Details

Hits: 1169

            Herod the tetrarch heard about all Jesus was doing and in turn told his servants that it was John the Baptist who has risen from the dead and therefore those powers were at work in him. So Herod threw John in jail but really for the sake of Herodias, his brothers wife. John had called them out, stating their union wasn’t lawful, because Herodias whom was wed to Phillip left Philip to go live with Herod. So hearing what Jesus was doing and trying to accuse John of doing it through evil was the excuse they could come up with to throw John in jail for basically embarrassing them. Pretty mature, right? Herod wanted to put John to death but didn’t because he feared the multitude that would come after him.

            At Herods birthday celebration Herodias daughter performed a dance to celebrate and Herod was so pleased that he vowed to give her whatever she might ask. To please her mother she demanded John the baptists head on a platter. Herod didn’t want to do this because he knew the uprising it would create but he was too embarrassed to say no because he didn’t want to seem powerless in front of his peers who heard the conversation. So because of peer pressure and pride Herod demanded Johns head.

            When Jesus heard of this He wanted to be alone, so He left by boat to a deserted place. When everyone heard of this they departed by foot to go and find Him. Jesus was moved with compassion and healed all who were sick.

            It got late so His disciples told Jesus to tell everyone to go home so they could eat and be home for the night but Jesus said no, they were fine there. The disciples pointed out that they only had 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish and that was enough to feed them (there was 5,000 men and woman and children too).

            Jesus said to bring the food to Him, He looked up to heaven and blessed the food and handed it to the disciples to pass out. All ate and were well fed and there was 12 baskets of food left over. We may think our contribution is little but Jesus can take what we have and multiply it whether its talent, time, money etc. Whatever we give to Jesus is multiplied. It is impossible for a normal man to feed over 5000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish, but nothing is impossible for God.

            Jesus then sent His disciples out on a boat and the multitudes left and Jesus went to the top of the mountain to pray by Himself. Even though there were thousands of people around Jesus made it a priority to devote time to God, and be alone with God. No matter what we have going on in our daily lives we need to be disciplined like Jesus and make time for God, we need one on one time with God daily just as Jesus did. If Jesus needed to go be with God alone how much more do we need God? As evening came a storm brewed and the waves began to crash over the boat that the disciples were in, in the middle of the sea.

            The disciples then saw an object walking on the water toward them and they immediately were frightened thinking it was a ghost. Jesus said, “Be of good cheer, it is I; do not be afraid.” How many times has God revealed Himself to you whether it be through a dream or a still small voice and fear then crept in trying to make you think it wasn’t God, it was a spiritual attack? We shouldn’t fear, we have the Bible to be our “fact checker” to let us know if something is from God or not, don’t allow fear to interfere with something God might be trying to tell you.

            Peter said to Jesus, ‘if it is you let me walk out to you on the water.’ He wasn’t testing Jesus and the situation they were in, he was the only disciple to react in faith to join Jesus. His radical and immediate response to Jesus allowed Him to do something amazing and supernatural, he didn’t allow His mind to convince Him as to why it wasn’t real or fake. Our minds can be our enemy, we need to hold our thoughts captive and match it to the word of God. If its not from God we don’t need it. Peter reacted in faith immediately and didn’t allow his mind to rob him from an amazing moment with Jesus that is shared by millions, until he entertained the storm. When Peter took His eyes off of Jesus and looked at the storm he began to fear and then he began to sink. We are not supposed to focus on the world and the storms in it, our focus should be in Jesus. When we take our eyes off the cross that’s when fear can creep in and that’s when our faith gets weaker and we sink. Jesus is reaching out, so we can walk to Him on water, will you look to Jesus or focus on the storm?

            Jesus immediately reached out to Peter and grabbed him when he started to sink and said, “you have little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got in the boat the wind stopped and there was peace. Doubt takes away peace, doubt is a dangerous thing to entertain. We don’t need to doubt because Jesus is there wanting to not only catch us but guide us to walk with Him on supernatural waters. We need to have faith in him and not faith in the doubt and fear of the world. Fear and doubt is faith in the devil. God is the most powerful and all powerful, and He is in us, so we need to stop with the doubt and keep our faith in Jesus and stand in Him and what He has already done for us at the cross. This is why it is a sin to fear, because you are literally putting your faith in evil with says that what Jesus did at the cross wasn’t good enough. It was enough!!! We need to stop fearing, repent and keep our eyes on Jesus and stop looking at life storms whether it be a physical storm or something like a flu.

            They reached lang and all of the men recognized Him and ran to merely touch His robe because they believed simply touching the clothes Jesus wore would heal them. And all who touched it were healed.

