living

Philippians 1 

20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, 

but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, 

as I have been in the past. 

And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, 

whether I live 

or die. 

21 For to me, 

living means living for Christ, 

and dying is even better. 

22 But if I live, 

I can do more fruitful work for Christ. 

So I really don’t know which is better. 

23 I’m torn between two desires: 

I long to go and be with Christ, 

which would be far better for me. 

24 But for your sakes, 

it is better that I continue to live.

12-18

He has removed our sins as far from us

    as the east is from the west.

13 

The Lord is like a father to his children,

    tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

14 For he knows how weak we are;

    he remembers we are only dust.

15 Our days on earth are like grass;

    like wildflowers, we bloom and die.

16 The wind blows, and we are gone—

    as though we had never been here.

17 But the love of the Lord remains forever

    with those who fear him.

His salvation extends to the children’s children

18     of those who are faithful to his covenant,

    of those who obey his commandments!

Psalm 103:12-18

LGLO

Matthew 22 

34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, 

they met together to question him again. 

35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: 

36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

37 Jesus replied, 

“‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, 

all your soul, 

and all your mind.’ 

38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 

39 A second is equally important: 

‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 

40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

(Boil down what Jesus said: Love God, love others. LGLO)

unity

Ephesians 4 

1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, 

for you have been called by God. 

2 Always be humble 

and gentle. 

Be patient with each other, 

making allowance for each other’s faults 

because of your love. 

3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, 

binding yourselves together with peace. 

4 For there is 

one body 

and one Spirit, 

just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.

5 There is one Lord, 

one faith, 

one baptism,
6 one God and Father of all,
who is over all, 

in all, 

and living through all.

7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift 

through the generosity of Christ. 

8 That is why the Scriptures say,

“When he ascended to the heights,
    he led a crowd of captives
    and gave gifts to his people.”

9 Notice that it says “he ascended.” 

This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. 

10 And the same one who descended 

is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, 

so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.

11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: 

the apostles, 

the prophets, 

the evangelists, 

and the pastors 

and teachers. 

12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work 

and build up the church, 

the body of Christ. 

13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son 

that we will be mature in the Lord, 

measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. 

We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. 

We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 

15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, 

growing in every way more and more like Christ, 

who is the head of his body, 

the church. 

16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. 

As each part does its own special work, 

it helps the other parts grow, 

so that the whole body is healthy 

and growing 

and full of love.

workers

 What do you think Jesus is REALLY talking about here?

Matthew 20 

1 “For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay the normal daily wage[a] and sent them out to work.

3 “At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing. 4 So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day. 5 So they went to work in the vineyard. At noon and again at three o’clock he did the same thing.

6 “At five o’clock that afternoon he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, ‘Why haven’t you been working today?’

7 “They replied, ‘Because no one hired us.’

“The landowner told them, ‘Then go out and join the others in my vineyard.’

8 “That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first. 9 When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage. 10 When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage. 11 When they received their pay, they protested to the owner, 12 ‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’

13 “He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? 14 Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. 15 Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’

16 “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”

made alive

Ephesians 2 

1 Once you were dead 

because of your disobedience 

and your many sins. 

2 You used to live in sin, 

just like the rest of the world, 

obeying the devil;

the commander of the powers in the unseen world. 

He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 

3 All of us used to live that way, 

following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. 

By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, 

just like everyone else.

4 But God is so rich in mercy, 

and he loved us so much, 

5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, 

he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. 

(It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 

6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ 

and seated us with him in the heavenly realms 

because we are united with Christ Jesus. 

7 So God can point to us in all future ages 

as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace 

and kindness 

toward us, 

as shown in all he has done for us 

who are united with Christ Jesus.

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. 

And you can’t take credit for this; 

it is a gift from God. 

9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, 

so none of us can boast about it. 

10 For we are God’s masterpiece. 

He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, 

so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

the greatest

Matthew 18 1

 About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 

“Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”

2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. 

3 Then he said, 

“I tell you the truth, 

unless you turn from your sins 

and become like little children, 

you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 

4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child 

is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

5 “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf 

is welcoming me. 

6 But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, 

it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck 

and be drowned in the depths of the sea.

don't get discouraged

Galatians 6 

1 Dear brothers and sisters, 

if another believer is overcome by some sin, 

you who are godly 

should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. 

And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 

2 Share each other’s burdens, 

and in this way obey the law of Christ. 

3 If you think you are too important to help someone, 

you are only fooling yourself. 

