Month: April 2021

Jesus, God’s Chosen Servant

“”But Jesus knew what they were planning. So He left that area, and many people followed Him. He healed all the sick among them, but He warned them not to reveal who He was. This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning Him:

“Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases Me. I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not fight or shout or raise His voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally He will cause justice to be victorious. And His name will be the hope of all the world.””

(Matthew 12:vv 15-21, NLT) (Isaiah quote taken from Chapter 42, vv 1-4)

Jesus’ Prayer of Thanksgiving

“”At that time, Jesus prays His prayer: “O Father Lord of heaven and earth, thank You for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased Me that You do it this way!”

“My Father has entrusted everything to Me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son choose to reveal Him.”

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give to you is light.””(Matthew 11: vv 25-30, NLT)

Invitation to the Lord’s Salvation

“”Come to Me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will take an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.”” (Isaiah 55, v3, NLT)

“”Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that He may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for He will forgive generously.”

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts” says the Lord. “And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts are higher than your thoughts.”

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with My word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. “

“You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Where once nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name: they will be an everlasting sign of His power and love.”” (Isaiah 55, vv. 6-13, NLT)

More Excerpts from Matthew, Chapter 6

“”No one can serve to masters. For you will hate the one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life – whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your Heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies fo the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their own clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown in to the fire tomorrow, He will certainly give you everything you need. Why do you have so little faith?

So don’t worry about these things, saying “what will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your Heavenly Father already knows your needs. 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.”” (Matthew 6: vv 24-34, NLT)

Excerpts from Matthew Chapter 6

“”Watch out! Don’t do you good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for your will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t to as the hypocrites do – blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity. I feel you the truth, they have receive all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and you Father, who sees everything, will reward you.””

(Matthew 6: vv. 1-4, NLT)

Living the Light

“Intimate God, therefore, in everything you do , because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes – these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, immure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolator, worshipping the things of this world.

Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey Him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of the light! For as the light within you produce only what is good and right and true.” (Ephesians 5: 1-9, NLT)

Teaching About Salt and Light

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“”You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out andtrampled underfoot as worthless.

You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand where it give light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father.””(Matthew 5: vv. 14-16, NLT)

The Sermon on the Mount

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“”One day as He saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciple gathered about Him, and He began to teach them.

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

God bless those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.

God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.

God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

God blesses those who hearts are pure, for they will see God.

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are My followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.””

(Matthew 5: vv. 1-12, NLT)

Proverbs 19: 20-23

“Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.

You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.

Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest.

Fear the of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm.”

(Proverbs 19:20-23, NLT)

Excerpts from Psalm 57

“A psalm of David, reading the time he fled from Saul and went into a cave.”

“Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to You for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of Your wings until the danger passes by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill His purpose for me. He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hold me. My God will send forth His unfailing love and faithfulness. ” (vv. 1-3, NLT)

“Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens! May Your glory shine over all the earth.” (v. 5, NLT)

“My heart is confident in you, O God: my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing Your praises! Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song. I will thank you, Lord among all the people. I will sing Your praises among the nations. For Your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches into the clouds.

Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May Your glory shine over all the earth.” (vv. 7-11, NLT)