He is the Son of God. (Matthew 17:5)

Matthew 17:5

New International Version (NIV)


 

⁵ While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”



Jesus is more than a just great leader, a good example, a good influence, or a great prophet. He is the Son of God. When you understand this profound truth, the only adequate response is worship. When you have a correct understanding of Christ, you will obey Him.



Joe














 

Let Jesus multiply your resources. (Matthew 14:19-21)

Matthew 14:19-21

New International Version (NIV)



 

¹⁹ And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ²⁰ They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. ²¹ The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.





Jesus multiplied five loaves and 2 fish to feed over 5000 people. What He was originally given seemed insufficient, but in His hands it became more than enough. We often feel that our contribution to Jesus is meager, but He can use and multiply whatever we give Him, whether it is talent, time, or treasure. It is when we give them to Jesus that our resources are multiplied.




 
Joe




















 

What kind of words come from your mouth? (Matthew 12:34-36)

Matthew 12:34-36

New International Version (NIV)



 

³⁴ You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. ³⁵ A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. ³⁶ But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.





Jesus reminds us what we say reveals what is in our hearts. What kind of words come from your mouth? That is an indication of what your heart is really like. You can't solve your heart problems, just by cleaning up your speech. You must allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with new attitudes and motives; then your speech will be cleansed at the source.




 
Joe

























 

Do something unselfish for someone today ! (Matthew 10:42)

Matthew 10:42

New International Version (NIV)


 

⁴² And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”





How much we love God can be measured by how well we treat others. Jesus' example of giving a cup of cold water to a thirsty child is a good example of unselfish service. A child usually can't or won't return a favor. God notices every good deed we do or don't do as if He were the one receiving it. Is there something unselfish you can do for someone else today? Although no one may see you, God will notice.



 
Joe





















 

...Freely give. (Matthew 10:8)

Matthew 10:8

New International Version (NIV)



 

⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.



 
Jesus gave the disciples a principle to guide their actions as they ministered to others: "Freely you have received: freely give." Because God has showered us with His blessings, we should give generously to others of our time, love, and possessions.




 
Joe
















 

The workers are few... (Matthew 9:37-38)

Matthew 9:37-38

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

³⁷ He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. ³⁸ So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”



Jesus looked at the crowds following Him and referred to them as a field ripe for the harvest. Many people are ready to give their lives to Christ if someone would show them how. Jesus commands us to pray that people will respond to this need for workers. Often, when we pray for something, God answers our prayers by using us. Be prepared for God to use you to show another person the way to Him.



Joe




















 

Be persistent. (Matthew 9:28)

Matthew 9:28

New King James Version (NKJV)


 

²⁸ And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”


 
These blind men were persistent. They went right into the house where Jesus was staying. They knew Jesus could heal them, and they would let nothing stop them from finding Him. That's real faith in action. If you believe Jesus is the answer to your every need, don't let anything or anyone stop you from reaching Him.





Joe

















 

Reach out in faith. (Matthew 9:20-22)

Matthew 9:20-22

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

²⁰ Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, ²¹ for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”
²² Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.



This woman suffered for 12 years with bleeding. In our times of desperation, we don't have to worry about the correct way to reach out to God. Like this woman, we can simply reach out in faith. He will respond.



 
Joe

















 

How well do your actions back up your words? (Matthew 9:5-6)

Matthew 9:5-6

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

⁵ Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? ⁶ So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”



It's easy to tell someone his sins are forgiven; it's a lot more difficult to reverse a case of paralysis ! Jesus backed up His words by healing the man's legs. Jesus' actions showed that His words were true; He had the power to forgive as well as to heal. Talk is cheap, but our words lack meaning if our actions do not back them up. We can say we love God or others, but if we are not taking practical steps to demonstrate that love, our words are empty and meaningless. How well do your actions back up what you say?



Joe



















 

What is the cost of following Christ? (Matthew 8:19-20)

Matthew 8:19-20

New King James Version (NKJV)


 

¹⁹ Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”
²⁰ And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”



 
Following Jesus is not always easy or comfortable. Often it means great cost and sacrifice, with no earthly rewards or security. Jesus didn't have a place to call home. You may find that following Christ costs you popularity, friendships, leisure time, or treasured habits. But while the cost of following Christ is high, the value of being Christ's disciple is even higher. Discipleship is an investment that lasts for eternity and yields incredible rewards.


 
 
Joe




















 

Look for ways to serve Him. (Matthew 8:14-15)

Matthew 8:14-15

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

¹⁴ When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, Peter’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. ¹⁵ But when Jesus touched her hand, the fever left her. Then she got up and prepared a meal for him.


