19 Aug (Matt 6)

The Gospels: Practicing Righteousness

Matthew 6

(v.1) We are not supposed to tithe and show off what we give to God...that is between Him and ourselves. Besides, a person who wishes to have others know how much he/she gave, is only doing it for themselves...not for the worship of God.

In verses 9-13, we see the prayer that Jesus told His disciples to pray. It is often called the Lord's Prayer, but it's not the prayer of our LORD, it's a template for us to think on all the things of God in prayer.

The REAL LORD's Prayer is in John 17

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name

~ I teach my kids to pray TO the Father, IN THE NAME of Jesus. The Father is to be worshiped and hallowed or respected.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven

~ This alludes to the two comings of Christ...He will come again and restore the earth to it's rightful owner (Jesus), and the whole creation will be like it was when Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden.

We are also to be mindful that our desires are often not good for us, so we are to trust in Him, to lead us and guide our lives the way He wants us to live for Him.

Give us this day our daily bread

~ God is our Provider, and He will give us all we need in life. Much like the Jews in the Wilderness who were fed by God with manna...they never went hungry.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors

~ Only if we have forgiving hearts, can God truly forgive our sins. If we are saved, then we have a new heart that is loving and forgiving. Sure, we will have moments of hate and selfishness, but we won't let our lives be driven by hate and resentment.

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one

~ God doesn't tempt us, for He can't. But He does allow Satan to tempt us, and God pleads with us to rely on His strength, and His Word, to keep us away from falling into temptation for evil.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

~ It's all about Him, and the glory and praise goes to Him!

(v.16) Like tithing and giving, we shouldn't proclaim our fasting times as well. We shouldn't seem weak and hurting because we're fasting. In fact, when I have fasted, I have found that God strengthens me, and I don't feel weak. Appearing weak to others only is a ploy to tell them you're fasting!

(v.21) If we seek the approval of mankind, then that's as much as we'll get here on earth. But if we seek God's approval and blessings, then He will deliver and prepare wonderful rewards in heaven for us! It's an easy choice!!!

You cannot serve God and mammon.

~ Mammon is money, and if we place riches and material things as important in our lives, then we aren't following God. There is a phrase that is often misquoted that most of us have heard:

Money is the root of all evil...but the Scripture says the LOVE of money is the root of evil. 1 Timothy 6:10

That is a big difference! God blesses some of us with money, and it's up to us to use that money for His purposes, by donating and supporting ministries that do God's work.

(v.33) If we lay our troubles at the foot of the cross, and let Jesus take care of them, then we won't worry and stress ourselves out. It all comes down to the fact of whether we trust God or not.

25 Jul (Zechariah 7-8)

Zechariah 7

(v.5) Once again, when one fasts and denies their flesh to get closer to God, He responds and speaks to us. I recommend fasting at least once a month to get a recharge, and get closer to God. Of course, if the LORD leads you to fast more often, then hallelujah!

(v.6) God reminds us that fasting is for Him...not for ourselves. Fasting allows us to be vulnerable and dependent upon Him, and that's when He works in us!

(v.11) This verse describes unbelievers completely...they shut their ears and close their eyes to all the signs of God around them. They don't want to answer to anyone other than themselves, yet, as they find out later, they can never please themselves...there is always a need for more in our flesh. Only God fills that void...He is our Living Water and Bread of Life! John 4:10, 6:35

Zechariah 8

(v.3) Even though God dwelt amongst us in the person of Jesus during the Gospels, He is speaking here of the Millennium...where peace shall reign!

(v.5) The sound of kids playing is heartwarming to parents, just as it is to our Heavenly Father!

(v.12) God's promise to Abraham will be fulfilled in the Millennium.

(v.17) Do not be deceived says God, and treat each other with love...so many times Jesus said this when He was teaching His disciples. Luke 21:8 & John 15:12

12 Jul (Daniel 6)

Daniel 6

(v.2) Daniel and his friends are in charge of all the satraps (princes) assigned to govern the small things and keep order.

(v.3) Since Daniel was elevated to be second in command, the princes were not happy. Daniel rose to power by his honor, much like Joseph did with Potiphar and Pharaoh. Gen 41

(v.4) That is a goal all of us should have, that even our enemies can't say anything bad about us! What a witness!

