''FOLLOW ME''

 

        As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

        Matthew the apostle was a hated, dishonest, and greedy tax collector. Until Jesus Christ chose him as a disciple. 

God can use anyone to help Him in His work. 

- We should not feel unworthy or we feel worthless. Those times when nothing we do is good enough and we say all the wrong things. The bible says Jeremiah 1:5 You Have Purpose- Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.

- We should not feel we are unqualified because of our appearance and lack of education. The bible says 2 Corinthians 3:5 If God called you, He will equip you Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.

Luke 19:2-10 

And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So, he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So, he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.

- We should not feel unworthy because of our past. The bible says 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Jesus looks for sincere commitment. 

1 Kings 8:61

61 And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.”

Let’s reflect:

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

What is your response and what can you sacrifice when Jesus asked you to Follow Him?

1.  Are you willing to sacrifice your valuable earthly things to Follow Him?

2.  Are you willing to sacrifice your one hour to read the bible and do your devotion? 

3.  Are you willing to sacrifice your Sundays to be with Him and Do His work?

4.  Are you willing to sacrifice your life just like Matthew to Follow, to Serve and to Trust Him?

We should also remember that the highest calling in life is serving God, no matter what the world says. Money, fame, and power cannot compare with being a follower of Jesus Christ.

We pray to our Heavenly Father that we do what did Matthew do and we respond the way Matthew responded to God’s calling .From that time on, instead of collecting tax money, Matthew collected souls for the kingdom of God.

~ P. May ~

MATTHEW 8 - ‘’I AM WILLING’’

 

         Our devotion reading today is in Matthew 8. Oftentimes, we ask ourselves if God is willing to help us in times of need, we know that He is able but is He willing to help us?
 Let us read the verses in this chapter and see the responses of God to those who come to Him for help.

1) To a leper whom people don't want to get near or even touch asked if Jesus would be willing to heal him

Matthew 8:2-3  [2] And behold, a leper came to Him and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” [3] And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 

 2) To a  non-Jew who would have no right to ask for help since Jesus is for the Jews

[6] “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” [7] And He said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 

3) To the many people who came in the evening which is supposed to be a time of rest and sleep

[16] That evening they brought to Him many who were oppressed by demons, and He cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 

4) To already followers of Jesus, but still feared and worried of the storm

Matthew 8:25-26

[25] And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” [26] And He said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then He rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 

 5) To demon-possessed men who cannot say for themselves that they need help to cast out the demons in them

Matthew 8:28

[28]  And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met Him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. [32] And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 

All of them were given help by the Lord Jesus but what is common about them is that they all come to Him. We need to come to God whatever our situations are. Even if we feel or think we are unclean, thinking that we have no right, that God may not give time for us, feel that we disappointed Him, still doubted, fearing more about the situations, feeling that we lost sight of God or feeling that we have no hope to be rescued or helped.... we must remember to come to God. It's all just what we think or feel, we did not ask yet what Jesus thought or felt about it. Let us just come to Him and lay down our burdens and situations. Let's commune with God, He is able and is willing to help.

‘MATTHEW 7 - ’I NEVER KNEW YOU’’

As we meditate Matthew 7 today, Jesus continues teaching us about life in His Kingdom.  

However, in the latter part in verse 23, Jesus has a strong and impactful statement, 

‘’I NEVER KNEW YOU, DEPART FROM ME!’’

 Nothing is more painful than hearing this phrase from people whom we love. How much more from the Lord Jesus? Yet we heard it right, yes these words are from Him. 

KEYwords (from different translations of the bible): 

1. Depart from, away/get away from, leave 

“I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.” Psalm 26:5.

2. Lawlessness, iniquities, evildoers, lawbreakers

“Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,” 1 Timothy 1:9

THE WARNING of JESUS to those: 

• who speak or say things to Jesus or about Jesus, but don’t really mean it.

• who are fulfilling some kind of religious duty with no heart, no soul, not spirit – only bare words and passing thoughts.

• who say “Lord, Lord,” and yet their spiritual life has nothing to do with their daily life.

• those that speak like angels, live like devils; that have Jacob’s smooth tongue, but Esau’s rough hands.” (Trapp)

• Those with impressive spiritual accomplishments but they meant nothing without true fellowship, true connection with Jesus.

• Those who even did miracles in the name of Jesus. Yet, they never really had a relationship of love and fellowship with Jesus.

These are the people Jesus referred to when He said,

 ‘’I NEVER KNEW YOU, AWAY FROM ME!’’

22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Those people will claim that their performance has earned, or at least proven, a place in Christ's kingdom. Out of all the hard work in the Kingdom of God, in the end, the basis of salvation is not just words of confession, not works but it is knowing Jesus and being known by HIM. 

• It is our connection to Him – by the gift of faith that He gives to us – that secures our salvation. 

• It is our connection to Jesus that secure our seats in heaven; without connection to Him all the miracles and great works prove nothing.

• Jesus came that we may be reconciled to God and be in a relationship with Him. 

The deeper relationship you have with Jesus will result in true service for others, the way Jesus served. That everyone will be saved. For this is the will of the Father (John 6:40). 

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Stay connected. Deeper in love with Jesus. 

Reflections: 

• Have you been calling Jesus lately? 

