November breeze. Her life had been going along just fine but then in the 4th month of her pregnancy, a minor automobile accident took the life of her unborn child. The child would’ve arrived sometime during this Thanksgiving week. But now, she felt so empty.
If that weren’t enough her husband was facing possible job transfer to another state. Then her sister, who’s holiday visits were always a highlight called to say that she wouldn’t be able to make it this year. Nancy was just not in the holiday spirit this year.
To make it worse, a close friend of hers infuriated her just a couple of days ago by suggesting that her grief was a God-given path to maturity that would allow her to empathize with others who suffer. Who did this high and mighty friend think she was????? Had she lost a child?? No! She had no idea what Nancy was feeling. Thanksgiving? Thankful for what? For a careless truck driver whose truck was hardly scratched when he rear-ended her? For an airbag that saved her life but took that of her child?
Just then the clerk interrupted her thoughts with a “Good morning, can I help you?
Uh, .....I need an arrangement.
“For Thanksgiving”
Yes please,
Do you want beautiful but ordinary? a harvest theme? or are you looking for something that conveys gratitude? If so may I suggest the Thanksgiving Special?
Nancy couldn’t believe the next words that came out of her mouth. She found herself sharing her story of grief with this perfect stranger, and then apologizing for dumping all her troubles on the clerk, but the clerk said, “Oh, I have the perfect arrangement for you!” But before she could explain another customer came into the shop.
Hi Barbara! I’ll be out with your order shortly. She whisked into the back room and soon appeared with an arrangement of greenery, bows, and long-stemmed thorny roses............only, the ends of the rose stems were neatly snipped off.....there were no flowers.
Nancy couldn’t believe it, but even more she couldn’t believe Barbara’a reaction.
“Oh these are just beautiful!” You’d think after three years of getting the special I wouldn’t be as moved , but its happening again. My family will love this arrangement.” And she walked out the door very pleased.
Nancy couldn’t remain silent.....’Uh.....that lady just paid you money and left with no flowers!
Right, the clerk said, I cut off the flowers.”
Off?
Yep, that’s the Thanksgiving Special.
But why do people pay for that?
DO you really want to know?
Yes I do.
Barbara came to my shop 3 years ago feeling pretty much the way you are feeling today. She thought she had very little to be thankful for. She had lost her father to cancer, the family business was failing, her son was into drugs, and she was facing major surgery.
That same year, I had lost my husband. I took over full responsibility for running the business, and for the first time in my life I was going to be marking the holidays alone. No family nearby and too great a debt to allow for any travel. I was very depressed.
What did you do?
I learned to be thankful for the thorns.
For the thorns?
Yes, the rough things in life. Oh I was quick to thank God for the good things in my life, but very slow to say thanks for the tough things. It took time for me to learn that the dark times are important too.
I always enjoyed the “roses” of life but it took thorns to show me the beauty of God’s comfort. . The Bible says that God comforts us when we’re afflicted and from His consolation, we learn to comfort others. (2Co 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.)
Nancy gasped audibly, “Why that’s what my friend was trying to tell me, but she just made me mad! I guess the truth is I really don’t want comfort. I’ve lost a baby and I’m angry with God!
Just then another customer came in.
Hey Phil, the clerk said are you here for the yearly special?
You bet I am. The clerk handed the thorny arrangement to him and he joyfully exclaimed, “Oh my wife will love these!”
Nancy asked, “These are for your wife?”
Oh, yea. 4 years ago my wife and I nearly divorced. After 40 years, we were in a real mess, but we slogged through, problem by rotten problem. Today our marriage is stronger than ever. Last year when I stopped in here I was a little down in the dumps and that’s when I found out about the Thanksgiving special. My wife and I decided to label each thorny stem for the different thorny situations we have encountered. It’s becoming a tradition at our house. The man left the floral shop with a little more bounce in his step.
Nancy, looked at the clerk and said, “I don’t know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life.
