Matthew Twenty Five

"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
-----Matthew 25:40

Making a difference in some one's life is important. Because influence is possible for any one person, changing the life of another is not out of the question. What I find is that we tend to try to help those that can help us. Ignoring those that are powerless, underesourced and out casted by society.

Jesus gives us great insight into how we are to represent Him to our world. Reaching out to what He calls, "The least of these" are all around us. This is no coincidence. God will send you to people that He wants to reach out to them. He chooses You to take part in this very important task.

"Jesus, open my eyes to see all the people You are sending me to. Help me see them through Your eyes."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Matthew Twenty Four

I am reminded today just how finite my comprehension of things are. As Jesus talks about the things that will happen at the end of the earth, I am reminded of all the conversations I have had in the past attempting to explain it all as if I had seen the charts and graphs from heaven.

Though I do not fully understand all the steps.
I know the Savior.
Today, that is enough for me.

"Jesus, thank You for Your living presence in my life."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Matthew Twenty Three

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!"
-----Matthew 23:13,15,23,25,27,29

Jesus uses what appears to be a new word here. It is not recorded anywhere before in scripture. He uses a word that is translated in the Greek---'ouai' (oo-ah'ee). This word means an exclamation of guilt. I have read this passage in the past and took it to mean Jesus was chastising the teachers and the Pharisees. I believe differently now. I think Jesus is looking at these men and it in effect saying, "Guys, you are not getting it and it is breaking my heart."

This morning I am reminded that at times I don't get it. Some excuses may be legit but most are because I know better and choose a different path. I will make it a point today to be mindful of what Jesus wants me to keep as a priority. I want to 'get it' right every time for Him.

"Jesus, help me see the paths You are choosing for me."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Matthew Twenty Two

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
-----Matthew 22:37-40

These verses offer a significant paradigm shift for the church. As people search for the meaning of life they don't have to search far if they read Matthew 22. God created us to have love for Him and love those He sends us to. As humans have a knack for making everything over complicated. Some even say this outlook to life is oversimplifying the process. Regardless, Jesus speaks plainly into our hearts this morning.

If we love God with all of us. The response to experiencing His love, will open our eyes and hearts to others.

"Jesus, thank You this morning that You have given us such a significant mission. Help me follow You and not the rules of man."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Matthew Twenty One

"A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches form the trees and spread them on the road."
-----Matthew 21:8

What a beautiful picture of an exalted King being acknowledged by His subjects. The thought that people were spreading their cloaks on the road shows how important Jesus was becoming in the land. However, in just a few days we will see these same people give into the political pressures and crowd the streets to witness His punishment.

I believe this both an accurate picture and warning to us a few thousand years later. There is a tendency in us to follow Jesus of convenience. When pressures rise though we tend to rely on self more than the promises of Jesus. I think the warning falls in seeing people fail and learning from their missteps. My desire is to be a man that follows Jesus into the most dangerous adventurous and fight fiercely until my final breath.

"Jesus, give me the strength to stand for You when my insecurities scream to do the opposite."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Matthew Twenty

"So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius."
-----Matthew 20:10

Have you ever played the, "It's not fair" game? These guys played it to perfection. I am a big believer in expectations and understandings. As long as the expectations are the same then the two parties have an understanding. At the point when one party would like to renegotiate an item. A new expectation and understanding must be met. This keeps the playing field level.

What the early workers forgot was what they agreed to work for was what they were paid. It is a dangerous thing when we start to compare ourselves to the way see other peoples worth. Even more dangerous when we compare ourselves to their standards. God has set the perfect standards to live by. He is just, compassionate, bold and loving.

"Jesus, help me today to remember You receive each of us with different circumstances."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Matthew Nineteen

"When the young man heard this,
he went away sad,
because he had great wealth."
-----Matthew 19:22

This young man knew about priorities and what mattered most. He longed for eternal life. Just was not willing to pay the price for it. He seemed to be pretty good at playing the game of life by most of the rules but when Jesus said to sell all he had, there in lied the deal breaker.

The comfort of 'stuff' may make it easier to pay bills but that treasure has it's limitations. It only works on this side of eternity. Keeping a healthy perspective on what matters most will lead to fulfillment.

"Jesus, help me be willing to sell everything for the sake of Your name."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Matthew Eighteen

"In the same way your Father in Heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost."
-----Matthew 18:14

What a thankful thought on this Thanksgiving day. God will seek you when you wander away. When He finds you He will celebrate over you with His love.

