Arise and Abide

Reading Psalms 22:1-10 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The struggle is real and when trials come it can feel like God is far away. The parallel of David and Jesus. The feeling of being unable to measure up or gain people’s favor. Getting caught in our circumstances or caught in His presence. Circumstance is the reality in which you walk in truth.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 13:44-46 (NLT) ~The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Seeking the undiscovered. The Love God, Love People paradigm. When you learn the name of Love and experience the goodness of God’s presence you let go of every other spiritual path. People say you have to love yourself before you can love others. Jesus is love, you must know love, to show love.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 13:31-35 (NLT) ~Parable of the Mustard Seed, Parable of the Yeast~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The message of the parable enforcing the teaching of the first shall be last and the value of humility. The Kingdom truths revealed in parables, love God, love people.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 13:24-30&36-43 (NLT) ~Parable of the Wheat and Weeds~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Coming to a place of humility, recognizing you are not greater than your neighbor, and recognizing our own shortcomings keeps a person from standing in judgment over other people and their choices. What are the things that cause sin and what is in a person’s heart? Wanting to pull out the weeds.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 13:1-23 (NLT) ~Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The human condition and the necessity of prayer for the lost. Unable to turn to God because of our selfish, self centric, nature. Going through what we need to for the best chance to meet Jesus along the way. Not seeing and or hearing is a heart issue not an intellect issue.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 12:46-50 (NLT) ~The True Family of Jesus~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. A family intervention? The Disciples who physically followed Jesus wanted to be near Him. Jesus refers to His followers as His family valuing all people as much as His immediate family. How we should do the same as followers of Jesus.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 12:38-45 (NLT) ~The Sign of Jonah~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The Pharisees refusing to walk by faith and wanting “proof”. Deciding for themselves what is of God. Jonah as a type of Christ. We cannot listen until we repent of the idea that we have it figured out. Repentance, listening, repentance, listening…

Reading Psalms 21 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The blessings, favors, and Joy of His presence is available to us today, we need to turn form our selfish ways and seek Him. Davis always gives God the glory for every victory. Those who hate God are those who live for self. David declares God’s victory over those who oppose Him. It is not our battle; victory is the LORD’s.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 12:31-37 (NLT) ~Jesus and the Prince of Demons Cont.~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Jesus continued response to the Pharisees who claimed Jesus was empowered by the prince of demons. The hardened hearts that call things of God, wicked. Charismatic experiences that leave some uncomfortable. Looking for the fruit, testing the fruit. People respond out of what ever is in our heart. Confidence comes from our understanding of our Identity.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 12:22-30 (NLT) ~Jesus and the Prince of Demons~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. There is good and evil, things that bring life, and those that bring death, we cannot see the big picture to make those distinctions. The enemy does not give life or set us free form what burdens us, that is the hand of God. Staying united with believers we disagree with. God’s power and strength is almighty, our enemy cannot stand.