“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before … More Sheep in the midst of wolves
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38 ESV) J.C. Ryle has this admonition for us today: If we know anything of prayer, let us make it a point … More Our first duty is to pray!
Matthew 9:14-15 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they … More The Lamb’s Wife … the Bride of Jesus
As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. J.C. Ryle comments on Matthew 9:9 He can take a tax collector, and make him an apostle. He can change any heart, and make … More Ryle: He can change any heart, and make all things new.
And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. (Matthew 8:25-26 ESV, part of our read-through-the-Bible plan for today) J. C. … More Ryle: The prayer even of “little faith” is heard
A few comments on Matthew 8:18-20 “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go”: After witnessing the miracles of Jesus, many folks thought following Him might be more “glamorous” than it really was. I imagine that Jesus may have received many spontaneous offers like this. We, too, tend to buy in to the prosperity gospel … More Prosperity Gospel?
Today we read Matthew 7:1-14. Here is encouragement from John Piper, in the introduction to a sermon “Ask Your Father in Heaven” on Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. When you pause to consider that God is infinitely strong … More Pause to consider the incredible privilege of prayer
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew 6:24 J.C. Ryle with a challenge: Singleness of purpose is one great secret of spiritual prosperity. If our eyes … More Two masters?
Do Not Be Anxious Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, ……. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. J.C. Ryle with some words of encouragement: He offers us a gracious promise, as a remedy against an anxious spirit. … More J.C. Ryle: Do Not Be Anxious, BUT….
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Pastor John Piper’s … More Lord’s Prayer: more deliverance, more healing, more joy
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 