Category Archives: Gospel of Matthew

1 Corinthians, Gospel of Matthew, Psalms, Romans

At Least This Time

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Psalm 131 TLV 1 A Song of Ascents. Of David.

Adonai, my heart is not proud,
nor my eyes lofty,
nor do I go after things too great
or too difficult for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul—
like a weaned child with his mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, put your hope in Adonai
from this time forth and forever.  source

Verse 1. Nor do I go after things too great or too difficult for me.

What is He saying?

First I was taken back to proud and lofty. The word arrogant came to mind too. What would entice me to go after things too great or too difficult for me? 

Pride.

So what are these things that are too great and too difficult for me? I suppose this could vary from person to person. But I can think of something even though varied would be the same person to person. 

Sin.

Sin is too strong for me. Once I begin to go after it, pursue it, it overwhelms me. It takes over. It consumes. It’s too great for me. Then it becomes too difficult. The weight of it. The penalty of it. It’s too much. Too much for me to bear.

So lets don’t! Lets don’t go after it. Don’t pursue it. Don’t make provision for it. (Romans 13:14) As to all those great and difficult things that are not sin; that do not have shame and guilt and evil and PRIDE attached to them, lets do go after them! 

Lets go after JESUS! Seek Him! When we do, more than you or I can imagine will be given to us. Great things. And yes difficult things too; but those difficult matters and circumstances become glorious things in His Hands. (Matthew 6:33. I Corinthians 2:9)

That’s it. That’s what I got from Psalm 131 – at least this time. :)

Chazaq! 

Gospel of Matthew

Salt, Anyone?

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I thought this was interesting. Perhaps you will too.

Matthew 5:13 (NKJV)13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. source

SALT A chemical compound composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl) used to preserve, purify, and season food.

Overview
Salt is one of the most common substances on the earth and cannot be destroyed by fire or time. Also known as “white gold,” it is one of the most significant substances in history, along with iron, gold, and wheat. In ancient societies it was a valuable social and economic commodity. 

II, R. G. R. (2016). Salt. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Okay.  In summary, salt is used to preserve, purify and season; and salt cannot be destroyed by fire or time. 

I’d love to hear your spiritual parallels  Let us be salty! :)

Chazaq! 

Gospel of Matthew, Pictures

It’s Crucial

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Almost on a daily basis I return to this verse. I think it is crucial for us.  How we respond to hostilities is increasingly important. Wise as serpents and harmless as doves. source.

Picture taken at Bible History Center
Lagrange, Georgia

Kathie

Gospel of Matthew, Guests

Pretty Quickly

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The question he asked today: How can you begin to love yourself better today?

I got an answer pretty quickly.  

Faithfully do the things needed to honestly care, tend and minister to your mind, body, and spirit. 

Simple, huh? Yes and no. It’s a process, a matter of getting back on the wagon each time we fall off, eventually, we won’t fall off as often.  :)

Matthew 22: NLT 37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” source 

Another point made was if we do not care for ourselves, it’s a pretty good bet we are not caring for others either and perhaps even our love for GOD is affected adversely as well.  Actually, this is what he said:

“I’m no Bible scholar, but I can’t help but notice those last two words: “as yourself.” In one statement Jesus links the ideas of loving God, loving your neighbor, and loving yourself. In my experience, this rings true. All three of those loves tend to rise and fall together. The more you love one, the more you love the others. People who never learn to love their true selves are often also limited in their love for God and others.”     By Mike Foster, A Five Day Devo (Packed with Grace) People of the Second Chance, Day 3 located at  Bible.com.

If the Church Don't Rise ~ ~ ~ , 
Kathie