Mathew

[thefightinglamb]

Mathew 10 Thursday's reading

(1)
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of disease.

For some reason "cleanliness" has been on my mind a lot lately. To look upon sin as filth/dirtiness; to look at holiness as being clean and without dirt...

(5-6)
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commaanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

It is interesting to me that this verse supports some beliefs I have seen of Messianic Jews. The fact that Jesus even told his disciples to avoid those who weren't of the faith is very intriguing to me.

(7-8)
And as you go preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, clense the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely you have received, freely give.

The message he gave is basically the same as John the Baptist had. The kingdom of heaven is at hand, so change your lives. Also, he gave them wonderous power such that they could help with bodily illness as well, and unlike doctors of this world that want to charge an arm and a leg to help people, the service was done freely to help those who needed them.

(10c-14)
...for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy: and there abide until you go hence. And when you come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house, or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

We are to be as workman laboring for the kingdom. We are look for those who are worthy, and shake the dust off our feet if the house/city be unworthy wherein we preach. I think its interesting about saluting houses as well, because ever since I mistakenly thought Catholics saluted their house/church (they were bowing towards the bread), I have started saluting churches before I enter as well as when I leave. I perhaps should do it more even with houses.

(16)
behold, I send you forth as sheep in the mist of wolves, be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

IT is interesting how holiness/godliness fights, as sheep into wolves... Also, interesting it is that he tells us to be as serpents. I kind of wonder if he means even that we are to be a bit conspicious in how we deal with those who are opposed to the truth. Yet harmless as doves...going in and out of them skillfully, yet harming no one.

(17,19-20) But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scouge you in their synagogues...but when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

We are not to worry about when people will deliver us up or even scouge us, but it seems the main thing Jesus is concerned with is that we worry not about our witness when people deliver us up. Most people would worry about getting scouged or caught by those who hate them, we are to let go of worry and have faith in the witness Jesus has given us. I also use this last verse in a plethora of ways to support that we do not need to meticulously plan how to witness, but God will give his Word in due time if we are dilligent and faithful.

(22) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Hmmm...yikes. Life can be rough in this world for Christians seeking the favor of wordly people, but when you care only about your Lover, Jesus, then the weariness of this world fades.

(23)
But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man come.

What sticks out to me in this verse is how Jesus wants them to boldly preach. I have been contemplating this a lot lately. I think in American culture, us Christians often take a more subtle approach to evangelism, and instead of preaching on the street corners or on the beach where people gather together, we think it wiser to be what-we-call more personal. While Jesus seems to have had his twelve disciples, his ministry seems to have been preached out in the open, before believers and unbelievers alike, not confined to a church sanctuary. I say this because I am somewhat shy when it comes to this, and do not even know what I would say if I were to stand on a milk crate and preach the word. Perhaps just "repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

(26-27)
Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light; and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

I just smiled thinking about preaching from my housetop. Now--that's boldness. We are to hold back nothing of what the Lord tells us and shows us!

(28)
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

To the unbeliever this body is all they got, so they fear losing it as they fear losing themselves. But not so us Christians, we are to know of the profoundness of our soul and not to fear when people threaten to end our lives or those who can end our lives, but to fear only offending him who is able to truly destroy who we are. In the parableof the sparrows, it states that God knows the death even of birds, how much moreso us who believe.

(30)
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

How meticuluos the Lord is with his creation of his creatures!

(32-33)
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

I take this verse at face value. Until I perceive otherwise, if someone confesses to me that they are Christian and are unashamed of the faith, I take them at their words. But if someone denies Christ in any situation, I take it to be a charade.

(34-36)
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword. For i am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

I have felt the rality of this situation in my own family, where I am the only stout Christian amongst 3 other brothers and my mother. I wonder if this verse also applie to you who have strong Christian families. Like Peter not wanting Jesus to be crucified, does your family sometimes, thinking it is in your best interest, oppose what God would have you do? I know it seems even in Jesus' holy family, they strongly questioned his behaviours.

