#Matthew 17:19

[walkswithmyfather]

1. When you need, God knows:

Philippians 4:19 (NIV). “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

2. When you ask, God listens:

Proverbs 15:29 (ESV). “The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.”

3. When you believe, God works:

2 Kings 20:5 (NIV). “I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you.”

4. When you thank, God gives more. Jesus gave thanks and fed the five thousand!

Matthew 14:17-21 (NIV). “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.”

5. Everything comes from God:

James 1:17 (AMP). “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].”

6. And whatever you give, you'll get just as much back, if not more!

Luke 6:38 (CSB). “Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

We serve a good, loving and giving God! Amen! 🙏🕊️🙌

[adventism-atheism-orthodoxy-me]

This Verse Secretly Undermines All of Christianity...

I just saw this and thought I would process it on my own.

This YouTuber doesn't sound like he's explored much beyond mainstream Western Christianity. He makes the bold statement that EVERY Christian sect finds indispensable the idea that Christ died on the Cross "for our sins". Period.

For the longest time I found that challenging too. He goes on to talk about many of the same things I've asked, "Why couldn't God just forgive us outright? Why must he go through a generational pageant to do something the God of the Universe could have done of his own accord in the first place?"

You can say this is a dumb question. I've been told this many times.

Yet I have never been the only one asking this.

Many, if not all Atheists ask this question. Frankly, many "Christian" answers sound a little unhinged.

Now, I don't think that his examples necessarily contradict the prevailing point of view though. All anyone has to do is look at the banking industry to see that credit on future earnings is a valid payment method. Now it's true that modern banking, and especially credit, wasn't developed until the European Jews, unable to make a living any other way, started lending during the medieval period. Jesuits came up with the idea of insurance, which didn't technically fall under the prohibition against usury. And with ongoing innovation, modern financial markets developed.

None of these, of course, would have been understood by the local people of Jesus' time and place.

What was understood was life and death.

And this is where I found my peace.

Sins can easily be forgiven, but sickness and eventual death? That's a whole other nut to crack. Now, to be clear, unfortunately even the most traditional Christian communities have started to obsess about how SIN must be atoned!

But there is a strain in the oldest Christian traditions that it wasn't primarily sin that was destroyed on the cross, but rather death, disease, corruption (of which sin is a derivation to be sure, but not the point).

Now it's easy to look around and say - "Look! it didn't work." I myself have had to say good bye to both my parents over the last several months.

However, there is a resurrection that is promised. And if Christ has done what he said he did, then there WILL be a general resurrection.

The key is to be prepared for that resurrection. Now we could go on about which denomination is best prepared, but I have little faith in denominationalism. I think it's a means to conquer and divide the faithful, pitting follower against follower. Soon the God who's being worshiped isn't the most High God, but the Deceiver who encourages us all to call each other heretics. I do not think most "Christians" are Christian, but rather following their own wisdom (1 Timothy 6:3-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:11, Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 24:11).

Now I may be a false teacher myself for thinking such a thing and putting it out there, but I have faith that God will know his own. And while he loves the rest, and has given them life, that life will be so much less for the fact that they reject what he's given them.

I find the idea of a river of fire helpful - Moses and the Glory of God (Exodus 33:20-23), speaks to the idea that to human senses, God is Fire. The Story of the Three Holy Youths (Daniel 3) has also been seen as an illustration of man abiding in the presence of fire, as a proxy for God, unharmed. Pentecost is God's fire experienced by the faithful after his resurrection. How will Gods fire be experienced by the unfaithful?

I have no idea, but I doubt that it will be pleasant (Luke 16:19-31).

In short, I feel this video failed to land it's point. There's enough diversity in Christianity to survive this argument, though I do not think that most modern Christians are open to my resolution.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have mercy upon me, a sinner.

[trump666traitor]

The Bible verses that describe Jesus driving out the money changers from the temple

[anastpaul]

One Minute Reflection – 13 June – ' ...  I Am your Light, your Salvation and your King. ...'

