Tag: Jesus

Manual for Life

Old Testament: Leviticus 18 & 19

Poetry: Psalm 40

New Testament: Acts 13

Leviticus 18-19:

Have you ever felt like or heard the expression as you are trying to navigate through life, “Oh boy!  I sure wish there was a manual for life!” Or perhaps, “Couldn’t someone write a manual for life for dummies?” After reading the book of Leviticus, it’s impossible to return to this way of thinking because there it is, plain as day, rules to live by.  Not just rules though, specific instructions on how to live life without sin and how to please the Most Holy, One and Only God whose name is Jehovah! Even though these valuable instructions were written long  ago, there they stand, perfectly applicable to the here and now and somehow perfectly suited to our day and age.  What a God to create and not leave us without instruction!

Leviticus 18:1-5:”And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, I am Jehovah your God.  After the doings of the land of Egypt (America, Russia, China, insert your land here and it’ll apply), where in you dwell, shall you not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall you not do: neither shall you walk in their ordinances. You shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am Jehovah your God. You shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am Jehovah.” 

Next Jehovah God gives specifics about avoiding sexual sins and how to deal with our nakedness.  A very specific and thorough list, so we make no mistake and do not give ourselves permission to sin in this way.  In chapter 18 verse 22, “You shall not lie (to have sexual relations) with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” Verses 24-25: “Defile not you yourselves in any of these things (again long list in previous verses-read for yourselves): for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: and the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomits out her inhabitants.” There are quite a few more verses that warn the children of Israel (which children you are, if you believe in Jesus Christ-because you are then Abraham’s seed and grafted into the family tree. See Galatians 3:29 and Romans 11:11-32). 

Leviticus 19 continues on to describe the conduct and expectations of the people of God.  Much of this section reiterates the 10 commandments.  I had a Christian friend say to me last year that she was teaching the children’s fellowship that they no longer have to fulfill the 10 commandments of the law, because she believed we are no longer under the law. My insides were set on alarm and my eyes widened. Then her own son replied, “But, we should, right mom?” When Christ fulfilled the law and commandments, the law was not abolished; but rather, we were set free from sin so that we could fulfill the law! It gladdens our Father God’s heart for us to love him with our everything and to demonstrate our love for God by loving one another.  How can we know what love is without instructions? God declares of himself that he is love (1 John 4:16). He ought to know what love is and how to be holy and without sin. An exhortation to live by is in Leviticus 19:2b: “You shall be holy: for I Jehovah your God am holy.” Following God’s instruction manual will liberate you to be holy and to love more. 

Psalm 40:

“I waited patiently for Jehovah: and he inclined unto me and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay and set my foot upon a rock, and established my goings. And he has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in Jehovah. Blessed is that man that makes Jehovah his trust, and respects not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O Jehovah my God, are your wonderful works which you have done and your thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be recounted in order to you: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Sacrifice and offering you did not desire; mine ears have you opened; burnt offering and sin offering have you not required. Then said I, Lo, I come; in the volume of the book it is written of me. I delight to do your will, o my God: yes, your law is within my heart. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Jehovah, you know. I have not hid your righteousness within my heart: I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation: I have not concealed your lovingkindness and your truth from the great congregation…”

Oh to have the heart of David and of Jesus Christ, our forerunner! Let us not conceal the word! Let us not hide what is righteous! Let us do what is right and show others what God has done by delivering us out of the miry clay of our sins! We will be happy if we trust in Jehovah and do what is right.

Acts 13:

The gift ministries of a prophets and teachers:

Acts 13:1-3: “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.” (Right here there were 6 prophets and teachers recorded).  “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”

A prophet is one who speaks for God or receives information from God for the people.  They speak on God’s behalf to the people. A teacher is one who expounds and conveys what God has said and what has been written in God’s word. Both gift ministries are gifts to the church to build up the people and to keep the people of God growing and on God’s track.  They are gifts to the body of Christ until we all come into the full measure of the fullness of Christ. 

People may not always like a prophet or a teacher; but nevertheless, they are God’s gift to the church until Christ comes in his kingdom.

In chapter 13 we have Barnabas and Saul separated unto specific work for them to do.  Each prophet/teacher prayed and fasted asking God’s direction and afterwards received word from God and sent these two men on their way to do what God would have them do.  