The clerk replied, “Well, my experience has been that thorns make roses more precious. We treasure God’s providential care more during trouble than at any other time. Don’t forget.....Jesus wore a crown of thorns so that we might know His love.......I’ve learned to never resent thorns.”
Tears rolled down Nancy’s cheeks. For the first time since the accident she loosened her grip on her resentment. Between sobs she managed to say, “I’ll take 12 long-stemmed thorns please.”
I hoped you would, every time you see them appreciate the good and the bad times, for all are in God’s hands.
How much do I owe you.
Nothing, the first year is always free and I always attach this card. It is a saying from George Matheson, Read it!
“My God, I have never thanked You for my thorns. I have thanked You a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear. Teach me to value my thorns. Show me that I have climbed to You by the path of pain. Show me that my tears have made my rainbow.
Happy Thanksgiving Nancy!
Nancy smiled and opened the door Happy Thanksgiving she said, and took her first step toward hope and healing.
And Happy Thanksgiving to you! May this little story help all of us in our journeys of hope and healing.
Duane
I want to share a story with you today that came across my desk some nine years ago. It’s called the Thanksgiving Special:
Nancy walked into the florist shop feeling as cold as the November breeze. Her life had been going along just fine but then in the 4th month of her pregnancy, a minor automobile accident took the life of her unborn child. The child would’ve arrived sometime during this Thanksgiving week. But now, she felt so empty.
If that weren’t enough her husband was facing possible job transfer to another state. Then her sister, who’s holiday visits were always a highlight called to say that she wouldn’t be able to make it this year. Nancy was just not in the holiday spirit this year.
To make it worse, a close friend of hers infuriated her just a couple of days ago by suggesting that her grief was a God-given path to maturity that would allow her to empathize with others who suffer. Who did this high and mighty friend think she was????? Had she lost a child?? No! She had no idea what Nancy was feeling. Thanksgiving? Thankful for what? For a careless truck driver whose truck was hardly scratched when he rear-ended her? For an airbag that saved her life but took that of her child?
Just then the clerk interrupted her thoughts with a “Good morning, can I help you?
Uh, .....I need an arrangement.
“For Thanksgiving”
Yes please,
Do you want beautiful but ordinary? a harvest theme? or are you looking for something that conveys gratitude? If so may I suggest the Thanksgiving Special?
Nancy couldn’t believe the next words that came out of her mouth. She found herself sharing her story of grief with this perfect stranger, and then apologizing for dumping all her troubles on the clerk, but the clerk said, “Oh, I have the perfect arrangement for you!” But before she could explain another customer came into the shop.
Hi Barbara! I’ll be out with your order shortly. She whisked into the back room and soon appeared with an arrangement of greenery, bows, and long-stemmed thorny roses............only, the ends of the rose stems were neatly snipped off.....there were no flowers.
Nancy couldn’t believe it, but even more she couldn’t believe Barbara’a reaction.
“Oh these are just beautiful!” You’d think after three years of getting the special I wouldn’t be as moved , but its happening again. My family will love this arrangement.” And she walked out the door very pleased.
Nancy couldn’t remain silent.....’Uh.....that lady just paid you money and left with no flowers!
Right, the clerk said, I cut off the flowers.”
Off?
Yep, that’s the Thanksgiving Special.
But why do people pay for that?
DO you really want to know?
Yes I do.
Barbara came to my shop 3 years ago feeling pretty much the way you are feeling today. She thought she had very little to be thankful for. She had lost her father to cancer, the family business was failing, her son was into drugs, and she was facing major surgery.
That same year, I had lost my husband. I took over full responsibility for running the business, and for the first time in my life I was going to be marking the holidays alone. No family nearby and too great a debt to allow for any travel. I was very depressed.
What did you do?
I learned to be thankful for the thorns.
For the thorns?
