a 365 day trip through Matthew with a key thought, prayer, focus verse and contextual verses for each day
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I remind you to keep using the gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. Now let it grow, as a small flame grows into a fire.God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of power and love and self-control.So do not be ashamed to tell people about our Lord Jesus, and do not be ashamed of me, in prison for the Lord. But suffer with me for the Good News. God, who gives us the strength to do that, saved us and made us his holy people. That was not because of anything we did ourselves but because of God's purpose and grace. That grace was given to us through Christ Jesus before time began, but it is now shown to us by the coming of our Savior Christ Jesus. He destroyed death, and through the Good News he showed us the way to have life that cannot be destroyed. (NCV)
2 Tim. 1:6-10
Then Jesus called the crowd to him, along with his followers. He said,... "The people who live now are living in a sinful and evil time. If people are ashamed of me and my teaching, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes with his Father's glory and with the holy angels."(NCV)
Mark 8:34-38
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.(NIV)
Rom. 1:16 |
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July 9
Peer Fear - Matthew 14:1-5
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus,and he said to his attendants, "This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him." Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, for John had been saying to him: "It is not lawful for you to have her." Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.
Full Text
Key Thought
We sometimes talk about peer pressure and its power over teenagers.But if we look at ourselves, I think we'll find that adults are even more vulnerable to peer pressure than teenagers.Just look at how we fall into line with fashion clothing, cologne, cars, neighborhoods, political opinions, morals, and hairstyles.Even our leaders seem to check the wind and gather the latest poll data before they will announce their opinion on any subject.
Herod, or any other toy leader of Jesus' era or own, reveals his fear and weakness.He is afraid John is risen.He was a afraid of John because he told the truth.He is afraid of because of his adulterous and incestuous relationship with his brother's wife.He is afraid to kill John because of the people's fascination with John. Herod is not a ruler, he's a "fear-er."
We forfeit our right to be called people of integrity when we cave in to the pressure of those around us and abdicate our values, principles, and beliefs to avoid scrutiny.No matter what accomplisments we may achieve, they are worthless because they are never enough because we fear losing recognition for them, losing the support of others, and losing the notoriety of our achievement.
Today's Prayer
Holy God and Divine Father, forgive me for the times that I have backed down from my convictions because of peer pressure.Give me the Spirit of power and boldness to not only stand for you when it is easy, but also when it is difficult.Help me be a person of proven integrity and faithfulness.In Jesus' name I pray.Amen.
Today's Verses with Jesus
(key verses in bold)
13:53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. 55 "Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?56 Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?"
57 And they took offense at him.But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor." 58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
Top of Page
14:1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus,2 and he said to his attendants, "This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him." 3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife,4 for John had been saying to him: "It is not lawful for you to have her."5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.
6 On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.8 Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist."9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted10 and had John beheaded in the prison.11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.12 John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
(NCV) The New Century Version, (Dallas, Texas:
Word Publishing) 1987, 1988, 1991.
Used by permission.
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