One Minute Reflection – 13 June – “The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus” – St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Cpmfessor, Evangelical Doctor of the Church – Timothy 4:1-8; Matthew 5:13-19 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/ “I am not come to destroy but to fulfil.” – Matthew 5:17 REFLECTION – “The sacrifice of the lamb, the Passover rite and the letter of the Law have reached their…

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

by Pastor Jack Wellman | A man came up to Jesus asking Him what he must do to inherit eternal life (Matt 19:16). That was his first mistake. It’s not what we can do, but what Jesus has done. Jesus set the standard of doing good by living a sinless life, but this man’s mind was set on “doing something,” so Jesus told him if he wants eternal life, to keep the commandments (Matt 19:17). For some reason the man asked Jesus which commandments, and then...

[bojackson54]

The Four Dimensions of God's Love: How God Loves You Completely

Paul spent more than two years in Ephesus, so it stands to reason that he knew people there pretty well. He preached and taught in that crossroads city so effectively that Luke says “all of the Jews and Greeks who lived in the Province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.” (Acts 19:10) When he wrote to them in Ephesians, Paul mentions the four dimensions of God’s love as if everyone knew about…

[mindfulldsliving]

Jesus Christ and the Fulfillment of the Law

The Law of Moses, pivotal in biblical tradition, guided Israel with divine ordinances and societal norms. Yet, Jesus underscored that he came not to destroy but to complete these commandments, elevating them to spiritual truths.

How Jesus Christ Fulfilled the Covenantal Law:Insights from 3 Nephi 15:1-10 and Matthew 5:17-19 In bridging the old and the new, Jesus Christ gave meaning to the Covenantal Law, merging the promises of the past with the insights of his teachings. As captured in 3 Nephi 15:1-10 and Matthew 5:17-19, the transformation from the Law of Moses into the principles of Christ’s message shaped the…

[alandemoss]

Are Modern Christians Misunderstanding Jesus?

The Shocking Truth About What Jesus Actually Taught and Why We’ve Been Getting It Wrong When was the last time you took a deep breath and truly felt at peace with your faith? Not burdened by endless rules or the fear of not being “good enough,” but true peace—the kind that Jesus promised. If you’ve ever wondered if modern Christianity has strayed from Jesus’ teachings, you are not alone. Here’s…

[possum-tooth]

working w the new kid that always wears a matthew something hat. help

[touchofgoddotworld]

The Lord's Law for the Lost and for the Rescued (257) - August 3 2024

Choose your Podcast App to Play this episode Romans 3:20 (AMPC) states that [the real function of] the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin [not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith, and holy character]. For the born-again believer in Christ, Romans 6:14 shows they are no longer under the Law as slaves, but under grace as subjects of…

[jaguar726]

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them

Daily Gospel Reading – Matthew 5:17-19 The Fulfillment of the Law17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone…

[doulafaith]

Christ's Breakthrough

“His Abide”  Reading  Reflecting Responding To God’s Word while Walking it Out Context: Matthew 27: 1-66 Focus:  Matthew 27:51-52 “At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised.” Matthew 27: 51-52 Definition: Breakthrough – a military…

[martyschoenleber]

Sons of Thunder -- Followers of Christ Filled with Anger

When Jesus passes through a Samaritan town in the last year of His ministry, two of His disciples, James and John, two of the men in the inner circle of His twelve, two of the three men He spent the most time with, demonstrated how far they had yet to grow in their discipleship. James and John had been nicknamed by Jesus as “sons of thunder.” (Mark 3:17) From a study of their character, you might…

[candletocandle]

Lepers, Prostitutes, and Thanksgiving

Intro: 

Several years ago, a woman bought a frozen pumpkin pie to bake for Thanksgiving dinner

She burned the pie badly

Accidents happen

However, this woman did not take responsibility for her mistake

Instead, she took a picture of the burned pie and posted it on the pie company’s Facebook page

She actually blamed the pie company for “ruining her Thanksgiving dessert”

Internet reaction and memes aside, it’s apparent she did not have her priorities straight

She could have taken the time and effort to make a pumpkin pie from scratch

A frozen pumpkin pie is a convenience

If you think about it, a frozen pie is one of the easiest things you can cook 

No cooking skill required

In any event, it’s probably safe to say this woman did not have an attitude of thanksgiving

Her Facebook post revealed a sense of self-centered entitlement

It’s easy to look down on this woman, whether to make fun of her or judge her

However, are we much different than this woman when it comes to Thanksgiving?

