Mission Possible

I wonder why they titled the tv show "Mission Impossible" that when
they always succeeded . My hubby asked me if I would have watched
it if the show was called "Mission Possible." Probably not, at the first.
(Does this show my age?)

Matthew 19
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, "With men this is
impossible; but with God all things are possible." Matt. 19:26

LET IT GLOW

In the verses 24-25, Jesus told His disciples,"It is easier for a camel
to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the
kingdom of God."  When His disciples heard it, they were exceedingly
amazed, saying, "Who then can be saved?"

Being saved, even a rich man, is impossible for people to do by
themselves. However, it is possible for God.

Concerning verse 26, I thought of the 5 w's we had in school:
What? possible things
Who? God does them
When? no expiration date
Where? unlimited
Why? because God loves us

God created everything; He controls everything; He knows everything;
He is all powerful.

With Linda it is impossible, but with God it is possible. At first I thought
He was talking about being saved, but Jesus used the word all. With
God all things are possible. That covers a big territory-marriages,
children, finances, economy, churches, jobs,  plans, etc.

Geneisis 18:14 asks, "Is any thing too hard for the LORD?"
Jeremiah 32:17 says,"Ah LORD God! behold, thou hast made the
heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and
there is nothing too hard for thee."
Luke 1:37 says,"For with God nothing shall be impossible."

Sometimes I need reassurance from the Lord. How about you?

LET IT GROW

In verse 20, the rich young man asked Jesus, "What lack I yet?"
He had kept the commandments Jesus mentioned. But, he had one
hang up. Obviously, this guy had a lot of possessions. Jesus told him to
go, sell, give, come, follow.

Since Jesus can see into peoples' hearts, He knew this man loved his
things too much. But more than eternal life? Apparently so, because
he went away sorrowful. (Jesus didn't mention the first 5 of the Ten
Commandments about loving God most.)

It's always good for me to take inventory of my heart and possessions.
Jesus, what am I lacking? Is anything keeping me from following You?

LET IT GO

Trust God with my impossiblilites.
Trust God that all things are possible with Him.
Let Jesus change what I'm lacking.
Let it go and give it (problems) to God.

Mercy Me

Matthew 18

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name,
there am I in the midst of them," Jesus was speaking.
Matt. 18:20

LET IT GLOW

This verse is reasurring to me. Jesus is here with you and me as we
study His Word. In verse 19, He said that if we agree on something and
ask for it, the Father will do it.

Several months ago as I read the prayer of Jabez, I, too, asked the
Lord to enlarge my territory. He paved the way for this blog. Will you
pray with me that it will  touch more people and feed them on God's
Word?

LET IT GROW

This chapter is difficult to read and digest. Like the cow who lies down
and chews her cud, I have been pondering and chewing on Jesus'
Words.

The chapter begins with the disciples asking Jesus who is the greatest in
the kingdom of heaven. He used a little child to answer them. A humble
child immediately obeyed when Jesus called him. I want to respond in
the same manner.

Jesus had a lot to say about relationships and offenses. The word
offense means sin, offend, to displease, hurt.

Did a particular incidence pop into your mind like mine?

Matthew Henry gives us an outline of  the kinds of offenses and how
Jesus taught us to handle them:

         1. General Offense-verse 7

         2.  Particular Offense:
              (1) by us to ourselves-verses 8-9
              (2) by us to others-verses 10-14
              (3) by others to us
                    -scandalous sins which are to be reproved-verses 15-20
                    -personal wrongs which are to be forgiven-verses 21-35

Verse 33 says,"Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy
fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?" The lord of the servant
said that.

In their book, "Experiencing God Day-By-Day," the Blackabys touch
on mercy. "Mercy is a gift. It is undeserved. If not for His mercy, He
(God) would punish us each time we sin. But rather than letting us hear
the full punishment for our sin, God demonstrated His mercy when He
paid the penalty for our sin Himself.
Jesus commanded His disciples to extend the same mercy to others
that they had received from God.
Could any offense committed against us be as undeserved as the abuse
hurled against the sinless Son of God?
Nehemiah 9:17b says, ...but Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious
and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them
not. (He was talking about earlier Israelites.)
If you find it difficult to forgive others, you may need to meditate on the
mercy of God."

