08 Feb
The New Testament in 50 days – day 2
Today I want to share a few thoughts from Matthew 4 – even though most of you will be reading further than that today, for the sake of those who are following the ‘bronze’ level in our “Read Thru the NT in 50 Days” challenge, I’m going to stick with the second daily reading for them:
- As I read Matthew 4:2-3, I couldn’t help but think that fasting makes us sensitive to the supernatural – both good and bad! I may be a few days or weeks late for some of you, but it’s entirely possible that our recent season of 21 days of fasting & prayer caused you to attract attention from the enemy! As much as I hope that’s not the case, the good news is that his strategy is defeated, and every temptation rendered helpless, when you use the Word, just as Jesus did in Matthew 4:4.
- In fact, part of the whole “working the Word into our lives” strategy is so we WILL have the word in our heart and in our mouth when the enemy comes against us with his lies! The Word works!
- Another truth that jumped out at me was Matthew 4:14-16. In fact, in just the first 2 days, we’ve already seen several instances (Matthew 2:6, 15, 17-18, 23) that demonstrate this truth: how carefully God watches over His Word to fulfill it! (see Jeremiah 1:11-12)
- The next tidbit I saw was Matthew 4:19 – that God’s heart (and ours) is always about people! (that’s the first value we’ll look at in our ‘Back to the Future’ series – so don’t miss next Sunday at CLC!) As we’re working the Word into our hearts, may we also develop a heart for reaching others – and the skills to do so, which is what Jesus promised as we follow Him!
- Finally, I love what Matthew 4:23-24 tells us about Jesus’ ability to heal every kind of sickness and disease, and more importantly, the fact of Hebrews 13:8 (even though we haven’t read that far yet) – that Jesus STILL does that today!
How ’bout you? What stood out for you in your second day of reading through the NT? Please share it below, and let’s encourage each other in the Word!
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Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 5:00 am under
The men had terrorized the region for so long that no one considered it safe to walk down that stretch of road anymore Matthew 8:28
The Touchpoint Bible says: the men were so dangerous that not once could go through that area.
Interesting how Jesus showed up with His diciples in this unsafe area!!!
February 8th, 2010 at 9:00 amSorry, the first verse example was taken from the Translation message Bible and my misspell of the Touchpoint verse:
“the men were so dangerous that no one could go through that area”. Mattew 8:28
February 8th, 2010 at 9:03 amMatthew 9:11 The Pharisees were indignant. “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” they asked the disciples. 12. When Jesus heard this, Jesus replied,
When the Devil accuses or asks distracting questions; allow Jesus to answer!
February 8th, 2010 at 9:11 amMatthew 9:30
And suddenly they could see! Jesus sternly warned them, “Don’t tell anyone about his.”
Does anyone know why Jesus said this many times when He healed someone???
February 8th, 2010 at 9:21 amSo true about us attracting the supernatural both good and bad since the fast, seems like my attacks got more intense after the last sunday of the fast, but God is good and I am trusting Him to continue to bring me through.
February 8th, 2010 at 9:32 amI love the beatitudes in The Message Bible. Especially these two:
February 8th, 2010 at 1:13 pmMatt 5:3,8 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.”
“You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.”
love it, love it, love it, Cheri!
February 8th, 2010 at 4:19 pmI doubled up on Monday to make up for sunday I ended up reading for 90 minutes today!! What stuck out for me was how Jesus laid the framework and the foundation for the fulfillment of the law. I chapter six he make sures we know that if we are humble in what we do and not doing it for self-exhaltation, he rewards us. He repeats it three times ( Matt 6:4,6, and 18). I also love how obedient people were to God. The angel of the Lord came to joseph several times he did not question what the Angel said, nor did he doubt what was being said. He listened and carried out the order or God. Just the same, When Jesus chose his disciples, they did not question him with “why me?” they obeyed and followed.
February 8th, 2010 at 10:00 pmMy favorite scripture so far is Matthew 6:13-14
The Narrow and Wide Gate
13. Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only few find it.
February 8th, 2010 at 10:07 pm