Especially in the eyes of God?

Today, I would like to discuss two stories of Thanksgiving

A story about lepers and a story about a former prostitute

Let us pray…

Story #1: cleansing of the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19)

Jesus was passing through Samaria when He was spotted by ten lepers from afar off

They cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

Interestingly, Jesus does not immediately heal these lepers 

Instead, Jesus tells them to go show themselves to the priests

As they go to the priests, they are healed

Only of these ten lepers comes back to thank Jesus for what He had done for them

Story #2: the anointing at Bethany (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; Luke 7:36-50)

A former prostitute shows up at the house of Simon the Leper

She anoints Jesus by breaking an alabaster flask of expensive oil over His head

However, she was greatly criticized by several people who witnessed her action

“What a waste of expensive spikenard!”

“She could have sold the spikenard for 300 denarii and used the money for the poor!” 

So, what do these stories have to do with each other, let alone Thanksgiving?

Let’s go back and look at each story in greater detail

Story #1 revisited

Leprosy in the Bible refers to any variety of contagious skin diseases

In Jesus’ time, leprosy was often a death sentence

No matter how esteemed or rich you were, if you contracted leprosy, you were driven out of society into the fringes

You were not allowed to participate in daily societal activities or even go to the temple to worship

In the worst forms of leprosy, lepers would lose their extremities like their fingers, toes, ears, and even nose

Sometimes leprosy could even affect your vocal chords

This cruel disease robs its victims of feeling human

Is it any wonder those ten lepers cried aloud to Jesus for healing?

When Jesus responds to their pleas by telling them to show themselves to the priest, Jesus is testing their faith

A leper would only show themselves to the priest if they were healed

The priest would then have that individual undergo a cleansing ritual as prescribed in Leviticus chapter 14 to confirm their healing 

Only then could that individual officially reintegrate that person back into society

These ten lepers actually walked in faith to the priest, even though Jesus did not actually heal them yet

Somewhere along the way, all the lepers were miraculously healed of their leprosy

When the priest pronounced these men to be free of leprosy, they were allowed to re-enter Jewish society

Surprisingly, nine of these ten lepers did not return to Jesus and acknowledge what He had done for them 

When those men had leprosy, they would have given anything, done anything to receive healing

Yet, Jesus did not receive a simple thank you from them

Before we criticize these nine ex-lepers too much, are we any different?

When times are difficult and you go through trials in life, do you not pray more?

Have you ever promised God you would be more faithful, read the Bible more, be more active in church if He would only deliver you?

When God delivered you, did you follow through on your promises?

Did you truly thank Jesus for what she did for you or did you go back to living life as normal?

How often do we come to church faithfully every week, but don’t think about God the rest of the week?

Let’s go back to our second story

Story #2 revisited 

What’s the big deal about the oil anyways?

Before we can answer that question, let’s talk a little about spikenard

Spikenard was derived from a Himalayan aromatic plant of the Valerian family 

It has a very distinct fragrant aroma

The only other mention of spikenard in the Bible other than the Gospels is in the Song of Solomon in the Old Testament (1:12; 4:13-14)

Considering the origins of this plant, spikenard was not very easy to obtain

The value of the spikenard was estimated to be 300 denarii

One denarius was worth about a day’s wages 

Therefore, 300 denarii was almost a year’s worth of wages

To put this into perspective, let’s say you earned $20 an hour at your job

One day’s work is $160

If you worked for 300 days, that’s $48,000

I think it would be safe to assume spikenard is the stuff of kings

Now, why would a prostitute have spikenard?

A prostitute would not allure men with just her appearance, but also through smell

This box of spikenard would be considered invaluable by prostitutes

Now, let’s consider the act of breaking the box of spikenard over Jesus

Not such a minor thing, is it?

This former prostitute was so thankful for Being saved by Jesus, gave Him something back at great personal cost to herself 

This alabaster box of spikenard represented her former livelihood 

How long did she have to save to be able to purchase it?