"Jesus, thank You today that You sought after and fought for my heart."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Matthew Seventeen

Jesus' transfiguration is one of my favorite lessons in the gospels. This is all about a "God Moment". Peter wants to build shelters and stay there forever. I can't blame Him. When I have found myself in my own "God Moments" my desire is for them to last forever.

What Peter and I take out of the equation is that God continually leads us into more intimate moments with Him. What is to say that the next day that Peter would not experience something far greater than this moment. In fact by the end of this gospel, Jesus will have made way for the most intimate of all relationships with Jesus. His life will pave the way for the Holy Spirit. Talk about Immanuel (God literally with us).

"Jesus, thank You for continually showing us deeper moments of intimacy in our relationship with You."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Mathew Sixteen

"What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?"
-----Matthew 16:26

I love the movie "First Knight". The story King Arthur and his knights are an inspiration to me. In the movie there is a scene where Lady Guenevere is speaking with her advisers about Lord Malach's raiding of villages. She uses a statement that I am reminded of from Jesus' here. She states, "What does he want? To be the king of a graveyard?"

The flaw of the American Dream is that we tend to think that it is about 'stuff' and not being people of significance. We pursue the collection of things so we can show it off at Thanksgiving and Reunions. All the while forfeiting the character that will last so much longer in the realm of eternity.

Jesus, warns us here that authentic living is the route to choose over gaining the stuff of the world. This line of thinking goes against societies standards. And maybe with good reason.

"Jesus, thank You for setting a clear vision for how we are to live."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Matthew Fifteen

"Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of tradition."
-----Matthew 15:6

This is an intriguing verse. I am not entirely sure how to take it or all that it means. This is where I believe meditating on the word is incredibly valuable. When I see verses like this one, I like to write it on a card and carry it with me a few days. I will pull it out from time to time and try to look at it from different angles. What I find is it helps me keep a God focus during my day.

"Jesus, help me understand deeper the meaning of Your words."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Matthew Fourteen

"The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison."
----- Matthew 14:9-10

Two topics of thought:
1. Be aware when image management overrides authentic living. We are seeing a perfect example of teenage peer pressure. Herod did not want to lose face here in front of the girl he is wanting to impress. So he decides to do something that he did not want to do because of the uncertain outcome. Sometimes leaders have to lead and make decisions that don't make sense.

2. Our story is not as safe as the flannel boards of Sunday School will lead us to believe. When one does something significant for the Kingdom of God they are usually met with hostility and criticism. Sometimes to the point of death. That is why this is a Lordship and not a religion of convenience.

"Jesus, thank You for making such a difference in the life of John the Baptist that He would be willing to die for You. Help me live with His passion."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Matthew Thirteen

Matthew Thirteen is a chapter that is has been speaking to my heart the last few weeks. I was brought up with the belief that life with Jesus begins when we enter eternity. For the past couple of years I have been exploring the word of God and am realizing that the adventure of life with Jesus begins the moment we ask Him to be Lord of our lives.

That is why Kingdom living is so important. Understanding that the ground we walk on has a King will reflect how we live as servants. Our unseen King has reigned supreme since the beginning.

The thought that begs to be answered is... Do I have a Jesus that has a cool title and can do some neat tricks, or do I have a Lord that rules over us and requires mercy and sacrifice?

Many think this is unfair for Jesus to ask. They feel it takes away individuality. This is a lie we convince ourselves of. We love Jesus because He first loved us.

"Jesus, show me today glimpses of Your Kingdom."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Matthew Twelve

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

Your heart can only hold so much emotion. Eventually it will come out of the mouth and both the world and you may be surprised by what it says. Keeping an accurate inventory of what you are holding in your heart is very important. Ridding your heart of destructive emotions is vital.

The heart is tricky, for in it we hold: love, hate, intimacy, isolation, dreams, fears, pleasure, frustration as well as a dichotomy of others emotions. The enemy knows this can be one of the easiest ways to side track us.

That is why the battle for our hearts is so fierce.
Fierce enough for Jesus to pay a ransom for it.

***** A great book about this concept is,
"It Came From Within" by Andy Stanley

"Jesus, thank You for giving direction in taking care of my heart. Thank You even more for caring about my heart."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Matthew Eleven

"Come to me, all you who are wary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
-----Matthew 11:28-30

My prayer today is that these words would wash over me and you. Jesus came to give rest to our fret. Take a deep breath on purpose today. Rest in the shelter of His wings. He cares for you.

"Jesus, help me be gentle and humble today as I rest in the shelter of Your protection."

