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Mark 9:14-29; Matthew 17:14-21; Luke 9:37-43; Mark 9:30-32; Matthew 17:22-23; Luke 9:43-45; Matthew 17:24-27; Mark 9:33-37; Matthew 18:1-6; Luke 9:46-48; Mark 9:38-41; Luke 9:49-50; Mark 9:42-50; Matthew 18:7-35<\/strong><\/span> Matthew:<\/strong> Today in Matthew chapter 17 verse 20 stood out to me: \u201c\u201dYou didn\u2019t have enough faith,\u201d Jesus told them. \u201cI assure you, even if you had faith as small as a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, `Move from here to there,\u2019 and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.\u201d\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 As I think about this verse, I wonder about my own faith.\u00a0 How much faith do I really have?\u00a0 Do I have enough faith in Jesus?\u00a0 And in all of God\u2019s promises?\u00a0 Or \u2013 am I hedging my bets?\u00a0 Do I also place a lot of faith in my own power?\u00a0 My own skills?\u00a0 My own \u201csmarts\u201d?\u00a0 \u00a0Do I truly have complete faith in Jesus and Jesus alone?\u00a0 If so, and if it was Jesus\u2019 will, do I believe that I could move mountains?\u00a0 Could you?\u00a0 \u00a0I don\u2019t think that this idea of not having enough faith means that I need to \u201ctry harder\u201d in any way.\u00a0 I think it means I simply need to depend more \u2013 rest more \u2013 relax more \u2013 give more \u2013 to Jesus.\u00a0 Trust in Jesus.\u00a0 Trust that his grace is enough\u2026\u00a0 As a great\u00a0Chris Tomlin\u00a0song goes \u2013 \u201cAll of you is more than Enough, for all of me.\u201d\u00a0 Is Jesus more than enough for you?<\/span><\/p>\n Verses 25 & 26 are awesome as Peter is about to ask Jesus about the Temple Tax: \u201cBut before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, \u201cWhat do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the foreigners they have conquered?\u201d \u201cThey tax the foreigners,\u201d Peter replied. \u201cWell, then,\u201d Jesus said, \u201cthe citizens are free!\u201d\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Here we see that Jesus is recognizing himself as the King \u2013 and his disciples are his citizens who should not have to pay the tax.\u00a0 But \u2013 as to not offend those who did not realize that Jesus was the King, Jesus tells Peter where to find a coin, in the fish\u2019s mouth, to pay the tax.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Jesus\u2019 teaching in Matthew chapter 18 verses 3 & 4 are something for each of us to consider: \u201c\u201dI assure you, unless you turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I find it interesting the order of the words \u2013 first, turn from your sin.\u00a0 THEN \u2013 after turning from your sins \u2013 become as little children.\u00a0 It seems that we cannot become humble as children without first turning from our sins.\u00a0 This makes sense if you think about it.\u00a0 If you are still living in sin, how can you become humble like a child?\u00a0 You must first repent of the sin before moving toward humility.\u00a0 I think this teaching is a tough one in our modern age.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t sound quite right\u2026 become humble like a child?\u00a0 Why??\u00a0 But, there is so much wisdom in it.\u00a0 \u00a0Do you want to become humble like a child?\u00a0 Will you ask God to show you how to do this in your life?<\/span><\/p>\n Verses 19 & 20 are awesome: \u201cI also tell you this: If two of you agree down here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together because they are mine, I am there among them.\u201d<\/em> Again, these verses remind me of the importance of being in community with other believers regularly.\u00a0 The importance of church.\u00a0 And not just showing up to church on Sundays, but really investing in your church.\u00a0 Serving.\u00a0 Giving financially. Being part of a small group.\u00a0 Doing life together with others.\u00a0 Being the body of Christ.\u00a0 \u00a0I will admit that there have been periods of my life where I really felt like I did not need the church.\u00a0 That I did not need to be in community.\u00a0 These have turned out to be lonely or hurried or stressful seasons when I look back on them!\u00a0 I realize now more than ever that I need the church.\u00a0 I love my church.\u00a0 I love everyone in my church \u2013 warts and faults and all \u2013 and I believe they love me in return, warts and faults and all.\u00a0 \u00a0How about you?\u00a0 Do you have a church that you love?\u00a0 Do you have a community of believers that you love and that loves you?\u00a0 If not, will you pray to God to lead you to such a community?\u00a0 Do you believe that Christian community is important for you?\u00a0 (Please know that when I say church I am speaking very broadly of the body of Christ and all the various ways it manifest itself as church.\u00a0 For example, I have many friends who are part of the growing house church movement, which is a wonderful way to do church for many folks.\u00a0 For others it\u2019s the mega-church and for others the mainline church, and this list of examples of church could go on and on\u2026)<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Matthew chapter 18 titled \u201cLife Under Kingdom Authority\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Today in Matthew chapter 18 we read about Jesus\u2019 strong teaching on the need for us to forgive others in our life.\u00a0 And not just to forgive someone once\u2026 but many many many times.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Because God has been so gracious to us \u2013 he has forgiven us for our many many many sins through our faith in Jesus\u2019 life, death, and resurrection.\u00a0 If God has forgiven us many times over \u2013 who are we to not forgive others many times over as well?\u00a0 Are we better than God?\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 We all know the answer to this one.\u00a0 No.\u00a0 But, we are all called to forgive as gracefully as God has forgiven us.\u00a0 We are to forgive, just as we have been forgiven.\u00a0 Is there someone in your life today that you need to forgive?\u00a0 Will you?\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong>\u00a0 It\u2019s been, oh, about 3 days since I\u2019ve posted up a Casting Crowns video \u2013 much too long!\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 I definitely love their ministry.\u00a0 Here\u2019s the song that started it all for them, \u201cIf we are the Body.\u201d\u00a0 I was reminded of this song in today\u2019s readings. This is definitely a song worthy of launching a ministry with the powerful lyrics:\u00a0 \u201cBut if we are the Body, why aren\u2019t His arms reaching? Why aren\u2019t His hands healing? Why aren\u2019t His words teaching?\u00a0 Why is His love not showing them there is a way?\u00a0 There is a way!\u201d\u00a0 Jesus is the Way!<\/span><\/p>\n \n
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