Matthew 16
Jesus begins to warn His disciples of His impending fate of the cross at the hands of the Jewish elders. Peter, influenced by evil desires, does not want this to happen and challenges Jesus on this. Jesus then explains that followers of Jesus must deny themselves and instead serve the desires of Him and glorify Him. He then tells His disciples that they will be held accountable for their life on earth - in terms of their focus on His desires and their sacrifice to fulfill His desires.
We must focus on the eternal and how what God has given us (resources, time, spiritual gifts) can be used to glorify Him.
Also in this today's reading is a message about how to deal with difficult circumstances - Peter did not want to deal with difficult circumstances. None of us want bad things to happen but they do - we may not like it but we must not only accept such circumstances but see how God is at work as He always is and for our good and His glory. We must remember that we don't exist to serve our own pleasure.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has done EVERYTHING for me so that I could have life to the full - freedom from the sting of sin and death. Thank You Jesus! I am not worth such love. I worry, I am quick to anger, etc. among my many sin. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. v27
Jesus begins to warn His disciples of His impending fate of the cross at the hands of the Jewish elders. Peter, influenced by evil desires, does not want this to happen and challenges Jesus on this. Jesus then explains that followers of Jesus must deny themselves and instead serve the desires of Him and glorify Him. He then tells His disciples that they will be held accountable for their life on earth - in terms of their focus on His desires and their sacrifice to fulfill His desires.
We must focus on the eternal and how what God has given us (resources, time, spiritual gifts) can be used to glorify Him.
Also in this today's reading is a message about how to deal with difficult circumstances - Peter did not want to deal with difficult circumstances. None of us want bad things to happen but they do - we may not like it but we must not only accept such circumstances but see how God is at work as He always is and for our good and His glory. We must remember that we don't exist to serve our own pleasure.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has done EVERYTHING for me so that I could have life to the full - freedom from the sting of sin and death. Thank You Jesus! I am not worth such love. I worry, I am quick to anger, etc. among my many sin. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