(38-39)
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

I think it is important, as I have heard it preached before, that the cross was not an abstract concept/symbol to those who heard this word. The cross was a death sentence. If you place "humiliating death sentence" in place of cross, you see what Jesus was more poignantly trying to say to us. We are to lose ourselves always in our seeking of him, and not be concerned about those who will persecute us, even to the death.
We have an "identity" crisis in our generation; and the solution to this, Jesus states, is to forget about who or what your are, and lose that and you will truly find that which is worth living for. If you know who you are, you are less likely to grow or give that up for the "more perfect" path.

(40-43)
He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righeous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of thse little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

The way Jesus encourages genoristy is amazing. If we just welcome those who are of the Lord because they are in the Lord, we shall receive a like reward, and the Lord will bless us as He has blessed them. All we have to do is look after those who are striving for the gospel.

God bless
tony

 

[thefightinglamb]

Mathew 11- yesterday's reading

(3)
And said unto him, Art thou he that should come or do we look for another?

I have written in another study how, we as humans sometimes need to ask people if they are sent by God into our lives are have we trespassed into their lives, or they into ours...but this time, I want to write about how I see ironic I see John, in prison, when Jesus is preaching about freedom. Who wouldn't naturally ask, hey I'm in prison and I was suppose to preach about you freeing this world, what's going on? But also on another level, possibly his life is a parable about the law, we see in verse 13 it talks about the law and the prophets prophesying until John...so maybe him going into prison is kind of symbolic of how those under the law are in prison and not free? I wonder...

(7-8)
As they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in king's houses.

I am reminded of how so many pastors like wearing tuxedos, which I believe is silly. Many spiritually recognized the power that was in John, just as they recognized that which is in Jesus...not by a worldly dress, but by authenticy of their teachings. I really love people that have that deep sort of "gove everything for Christ" attitude.

(10,14)
For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send y messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee...And if ye shall receive it, this is Elias, which was to come.

Someone asked about the relation between Elijah (Elias) and John the baptist...well, here you have Jesus affirming that he was the "Elijah to come".

(11)
Verily, I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

I am so puzzled by this verse. I know Jesus was greater than John the Baptist and Jesus was born of the Spirit and not of women...but what puzzles me about this verse is that it seems to be stating that all Christians are greater than John the Baptist? Or maybe, it is talking about his humility? Perhaps this is what it must be, John the Baptist was below everyone, serving them, so that they could se the Messiah and that is how he is the lowest?

(12-13)
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

Maybe talking about John the Baptist's persecution? I think this is more likely than the true message but not here suggested message that it is teaching us to take heaven boldly. The second verse I also wonder over. the second verse seems to explain the first verse somehow..."for"...John came to prepare the way?

(15)
He that has ears to hear, let him hear.

I wonder if I understand this passage...hmmm...

(16-19)
But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children, sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

I once wrote about how this verse says they are like the children calling and not listening...because the Jews listened to themselves and to what they wanted to hear rather than what Jesus and John were teaching them in truth. But it does seem to be teaching straightforwardly that John preahced a sad message and they refused to straighten out; Jesus preached a joyous message and they refused to rejoice. But instead they sat back and judged based on their own ideas of what was right or wrong.

(21)
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

I still see that God grants certain people graces he does not give everyone. He straightly says that these two cities would have repented given the same grace to see miracles and wonders that Chorazin and Bethsaida saw...yet it was not granted them. So what graces has the Lord given me that he has not given others, and have I used this grace well. It often sorrows me to think of invalids and those with physical/mental/financial defiencies who have not sinned against the Lord in all the ways I have. What sorrow is this that my soul rebels and has rebeled against the hand feeding it so plentifully?

