Help Lead the Blind

S - Scripture     

Matthew 15 v. 13- 14  He replied, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Let them alone; they are blind guides,.. And if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.

O - Observation    

Grass roots. Jesus uses the analogy of a blind man to describe the world that does not see Jesus. Leaders of this world, informal or formal, that do not follow God’s word will end up hurt. Along with those that follow them. As “seeing” people, what are we to do with the “blind” people? Jesus tells us here to go of grass roots. Let them alone. We need to focus on the “blind” followers. They will follow who ever is leading them. We need to show them the safe way in life. The only way in life – Jesus. Inherently, followers are more open to God’s wisdom, since they are following to begin with.  This gets back to sharing the Good news one person at a time – via relationships. We simply need to lead them to Jesus. This approach is a bottom up approach to the blind leaders of the world.  

A - Application  

Am I helping the “blind” to follow a safe path to Jesus?       

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Help me to be a guide for the blind.  Love Will.  

Image by Oberholster Venita from Pixabay

Know what stains you - and how to clean it

S - Scripture     

Matthew 15 v. 11 Hear and Understand; not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.  

O - Observation    

Stained. Back in Jesus day, and even today, the Jews and other religions have food that is forbidden to eat. It’s from unclean animals. Participating in those foods stained a person. But Jesus makes it perfectly clear it’s what comes out that stains us. Not what we eat. Later on in v. 10, Jesus says, for out of the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. How true that is. Thank God for Jesus who washes our Stains away.  

A - Application  

Am I recognizing when I cause a stain? Am I praying to God to take my stains away?      

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Thank you for dying so that I may be stainless.  Love Will.  

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Pay Proper Respect for God's word

S - Scripture     

Matthew 15 v. 4  For God commanded, “Honor your Father and Mother” and he who speaks evil of Father or Mother let him surely die.

O - Observation    

Proper Respect. On first blush, this verse is about making sure that we honor our Mother and Father. It is the only Commandment with a promise, “that you may live long.” But, as you dig deeper into this verse, Jesus is talking about the proper respect of God’s word. In this case, the Jewish tradition, TWISTED this simple command into self pride. See Matthew 15 v. 3-6   http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2015:3-6;&version=31;

Think about today, what else gets twisted? Thou shall not kill – Hey – It’s a woman’s choice. Do you realize the number of babies aborted world wide everyday is equal to the Population of Columbia. Or, in the US alone, abortion kills the entire Columbia High school enrollment, on a daily basis. Wow!!! Appalling, but twisted. 

A - Application  

Regardless of what the world is thinking, am I paying Proper Respect to God?     

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Help me to keep your word.  Love Will. 

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Just do it!!!

S - Scripture     

Matthew 14 v. 29   He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.

O - Observation    

Just Do it!! That’s what Peter did. Jesus said come and Peter didn’t hesitate. He just hopped out of the boat, and started walking on water. As long as his eyes were focused on Jesus, no problems. But, when he took his eyes off Jesus he started to sink. We need to be like Peter when we hear God talking to us. We need to just do it. God will not let you down. But, How do we know if God is talking to us?  Read and dwell on his word daily!!! Pray!!!

A - Application  

Am I listening and following God’s commands in my life?   

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Help me to jump out of the boat. Help me to trust in you always. Help me to just do it!!!  Love Will.  

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 

Be ready for the unexpected

S - Scripture

Matthew 14 v. 25 And in the forth watch of the Night, he came to them, walking on the sea.

 

O – Observation

Unexpected. Jesus comes into our lives at unexpected times. In this case, the 4^th watch was definitely during the graveyard shift. Most of the disciples were trying, I’m sure, to get some shut eye. Then Jesus came by walking on water. Now THAT’s unexpected. Think about our lives, or the lives of people we know, especially those that don’t know Jesus as their savior. He can come unexpectedly. But, if were watching, although surprised, we can react and be open to what he has planned for us. Just ask Peter. See Matthew 14 v. 26-33.

A – Application

Am I watching? Am I prepared for the unexpected?

P – Prayer

Jesus, Come to me when I’m ready or not. Love Will

Photo by James Eades on Unsplash

Get fed by Jesus - you will be satisfied

S - Scripture

Matthew 14 v. 20  And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the pieces leftover.

 

O – Observation

Satisfaction. This verse is about satisfaction. Jesus just fed 5, 000 people on 5 loaves and 2 fishes. In fact, it was an over abundance. At the time they were hungry and needed to be fed. We can learn a lot from this experience today. We come to Jesus hungry, spiritually, physically, emotionally. We need help. Jesus is the Bread of Life. He will fed us. We just need to eat what he has to offer. He will bless us. We just have to go to him.

