Reading Reflection from Matthew 1-28

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (OVU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

[9:19 pm, 01/01/2022] S.R: 𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙:𝟚𝟙

"She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."

This Child has a name: Jesus. According to my Bible Reading Plan, I am also reading Hebrews1, today. What a great connection that ℍ𝔼𝔹ℝ𝔼𝕎𝕊 𝟙:𝟜 declares that this Child has a better name even than the angels, "inherited a more excellent name." Rightly so, that we pray in His name!

May we spread the fame of His name much more than last year!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚:𝟙𝟛

"Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him."

If (since) even the earthly parents of Jesus had to endure threats, chaos, and trouble, what makes us think we will have a smooth life even if your pastor made a special prayer for you this New Year Or today? 😬😎

Also, ℍ𝔼𝔹ℝ𝔼𝕎𝕊 𝟚:𝟙𝟠 reminds us that Christ knows temptation more than any human being, and therefore we can rest assured that He knows all about our struggles and is interceding for us!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟛:𝟙𝟙

"As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

May we, evangelicals, have this attitude of John in presenting Christ! That there's nothing in us, but power in Christ.

True Conversion and true transformation are the works of the Spirit of Christ. This, shall we remember too, we are just earthen pots with heavenly treasures.

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟜:𝟚𝟘

"Immediately they left their nets and followed Him."

There are some pastors and preachers who failed to distinguish between the disciples and the apostles. Every one of us, all Christians are called to be the disciples of Jesus Christ, but not as apostles.

We don't need to be like Andrew and Simon who immediately left their nets and followed after Christ to be Christ's disciples. We can still be His disciples and be fishermen, tentmakers, centurions, policemen, lawyers, tax collectors, teachers, etc.

While if we are called to be an apostle (missionaries), we may have to leave behind our profession. Or we can still be missionary doctors, missionary teachers, etc.

And there's also a difference between a (capital A) Apostles and (small a) apostles. The first ceased to exist!

 

[3:16 pm, 05/01/2022] S.R: Guys, let's read our Bible every day and meditate upon it. I hope I have demonstrated that it's not that difficult to do.

I shall stop putting up updates/reflections in this group. There's a time for everything! Good day!

 

[14:20, 16/09/2022] S. R.: 𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟝:𝟙𝟞

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

Our good works are to be seen by others so that they will glorify God. Not for self-promotion to be accepted, appreciated, or applauded. May they see God's grace in you! When they see your good work, they should be thinking, "There's God in heaven."

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟞:𝟛𝟙-𝟛𝟚

"Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things."

If we trust God, we will not be worried about food, shelter, and clothing because trust involves knowing God is good and going to do only good things for us.

The way you can be different from the non-Christian is to not worry for such things!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟟:𝟙𝟙

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!"

Who is the nicest person you ever know in person or even from a story? God is much nicer than that person. Because goodness is the attribute of God. We are just imperfect reflections of Him.

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟠:𝟛

"Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, 'I am willing; be cleansed.' And immediately his leprosy was cleansed."

I guess there were times we all have thought of God and have prayed like that. If not, maybe we should. We can try/ taste God.

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟡:𝟚𝟙

"for she was saying to herself, 'If I only touch His garment, I will get well.'"

Faith is not only affirming the fact, but it also is hopeful. It has good expectations.

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟘:𝟚𝟚

"You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved."

The world never gives up nor does it change. Many professing Christians are becoming like the world. Will we endure?

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟙:𝟛𝟘

"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Jesus also has a yoke and burden for us. But His are easy and light.

We are either slaves of sin or of Christ. We aren't the master of our destiny.

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟚:𝟛𝟘

"He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters."

No neutral ground. You are working for Christ or Satan unwittingly.

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟛:𝟚

"And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach."

In our time, we have a building, chairs, AC, and even good music and refreshment. We travel by vehicle. Still, churches are not overflowed with people.

No surprise why only a few are saved from this generation.

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟜:𝟚𝟛

"After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone."

Sunday night is a very relaxing night for me, but if I read Jesus correctly, I think I shouldn't be that relaxed but be vigilant in prayer

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟝:𝟝

“But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God,"’”

Don't use the name of God to abuse or take advantage of anybody.

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟞:𝟚𝟚

"Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, 'God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.'"

Zeal devoid of truth is dangerous.

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟟:𝟚𝟘

"And He *said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you."

Let’s learn to trust God!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟠:𝟙𝟝

"If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother."

Don't gossip; rather confront or rebuke one another privately.

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟡:𝟚𝟚

"But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property."

What an irony! He was grieved by His riches. After all, money cannot buy all happiness.

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟘:𝟙𝟝

"Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?"

This story is more about God's goodness (generosity) but the other theme about the jealousy of man is very compelling and applicable in my life as well.