Details

Hits: 1205

            Before we start Im feeling led to ask if you have accepted Jesus Christ in your heart? I feel like someone who is reading this hasn’t yet, but God is calling for you and you have been too afraid to answer. In the name of Jesus I command all fear and heaviness to leave right now. If you want to accept Jesus in your heart just simply say, “Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. I know you died on the cross for me and took my sins and you are the son of God. I surrender all to you Jesus. Lead me. Guide me. Fill me with your Holy Spirit.”

            This chapter begins with Jesus preaching to many by the sea about planting of the seeds, or sowing of the seeds. He compares a farmer who planted seeds, some fell on the wayside, stoney grounds and shallow soil, some fell on thorns and some fell on good ground. (Replace the word ‘seeds’ with ‘word’ and it will make more sense.) The seed (word) that fell on the wayside was devoured by birds where as the seed (word) that fell on stony ground immediately sprang up and then was scorched by the sun because their roots had no depth. Some seed (word) fell among thorns and the thorns sprung up and choked them but the ones that fell on good soil yielded crop. This parable illustrated the way people receive the word of God. Not everyone receives it the same and this shows that. This is great for self reflection, as yourself what type of soil do you think you are taking root in? Are you luke warm planted on shallow soil, or are you deeply submerged taking full root? It’s never too late to seek God more and ask for Him to help you with this, grow your roots stronger and deeper in Him. Seek a deep relationship with Him.

            (On a side note, don’t be afraid to share the gospel because of how others choose to receive the word. You have no control over how the person receives the word of God, the soil a seed is sewn in is not up to you. Its simply your job to sew the seed, the rest is between that person and God. I feel like at times people struggle with sharing the word of God because they are afraid of the reaction they will get, they are afraid of rejection and a seed being thrown on the wayside and mocking them in return. Just know, you have no control over how a person receives Gods word, that is between them and God you can’t force their ears to hear. All you have control over is will you step out in faith and share Gods word and plant those seeds?)

            The disciples asked why Jesus always spoke in parables. Jesus told them that it has been given (blessed) to the disciples to know the mysteries of heaven but to the others it has not been given. The disciples were blessed to know the mysteries of heaven but the others didn’t have ears to hear it yet, and what they did hear was being taken by satan. So Jesus talks in parables to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah, the people didn’t have ears or eyes to hear and see. But if they ever soften their heart and hear/see Gods word then they can be converted and Jesus will heal them. Meaning its never too late, if someone has been closed off to God their life thus far it doesn’t mean they will always be closed off, just keep praying for them. I can’t tell you how many times I tried to share the gospel with a family member and they would ridicule me, mock me and mock God. I gave up on them and God showed me I was wrong for doing that, especially when that person randomly asked to get baptized later on. They didn’t have ears to hear in the beginning but some time later their heart softened and it was a light bulb moment for them. I couldn’t see what was going on in their heart or mind, but God could. Never count someone as done for or lost no matter how closed off they may seem. Just share the parables Jesus shared and let the rest be between them and God.

            Jesus said ‘blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear’. When you hear and believe the word of God you are receiving that, and its a blessing. Many prophets and righteous men desire to see and hear and they can’t. Blessed are you for being able to hear and believe and know Gods word. ‘Hear the parable of the sower, anytime someone hears a word of God and doesn’t understand it then the wicked one comes and snatches it out of his heart, this is the one who has received the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endure only for a while. When tribulation or persecution comes immediately he stumbles. He who receives the seed on thorns is he who hears the word, and cares of this world and deceitfulness of riches which choke the word and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces; some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.'

            The parable here is about a farmer who planted good seeds, but then in the middle of the night his enemy sowed tares/weeds. When the seeds sprouted, the weeds sprouted with it. The owner asked the servants if they indeed planted bad seeds and that’s why there was weeds, but the farmer explains that it was caused by the enemy and to leave them so that way when they uproot the weeds it doesn’t uproot the good crop. Instead, the farmer said to let them grow side by side and when the crop is ready then the weeds will be bound up first and burned, then harvest the good crop. The good crop is referring to believers and the weeds is referring to unbelievers. In this world we have to live side by side with unbelievers till Gods harvest (judgement) is here.

            The next parable is regarding the mustard seed. Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man sows in his field, which is the least (smallest) seed a farmer sows yet grows bigger than herbs into big trees. The kingdom of heaven begins in you small like a mustard seed, but its like a muscle, the more you build it and work it the stronger and bigger it gets. You don’t do this on your own merits, but by simply growing closer to Jesus.

            The next parable is about leaven, which is yeast. In the Bible its referred to as a sign of evil or sin/uncleanliness. Yeast seems like a small ingredient compared to the amount of flour it is generally baked with, yet it permeates through the loaf and changes the way it turns out drastically. The kingdom started out small but is continuously growing and having bigger impacts on the world as each day passes. Jesus spoke these parables to fulfill prophecy.

