Psalm 25:8-22 | Genesis 45 | Matthew 15:29-16:4

Happy are those who make the Lord their trust. Psalm 40:4

If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most
to be pitied. 1 Corinthians 15:19

Lord God, our hope is in you and we are thankful your love for us
remains unconditional. May we as a people delight in that love as we
walk in your path of righteousness. Amen.

Psalm 25:1-7 | Genesis 44 | Matthew 15:21-28

Matthew 15:21-28   |   In the Canaanite woman we see that faith isn’t simply and quietly accepting your fate. She is no marionette content to let God pull her strings. Rather, faith is believing God’s promises and then believing that God will make good on his promises. And its even more than that. Faith is holding God to God’s promises. Actively. Persistently.

Such persistence shouldn’t be misunderstood as resisting God’s will. Quite the opposite. Such persistence seeks to be aligned with God’s will. It is surrender to God’s goodness. It says, “God, I know your kingdom is breaking into ours and I want to get caught up in it!”

God’s promises are so awesome — grace, love, forgiveness, healing, joy, wholeness, life! Hold God to his promises and don’t let go!

Psalm 25:1-7 | Genesis 44 | Matthew 15:21-28

You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God. Psalm 40:17

A leper came to Jesus begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you
choose, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his
hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!”
Mark 1:40-41

O God our help in ages past, may we take up our cross and emulate our
Lord Jesus who was not afraid to be a servant by helping all in need.
Amen.

Psalm 24 | Genesis 43 | Matthew 15:10-20

Matthew 15:10-20 | This text is about diet, but not about what goes into the mouth. It’s about what goes into our hearts and minds.

On what are we feasting? Is it good “food” or bad we are filling ourselves with? What are our hearts and minds full of? Because that is what will come pouring out.

You are what you eat.

Psalm 24 | Genesis 43 | Matthew 15:10-20

Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with
God. Genesis 6:9

By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the
warning and built an ark to save his household. Hebrews 11:7

Lord God, help us to be as faithful as our ancestors of old who loved
you and trusted your guidance within their lives and households. Amen.

Psalm 23 | Genesis 42 | Matthew 14:25-15:9

Recognition.

Psalm 23  |  Do we recognize that we have everything we need? The Lord provides that which is truly needful. We strive after so many needs that are actually wants that we miss all the awesome things God is actually doing in our lives.

When we feel that God is letting us down, might it actually be because God is not meeting our wants? Look deeper — be open to the ways God is meeting your needs. Rest. Food and water for body and soul. New strength and a revived life. Right paths. Courage in the valley of the shadow of death.

Genesis 42  |  Starting in Genesis 37, it’s a story that is all about recognition. Joseph and his family recognizing that he has received a vision from God. Joseph slowly recognizing who he needs to be in order to be worthy of such visions. Others recognizing Joseph as representing the king (and the King!).

Today, Joseph recognizes his brothers. They do not recognize him. (Verse 8)

God recognizes us. Do we recognize God? God sees us as his dear children. May we recognize God as our loving daddy.

Matthew 14  |  I love it! Peter says, “Lord, if it is really you, let me walk on the water.” Jesus says, “Come.” So Peter gets out of the boat and is walking on the water. Who else could it be but Jesus! And then the wind blows and he is afraid.

God shows his power in a very dramatic and clear way to Peter. There is no other explanation for it than that God is at work. And Peter is right in the middle of it!

But he chooses to miss it. How often do we look for other explanations? It’s as if we dont want to recognize.

Psalm 23 | Genesis 42 | Matthew 14:25-15:9

Assemble the people for me, and I will let them hear my words, so that
they may learn to fear me as long as they live on the earth, and may
teach their children to do so. Deuteronomy 4:10

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker
who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15

Lord God, we hear your call to discipleship. May we be worthy to serve
you and help us to revere your presence as we learn your words of life.
May we teach these words to those with whom we come in con-tact. Amen.

Psalm 11
Genesis 19:1-29
Matthew 7:1-12

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Like Lot we should not concentrate on our past “Do Not Look Back!” because you become that sin you have committed in the past. Go where God leads you today and know that it will be better than your sinful past!

Peace, Paul

The Golden Rule always applies! (Matthew 7) . I love the expression/fact that God’s address never changes just as He is our One and Only Constant! Jeannie

Psalm 7:1-9
Genesis 9
Matthew 4:12-25

God has given us so many gifts, including worldly ones. The temptation is to put our trust in them instead of in the gift giver. Surrender. Humility. Put your trust in God.

The Psalm and Genesis were very difficult for me to understand.  Lies and cheating my get you short term glory but seeking God and listening to him brings you eternity. PM

Matthew was about character for me. Doing for recognition and accolades rather than being- dwelling in God to the point that doing what Jesus would do comes naturally more and more often. The story of Mary and Martha – One “being” with Jesus and one busy “doing” came to mind. Genesis …explain please! Psalms- I usually turn to the Psalms for comfort … JM