Devotional
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Daily Readings: Matthew 15 and Psalm 15 But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. (Matthew 15:18 NLT) The religious people of Jesus’ day were extremely intent on creating and then observing highly complex outward rules for religious purity. When they kept these rules, they felt they were proving their commitment and…
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Daily Readings: Matthew 14 and Psalm 14 As opposition to Jesus mounted among the religious and political rulers, Jesus received the tragic news of His cousin John’s death at the hands of King Herod. Immediately, struck by the harsh reality of the dangerous path He was on, and needing to process what this meant for…
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Daily Readings: Matthew 13 and Psalm 13 In chapter 13, Matthew records a series of Jesus’ parables, as well as His explanations of some of those parables. The chapter also includes the disciples’ question, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?” (v.10). Jesus’ answer is quite cryptic in some ways, but…
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Daily Readings: Matthew 12 and Psalm 12 “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.” (Matthew 12:30 NLT) One approach we cannot take towards Jesus is neutrality. Given all that Jesus has revealed to us about God, all the wonders and signs He performed,…
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Daily Readings: Matthew 11 and Psalm 11 If there’s a unifying theme to Matthew 11, it’s the many different ways people responded to Jesus. John’s disciples come to Jesus filled with doubts and questions brought about by John’s suffering in Herod’s dungeon. Jesus answered them (and John) profoundly respectfully and gently; because He understands all…
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Daily Readings: Matthew 10 and Psalm 10 There is so much in Matthew 10 to capture our imagination and our attention, but what I felt jumping off the pages at me today was the promise of v.19-20. Jesus was very clear that despite the powerful anointing on their ministries, the apostles were bound to experience…
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Daily Readings: Matthew 9 and Psalm 9 Matthew 9:35 marks the end of a remarkable season of Jesus’ ministry, which is described between Matthew 4:23 and Matthew 9:35. These two virtually identical verses explain that, during the season they ‘bracket’, “Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area (the region of Galilee),…
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Daily Readings: Matthew 8 and Psalm 8 When Jesus ended His ‘Sermon on the Mount’ at the end of Matthew 7, everyone was amazed at the way He taught, because he taught with such authority. In Matthew 8, Jesus demonstrated that His authority was not only in the realm of Truth; He also had authority…
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Daily Readings: Matthew 7 and Psalm 7 A while ago I mentioned “SPECK” as a model for reflecting on Scripture. This model invites us to consider whether our Bible reading identifies a Sin to confess, a Promise to hold onto, an Example to follow, a Command to obey, or some Knowledge to learn and believe.…
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Daily Readings: Matthew 6 and Psalm 6 It seems to me that the theme of all Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6 is captured right at the end when He instructs us, His disciples, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” Whether it’s the way…
