January 25, 2025

Many of Jesus' miracles were recorded in the Bible. One of the most common themes I found in Matthew 8 was humility. Those needing Jesus to heal them came to him believing he would be their source, and they groveled before him. In this chapter, he healed the leper, whose disease could only be cured by him, and the centurion's servant, who humbled himself, saying that he was not worthy of Jesus coming under his roof and believing Jesus could heal his servant from afar. Jesus calmed the storm at sea and also removed demons from two possessed men. This situation is where the demons called out Jesus as being the son of God and begged him to send them in the herd of pigs, and they ended up in the sea. I believe those demons are now our sea monsters! Why do we see so few miracles today besides Jesus not being here physically? Maybe it's because we are too arrogant and faithless, or our faith is less than a mustard seed. We may barely get into heaven because of our arrogance. The best thing we can do is learn humility and stay connected to our source of power, Jesus. Humility and faithful expectation are how the Roman Centurion got the miracle of healing for his servant without Jesus being present; this story might be our key to healing today. 

And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. Matthew 8:7-8

When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Matthew 8:10

January 24, 2025

I finally realized what John was talking about when he said the world couldn’t contain all the books that should be written about what Jesus did during his ministry. I could nearly write a book on each of his lessons, and I’m sure some people have. Every word of scripture is savory, but for some reason, probably Jesus’s deity, I hang onto every word recorded as spoken by him, making it even more difficult to expand on it for a short devotional. Years ago, when I started my journey into writing, I heard the Holy Spirit tell me to follow the path of Jesus. I took him literally and began by reading all the red words in the Bible. It was an eye-opening experience that I will never forget. We are to emulate him, so reading his words gives us a clear pathway to do what pleases him. His words in Matthew 7 tell us to take the narrow path, which is harder to follow. The wide path leads to destruction and is easy, but the narrow path leads to him. That’s why you may be facing hard times: You’ve made the clear decision to follow Jesus, while most others tend to take the easy way, which leads to hell. Keep going! It may not be easy, but the first few minutes of heaven will wipe away all the heartache you’ve encountered by staying true to Christ. The only regret you may have is not following him sooner. We are a blessed people. Thank you, Jesus, for saving us!

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13-14

January 23, 2025

In a day and age of anxiety, God encourages us to be calm, lay down our worries, and leave it to Him to take care of us. Jesus tells us to let it go and stop our anxious thoughts. Why? Because you cannot add a day or minute to your life by fretting over what is to come. Don’t worry about food or clothing; He is our provider. He gives the example of the birds; they don’t gather and store food. They go out and forage every day, and God feeds them, and they wake up happy every morning; I know this because I hear them chirping. One day, we will find out how needless it was that we spent so much time and anxiety over what we were over-prepared for when we could have trusted God to care for us rather than overanalyze every detail of our lives. What should we do to stop our worry? Take every thought captive and redirect its path as soon as it comes into our minds. Learn to control your thoughts. When something negative enters your mind, immediately filter it with prayer in the name of Jesus and turn it into a positive. The more you practice this, the better you will feel, and you will show God that you trust Him. 

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:33-34

January 22, 2025

If you want the truth about how Jesus expects us to behave, look at Matthew 5. The chapter contains Jesus’s sermon on the mountain. We call the points of his sermon the Beatitudes; it’s the attitudes we are supposed to reflect and the blessing that comes from adhering to them.

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Matthew 5:3-11

Each one of these equates to happiness. Though we may go through trials from evil trying to break us or God trying to train us, He gives us blessings beyond measure, and those blessings bring us the fullness of joy that the worldly do not understand. We have the peace that passes all understanding because of Jesus. If you lack in any of these areas, pray and ask God to help you restore the right attitude so you can abound in the blessing associated with that characteristic. 

January 21, 2025

After the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus, he immediately departed to the wilderness and fasted for 40 days. During that time, the devil, knowing he was hungry and vulnerable, began tempting him, but because Jesus knew the word of God, he was able to counter all the devil threw at him by quoting scriptural truth. If you are following God's plan for your life, the enemy will put his talons in the weak people around you, and if you don't believe me, open your eyes and watch. It is then that you will see the truth about who they are. One of the ways that the enemy uses them is they will come after you by talking about you behind your back, and rather than confronting their issues with you, they will disparage you to others. Stand firm on the word of God, and don't allow anyone being used by the enemy to try and defeat you. If you think you might be the source of trouble, confess and repent. These situations happen most often in families because it is the goal of the devil to break down family bonds. The devil wants nothing more than to discourage you and sully your reputation. Rely on God's strength to get you through if you are in a less-than-ideal situation, and keep your eyes on Jesus. He overcame in the wilderness; use him as your example. 

After Jesus's wilderness experience, he began his ministry, called a few disciples, and began teaching. 

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Matthew 4:10-11

January 20, 2025

John the Baptist comes on the scene to introduce our Savior Jesus Christ to the world. He started his ministry by preaching to the country people first; why do you think that was? Country people keep to themselves and are less likely seen as sinners. However, because they weren’t mixed in with the city lifestyle, it doesn’t mean they weren’t sinners; to the contrary. No matter where you live in this world, you are still in the world unless you have confessed your sin and made Jesus your King and Savior. The Pharisees and Sadducees heard about John’s ministry and came to his baptisms. When he saw them he called them out for their hypocrisy. They were all given a warning to repent. Then Jesus appeared and called on John to baptize him; at first, he refused in humility, but he didn’t let his humility cause him to disobey, so he baptized our sinless Savior. When Jesus came up from the water, the Holy Spirit descended upon him, and there began the ministry of Jesus. Don’t let your humility or perceived humility cause you to disobey God’s calling. Even if you feel unqualified step up when God tells you it’s time. For this reason, God tells us not to rehearse our strategy when we are before kings or judges, and I would also include laypeople: let the Holy Spirit fill your mouth with the words that God knows they need to hear. 

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:16-17

January 19, 2025

Having studied the book of Matthew many times, I have yet to look at all its details. Though Chapter 2 is only 23 verses long, it is full of details that lead us to the significance of Jesus's birth and early childhood. One particular detail that is full of God's handy work was to protect Jesus and his family from the tyranny of Herod by sending them to Egypt. Prior to appearing in a dream to Joseph was the visit from the Magi. However, before they got to Jesus, they visited Herod and gave him a heads-up about the King of the Jews, as signified by a star they had followed. Herod then enquired of the priests as to where in the scriptures it says where the Son of God was to be born, and they all came up with Bethlehem. Herod waited to see what the Magi found out, but when they didn't return to him, he sent word to kill all the babies under the age of 2 years old. 

One particular detail that I found relatable to what can happen to us today is the gifts that the Magi brought to them, not only that but the dream for Joseph to take his family to Egypt to escape the hand of Herod. Joseph was given an assignment, but had the assignment been given to him before the Magi's visit, being they were a poor family, they may not have been able to afford the trip. Even though this is only a guess, it makes sense because when God gives us orders, He also gives us the provisions needed for that assignment.

King Herod had to have had some belief in God to have the scriptures combed for the prophecy about Jesus's birth. Knowing that he would have still killed him if he could. He was pure evil. God help us; we are still surrounded by pure evil. Recompense is coming! 

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11