October 2, 2021 Scripture: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 6:1 ESV Observation: The middle part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount addresses a temptation that all of us struggle to resist: seeking recognition. […]
Daily Focus: Faithful Instructors
October 1, 2021 Scripture: “Therefore, whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:19 Observation: Having established that he has fulfilled the law, […]
Daily Focus: Fulfilling the Law
September 30, 2021 Scripture: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17 ESV Observation: Siding with D.A. Carson and James Boyce’s view of this passage, Jesus is not pointing to his teachings of the law but himself as the […]
Daily Focus: Holistic Gospel
September 29, 2021 Scripture: And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. Matthew 4:23 ESV Observation: Having identified himself with God’s children in the ceremony of baptism and having prepared himself for ministry during Spirit-led testing in the desert, […]
Daily Focus: Holistic Self-Care
September 28, 2021 Scripture: But he answered, “It is written, ‘”Man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”‘ Matthew 4:4 ESV Observation: In refuting Satan’s temptation, Jesus quotes a segment from Moses’ exhortation to Israel in preparation for their entrance into the Promise Land. Moses first explains that […]
Daily Focus: Cause and Effect
September 27, 2021 Scripture: “And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God. But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD your God or be careful to do all his commandments and his statutes that I command you today, then all these […]
