The Everyday Prayer

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 18:21-35 (day one) 

“Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother?”–v 21.

I am sympathetic with Peter in this story.  Like him, I frequently (and unconsciously) come to God in search of some “reasonable” (my word) limit to what I am expected to do or be.  After all, “I am only human”.

Those who ask this question are always disappointed with Christ’s answer.  There are no limits!  None.  Not because it isn’t FAIR. Not because I am FATIGUED.  He asks of me the same kind of love that He has given me.  Boundless.  Infinite.  Free.  And promises to supply the living water flowing out of my innermost being making such miracle possible.  John 3:7.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace. . .against such there is no law, (no limit)–Galatians 5:22-23.

“Freely, freely you have received.  Freely, freely give”-Matthew 10:8.  Is there a reasonable limit to what He can ask of me?  No, no there isn’t.

 

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 13:1-23 (day seven)

“Seeing, they do not see; and hearing, they do not hear or understand.– v 13.

Old joke.  Farmer goes to New York City.  Sees a huge office building.  “How many people work in this building?”, he asks an man walking out the front door.  “About half of them.” says the man.

Old truth.  Unchanging.  Preacher steps up to a pulpit.  Huge crowd.  How many people really hear what the Lord is saying?  Understand what the Lord is requiring?  “About one fourth of them”, says Jesus.

Probably can’t be reduced to percentage.  Even so, it is a sad story.  MANY people don’t hear God.  Either can’t or won’t.  More the second than the first.

But some do.  SOME DO!  And so, “the sower went out to sow” v 3.  Even with a 1 in 4 success rate, it is worth it to the Lord.

Let him who has ears, hear what the Lord is saying to the churches.

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 13:1-23 (day six)

Have you ever stared and stared at one of those 3D holographic posters to no avail, only to walk away frustrated because the person next to you sees it immediately? And as you walk away they say, “What, you can’t see that? It practically jumps out at you.” Interestingly enough, parables are very similar. The truth is there, it’s right in front of you, if only you have eyes to see and ears to hear. So, parables either condemn or reveal great truth. They condemn those whose hearts are hardened to the truth and cannot see it, and reveal to those who are looking (asking, seeking, knocking) for the Kingdom of God.

So, how do you know if you see and hear with understanding? Well according to the parable of the sower, you can know by whether or not your life bares Kingdom fruit.

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 13:1-23 (day five)

Communication in its basic form involves 2 things: sending (speaking) and receiving (hearing). Jesus’ words in Matthew 13:9 “He who has ears let him hear”, express His concern and burden for those who are on the receiving/hearing part of the equation. Notice there is no mention or attention directed toward The Sender. There is no doubt or uncertainty in Jesus’ mind that God (the sender/speaker) is totally effective and completely capable in His part of the task in communicating His Character and Nature to the human heart. See Psalm 19, Hebrews 1 and, Romans 1.

Notice also the tremendous opportunity for all of us in verse 9.

Makes me want to say, “I WANT TO HEAR!!”

Anybody desperate and in need of a word or message from the Living God??

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 13:1-23 (day four)

Everywhere Jesus went, He drew a crowd. Sitting on a mountain…in a house…by the sea…multitudes gathered around Him. He was constantly teaching them the ways of God. Not all heard Him. Not all understood what He was saying. The eyes and ears of only a few would understand. Hundreds of years before, the prophet Isaiah spoke the Words of God…verses 14-15 refer back to those words. Only a relationship with Christ, only the work of the Holy Spirit, will correct our spiritual eyes and ears. Only those who are ‘fertile soil’ will hear and bear fruit in God’s kingdom. Multitudes gather, but only a few are genuine. Discipleship is more than just following a style of life, listening to sermons and memorizing verses of scripture. True discipleship is to follow the words of the Lord. Obedience. Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only!

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 13:1-23 (day three)

“Blessed are your eyes because they see.” Some eyes see revelation, others see barriers. So it was when men looked at Christ. Some looked at him and saw a Savior. Others looked at him and saw a hindrance. Some saw him as the Son of God, others as useful revolutionary. Such observation continues in our day. Some see him as the Lord who will make us holy and acceptable to God, others see him as an inspirational teacher who will coach us to become our best selves. But what kind of sight did Jesus call blessed? He called blessed the sight that perceives Jesus as the one who will lead us into life under the reign of God. That means we forsake our plans, our ambitions, and our “best selves” for life as his apprentice. Do you see this?

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 13:1-23 (day two)

For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. vs. 15

If you have ever done any work with your hands for an extended period of time you understand about blisters and callouses. Musicians who play the guitar or bass understand well the benefits of building up a callous on your fingers. When you begin to learn the instrument your fingers are unused to the pressure and irritation caused by the constant manipulation of the strings. After a painful bout with blisters and bandages persistent players will develop a good callous to protect their sensitive skin.

Great for those musicians, not so for our hearts. We will often react in a similar fashion when we are tested or challenged. It hurts, and that isn’t fun. One of our defense mechanisms is to develop a protective layer around those areas that are vulnerable to wounding. This, however, puts a barrier between a true healing that can come from being faithfully obedient to God’s Word. Whatever it is, remove it. God will take care of the rest.

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 13:1-23 (day one)

“He who has ears, let him hear.”–v 9.

Is hearing a choice?  Physical hearing often isn’t.  Profound or partial hearing loss can’t be remedied by “paying attention” or “concentrating”.

Spiritual hearing is different.  What a person hears or doesn’t hear from God often depends on what he or she is willing to hear.  God has given us the equipment to hear His word, comprehend His will.  Whether we do or not depends on our use of God-given means.

Luke 9 tells this truth in a vivid picture.  Jesus is transfigured before the disciples.  Brilliant, white light fills the scene.  And Peter feels the need to talk!  Don’t talk, says the Father in gentle correction.  Don’t offer your suggestions! LISTEN!  Hear His heart! Grasp His direction! Treat each word as the precious treasure it is!

“The heavens declare the glory of God. . .day to day POURS FORTH SPEECH”–Psalm 19:1

God is speaking.  Am I listening?

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 7:1-27 (day seven)

“Don’t throw your pearls before pigs. . . they will trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.”–v 6.

Danny got me thinking. (Panter)  He gave the devotional Wednesday night at prayer meeting.

Jesus’ words of caution (Danny said) implied an EXPECTATION of actual practice.  People who are not giving the gospel away don’t need to be careful about how they do it.

It’s a fine line, I guess.  Give the truth of Christ to unconverted hearts and they may trample it. Flood the church with worldly values–tear it to pieces.

The other extreme is just as dangerous.  Become critical of the lost world, convince yourself that they won’t listen and you will eventually stop sharing.

Be careful as you give this gift away.  But, NOT so careful that you don’t do it.

(Sorry, Danny, if this is not what you said.  Like I said, you got me thinking.)

Re: Verse reading–Matthew 7:1-27 (day six)

I think one of the points of Jesus’ message in Matthew 7:1-6 is that, by all means, we should love and help our neighbor, we only are to do so with great humility and discernment. In fact that is exactly how Kingdom people conduct themselves; fully aware of their own need, they make an appeal to others to enter into the Kingdom, just like Jesus has done for them. He does signal to us that we should still use discernment when casting our pearls; we should not overly invest in those who consistently reject the Kingdom of God. But here’s the deal, the assumption is that Kingdom people cast their pearls, they give what is holy to their neighbors.

You might be surprised by how many people in your neighborhoods and communities are very open to talking about spiritual things, about the Kingdom of God. So by all means, cast Kingdom pearls to your neighbor ! In fact do unto others, as you would have them do unto you!