            Jesus further explains the tares of the field parable, explaining that the good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, good seeds are sons of the kingdom, and the tares are the ons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed the bad seeds is the devil, the harvest is the end of age and the reapers are the angels. When the tares are gathered and burned together it will be the same at the end of age, the Son of Man will wend out His angels to gather out all of the things that offend and those who practice sin and will cast them into the fire. The righteousness will shine as the sun in the kingdom of their father.

            The next parable explains that to receive the kingdom you must surrender all to Him. All fleshly and worldly things you must be willing to give up to Him. That doesn’t mean sell your house and car tomorrow, it just means that you must be open to Jesus and whatever it is that He is telling you do to. Whether that be to literally sell everything and be a missionary or be a disciple in a job He has picked for you. He has already planned out our paths, this parable means we need to be willing to give up our ideas and plans and take on His path and plan for us. Surrender all and give Him the reins of your life, trusting in Him and not in money or worldly things.

            The next parable explains how the kingdom pays the price to redeem us. God paid the ultimate price to redeem us when He sent His one and only Son to die for us. If He can ( and did) give that up how could we not surrender all to Him? Ask yourself if you have surrendered all to Him? Have you asked Him if you are where He wants you to be or doing what He wants you to do?

            The kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet (fishing net) that was cast into the sea parable is explaining the same thing the seed and tare parable is. All of the fish (people) will be gathered into the net and then will be gone through and the bad will be cast aside and the good will be picked, another parable for the end of age. It is never to late to turn to Jesus, surrender all to Him and make sure you are a good crop and not a weed, or a good fish vs a bad fish. You don’t want to be an unbeliever and face eternity in a fire pit. Jesus explains in more than one parable that this will happen, there will be a judgment day, make sure your on the right side. Believe in the old testament and obey the ten commandments but receive the grace that Jesus shows and gives in the new testament and build a relationship with Him. The scribes wanted nothing to do with Jesus, they thought the old testament prophecies of a war like king who was going to go to war in the flesh for them. They didn’t know anything of God’s grace so they not only followed the ten commandments but they lived by the law purely and didn’t realize anything of the spiritual. They didn’t have old and new treasures, they held onto the new and their legalism blinded them of seeing and receiving the new. It is not up to us as to who will be believers and who wont. Its only up to us to disciple and spread the good news.

            Jesus finished the parables then went to His hometown and preached there. However, all of these people knew Him as the carpenter or Mary’s son, they couldn’t see Him as the Son of God because of the image they had already had of Him. He didn’t stay long and do many miracles there because the town wasn’t open to it, there was too many unbelievers. This shows that our faith can affect things.

            The prophet Jeremiah also received rejection and disbelief in his hometown when He shared His learnings from God. Even members of Jeremiahs family rejected what he had to say because they too couldn’t get their original image of him out of their minds. Mostly everyone grows up, evolves and changes and that a lone can be hard to accept. Some parents can find it hard to believe when their child is gown and an adult, siblings can find it hard to see that the baby is no longer a baby. It can be a hard thing to see someone for who they became verses who they were as a child. But when it comes to man of God it can be even harder because its not that the person grew up but they adapted a new life and belief in something that doesn’t come by sight but faith. That can be even harder for them to accept which is why sometimes God has to move you to have you teach His word somewhere else, where there isn’t prejudgment of you and people can actually be open to receive His word without distractions of what you were before you got born again.

Details

Hits: 1286

            The chapter begins with Jesus and His disciples walking through grain fields on the Sabbath. The disciples were hungry so they began to pluck grain to eat. The Pharisees saw this and were outraged and showed Jesus that His disciples were doing what they were not being lawful on the Sabbath. The Pharisees established 39 categories of things that were forbidden to be done on the Sabbath based off of Jewish traditions and Gods law. Harvesting was one of the actions forbidden to be done on the Sabbath. By the disciples picking grain and rubbing it with their hands they were technically harvesting, however they were not doing this for a profit or by any means working on the Sabbath, they were simply feeding themselves. The Pharisees were looking for reasons to accuse Jesus and His followers so they didn’t care about the technicality behind the action, they had no compassion and wanted a reason to condemn them.

            Jesus replied stating that David had eaten the showbread which they saved for the priests and he was not punished by God or condemned or accused of not following Gods laws. He was treated with discernment and compassion. Jesus was basically telling them, ‘If you condemn me you must condemn David,’ which the Pharisees wouldn’t have done. Jesus was inadvertently showing the Pharisees hypocrisy. They Pharisees were so worried about religious traditions that they missed the whole point of the temple and the Sabbath, to bring people closer to God.

