Category: Bible Challenge

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” v. 33-34

It is easy to get consumed by the things of this world!  We turn on the TV and see reality shows that put people in unrealistic environments and assume that that is the way life is supposed to be.  Sadly we begin to look down on ourselves because we haven’t kept up with the Jones.

Jesus gives hard but to the point teaching here about money.  When you persue money as the primary nessity in life, you become controlled by the lack or abundance of money.  However, money is only temporary.  Situation change so fast, and money can be lost very quickly, thus causing you to compete in the rat race to always have more.

Today, instead of thinking about money, lets think about all the things God has blessed us with.  Lets cast our cares on him and not worry about today, but pray about the things going on and see if results don’t change!  Father help us to live in a different mindset!

“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.” v. 1 (NLT)

Let’s be honest, we all want recognition for doing things well.  We wan to know that we met a standard or surpassed it.  In this passage today, Jesus addresses 3 things that we should do (giving, prayer, and fasting), not for the applause of people, but to please God.  When we get these out of place we no longer do them to please God, but to have people look at us and applaud.  Jesus isn’t saying that at times people won’t hear us pray, or find out that we fasted or gave, He is simply saying that it should happen in our secret place with God first.

When we have that special time alone with God “our secret place” He begins to transform us from the inside out.  He begins to change the way we pray, give, and fast.  We begin to pray as the Lord leads, we give as the Lord leads, and we fast not for others to know, but that God would see that we have a burden and desire for change to happen.  We do it, out of our Love for the Father.  This is what is pleasing to Him.

Let’s learn from Jesus Words and find a secret place to meet with God!

“If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” v. 47-48 (NLT)

There is so much stuff in these to chapters of the Bible.  I could spend all year reading Matthew chapters 5-7 and learn something more everyday.  Really these are, “Life Lessons with Jesus.”  If I am wanting to be more like Christ, then why not look at what he says?  In these verses, He teaches about divorce (something the world really needs), revenge (ouch), promises/commitments (saying yes and saying no), Loving People (even your enemies.)

This is quite the list, I find myself falling short in some of these respects do to fear, business, selfishness, and pride.  To be honest, sometimes it is just much easier to avoid, than to open ourselves up for potential hurt and pain.  But the good news, we become more like Christ the more we do these things.  Isn’t that our gaol as Christ Followers?

“So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” v.19

What a statement!  Jesus goes on to teah about anger, and lust, probably things that none of us deal with on a daily basis.  Wrong, I find it interesting that he not only addresses the actual sin but talks about the little things that gradually get bigger as we continue to sin.  Jesus says we have to cut off the things that cause us to sin.

This weekend I am talking about “Secret Sin.”  The past two years I have seen good even godly men fall because they let secret sin lead them to places they never thought possible and they ended up doing things they never thought they would do.  That’s the power that is in secret sin, and Jesus tels us to cut it off!

What are some things that you struggle with?  Today, will you begin to cut those things out, so you can experience the fullness of Christ?  Today, will I be willing to cut those things out, so I can experience the fullness of Christ? Let do it together!

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” v.3

This is the first of eight statements Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount.  We know them today as the “Be Attitudes.”  In these, are hidden truths of the Gospel that each one of us can experience.

When we realize that we don’t have anything offer, or we have nothing left to try, those tend to be the moments that God shows up in the biggest ways.  It is the simple realization that you can’t do this on your own.  It’s in this moment that we cry out to God and say, “Father help me, I can’t do this and I need you.”  This is the beginning, not the end, of a journey were God becomes our rescuer and sustainer.  Sometimes its not easy, but we can take confidence that we don’t have to do it alone!

“He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, ‘Hold out your hand.’ So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!” Mark 3:5 (NLT)

Have you ever been disappointed by someones actions or reaction?  Jesus is looking at the religious leaders of the day in disappointment that they would be more concerned with it being the Sabbath then helping someone who had a need.  Jesus was saddened by their hard hearts.

