Casting Out the Moneychangers

Just after Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, He goes into the temple and he cleanses it of those who were doing business there. He said, "My house shall be called a house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves." This was a challenge to me to remember to keep my priorities right. Do I allow my work to infringe on my spiritual life? Does my busy schedule crowd out my time with God? Perfectly legitimate things can become wrong if they are allowed to take the place of worship.

 
 

Lord, help me to keep my priorities right. Help me to remember what is truly important in this life. Help me not to let the things in life that are urgent get in the way of things that are important. Help me to have an eternal focus. Help me to see what will be important when I come to the end of my life. Help me not to get overly attached to the things of this world. Help me not to get bogged down in the mundane, but keep my eyes fixed on the eternal.

Hosanna to the Son of David

In Matthew 21, we have the account of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He was riding on a borrowed colt. There was not royal pomp, but there was the praise of those that loved Him. That's what Jesus is looking for today. He doesn't need expensive churches or ornate shrines or huge donations. What He really wants is praise from the heart and sincere service. It doesn't matter as much the amount we give as the spirit in which is was given. Jesus praised the widow who gave two mites more than the Pharisees who gave much. It is still the same today. Jesus is looking at our heart. Because men cannot see the heart, they look at what people do. Let's no judge or be judged by outward appearance. Let's remember what is truly important and serve God from the heart.

Fighting Battles for the Next Generation

http://www.charityministries.org/audio/GH12B.mp3

Two Blind Men

The Bible only spends a few verses talking about these blind men. Yet, there are some very valuable lessons that we can learn from them. Jesus was leaving Jericho among a large crowd of people when He passed two blind men. As He passed, they cried out to Him, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David." The people with Jesus rebuked them, but they would not be silent. They continued crying out for Jesus to help them. Jesus, the ever compassionate One, stopped and asked them what He could do for them and they requested their site. He healed them by touching their eyes and giving them site.

 
 

We, too, are like these blind men. We have many needs that only Jesus can solve. We must also cry out to Jesus for help. He is the only One who can help us with our deepest needs. Yet, He wants us to ask Him. He won't just fill all our needs unless we ask. He wants us to ask persistently. There may be people who will rebuke us like they did these blind men. They may tell us that we can only get ahead on our own. They may tell us that we need to be self motivated. We need to make our own way in the world, but the true Christian realizes that only way to true success is through true humility and a reliance on God. Lord, help me to realize that only You can help me with the most important things in life. Help me to realize that on my own, I cannot make it. Help me to cry out to you persistently and then be willing to follow Your directives.

Where Are the Men

http://www.charityministries.org/audio/GH12A.mp3

The Rich Young Ruler

This morning I read the passage about the rich young ruler. This man has been an increasing challenge to me recently. This man was wealthy. He was morally upright. He had kept the law since he was a child. All this seems to describe me. I have been abundantly blessed with material goods. I have been taught the Bible since I was a child. I have gone to a Christian church for as long as I can remember. How am I like this young man? Am I too attached to the things in this world. Is Christ asking me to give up some of these "things" and give to the poor? What kind of living standard does God expect of His people here on this earth? He has blessed us with so much. Yet, there are so many people in this world with so little. Is it good enough to live on a similar standard to those around us, or is God calling us to make more sacrifices than that? How many creature comforts can we have here on earth and still long for heaven? Does God just want us to tithe and live the rest of our lives for ourselves? How much time can we devote to our jobs, and how much time is God calling us to give for work in His kingdom? How can I make my work at my job glorify Him? Everything we do should be for His glory? These are questions that I ponder from time to time. I pray that the answers to these questions would draw me closer to Him.

Jesus Blesses the Children

Some people brought their children to Jesus so that He could put His hands on them and bless them, but the disciples rebuked them. Maybe they thought that Jesus was too busy. Maybe they thought that children were unimportant. Whatever the reason, they didn't think Jesus would want to take the time to bless these little children. Jesus had a different idea. He told them to let the children come to Him. For of such is the kingdom of heaven.

 
 

Several things stand out to me in these verses:

1. Jesus' care for children. Jesus realized the importance of training children properly and being sure to influence them in the right way.
   
2. Jesus had no respect of persons. The children were just as important to him as the Roman centurion.
   
3. Of such is the kingdom of heaven. Jesus realized that these children were the future of His earthly kingdom. It was these little children who would someday make up his church. Besides that, the church is made up of people with childlike spirits
   

    
    

   Lord, help me to be willing to take time for children. Help me not to look down on the young, the feeble and the weak. Help me to have a childlike trust and willingness to serve You with my whole heart.