Tag: Jesus

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Ask!

SEPTEMBER 28

MATTHEW 7:7_Ask…

What would life be like if you never asked questions? You would never learn even a fraction of the knowledge available—just for the asking.  

People who love you want you to ask. If they have knowledge about something which could help you, they want to share. Without communication, they are not aware of your needs. Asking reveals needs. That’s what it’s all about. 

When Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for his son, Isaac, the servant prayed, Genesis 24 (KJV):’12 And he said, “O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: 14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.”

That was a wise servant. He didn’t want to take on such a big responsibility without asking for God’s help.

And by the way, he received exactly what he asked for.

PRAYER

Lord God, I need You to teach me how to ask, and when. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                 

Christ desires me to ask for His help – I will!

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Priceless and Unsurpassed

SEPTEMBER 27

MATTHEW 7:6_lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

This is not a lesson against pigs or dogs. It is a lesson on the priceless and unsurpassed value of your faith and trust in Jesus—the pathway of life He has taught in these three chapters.

To have the teachings of Jesus poured into you only to cast them aside for temporal pleasures, is a waste. Jesus compares His teachings to that which is holy. He also compares them to pearls—of the very highest quality. To throw His words out to dogs and pigs, like table scraps is deplorable.

Once you’ve learned the truth and rejected it, or worse cheapened it by trying to live spiritually and worldly at the same time, you’ve strayed from the path. There is something you can count on: life itself will in some form or another come back and rend you under foot. You can live life like this the rest of your days, or you can cry out to God to save you. 

Luke 15:20 (KJV), “And he [prodigal son] arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.”

God’s compassion is stronger than an earthly father’s.

PRAYER

Father of Compassion,  I praise You that You call me back if I go astray! In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                    

Christ’s pathway has unsurpassed value—He guides me!

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Slime in the Pit

SEPTEMBER 26

MATTHEW 7:6_neither cast ye your pearls before swine…

In Biblical language, worse than a dog would be—a pig.

Matthew chapter 8 (KJV) tells of Jesus’ encounter with two demonic men. Jesus converses with the demons, “29 And, behold, they [demons] cried out, saying, ‘What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time?’ 30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.31 So the devils besought him, saying, ‘If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.’ 32 And he said unto them, ‘Go.’ And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.”  

In Luke chapter 15 (KJV) Jesus tells of a son who asked his father for his inheritance early in life: “14And when he [prodigal son] had spent all [the inheritance], there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.“

For a Jew, feeding or caring in any way for pigs was the bottom of the totem pole. The slime in the pit. The bottom rung of a ladder: the one stepped on the most.

Now let’s find out what all this dog and pig stuff is about. Don’t miss tomorrow!

PRAYER

Great God, I am listening to You and Your Word—teach me! In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.       

Christ teaches true principles of life—He teaches me!

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Fido

SEPTEMBER 25

MATTHEW 7:6_Give not that which is holy unto dogs…

Generally, Bible references to dogs are not as we consider dogs today. They are not referred to as a companion or man’s best friend, or a service animal. That is not to say they were not all those things, but that is not how they are referred to in the Bible. Their references are on the rougher side: a prostitute, or licking up blood, or returning to vomit.

Need some evidence?

Deuteronomy 23:18 (KJV), “Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore [female prostitute], or the price of a dog [male prostitute], into the house of the Lord thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the Lord thy God.” 

1 Kings 21:19 (KJV), “… And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, ‘Thus saith the Lord, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.’” 

 Proverbs 26:11 (KJV), “As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.” 

These are all rather graphic, but my point is to show that Jesus is not talking about Fido in this verse. Dogs, in these verses, are something base, low-life, and well, disgusting.

Don’t think Jesus doesn’t like dogs, after all He created them. And don’t chase Fido out of your yard. He is not what is referred to here.

Dogs aren’t the only animal used as a negative illustration. Don’t miss tomorrow!

PRAYER

Only Wise God, There is so much to understand about life—give me wisdom! In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.   

 Christ understands principles of life—He teaches me!

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Jesus Gives Back Life

SEPTEMBER 24

MATTHEW 7:5_and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Only the Pharisees and Jesus knew why they did not bring the man to their stoning party. Perhaps the woman had been lured into a carefully planned trap? We don’t know. But regardless of the circumstances of the event, we know this: she left that day free. 

She was guilty. She stood before powerful figures who could lawfully execute her, but she walked away unharmed. Those powerful figures were unable to complete their scheme because their own hearts condemned them. The Pharisees’ guilt hit them squarely in the heart and there was nothing they could do but walk away.

When Jesus sent the woman away He said to her “go, and sin no more.” Those who want to look at this as Jesus excusing adultery miss the mark. Jesus didn’t excuse anything. He freed a woman from bondage. He gave her back her life with instruction to live it differently.

From the day we receive Jesus into our hearts, He does the same thing for each of us.

He was also pointing out one more thing: the hypocrisy of the Pharisees was so great it overshadowed the sin of the woman. She walked away free, and they guilty.    

PRAYER

Lord of All,                                                                                                              

You have given me life and set me free—praise Your name! In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.   

Christ gives back life to the lost—He says sin no more!