(25-27)
At that time, Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

So, the message is somewhat hidden. I have not often contemplated the fact that scripture itself says it will be hard for the "wise and prudent" to find the truth of God and Jesus. Maybe sometimes, we meet God even as he hardened Pharoah's heart, when we talk to some people who think they are "so wise and prudent" that they know there is not a God. i have actually been texting a friend about this study of Mathew everyday, and he told me the other day that as "a rational and educated adult" it was difficult for him to believe the Bible. He does not believe right now. We always assume it is Satan, when sometimes it might be God catching the prideful in their arrogance....Also it seems to say that those Jews that reject Jesus, do not know God whatsoever. Some people hold that the whole Jewishline of decent is still chosen, but here it seems to suggest that only those that know Jesus can know God.

(28-30)
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Love makes yoke's easy and burden's light. O Lord, this world wears me out so much...yet, here I am, and I come to you with my burdens in prayer, and with eager expectaion, that you will once again, ease my burden; grant me your peace, and lead me on--so that forsaking all, I can trust in you, and you alone. Amen

God bless
tony

 

[thefightinglamb]

I will not have a computer tomorrow, I don't believe so will probably have to catch up Monday/Tuesday on posting; I will read on the scheduled dates the right chapter.

Mathew 12
(3-4)
But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungered, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the showbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?

Here is yet proof again that the law is over. Jesus uses as evidence of how his disciples are blameless, that even scripture says that david did break the law somehow blamelessly.

(7)
But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

Hmmm...If we are focused on sacrificing rather than mercy and forgiveness, we oft do go astray.

(18-21)
Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall show judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
I have to ponder this more...

(25)
And Jesus knew their thoughts and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.
Is our house divided?

(28)
But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of god, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

(30)
He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

(31)
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

(33)
Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by the fruit

(35-37)
A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things; and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of jdgment. For by thy words thou shall be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
I have to learn to control what I say more...

(49-50)
And he stretched forth his hand toward hsi disciples and said, Behold my mother and my brethren. For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
We are to me closer than physical brothers, and even deny our physical family for the sake of the true heavenly faily that will be with us forever.

God bless
tony

 

[Shilo]

Thank you for this!
Matthew
Chapter 1
The genealogy list only 5 women and one of those women is not even mentioned by name. The meaning of Bathsheba daughter of oath is the name missing. She broke her oath to her husband by adultery with King David. So she did not fulfill her name so I wonder if that is why it is missing.
Joseph was a man of mercy he wanted to put Mary away without disgracing her publicly. He must have been hurt so deeply, but when he knew God spoke to him he cast his feelings aside. He followed God’s plan and was able to rise above himself and his culture. The other thing God showed his sovereignty with what was foretold by the prophets.
Chapter 2
Yeshua who is the bread of life was born in Bethleham the house of bread.
The wise men followed a star reminds me of Genesis 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years. Matthew 16:3 Then also red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.' You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don't know how to interpret the signs of the times. The wise man were from the East they were gentiles and were looking for the messiah, waiting for the sing of his coming. Israel who were also waiting for the messiah were perplexed at the news. It looks like those who should have known did not and those not expected to know were the ones declaring the news. This news sent religious people to search the scriptures. I find it odd that with this proof of Gods hand that Herod still tried to go against God.
Chapter 3
There are not many people in the Bible who are prophesied to come. I think this is God putting a big spot light on this person, Like he is say pay close attention. Like Elijah he turned the peoples hearts back to God. He got them ready to receive Yeshua at his coming. This is the same thing Elijah will do when he comes as one of the 2 witnesses . John has a voice crying from a place of barrenness. ( desert). John was a man who had emptied himself and felt the void of the Godlessness around him. He ate locusts and they are used in other places as the enemy or devour. So he stood strong in God and did not fear or let himself be devoured .He was not quiet about what was going on , but boldly proclaimed to the people turn to God. He did not just say turn to GOD but told them how. He looked different from those around him just as we are told not to walk as the world walks. When the Pharisees and Sadducees came he discerned what was in their hearts. He drew close to God emptied himself so even at a distance he could tell the true hearts of people. When John baptized Yeshua it showed that even when we don’t understand we must summit to God’s plan. Yeshua came to show us the way and that included being baptized like us. I find comfort that he showed us that after we are baptized we enter the battle, otherwise I know the things that I have gone through would not make senses.

