Matthew 8

The scripture in the devotional I read this morning was in Matthew 8:14-21 about how Jesus warns the disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees. Previous to this, Jesus had fed about 4,000 men with seven loaves of bread. The disciples are talking among themselves about the fact that they have only one loave of bread. Apparently, they are worried about this even after seeing the miracle. They think that Jesus' reference to leaven in verse 15 is about bread.

This in some ways reminds me of myself at times. The worries of each day consume me and I forget what God has provided in the past. All I can see is the troubles "right now" and not how He saw me through yesterday. I wonder what the facial expression and tone of voice Jesus used to speak to the disciples in this passage? Was he angry? Did it frustrate him to have disciples who could see such miracles and not learn anything? How is it possible to see 4,000 people fed on a few small loaves and then get worried because you have only one loaf? Did Jesus wonder that too I wonder? If he did, then he also wonders about me when I am slow to learn and see and walk by faith. His question in verse 21 he could equally apply to me today, "Do you not yet understand?"

Thank God for his patience and lovingkindness in the face of my stubbornness and being slow to learn.

Minister Visit

When I was a little kid, the minister from the Methodist church came to visit us. He was new and not really good with kids. My mom called me from downstairs that a visitor was here to see me. I told her to send him up, but she insisted that I come downstairs. I was further alarmed when I found out he was in the living room, which was a room we hardly ever used. I was very alarmed though to look around the corner and see the new preacher sitting on the white couch in the living room in his suit. I wondered what in the world he would say to me. I was wondering if God had told him something about me. Quite frankly, it scared me to death to think about it. The minister always talked about God like he personally knew him. I was absolutely sure there was some kind of red phone, like in the old Batman television shows, somewhere in his office that God called him on.
I quickly said "hi" that day and went right back out the dining room as fast as I could. That was about all we said to each other for another 6 years or so after that.
I was thinking about that and wondering if that is part of what John meant when he talked about how Jesus is the "Word". In a sense, a word is always directed, it is always personal, it is always communication. There is creativity in the word "Word", as well as a sense of communication. But, it is always personal, it is always pervasive, it is penetrating. It doesn't allow us to rush into the room and out the other side without being changed in some way. It is always directed, not to the masses, but to us. Isn't that kinda amazing, that God wants to speak and he wants to speak to us, to you, to me. And far from being afraid of what he is to say, it is a good message, a hopeful message.

New Church

I went to a Methodist church this morning that I had not tried so far. We live about 3 miles from this church. I don't have anything against the Methodist church, but for some reason just hadn't picked that one to go to. I got there late and a man helped me find the sanctuary. After the service I was greeted by at least 5 people. They told me there is an earlier service also that is more contemporary. I went to the traditional service.
I heard some of the same things I have been studying in the Bible study I am doing through Charles Stanley's ministry. The pastor talked some about the love of God and how it is unconditional, which is exactly what I read last night. It is amazing that God loves us knowing us as well as he does. I wonder why he isn't totally disgusted with what He sees.
I heard some other things that sounded alot like things I have said from the pulpit. Talking about how we are not just in church to be served, but to serve. I heard a little complaining also from the pastor about not everyone being on board about the playground that they are installing. He emphasized that the church is interested in working with children, which was encoruaging. Apparently they are having trouble getting enough nursery workers also, which happens in almost any church these days with children.