Heart and Soul
BAG
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Matthew Ten

"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
-----Matthew 10:42

The reward here is an intimate relationship with Jesus, both present day and eternally. I find this reward worth searching after, as if it were the Holy Grail (in some respects it is). I live and breath because of this very reward. Jesus paid a debt that I could not, because of His love for His Father and for me. This precious treasure is to not be taken for granted, or manipulated. It is that priceless.

As we read about 'giving a cup of water to the little ones,' context does play a part. These people didn't have faucets in 3 or 4 rooms in their houses. Much less, plumbing to bring the water. They carried empty jars to a well (sometimes miles away) and brought back full jars of water. Though it was a cup of water it took some sacrifice.

I am reminded this morning that God sends me to people in need for a reason. He wants to reflect His love on them, through me. I long to stay attuned to His song because of His majesty.

"Father, thank You for sending us to play a significant part in Your story."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Matthew Nine

On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor,
but the sick."
-----Matthew 9:12

I love the calling of Matthew. Even more, I love the celebration at Matthew's house. Jesus was not afraid of people with dirt. It didn't seem to be His concern of them 'infecting' Him with their impurity, as a possible deal breaker.

I also love how crazy this is driving the church people. These hall monitors were having difficulty finding a logical reason for a Rabbi to be found off the 'church bus' slumming it with the lowly.

Get ready..... Jesus is about to speak.... this is amazing....
Jesus replies, that the need to help the sick, outweighs the need for the country club membership. (littleBAG version)

As I watch the scenes of Jesus unfold here,
I am challenged to remember two things:
1. other people exist
2. other people need Jesus

"When He (Jesus) saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were HARASSED and HELPLESS, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few; Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send our workers into His harvest field.'"
Matthew 9:36-38

"Father, help me remember that You made me to help work the harvest before I enjoy the feast."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Matthew Eight

"Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they say him, they pleaded with Him to leave their region."

-----Matthew 8:34

Here we read as Jesus releases demons out of two men that were prohibiting others from passing through the tombs. The demons go into a herd of pigs which immediately take a flying leap off a cliff. The pig herders (if that is actually a title) run into town to give a report. Then the whole town comes out to meet Jesus.

I would think they are on their way to praise or thank Him. Maybe give Him the key to the city and schedule a town holiday (Jesus day). But they don't. What we see is them pleading with Him.

Not that they would be made right in His eyes.
Not that they are repenting for the Kingdom is near.
They are pleading that He would leave town.
And do it quickly.

The study notes in my Bible offer some interesting insight:
"Unlike their own pagan gods, Jesus could not be contained, controlled or appeased. They feared Jesus' supernatural power, a power they have never witnessed before."

Because they could not manipulate the circumstances or the outcome with Jesus they don't want Him to have a say in their lives. We to are in danger of doing this. We choose sin and try to hide from Him. We quench the Spirit because we fear the response of man.

ARE YOU TRYING TO CONTROL JESUS IN YOUR LIFE?

We claim on Sunday mornings that He is Lord of our lives. History tells us that Lordship is a seven day, twenty-four hour kind of gig. I long to allow Him to be Lord in every situation of my life. His power is great, and at times is to be feared. His love for me, however, is the greatest power of all.

"Jesus, help me live in Your kingdom and submit to Your authority this week."

Heart and Soul
BAG
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Matthew Seven

"Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."
-----Matthew 7:20

This is a statement is simple and profound at the same time.
I like to say it is 'simply profound'.

The thing about fruits are...
AN APPLE IS AN APPLE, AN ORANGE IS AN ORANGE.
If an apple tries be an orange it may wear the skin but when bit into it tastes like an apple.

We can so much of the time attempt to be the facade we want others to know us as. But this is image management and not authentic living.

If you are recognized by the fruit you are producing the question on the table is...
WHAT KIND OF FRUIT ARE YOU?
Are you a source of nourishment or are
you spoiled fruit causing others to be sick?

"Father, help me produce the kind of fruit that reflects You well."

Heart and Soul
BAG
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Matthew Six

"...they have received their reward in full"
-----Matthew 6:2,5,16

"then Your Father...will reward you."
-----Matthew 6:6,18

Jesus is dealing with a major pitfall that we humans tend to suffer from...THE DESIRE FOR PRAISE FROM OTHERS. He identifies three areas people of his day tended to do this in Matthew 6. In their dealings with the needy, in their prayers, in their fasting. We can tend to do it in very similar ways.

What stuck out was as Jesus spoke about rewards the tense changes dramatically. When we do things for the praise of fellow man the reward we receive is paid in full ('paid' being a past tense word). I find this to be true... we live in a 'what have you done for me lately' society. The rewards of yesterday seem quickly forgotten.