 

[thefightinglamb]

I was mistaken...i usually do not have assess to a computer on Sunday...

Matthew 13

(11-13)
He answered and said unto them, "Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

The reason Jesus poke in parables seems to be that he knew there would be many people who would not understand or take in his message, so that he clothed his stories in mystery so that he could preach to everyone and yet have his chosen understand. And then we have Jesus directly tellling us why they do not understand: Satan snatches the word, they have no root, the cares of this life choke the word-Then there are those who hear the Word of God in truth; understanding it, beareth fruit--multiplying.

(29-30, 41-43)
But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn...The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the rightoues shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

I get from this that our lives are to have a fairly strong bond with unbelievers. It seems the reason God does not just zap all the unbelievers dead is because God knows that this might affect the faith of those who are near by them..and unroot them even as they are growing.

(35)
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

The wonder of this: Jesus revealing that which has been kept hidden throughout the ages...

(32-33, 47-48)
Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened...and the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.


In the Revocery Version of the Bible, it takes these parables as being dark...which seems possible. We see the birds of the air in the parable of the seeds snatching the word of God from people, and now we see them lodging in the tree that faith grows...and also leaven usually is not a good thing, so that this parable could be saying how those of faith must be careful lest hypocrisy, and various other deceptions, sneak into the faith?

(44-46)
Again, the kingdom of heaven is likened unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls; who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Hmmm...Those who see and find the kingdom, count not the cost of following Jesus, but gladly "give it all away" for the sake of chasing after the kingdom.

(52)
Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

I wonder over the meaning of this. It seems that every person who who has been taught of the kingdom of heaven, can bring forth both new and old things that give evidence of the kingdom.

(57-58)
And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

I remember back in high school, having the thought, "I will have to change completely if I am to follow Christ...and will these people believe that I am different?" The point being that sometimes the people that are closest to you, cause you to become "comfortable" with who you and they are; then they resist change and doubt how God has changed you or what God can do to you...because they know your parents, or friends, or how you have been...

(59)
And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
God's working depends on our belief.

God bless
tony

 

[Shilo]

Matthew 4
1-2 Yeshua was led by the Spirit of God into a barren place, a place without life. He was tested with the lack of comfort and food the desires of the flesh. When we deny ourselves the lust of the flesh we grow closer to GOD.
3-4 The first thing Satan did was question Yeshua’s identity. IF Satan can get us to question our identity he can get us to question our authority give to us as children of GOD. When we question our identity we question GOD and his word. When we question GOD we start moving away from him.
3-4 Satan then tempted Yeshua with the lust of his flesh something his flesh longed for after fasting 40 days and forty nights. This goes back to the 10 commandments Moses fasted 40 days and forty nights when he received the 10 commandments. Then Man shell not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of GOD. God spoke the 10 commandments from on top of the mountain in Exodus. Yesua is our rock and our bread of life.
5 -7 Then Satan knew Yeshua Knew the Scriptures so then he only quoted enoughto try and get Yeshua to do Satan’s will and not GOD’swill. He left out the partsthat GOD would protect us. Yeshua comes back with You shell not tempt the LORD your GOD.We are not to act prideful and test God. The LORD is with us to deliver us, but he knows our heart so our motives must be right.
8-11 Next Satan comes at Yeshua with the goods of the world. We are not to love the things of the world because they can become idols ( snares ) to us and take our hearts and time from GOD. WE are not to worship the works of our hands but GOD only.
12 I wonder why after John is put into prison Yeshua then goes to the area the Gentiles live in.
13-17 Yeshua preaches the same message that John did Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. I think but I am not sure John and the prophets before him prophesied without a clear understanding of all they were saying , but from Yeshua forward the revelation that was given was understood completely by the ones giving it.
18 – 22 Yeshua called some people and they immediately followed him, they left all they and known behind.We have to be willing to give up all to follow Yeshua and move immediately. Delay is disobedience.
23 Yeshua first gave the teachings of GOD then he healed them. So many places in the Bible it is written according to your faith let it be done to you. He first built up their faith through the word of GOD and then they had faith to receive healing.

