Matthew

Well school has started again, and though its been a rough start its going well now.
I was not able to get any classes with Purdue cal like I had been hoping, but I think that is because God wanted me to really be able to focus on my classes with Moody this semester.

I am currently reading in Matthew and I am absolutely loving it. I thought I would share some of the verses that have really stuck out to me so far.

Matthew 5:46-47 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing then others?

I just thought this was a really good reminder that we are commanded to love everyone as God loves them. God doesnt only love those who love Him. We need to go out of our ways to love those around us.


6:7-8 "And when you pray do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your father knows what you need before you ask him."

I've always been a bit uncomfortable praying in front of others, and sometimes just in general. I was always so afraid that I would sound like I didn't pray much because I didn't use all the fancy phrases that other people did, or that people would look down on my because I stumble over my words. That in itself I have found to be ridiculous, because I know those who are sincere in their faith arent going to look down on my just because I stumble over my words in prayer. But whats even more ridiculous was that I ever thought that God wouldn't hear me as well because of it. I see now how foolish it was to think that.
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in out weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
We don't need to make our prayers sound good, we just need to pray with a sincerity and faith and the Spirit will take care of the rest.

6:25-27, 32 Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more then food, and the body more then clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value then they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

This is just a reminder that I need frequently. I worry too much about the little things in my life, I forget that God will take care of my needs, even the ones that seem small.

8:19-20 And a scribe came up and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." 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."

When we commit to following Jesus, we commit to going where we may not want to. We can't just expect to stay where we are and be comfortable, but we have to be prepared and wiling to follow wherever He leads us whenever He leads us.

This is just what Ive gotten from the first 8 chapters so far. I am amazed over and over by God's word and I am so grateful that I can go to school to learn more about Him and His word.