• What makes you different from those who called Him, ‘’Lord, Lord,’’ in verse 21?

• Do you serve as an act of saying that you love the Lord with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind?

• Do you do the tasks in your ministry with love and delight? Or it just makes you feel a burden?

• Do you seek praise from spiritual accomplishments?

• Have you really known by the Lord?

• If yes, How much do you think He knows you?

• Do you want Him to know more?

• Have you intended to commune with Him?

• If you rate yourself, from 1-10, How connected are you with God? 

• Have you spend time with Him daily?

''I am coming soon''

                          

Jesus Said, ‘’I am coming soon’’

What will you answer?

Is it WAIT? Or Amen, come Lord Jesus?

Are you ready for the coming of the Lord Jesus?

Our bible reading for today is from Revelations 22. 

In this last chapter of the book of Revelations, Jesus has once again revealed His name, has given us an invitation, a warning, and His last words. 

1. Jesus revealed Himself as: 

- The Alpha and the Omega

- The Beginning and the End

- The first and the Last

- The Root and the Descendant of David

- The Bright Morning Star

- The Rewarder of Faith

(Verses 12, 13, 16)

~ He is the one who is coming ~

2. Jesus’ invited us to COME with Him:

How do we say Yes?

• Seek His face and Draw near to Him

• Remain in His love and care

• Drink to His endless well

• Receive the free gift of life

17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

3. Jesus’ Warning

• Warning against who adds and takes words away from God’s words. 

18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 

19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

4. Jesus’ Final words

• “Yes, I am coming soon.”

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”

12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

Let us reflect:

• As Jesus revealed His name, 

• Doesn't He deserve our praises and worship?

• Do we still doubt Him?

• Do we still worry?

• Does it make us confident to heal the sick, declare blessings, and pray more?

• As Jesus invited us, 

• Have we made an effort/intended to come? (through prayer, worship, meditate His words, fellowship, obedience to His words)

• Let us remember that drawing near to God and remaining in His love are intentional. 

• As Jesus warned us, 

• Do we give reverence to His words? 

• Or blasphemed His words by just ignoring it, knowing that it’s true?

• Do we just use His words to pinpoint the sins of others?

• Do we just take the words of comfort or even the words of rebuke and warning?

• How do we react when God warns and rebukes us?

• As Jesus stated His final words,

• Does it give us the sense of urgency to preach the gospel? Or to be complacent?

• Does it excite us?

• Does it cause us to continue to a holy life or continue to godlessness?

• Have we reached the point of being so intimate with the Lord?

• When we look at the mirror, do we see the reflection of Jesus’ image in us?

11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”

God’s words are true and trustworthy

6 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

‘’The song of God’s servant’’

As we read and meditate Revelations 15 today, Let us learn the proper and pleasing praises and worship to God. 

• Those who are victorious sing praises to God with heavenly music. 

Verse 2,

 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God 

How do they sing to God?

3 They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:

“Great and marvelous are Your works,

Lord God Almighty!

Just and true are Your ways,

O King of the [b]saints!

4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?

For You alone are holy.

For all nations shall come and worship before You,

For Your judgments have been manifested.”

 The 4 W's in giving praises to God (read verses 3-4).

Praise and worship God for His:

1. Works 

• (Great and marvelous are Your works).

2. Ways

• (Just and true are Your ways).

3. Worthiness 

• (Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For    You alone are holy).

4. Wise and righteous judgments 

• (All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”)

NOTE: Your… Your… You… Your… You… You… Your..

‘’These martyrs (victorious) are only focused on God. They did not even focus on their own costly and glorious victory. They have the heart of true worship, understanding that it’s all about God, not about us.’’

How do we relate this to our present?

• In this world, we may also experience proper and pleasing worship to God. Along with (1) our hearts of true worship, whose focus is Him is (2) the truth that true believers of Christ are made victorious.

• We are already victorious because:

1. We are already Saved and in a relationship with Jesus (John 15:4-8)

2. We are reconciled to God (Romans 5:10)

3. We have the Holy Spirit (our helper) (John 14:26)

4. We have given power to cast out every demonic attack by just mentioning the name of Jesus (Luke 10:17; Acts 19:13; Matthew 12:27

5. We have the light of God that every darkness cannot hide (Matthew 5:14-16)

6. We have the sword (word of God) that strikes the devil and that serves as a shield from every lie of the enemy. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Therefore, we too can worship and sing songs to God as the servant Moses and the martyrs. We too, can experience how our heavenly music reaches God. 

Let us reflect:

• What is the state your heart right now?

• What's the song of your heart to God?

• Is it all about you or more of God or totally about God?

• When things did not come along as you’ve planned, do you praise God for His will prevail?

• Does God’s wrath scares you as you read the book of revelations or makes you worship God even more for it is a pure and righteous judgment by a just and true God?

• As a victorious Christian, do you praise God for the victory you enjoy daily?

• Praising and worshiping God, is it your habit?

• When was your last worship? When was your true worship?

• Have you established a worship time alone with God? 

• How will your worship become a pleasing aroma to God?

True worshippers worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:24) with the right heart and intention of exalting Himself alone-His works, ways, worthiness, wise and righteous acts.