As I said earlier, these verses are hard. They are not even easy to read,
must less apply.

LET IT GO

Mercy me!
Ask for mercy and give mercy.
(Mercy is compassionate leniency toward an enemy or wrongdoer.)
Forgive others.
Ask to be forgiven.
Be humble.

Hang in there with me, ya'll. I know Jesus was straight forward and
told it like it is (truth). It's not easy to hear this when people
have deeply hurt me. Forgiveness isn't a one time thing. Verse 22
indicates it is unlimited. We are never more like Jesus than when we
forgive, in my opinion.

May our Lord  spread His love over us.
   

Fishing for Gold

Matthew 17

...This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye
Him.                           Matthew 17:5

LET IT GLOW

Temple tax collectors asked Peter if his master, Jesus, paid taxes.
Jesus' kingdom wasn't of this world, so He didn't owe any. But, lest He
offend these guys, Jesus agreed that they should pay.

Jesus had a plan. He sent Peter fishing for a piece of money
(gold, I figured). Peter probably enjoyed getting his hook back into the water.
Did you notice that Peter didn't ask any questions?

Matthew didn't tell us how this situatioin turned out. No other gospel
tells about this particular miracle. Did Peter go? I assume he was
obedient, found the money, and paid the temple tax for both Jesus and
himself. This was Jesus'  gift to Peter.

I can't say I have ever caught a fish with a coin in its mouth. Wouldn't
it be exciting? There probably would be more fishermen by trade if
it did happen. Isn't our Lord creative? He must enjoy meeting needs in
unique ways. He is the great "I AM."

LET IT GROW

And Jesus said unto them, "Because of your unbelief: for verily I say
unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto
this mountain, 'Remove hence to yonder place'; and it shall remove; and
nothing shall be impossible unto you."

Mountains are big, rugged, difficult to go around, hard to climb over,
and don't go away.

I have some problems which are like mountains. I can't seem to get
around them or over them. Unfortunately, my focus tends to stay on
them.

Jesus said I could tell my mountains to move over yonder (not my hillbilly
word) and it would, with one stipulation- I needed faith the size of one
grain of mustard seed to move it. That sounds simple enough.

Have you ever seen one mustard seed? It is so teensy weensy tiny that
I can barely pinch one seed.

Saturday, I poured a package of mustard seeds into a clear baby food
jar. Then I poured some into soil in a flower pot. (Left some for my
"faith" reminder.) I'll keep you informed of the progress of my mustard
seeds' growth :) . I understand they can get quite tall.

The disciples couldn't cast out a demon from a man's son because of
their unbelief. Jesus told them that kind didn't go out except by prayer
and fasting. Was the disciples' faith smaller than a tiny mustard see?
Is mine?

Jesus said that if I had this kind of faith, the size of a grain of mustard
seed, nothing would be impossible for me and you. Remember, it's
faith that pleases God.

I've got some mountains, problems, that I'd like moved. How about you?

LET IT GO

Trust Jesus.
Have faith in Him as big as a grain of mustard seed.
Have enough faith to move mountains, problems.
Pray and fast if it's required to move mountains.

Who is Jesus?

Dear Friends,
Today's lessons are hard, but please read all of it through. I fail so many
times.  Jesus is there to pick me back up, dust off the dirt in my life
(forgive), and walk with me on this road of faith. I pray you will let Him
do the same with you.


Matthew 16
He saith unto them,"But whom say ye that I am?" Matthew 16:15

LET IT GLOW

At first Jesus asked His disciples who men said that He was. They
answered that men said He was John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or
a prophet. Then the big question was asked. Jesus made it personal.
NAS says it this way:"He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?'"

Peter makes his confession of faith,"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the
living God."

