He Was Moved with Compassion

When Jesus heard about the death of John the Baptist, He took a ship into a desert place to be alone, but it was not to be. The people followed Him on foot and this was no small crowd. There were 5,000 men besides women and children. Jesus didn't run away and hide. He was moved with compassion. He saw their needs and He desired to fulfill those needs. He healed the sick and later fed them all by a miracle.

 
 

I am amazed by Jesus' compassion. He was so unselfish. He focused on the needs of others and not of Himself. He didn't tell them to go away because He was grieving for John. He selflessly gave of Himself to help them, and that is the story of His life. In the final moment of His life, He committed the ultimate sacrifice: God Himself dying to save us from eternal destruction.

 
 

How is my life being like Jesus? Am I willing to give of myself like Jesus did? Am I too busy to stop and help the stranded motorist? Am I willing to stop and buy the hungry beggar a sandwich? Do I share the Gospel with the discouraged person I meet? Do I take the time and effort to encourage my brother or sister in the church who's had a rough time? Am I really living a sacrificial life? Or, am I so absorbed in myself and my own troubles that I don't even notice the needs of others. Do I live so selfishly that there's no money left to give to those in need? Lord, help me to have the compassion that You have. Help me not to look down on sinners and needy people in my life. Help me to realize that it is only by your grace that I am not in that situation myself. Help me to be thankful for all that You have given to me and be willing to share with as many people as possible.

Three Mysterious Influences in the Home

http://www.charityministries.org/audio/GH09B.mp3

A Murder Because of Peer Pressure

The beginning of Matthew 14 describes a scene of sin and debauchery. It all started when Herod took his brother's wife. John the Baptist warned Herod that this was wrong. So, Herod put him in prison. It seems that he would have killed John, but he feared the people. They respected him as a prophet sent from God. So, John languished in Prison for a year and a half. Then it was Herod's birthday. During the celebration his daughter danced for them and Herod was so pleased by it that he promised to give her whatever she wanted. She want and asked her mother what she should ask for. Her mother told her to ask for the head of John the Baptist. Herod honored her wish because he had made an oath to her and because of all the people sitting nearby.

 
 

What a weak king. He gave in to his daughter's / wife's evil wish because of peer pressure. First of all, he should never have made such a rash promise, but even more so, he should never have honored such a sinister request. But, before we are to o hard on Herod, let's look at our own lives. How often have we given in to sinful pleasures because we were with our friends. How often have we been silent when we should have reproved those we were with because of their actions. How often have we failed to witness to someone who needed it because we were afraid of what other people would think. Let's boldly stand for Christ no matter what other people think so that we never get to the point that we would commit a murder for peer pressure.

The Kingdom Parables

In Matthew 13:24, Jesus begins the first of a number of short parables about the kingdom of heaven. Reading these challenged me to consider what I am doing with my life. I can be producing fruit for God and be the wheat that he wants me to be, or I can be a worthless tare, living for my own selfish pleasure. I can sow to the devil and reap eternal punishment, or I can sow for God and reap everlasting life. I can be a part of an unseen, yet all-powerful kingdom: the kingdom of God. I can sell my entire life out for God and get in return that priceless pearl, or I can serve Satan and he will take my entire life and ruin it. Where will I be in that great judgment day when all the fish are taken from the net and sorted. Will my life be found worthy of God's approval?

 
 

Lord, help me to remember the importance of serving You through my entire life. Give me strength to serve You unconditionally. Help me not to be distracted by the cares of this world. Help me remember the eternal reward we will receive for a life of service to You. Help me not to lose sight of that. I pray that You would give me the strength to remain faithful to You until You call me home to heaven.

The Parable of the Sower

In Matthew 13, Jesus tells a story about a man who went out to plant seed in his field. In the custom of that time, he would fling the seed around over the field, but not all of it fell on the nice fertile ground. Some seed fell on the pathway along the edge of the field. The birds immediately ate this seed. Other seed fell on stony ground and it began to grow, but it didn't last long because it didn't have any depth of ground to grow in. Still other seed fell among thorns, but the thorns choked the life out of the good seed. Best of all, some seed fell on good ground and it grew and produced fruit, some more and some less.

 
 

This story challenged me to examine my life. What kind of ground is my life. Am I the wayside that is so hardened to truth that it never really penetrates my life? I have gone to church all my life. I have gone to a Christian school. I have Christian parents. Have I heard so much Bible teaching that I've become hardened to it? Or, am I like the stony ground? I get excited when I learn new Bible truths or hear of some new opportunity to serve God, but does by zeal last? Sometimes I feel like the thorny ground. I hear God's Word, but I am so busy with work and life in general that the Word gets choked out. Maybe I'm distracted during church by thinking about my plans for the coming week, or I read my Bible and my mind isn't really on what I'm reading. Lord, help me to be like the good ground. Help me to hear your Word with gladness and respond by bringing forth fruit for You. Help me not to let Your Word get choked out by the cares of this life. Help me to open to whatever You have for my life.

A Quiet, Ordered Life

http://www.charityministries.org/audio/GH09A.mp3

Train Up a Child

http://www.charityministries.org/audio/GH08B.mp3