 

[jonathanbchristian]

Chapter 9 I used a Bible study method to determine the most used words in chapter 9 to get an idea what it is about. Here are some words used in chapter 9: be of good cheer 2 times, forgive or forgiven 3 times, behold 3 times, multitudes 3 times.

 

[jonathanbchristian]

Chapter 10 This chapter is Jesus' teaching to the disciples before they are sent out. They are taught about persecution, they are of more value than many sparrows, confessing Christ before men, Christ did not come to bring peace but a sword, and about rewards. These are the things Jesus taught the disciples before He sent them out.

 

[thefightinglamb]

Matthew 14

(2)
And [Herod] said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him.

A bit paranoid? Like unto when anyone does something drastically wrong, instead of hearing good news, the only thing he can think of is how he sinned; and therefore he is haunted.

(4)
For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

Artlessly declaring the word of Truth, even to kings...

(6-8)
But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatever she would ask. And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, "Give me here John Baptist's head on a platter.

Note the ruthlessness, and how the child was infected with the evil desire of the mother.

(16,19-20)
But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart, give ye them to eat...and he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

For some reason I like how the first verse, reassures the crowd that they need not leave to be fed...blessed and brake...and they were all filled, with 12 baskets left over.

(23)
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the even was come, he was there alone.

The deepness and sincerity of Jesus retreating for some heart to heart with his Father. Showing us how we to are to retreat unto our God.

(26-27)
And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto themsaying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

I have used this first verse to sugggest that possibly the disciples believed in spirits/ghosts...I love how tenderhearted Jesus is to those in the boat: Be of Good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

(28-30)
And Peter answered him and said, Lord if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water to come to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying "Lord, save me."

I love that last prayer; when the waves of this world are crashing round about, you need but remember the Lord and call unto him in truth to "save you."

(31-32)
And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
Hmmm...a Savior always ready to rescue his children, even when they doubt.

(33)
Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

To be there marveling at the Creator painting the image of his Son with power and authority over the chaos of storms and seas.

(36)
And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

I like the emphasis in stating that they were not only made well, but "perfectly whole."

God bless
tony

 

[Shilo]

Chapter 5
Yeshua Looked at the people. He did not just look at them. He regarded = them to have or show respect or concern for. When you see the word multitudes in the Bible it means there was a mixture of believers and non-believers. His Disciples came to him, Meaning of disciple devoted follower. The ones who drew near were the ones who believed and wanted to follow.
Blessed are the Poor in Spirit = cowers as one helpless. like a beggar, totally dependent on YHVH GOD for help. When we come to the point that we know we are nothing without GOD we become devoted followers.
Blessed are they that mourn, We have great sorrow over the sins we have committed .
The meek = person with humble and gentle heart who considers his own life worth nothing when compared to the knowledge of God, he has experienced.
Hunger and thirst, seek and you will find.
Pure in heart =minds, motives, and principles are pure, they shell see GOD. They will have favor with YHVH GOD.
Peacemakers =seeks to bring reconciliation between YHVH GOD and those who are estranged from him.
Persecute = judgment, punishment , oppression or affliction put upon a believer of GOD.
We are the salt of the earth, we help preserve the earth and hold back the wrath of GOD. If we do not Honor GOD and speak out, if we keep our mouths shut then we are no longer spreading truth and light. If we do not give out the light inside us then the world becomes darker and when sin is filled up the Judgment comes . We cannot hide one way or another we will have to make a stand for or against Yeshua.
Yeshua did not come to destroy the Law and the prophets but to give us better understanding.