 
Peter's mother-in-law gives us a beautiful example to follow. Her response to Jesus' touch was to wait on Jesus and His disciples - immediately. Has God ever helped you through a dangerous or difficult situation? If so, you should ask, "How can I express my gratitude to Him?" Because God has promised us all the rewards of His kingdom, we should look for ways to serve Him and His followers now.




Joe

















 

Don't limit God by your lack of faith. (Matthew 8:10-12)

Matthew 8:10-12

New Living Translation (NLT)



 

¹⁰ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! ¹¹ And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. ¹² But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”




Jesus told the crowd that many religious Jews who should be in the kingdom would be excluded because of their lack of faith. Entrenched in their religious traditions, they could not accept Christ and His new message. We must be careful not to become so set in our religious habits that we expect God to work only in specified ways. Don't limit God by your mind-set and lack of faith.



 
Joe















 

I never knew you... (Matthew 7:21-23)

Matthew 7:21-23

New International Version (NIV)


 

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. 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!’



 
Jesus exposed those people who sounded religious but had no personal relationship with Him. On "that day" only our relationship with Christ - our acceptance of Him as Savior and our obedience to Him - will matter. Many people think if they are "good" people and say religious things, they will be rewarded with eternal life. In reality, faith in Christ is what will count at the judgment.





Joe



















 

Keep on asking... (Matthew 7:7-8)

Matthew 7:7-8

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

⁷ “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.




Jesus tells us to persist in pursuing God. People often give up after a few halfhearted efforts and conclude that God cannot be found. But knowing God takes faith, focus, and follow-through, and Jesus assures us that we will be rewarded. Don't give up in your efforts to seek God. Continue to ask Him for more knowledge, patience, wisdom, love, and understanding. He will give them to you.



 
Joe

Don't babble. (Matthew 6:7-8)

Matthew 6:7-8

New Living Translation (NLT)



 

⁷ “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. ⁸ Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!




Repeating the same words over and over like a magic incantation is no way to ensure that God will hear your prayer. Its not wrong to come to God many times with the same requests - Jesus encourages persistent prayer. But He condemns the shallow repetition of words that are not offered with a sincere heart. We can never pray too much if our prayers are honest and sincere. Before you start to pray, make sure you mean what you say.




 
Joe





















 

Who are you praying to? (Matthew 6:5-6)

Matthew 6:5-6

New Living Translation (NLT)



 

⁵ “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. ⁶ But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.





Some people, especially the religious leaders, wanted to be seen as "holy," and public prayer was one way to get attention. Jesus saw through their self-righteous acts, however, and taught that the essence of prayer is not public style but private communication with God. There is a place for public prayer, but to pray only where others will notice you indicates that your real audience is not God.



 
Joe

















 

Do good to those who hurt you. (Matthew 5:38-42)

Matthew 5:38-42

New Living Translation (NLT)



 

³⁸ “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. ⁴⁰ If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. ⁴¹ If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. ⁴² Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.




 
When we are wronged, often our first reaction is to get even. Instead Jesus said we should do good to those who wrong us! Our desire should not be to keep score, but to love and forgive. This is not natural - it is supernatural. Only God can give us the strength to love as He does. Instead of planning vengeance, pray for those who hurt you.




 
Joe



















 

Our attitude toward others reflect our relationship with God. (Matthew 5:23-24)

Matthew 5:23-24

New Living Translation (NLT)



 

²³ “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, ²⁴ leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
 
Broken relationships can hinder our relationship with God. If we have a problem or grievance with a friend, we should resolve the problem as soon as possible. We are hypocrites if we claim to love God while we hate others. Our attitude toward others reflect our relationship with God (see 1 John 4:20 below).

1 John 4:20

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

²⁰ If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 



 

 
Joe

















 

Salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13)

Matthew 5:13

Amplified Bible (AMP)



 

¹³ You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste (its strength, its quality), how can its saltiness be restored? It is not good for anything any longer but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men.



 
If a seasoning has no flavor, it has no value. If Christians make no effort to affect the world around them, they are of little value to God. If we are too much like the world, we are worthless. Christians should not blend in with everyone else. Instead, we should affect others positively  just as seasoning brings out the best flavor in food.



 
Joe















 

God's way contradicts the world's way. (Matthew 5:3-5)

Matthew 5:3-5

New International Version (NIV)



 

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.




Jesus began His sermon with words that seem to contradict each other. But God's way of living usually contradicts the world's. If you want to live for God you must be ready to say and do what seems strange to the world. You must be willing to give when others take, to love when others hate, to help when others abuse. By giving up your own rights in order to serve others, you will one day receive everything God has in store for you.




