Kindle Notes & Highlights
But, like us, Joseph needed a direct encounter to clarify the matter.
Human emotion is a powerful thing. I always felt that Joseph’s encounter with the angel at this point would have to be a very solid, and clear.
Those around Joseph would still not have understood Joseph's behavior.
Sometimes God will require you to do things not understood by the people closest to us. For example, he may ask you to sacrifice your pride or act contrary to your typical human nature.
A question indicates what is in our minds and hearts.
The questions we ask to pursue personal gain or secure our position are not the questions by which we learn.
the first fresh word the people of Israel had received from God in 400 years.
"We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost."
This response has always intrigued me. I would love to get the actual tone of voice, sense of wonder on this encounter.
Their repentance was more than confession. Instead, it involved a change of heart and mind, resulting in different behavior. Repentance addresses the issue of the past and commits to a different lifestyle in the future.
Repentance remains an essential part of salvation.
It opens one up for a saving move of the Holy Ghost.
Faith is exhibited by obedience. Obeying the Bible about salvation includes a change in the way we live.
This is such a simple concept, but one so challenging for rebellious human flesh.
When these hard-shell believers in John's baptism heard about the Holy Ghost, they were re-baptized in the name of Jesus and received the Holy Ghost for themselves (Acts 19:1-6). You can do the same.
Jesus heard the if, and He answered the if.
Too often, we don't immediately answer the tempter’s if. Instead, we allow the if to marinate in our imagination.
This is so true. The longer the time we spend with a tempting thought, the more we begin to justify it little by little.
you will lose when you allow the tempter to do all the talking. So your defeat is almost inevitable.
My little brother was always fighting. He told me that when a guy came up to you like he wanted to fight, then started doing a bunch of talking, all you had to do was pop him in the chops and the fight would be over. It has a spiritual application here.
We
You cannot quote what you do not know.
Greek scholar Spiros Zodhiates says the Greek word translated Blessed in the KJV expresses completion. An example: "Complete are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Complete and blessed means I have the right attitude toward life. A complete man is a blessed man, and a blessed man is a complete man.
Getting to the original language really opens thinhs up as far as understanding whst the writers were conveying.
I wish that my preaching and teaching could be as straightforward.
I wish mine was, as well.
What an audience does with what they hear is the proper evaluation of any sermon.
The chaos will ensue if nothing has changed after hearing the sermon.
but he was asleep.
Not exactly what was expected of God when trouble was all around.
What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
Only the one who created all of it could command it! 🙌
after a time
Sure! But that is not His way.
Each storm reminds us of our dependence on Jesus.
We are never so capable that storms don't send us to Him.
So true. The song “The Warrior is a Child,” says “they don’t know that I go running home when I fall down.” In our strongest storms and battles we still have to run to our Father.
#2 - Storms are the making of a miracle.
Unfortunately, taking things as they are will keep many people from seeking Jesus. This woman had not reached a point of acknowledging her condition as her permanent norm.
Her touch was not casual.
First, the other gospel writers did not draw attention to Matthew's former career. We should do the same for each other. Put the best face on each other's life.
Matthew did not cover up what he had been. Instead, he let his past mess be part of the present message.
some people will not be pleased any of the time.
"Why not choose to listen to impact makers instead of critics?"
Christ’s parable of the seed portrays a good seed falling on a field where thorns were already present.
Wow. Just like today, thorns are everywhere and the child of God is dropped among them.
Thorns do not remove or destroy the seed of the word. Instead, thorns impede the effectiveness of the word.
Life is difficult. Nobody gets out of life unscathed. Compassion toward those we meet should be the standard order of life. Whether you have suffered significant loss or not – decide to make compassion a trait of your life.
Follow the Leader
How much power is found when people begin to pray the same tune?
What are you willing to surrender to follow Jesus?
That is still the question. Likely it is a daily question.
not
The passage warns not to be captured by the mundane of life. Instead, to live with an awareness of the end of the age and eternity.
Complacency kills.
What are you doing with what Jesus gave you?
The biggest question I find myself asking myself regularly.
what you are today is not what you should remain.