Yes, the rough things in life. Oh I was quick to thank God for the good things in my life, but very slow to say thanks for the tough things. It took time for me to learn that the dark times are important too.
I always enjoyed the “roses” of life but it took thorns to show me the beauty of God’s comfort. . The Bible says that God comforts us when we’re afflicted and from His consolation, we learn to comfort others. (2Co 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.)
Nancy gasped audibly, “Why that’s what my friend was trying to tell me, but she just made me mad! I guess the truth is I really don’t want comfort. I’ve lost a baby and I’m angry with God!
Just then another customer came in.
Hey Phil, the clerk said are you here for the yearly special?
You bet I am. The clerk handed the thorny arrangement to him and he joyfully exclaimed, “Oh my wife will love these!”
Nancy asked, “These are for your wife?”
Oh, yea. 4 years ago my wife and I nearly divorced. After 40 years, we were in a real mess, but we slogged through, problem by rotten problem. Today our marriage is stronger than ever. Last year when I stopped in here I was a little down in the dumps and that’s when I found out about the Thanksgiving special. My wife and I decided to label each thorny stem for the different thorny situations we have encountered. It’s becoming a tradition at our house. The man left the floral shop with a little more bounce in his step.
Nancy, looked at the clerk and said, “I don’t know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life.
The clerk replied, “Well, my experience has been that thorns make roses more precious. We treasure God’s providential care more during trouble than at any other time. Don’t forget.....Jesus wore a crown of thorns so that we might know His love.......I’ve learned to never resent thorns.”
Tears rolled down Nancy’s cheeks. For the first time since the accident she loosened her grip on her resentment. Between sobs she managed to say, “I’ll take 12 long-stemmed thorns please.”
I hoped you would, every time you see them appreciate the good and the bad times, for all are in God’s hands.
How much do I owe you.
Nothing, the first year is always free and I always attach this card. It is a saying from George Matheson, Read it!
“My God, I have never thanked You for my thorns. I have thanked You a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear. Teach me to value my thorns. Show me that I have climbed to You by the path of pain. Show me that my tears have made my rainbow.
Happy Thanksgiving Nancy!
Nancy smiled and opened the door Happy Thanksgiving she said, and took her first step toward hope and healing.
And Happy Thanksgiving to you! May this little story help all of us in our journeys of hope and healing.
Duane
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Mercy Trumps Judgment
# 279 Today’s Living Word comes from Mark 2:25,26 “But He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: "how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat, except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?"
Jesus gives the Pharisees something to chew on and it wasn't showbread. He says, “you are upset with My disciples because they have violated the ordinances associated with the Sabbath, but what about David?
There was a time when he and his men were hungry and he went into the temple and ate the showbread. The showbread was twelve loaves that were placed on a gold covered table in the Holy Place every Sabbath. When they were removed they were to be eaten only by the priests according to God’s CEREMONIAL Law.
In this instance, the bread had served it’s sacred purpose and was available so David and his men ate it. It would be like some very hungry people coming to your church on a communion Sunday and all you had to give them to eat was the communion elements. What would you do? Mercy demands that you give them what you have.
God, in His mercy was okay with that, how much more should we be okay with it? James 2:13 says, “Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
Jesus gives the Pharisees something to chew on and it wasn't showbread. He says, “you are upset with My disciples because they have violated the ordinances associated with the Sabbath, but what about David?
There was a time when he and his men were hungry and he went into the temple and ate the showbread. The showbread was twelve loaves that were placed on a gold covered table in the Holy Place every Sabbath. When they were removed they were to be eaten only by the priests according to God’s CEREMONIAL Law.
In this instance, the bread had served it’s sacred purpose and was available so David and his men ate it. It would be like some very hungry people coming to your church on a communion Sunday and all you had to give them to eat was the communion elements. What would you do? Mercy demands that you give them what you have.
God, in His mercy was okay with that, how much more should we be okay with it? James 2:13 says, “Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
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