(v.9) Since they couldn't find fault in Daniel, they used his faithfulness against him. This reminds me of the Islamic terrorists who use our freedom against us, and attack us because we allow freedom and free will.

(v.10) Notice that Daniel knew of this decree, yet he went and prayed anyways. As Jesus said in Matt 22:21 that we should obey man's laws. But there is a point where man's laws force us to disobey God, and we should always stick with God's Word when faced with that dilemma.

We also see that Daniel was a man of prayer...I try to pray many times a day, and I feel that the more I pray (sometimes just a few words or sentences) I am more conscious of God's presence.

(v.14) The king realized he was tricked, and worried about the fate of Daniel.

(v.16) This reminds me of Nebby, where this king Darius admired and liked Daniel as well. Like Nebby, Darius had come to know God, and he knew that God would protect Daniel.

(v.18) Just as we trust in God, we need to fast and pray for His protection...Darius is a good example to us.

(v.21) If we are His, we are in His care and protection. Of course, many faithful servants have died martyrs, but that's because God wanted to use that martyr to influence others. We need to remember what Daniel's friends said in chapter 3, and know that God can protect us, and if He doesn't, it's because He has bigger plans for us.

(v.26) Darius makes a decree much like Nebby did, proclaiming Daniel's faith, and praising the living God who's dominion shall endure to the end.

11 June (Isaiah 54-58)

Isaiah 54

(v.4) Isn't it comforting that we won't forget our failures and mistakes in heaven? Our kids can't appreciate that now, since they haven't lived long enough to have a stack of failures on their resume, but it's worth mentioning to them.

(v.6) This is an important topic to discuss with your kids...why has God taken so long to return? After all, it's been over 2,000 years! I explain to my kids that God is outside of time...He doesn't have a clock. As it is written, a thousand years is like a day to Him, and a day is like a thousand years...time is only here on earth.

Another way to put it is when we get older, we get more patient...and God has been around forever, so He's really patient! That is good, for there are many people who need to know the love of Christ, so we need to get busy!

(v.17) Isn't it great to know that ultimately, no weapon or thing can separate us from the love of God! I like to read Rom 8:38-39 to my kids to bring home the point.

Isaiah 55

(v.3) Satan uses our eyes to tempt us, but God uses our ears to teach us. If we read or hear the Word of God, we are in tune with God. If we go through life wanting to see amazing things to believe in God, then we'll be disappointed and tricked by Satan.

(v.6) What a sobering verse! There will be a time that God will cease to be available to the world. It's up to us who follow Christ to seek the lost, and tell them the Gospel before it's too late.

(v.8) I remember this verse when something in my life goes contrary to common sense or my understanding...God's ways are not mine. He knows what's best for me and my family, so trust in Him and let Him bring us to where He wants us!

(v.11) This is why we read the Bible...it affects us, and motivates us to be more like Christ. His Word will not disappoint or forsake us, rather, it will guide us and encourage us if we let it.

Isaiah 56

(v.5) I talk with my kids that their Mommy and I have names for them...nicknames and terms of endearment. The Creator of the Universe has a special name for each of us, one that only He knows right now, but for eternity, He will call us by that name. It will be our own bond to Him.

Isaiah 57

(v.2) When we have a loved one who dies, and know the LORD, it is sad, but we should also rejoice that they are with God. When we leave this world, we will have immediate peace and joy...for eternity!

(v.12) Those that refuse to follow God will be judged by their deeds in life...and they will fall way short of the holiness of God. They will be speechless, and know their folly, but it's too late. Please think of family or friends who aren't walking with the LORD and plead with them to repent...it's the only and best thing we can give someone who thinks they have everything.

(v.15) Not only is God in heaven, but He's in our hearts if we have asked Him to be there. His Spirit works in us to make us more like the Son. God is everywhere, but there is nowhere more important than in our hearts.

Isaiah 58

This is a great chapter since it addresses the act of fasting for the LORD. I have done it many times, and when I've been fully committed, I've grown closer to God. But only if we do it to be closer to God, will we be successful. Some do it to try to show their righteousness, which is not the case. Fasting is essential for the seeking Christian, so do it privately and secretly, and see what God tells you.