Category: Uncategorized

Matthew 17:15
   This is a strange case. Reading it in Mark also, we can see that this sickness was due to demon possession. However, looking at some of the symptoms it sounds a bit like epilepsy. So, it was possession, but it was a bit different from other instances that Jesus had come across in the past. This has led some to think that it was harder to deal with. For Christ, there is nothing ‘harder’ or ‘easier’ about it. As he indicates later, those living a life of faith will find the Father able to answer prayers for even such strange cases.

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 37:1-40:16

Scripture Memory: 1 John 4:16 “And we have know and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for this new day to serve You! You are always there for us, telling us the Truth. You do not stop being faithful. You never fail to be good. You are the same, all the time. It is so wonderful to have Your strength to depend on. Thank You! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a little boy that is sick. Pray for a man who is sick. Pray for a woman with cancer.

Journal Entry #13336

Matthew 17:14
   Faith is an interesting thing. It grows in us quite differently at times. Thus, genuine faith is harder to come by and is worth its weight in gold. This man, who was one of the multitude, it seems had already seen Jesus do other miracles. Thus, he was working himself up to the point of actually asking about healing the boy. The context of this story in Mark 9 offers more clues. It gives us the idea, between the two accounts, that this man’s faith was growing, though slowly.

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 33:1-36:32

Scripture Memory: 1 John 4:15 “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for working in us. You know how faithless we can be, and yet You work to produce it in us. You are merciful and gracious, and it is of Your mercy that we have anything. Father, never let us forget how gracious You are to us. You have done so much, what we will do for You? You deserve all of our praise! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a young boy who is sick. Pray for two men with cancer.

Journal Entry #13335

Matthew 17:13
   Let us not forget that the ministry of John was quite successful. He minimized himself to bring more attention to Christ. However, he had quite a following. Many responded to his message of repentance. Many made their intentions to be prepared for the Messiah well known. But, just as the disciples, many had trouble understanding the truth of the relationship between Jesus and John. There was so much going on in that day, what with false prophets and the misleading teachings of the religious elite, that it was difficult for the common man to sort it all out. And that is one of the many reasons that Jesus targeted the common people. They had the best excuse for not understanding, and they had the greatest sense of their own need.

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 31:1-32:44

Scripture Memory: 1 John 4:15 “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give us clarity! Remind us that Your Word is vitally important to our very lives. May we never take it for granted! May we never assume we have become so good on our own that we don’t need reminders of You. May we never forget that You are at work in us at all times. We have not arrived, we are on the way. Oh Father, thank You for Your Truth! It may be difficult for us to swallow, but we cannot say it is hard to find. Thank You for giving us Your Son, Father. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a little boy that is sick. Pray for a woman with a partially detached retina. Pray for a woman’s unspoken request.

Journal Entry #13334

Matthew 17:12
   What does Jesus mean here by saying that they knew him not? Did not many respond to the ministry of John the Baptist? Were not many baptized by him in the Jordan? How is it that Jesus would say he was not known? First, John was not accepted as a prophet by the Jewish leaders. Second, although he was popular, the people at large did not understand exactly who he was. Third, though his baptism was a sign of repentance, and prepared persons for the Messiah, it did not save anyone. This is why John was so careful to point others to Christ. Finally, Jesus compared himself and John. Though Jesus had many followers, like John, he had few true disciples. Few there be that find the narrow way to life.

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 28:1-30:24

Scripture Memory: 1 John 4:15 “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You. Every time I use that word ‘thanks’ I can think of You. Every good gift comes from You ultimately. If I have any good thing in my life, You have brought it about. Family is a blessing form You. Health is a blessing from You. My job is a blessing from You. Church is a blessing from You. It is all You! You are the source for all that is good in my life! Thank You most of all for Jesus! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man who was just saved and is beginning to grow in Christ. Pray for a man with kidney failure. Pray for a man who is in the hospital.

Journal Entry #13333

Matthew 17:11
   The restoration here spoken of is the type for any later revival. The difference in a revival now is that the Holy Spirit’s ministry is in full force. Other than that, John’s restoration was a revival in every sense of the word. Any true revival will involve the reform of the people of God, and thus the changing of sinful ways.
   The purpose of the restoration was to prepare the people for Jesus. Malachi 4:6 explains that this was done so that Jesus would have some kind of positive response from the people. Otherwise, he might judge the world right then.

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 25:1-27:22

Scripture Memory: 1 John 4:15 “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for this day You have given us. You are so good to us. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. They are a great blessing and comfort to our hearts. Your love for us is amazing! Thank You so much! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man with bone cancer. Pray for a woman with cancer. Pray for a woman who needs to find a church home.

