Arise and Abide

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 8:5-13 (NLT) ~The Faith of the Roman Officer~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. You can amaze God with your faith. The roman officer recognized the authority of Jesus. Jesus’ critics judging if Jesus was worthy, and the officer coming in humility. The officer recognized the authority Jesus had was a different authority than the political authority of the world. The Word of God is the authority.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 8:1-6 (NLT) ~Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The compassion and love of Jesus as He approaches the man with Leprosy. The example we are supposed to follow. Pressing into relationships with people who are receptive to the Gospel. God wants us to come as we are. Outside sores and the internal sores are healed by Jesus. Outside sores keep people away from you, inside sores keep you away people.

Reading Psalms 17 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Throughout the bible life was not necessarily easy for those whose hearts are for God. God seeing what people cannot. Submitting our thoughts to Jesus, testing them against scripture. 2 Cor. 10:5. It is what we do with our thoughts that matters. The intentional effort and determination to keep eyes focused on Jesus. I will see you when I awake.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 7:24-39 (NLT) ~Building A Solid Foundation~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. What remains standing when trials and troubles come into our lives. The narrow path is difficult, a firm foundation is essential. Following Jesus teaching is equal to obeying His command, Love God, love people. Needing to be in the Him to love others.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 7:21-23 (NLT) ~True Disciples~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. When I was hungry you fed me…Knowing of God vs knowing God by spending time with Him. The many kingdoms of the world and the approval of the key opinion leaders. Name dropping Jesus. Calling out performance numbers. Keeping perspective and the importance of listening to your own words. What the world acknowledges, what God acknowledges.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 7:15-20 (NLT) ~The Tree and Its Fruit~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The fruit of the Holy Spirit, not our instincts. You begin to look more like Jesus as you continue to follow Him. Do to others as Jesus has done for us. Triggers of PTSD and the emotional response while chasing after Jesus. Submitting every aspect of our view of truth to Jesus and submitting to His pruning process.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 7:12-14 (NLT) ~The Golden Rule, The Narrow Gate~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. It is not always easy to treat others as you would want them to treat you. The good we express on our own is not as close to God’s goodness as we may think. The hard, narrow road is made easy as we follow and lean on Jesus.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 7:7-11 (NLT) ~Effective Prayer~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Continuing the teaching on prayer. Asking, seeking, knocking, speaks of the effort we put into relationships. Doors opening in response to prayer, surrendering our will for His. Re-surrendering the call and/or the plan. God’s perfect fit and timing is worth waiting for. The call to trust God.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 7:1-6 (NLT) ~Do Not Judge Others~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The standard of God is high. We judge people based on our standards which no one else can automatically know because everyone has their own standard. God is the only one who can judge with justice and goodness because His perspective is so much greater than our own. The Log in our eyes blocks our perspective. Not Judging when we’ve taken offence.

Reading Psalms 16 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. David declaring God to be his Master. Troubles multiplying for those who chase after other God’s (money). Tasks taking time away from time to engage in relationships. Like in the gospels we see a lot of imagery of our need for God to save us.