Over the past, oh 18 years of my life... I have had a real hard time enjoying reading the word. I've asked many times for a passion to want to read more, for the words to become personal to me, and to be able to see more than just words... but the heart behind them.
So... We've been given an assignment, and I have to say - something new was stirred in me. The Lord has, I'm sure for years, been planting seeds in my heart for these things to be birthed... and they have been watered, and now I am seeing the fruit. I have loved reading these chapters.
I think its really interesting how in the beginning of Matthew, they give such a detailed line up of the history of generations. I don't quite understand this. I do understand it's important to know, or so I would assume... but why is such great detail?
This whole past week has been about "hearing and obeying the voice of God"... and these chapters go right along with that. In the beginning of chapter one Joseph automatically put Mary before him, he preferred her... keeping things quiet so SHE wouldn't be disgraced. Then as Joseph lays his own ideas down, to receive heavenly perspective... God grants Him and tells him what to do.
In chapter 2 Jesus spoke (in a dream) and almost the very next sentence... they again, obeyed. Not only did they agree to obey, but it was immediate. They KNEW the Lord has spoken, and proceeded in the direction that the Lord was moving.
In the middle of chapter 3 it shows an example of the light we carry. People are attracted to light, to truth - we all seek it even if we don't know it. John carried the Truth and Light of the Lord, and people recognized and were drawn to it. He goes on to say that it is NOT our outside appearance that is the focus and impact... it is what happens on the inside. John walked out what he preached!
Then in chapter 4 - oh boy! haha. This is one of my favorite stories, and honestly a story that has helped me recognize when the enemy is attacking me. At the end of CH.3, God speaks identity over Jesus. He says "you are my son!" The very next thing that happens, is the enemy comes. And he's smart, he knows exactly where we are weak and what makes us fall. So he comes and tries to start pouring doubt through lies by saying "IF you are the son." Whenever I am being tested, I try my hardest to go back to TRUTH... To the places God spoke LIFE into my heart and stand on that instead of questioning who I am, and wondering if there is any truth in what is being spoken against me.
Now, the verses don't show it... But either Jesus was 1) extremely rejuvenated w/ the words of the Lord or 2) extremely exhausted. Either way... God won the battle before it began AND he didn't just leave Jesus w/out any armor. he prepared Him with TRUTH. So he could walk out the victory.
Again... immediate obedience in 4:20-22. They didn't ask otherwise, or question the outcome of what was happening. They just heard and obeyed.
The beginning of chapter 5 starts off with Jesus come even more to our level. HE IS RELATIONAL! He understands that things aren't perfect and is giving survival and thriving tools when things get messy. I love that Jesus explains that the reason people speak lies and hate on you, is because you are walking in TRUTH and they are uncomfortable! This teaching comes right after they had been in Galilee for ministry. No doubt they were exhausted and feeling the weight of the people and the lies of the enemy. So Jesus knew exactly what they needed to hear. He spoke life over them. Breathed encouragement back intro their bodies.
Throughout the rest of the chapter, there are situations with easy solutions. Well easily said solutions. But at the last part it really sums it up with saying to let your enemies bring out the best in you. In these times of life, we are allowing our character to be built. Are we creating a healthy, uplifting, enjoyable character... allowing GOD to mold us? Or is it one that nobody wants to be around?
In chapter six it is interesting how the point of the beginning (6:1-13) is to not be anything more or less than God created you to be. He LIKES the way we are - He made us up after all! He doesn't want our performances or anything. He just wants our HEARTS, honest and true.
I love 6:30... It says that even the flowers that are unseen are taken care of by God, just as much as the ones that are in the open fields. YOU MATTER!
We are children of God with value... and even when we don FEEL like God is taking care of us, He is.
I love the theme of simplicity throughout these chapters so far... and it continues in chapter seven as well. Be direct! Treat others are yourself! Be truthful! God doesn't say sometimes or in certain circumstances where it's easy. he is consistent and not picky choosy.
And then it ends with what it began with... "hearing the voice of God... and obeying" and love. This is a message of doing EVERYTHING out of love. Then we can look at 1st Corinthians 13 and clearly see what that is suppose to look like.
Christ lived the life He taught about to the community. he was a walking example of a life lived selflessly, honest, and out of perfect love.
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