Matthew 16

WEEK  16                                            Matthew 16

THURSDAY  Reflections

Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead but now the religious leaders want to sign. How many do they need? I can't help but remember the country song which I heard years ago that said: "Here's your sign," and the sign read, "I'm stupid" (I looked it up as I was writing this and decided I didn't necessarily like the song by Travis Tritt & Bill Engvall). This being said, the Pharisees and Sadducees were being stupid. The problem was they didn't want to believe; they wanted a sign so they could say Jesus was under their authority. If Jesus had done another sign they wouldn't have believed in him. Jesus by using the illustration of the morning and evening sun, said they needed to interpret what signs had been done. Jesus, by referencing Jonah, was saying that the heathen city understood and repented, but they hadn’t.  

Jesus wasn't there to play their games any more than he is for us today. Some people have made the same claim today, “If I had a sign,” but the truth is, it wouldn't be enough. The reason is that they want God to be under their authority. From my reading of Scripture, I believe if a sign would truly help someone come and stay in the faith then God would give it. The Bible shows us, time after time, that miracles rarely produce a changed heart.  

Mat 16:1-28
(1)  The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
(2)  He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
(3)  And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
(4)  A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
(5)  And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
(6)  Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
(7)  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
(8)  Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
(9)  Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
(10)  Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
(11)  How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
(12)  Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
(13)  When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
(14)  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
(15)  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
(16)  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
(17)  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
(18)  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
(19)  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
(20)  Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
(21)  From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
(22)  Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
(23)  But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
(24)  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
(25)  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
(26)  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
(27)  For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
(28)  Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

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Proverbs 19

WEEK  16                                            Proverbs 19

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

"Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death" (verse 18 NIV). There is much argument over the discipline of children. An exact reading of some of Proverbs (especially in some translations) sounds little more than child abuse. This is NOT what is being taught. God hates abuse. What is being taught is captured in this proverb. Without discipline (structure/direction/ appropriate correction) children go down the way which will lead to trouble and death, if not physical then spiritual death. However, with the right guidance, there is hope for children, and if I might add, hope for the future. 

What proverb inspires you today?



Pro 19:1-29
(1)  Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
(2)  Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
(3)  The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
(4)  Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
(5)  A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
(6)  Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
(7)  All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.
(8)  He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
(9)  A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
(10)  Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
(11)  The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
(12)  The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
(13)  A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
(14)  House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
(15)  Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
(16)  He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
(17)  He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
(18)  Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
(19)  A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
(20)  Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
(21)  There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
(22)  The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
(23)  The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
(24)  A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
(25)  Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
(26)  He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
(27)  Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
(28)  An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
(29)  Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

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Amos 1

WEEK   16                                               Amos 1

TUESDAY  Reflections

Amos is what many would call a nobody from Tekoa who God called to be a prophet to the northern tribes of Israel. Like David, God is calling someone from the sheep to give a message to His sheep. Though the job of a shepherd wasn't a distinguished career, God has chosen someone from its ranks to hear His words. I am reminded of the words of Paul, God has chosen “the weak things of this world to shame the strong" (1 Corinthians 1:27b, NIV).

 

The message begins with Amos denouncing the nations that surround Judah and Israel. This won't be the heart of the message, but God is using words the people of Israel will want to hear to get their attention. After all, it's human nature to enjoy hearing about the misfortune coming on your enemies.  

Amo 1:1-15
(1)  The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
(2)  And he said, The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.
(3)  Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron:
(4)  But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Benhadad.
(5)  I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the LORD.
(6)  Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver them up to Edom:
(7)  But I will send a fire on the wall of Gaza, which shall devour the palaces thereof:
(8)  And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron: and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord GOD.
(9)  Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant:
(10)  But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyrus, which shall devour the palaces thereof.
(11)  Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever:
(12)  But I will send a fire upon Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah.
(13)  Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border:
(14)  But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour the palaces thereof, with shouting in the day of battle, with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind:
(15)  And their king shall go into captivity, he and his princes together, saith the LORD.