On his way, Paul first addresses a false prophet (someone not sent from God, who is not doing God’s will) and Paul being filled (filled to overflowing in the Greek text) with the holy spirit, set his eyes on the false prophet, rebukes him and blinds him! Paul made full proof of his ministry right there! Next Paul preaches on the first Sabbath and in essence rebukes the Israelites for not seeing the Christ coming and how Jesus fulfilled just what was prophesied that he would fulfill.  Then Paul preached to them the forgiveness of sins through believing Jesus Christ and that they can be justified from all things.  Paul warned the Israelites not to miss the boat and then comforted the proselytes (Gentiles who believed).  Paul continued to preach there until “the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.”

There are still prophets/teachers in the body of Christ today.  You may see them doing these specific things as seen here.  Being filled to overflowing and performing the works of God, rebuking, preaching, warning, comforting and continuing.  If you are a prophet, keep doing it! If you see a prophet/teacher, thank God for them and heed them! If you feel you want to serve in this capacity, pray and ask God for the gift that can benefit the body and meet with other prophets/teachers so you can learn and grow and fulfill God’s will for your generation.

-Cindy Abbott

Reflection Questions

Is there someone in your life or at work or school who would benefit from learning the instructions in Leviticus 18 and 19?

Can you sit and appreciate all the thoughts that God is having about you this very minute? Thoughts of peace, thoughts of love, thoughts of longing for your fellowship? 

Can you tell someone who is suffering and in a horrible pit how God delivered your soul and can deliver them as well?

In what ways have you seen God demonstrate his love for the body in your area through the men and women who chose to serve as prophets and teachers?

Has God called you to this gift ministry? Will you answer the call?

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A New Lesson for Peter

Old Testament: Leviticus 12 & 13

Poetry: Psalm 37 (last day)

New Testament: Acts 10

Yesterday, I said I was going to skip over the Paul stuff, but we’re actually going to look at parts of his story today. There’s a theme in Paul’s story that I think is often overlooked but continues through with today’s story in Acts. I want to end my week of writing for you with a note on accepting others.

Ever since I was little, and heard the story of Paul, I’ve been struck by the seemingly minor character Ananias. It is important to note, the Ananias in Paul’s story is different from the guy in Acts 5. Not much is known about him through scripture and he is not mentioned anywhere else besides in association with Paul. I’ve always felt like he got very little credit for the role he played. God performs a tremendous miracle through him in restoring Paul’s sight. Ananias must have been a man full of compassion and courage. God tells him to go seek a man who has been persecuting people with Ananias’ beliefs. Never forget, the people in the Bible have free-will. Ananias could have said no. And, if not for God asking him to go, I’d say Ananias had every right to refuse – after all, Saul wanted to kill him (Acts 9:1). Even so, Ananias had compassion on Saul. Sought him out, healed him, and loved him. Much like Jesus does with us.

Barnabas is a more well known member of the early church in Acts. If I’m being honest, my interest in this character does stem from the fact my grandmother, Gayle Ross, named a cat after him. He was my favorite cat, next to the orange tabby named Buster, whom Barnabas (the cat) coincidentally reminded my grandma of so much she got the cat’s name officially changed to Barnabuster several years later. Alas, my curiosity over his namesake led to a love for this character. Again, like Ananias, Barnabas had to be a pretty compassionate and courageous person. When Saul initially arrived in Jerusalem as a changed man, many church members were afraid of him. Once Barnabas befriended him, he took him along to meet the apostles. It was then people started to take Saul’s change of heart seriously. Barnabas took Paul under his wing, encouraged him, and supported him. Not only is this Christ-like but also something Jesus commands us to do in his teachings.

Ananias’ and Barnabas’ attitude of acceptance matches that of Peter’s in chapter 10. There are incredible connotations for Peter’s actions in visiting and eating with Cornelius. These will be further discussed in chapter 11. For now, it’s important to note there was a division between Gentiles and Jews and thus between Gentile believers and Jewish believers. Peter starts to break down this barrier with his actions in Acts 10. He even tells Cornelius “I’m a human being just like you!” (verse 26 NLT) Peter is displaying love and acceptance just as his predecessor once showed a stinky, rowdy, uneducated fisherman.