A – Application

Am I going to the right table to be fed? Am I eating, digesting the word of God? Am I thankful for all he’s done for me, for my salvation?  

P – Prayer

Jesus, I’m hungry, fill me up, Bless me with abundance.  Love Will

Blessed Discipline

Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

Scripture:

Psalm 94:12 Blessed is the one You discipline, Lord, the one You teach from Your law.

Observation: 

When I was a young boy, I would never have believed that discipline was a blessing.

After messing up, the words; “wait until your dad gets home,” were not filled with joyful expectation. But scripture tells us that even God disciplines; our text today and also Revelations 3:17 “Those I love I rebuke and discipline.” You see, God wants to mold and 

shape us through discipline until we are totally His! Until we fulfill the purpose for which He created us! 

Eph 2:10 We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God hath before ordained that we might walk in them!

Application: 

Discipline is a form of the greatest and toughest love! Left to our own devices, we may not be good citizens of this earth, and would likely never be citizens of heaven! Our appropriate 

response to discipline will result in being blessed by the Father!

Prayer: 

Dear Father, help us to embrace the great blessings that Your discipline has provided 

for us. Because of Your discipline, we have an ear for Your Spirit, and the good news of Jesus has captured our heart! Thank you for Your blessing of discipline, 

In Jesus Name, Amen

Set aside time to be reflective

S - Scripture

Matthew 14 v. 13a Now when Jesus heard this he withdrew from there in a boat to a lonely place apart.

 

O – Observation

Quiet time. Jesus just heard the news that Herod killed John the Baptist and wanted to have some quiet time. Some time to reflect, some time, I’m guessing to pray. Interesting, since Jesus as God, undoubtedly knew exactly what was going to happen. But it still hit his heart. Jesus cares for each one of us. He knows exactly what’s going to happen to us. During the trials, bad news we hear, its good to go to a quiet place to mediate, after all that’s what Jesus did. But as the next verse shows, life goes on and he jumped back in the mix. So must we after reflection.

A – Application

Do I set aside quiet time or have a lonely place to meditate? 

P – Prayer

Jesus, Give me peace and comfort and a place to mediate with you.  Love Will

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Train to become a Martyr

S - Scripture

Matthew 14 v. 10 He (Herod) sent and had John beheaded in prison.

 

O – Observation

Martyrdom. John the Baptist was put in prison and killed because he spoke the truth. There are people today that are getting put in prison, beaten and killed in the name of Jesus, the Truth. What is their reward? Revelation 2 v. 10b, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Today. I can be a martyr, do I kill the things that I want to do, the things of this world? Living a life set aside for Jesus, is a form of Martyrdom since the world wants you to do the opposite.

A – Application

Am I training to become a martyr? Have I sacrificed/replaced the sinful things I do with a focus on Jesus?

P – Prayer

Jesus, Help me to be faithful unto death. Love Will

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Be Confusing for God

S - Scripture

Matthew 14 v. 2 and he (Herod) said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist, he has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him.

O – Observation

Confusion. That’s what this statement’s about. Herod couldn’t believe that there was another “Prophet”, that Jesus was even more influential than John the Baptist. Instead of seeing Jesus as he is, he thought that he was John – reincarnated. Confusion. He knew that couldn’t be true. But he didn’t know what to say. 1 Corinthians 1 v. 23, “But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to the gentiles.”

A – Application

Am I adding to the world’s confusion? Am I doing this in word and actions?

P – Prayer

Jesus, Help me to be confusing to the world. Give me the opportunity to explain myself. Love Will

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Write things down!!!

S - Scripture     

Matthew 13 v. 52  And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the Kingdom of Heaven is like a householder who brings out his treasure what is new and what is old."

O - Observation    

Wow!!! Stumbled across this one. This is verification that SOAPing or Journaling is a worthwhile effort. Putting your thoughts and observations down on paper makes you a scribe. Committing to the process on a daily basis, is all about training. As you dig into God's word, he will reveal great treasures. Some of them are very profound. Some are subtle.(I see that with the deep thoughts!!!) All, however, are treasures. But what's the use if you don't share? We need to share!!!

A - Application  

Am I motivated to be a trained scribe? Am I journaling on a consistent basis?

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Thanks for the reassurance. Help me to be a Great Scribe for you. Love Will.  

Be completely excited about Jesus

S – Scripture

Matthew 13 v. 45-46 Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant in search of Fine Pearls, who on finding one Pearl of great value, went and sold all he had and bought it.