Journal Entry #13332

Matthew 17:10
    While, on the one hand, the scribes were right about Elijah, they did not recognize John as they should. John’s teaching was too tough for their taste, and his denouncement of their sins was disturbing to them. They fancied themselves to be agreeable to any prophet of God. They did not expect to be preached to, but praised by, any prophet that might come. So, they did not see him for what he was.
   The disciples too, at this point, did not yet fully understand the ministry of John. We can, however, understand how their question came about. Seeing Elijah here, they wondered why they had not come earlier. There will be some things that we must understand readily, and others that will take us some time. The basic doctrines of the faith must be accepted in order for one to be said to believe and be the child of God. Other things may take us a bit longer to understand. The Lord is willing to explain things to us, if we will be willing to listen.

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 22:1-24:10

Scripture Memory: 1 John 4:14 “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You! You are so worthy of all our thanks and praise today and every day! You do so much for us that we never even think to praise You for. You bless our lives in so many different ways. Thank You for all of Your benefits. Thank You for Your Son! He is the greatest blessing and we are so thankful for him! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man facing an evaluation at his job. Pray for a man who is recovering from a broken leg. Pray for a family that is travelling.

Journal Entry #13331

Matthew 17:9
   Sometimes Jesus’ way of doing things might seem odd to us. However, as God, his thoughts are not our thoughts, and his ways are high above our ways. His purpose in this vision was not, apparently, belief. In other words, he chose three men who already believed in him to go up the mountain with him. He told them not to tell the other disciples, or the multitudes that gathered to hear Jesus preach. Thus, this glorious vision was not meant to cause persons to believe in him. Instead, it was given for those who already had faith in him. Those who have will be given more, and those who have not will lose even what little they have.

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 18:1-21:14

Scripture Memory: 1 John 4:14 “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your plan. Though we don’t always understand Your way, we know it is best. We can see the wisdom in it as it is revealed to us. We recognize Your glory in it. Thank You for giving us Your Truth, and blessing our belief. It is not possible to overestimate Your goodness. You always do the best things. Thank You for Your influence in our lives. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a woman having complications after a surgery. Pray for a man with hip trouble. Pray for a missionary couple.

Journal Entry #13330

Matthew 17:8
   The disciples now saw Jesus just as he always had been before them in times past. One might say there is no great lesson to be found in this verse. However, consider this: Just as the disciples now needed to exercise faith in the Christ of glory, which they had just seen, we must have faith in Christ, who we have not, with our natural eyes, seen at all. Indeed, there may well be a greater lesson to us in this one verse than any in the entire passage. We must remember and believe in the Christ of glory, for he is inside of us who are his.
   This is one of the most difficult but rewarding lessons of the Christian life. The great Almighty God of all the universe is no less present as we go through the mundane tasks of everyday life than he is when we feel we are on the mountaintop with Peter, James, and John. He is always near, and he cares for us all the time.

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 14:1-17:27

Scripture Memory: 1 John 4:14 “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your constant presence in our lives. You are so wise and kind! We know Jesus is Your Son, and yet You have given him to us as our constant Guide. Your Holy Spirit leads us through this life, and the Lord Jesus holds our hand the entire way. How can we praise You enough for this kindness. Thank You for reminding us that You are no less glorious than You have ever been. Christ is all in all. He is the Lord and Savior. And yet, he is here present with us at all times. Praise the Lord! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man with kidney failure. Pray for an elderly woman who has a problem with her foot. Pray for an elderly woman who cannot get out of the house much.

Journal Entry #13329

Matthew 17:7
   This verse is a beautiful picture of Who Christ is to us. Without him, we have nothing but fear before Almighty God. He, as with the prophets of old, is the connection between humanity and the Awesome Creator. He is Job’s daysman, Abraham’s friend, and David’s Lord. He is the One who spoke with Daniel and Ezekiel in a foreign land, and Moses at the burning bush. He is our link with He Who Inhabits Eternity. He is God in all His fullness manifested before us. He is the One who has made a way, by his blood, for us to access the very throne-room of heaven.

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 10:1-13:27

Scripture Memory: 1 John 4:13 “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Christ! We can never thank You enough for Him, and for what he means in our lives. We have hope because of Jesus, and that is something so precious. You have given us the ability through Christ to know You, and that is all the delight of our hearts. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for tow men with cancer. Pray for a woman who needs to quit smoking. Pray for a man who is on dialysis.

Journal Entry #13328

Matthew 17:6
   Not only is this the only appropriate response, but it is also the only possible response. The Father spoke out of heaven on other occasions without persons falling on their faces. For example, at the baptism of Christ. However, this was specifically a revelation of the glory of Christ, and, thus, God himself. So, this falling on their faces was the only possible response. Unlike some earthly potentate, you do not have to be told when or how to bow before the Holy Almighty God. You know when, and you know how. And, when it is time, no one may dare do otherwise.

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 7:1-9:26

Scripture Memory: 1 John 4:13 “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are amazingly wonderful. Your glory is more than we can imagine. You do not need us, we need You. You are the most important person in our lives. The very essence of who we are revolves around You. You are the center of everything. Thank You for making Yourself known to us. You give us so much of Your Truth. Thank You! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a young couple nearing divorce. Pray for a young family experiencing many pressures. Pray for our pastors this morning.

Journal Entry #13327