There are some Christians who have been complaining about the Super Bowl’s He Gets Us commercials. I understand some of their arguments. Perhaps the ads give off a Jesus that is accepting of sin or tolerant of sinful lifestyles. However, I think these critics might be missing the point. I think the purpose of these ads were to show the side of Jesus that is sadly overlooked in mainstream culture today. The Jesus that ate with Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus’ change of heart occurs AFTER his visit with Jesus, not before. Jesus doesn’t wait for Zacchaeus to be ready for him. He eats with this lying cheating tax collector despite his sordid reputation. In doing so, Zacchaeus is changed after experiencing the Savior’s mercy. Jesus was not accepting of Zacchaeus’ lifestyle, but he did accept Zacchaeus as a man and saw him as someone worth sharing a meal.

It is so easy to forget that while we are called to not be of this world, we are called to still live in it. This means loving the people who love the world. Who disagree with us. Now, trust me, loving is not the same as tolerating or condoning unrighteous behavior. Having said that, here’s something I have learned from my work with kids. It is so much easier to discipline once you have built a loving relationship. We need not accept sin, but we should be accepting of the sinner. It is through our example and how we treat people Jesus will be made known to the world. What sort of Jesus do you want to preach? A judgmental king or the bridge between a holy God and an unholy people.

Notes on Leviticus 12 and 13: As someone who firmly believes in the teachings in Galatians 3:28 I was perplexed to read about differences in the purification process for women after delivering a baby. Should a woman deliver a boy, she had to wait 33 days until she could be declared ceremonially clean from the bleeding of childbirth. If she delivered a girl, she would have to wait 66 days. I found an interesting and reasonable commentary on why there was a difference. Basically, the reason a woman had to wait twice as long was because she was not only waiting for herself to be purified, but the second waiting period was symbolic of her daughter’s purification period for her future menstrual cycle and childbirth bleeding. It’s not so much God is being unfair in demanding a longer waiting period. Rather, this was a way of honoring the importance of a woman’s role in Israelite culture to bring children into the world by having her mother account for a purification process on her behalf. Another thing I found interesting was the rules for skin diseases. Turns out, the same protocol the priests used is the same daycares use when it comes to Hand Foot and Mouth disease. If the sore is open, oozing and bleeding, it’s unclean and the child must be sent home. If the sore is closed up with a remaining scab, the child is good to remain at school.

-Emilee Ross

Reflection Questions

  1. Who has been accepting of you? What can you learn from them? From Ananias? Barnabas? Peter? Cornelius? Jesus?
  2. What sort of Jesus do you want to preach? A judgmental king or the bridge between a holy God and an unholy people.
  3. Did you read Psalm 37 every day this week? What can be learned, remembered and treasured from this Psalm?
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The Priests

Old Testament: Exodus 29 & 30

Poetry: Psalm 31

New Testament: Matthew 26

I am struck by the stark contrast of the priests of God in our reading today. In Exodus we are shown the beginning of the priesthood. The LORD sets apart Aaron and his sons. They were called, consecrated and ordained to serve Him. These men were anointed to serve the Lord and their anointing was to be a priesthood that could have continued “throughout their generations.” 

But as we travel forward through the centuries to the time of Christ in Matthew 26, we see the high priest, chief priests and elders scheming to secretly arrest and kill Jesus. They are counting out the 30 pieces of silver to be given to his betrayer. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence to condemn Jesus to death. Rather than leading his people in the observance and the true meaning of Passover the high priest is interrogating Jesus. The high priest commands, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Jesus replied, “You have said so. But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” This truthful statement is met with the high priest tearing his clothes and pronouncing Jesus as a blasphemer. The leaders declare that he is worthy of death. They even go as far as slapping him, striking him with their fists, mocking him, and spitting in his face. How could these religious leaders fall so far from God? They were prideful of their positions and were so filled with jealousy, and hatred that they could not recognize the Son of God.

But praise God that we know our Lord Jesus is the Son of God and we know that God called him to serve as our High Priest. The book of Hebrews explains, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.”(Hebrews 4:14) As Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice, we should offer our lives to God. We will follow the example of our High Priest, Jesus Christ so we may be known as “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and God’s special possession.”

-Rebecca Dauksas

Reflection Questions

  1. What was the job of the priests, and specifically the high priest? 
  2. How is Jesus the perfect high priest? 
  3. In what ways can you now serve as a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and God’s special possession? 
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Your Royal Wedding Banquet Invite

Old Testament: Exodus 15 & 16

Poetry: Psalm 25

New Testament: Matthew 22:1-14

What was the best party you have ever been to? How did you get invited? What was your relationship with the host? With the guest of honor? Who else was there? What did you wear?

