Day 14 - Matthew 6

New Century Version

What Happens Here:

• give in secret
• pray in secret (prayers with meaning, not just words)
• don't worship to get attention from people
• God > money
• don't worry, God provides

Reflection:

     God doesn't want us to give, pray, and worship to get recognition from other people. It doesn't glorify God to do things to impress people. Instead we should do things like this in private, just for God. That way we are not like the hypocrites. 

     Don't put money before God. Put God first and he will provide the money and items you need. But if you live for money you cannot also serve God, so don't be surprised if he's not providing for you. 

Highlight:

     Is God your first priority? If he is then you shouldn't be worried about the things you need, the money you need to make, or the people you want to please/impress.

Day 13 -- Mathew 5

New Century Version

What happens here:

• The beatitudes
• you are like salt and light
• the law is still important
• Jesus teaches about anger
• Jesus teaches about sexual sins
• Jesus teaches about divorce
• Make promises carefully
• Don't fight back
• Love everyone

Reflections:

      The beatitudes show who finds favor in God. Good news, if the worlds is beating you up. God is on your side. Its better with God to be on the bottom on Earth. 

      We are living testimonies for the God we serve. Jesus says we should be like salt and light. Where ever we go, out actions should show God's way. 

Highlight:

      What part of the beatitudes (verses 3-10) speaks out to you? Chances are, as a Christian you fit into at least one category, because the world is cruel to those who hunger after God. But Jesus says that we should rejoice when the world hurts us for following him because God will rewards us for it when we get to Heaven. A little suffering here is worth it for eternal reward. 

Day 12 -- Luke 10

New Century Version

What Happened Here:

• Jesus sends out the 72 to go harvest souls in different towns.
• Jesus wards unbelievers about how terrible it will be
• The 72 can command Satan
• Jesus prays
• the good Samaritan
• Mary and Martha

Reflection:

     Jesus commands us to share the word of God. All the lost people of the world are our responsibility to reach. Jesus doesn't mince words about what will become of those who don't believe. He says that those who even reject us are also rejecting him. 

     Jesus explains what he means by "love your neighbor as yourself" with the parable of the good Samaritan. It doesn't matter what or how a person is different from you, we are still called to love them. That includes peoples you hate or consider to be inferior. All people should be loved as you love yourself. this is half of how Jesus says to achieve eternal life. 

Highlight:

     Don't become busy with work like Martha did if it gets between you and God. Of course it is important to get things done. But don't let it take priority in your life. 

Day 11 -- Mark 8

New Century Version

What Happens Here:

• More than 4,000 people are fed with 7 loaves of bread and a few fish
• Jesus denies the pharisees a miracle
• Jesus warms against wrong teachings and tries to get his followers to understand
• Jesus heals a blind man
• Peter says Jesus is the Christ
• God will be ashamed of those who are ashamed of him. 

Reflection:

      Even though Jesus's followers JUST witnessed him feed THOUSANDS of people with just a few fish and a small number of bread loaves, with plenty to spare, they doubt and worry that they will have enough food to eat. Jesus is like, HELLO, where you even paying attention?? But we tend to be the same way. Time and time again we see and experience miracles, mercy, providence, and strength in our own lives, and yet we still doubt and worry that God has it under control. But he does! We just need to understand and have faith!

Highlight:

      Our relationship with God is like Jesus healing the blind man. He doesn't work slowly with us because he is stumped our because we are too difficult for him. When we draw closer to God he shows us greater depths of himself, but he only reveals more of himself to those who continue to draw near to his touch. 

Day 10 -- Luke 8

New Century Version

What Happens Here:

• Jesus casts out demons
• many women serve Jesus
• parable of the seed and types of believers
• use what you have or you will lose it
• those who listen and obey God's teachings are Jesus's family
• Jesus calms the storm
• Jesus calms the storm
• Jesus drives many demons out of a man and into a herd of pigs
• Jesus heals a woman that was bleeding for 12 years
• Jesus heals a dead girl

Reflection:

      Just a thought, Have you ever noticed how Jesus would tell some people to tell others about their healings, and other he would tell to keep quiet? Why do you think this is?

Highlight:

       How deep are you roots? are you going to grow strong in the Lord or die out?

Day 9 - Luke 7

New Century Version

Darby Translation

New International Version

What Happens Here:

• Jesus heals a soldier's servent
• Jesus brings a man back to life
• John asks a question about Jesus being the Messiah
• A woman washes Jesus's feet with her tears, hair, and expensive perfume .... people get angry because they don't understand

Reflection:

       John the baptist was in prison and wanted to know if Jesus really was the Messiah. John probably should have known considering he jumped for joy in his mother's womb when Mary came to visits, but he had been hearing conflicting stories. We all have doubts, and that's ok! Jesus will patiently remind us of the truths to erase our doubts. 

The Essence:

        You can talk to Jesus about anything. He already knows your heart inside and out. He loves you and can answer any questions that you have. Just like John did, come with him with your doubts and questions. 

Day 8 - Luke 6

New Century Version

Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Amplified Bible

What Happens Here:

• Jesus is Lord over the Sabbath
• Jesus heals a man's hand on the Sabbath and the Pharisees start to plan how to get rid of Jesus 
• Jesus chooses his Apostles: Simon (whom Jesus named Peter), Andrew (brother of Simon Peter), James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Mathew, Thomas, James, Simon (the Zealot), Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot (who later turns Jesus in)
• Jesus teaches and heals (those who will be blessed and those who it will be terrible for)
• Love your enemies
• Don't judge others, and look at yourselves
• Two kinds of fruit, good fruit and bad fruit
• Two kinds of people, those on a good foundation, and those on a poor foundation.

Reflection:

     Luke 6 is a gold mine, so much important stuff jammed into one chapter. So I will only look at a few for now. 

      In verses 17-26 Jesus talks about how when we go through hard times here on Earth, we will be blessed when we get to Heaven, but for those who have an easy life here on Earth aren't going to have such an easy time after they die. And woe to those who insult God's children. God is good, and he is the best judge. There will be justice. 

       Jesus also talks about the importance of not judging others. Its just not our place. If you want to be judgmental, look at you're own failures and work on those. 

        I would also like to point out the bit about fruit. If you want to know what kind of a Christian you are, look at the fruit you bear. Are you bearing good fruit, or sour fruit?

The Essence:

        Even this early in Jesus's mission the Pharisees start to plan how to get rid of him because of the good things he does. beware of the world, for it will seek to destroy you the more Christlike that you become. Stay strong in the Lord because he will bless you for doing his work.