To bring it on down to us, Jesus asks,"Linda, who do you say that I am?"
My answer is,"Jesus, You are The Christ, The Messiah, The Son of the
Only Living God."

Now, this question comes to you, my friend, "Who do you say that
Jesus is?" It is the most important question  you will ever answer. Your
eternal destiny depends upon it. I pray that you will believe in Him, too.

We know what happened later to Peter when the Holy Spirit got a hold
of him at Pentecost-3,000 were saved. Peter's faith was evident.

What can Jesus Christ do with you and me when we let Him be
The Living God in us? Limitless things!

LET IT GROW

"Then said Jesus unto His disciples,'If any man will come after me, let him
deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.' " (verse 24)

Following Jesus requires me to do three things:

1. Deny self
2. Take up my cross
3. Follow Jesus

Henry Blackaby tells us in Experiencing God Day-By-Day,

God is not interested in receiving secondhand glory from our activity. God receives glory from His activity through our lives.  Your "cross" is God's will for you, regardless of the cost. Taking up your cross is a choice. Neither circumstances you face nor  consequences of your own actions are your cross. Jesus does not follow us, we follow Him. Following Jesus requires absolute obedience. Following Jesus will lead you into experiences you never dreamed of!  

LET IT GO

Daily surrender to Christ as my Lord and Master.
Deny myself, take up my cross to do His will.
Follow Jesus wherever He leads me.

Eating Crumbs

Matthew 15

Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David.
Matthew 15:22

LET IT GLOW

A woman of Canaan, a Gentile, had a daughter possessed of a devil.
Jesus didn't answer her request immediately; the disciples wanted to
send her away. But she begged for mercy. His silence didn't mean He
wasn't listening to her. He wanted to test her faith, how strong or
weak it was.

She worshipped Jesus, then asked for His help. So many times I turn it
around and ask for His help, then worship Him.

In verse 26, Jesus answered and said," It is not meet to take the
children's bread, and to cast it to dogs." Was Jesus calling her a "dog" ?
It was common for Jews to refer to Gentiles as dogs, according to
Matthew Henry. I didn't know this. I thought it was degrading, but
I'm living in my society, now, not back then.

The woman agreed with Jesus,"Yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which
fall from their masters' table." She knew it was a little thing for Jesus,
The Master, to heal her daughter of the demon..

What was Jesus' answer? Remember, He can see into the heart.
"O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt," He said.
Wow, for Jesus to say I had great faith. This is my goal. This woman,
unnamed, is still known for her great faith because it is recorded in the
Bible. How many people have read of her great faith?

For without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to
God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

I want to eat crumbs from the Master's table. I am spiritually hungry for
His Word. This woman didn't get sidetracked when Jesus,"be it unto
thee even as thou wilt." Her deep love and concern was for her daughter
and her deliverance. She didn't ask for anything else.

LET IT GROW

In verse 30, others were cast down at Jesus' feet and He healed them.
It mentions who was brought to Him-the lame, blind, dumb, maimed,
and many others. What happened then?

According to NLT, "Those who hadn't been able to speak were
talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking, and the
blind could see again! And they praised the God of Israel." Talk about
a revival meeting experienced first hand, up on a hill by the Sea of
Galilee. We see His compassion again.
How wonderful it will be in heaven to see people made well.

LET IT GO

Cast myself at Jesus' feet for mercy. I am spiritually and physically
unable to speak, walk, see, and live without Him.
Daily  I want to eat crumbs from my Master's table (His Word).

Get Out of the Boat

Matthew 14
Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying,
"Of a truth Thou art the Son of God." Matt. 14:33

LET IT GLOW

Jesus was moved with compassion toward the multitude of people
who followed Him into the desert. He healed their sick. He knew they
were hungry, because  it was passed supper time. In the desert there was
no place to eat, not even a McDonalds. And what a crowd-5,000 men
besides the women and children. What did the disciples suggest?
The people go into the villages and buy their own meal.