Or, maybe there was a party you were invited to that you didn’t make time for? Perhaps you didn’t really know the guest of honor that well so you weren’t too interested. Or maybe you were mad at the host so you stayed away? Or you figured it would be boring since they didn’t have (insert hobby/entertainment/person of interest). But then, come to find out – you missed out on the party of the century.

Jesus knew we like to talk about parties. Wedding receptions are particularly exciting – and royal wedding parties top the charts. So what a perfect parable and analogy for the Kingdom God is preparing. God is the King – and as host of the party he decides who to invite to this event of all events which will honor His Son – Jesus.

The guest list starts out somewhat small and elite which is very fitting for a royal party. The Jews were the first to be invited to the party. They could trace their heritage back to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – the fathers of the faith. But, they ignore their invite and the God who sent it. They don’t even RSVP. God sends his servants out as messengers (the prophets and those who speak for God) to remind God’s people of the graciousness of their host and the splendor of the party. But, the potential guests of the party are too deep into other things – their fields, their businesses, their homes, their selfish pursuits, their false gods. Most just ignore God’s messengers – but some decide the best way to decline the invite is through violence. In rage they attack God’s messengers, even killing some. For a time they may have thought they got away with it. But, God knows and delivers judgment.

The guests didn’t show but the party isn’t cancelled. God sends his messengers again. They hit the streets with new invitations. “Invite them all,” says the host. It no longer matters who your great great great grandfather was. It doesn’t matter who you were or what you did. Old, young, rich, poor, men, women, children, black, white, and every color in between. You are invited! And all your neighbors in the world are invited! Let the party begin.

But, wait – that’s not yet the end of the parable or God’s expectations. The host has indeed invited all and is ready to receive all into His Kingdom Party. But, you must come dressed appropriately for the party so you aren’t tossed out. No, God won’t check to see if you have a designer label – but He will check to make sure you have clothed yourself with salvation. To accept your invitation accept God’s Son as the only way to salvation. And then put on the robes of righteousness – seek to live the life that will bring glory to the Father and the Son. There are many passages that continue the analogy of being properly clothed with righteousness, not stained with sin (some are Job 29:14, Isaiah 61:10, Jude 23, Revelation 3:4 and 19:8).

The greatest party ever to come is about to begin and you and all your neighbors are invited. Don’t turn down the invite because you are mad at God or don’t know Jesus well or are busy at home and work. Accept His invitation. Come to the party. But don’t make the fatal error of trying to sneak in unprepared. Accept His Son and clothe yourself with righteousness. Make sure your neighbors know they are invited and help them select their proper attire.

And then – let the party begin!

-Marcia Railton

(originally posted for SeekGrowLove on January 22, 2021)

Reflection Questions

  1. Some of the people invited to the wedding banquet in Matthew 22 paid no attention because they were too busy with other pursuits. In your own life what vies for the time and attention it will take to accept the wedding banquet invitation? What do you value most? Are you making plans and preparations now to attend the wedding banquet? 
  2. Are you already clothed in the proper garments? Have you accepted Jesus as the only way to salvation from the Father? Are your deeds, words and attitudes reflecting your desire to live a righteous life? What are you still lacking? 
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Stop! And Just Listen to Him…

Old Testament: Genesis 49 & 50

Poetry: Psalm 22

New Testament: Matthew 17

We live in a very busy culture in America. For those that are students, you are expected to fill your schedule with 8-hour school days, additional homework when you get home, some extracurricular activity after school, and then sometimes a part-time job on the side. Then, you are also expected to have some time on Wednesdays and Sundays to give to God at the church. For adults, if you aren’t spending at least 40 hours at work, plus some additional overtime, you feel like you didn’t accomplish much. Although, you also have to prioritize keeping up on your house, caring for your family, finding some sort of hobby to enjoy yourself, and also dedicating some time to serving at your church. If we have any “dead time” in our schedule, we feel like we wasted our day.

Did Jesus intend for us to be this busy as disciples? Did he want us constantly running, even when it comes to serving him?

In our passage today in Matthew 17, Peter acts very much like we do. On the top of a high mountain, as Jesus is transfigured before him, James, and John, and they are witnessing a glimpse of what the kingdom of God will be like with Moses and Elijah, Peter immediately wants to jump into action by building some shelters for these great heroes of the faith. At that moment, God speaks up (which is VERY rare in the Bible) and says to simply listen to Jesus, His beloved son. God stops Peter from acting too quickly and slows him down so that he can truly embrace what is happening in front of his eyes: He didn’t want Peter missing the moment by doing something about it.