Now she is giving it all to Jesus

That, brothers and sisters, is true gratitude 

Interestingly, her act of gratitude and self-sacrifice was condemned

Are we much different today?

How often do we judge and criticize others when they try to do something for God?

Putting it all together

Brothers and sisters, I want you to know you have a lot to be thankful for

No matter how bad things are going in your life right now…

…the fact you live in America automatically makes you better off than half the people in the world.

If you own a car, that puts you in the top 15-20% of the people living in this world

Even if you do not feel blessed, God has showered you with an abundance of blessings you may not even be aware of 

Brothers and sisters, will you be thankful to Jesus for all that He has done for you?

Brothers and sisters, we all have been stricken with the leprosy of sin

It is a fatal disease and the prognosis is eternal death

However, Jesus loves us so much He gave His life for us, so that we can be cleansed

We can have eternal life if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior

Not only that, Jesus wants us to be kings and queens to reign with Him forever

Yet, oftentimes, we are so caught up in this current life, we are not thanful for what He has done for us

We are afraid to sacrifice what we have for Him

And we don’t consider the cost that He paid for us

Closing: Jethro

My wife and in-laws don’t really like to buy toys for my son Jethro

Maybe he can have something on his birthday and at Christmas

They don’t want to spoil him

That’s a good thing and I respect that

However, personally, I don’t believe in that limitation

If you know Jethro’s story, then you know we’ve been through a lot in the first three years of Jethro’s life

Therefore, I buy him toys whenever I feel like it

I just enjoy the surprise and joy that comes upon his face when he unexpectedly receives a new toy

A few weeks ago when I was working on the computer (on this very message), Jethro gets up from where he was playing nearby

He comes to me with the newest toy I bought him

He shows it to me and says something that surprised me:

“Daddy, I like this toy very much.  It is my new favorite toy.  Thank you, thank you so much for buying it for me.”

Needless to say, I was very surprised and very touched to hear that unsolicited display of gratitude

And there’s been several times when Jethro wakes up in the morning and the first thing he says to me is, “I love you, Daddy”

This made me think

Do I show the same gratitude and love towards my heavenly Father?

Have I thanked God for the simple things in life?

Have I told Him how much I love Him?

Brothers and sisters, will you thank Jesus for all that He has done for you?

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Compassion International Daily Devotional

Monday, April 17th (2023)

Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. - Matthew 19:13-14

Do you believe that all people are important to Jesus? Does Jesus care about a person’s ethnicity, race, or age? This section of Matthew contains a delightful picture to illustrate a time when Jesus blessed a part of society that many people in the culture thought were insignificant.

In this passage, parents were bringing their children to Jesus so He could pray for them. The disciples, in accordance with the worldly assumptions of that time, thought children shouldn’t take up Jesus’ time. They rebuked the children. They even tried to send the little ones away.

Jesus’ response is a beautiful message—He is accessible to everyone. “Let the little children come to me.” Jesus welcomed the children in their vulnerability and weakness. He expressed a special invitation to those who come to Him in humility and simplicity, no matter their age.

Adults can learn a lot from children. As we grow into adulthood, the world often hardens our hearts, making us callous to the things of God. In contrast, children are often humbly open to the salvation message.

This passage teaches us many important lessons. 1) Jesus values children and welcomes them. He calls us to do likewise. Rather than seeing children as irrelevant little ones, Jesus asks us to welcome them into His family. 2) Jesus touched the children with compassion and served as their protector. Likewise, we are called to value, love and show compassion to children.

How can you make children a priority in your life? Will you make time to care for a child who has been hurt or marginalized? Let that child know what he or she has in the eyes of Almighty God and in our eyes too.

This devotional is provided by https://www.compassion.com/

[bojackson54]

Action Equals Faith; Faith Always Equals Action

Newton’s law of motion says that for whenever an object exerts force on another object, the second object exerts an equal and opposite reaction upon the first. (https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/beginners-guide-to-aeronautics/newtons-laws-of-motion/ ) Perhaps you never thought of it, but there is also a spiritual law of motion: for every particle of faith, there is a corresponding action. One cannot…