Now these are disciples who had seen Jesus heal a lot of sick folks
and heard His sermon on the mount. However, they had not experienced
His multiplying food. I wonder what their conversation was like when
they picked up the extra 12 baskets of fish and bread.

Can He feed me? Yes, both physically and spiritually. During our
college days our 2 children were small. When we needed milk, there
was a check in the mailbox providing the money. I know He feeds the
 hungry.

LET IT GROW

We know the story of Jesus walking on the water one night toward
 the disciples' boat. Peter stepped out of the boat and experienced
 walking on the water. When he took his eyes off of Jesus, Peter
began to sink. "Lord, save me," he cried. Jesus caught Peter's hand
and walked him back to the boat. He didn't take Peter to shore where
it was safe did He? No, Peter had to go back.
I fail too when I take my eyes off Jesus.

Why didn't the other disciples step out of the boat? Maybe their eyes
were on the waves and the storm. Maybe they heard Jesus call Peter
"thou of little faith." At any rate, they missed their chance to actually
walk on water. It was a once in a lifetime experience, at least not
mentioned again in scriptures. I do the same thing when in a storm in
my life comes. Oh I may have enough faith to get out of the boat, try
something new, but then I doubt Jesus can calm the wind blowing up
problems.

Once on a mission trip, the group was going to an island for a day of
relaxation. We were in a fast boat, with waves splashing high, strong
winds blowing,  and storm clouds overhead. I was so scared, that I
began to cry. (I don't like water over my head, which is less than 5 feet.)
O me of little faith-The Lord wouldn't let us sink, the missionaries
were in the boat with us. We made it safely and had a wonderful day.

Seeing this miracle caused the disciples to worship Jesus as the Son
of God. What do I miss when I won't get out of the boat? Notice,
Jesus didn't reprimand the disciples.

LET IT GO

Trust Jesus more, step out in faith more, and experience His mighty Hand.

Homemade Bread

Matthew 13

Jesus sayeth unto them, "Have ye understood all these things?"
They say unto him, "Yea Lord." Matt. 13:51

LET IT GLOW

Jesus tells many  parables, an earthly story with a heavenly meaning,
in this chapter. He wanted the people to understand about heaven.
This particular one is about a merchant seeking pearls.

In verse 46 He says,"Who, when he had found one pearl of great
price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."

I like to wear my fake pearls and pretend they are real. They didn't cost
much to purchase them but they  look just as good as the real ones. In
this scripture  I am "the one pearl" of great price. Jesus gave up heaven, all that
He had, to buy my salvation. That makes me very precious to Him.

LET IT GROW

Verse 33 says,"Another parable spake he unto them; "The kingdom
of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three
measures of meal, til the whole was leavened."

Mmmm. The smell of fresh homemade bread baking in the oven.
Who can forget? I used to bake homemade rolls (refrigerator kind)
every week for Sunday dinner. That was 15-20 years ago, in the days
when I had an abundance of energy. To make yeast bread, it only requires
one small package of yeast, 6 cups of flour, and a lot of extra work.
Also, it takes time for the yeast to rise in the flour mixture. But it is worth
the time and energy spent. My family enjoyed the rolls. I might add that
I made the refrigerator kind, which rose in the frig while we were at
church, instead of the real kind like my mother made, which required
kneeding twice. (They were not quite as good, but lots easier.)
Hot rolls, butter and jelly can't be beat.

In this scripture, yeast is God's Word and my heart is the flour. Adding
His scriptures to my heart daily yields good fruit just as adding yeast to
flour (plus other ingredients) makes lucious rolls.

In John 6:35, Jesus said ,"I am the bread of life; he that cometh to me
shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."

Truly, Jesus does satisfy the hunger in my soul.

LET IT GO

When I wear my pearls, I will remember that I am valuable to Jesus.
Thank you Lord for loving me so that much that You left heaven
to purchase my salvation.
Daily I will read Your Word in order to feed my soul  on the Bread
of Life.