We are encouraged today that discipleship with Christ isn’t only “doing” something for him: sometimes it is simply “being” in Jesus’ presence and listening to his voice (does this sound like Mary and Martha in Luke 10?) One of my “life-verses” right now has been Mark 3:14, which I used to read over without really reading it. It states, “And Jesus appointed twelve, so that they would be with him and that he could send them out to preach.” Did you catch that? The first thing that a disciple is supposed to do is “be with Jesus”, even before we “do” anything for him. We need to understand that time spent “with” Jesus fuels everything else we “do” for him. We need to re-learn Jesus’ words in John 15: “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing… abide in my love.” (John 15:5, 9)

Brothers and sisters, break away from the rat-race of life today and do what Jesus commanded us to do first: sit and listen to his voice. Spend some time today simply “being” with Jesus, realizing that you can do nothing without this dedicated time with your Savior. He loves you as you are, not for what you do for him: abide in his love today.

Talon Paul

Reflection Questions

  1. Is being with Jesus and listening to him important to you? Why or why not? 
  2. If it is, how can you make time to be with Jesus and listen? What can you rearrange (or eliminate) in your day to make a better space of time to listen?
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What is the Gospel?

Old Testament: Genesis 47 & 48

Poetry: Psalm 21

New Testament: Matthew 16

If you were asked what the gospel is, what would you say?

Most Christians today would tell us that the gospel is primarily about Jesus dying for our sins and rising from the dead. While that is certainly good news, and necessary for our salvation (see 1 Corinthians 15:3-4), is that the entire story? Our passage today tells us something different, in a verse that is usually “skipped over”: it is Matthew 16:21, which states that “from that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.” If Jesus only started talking about his death and resurrection in chapter 16, what has he been talking about the previous 15? We are already halfway through Matthew: are we missing something important that Jesus meant to share with us?

If we return to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Matthew, we read that after his baptism and temptations in the wilderness, Jesus began preaching about the kingdom of God/heaven: “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” If you look back throughout Matthew, almost everything that Jesus talked about revolved around the kingdom of God. In another book, the Gospel of Luke, Jesus clearly tells us that his primary purpose in ministry was to teach about the kingdom of God: “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.” (Luke 4:43)

It is an unfortunate reality that many Christians today are completely unaware of what Jesus taught concerning the kingdom of God: they have only been introduced to his death and resurrection. A friend of mine was at a pastor’s conference and asked a group of pastors what the gospel was. Of course, they answered as most people would, that the gospel is about Jesus dying and rising for our sins. Then my friend directed them to Luke 4:43 that we just read, and they were stumped. Remember, these were PASTORS, and they had no clue about Jesus’ kingdom message…

Brothers and sisters, Jesus’ death and resurrection are crucial parts of our salvation: we have no hope of being saved without it. However, we shouldn’t neglect the largest message of Jesus’ entire ministry: the kingdom of God. I want to encourage you today to skim through Matthew and find out what Jesus says about the kingdom of heaven/God. You may be surprised at how often it shows up and how important this kingdom is.

So I’ll ask you again, what is the gospel? May you find the truth that Jesus revealed to us today.

Talon Paul

REflection Questions

  1. What do you find Jesus teaching about throughout Matthew? 
  2. What is the danger in missing what Jesus taught?
  3. If you were asked what the gospel is, what would you say?
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Additional Requirements

Old Testament: Genesis 45 & 46

Poetry: Psalm 20

*New Testament: Matthew 15

I have been involved in many food service jobs over the years, including food delivery. There was one particular food delivery job that I will never forget because of the absurdity involved with my employer. I had signed up to simply deliver food from restaurants for a company that was like a local GrubHub or UberEats. Things went along smoothly for the first month, until my employer got a wild idea: he wanted to deliver the local newspaper as well (he was nervous about losing business because of larger companies coming into town). For the second month, I was taking on a newspaper delivery route, as well as taking food orders when I could (sometimes working 12-hour days). It didn’t take long before I left that job because it wasn’t what I signed up for: my employer was adding requirements to the job that were not agreed upon from the beginning.


