April 30, 2012
It's been four years since Jane spoke and said her last words "Jeremiah 33" and (after much difficulty) "Praise the Lord." I am still astounded by God's gift of Jane E. Wolfe and how He used her to bless our lives. Astounded... and grateful. I just went back and re-read Jeremiah 33.
Now... back to Matthew. How appropriate that the heading from today's section in Matthew 10 is titled:
We are to be faithful and tell others what God has done. Jane was faithful. Jesus makes it clear that being faithful to Him can be costly. Jesus quotes Micah 7:6 - "A son will be against his father, a daughter will be against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A person's enemies will be members of his own family." You have to be willing to be faithful—no matter what. "Whoever is not willing to carry the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who try to hold on to their lives will give up true life. Those who give up their lives for me will hold on to true life." True life, and the only way to peace, joy, and contentment.
What you give up (yourself) is nothing compared to what you get (God himself). "Those who give one of these little ones a cup of cold water because they are my followers will truly get their reward." (Matthew 10:38–39) If that is true, then the reverse would be true as well. Those who try to block the work of those who are His followers or who try to put harm in their way will be held accountable and receive their reward (punishment). We are to be telling others about our faith. That is what God has asked us to do. To try to block someone from doing what God has asked them to do has to break God's heart.
After Jesus finished telling these things to His disciples He went to the towns in Galilee to teach. John the Baptist's followers asked Him, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we wait for someone else?" Jesus answered them, "Go tell John what you hear and see. The blind can see, the crippled can walk, and people with skin diseases are healed. The deaf can hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is preached to the poor. Those who do not stumble in their faith because of me are blessed." (Matthew 11:4-6)
Then Jesus asked the people, "What did you go out in the desert to see?" He asked them this same question three times. They went out to see a prophet. But John the Baptist was more than a prophet; he was more important than any other person ever born. Yet even John the Baptist, as important as he was, did not compare with the least important person in God's kingdom.
Next Entry: Matthew 11:20 – 12:50
It's been four years since Jane spoke and said her last words "Jeremiah 33" and (after much difficulty) "Praise the Lord." I am still astounded by God's gift of Jane E. Wolfe and how He used her to bless our lives. Astounded... and grateful. I just went back and re-read Jeremiah 33.
"These are the words of the LORD, who made the earth, shaped it, and gave it order, whose name is the LORD: Judah, pray to me, and I will answer you. I will tell you important secrets you have never heard before." Jeremiah 33:2–3
"Praise the LORD All-Powerful, because the LORD is good! His love continues forever!" Jeremiah 33:11
"But I will be kind to them and cause good things to happen to them again." Jeremiah 33:26Thank you again, Lord, for the gift of Jane. Thank you, LORD, for your promises of protection and provision. We continue to trust YOU.
Now... back to Matthew. How appropriate that the heading from today's section in Matthew 10 is titled:
"Tell People About Your Faith."
What you give up (yourself) is nothing compared to what you get (God himself). "Those who give one of these little ones a cup of cold water because they are my followers will truly get their reward." (Matthew 10:38–39) If that is true, then the reverse would be true as well. Those who try to block the work of those who are His followers or who try to put harm in their way will be held accountable and receive their reward (punishment). We are to be telling others about our faith. That is what God has asked us to do. To try to block someone from doing what God has asked them to do has to break God's heart.
After Jesus finished telling these things to His disciples He went to the towns in Galilee to teach. John the Baptist's followers asked Him, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we wait for someone else?" Jesus answered them, "Go tell John what you hear and see. The blind can see, the crippled can walk, and people with skin diseases are healed. The deaf can hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is preached to the poor. Those who do not stumble in their faith because of me are blessed." (Matthew 11:4-6)
Then Jesus asked the people, "What did you go out in the desert to see?" He asked them this same question three times. They went out to see a prophet. But John the Baptist was more than a prophet; he was more important than any other person ever born. Yet even John the Baptist, as important as he was, did not compare with the least important person in God's kingdom.
Next Entry: Matthew 11:20 – 12:50
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