Matthew 24 & 25

I was reading in Matthew today, and in chapters 24 & 25, Jesus is talking about the end times. I confess to being totally confused on this matter. I really don't know what it all means. It certainly seems like these could be those days, but every generation has thought they were living in the end times. I like this verse: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." Matthew 24:35

Maybe it's now. Maybe he was talking about the persecution of the early church and it already happened. Maybe it won't happen for another thousand years. I don't know, but that hardly matters. We should live every day here on earth for Him like it is our last (because it may be) This is temporary--He is eternal!

Matthew 23

I am still reading in Genesis and Matthew. Tonight I read in Matthew 23 where Jesus rages against the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. They had the outward appearance of righteousness, but their hearts were wicked and proud. Jesus called them "sons of hell" and "whitewashed tombs."

I do not want to look like a Christian. I want to be a Christian--a disciple of Christ--for real.

Matthew 20:26-28

Instead, whoever wants to become great amoung you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave--just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:26-28

This is a good reminder for me as I go through my days. I so often get irritated by the constant "Mom, can you do this?" "Erin, can you come here?" "Mom, I need this" in my day. A life lived for Christ is a life of service to others, and God has given me these precious people to serve.

Matthew 19:20-21

I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, "Move from here to there" and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 19:20-21

Some days getting the mountain of dirty dishes on the counter to move into the dishwasher seems impossible for me. Just like the disciples, my faith is often so small. But how I need faith just to get through my days: faith that God will take my feeble, stumbling efforts and use them to his glory.

Matthew 16:16

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Matthew 16:16

May we rejoice in that truth!

Matthew 12:34

"For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34

Ouch. I've read this verse many times before, but it's always a reality check for me. My words are the overflow of my heart. So when my words are angry, ugly, hurtful or profane, I cannot excuse them by blaming stress, fatigue or circumstances. My words reflect the condition of my heart. With God's grace, may they always be kind, loving and edifying.

Matthew 11:28

In my reading tonight, there was a great verse for the first day of homeschooling:

"Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Amen and Amen!