Need to Get Away?

N.T.#180 "Need to Get Away?"

Nov. 6, 2023 

Matthew 15-Part 6

LET IT GLOW

Ministering to needs of others can result in us growing weary. We can use a get away from the presures and stress in our life. Jesus did just that. Read on to find out about it.

Jesus taught plain and simple Words so His disciples, us, and even the Pharisees could understand. 

But the words you speak come from the heart-that's what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are what defile you. (verses 18-19)

Defile means pollute, unclean.

Even the filth of the sewer is not so great a defilement as that of a human heart not yet cleansed by the blood of Christ. (Swindoll)

Are we with Jesus and the disciples, willing to take a stand against legalistic action taken for the sake of man-made rules? There will be a price to pay for taking a stand against legalism, but the reward will ultimately be worth it. If we are on the difficult, narrow path of discipleship, continue to follow Jesus. Don't be frightened or intimidated. (If you are part of the problem of unhealthy traditionalism, repent. Turn to trust the only One who can clean you from the inside out.

LET IT GROW

Jesus left the area and headed northwest. Maybe He was retiring to that region for a time of seclusion. Mark 7:24 tells us Jesus entered a house and would have no one know it, but He could not be hid. He deserved a rest after the encounters Jesus experienced in Jerusalem.

He encountered a Canaanite woman begging for mercy for her daughter which was grievously vexed with a devil. (verse 22) A Gentile and a woman approached a Jew, which was not to be done. (according to the Pharisees)

Sometimes we need to get away from the daily pressures on us. Yet, we can continue to meet needs of others while refreshing our soul.

LET IT GO 

Refresh us, Jesus. Life can cause us to grow weary.

Renew our heart and mind.

Words Reveal the Heart

N.T.#179 "Words Reveal the Heart"

Nov. 3,2023

Matthew 15-Part 5

LET IT GLOW

What defiles(pollutes, unclean) a person? Jesus taught the disciples it was:

• a traditional religion (verses 1-9)
• a foul mouth (verses 10-11)
• a blind spirit (verses 12-14)
• a corrupt heart (verses 15-20).

Religious people are often disturbed when their traditions, rituals, ceremonies, worship, rules, schedules, and habits are broken. Some get fighting mad, in fact. Know anyone like that? That is why the Pharisees criticized the disciples, who broke their traditions. Their prayers be repetition. Their worship is empty and doesn't go higher than the ceiling.

There are so many kinds of words which defile a person-cursing filthy talk, criticism, deceptive words, harsh and unkind words, uncaring words. 

Know a person like that?  

LET IT GROW

It is the heart that determines what we say and do. Garbage in, garbage out. What can we do? We have some Scriptures concerning this:

Put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him. (Colossian 3:9-10)

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible seed, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (1 Peter 1:23)

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:23-24)

Confessing our sins, turning from sinful lusts, trusting Jesus, reading the Word, praying, renewing our mind, that is our answer. A heart like the Father's will produce only pure and loving words.

LET IT GO

and let God take over.

Word of God speak. Pour down like rain. Wash my eyes to see Your Majesty.

Please let me rest in Your holiness.

Holy is the Lord.

Sweet Words

 N. T. #178 "Sweet Words"

Nov. 2, 2023

Matthew 15-Part 4

LET IT GLOW

Do we often spew out hurtful words? Are we criticizing others, grumbling and complaining? Do we often regret our words? These behaviors come from a heart that is unlike God's heart. We need a heart of compassion. 

Peter was acting on behalf of the other disciples when he asks Jesus to explain what He had said in verses 8-11. What is its meaning? Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. But the words you speak come from the heart-that's what defiles you. 

Defile means pollute, unclean.

For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. (verse 19)

This list includes all manner of sin, coming from what is in the heart. Do you know others who continuously do those sins? They need a clean heart that only Jesus can give. 

LET IT GROW

An abusive tongue is not under the control of the Spirit. (James 3:3-10) A heart like the Father's heart will produce only pure and loving words. If our words are no encouraging and lifting up Jesus, we need to ask God to forgive us for any words that have brought harm. Then ask Him to discipline our mouth so that every word we speak is used by God to encourage and edify others. (Blackaby)

We need more control like a ship and a horse. Are our words like sweet water or bitter water? 

LET IT GO

Jesus, teach us to hold our tongue when it spits out harmful words.

Fill us with love and compassion for others today.

User us to speak sweet words so You are honored.

Time for a Heart Check

N.T.#177 " Time for a Heart Check"

Nov. 1, 2023

Matthew 15-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

Have you had someone blame you for their problems or sinful ways? They accuse you of causing them to be hot-headed, unhappy, unloved, or immoral? Folks, if this is not truely your fault, then it is their problem, an unclean heart that loves to continue in sin. They may put on a good act for outsiders, but you know the truth. Look how Jesus dealt with this.

Where does true defilement come from? Defileth means pollute; unclean.

The Pharisees considered being defiled by not washing hands before eating. In other words, their ritual of washing hands before a meal is what they consider making them pure and undefiled. This is what they accused the disciples of being.

To be "defiled" religiously is to become dirty or polluted by sin. Moral pollution comes from the inside, not the outside. A dirty heart is the problem. We tend to justify our sinful words and actions by pointing what others did that caused our responses, but our circumstances don't cause our sin. Defilement is an internal matter, and external activity can't change a heart. (The Tony Evans Bible Commentary)

Do you know someone living in sin? Pray for deliverance. It may be that God wants you to confront them, so pray for wisdom and strength. Jesus is in the business of changing hearts.

LET IT GROW

How did Jesus deal with the Pharisees' accusation? 

Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. (verse 11)

The idea in Judaism was that to eat the wrong sort of food deprived a man of holiness and ultimately, therefore, of acceptance with God. 

Well, the disciples asked Jesus if He knew that He had offended the Pharisees. (Of course He did guys.) How did He respond? 

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. (verse 14)

I certainly don't want to fall into a ditch of sin morally or spiritually. How about you, friend?

LET IT GO

Show us our ways that do not please You, Jesus.

Help us let go of those sinful habits.

Control our words today so they honor You.

Hearts

 N.T.#176 "Hearts"

Oct. 2023

Matthew 15-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

The Pharisees knew a lot about God, but they didn't know God. They claimed to honor God, yet their hearts were far from Him. Therefore, their worship meant nothing. It isn't enough to study the Word and not do it. Our actions and attitudes must line up with the Bible.

If they do not, then Isaiah had it right in 29:13: This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoreth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. 

It is our heart that God wants. Without faith it is impossible to please God. We don't want to worship God in vain.

LET IT GROW

But in vain they do worship Me, reaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (verse 9)

Vain means to no purpose; folly; manipulation.

We don't want to be like those Pharisees, right? We should desire our worship to be from the heart and in spirit and in truth. Keeping rules and man-made traditions is not what impresses God. Jesus wants us to make Him first in our life. Are we?

LET IT GO

Keep our heart right with You, Lord Jesus.

Direct our thoughts so we honor You with our words and actions.

Are We Honoring Our Parents?

 N.T.#175 "Are We Honoring Our Parents?"

Oct. 28, 2023 

Matthew 15-Part 1

LET IT GLOW

My husband's father is 92. He and his brother take care of him. They taken him to the doctor, buy him clothes, and provide him with a place to live (with my brother in law). To me, that is obeying the commandment, Honor your father and mother. (Their mother passed.) If we honor our parents, we will be blessed with a long life.

Was washing hands before eating a ritual, an oral law, a religious duty showing spiritual purity? The Pharisees were at it again, criticizing Jesus' disciples. Did you notice that Jesus did not answer their question. Instead, He asked another question. It dawned on me as I was riding in the car, pondering this question. Jesus went to the heart of the matter.

But He answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? (verse 3)

Well, how in the world were these religious Jewish leaders transgressing the Law? (I wonder if they were thinking this. Surely not them.) Israelites were commanded to honor their parents. (Exodus 20:12; 21:17) 

The Pharisees had a tradition that allowed them to bypass caring for their elderly parents by instead giving a gift committed to the temple. (verse 5) The practice allowed them to say, "Sorry Mom and Dad, I can't offer you financial assistance. I'm giving to God instead." By means of their tradition, they had invalidated God's Word. (verse 6) (Tony Evans)

What hypocrites! Jesus called it like it was, huh? What pretenders! Preaching one thing and doing another. 

Certainly Isaiah was right as God sees it: This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoreth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. (29:13)

Jesus knew their heart conditions. Why would the Pharisees not repent of their sins? Pride must have gotten in the way. Besides, they did not believe Jesus to be the Messiah.

Dear ones, are we guilty of this? Do we talk a good talk but not walk the talk?

LET IT GROW

In vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (verse 9)

In the Greek language, vain means random talk; babble.

The Pharisees were just babbling on with their words. Their lives did not back it up. Where was their love for their parents? Why would they not take care of them? Perhaps it so they would appear religious, giving lots of money in the Temple.

LET IT GO

Fill us with Your love, Lord Jesus.

Help us honor our parents.

Make us into giving people, meeting needs.

Traditions

 N.T.#174 "Traditions"

Oct. 27, 2023 

Matthew 15

LET IT GLOW

Traditions. when I hear that word, it reminds me of a movie about Jewish tradition. In it we see how outsiders persuaded the Jewish children to stray away. Maybe that movie was a modern application of this chapter. 

Here we go again. The Scribes and Pharisees, Jewish leaders, are causing a conflict with Jesus over a ritual. Their purpose was to scrutinize Jesus' activities. Hundreds of religious traditions had been added to God's laws, ever since the Jews returned from the Babylonian captivity. Those leaders considered the traditions equally as important as the Ten Commandments. Many traditions were not bad in that they added richness and meaning to life. However, they were not sacred. God's laws do not need changing nor additions. Traditions should help us better understand God's laws, not become laws themselves. 

Those Scribes and Pharisees considered failure to observe their traditions as disobedience to the law of God. They thought they were of moral superiority and lusted for power, but it put them at odds with God. So they came to find fault with Jesus' disciples, accusing them of breaking God's law. That is what's taking place here.

Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. (verse 2)

These Jews were not concerned with cleanliness but with ritual. Having proper hygiene does not make one holy. It was not a sign of spiritual purity. Keep in mind that these are the fault finders. they felt competition with Jesus and the disciples.

LET IT GROW

Traditions are not necessarily bad. Families pass down to generations some custom, practice, or belief to enjoy. Traditions were established by the Jews as they obeyed God's sacrificial system. 

The problem comes when traditions invalidate, cover up, camouflage, or negate the Word of God. the Pharisees taught and practiced traditions that they elevated to the level of Scripture, and that actually allowed them to ignore Scripture. (Tony Evans)

Do we have any traditions which we have made more important than God's Word? Is the fun of halloween and our participation actually causing others to stumble into evil? It isn't the sharing of candy, but dressing like evil ones that take our mind off of Jesus. We give the devil a place he should not have in our thoughts. I think churches should avoid any substitute for this evil holiday. I wish my parents had taught me it was wrong to celebrate a devil's holiday.

LET IT GO

Jesus, have first place in my heart and life.

Keep us in You Word.

How faithful You are, Savior.