            Jesus then departed from there and went into their synagogue where He encountered a man with a withered hand and they asked Him if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath day. Jesus replied stating if you saw your sheep stuck in a pit wouldn’t you grab him out and make sure he is ok? Regardless of what day it is? And how much more valuable is a human than a sheep? He said it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day. Jesus healed the mans hand and the Pharisees went out to plot against Him. The Pharisees plotted because they were proud, fearful and furious with Jesus for breaking their rules. They put their religious traditions above what is good for human needs and because of their arrogance and pride they were unable to see that or change their evil ways. Their fear prevented them from seeing the needs of people. It can be hard to admit that we are wrong, but when we are wrong overcome the pride, don’t let the pride keep you stuck in the wrong.

            When Jesus knew they were plotting He left there and many followed Him and He healed them all. ALL. He healed them All who followed Him. Meditate on that one.

            He warned all of those whose followed who He healed (ALL who needed healing) not to tell others and make Him known to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah. Everyone expected the Messiah to be a king but Isaiahs prophecy showed what kind of king; a gentle ruler who brings justice to the gentiles.

            Then a demon possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Him, and He healed him. All who were around were amazed and began to think this is the Son of David. When the Pharisees heard they of course were not happy and thought Jesus was working with satan. Jesus, reading their minds (Yes, He knows what we are thinking!) Put the foolishness to rest. He told them a house divided amongst itself will not stand, every kingdom divided against itself will be brought to desolation, how then can satan cast out satan?

            Jesus also gave a lesson on spiritual warfare when He stated, ‘How can one enter a strong mans house and plunder his goods unless he first binds up the strong man?’ When we are to cast things out in the spirit we need to bind them up first.

            Jesus then states, ‘He who is not with Me is against Me, and he wholes not gather with Me scatters abroad.’ This is very important to share with people who haven’t committed to Christ yet or who believe but don’t follow. Many think that just because they haven’t chosen the devil they are saved and that its ok for them to be on the fence. But Jesus makes it clear, by not choosing and being Luke warm or on the fence then you have chosen, and its not the side of Jesus, its satan. This can shake people to their core when they realize by not choosing they have chosen and its not good, its not God. It can be a good way to wake someone up who believes but hasn’t yet committed!

            Jesus then says that every blasphemy and sin will be forgiven except for the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

            Verse 33-37 is all about power, life and death in the tongue. The ‘tree’ is referring to the tongue. Make the tongue good and produce good fruit or make the tongue bad and produce bad fruit. The tongue is known by its fruit, the tongue says what the heart thinks/feels. Meaning what you say has affects and shows your thoughts and heart. Its important to bring thoughts and words into captivity before they are released, make sure they are good and will not produce bad fruit. Every idle word man speaks will be given account of in the day of judgement. One can’t change bad words or thoughts or actions on their own, ask the Holy Spirit to help with this. Help mold your attitude and thoughts so that way when you give life to words they are good words and not words that can cause harm that you will have to answer for on the day of judgment. If you catch yourself gossiping or complaining, repent and ask the Holy Spirit to help remove those bad habits to help mold you into what God created you to be. He didn’t create us to gossip or slander or complain! The Pharisees then declared that they wanted to see a sign from Jesus. But Jesus told them that its an evil and adulterous generation that seeks after signs. He then shared the story of Jonah (he tried to run from his assignment because of the warlike situation around him and ran away and ended up spending three days and nights in the belly of a huge fish, then after he got out he went and finished his assignment by preaching the gospel and the city repented). The Son of man will too spend three days and nights in the heart of the earth.

            Jesus shares more on spiritual warfare again, stating when an unclean spirit goes out of a man he seeks rest and finds none, so he returns to his house from which he came. If he comes and finds it empty he then goes and gets seven other spirits more wicked than he and they enter and dwell there making the state of the man worse than it was before. Just cleaning up ones life with out filling in the void with God leaves them an open target for the devil. My bible notes say the first step is ridding your life of sin, second is to fill our life with God. I have to STRONGLY disagree on this. The first step is GOD. Fill your life with God, His word and the Holy Spirit and allow Him to work in you to help you get rid of sin. Man can NOT rid sin without God. Which is why I firmly believe God needs to be first, and with Him go ahead and tackle sin. By doing this we will be filled and not open, empty targets for the devil. (Keep in mind, bible notes are written by man, meaning there can be error, pray that God will show you what you need to learn from bible notes so you don’t get mislead on His word.)

            Last in the chapter, one said to Jesus that His mother and brothers were outside. Jesus let it be known that anyone who follows the will of His father in heaven is His brother, sister and mother.