2 Kings 1

WEEK  16                                           2  Kings 1

MONDAY  Reflections

It is easy to focus on God's vengeance on Ahaziah and the soldiers. After the conflict with the prophets of Baal and the record of Elijah, it would seem that if you need a prophecy, God through Elijah would be the place to go. Ahaziah probably didn't want the truth but reassurance and sent for the person who would give it to him.  We can miss the real danger Elijah was in from soldiers sent by the king (they weren't chosen because they were gentle). One can guess that Elijah wasn't being sent for so he could be treated to a banquet. His pronouncement that the king would die could be thought of as treason. The soldiers were going to kill him. The first two captains didn't understand or appreciate the danger they were going into. Elijah, in the past, had called down fire from heaven. Obadiah understood that the Spirit of God could supernaturally translocate Elijah. There was reason to fear facing Elijah. The third captain realized this danger and called for mercy. God, as always, responded in kind. God's mercy is what I want to highlight in this chapter.


2Ki 1:1-18
(1)  Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.
(2)  And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.
(3)  But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?
(4)  Now therefore thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed.
(5)  And when the messengers turned back unto him, he said unto them, Why are ye now turned back?
(6)  And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
(7)  And he said unto them, What manner of man was he which came up to meet you, and told you these words?
(8)  And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.
(9)  Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down.
(10)  And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
(11)  Again also he sent unto him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the king said, Come down quickly.
(12)  And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
(13)  And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.
(14)  Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight.
(15)  And the angel of the LORD said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king.
(16)  And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
(17)  So he died according to the word of the LORD which Elijah had spoken. And Jehoram reigned in his stead in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah; because he had no son.
(18)  Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

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Lamentations 1

WEEK 15                                        Lamentations 1

SATURDAY  Reflections

We can't see it in English but four of the chapters of Lamentations are an acrostic. They lay out a case of desperation for those who have seen their homeland destroyed.

 

The first part of verse 21 stands out to me, as I have seen many people in grief. The writer says there isn't anyone to offer comfort. In fact, the author says those around are glad to see them, as they are. This is the way it feels at times in life. Even for those who know that God is watching over them. There are times they/I have felt all alone.

 

Lamentations reminds me that God is okay with people grieving. He is not offended when people cry out in pain. If you look at the garden of Gethsemane you see Jesus crying out to God. God is not just not offended, he understands. If anyone can comfort, it is God. Yet at times he knows we need to cry it out before we can receive comfort.

Lam 1:1-22
(1)  How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary!
(2)  She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies.
(3)  Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude: she dwelleth among the heathen, she findeth no rest: all her persecutors overtook her between the straits.
(4)  The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness.
(5)  Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper; for the LORD hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the enemy.
(6)  And from the daughter of Zion all her beauty is departed: her princes are become like harts that find no pasture, and they are gone without strength before the pursuer.
(7)  Jerusalem remembered in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the days of old, when her people fell into the hand of the enemy, and none did help her: the adversaries saw her, and did mock at her sabbaths.
(8)  Jerusalem hath grievously sinned; therefore she is removed: all that honoured her despise her, because they have seen her nakedness: yea, she sigheth, and turneth backward.
(9)  Her filthiness is in her skirts; she remembereth not her last end; therefore she came down wonderfully: she had no comforter. O LORD, behold my affliction: for the enemy hath magnified himself.
(10)  The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things: for she hath seen that the heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command that they should not enter into thy congregation.
(11)  All her people sigh, they seek bread; they have given their pleasant things for meat to relieve the soul: see, O LORD, and consider; for I am become vile.
(12)  Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.
(13)  From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them: he hath spread a net for my feet, he hath turned me back: he hath made me desolate and faint all the day.
(14)  The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, and come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into their hands, from whom I am not able to rise up.
(15)  The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress.
(16)  For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.
(17)  Zion spreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to comfort her: the LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob, that his adversaries should be round about him: Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them.
(18)  The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity.
(19)  I called for my lovers, but they deceived me: my priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city, while they sought their meat to relieve their souls.
(20)  Behold, O LORD; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home there is as death.
(21)  They have heard that I sigh: there is none to comfort me: all mine enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that thou hast done it: thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called, and they shall be like unto me.
(22)  Let all their wickedness come before thee; and do unto them, as thou hast done unto me for all my transgressions: for my sighs are many, and my heart is faint.

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