Category: Matthew

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New Life

Our granddaughter shared a post yesterday. She is 37 weeks, almost to her due date. We are so excited – she is about to give birth to our second great granddaughter!

I remember those days of being an expectant mother. I wanted everything to be perfect. As I sat here thinking about those days and my emotions, the excitement is fresh in my mind. Wanting the best for them – little outfits to wear, everything perfect in the nursery, what to feed them, and who they would grow up to be.

I’m so blessed by their lives and by the Lord’s faithfulness to them. Thinking on all of this I was reminded of a teaching I did years ago on our spiritual birth and how God planned it all.

Our heavenly Father prepared for our arrival.

Read the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3 – you must be born again. Then look at the question Nicodemus asked Jesus.

“Don’t be surprised that I told you, ‘You must be born again.’…9 Nicodemus asked, “How is all this possible?” …16 Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world. He did not send him to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him.” John 3:7-17 ERV

From the time of Adam’s sin in the garden, the Father began planning for our arrival with great expectation. He sent His Son to bring spiritual birth to all of those on the earth.

He planned what we would wear.

“You have taken off those old clothes—the person you once were and the bad things you did then. 10 Now you are wearing a new life, a life that is new every day. You are growing in your understanding of the one who made you. You are becoming more and more like him. ” Colossians 3:9-10 ERV

“Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s clever tricks.” Ephesians 6:11 ERV

He also planned what we should eat and drink.

“Then Jesus said, ‘I am the bread that gives life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry. No one who believes in me will ever be thirsty.'” John 6:35 ERV

“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. 14 But anyone who drinks the water I give will never be thirsty again. The water I give people will be like a spring flowing inside them. It will bring them eternal life.’” John 4:13-14 ERV

And then He planned for all of life’s other necessities as well.

“Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 That’s what those people who don’t know God are always thinking about. Don’t worry, because your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. 33 What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need.” Matthew 6:31-33 ERV

The Father has meticulously planned for our every need. His plan is perfect. Our responsibility is to trust Him and make relationship with Him our top priority.

He has given us new life!

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Making Good Ground

I frequently refer to the parable that Jesus told about a farmer who went out to sow seed. Jesus, himself, said that if we don’t understand this parable we won’t be able to really understand any of the parables.

The sower sowed the seed on all kinds of ground. He didn’t just see the good soil and sow there but instead seed went on the hard ground, the rocky soil, the soil with weeds and thorns and also the good soil. Every kind of ground had the opportunity to be planted.

“A farmer went out to sow seed. 4 While he was scattering the seed, some of it fell by the road. The birds came and ate all that seed. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where there was not enough dirt. It grew very fast there, because the soil was not deep. 6 But when the sun rose, it burned the plants. The plants died because they did not have deep roots. 7 Some other seed fell among thorny weeds. The weeds grew and stopped the good plants from growing. 8 But some of the seed fell on good ground. There it grew and made grain. Some plants made 100 times more grain, some 60 times more, and some 30 times more. 9 You people who hear me, listen!” Matthew 13:3-8 ERV

The same is true for us – the seed is the Word of God as Jesus said and the Word is available to all. We are the soil and it’s our responsibility to determine what kind of soil we will be. Frankly, I still have some thorns and weeds in my soil but am working daily to see that they are removed so the seed can grow and bring in a healthy harvest.

In the Old Testament we are given this admonition. “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12

It’s our job to break up the hard ground in our lives – we’re to pitch out the rocks and pull up the weeds so the seed has healthy soil to grow in.

Let God’s love soften the hard spots. Make good ground and watch the seed of God’s word produce a bountiful harvest.

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Light the World

Before we downsized and moved into our tiny home I had a collection of oil lamps. They weren’t just for decoration, I used them when the power went out. It was important to keep the chimney glass clean. If not, the light would be dimmed by the buildup of soot and their usefulness was diminished.

Soap and warm water cleaned them right up. The cleaning took patience. The old glass was delicate and could be easily broken. Once cleaned, they needed to be dried, so the glass wasn’t spotty, it needed to sparkle.

Isn’t that the way it is for us.

“ People don’t hide a lamp under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand. Then the light shines for everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:15-17 ERV

We are to be a light for the world, letting God’s love shine through us. But sometimes we aren’t as bright as we should be. Sometimes our chimney is dusty from lack of use, sometimes its coated with soot; regardless of the issue, we need a good cleaning.

“…just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.  27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.” Ephesians 5:25-27 NLT

We all need to be washed by God’s word, our wicks trimmed, removing those things that keep us from burning correctly (by anger, jealousy, personal offence) and then made spot free so that we shine brightly with His love.

If necessary, spend some time being washed by God’s word and then go out and shine brightly so the world will see the Father’s love.

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God’s Gratitude

This image popped up this morning and it seemed important enough to share.

Years ago, I made a transaction at our local bank. As part of my normal custom, I reviewed the receipt once I got in the truck. This day the receipt made me laugh but it also struck a chord in my heart.

“Thank you, Jesus”.

Of course, you probably understand that my teller was a young man named “Jesus”. But it made me wonder, what had I done that day that would make JESUS say thank you to me.

“Wonderful!” his master replied. “You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!” Matthew 25:21 CEV

We’ve been left in charge of little things in God’s kingdom. Our sphere of influence is relatively small. Friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Spread out from there to the tellers at the bank, the clerks in the grocery store, the people at the service station and that is pretty much the sum and substance of our world.

But still, we have been left in charge of it. We have been commanded to go “into all the world”, our world, and preach the good news of God’s love and the sacrifice of Jesus.

“But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 CEV

We’ve been put in charge of loving God and loving people. This is our daily task. It’s our priority. We are ambassadors of God’s kingdom.

“What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace. 20 We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to make peace with God. 21 Christ never sinned! But God treated him as a sinner, so Christ could make us acceptable to God.” II Corinthians 5:19-21 CEV

There was one other message on that receipt that struck home with me. “Enjoy the convenience of scheduling appointments online”.

There we have it. Wherever we are, whenever we need it, we can schedule an appointment with our Father, the Creator of the universe, and He will meet with us. He desires to meet us in our place of need, and we will hear Him say, “well done”.

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Complete Peace

Yesterday a part of our praise was given to this song. It’s one of my very favorites. It has ministered to my heart since the first time I heard it. I fell asleep last night and woke this morning with my heart flooded with this song. It’s for you, each and every one of you.

I SPEAK JESUS

I just want to speak the name of Jesus
Over every heart and every mind
Cause I know there is peace within Your presence
I speak Jesus

I just want to speak the name of Jesus
Till every dark addiction starts to break
Declaring there is hope and there is freedom
I speak Jesus

Cause Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life
Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like a fire

I just want to speak the name of Jesus
Over fear and all anxiety
To every soul held captive by depression
I speak Jesus

Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life
Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like the fire

Shout Jesus from the mountains
Jesus in the streets
Jesus in the darkness over every enemy
Jesus for my family
I speak the holy name
Jesus

Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life
Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like a fire

I just want to speak the name of Jesus
Over every heart and every mind
Cause I know there is peace within Your presence
I speak Jesus

Now, let’s see how this applies to us in our daily lives.

Jesus said: “Come to Me, all of you who work and have heavy loads. I will give you rest. 29 Follow My teachings and learn from Me. I am gentle and do not have pride. You will have rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 NLV

Peter said: “This Jesus is the stone you builders rejected; he has become the cornerstone! 12 Salvation can be found in no one else. Throughout the whole world, no other name has been given among humans through which we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12 CEB

“Peter said, ‘I don’t have any money, but I will give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, rise up and walk!’” Acts 3:6 CEB

Paul said: “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11 CEV

It was in the name of the Lord that Daniel was kept from destruction in the lions’ den. It was His trust in the Father’s protection that allowed Jesus to sleep during a storm that was swamping their boat. It was faith in the name of Jesus that caused the crippled man to walk and blind eyes to open.

It is the power in the name of Jesus that brings forgiveness and salvation to all who believe; peace that bypasses our understanding and rest to the weary.

“I just want to speak the name of Jesus Over every heart and every mind Cause I know there is peace within Your presence I speak Jesus”. Complete Peace!

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Black Tie Affair

Have you ever been to a black-tie banquet? I have but only once. It was quite an elegant evening. Dave in his tux, me in a gown. Very exciting!

That’s the image that came to mind this morning as I was reading in the Psalms.

“God’s Love Means More than Life

1 You are my God. I worship you.
    In my heart, I long for you,
as I would long for a stream
    in a scorching desert.

2 I have seen your power
and your glory
    in the place of worship.
3 Your love means more
than life to me,
    and I praise you.
4 As long as I live,
    I will pray to you.
5 I will sing joyful praises
and be filled with excitement
    like a guest at a banquet.

6 I think about you, God,
    before I go to sleep,
and my thoughts turn to you
    during the night.
7 You have helped me,
and I sing happy songs
    in the shadow of your wings.
8 I stay close to you,
and your powerful arm
    supports me.” Psalm 63:1-8 CEV

” filled with excitement  like a guest at a banquet.” I remember the anticipation of going to such a prestigious event. We were greeted at the door and ushered to our table. There was entertainment, delicious food and dancing.

But none of that compares with the joy and excitement of spending time in the Lord’s presence. King David knew what it was like to be honored and he lived an enviable lifestyle but what brought him the most joy was knowing he was loved by God and welcomed by Him.

It doesn’t matter our social, economic, or educational background; each one of us are welcomed at the Lord’s banquet.

“ Once again Jesus used stories to teach the people: 2 The kingdom of heaven is like what happened when a king gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3 The king sent some servants to tell the invited guests to come to the banquet, but the guests refused…8 Then he said to the servants, “It is time for the wedding banquet, and the invited guests don’t deserve to come. 9 Go out to the street corners and tell everyone you meet to come to the banquet.” 10 They went out on the streets and brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike. And the banquet room was filled with guests.” Matthew 22:1-10 CEV

We are part of the everyone who has been invited in. Not only does the Father invite us but He clothes us as well.

“The Lord makes me very happy. I am completely happy with my God. He dressed me in the clothes of salvation. He put the victory coat on me. I look like a man dressed for his wedding, like a bride covered with jewels.” Isaiah 61:10 ERV

Join me at the banquet. The table is set, all is in order. Our attire is custom made; we’ve been invited to the Father’s black-tie affair.

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Just One Thing

The other day someone said to me, “You are so good at multi-tasking, I wish I were more like you”. Those words stopped me in my tracks. For years I was wife and mother, home-school teacher, homemaker, ministry administrator and Bible Study teacher.

I would make breakfast, get the kids ready for school, draw up a teaching lesson, design fliers, put in a load or two of laundry, get dinner in the crock pot and all of this was before lunch.

Multi-tasking became a swear word to me. I wanted to find my “one thing”.

Jesus told Martha that she got too busy with the things of “life” that she forgot too truly live. One thing is needful Jesus told her; her sister Mary had found it in listening to Jesus words instead of being busy with all the responsibilities of running a home.

“The Lord answered, ‘Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things, 42 but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:41-42 CEV

The Apostle Paul said he found that “one thing”.

“I don’t mean that I am exactly what God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal. But I continue trying to reach it and make it mine. That’s what Christ Jesus wants me to do. It is the reason he made me his. 13 Brothers and sisters, I know that I still have a long way to go. But there is one thing I do: I forget what is in the past and try as hard as I can to reach the goal before me. 14 I keep running hard toward the finish line to get the prize that is mine because God has called me through Christ Jesus to life up there in heaven.” Philippians 3:12-14 ERV

King David found that “one thing”.

“Even if an army surrounds me, I will not be afraid. Even if people attack me in war, I will trust in the Lord. 4 I ask only one thing from the LORD. This is what I want most: Let me live in the LORD’S house all my life, enjoying the LORD’S beauty and spending time in his palace. 5 He will protect me when I am in danger. He will hide me in his tent. He will take me up to his place of safety.” Psalm 37:3-5

Finding our “one thing” is what gives our life meaning and purpose and we will truly be blessed.

“What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need.” Matthew 6:33 ERV

Father, thank You for being our one thing. We rest and trust in You. You deserve to be our primary focus. You are the One who gives us everything we need and more. AMEN!

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Tiny Things Matter

This past weekend our oldest daughter and I flew to San Jose for a baby shower. Our oldest granddaughter is expecting her second child, another girl, who will be born in September.

On Saturday evening we sat in the living room separating baby clothes that had been stored away after her first daughter outgrew them. The clothes need to be freshened before the new baby arrives. We separated them into newborn, 0-3 months, and 3-6 months.

Tiny babies, tiny dreams, tiny faith all grow.

This morning, I was thanking the Lord for the way He had directed the small details for our flight home (that’s another story) and for all the little things He had led me through at work.

The other day I asked you, what do we bring to God that is too big for Him. The answer is nothing. But we get that same answer when we ask, what is too small to bring to our heavenly Father. Nothing!

Our God created everything we see and the things we can’t – atoms, neutrons, protons and even smaller. He is the God of details. The tiniest of things don’t escape His notice. He sees it all.

Jesus own disciples overlooked the small things. They felt Jesus was too important to be bothered with them.

“Late in the afternoon the twelve apostles came to Jesus and said, ‘Send the crowd to the villages and farms around here. They need to find a place to stay and something to eat. There is nothing in this place. It’s like a desert!’

13 Jesus answered, ‘You give them something to eat.’

But they replied, ‘We have only five small loaves of bread and two fish. If we are going to feed all these people, we will have to go and buy food.’” Luke 9:12-14 CEV

Just a little boy’s lunch. What good is that among so many? But God is in the details of multiplication.

He’s also concerned about people who are often overlooked.

“Be careful. Don’t think these little children are not important. I tell you that these children have angels in heaven. And those angels are always with my Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:10 ERV

Little children aren’t overlooked by the Father.

I’ve counselled different ones who were looking for their place in “ministry” to start in a children’s Sunday School class. Our Father has a heart for children, all children. They are a blessing from the Lord and their faith isn’t jaded, it’s innocent. Their hearts are good ground to plant the seeds of God’s word.

Jesus had just given his disciples a teaching on seed being planted in the ground. He said if it was planted in good soil, it would grow and produce a harvest. Even if we don’t know a lot of Scripture, if we just have SMALL mustard seed knowledge it will grow and produce a great harvest.

“Jesus told them another story: The kingdom of heaven is like what happens when a farmer plants a mustard seed in a field. 32 Although it is the smallest of all seeds, it grows larger than any garden plant and becomes a tree. Birds even come and nest on its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32 CEV

From the tiniest of seeds, our faith will grow and our Father will be honored. Give God the tiny things in your life, they do matter!

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Crazy Stuff

This morning when I opened my computer, I had a notice from “Meta”. I think it was spam and reported it but just in case it isn’t, I would like to ask if you enjoy reading this blog every morning and are blessed by it that you go directly to the website www.arizonakristi.com and go to the blog page and subscribe for the daily emails.

I will continue posting on Facebook for as long as I can but I will not change the message of God’s goodness, grace, forgiveness and unconditional love. He forgives, He loves and He saves! This is the good news the world needs to hear.

“Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.” Matthew 28:19-20 CEV

This is my world. You are my world. God has called me to teach and this is the platform I have. I will use it as long as I am able and without apology.

“ How can people have faith in the Lord and ask him to save them, if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear, unless someone tells them? 15  And how can anyone tell them without being sent by the Lord? The Scriptures say it is a beautiful sight to see even the feet of someone coming to preach the good news. 16  Yet not everyone has believed the message. For example, the prophet Isaiah asked, “Lord, has anyone believed what we said?”

17 No one can have faith without hearing the message about Christ.” Romans 10:14-17 CEV

My goal each day is to build faith in the life of every reader.

God’s goodness cannot be stopped and it cannot be contained. He offers it freely to all, to everyone who will believe.

“ God doesn’t take back the gifts he has given or disown the people he has chosen.” Romans 11:29 CEV

“They replied, ‘Have faith in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved!’ This is also true for everyone who lives in your home.” Acts 16:31 CEV

“ no matter if that person is a Jew or a Gentile. There is only one Lord, and he is generous to everyone who asks for his help. 13  All who call out to the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:12-13 CEV

One of the most famous verses in the Bible is John 3:16

“God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.” John 3:16 CEV

Our heavenly Father is an all inclusive God. He always has been, and always will be. Whoever, anyone, who comes to Him and believes in Him and what He provides for us will be saved.

“ I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering. 12 You will turn back to me and ask for help, and I will answer your prayers. 13  You will worship me with all your heart, and I will be with you” Jeremiah 29:11-13 CEV

In this crazy world the love of God must continue to be preached. I will “go to the world” and you are the world I have been sent to.

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The Glad Game

How many of you remember who this young actress is portraying? If you said Pollyanna, you’re right. If you have no idea, you should look up her name and the Disney movie that was made with the same title.

Pollyanna was a little girl who weathered some very trying, life-changing, challenges but never lost her joy. Oh, people tried hard to discourage her and tell her she was wrong for always being so optimistic, but she wouldn’t allow them to stifle her enthusiasm.

Watching that movie, I wanted to be like her. Little did I realize at the time, but she was a living example of what happens in our lives when we trust, completely, in God’s love and kindness.

Pollyanna invented the “Glad Game”. She insisted that the people around her always look for something to be glad about instead of the adverse. I like her style and so would have the Apostle Paul.

“Always be filled with joy in the Lord. I will say it again. Be filled with joy. 5 Let everyone see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have.” Philippians 4:4-6 CEV

The qualifiers in this verse are obvious: always, everyone, anything, everything. Those words leave nothing out. Filled with joy, don’t worry, give thanks.

It reminds me of what Jesus said.

“So I tell you, don’t worry about the things you need to live—what you will eat, drink, or wear. Life is more important than food, and the body is more important than what you put on it. 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Don’t you know you are worth much more than they are? 27 You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it.” Matthew 6:25-27 ERV

Worry doesn’t change our circumstances. Faith in God does.

“ Do everything without complaining or arguing 15 so that you will be blameless and pure, children of God without any fault. But you are living with evil people all around you, who have lost their sense of what is right. Among those people you shine like lights in a dark world,” Philippians 2:14-15 ERV

We need to look at our struggles as opportunities for refinement. Gold is purified and refined when it is heated. That’s the difference between 10k and 24k, the purity that only comes through fire. It’s important to remember that the gold isn’t destroyed, it only increases in value. It’s the impurities that are burned off.

My dear friend, I need you to remember this always.

“So what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can stand against us. And God is with us. 32 He even let his own Son suffer for us. God gave his Son for all of us. So now with Jesus, God will surely give us all things.” Romans 8:31-32 ERV

God is definitely for us. He’s on our side. Why else would He have sent Jesus to suffer and die? The reason is He loves us and wants to fill our lives with the richness of His goodness.

Other than Jesus, I think the Apostle Paul faced more hardship and struggle than any other Christian.
“ We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day. 17 These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing. 18 Things that are seen don’t last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. This is why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen.” II Corinthians 4:16-18 CEV

Next time struggle or adversity comes stop – before we engage in complaining or worrying let’s look to the unseen and remember that God is on our side.

Now, that’s something to be glad about!

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