However, when we pursue the praise of our Heavenly Father we will receive a blessing ('will' being in the future tense). I think we are talking about the continuing blessing of His presence in both the present and the future tense. This is great news. His blessings will only get better as we near the day when He let's us see His Full Glory.

The praise of men is as fleeting as junior high girls friendships.
The glory of God transcends all era's, societies and circumstance.

"Father, thank You for the reward being worth the wait."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Matthew Five

I am sitting here this morning at the kitchen table with my son, Barak. I am working, he is eating and watching SpongeBob (I know what is wrong with this scene). As I think about the man I hope he becomes, this chapter offers great insight. It serves as a road map to parenting. Some of the greatest lessons are observed pupil to mentor, child to parent, son to father. If I make the choice to live out the words of God, then there is a better chance Barak will exhibit similar qualities.

We read this morning quite possibly the greatest lesson ever verbalized. It is entirely possible to take the rest of the month to meditate on this chapter and we would still be finding "nuggets" going into December. But meditation that leads to inaction is a waste of time. Jesus does not give us these words as "good ideas." These instructions and statements are meant to lead to action.

"Jesus, help me today to find direction in Your word."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Matthew Four

"At once they left their nets and followed Him."
-----Matthew 4:20

I am reminded this morning that I still have a ways to go as I take steps to following Jesus. Here we read about four brothers whom Jesus gives a singular command to. And they drop everything and follow Him.

I must confess, that much of the time if I feel Jesus is leading me in a direction I am not entirely comfortable in, I tend to require many prodding's and almost a one way road. I long to have a relationship with Jesus where He says go and I am on the road before the end of the sentence.

At once!!! No second guessing. No justifying why the plan won't work. No bargaining with the Almighty. Just going and following.

"Jesus, I confess that at times, I don't drop everything to follow where You are leading. I long to do Your will on the first time around."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Matthew Three

"In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.'"
-----Matthew 3:1-2

How true were his words on this day. He announces to everyone to repent for the kingdom of heaven is near and today he will baptize Jesus Christ. What a captivating scene.

I feel weird about calling John "the Baptist". He acted nothing like most Baptists. He looked almost nothing like most Baptists. He ate almost nothing like most Baptists. (I understand that Baptist was a descriptive term for what he did. He baptized people.)

What descriptive term could be used for you? Jim the slacker? Frank the schemer? Sue the closed minded? Harry the greedy?... Michelle the compassionate? Tyler the giver? (Your name here) the child of the living God?

The Kingdom of heaven was near that day, as it has been every day since. Anytime that Jesus is in the vicinity, we experience the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:20 (NLT)
For where two or three gather together because they are mine, I am there among them."

"Father, thank You that Your Kingdom is near."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Matthew Two

"Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: 'He will be called a Nazarene.'"
-----Matthew 2:22-23

For as much of a reputation Jesus will receive for being a renegade rabbi, I find it interesting just how many prophetic words He fulfilled in His life about the coming Messiah. The church ridiculed and denounced the work of His ministry because they felt He was breaking all the rules. But as we will see, Jesus came not to break man's rules but to fulfill God's laws (which are far more significant).

Matthew 5:17
"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.

I am reminded this morning that God will steer circumstances in a direction that will give Him the most glory for any situation. Just as God told Joseph to become a Nazarene, He is telling us to do something significant for His story. The question remains: Are we listening?

"Father, thank You for sending Your Son to fulfill what we could not."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Matthew One

"When we pull back the curtain on His life, we discover that Jesus knows what it's like to the marginalized. He knows that it's like to have society shove you to the side of the page, to not really be accepted, and in the end, to be totally rejected. He can identify with life in the margins, becasue when God came down to eart in the person of Jesus Christ, the margins is where He landed."
----- Excerpt from Rick McKinley's "Jesus in the Margins"

Jesus has never been a stranger to controversy. His birth became a scandal. This illegitimate child by society's standards is about to be born with the details receiving great skepticism.

Either three things could be true:
1. Mary and Joesph had sex before they were to be married.
2. Mary had sex with some other man before she was to be married.
3. Mary conceives her child through the Holy Spirit.

To be honest, the third option seems to be the least logical. However, it turns out to be the most true. Nazareth was a blue collar rural town. I grew up in Azle so the correlation is a lot the same. One thing I know about growing up in smaller towns is... NEWS TRAVELS FAST. I can see a scene where the ladies at the Nazareth Salon would be having a field day on this one. Like I said before, Jesus has never been a stranger of controversy.

This tells me one big thing... He cares that much for me and you. To go through that much trouble to declare His Father's justice and to break our hearts free from bondage. To borrow from a line from an elementary school girl..."He likes me, he really likes me!!!"

