Matthew 15:7-9

Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:

‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

Personal challenge

The challenge in the body of God that Jesus had to deal with in His time here on earth was not what was going on in the world but what was happening within the ranks of God’s chosen people, the church of the old covenant. Legalism had become the norm. Rules and traditions were established by the leaders and they elevated them to being above God. Clericalism was well established and the common participant, the lay person, was delegated to the role of just being an observer. People were falling away and the leaders, the priests, did not care, as long as they could attract new ones that wanted legalism, clericalism, and just clear steps to follow. God was pushed out just as those who loved Him and His ways. This is happening again today in many of our churches, parishes, and Christian faith practices. Even Jesus is becoming pushed into the role of being an observer. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Matthew 14:27

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

Encouraging Words

The world that we live in can be a scary place at times. It seems to be getting worse all the time. In the midst of all this, we have our Lord and Savior coming to us and telling us to be of good cheer. He is here amongst us. He is present in our lives, often more present than we are. We have nothing to fear for He casts out all doubt and fear. Glory be to God!

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

These are the ordinances and the judgments the Lord commanded the children of Israel in the desert, when they came from the land of Egypt: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. You shall love the Lord your God from your whole heart, from your whole soul, and from your whole power. So these words I command you today shall be in your heart and in your soul. You shall teach them to your sons, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and it shall be immovable before your eyes; and you shall write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.

Personal Challenge

In the days of old, writing things down was a significant event. Today, in the information age, we take the written text for granted. The people of Israel were now freed from the slavery of Egypt. They have finished their time wandering in the desert. They are now ready to enter the promised land. What are their instructions? To know and understand that their God is one Lord, the only One. To love Him with their entire being, heart, soul, and power. And to record this in every means possible so that every time they open their eyes, everywhere that they look, they see these truths written down as reminders. How much do we do this today? Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Matthew 13:44

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Personal Challenge

Jesus went to great lengths to articulate just how wonderful and glorious heaven is. He did this because He desires that all follow Him and become citizens of the heavenly realm. The rest is up to us. Are we willing to sell everything that we have, to give up all that we hold dear to us, so that we could receive this gift of eternal residence in the kingdom of God. We cannot be citizens of both the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of earth. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have, mercy!

Deuteronomy 5:29

Would they had such a heart in them so as to fear Me and guard My commandments all the time, that it might be well with them and their sons forever.

Personal Challenge

Throughout the history of mankind’s relationship with God we have been fickle and inconsistent. However, God has always been consistent and true. So often, we have an experience that draws us near to God. Sometimes it is a crisis that He shows himself in. Sometimes it is His beauty that we see as He reveals Himself to us. Sometimes it is the blessing of His presence in our lives. Then as life moves on we forget about him and do our own thing again. God yearns for us to have a heart for Him…all the time. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner.

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Encouraging Words

Life continues to get more hectic and convoluted every day. In all this hustle and bustle, all this scrambling to carry the burdens of our labor, we are getting more and more tired and irritable. Then we have Jesus asking us to take up His yoke with the promise that He will give us rest. The problem for most of us is that we try to add His yoke to whatever we are already carrying. This is not what He is asking us to do. He wants us to take off the yoke that we have, which is loaded down with the burdens and cares of the world, set it down permanently, and then put on His yoke. He will pick up our old yoke and carry that for us. That is how we begin to learn from Him. That is how we find rest for our souls. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Deuteronomy 4:31

for the Lord your God is a merciful God. He will not forsake you nor annihilate you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers, which He swore to them.

Encouraging Words

Throughout the history of mankind, all the way back to Adam and Eve, we have example after example where God has bestowed His love upon us and we eventually turn our backs on Him and go our own ways. Every time, He shows His great mercy by continuing to show us His love. He created us in love. He embraces us in love. He cares for us in love. He forgives us of our sins in love. He yearns for us to love Him in love. Glory be to God!

Matthew 11:25

At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.”

Encouraging Words

One of the things that has been troubling with respect to the modern church, both Eastern and Western, is the drive to intellectualism that is overtaking the gospel. Jesus makes it very clear in this verse, as well as many others, that He has presented His teachings and secrets in such a way that His babes will get it but the wise will not. When we intellectualize Christ and His His teachings we cloud them. Why do we focus on how many books we read about God, how many podcasts we listen to, or worse yet publish, or any other means of gaining knowledge. We do all that for our own edification and glory, not God’s. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy!