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Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
psalm 84:10
better is one encounter with God than any riches or relationship in the world.
better is one moment of knowing God than the best fulfillment of ambition or desire.
The LORD is constantly watching everyone, and he gives strength to those who faithfully obey him. 2 Chronicles 16:9
As bad as you are, you still know how to give good gifts to your children. But your heavenly Father is even more ready to give good things to people who ask.
“God is not merely the best version of you that you can think of. God is far more than that, above and beyond all that you ask or think.” The Shack
Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on solid rock. Matthew 7:24-25
Rain poured down.
Rivers flooded.
Wind beat against the house.
storms, voilence, destruction, damage, trouble, pain, worry, fear
in difficult times those who have built their lives not only on the principals of the Word but upon THE ROCK himself – upon JESUS – the Rock is Jesus Christ – will stand. Jesus is the Rock! Trust Him. Build your life upon Him and who he is and you will stand. NOT just about principals but upon a man, a saviour, the Lord!
As Jesus came down the mountain, he was followed by large crowds. Suddenly a man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus. He said, “Lord, you have the power to make me well, if only you wanted to.” Jesus put his hand on the man and said, “I want to! Now you are well.” At once the man’s leprosy disappeared. Matthew 8:1-3
look at the context…
- the sermon on the mount
- large crowd
- Jesus is coming down the mount and interacting with the people
- everyone is excited
- “is this the messiah?” “who is this man?” “wow wasnt he awesome.”
When Jesus finished speaking, the crowds were surprised at his teaching. He taught them like someone with authority, and not like their teachers of the Law of Moses. matthew 7:28-29
- a leper comes… he is UNCLEAN, contaimination, the law is violated
- he bows down to Jesus, surrenders, submits, humbles himself
- JESUS TOUCHES THE MAN!
- Jesus touches the leper
- Jesus touches the unclean
would Jesus get leporsy? he touched the leper! how could he do that? would the messiah do that? doesnt Jesus know what the law says? what is he doing?
Jesus HEALS the leper!
Jesus teaches with authortiy AND has miracle powers
God’s people avoid evil ways,
and they protect themselves
by watching where they go.
Proverbs 16:17
AVOID
WATCHING
they are DOING words! verbs!
intentional actions, purposeful.
watching = alert, careful, watchful, praying attention, having caution, respect, observant, thinking
avoid = keep away from, avoid, stay away from, keep safe away from, make a choice to keep away from
A teacher of the Law of Moses came up to him and said, “Teacher, I’ll go anywhere with you!” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens, and birds have nests. But the Son of Man doesn’t have a place to call his own.” Matthew 8:19-20
ANYWHERE the teacher says.
ANYWHERE?
sure, if it has prestigue and power and popularity and secuirty and comfort and self improvement and ambition….
but…
Jesus’ way is the way of the cross.
Jesus’ ANYWHERE is to Getheseme, the court, Calvary, the tomb.
Jesus’ anywhere is to lay down your life and take up your cross.
Has anyone believed us
or seen the mighty power
of the LORD in action?
2Like a young plant or a root
that sprouts in dry ground,
the servant grew up
obeying the LORD.
He wasn’t some handsome king.
Nothing about the way he looked
made him attractive to us.
3He was hated and rejected;
his life was filled with sorrow
and terrible suffering.
No one wanted to look at him.
We despised him and said,
“He is a nobody!”
4He suffered and endured
great pain for us,
but we thought his suffering
was punishment from God.
5He was wounded and crushed
because of our sins;
by taking our punishment,
he made us completely well.
6All of us were like sheep
that had wandered off.
We had each gone our own way,
but the LORD gave him
the punishment we deserved.
7He was painfully abused,
but he did not complain.
He was silent like a lamb
being led to the butcher,
as quiet as a sheep
having its wool cut off.
8He was condemned to death
without a fair trial.
Who could have imagined
what would happen to him?
His life was taken away
because of the sinful things
my people had done. 9He wasn’t dishonest or violent,
but he was buried in a tomb
of cruel and rich people. 10The LORD decided his servant
would suffer as a sacrifice
to take away the sin
and guilt of others.
Now the servant will live
to see his own descendants. He did everything
the LORD had planned.
11By suffering, the servant
will learn the true meaning
of obeying the LORD.
Although he is innocent,
he will take the punishment
for the sins of others,
so that many of them
will no longer be guilty.
12The LORD will reward him
with honor and power
for sacrificing his life.
Others thought he was a sinner,
but he suffered for our sins
and asked God to forgive us.
When you do good deeds, don’t try to show off. If you do, you won’t get a reward from your Father in heaven.
When you give to the poor, don’t blow a loud horn. That’s what show-offs do in the meeting places and on the street corners, because they are always looking for praise. I can assure you that they already have their reward.
When you give to the poor, don’t let anyone know about it. Then your gift will be given in secret. Your Father knows what is done in secret, and he will reward you.
When you pray, don’t be like those show-offs who love to stand up and pray in the meeting places and on the street corners. They do this just to look good. I can assure you that they already have their reward. When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private, and he will reward you. Matthew 6:1-6
There IS a reward!
keep giving!
keep being faithful!
keep being just!
keep living with mercy!
keep praying!
keep reading the Word!
keep meeting with God!
THERE IS A REWARD!
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and that he rewards everyone who searches for him
Don’t store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them. Instead, store up your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy them, and thieves cannot break in and steal them. Your heart will always be where your treasure is. Matthew 6:19-20
What does treasure in heaven look like?
How do we “make it”?
How do we earn it?
When do we get it?
Lord, show me what your treasures are. please give me revelation on this.
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