January 9, 2006 - Genesis 23-24 and Matthew 7
God intends for marriage to be a very special blessing. It is the opportunity to have the closest human relationship with another person, whom we dearly love. Marriage is full of blessings with all of its trials and triumphs. This passage of Genesis reminds us of the closeness of the marriage relationship. In chapter 23 we read of Sarah's death. We read how Abraham wept for her and prepared a special place for her burial. Think back over all they had been through together, and think of how great the grief must have been. Then, consider chapter 24 where we are told about finding a wife for Isaac. Abraham wanted his son to experience the same intimate relationship he had experienced. The whole story of how the servant trusted God to find Rebekah is filled with principles of prayer and worship. Then, read the end. Isaac loved her and was comforted. That should be the message of every marriage.
Matthew 7 gives us some very important insights. It is the end of the Sermon on the Mount. Christ cautions us against being judgmental. (v1) This means not to be critical. However, it is necessary for us to judge in the sense of discerning right and wrong in another person's life. Then, we can make sure we are right before going to help them remove sin from their lives. (v.5) Sometimes, other people do not receive what we say, so we must be discerning in this whole process. (v.6)
God answers prayer. (v.11) The problem is that we are not praying consistently and faithfully. (v.7-8) Prayer is labor. It takes much time and energy. However, it has great results, too.
Jesus knows your heart. He sees your fruit or the lack of it. He knows if you practice lawlessness, while you claim to do His will. He knows that this is impossible. A good tree has good fruit. A true believer will not practice lawlessness. (v.23) Lawlessness is being without law. It is thinking you can do things your own way, even though God has told us to do it His way. Jesus can't be your Lord, if that is how you feel about His will. Are you the slave or the master? He knows, because He sees your heart. We must do His Word, not just hear it. (v.24) The life that only hears the Word will fall flat. (v.26-28)
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 25-26 and Matthew 8:1-17.
Matthew 7 gives us some very important insights. It is the end of the Sermon on the Mount. Christ cautions us against being judgmental. (v1) This means not to be critical. However, it is necessary for us to judge in the sense of discerning right and wrong in another person's life. Then, we can make sure we are right before going to help them remove sin from their lives. (v.5) Sometimes, other people do not receive what we say, so we must be discerning in this whole process. (v.6)
God answers prayer. (v.11) The problem is that we are not praying consistently and faithfully. (v.7-8) Prayer is labor. It takes much time and energy. However, it has great results, too.
Jesus knows your heart. He sees your fruit or the lack of it. He knows if you practice lawlessness, while you claim to do His will. He knows that this is impossible. A good tree has good fruit. A true believer will not practice lawlessness. (v.23) Lawlessness is being without law. It is thinking you can do things your own way, even though God has told us to do it His way. Jesus can't be your Lord, if that is how you feel about His will. Are you the slave or the master? He knows, because He sees your heart. We must do His Word, not just hear it. (v.24) The life that only hears the Word will fall flat. (v.26-28)
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 25-26 and Matthew 8:1-17.