 

[Shilo]

Ch 6
When you pray do not use vain repetitions. We must come in faith that God has heard us.
Our Father = we can come to him, he loves us, He is strong, he will take care of us
in heaven = he is above us, greater than us in status and power, he sees everything nothing is hidden from him.
Holy is your name = set apart, incorruptible, pure,and righteousness
Your Kingdom come , your will be done = YHVH ‘s authority; sovereign power; dominion; ruling earth for all to see.
Daily bread= bread for the body ,bread ( the word) for the soul.
Forgive our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Matthew 6:14 -15 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evilone. Like in the book of Job God does not tempt anyone but because of our sin he may lift the hedge of protection, then the evilone tempts us. It is through our pain and suffering sometimes that we get real with god.
Yours is the Kingdom, The power and the glory= all things are his, we deceive ourselves when we think we have accomplished anything. Amen.

 

[thefightinglamb]

Mathew 15
(2-3)
Why do the disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat? But [Jesus] answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

We have to be careful about what are traditions and what is God's will. I used to think people brought up in the church had a strong advantage over those who aren't...but now, I think the commandment about denying thyself to follow God is equally true for all people. We all have traditions that we have done since we are young, but we have to be careful lest a manmade tradition interfere with God's will for our llife.

(4)
For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

I think often times my generation has forgotten what it means to honour...much less to honour our parents.

(6)
And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

Hmmm...I honestly had to take a clear look at some of the traditions around the holydays when I looked at verses similiar to this one. How often do we do things that have gone astray from worshiping God in Spirit and in truth?

(8-9)
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

We must be careful that we do not become more accustomed to doing things a certain way and leave God out of the equation.

(11)
Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Hmmm...

(13-14)
But he answered and said, "Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

How often do we find people who want to lead that have no idea of where they are going? People wanting to teach, who have no idea of what it means to follow God...

(18-20)
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: these are the things that defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
There are so many people who are careful in this life about things that don't really matter. They are careful to wash their physical bodies, but give no thought to washing their soiled souls. They are careful to make sure their physical house is swept and in good order, but meanwhile their soul is a disillusioned mess.

(24)
But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

I find thise verse really interesting. So many times we preach that Jesus came to help everyone with their problems with sin and evil, but here it seems to state that Jesus came for Israel alone. Gentiles seem to not enter the picture until the Israelites as a nation crucify their King and Lord.

(31)
Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

How wonderous and amazing must this have been? To see the Divine doctor healing those who were hurting. Not for money as we see in today's world, but truly because he wanted to help them be free.

God bless
tony

 

[Shilo]

Ch6
When you pray do not use vain repetitions. We must come in faith that God has heard us.

Our Father = we can come to him, he loves us, He is strong, he will take care of us
in heaven = he is above us, greater than us in status and power, he sees everything nothing is hidden from him.
Holy is your name = set apart, incorruptible, pure,and righteousness
Your Kingdom come , your will be done = YHVH ‘s authority; sovereign power; dominion; ruling earth for all to see.
Daily bread= bread for the body ,bread ( the word) for the soul.
Forgive our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Matthew 6:14 -15 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evilone. Like in the book of Job God does not tempt anyone but because of our sin he may lift the hedge of protection, then the evilone tempts us. It is through our pain and suffering sometimes that we get real with god.
Yours is the Kingdom, The power and the glory= all things are his, we deceive ourselves when we think we have accomplished anything. Amen.