Does this happen in church too? When it comes to eternal life and being saved, do we add requirements that were not originally stated by Jesus or the apostles? Jesus encountered this in our passage today with the Pharisees and scribes. They were teaching that one must wash their hands before eating in order to be “pure” before God, something that is called the tradition of the elders. While washing your hands is still a good practice, there was nothing in the Old
Testament that ever stated this as a requirement: God was not requiring this to be in His presence, but men were. They were seeking control over the people and adding requirements that were not original.


Unfortunately, the Church today oftentimes does the same thing: adding requirements for salvation that were not original. For example, the Nicene Creed (325 AD) that is recited at many churches today states that Christians must believe that Jesus is “true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father…” There isn’t a single verse in Scripture that
describes Jesus in this way, but it is a required belief for salvation in many churches today. Not only that, but there are usually cultural expectations in many churches that are required for fellowship, such as the clothing you wear or the way you have your hair put up.


What does Scripture say about salvation? “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) Many might call me a minimalist, but I don’t believe Jesus intended salvation to be complicated: it’s difficult to make him the Lord of our lives and do what he says, but it’s not complicated. It is supposed to be simple enough for a child to understand (Matthew 18:3).

Reflection Questions

  1. What church traditions are alive around you that are beyond Scripture?
  2. What have you been taught is required, even if it’s not found on the lips of Jesus or the apostles?


Talon Paul

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An Appetizer

Old Testament: Genesis 43 & 44

Poetry: Psalm 19

*New Testament: Matthew 14

If you’ve ever been to the Texas Roadhouse restaurant, there is one thing you can always count on: bread and cinnamon butter. This is provided before every meal as a free appetizer, and on more than one occasion, we’ve had enough to be full by the time our actual meal arrived (the same can be said of the breadsticks at Olive Garden). Those rolls were not the meal, and were never intended to be the only thing you enjoyed: however, it gave you a taste of what was to come later, and whet your appetite for more (if you had enough room left in your stomach).

Our passage in Matthew 14 reminds me of our experiences at Texas Roadhouse: it offers us a “taste of what’s to come” in the kingdom of God. There were many people following Jesus at the time, and they were hungry from their journey of traveling after him: so Jesus miraculously offers them enough bread and fish to feed 5,000 men (probably about 10,000 people when you include women and children). What Jesus was doing was showing them what the kingdom of God was going to be like, as he was talking to them about its splendor. In Isaiah 25:6-9, we learn that the kingdom of God will be a time of tremendous feasting and the end of hunger forever: Jesus gives the crowd a foretaste of what this incredible moment will be like by doing this miracle for them.

There are two cautions that all Christians should be aware of when it comes to the kingdom of God. First, there are some Christians who are only focused on the kingdom of God in the future. While we still wait for the kingdom to come fully, we are able to presently experience some of it NOW and offer that to others (notice that Jesus invited his disciples to perform this miracle first). We are able to enjoy some of the kingdom of God’s blessings now, through the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, as we anxiously await to experience it fully in the end when Jesus comes. We should never neglect the fact that “the kingdom of God is in our midst” when we have Christ dwelling inside of us (Luke 17:20-21).

The second caution for Christians is living too much in this life without having a hope for the future reign of God’s kingdom. Jesus is very clear: the kingdom of God will not come fully until he returns (Matthew 25:31-40). While we can experience an “appetizer” now, it’s not the full meal: never fill up completely on the blessings of this age, but look forward with hope towards the future when Jesus returns. We should LOVE his appearing in the clouds, longing for that day to come soon (2 Timothy 4:8). We need a balance of now and then: living for the future kingdom today, with hope that it is coming soon.

Do you look forward to Jesus’ return and the kingdom of God? How can you enjoy it today?

Talon Paul

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you look forward to Jesus’ return and the kingdom of God?
  2. How can you enjoy it today?
  3. How can you help feed (spiritually and/or physically) those who are hungry for more of Jesus and those in need of an appetizer of the coming glorious feast in the kingdom of God?
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Your Hometown

Old Testament: Genesis 41 & 42

Poetry: Psalm 18

*New Testament: Matthew 13:53-58

When I moved away from my home in Illinois to Atlanta Bible College (12 hours away), I was equally excited and nervous. I longed for adventure and to see the world outside of my hometown, especially since there were only about 1200 people in the town I graduated from. However, I gained much more from having stepped outside my comfortable realm of family and friends: I gained eternal life in Jesus Christ. I had to get away from my comfortability to see my need for Jesus, for I wasn’t even a Christian at that point (a non-believer going to a Bible college still sounds silly to me, but it is what happened). However, I always had the intention of returning home one day with my newfound knowledge, and hopefully reaching the troubled friends that I used to run around with… but I still haven’t made it back yet…


