Psalm 33:13-15
13 The LORD looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men.
14 From the place of His dwelling He looks
On all the inhabitants of the earth;
15 He fashions their hearts individually;
He considers all their works.

Thoughts on Today's verses:

Some say that God is impersonal. A theory of creation exists which says that God created everything and just let it go. However, the Bible teaches the immanence God, that he is involved in his creation. We see that here, in these verses. He sees us all, there is none hidden. And not only does he see us, but also, He sees our works. To some this is terrifying, but to others it provides hope and comfort.

Matthew 10:37-39

37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Thoughts on Today's Verses:

How much do you love the Savior? On Friday we looked at verses 32-33 of this same chapter where we were challenged on the level of our committment to Christ in being willing to confess Him before others. Here, the bar is raised yet again. We are told that our love for our Savior should excell beyond any other love on earth, and that love will result in a life style that is marked by following Christ. Just as in Mt. 4:18-22 where Peter, Andrew, James, and John were called to follow Christ and they dropped everything to follow him, so we see here that we too are called to follow Christ. Are you worthy of Him? Are you taking up your cross and following him? Do you love him more than anything else?

Matthew 8:23-27

23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

Thoughts on Today's Verse:

Following Jesus does not always mean that our pathway will be calm and peaceful. However, we are to trust Him as He leads us for he will never leave us nor forsake us. When the storms come, and they will come, it is too easy to forget who it is that is present with us. This is what the disciples forgot, which prompted their question of his identity. So, when you find yourself in a storm of life, remember that you are not without hope, nor are you alone, for you have the Creator of the universe there with you!

Matthew 9:35-38

35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.[e] 36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary[f] and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

Thoughts on Today's verses:

Every day we see people. That's a part of life to which there are few exceptions. Have you ever stopped to think about the people you pass on a daily basis, perhaps as you travel to and from work, or as you stroll through the park, or take a lunch break, or go shopping? As Jesus went through the cities and villages, he saw multitudes of people and was moved with compassion. What he saw was a great need for salvation. The multitudes need to hear the gospel, and we who have already experienced the salvation that comes from Christ have been tasked to share this good news!





Romans 10:14-15:

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent?

38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Matthew 10:16

16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

Thoughts on today's verse:

Sending sheep out among wolves is not a very safe environment. For the sheep, there is great hostility, as the wolves are their predator. If the sheep did not know that this was the situation, it could find itself facing great harm very quickly. In order to survive in such an environment would take much caution and wisdom. Our situation is similar, and this is what the Lord was speaking of. As Christians, the world to which we are sent is not one that welcomes the gospel message! Great hostility exists towards Christianity and the message of Christ. Therefore, we are to be exceedingly wise in our conduct and never seek to intentionally provoke others. Paul said eslewhere, "as much as is possible, live peaceably with all men."

Matthew 10:32-33

32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Thoughts on Today's Verses:

Some view salvation as a ticket. It's their ticket to make sure they don't go to hell, and nothing more. Jesus implies in this verse that, at the very least, there is much more to salvation than a free pass to heaven. Part of what it means to be a Christian is to share the gospel with others, it is a way that you can show that you are a Christian, not a way to become a Christian. Remember: "you are not your own, you have been bought with a price. Therefore, glorify God in your bodies!" Have you confessed Christ to others?