Judge not , that you be not judged. We need to weigh carefully and form an opinion on everything to see if it lines up with GOD’s word. We are not to judge the person only the action. God touches each person in his time, so what that person has done today does not lay in stone their destination. Romans 3:23 We are all sinners who have fallen short of the glory of God. Galatians 6:1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. We are a work in progress there is always things to workPhilippians 2:12. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

Do not give what is holy to the dogs or cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces. I got involved with a nonbeliever and this verse is exactly what happened to me.2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

The LORD will give us what is needed to enter in through the narrow gate but we must also seek it out.
In chapters 5-7 Yeshua went over some of the commandments then in chapter 7 :24 if we do them we are like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Who is the rock other then Yeshua no one.

 

[jonathanbchristian]

Chapter 11 The beginning of this chapter is about John the baptist. We learn from Jesus that John the baptist is the greatest man in the Old Testament but we also learn that the least born again saint is greater than John the baptist. Jesus tells us that things have changed since John began to preach. The next part of the chapter is Jesus proclaiming woe on the cities where people had seen God's miracles and had not repented. To whom much is given much is required. The end of the chapter is Jesus' prayer of thankgiving to the Father for hiding things from the wise and reveling them to babes. Thanksgiving between the Father and Son is no doubt part of their oneness. They agree with each other thankfully and not grudgingly.

 

[jonathanbchristian]

Chapter 12 Most of this chapter is about the Pharisees oppossing Jesus. Vs 1-8 the Pharisees oppose Jesus concerning the sabbath. Vs 9-14 the Pharisees oppose Jesus concerning healing on the sabbath. Vs 22-32 the Pharisees acuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub the prince of demons. Vs 38-42 the Pharisees ask for a sign. Jesus said in the Bible if they persecuted Him they will persecute you. We can expect to be met with oppossition when we serve the Lord. This chapter shows that they kept oppossing the Lord one hit after the other. They may present us as Christians with the same continual oppossition.

 

[jonathanbchristian]

Chapter 13 This chapter is about Jesus' parables. There are seven parables in this chapter. I only want to comment on two of the parables. In the parable of the sower Satan steals the words of the kingdom from those who do not understand them. The Devil is stealing from people right now when the words of the kingdom are preached. He takes the seed away from them like he did to Eve. She had the word of God snatched from her. In the parable of the tares the tares are gathered first and then the wheat. People here have questioned how the tares are gathered first if we (the wheat) are raptured before the tribulation. The answer is that God's gathering of the tares is the great tribulation when many sinners will die. The saints will be gathered after God pours out His wrath on sinners. Matthew 24:29-31 teaches a post tribulation rapture. God will deal with the tares first and then rapture the elect. There is no other way to really explain how the tares are dealt with first. Pre tribulation rapture does not fit with the parable of the tares.

 

[jonathanbchristian]

Chapter 14 John the baptist, the greatest man in the Old Testament is beheaded. Great men are persecuted for the Lord. The world was not worthy of John the baptist. He was murdered for preaching the truth.

 

[jonathanbchristian]

Chapter 15 We learn from this chapter that what comes out of the mouth defiles a man. It comes from the heart. Some people spue sewage out their mouth. Be careful what you say, you could defile yourself. Jesus heals a gentile and gives her the children's crumbs. All it takes is faith as a grain of mustard seed or a crumb. Jesus heals more people in this chapter. Jesus feeds four thousand.

 

[Shilo]

