Matthew 13-16

Matthew 13:

Verse 15:  I pray that my heart NEVER grows dull to the stories.  When you have heard them since childhood it is so easy to over look their significance and to forget to hold them close.  I always want fresh eyes with the parables and to hear with open ears.

Verse 18-23:  I want to receive with joy and bear unyielding fruit.

Verse 25:  When I "sleep" spiritually the enemy will come and sow weeds.  I must always be alert.

Matthew 14:

-When John the Baptist's head was brought on a platter to Herodias's daughter, it says she took it to her mother.  She seems to have had no problem asking for it and the fact that she had a persons head on a platter doesn't seem to faze her!  How often we too are no longer by things that should be appalling.

Verse 28:  Peter had guts!  He was bold to call on the Lord and say "let me come too."  I want in on the things the Lord is doing but I must be willing to take huge risks and be willing to ask big things of God. He is faithful if what we want is truly what He wants.

Matthew 15:

Verses 10-20:  What goes in my mouth does not defile me so why do I worry about it so much more than what comes out??  I know I must treat my body like a temple and take care of it but I should be worried about my heart so much more.

Verse 21-28:  This lady did not give up!  She was willing to plead with the Lord until He did what she wanted.

Verses 29-39:  Jesus enjoyed feeding people.  He wanted them to have plenty and to not faint.  He still wants to feed me too, just spiritually.  These verses are also a reason that I believe feeding and cooking for people is a spiritual gift.  We got this one right in the south!

Matthew 16:

There are Pharisees and Sadducees everywhere around now.  If I am not careful I can become one.  To think because I was raised in church or am active in church now makes me any better is a terrible thought process to get caught up in but so easy to do.  We live in a world that puts so much emphasis on what you do and accomplish that those thoughts seep in.  I must constantly check myself.  Check my motives.  And check my heart.

Verse 16:  "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."  This is the statement I proclaim daily.  Oh, How I pray my actions and my words show that I believe that. 

Verses 21-23:  Poor Peter.  He loved Jesus.  He didn't want to believe that pain and death were in Jesus's future.  Then Peter was called Satan.  How often do we get so caught up in wanting good and not pain for our loved ones that we forget that God's will is the best.  In forgetting that, we become instruments of Satan. I believe of of the very hardest prayers is "Not my will, but Yours."

Verse 24-28:  Some of the hardest scriptures to follow.  Dying daily.  Taking up the cross.  Easy to say but WAY hard to live.

This was one chapter longer today.  I am actually a little ahead because I did not start blogging this stuff until February, so I am trying to catch up to my current spot.  I would love for some of you to join me.  I hope some of you are following along.  Feedback is wonderful!  Thanks for reading!