A hard heart comes when we ignore the things God wants us to be sensitive to.  It can come from avoiding sin that God is convicting us of, not serving in an area God wants us to serve in, and by having an unforgiving heart toward others.  When it comes to your hearts condition, to you have a soft sensitive heart, open to God and what he wants to do?  Or, do you have a hard heart, closed to God and what He wants to do?

Today, God would you break our hearts for the things that break yours.  Help us to be people that a sensitive to you and the things you are trying to accomplish.  Not for our glory, but for the Glory of your name sake.  May we make you famous!

“So Jesus explained, ‘I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.’” v.19 (NLT)

Jesus, fully God, fully Human, says that he con do nothing by himself.  It doesn’t mean that Jesus was weak, incompetent, or needy.  It simply shows His humble, disciplined, servants heart.  He was so in tune with God that every aspect of His life reflected his relationship with The Father.

There is much for us to learn from this one verse.  If Jesus, fully God, fully Human, says he can do nothing by himself, why do we try to attempt things on our own?  This statement, is the secret to Jesus Life.  It allowed him to heal, teach, love and serve others.  But it wasn’t just the secret to the good stuff/miracles.  It also kept Him from sinning.  He knew that He was not alone and that the Father was with Him.  Jesus was able to live in this world without sin because he knew the secret of life, “I can do nothing by myself.”

Today ask yourself, “What am I trying to do in my own power?  Who am I when no-one but God is looking?”  Then give that to God and faithfully follow His lead.  I think you and I would be surprised by the results.

Father today, make us more like Jesus by being more like you!  Help us to surrender everything to you and to lean on your power and strength not our own.  Help us to understand that we can do nothing by ourselves.

“Jesus answered them, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.’” v. 31-32 (NLT)

Jesus didn’t come to make religious people more religious.  He came to seek out those who were lost, trapped in sin, hurting, and needing a Savior.  Sadly, this description would classify many of the religious leaders of His day and ours.  But the difference Jesus looked at was the heart.  Throughout Scripture, the people impacted by Christ the most realized a couple of things.

• That He was Different – Many people believed that Jesus was the Messiah, some still didn’t.  Some just knew that He had the ability to do things that no-one else could do and he spoke and taught with authority.
• That they needed Help – The first step to getting help is realizing you need help.  This is where many of the religious leaders of the day and today fell and fall short.  Pride, Knowledge, Busyness, are all things that can keep us from asking for help.
• They Believed He could Make A Difference – The people that had the best encounters with Jesus, believed what He said and that He could and would make a difference in their Life.  He did.  Jesus can make a difference.

The best place to be is at the place where you realize you can’t do it on your own.  It’s in this place that Jesus is able to work and restore.  Today will you just give all your cares to Him.  Will you trust Him with the details of your life.  We you let Him be your Rescuer, your Savior, your Lord?

“Jesus reached out and touched him. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be healed!’ And instantly the leprosy disappeared.” v.13

Jesus has the power to completely heal and restore. This leaper was not afraid to ask Jesus for help, but he also believed that Jesus could help him.  Whatever you are dealing with, yesterday, today, or tomorrow, take it to Jesus, he can and will help when you ask and believe.  Give it a try, and see if Jesus doesn’t make a difference!

“When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, ‘Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.’” v.8

Have you ever doubted God?  Have you ever not been obedient to what God tells you to do because you have failed at it before?  Have you ever thought if you just worked harder . . . ?  I am sure these are all feeling that Simon Peter felt when Jesus tells him to go out into deeper water.

Once there, his crew couldn’t handle all the fish and others had to come help because there was so many.  Peter realized the what had happened.  He realized that Jesus was Lord of all things.  He realized that he was not worthy to be in Jesus’ presence.  He realized he was a sinner.  BUT, Jesus changes everything!

With Jesus, we can be forgiven.  With Jesus, we can have purpose.  With Jesus, we can see miracles.  With Jesus, we realize how much we need a Savior.  With Jesus, we find hope.  As I go through my day today I want to make sure I am with Jesus!  How about you?