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟙:𝟚𝟚

"And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

The importance of believing while praying.

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟚:𝟜𝟞

"No one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question."

Jesus outsmarted them. Jesus is the best in everything He does. We must be gentle but also be wise to shut off (wicked) people's mouths.

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟛:𝟛

"therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them."

At least, the Pharisees tell the people good and right things even if they do differently. That's why Bible teachers also need to teach accurately even if they are a hypocrite. It's worse to adjust doctrine to accommodate one's sin.

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟜:𝟚𝟜

"For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect."

Let's not undermine false teachers and teachings.

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟝:𝟚𝟡

"For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away."

No matter whatever our job is let's be faithful in whatever we do to the pleasure of God.

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟞:𝟜𝟙

"Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Always be Alert and in Prayer.

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟟:𝟛𝟜

"they gave Him wine to drink mixed with gall; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink."

Jesus didn't want a painkiller. Certainly, no wine.

Don't even think of using wine to ease your mental trouble.

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟠:𝟙𝟟

"When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful."

If people would doubt even after seeing the risen Christ, they would doubt our faith, our sincerity, our commitment, but there will be some who believe. Even if there's none to believe we must keep holding to our faith.

Short Reflection from Matthew 11-28

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (KD) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟙:𝟚𝟜

"Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you."

There are degrees of judgment! However, even the tiniest sin is vile enough to condemn us! And even all the sins of all the earth put together are not weightier than the grace of Jesus Christ!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟚:𝟝𝟘

“For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”

Indeed, family relations and blood ties are insignificant in comparison to a spiritual relationship that lasts forever!

Gospel is thicker than blood!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟛:𝟝𝟠

"And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief."

What's the point to go on when people are set to close their ears?

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 14:20

"And they all ate and were 𝕤𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕤𝕗𝕚𝕖𝕕. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets."

Everyone is happy and even satisfied when we received blessings from God, but like these crowds, many people love the blessings and not the blesser; the gifts and not the giver.

Actually, Christ is both the greatest giver and the greatest gift, Himself!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟝:𝟚𝟟

"But she said, ‘Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.’"

The cry of the heart. The faith in Jesus's Compassion. Oh! To be like this woman!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟞:𝟚𝟞

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

Take care of your soul!

Obey those who watch over your soul!

Remember, your soul is more important than the whole world put together!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟟:𝟞

"When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified."

Naturally, we are intimidated by things or people greater than us. God is absolutely greater than us. And so, fear is appropriate before Him!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟠:𝟙𝟛

"If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray."

Nothing seems to bring more joy to the Father than the repentant soul.

Oh! Conversion

Oh! Evangelism

Oh! Mission

Oh! My soul, arise! Be arrested with this truth!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟙𝟡:𝟚𝟞

"And looking at them Jesus said to them, ‘With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’"

Indeed, anyone's and everyone's conversion is the supernatural work of God, not ours. It's impossible, even our own!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟘:𝟛𝟛-𝟛𝟜

"They *said to Him, ‘Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.’ Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him."

A desperate request and a compassionate answer! God is near to those who call upon Him!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟙:𝟜𝟞

"When they sought to seize Him, they feared the people, because they considered Him to be a prophet."

It looks good that Jesus was not killed now, but actually what a tragedy! They feared people (mere creatures) more than Jesus (the Creator). Isn't that kind of sin present in our hearts?

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟚:𝟜𝟝-𝟜𝟞

"‘If David then calls Him 'Lord,' how is He his son?’ No one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question."

It was Jesus's turn to question them and made them all the more bewildered!

Indeed, this one is greater than the ancestors, even David, Abraham, and Moses!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟛:𝟛𝟛

"You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?"

I know one congregation that tried to remove its pastor because one of them was rebuked as "stupid." People often expect pastors to behave "better" than Jesus. Jesus is both gentle and wrathful! He even called his chief apostle "Satan"

Being Stupid is better than being Satan, btw!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟜:𝟛𝟝

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away."

Night follows day; summer follows winter; major sports events happen after 4 years, these are easily believable. Eternal things, things longer than our life span are difficult to comprehend and are often subjected to doubt and unbelief!

We are given and called to supernatural faith!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟝:𝟛𝟟-𝟜𝟘

"Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'"

Believers should be delighted to read this section, not be distressed by the next section. Believers are the righteous sheep!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟞:𝟝𝟞

"But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets. Then all the disciples left Him and fled."

Imagine the guilt trip they would be walking through after this till the resurrection of Christ!

 

𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟟:𝟝

"And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself."

Indeed, it is easier to die than to live. Respect life, the living!

 

[17:12, 16/11/2021] S.R: 𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕨 𝟚𝟠:𝟙𝟟

"When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful."

Two groups of people based on their obvious reactions: worshippers and doubters. Be gentle to the doubters! They are still not the deniers nor the apostates!