O – Observation

Merchants. It’s folks buying and selling things of value. The more valuable, the happier they are. Today there are lots of people searching for the truth. Spirituality seems to be big now. But, there’s lots of options for one’s spirituality. Eastern religions are really making inroads in America. But, there is only one Pearl of Great Value – Jesus Christ.

A – Application

Now that I know what the Pearl of Great Value is, have I sold all to buy it? Have I given my time? Do I give my talents? Do I give my treasure? (For where your treasure is, there will be your Heart.) Am I really excited about this pearl?

P – Prayer

Jesus, Help me to sell all that I am. Help me to be completely excited about you.  Love Will

Let God Cook you

S – Scripture

Matthew 13 v. 33 He told them another parable. “The kingdom of Heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened."

O – Observation

Chewing on this one. Jesus doesn’t go on to explain this one like some of the other parables. Here’s what come to mind with me. We are the flour. Leaven is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes into our lives and changes us – we become dough. Originally, we are just flour. We have potential, but essentially useless until the Holy Spirit enters our lives. But wait, there’s more. What do we do with dough? Cook it. Make it into something good to eat. We will be exposed to heat, trials, tribulations. This is to completely change us into something much better.

A – Application

Where am I in Jesus' big kitchen? Flour, Dough or Bread?

P - Prayer

Jesus, Use me, cook me to be a treat for your kitchen. Love Will

Living for Him

Guest blog by Gary Riedel

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 5:15 And He died for all, that those who live would no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again!

Observation: 

In today’s culture we are tempted to live for a lot of things; some of them very appropriate, we live to take care of and provide for the families God has Blessed us with, we live to serve in our communities, schools, and churches. God expects this, but what about simple distractions to His purpose for our life, for example, cell phones. They are very useful, but can also steal our time. Remember, we are to live for him, for we are called according to His purposes. Romans 8:28

Application: 

For me it seems easy to be distracted by things, my mind is always active, but there are great blessings in living for Him? First of all, we are assured of a life with Him forever, but in addition He gives us peace, comfort, hope and joy in this life! He prompts us to trust in Him for our wellbeing, and not in the devices of man!

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, teach us to live for Jesus and to trust in Him alone, especially in these times in which we live. Help us to know that living for Him means forever living with Him! 

In His Name, Amen

Photo by Rahul Chakraborty on Unsplash

Don't be a weed!

S - Scripture     

Matthew 13 v. 30  Let them both grow together until the Harvest; and at Harvest time, I will tell the reapers, gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.

O - Observation    

Wheat or Weeds? This is the tail end of a parable in which Jesus tells how a sower planted wheat, but an enemy came in and scattered weeds in the midst of the field. Much like it is today. Christians live amongst those that don't know Jesus or don't care. Notice in the parable the farmer waits until harvest time, much like God is doing today. But while he waits, it rains, and both plants grow. So is it here. Good things happen to both believers and unbelievers. Both may prosper. Weeds or unbelievers may grow more than the wheat (True in my yard!!!) Don’t give up the faith. At Harvest time we will be stored in Heaven.

A - Application             

So am I wheat or weeds? 

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Help me to be Healthy wheat, don't let me get choked by the weeds. Love Will.  

Take advantage of our advantage

S - Scripture     

Matthew 13 v. 17 Truly I say to you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see and did not see it, and to hear what you hear and did not hear it.   

O - Observation    

Slight Advantage - Us.  As I think about the Old Testament folks vs. us, we have some things in common. We are placing our faith on things that are not yet visible. They placed their faith on an event to come, us for an event that has occurred. They had prophets, we have, the actual words of wisdom from God himself. The Bible has Jesus' words. We have actual proof of him being here for us. John 20 v. 29b. Blessed are those who have not seen yet believe.

A - Application             

Am I taking advantage of our Advantage? Am I in God's word on a Daily basis? 

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Thanks for sending your son to save me.  Love Will.  

Use the "Boats" God gives you

S - Scripture     

Matthew 13 v. 2  And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat there; an the whole crowd stood on the beach.  

O - Observation    

Improvise.  That’s what comes to me in this verse. Jesus started out at the Beach, But the crowds were so great, that he had to hop on a boat to give them room so that he could be seen and heard. We can learn from this.  We need to learn how to adjust, adapt to situations in our life, to our opportunities to share the Gospel. We need to keep our eyes open to the “boats” that may be available for us to use. Not to get away, but to be even more effective. (Hmmmm…. Texting and email is a great boat!!!)

A - Application             

How am I improvising? Is Jesus providing “boats” for me to use to share the Good news?

P - Prayer      

Jesus, Give me the wisdom to use the “boats” that are out there.  Love Will.  

Photo by Luca Bravo on Unsplash