Sometimes the struggles of this life can seem to be more than we can handle. Jesus tells us where to go when we need help. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Today’s reading: Matthew 11
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When a Pharisee named Simon questioned in his mind why Jesus would allow a sinful woman to wash his feet or even come close to him, Jesus answered him with a parable. “And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.” (Luke 7:40-43) If each of us were to honestly count our sins, we should have love for our Lord like the debtor who owed the most.
Today’s reading: Matthew 9; Luke 7
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It has been said that you can look at a man’s checkbook and tell where his heart is. It seems the idea for those words probably originated from part of what was spoken by Jesus in His sermon on the mount. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21) Where is your treasure today?
Today’s reading: Matthew 5-7
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Do you remember the children’s song about the wise and foolish men each building a house? The basis for that song comes from the mouth of our Savior. “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.” (Luke 6:46-49) We can also read a similar passage in Matthew 7:24-27. In the song it is fun to sing how that foolish man’s house went ‘splat’. In real life, it is not fun to be that foolish man who Jesus is talking about not following His word.
Today’s reading: Matthew 12; Mark 3; Luke 6
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When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well, He explained to her how we are to worship God. “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24) To worship in truth we must follow the examples found in Scripture. To worship in spirit we must to do so with a heart and mind focused on the purpose of glorifying and honoring our Heavenly Father.
Today’s reading: John 5
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Jesus was questioned about why he was having a meal with publicans and sinners. His response: “When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Mark 2:17) It is comforting to know that every day we have a great physician that we can call on for help when we are struggling. He has promised to be with us until the end. (Matthew 28:20)
Today’s reading: Matthew 8; Mark 2
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Nicodemus was confused and questioned Jesus on what he meant by the phrase “be born again”. “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) Paul explained this concept of a new life in his letter to the Colossians (2:12-13) and also in his letter to the Romans. “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.” (Romans 6:3-7)
Today’s reading: John 2-4
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When the devil tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread, even though he hadn’t eaten for forty days, Christ responded that physical nourishment was not everything. “But he answered, ‘It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4) It is up to us to feed our souls a complete supply of God’s Word through daily spiritual nourishment.
Today’s reading: Matthew 4; Luke 4-5
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When Jesus invited Simon and Andrew to follow Him, they did not hesitate. “They immediately left their nets and followed Him.” (Mark 1:18) We see James and John do the same in Mark 1:20. He invites us as well “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24). We do not have to give up our livelihood as they did, but we do have to give up a life of sin and be willing to fully follow Him.
Today’s reading: Matthew 3; Mark 1; Luke 3
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In this section of scripture we read of Jesus’ birth. As you read it do you notice any details that don’t agree with the nativity scenes that we normally see around Christmas time? How many wise men are spoken of in chapter 2? We are never told. It is just assumed that there were three because that is how many gifts were brought to Him. Did the wise men come to see Jesus while he was a newborn in the manger? Matthew 2:11 says “And when they had come into the house…” What is the purpose for pointing these things out? Traditions of man do not always agree with the truth, so we must always make sure we are getting our information from the one true source, God’s Holy and Divine Word!
Today’s reading: Matthew 2
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