Tag Archives: the book of Matthew

July 22
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“You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV)

Jesus says that you and I are the light of the world. This is not aspirational, as in a state to which you and I should aspire.  It is a fact.

We may, through disobedience, dim our light’s brightness, but we have no say in where we are placed.  That is God’s prerogative.  He may place us in unusual and challenging places.  Places where, were it our choice, we would never go.

It should cheer us to know that God has entrusted the illumination of the world to us.  By our good deeds God is glorified.

Do good and shine wherever you are today.  God has not made us the light to hide us under a bowl.  He has made us light to illuminate the world.  – Luther

REMINDER: Daily Encouragement will be on break tomorrow (Sunday).  Have a great day in worship.  Lord willing, see you again on Monday!

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March 2
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“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.”  (Matthew 7:21, NLT)

When valued against actions, talk is cheap.

Jesus says that it is not just our confession, but it is through our obedience to God’s law that we realize the rule of God.  Furthermore, as we see in the two verses that follow (verses 23 and 24), it is not our successes that impress our heavenly Father; it is our faithfulness.

How different is that from what we see daily: Where good words are often divorced from good deeds?  Give God the lead today — and faithfully follow!  – Luther

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February 28
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“’Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.'”  (Matthew 13:45-46, NIV)

Tonight, the President of the United States stands before both houses of the Congress and gives a required annual account of the State of the Union.  It is a reminder to every U. S. citizen that we live in a nation with vast resources and responsibilities.

The scriptures tell us of another sovereign entity: The Kingdom of God (also called the Kingdom of Heaven).  The state of God’s kingdom is eternally bright and stable because God is both its light and its foundation.  More people than are able may desire to become citizens of the leading nations of this world; but everyone looking for a better, brighter, eternally secure place are welcome in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus described this kingdom as the prize discovered in a field that inspires its finder to sell all that he has to get the money to buy the field so that he might possess the prize for all time.  And, as we see in today’s scripture reading: The pearl merchant who finds a rare pearl of great value.

Do we esteem our place and possessions in this world of greater value than the Kingdom of Heaven?   Are we willing to forgo and to discard all of this world’s thoughts and trappings that we might, instead, claim the eternal prize?  – Luther

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