 
Joe









 

Repent ! (Matthew 4:17)

Matthew 4:17

New International Version (NIV)


 

¹⁷ From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”



 
Jesus started His ministry with the very word people had heard John the Baptist say: "Repent." The message is the same today as when Jesus and John gave it. Becoming a follower of Christ means turning away from our self-centeredness and "self" control and turning our lives over to Christ's direction and control.



 
Joe

Satan also tempts us in our strengths. (Matthew 4:1-2)

 

Matthew 4:1-2

 

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

The Temptation of Jesus

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. ² For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.




Jesus wasn't tempted inside the temple or at His baptism but in the desert where He was tired, alone, and hungry, and thus most vulnerable. The devil often tempts us when we are vulnerable - when we are under physical or emotional stress. But he also likes to tempt us through our strengths, where we are most susceptible to pride. We must guard at all times against his attacks.



 
Joe

















 

Are you willing to become less? (Matthew 3:15, John 3:30)

Matthew 3:15

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

¹⁵ But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.

 

John 3:30

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

³⁰ He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.


 
Put yourself in John the Baptist's shoes. Your work is going well, people are taking notice, everything is growing. But you know that the purpose of your work is to prepare the people for Jesus. Then Jesus arrives, and His coming tests your integrity. Will you be able to turn your followers over to Him? John passed the test by baptizing Jesus. Can we, like John, put our egos and profitable work aside in order to point others to Jesus? Are we willing to lose some of our status so that everyone will benefit?



 
Joe













 

Are you a Christian in name only? (Matthew 3:9-10)

Matthew 3:9-10

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

⁹ Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. ¹⁰ Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.




Just as a fruit tree is expected to bear fruit, God's people should produce a crop of good deeds. God has no use for people who call themselves Christians but do nothing about it. Like many people in John the Baptist's day who were God's people in name only, we are of no value if we are Christians in name only. If others can't see our faith in the way we treat them, we may not be God's people at all.



Joe 













 

Strange person...positive message (Matthew 3:4-6)

Matthew 3:4-6

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

⁴ John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁵ People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John. ⁶ And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.




John must of presented a strange image! Many people came to hear this preacher who wore odd clothes and ate unusual food. Some probably came simply out of curiosity and ended up repenting of their sins as they listened to his powerful message. People may be curious about your Christian life-style and values. You can use their simple curiosity as an opener to share how Christ makes a difference in you.



Joe




















 

Conversation with God (James 5:13)

James 5:13

New Living Translation (NLT)

The Power of Prayer

¹³ Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.

My cousin sent this to me today and I wanted to share...

Joe

How often we forget...

 

Conversation with God

Awesome conversation between God and a Man. Read it and don't forget to share it with your friends.

Man: God, can I ask You a question?

 God: Sure

 

Man: Promise You won't get mad …

 

God: I promise

 

Man: Why did You let so much stuff happen to me today?

 

God: What do you mean?

 

Man: Well, I woke up late

 

God: Yes

 

Man: My car took forever to start

 

God: Okay

 

Man: At lunch they made my sandwich wrong & I had to wait

 

God: Hmmm

 

Man: On the way home, my phone went DEAD, just as I picked up a call

 

God: All right

 

Man: And to top it all off, when I got home I just wanted to soak my feet in my new foot massager & relax. BUT it wouldn't work!!! Nothing went right today! Why did You do that?

 

God: Let me see, the death angel was at your bed this morning & I had to send one of My Angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that.

 

Man (humbled): OH

 

GOD: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that would have hit you if you were on the road.

 

Man: (ashamed)

 

God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick & I didn't want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work.

 

Man (embarrassed): Okay

 

God: Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going to give false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't even let you talk to them so you would be covered.

 

Man (softly): I see, God

 

God: Oh and that foot massager, it had a short that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to be in the dark.

 

Man: I'm Sorry  God

 

God: Don't be sorry, just learn to Trust Me… in All things the Good & the bad.

 

Man: I will trust You.

 

God: And don't doubt that My plan for your day is Always Better than your plan.

 

Man: I won't God. And let me just tell you God, Thank You for Everything today.

 

God: You're welcome child. It was just another day being your God and I Love looking after My Children…

 

 

Share this blessing with your friends and family:

 

I'm sorry to disturb you!

My name is God.

You hardly have time for me.

I love you and always bless you.

I am always with you.

I need you to spend 30 minutes of your time with Me today.

Don't pray.

Just praise.