Matthew

I woke up early this morning and started listening to the book of Matthew. I listened to chapter 2 -8 and its so good. As I listened I just wanted to start posting everything. Matthew is so rich with encouragement and conviction. Here are some of the things that stuck out.

Matthew 5:14-16
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;
nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Christ has made us a light in this dark world of sin and deception. Live to His glory for many are watching. In every moment of every day, Christ through you, let your light shine before men.

Matthew 7-11
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. "Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? "Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him.

This was encouraging to me, to know that when we ask of God, as His children, His intent is never to give us something bad but always something good. To know that He loves us dearly and will provide what is best in His timing.

Matthew 7: 24-27
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. "And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock."Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. "The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell--and great was its fall."

May we act on these precious words of Christ, for as we do we build on a firm foundation that can not be washed away:) Praise His name!!!

Matthew 8:24-27
And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep.
And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing!" He said to them, "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. The men were amazed, and said, "What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?"

I feel the same way sometimes... When the storms of life begin to rage and their giant waves threaten to smash me into the rocks, my first reaction is to panic. I think God looks down at me and says the same thing he said to His disciples, Why are you afraid Paul, you of little faith?