Join us in the Project 345 reading plan as we read through the New Testament.

Context: After the resurrection, some of the guards from the tomb went into the city and told the chief priests that the tomb was empty.  “And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said…”

Matthew 28:13 – 15 “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

Observations: The world did what it could to make Jesus’ crucifixion public and then did (and does) what it could to make Jesus’ resurrection private.

Application: I want to make much of Jesus’ resurrection.  “Lord, give me opportunities today to show the world that we have a risen Savior.”

Are you telling people about your risen Savior?

Join us in the Project 345 reading plan as we read through the New Testament.

Note: We are back from our London mission trip.  Thank you to all who were praying.  We saw incredible things: conversion, growth, and clarification of calling… life transformation.

Context::  This is the beginning of the parable of the wedding feast: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.'”

Matthew 22:5 “But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business.”

Observations:  The reason those invited to feast with the king did not respond was that they were preoccupied by their work.  It is the only reason given for the rejection.

Application:  I am type A.  Today I want to focus on responding to God first.  I want to enjoy fellowship with Him before my to do list.

Are you saying no to a banquet with the King and choosing “business” instead? 

Join us in the Project 345 reading plan as we read through the New Testament.

Context: Jesus explains the parable of the sower and the seed.

Matthew 13:18-23 “Hear then the parable of the sower:19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy,21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

Observation: Good soil qualities: hears the Word, understands it and bears fruit.

Application:  As I serve today, I want to focus on hearing the Word, seeking to understand it and applying it to my life.  “Lord, bear fruit through me!”

What kind of soil are you?

Join us in the Project 345 reading plan as we read through the New Testament.

Context: The Pharisees ask why Jesus is hanging out with tax collectors and sinners.

Matthew 9:12-13 “But when He heard it, He said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.’”

Observations:  “Go and learn what this means…”  We must realize our deep need for Jesus.  The self-righteous don’t seek the perfect righteousness that Jesus gives us.  Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6 in verse 13 – “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”

Application:  I must live in a constant realization of my desperate need for Christ’s spiritual healing.  “Thank you, Lord, for being my Physician and healing me.  Thank you for Your mercy.”

Do you think you need a spiritual doctor?  Why or why not? 

Join us in the Project 345 reading plan as we read through the New Testament.

Context:  John the Baptist is rebuking the Pharisees and Sadducees by saying, “You brood of Vipers!  Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?…

Matthew 3:8 “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.”

Observation:  John commands the Pharisees and Sadducees to bear fruit that shows a true repentant heart.

Application:  Galatians 5 tells us that spiritual fruit is the overflow of walking with the Spirit.  I want to pray for the Spirit to lead my life today and to look for ways that I can consciously repent through the strength He gives.

Can you see fruit in your life in the past week that would keep with repentance?

Join us in the Project 345 reading plan as we read through the New Testament.

Context:  Matthew 2:19b-20 “…(A)n angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”

Matthew 2:21 “So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.”

Observation:  The command was “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel.”  Joseph’s immediate response was complete obedience.  “He got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.”

Application:  Lord, I want to completely and instantly obey anything You lead me to do today.

Are you living a life of instant and complete obedience?

Join us in the Project 345 reading plan as we read through the New Testament.

Context: Paul has just listed how much suffering he has gone through for the sake of Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:30 “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”

Observation: Paul points out the weaknesses in himself.

Application: I want to show others my weakness as a man, friend, parent, husband, leader, teacher, etc.  I want God’s power, not mine, to be seen.

Are you trying to cover your weaknesses and boast in your strengths? In what areas?

Join us in the Project 345 reading plan as we read through the New Testament.

Context: Paul is talking about cheerful giving – those who sow sparingly, reluctantly and under compulsion versus those who sow bountifully, what they have decided in his heart and cheerfully.

2 Corinthians 9:8 – “And God is able to make all grace about to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times you may about in every good work.”

Observations:

• My good works are not about my ability but God’s ability.
• Verse 9:10 goes on to say – “He who supplies seed… will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness…”

Application: I must not trust my own abilities or resources, but decide in my heart to freely and cheerfully give to God.  He will supply all sufficiency in all things at all times.

Are you a cheerful giver?

Join us in the Project 345 reading plan as we read through the New Testament.

Context: Paul is expressing how the life transformation in the church in Corinth has brought him joy.  His first letter caused them grief that led to repentance.

2 Corinthians 7:10 “For Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”

Observations:

• Godly grief (seeking to please God) produces repentance.
• Worldly grief (seeking to please the world) produces death.

Application: “Lord, I want to focus on your response to my life.  Before you, I am grieved by my sinful heart.  Today I want to consider your response to everything I think, say and do.  Thank you for taking care of the penalty and power of sin through Jesus.  Your unconditional love compels me to be transformed.”

Is your life motivated by Godly grief or worldly grief? 

Join us in the Project 345 reading plan as we read through the New Testament.

Personal Context: Last night, Rebecca and I prayed for a renewed boldness and confidence in our ministry.

Scriptural Context: Paul says that he does not need a letter of recommendation to preach the gospel.  Paul argues that the life transformation that has taken place in the hearts of those in the church in Corinth proves his message.

2 Corinthians 3:4-6 “Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

Observations:

• We have confidence through Christ before God.
• We are not competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves.
• Our competence comes from God.

Application: Through God’s Word this morning and Rebecca, my prayer from last night has been directly answered.  I enter today encouraged.  I want to look for opportunities “not to claim anything for (myself)”, but to confidently minister with the competence God has given me through Christ.

What is your source of confidence and competence today?