"Father, thank You for Immanuel."


Heart and Soul
BAG
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Genesis Fifty

"...'Don't be afraid.
Am I in the place of God?'"
-----Genesis 50:19

What a pertinent question to ask ourselves today... Who am I going to try to be? God or Child of God. Realizing this is everything as we interact with a world filled with broken, flawed, illusion driven people. When I attempt to be God in my life the dangers can lead to some tricky situations. The things I do, how I see people, how I view sin is all perverted from our original design. I believe the dangers is the same for everyone.

We have been created as the offspring of our Heavenly Father to be a reflection of His love to His world. He doesn't need me to enforce His wrath against sinful people. What I find is that once I take off the sash of "God's Hall Monitor" the goal is simplified to one singular concept...LOVE!!!
Love Him who makes the tough calls with me.
Love those He sends me to.

"Father, thank You for simplifying my mission.
Thank You for caring about the heart of all of us."

Heart and Soul
BAG
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Genesis Forty - Nine

As Israel gives his blessing to his sons we see an interesting thing happen. His blessing is not flatering to all the sons. Israel's boys seem to be a motley crew of men. Some would be defined by their wrongdoings, some would get a pass for it. I could imagine some brothers walking away from their last few minutes with Israel feeling they have gained a great gift. I can also imagine some walking away wishing they had made different decisions in life.

I like how Israel is truthful with his boys. He tells them honestly (almost brutally honest) what will come of their tribes and how their lives will be effected not from what they did in the past but the men they had become.

There is very little that I can do about my past. I have to live with the consequences of both wise and unwise choices. However, my past does not define the man that I am becoming. I am reminded this morning that there is always time to take the 'next right step'.

"Father, I long to take steps in Your direction today."

Heart and Soul
BAG
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Genesis Forty - Eight

"Israel said to Joseph, 'I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too.'"
-----Genesis 48:11

I am happy for Israel here. I couldn't imagine being separated from my son, much less going through the grief of thinking he was dead. This has to be a joy-filled encounter. What matters greater to me is the orchestrator of this meeting. God took what was ugly and made it beautiful. HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD.

"Dad, thank You that You have a plan in the middle of my worldly chaos."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Genesis Forty - Seven

The story of Israel is wrapping up.
He will pass away at the end of chapter 49.

This reminds me of a few things that I try to keep in mind about finishing my life well:

1. There is the old adage, "keep your friends close but your enemies closer." Life is too short to spend a majority of it, in enemy lookout control. I want those closest to me, to be the ones who know my dreams and are committed to challenging me to fulfilling them.

2. At the end of my run, most of the battles I have fought will not be as significant as they felt at the time. In "The Contrarians Guide To Leadership", Stephen Sample titles a chapter... "Know which hill you are willing to die on." If I am going to have conflict with another person, I want it to mean something. Much of the time I give way too much thought to petty squabbles.

3. I live for four smiles. My God, myself, my wife and my mentor. This approach to people pleasing, simplifies my attempt to succeed. When you allow everyone to define what success is for you, you'll be trying to achieve success in so many avenues, it will be like going 90 miles per hour and traveling nowhere.

4. Situations that look like the end of the world will rarely ever actually "end" the world. So, I will take a deep breath and "try" to keep a cool head in all situations.

5. Finishing well is important. Israel does some things in his life, that as we read it we think... "this person is being used by God?" We are all a collection of victories and defeats, strengths and weaknesses. The key is learning from the defeats and weaknesses, while keeping a healthy perspective in the victories and strengths.

This is important to me because, at twenty six I can pre-decide my actions in the midst of situations that tend to be more reactive, and can cause great trouble.

"Father, You are the reason for the joy I have. Thank You that Your word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Genesis Forty - Six

Jacob and the clan are traveling to the land of Egypt. I find it interesting as God assures Jacob, that He will go down with them, and will surely bring them back. They won't make it back to the land of Canaan for many generations. After Jacob's sons pass away, we read in Exodus 1 that the nation of Israel is abundant in numbers. A new King arrives on the scene, and places an entire nation of people into slavery. Awhile later, we see Moses leading the people out of Egypt, (but that is for another day).

I am reminded this morning that God's timing may be different than the expectations of mine. He has always followed through on His word in scripture. Because He is the God of yesterday, today and forevermore and does not change, I can live knowing that His promises will always come through.

The difficult part of this is trusting in His timing over my desire for the quick and easy. He is and always will be faithful to what He promises us. He led them back home and on the way, builds an intimate relationship with His chosen people.

"Father, help me today rely on Your timing over mine."

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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