You are not that important.

4 Pay careful attention to your own work, 

for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, 

and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 

5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

6 Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, 

sharing all good things with them.

7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. 

You will always harvest what you sow. 

8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature 

will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. 

But those who live to please the Spirit 

will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 

9 Don't get tired of doing what is good. 

Don't get discouraged and give up, 

for we will reap a harvest of blessing 

at the appropriate time. 

10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, 

we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

a follower

Matthew 15 

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, 

“If any of you wants to be my follower, 

you must give up your selfish ambition, 

take up your cross, 

and follow me. 

25 If you try to hang on to your life, 

you will lose it. 

But if you give up your life for my sake, 

you will find it. 

26 And what do you benefit 

if you gain the whole world 

but lose your own soul? 

Is anything worth more than your soul?

his children

Galatians 4 

1 Think of it this way. 

If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, 

those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, 

even though they actually own everything their father had. 

2 They have to obey their guardians 

until they reach whatever age their father set. 

3 And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. 

We were like children; 

we were slaves to the law.

4 But when the right time came, 

God sent his Son, 

born of a woman, 

subject to the law. 

5 God sent him to buy freedom for us 

who were slaves to the law, 

so that he could adopt us as his very own children. 

6 And because we are his children, 

God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, 

prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 

7 Now you are no longer a slave 

but God’s own child. 

And since you are his child, 

everything he has belongs to us.

5000 men

Matthew 14

 13 As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. 14 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

15 That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.”

16 But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.”

17 “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered.

18 “Bring them here,” he said. 19 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. 20 They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. 21 About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!

********

Like the old gospel song says...

"Little is much when God is in it."

sowing

All my life I've heard this passage exclusively used to try to encourage, challenge, & sometimes coerce people to go as missionaries to "deepest, darkest Africa."

I come to believe that Jesus was talking to all of us about what we each will face as we simply share what our life is like with the people around us.

Jesus is explaining to us how that sharing will be received & what the response will be from various people.

********

Matthew 13 

1 Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake. 2 A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore. 3 He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:

“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. 4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. 5 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! 9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

10 His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?”

11 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets[a] of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. 12 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. 13 That is why I use these parables,

For they look, but they don’t really see.
    They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.

14 This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says,

‘When you hear what I say,
    you will not understand.
When you see what I do,
    you will not comprehend.
15 For the hearts of these people are hardened,
    and their ears cannot hear,
and they have closed their eyes—
    so their eyes cannot see,
and their ears cannot hear,
    and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
    and let me heal them.’[b]

16 “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17 I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.

18 “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds: 19 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. 20 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. 23 The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

92

 

Psalm 92

1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
    to sing praises to the Most High.
2 It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,
    your faithfulness in the evening,
3 accompanied by a ten-stringed instrument, a harp,
    and the melody of a lyre.

4 You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!
    I sing for joy because of what you have done.
5 O Lord, what great works you do!
    And how deep are your thoughts.
6 Only a simpleton would not know,
    and only a fool would not understand this:
7 Though the wicked sprout like weeds
    and evildoers flourish,
    they will be destroyed forever.

8 But you, O Lord, will be exalted forever.
9 Your enemies, Lord, will surely perish;
    all evildoers will be scattered.
10 But you have made me as strong as a wild ox.
    You have anointed me with the finest oil.
11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;
    my ears have heard the defeat of my wicked opponents.
12 But the godly will flourish like palm trees
    and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.
13 For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house.
    They flourish in the courts of our God.
14 Even in old age they will still produce fruit;
    they will remain vital and green.
15 They will declare, “The Lord is just!
    He is my rock!
    There is no evil in him!”

91

 

Psalm 91

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue you from every trap
    and protect you from deadly disease.
4 He will cover you with his feathers.
    He will shelter you with his wings.
    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
    nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
    nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
7 Though a thousand fall at your side,
    though ten thousand are dying around you,
    these evils will not touch you.
8 Just open your eyes,
    and see how the wicked are punished.

9 If you make the Lord your refuge,
    if you make the Most High your shelter,
10 no evil will conquer you;
    no plague will come near your home.
11 For he will order his angels
    to protect you wherever you go.
12 They will hold you up with their hands
    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
13 You will trample upon lions and cobras;
    you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
    I will protect those who trust in my name.
15 When they call on me, I will answer;
    I will be with them in trouble.
    I will rescue and honor them.
16 I will reward them with a long life
    and give them my salvation.”