Ch 8
1-4 In chapters 5-7 Yeshua went over some of the commandments then in chapter 7 :24 if we do them we are like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Who is the rock other than Yeshua no one. The leper ( tzaraas) came to Yeshua and asked him to heal him right after the list of commandments. Leprosy in our Bible is not leprosy but Tzaraas and is thought to be a judgement from GOD. It was thought to come on a person who lived in continual sin. The person goes into isolation so he can experience the pain he has put on others. It is by experiencing this pain that the person is lead to true repentance. It comes from the spirit and manifest first in the mind if the person does not mend his ways then if manifest in the physical. The reasons for the illness is not true repentance. Yeshua just listed a lot of the commandments that bring this on, but a very important one that can bring this on is also one we don’t think of much self-forgiveness. We must let go of the past and move to the future will a whole image. Do not let Satan make you live in unforgiveness. Our sin no matter how private we think they are affect the people around us. We must purge ourselves from the sin that caused the Tzaraas. After we have done this the sacrifice is 2 birds one dies and his blood put in a earth vessel that is Yeshua’s blood covering us. The next rid is diped in the blood and set free. That shows are freedom from sin and we are now covered in the blood. Nest there is a meal offering this shows we are reinstated into Gods favor.
5-13We are to come under Yesuha’s authority. When he tells us go, come or do we must let Yeshua be our LORD ( Adoni ) our master. We may call Yeshua our LORD but until we make it so we are only fooling ourselves. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! Matthew 7:22-23.
14-17 Yeshua will heal us but we must be willing to let the pain go. If we hold on to the pain we are not trusting in Yeshua and you must trust to receive healing.
19-22 We must let nothing stop us from following Yesua.
23 -27 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! This is the story of Jonah , but instead of throwing him over they asked for his help. When we follow the LORD storms of life will come but we must not fear but have faith the LORD is with us. After the storm if we move in faith we will have an understanding in something about him we did not fully comprehend before.
28 -34 When the city found out what Yeshua did for the 2 demon possessed men. Instead of giving glory to god they became afraid and wanted the power of god out of their town, but latter when Yeshua comes back he is excepted. When we let ourselves be ruled by fear we miss blessings of GOD.

 

[Shilo]

Ch 9
1-8 God is moved by our faith, If we draw closes to him he will draw closes to us James 4:8. We will always be healed from our sins, Our inner healing is what matters most to GOD.
9-13 Yeshua made himself gentle so that people were at ease coming to him for help. Sometimes I see believers talk to unbelievers in a way that seams nice, but when the people refuse to believe the believer then then belittles them and may even yell at them. We need to come in has harmless doves . We do not grow faith that is Gods job as he works on each heart. We are only to plant the seed or give it water. We must not care what others think about the way god has called us to minister to the lost. Follow God not man.
14-25 When we feel that our relationship is not right with Yeshua we need to fast. He is trying to bring our attention to something. He is going to change the way we think about something. This pain is in our life to draw us closer to him. We are full of old wine and it is time we get a new revelation about us and GOD. Change is hard but when it finally breaks through there is much joy. There is much testing In Spiritual growth. The ruler had to build up faith just to come before Yeshua. Not many of the rulers followed Yeshua and so he could loses his closes friends doing this. Then his faith is tested again as he has to wait as Yeshua talks with the woman with the flow of blood. The rules is told that his daughter has died ( Luke 8:49). He must not let his faith falter with all the mourners. Yeshua had to separate the nonbelievers from those moving in faith. If you are waiting on God to help you do not hang out with those who will bring you down .
The woman with the flow of blood lost everything she had trying to get well. Then when she heard of Yeshua she moved in faith. Sometimes it is when you have nothing else that you come to god for healing. She was a student of the bible and new when the messiah came he would bring healing.Malachi 4:2But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. She came in humility and tried to hide by coming up behind Yeshua but he would not let her be hidden.. He wanted her to know that she was loved and her shame was gone . She touched the him of his garment this is the prayer shawl. It is like her prayer touched his prayer for her.Amos 3:3 Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet.
27 When The two blind men came to Yeshua they called him Son of David. This is a name The Jews used for the Messiah. The men had to keep their faith up that they would be healed. Their faith was tested. Yeshua did not stop but the blind men had to follow him. Then Yeshua goes inside this could be a place that they have never been. They must stay in faith and not give into the fear of the unknown. Then he touches their eyes and said according to your faith let it be to you. When Yeshua comes to us he meets us at the level of faith we have, but he will not stop there our faith will be tested and retested until we sleep in the ground .2 Corinthians 3:18And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.