I believe God has been deliberately keeping me from returning back to my old stomping grounds because of Jesus’ statement in our passage today: “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” See, I’ve had the opportunity offered to return home and even pastor my home church: TWICE. And yet, both times that I’ve been offered, there was something going on that prevented it from happening. Having to say no both times was a definite challenge, complete with tears and pain, especially having our son being a distance from his grandparents, but there was definitely divine protection involved.


Ask yourself this: if Jesus couldn’t do it, do you think you can? I used to reason in my head that Jesus didn’t really mean what he said: but I was wrong. If Jesus was even rejected by his own people, why would I assume that I would be any different? Would the friends and family that saw me partying in high school automatically start listening to me about eternal life and morality? Would my parents and grandparents automatically start listening to me about how to live?
Would they be convinced that my life had changed, or would they only remember what I used to be like? As painful as it is to admit, sometimes the last people who we can convince are family and former friends, like Jesus… and yet, we’ve gained so much more by choosing his path. We have new friends and family all throughout the world, all those who have made the same decision we have: choosing Jesus. He is fulfilling his promise in our lives that he made to Peter in Matthew 19:29, granting us a hundred times as much in this life and in the age to come.


My encouragement to you today is to consider exploring what options are out there that Jesus is drawing you towards. It is scary and challenging some days, but the benefits far outweigh the negatives. There is a large world out there that needs you and what Jesus has instilled in your heart: don’t be afraid to leave home and pursue the kingdom of God.


Talon Paul

Reflection Questions

  1. Are there times when you have already stepped out of your comfort zone and beyond your hometown circle of family and friends to pursue the kingdom of God and share with others? If so, what was the hardest part for you? And, what blessings have you received from doing so?
  2. Are there some people you can practice giving more honor to, perhaps from your own town or family?
  3. Where might Jesus be calling you to go with the message of the kingdom? What are the challenges and the advantages to going beyond your current hometown and family? 
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Cast Your Net Wide

Old Testament: Genesis 39 & 40

Poetry: Psalm 17

New Testament: Matthew 13:47-52



There is a sharp difference between commercial fishing and recreational fishing. With recreational fishing that we are all more familiar with, we are selective in the bait we choose and try to reel in one fish at a time: depending on what type of fish you want to catch, you will choose to use something different. For example, if you want to catch catfish like I did when I was younger, you’ll have more luck using stinky chicken liver than ordinary worms (I can tell stories of how bad that stuff can stink up a truck). But commercial fishing is very different: you are trying to catch as much as possible with a net, and will sort out whatever garbage after you have pulled it in. Commercial fishermen are not selective (except in what area to fish in): they cast their net wide and hope for the best.


Jesus compares the kingdom of God/heaven to this type of commercial fishing: at the end of the age, the angels will draw up everybody and then sort them out. The kingdom of God is not seeking individual fish, but casting its net over EVERY potential fish, because every person has a chance at having eternal life. Unfortunately, as with commercial fishing, some are going to be bad and reject the offer Jesus came to bring: they will reap the consequences of their decision
in the end. However, that is the nature of commercial fishing and the nature of the kingdom of God: allowing everyone to have a chance in the net, and letting the angels sort it out in the end.


Jesus called us to be fishers of men and participate in his fishing expedition (Matthew 4:19): however, he was calling us to be like commercial fishermen rather than recreational. We are expected to cast our net of the gospel WIDE, offering it to whoever we come across, not being selective about who gets to hear it. While we recognize that there will be some people who reject our message (and maybe persecute us), we are doing our duty by offering them the
chance of eternal life. Unfortunately, we often pick-and-choose who we think should hear the gospel for various reasons, rather than “being ready in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2) for the person who comes across us. We need to remember our calling as fishermen and put aside our personal preferences.


Ask yourselves these questions today:


1. Are your nets ready? (Do you understand the gospel yourself?)
2. Are you willing to step out onto the boat? (Are you moving towards the people rather than sheltering inside?)
3. Are you prepared for the fish you might encounter along the way? (Are you ready for anybody to accept the message, even if they seem “less desirable” in your eyes?)


– Talon Paul

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