MATTHEW

Mt 28 THE GREAT COMMISSION
Tuesday, August 24, 2021.

Matthew 28:19 

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: Jesus left His followers with one assignment—to go into all the world and share the salvation gospel to make disciples who would obey God and His teachings. Jesus specified who this God was: the Triune God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Application: Jonah was asked to restore Nineveh and initially refused, resulting in God’s discipline—spending three days in a huge fish Jnh 1:17. However, Jonah repented and was spewed out onto dry land Jnh 2:10. He proceeded to Nineveh and preached a message of repentance which was humbly received, causing God to relent from destroying the people of Nineveh Jnh 3:10. Now, God is commanding His followers to share the Good News with His damaged possessions before His final judgment comes upon the whole world Mt 24:14.

THE HARVEST

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Mt 27 DARKNESS
Monday, August 23, 2021.

Matthew 27:45  

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land: The Passover was held on a full moon day and when Jesus was crucified Israel experienced a total eclipse for the three hours before Jesus died. The darkness symbolized the wickedness of evil hearts who crucified the innocent Lamb of God.

Application: only Jesus, the Light of the world Jn 8:12 can lift the darkness from one’s life 2 Co 4:6.

HE’S THE LIGHT

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Mt 26 GIVING ALL
Sunday, August 22, 2021.

Matthew 26:13  

Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her: Jesus was about to give all He had—His life for the world He loved Jn 3:16. When this gospel truth was later to be preached throughout the world, Jesus said that Mary’s kindness would be shared in remembrance of this loving deed. Her desire to show the Lord, her gratitude, for accepting an ex-prostitute and loving her, led her to spend all she had on Jesus. The fragrant smell of the perfume exemplified her sweet pure heart wanting to give her all for Jesus. It demonstrated to the world that nothing we own is too good to use for Jesus.

Application: do we display to the world our value of Jesus? Do we give Jesus our best—our firstfruits or the things we no longer cherish. Jesus gave His life so that we could be saved from destruction. Mary understood this truth and gave Jesus all she had. When we share the gospel with others, may we remember Mary’s magnanimous gift and imitate her pure motives and always give our Lord our best Col 3:23.

BEAUTIFUL WORDS

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Mt 25 GET TO KNOW HIM
Saturday, August 21, 2021.

Matthew 25:12  

But he replied, Truly I tell you, I don’t know you: Jesus told this parable to people who pretend to have a relationship with Him but don’t. They will bang on Salvation’s door after it’s too late, like the people in Noah’s day did when the door was shut in the ark Gen 7:16. Other’s will claim they did mighty acts in Jesus’ name but He will also tell these people, “ I never knew you” Mt 7:23.

Application: Jesus warned us to be ready for His coming and to make sure we buy enough oil Mt 25:9. How do we pay for this oil and what kind is it? The oil is the Holy Spirit and we pay in time currency by daily being in the Lord’s presence, worshipping and communing with Him. If we do this Jesus will not say to us, “I don’t know you!”

GLORIOUS LORD

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Mt 24 RAPTURE AND GATHERING
Friday, August 20, 2021.

Matthew 24:36 

But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father: Jesus described the rapture piece of His two-part coming 2 Th 2:1 in which He explained that only His Father knew the exact day and hour. However, we can know the season and should be prepared for the coming rapture. In contrast, the gathering Mt 24:31 will be known by all since it will be at the end of the seven-year tribulation. The Antichrist will demand worship in the temple, midway through the tribulation Mt 24:15; Dan 9:27; until the end of the last three and one-half years—1260 days Dan 7:25. There will be much distress in these last three and one-half years and after this Mt 24:29 Jesus will be seen in the clouds Mt 24:30 and His angels will gather the nations to be judged Mt 24:31; Mt 25:32,33.

Application: Daniel gives us the exact number of days from the Antichrist demanding worship until Jesus completes His assignment: after 1260 days Jesus returns; after 1290, He judges the nations Dan 12:11; and after 1335 days the Millennium begins Dan 12:12.

COME LOED JESUS

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Mt 23 HYPOCRITES
Thursday, August 19, 2021.

Matthew 23:28  

In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness: the religious leaders pretended on the outside to love God but only loved themselves. They appeared outwardly to be righteous but inwardly were wicked. Jesus called them out for who they were—hypocrites.

Application: today our leaders are doing what the Pharisees did. They pretend to care about the people but only care about themselves. Most people are still asleep and believe that these politicians actually care about their countries!

 
BLIND SIGHT

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Mt 22 HEAVEN’S MARRIAGE
Wednesday, August 18, 2021.

Matthew 22:30  

At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven: being like angels doesn’t necessarily mean that we will have wings Isa 6:2; Eze 1:24 since angels did appear on earth as male human beings Gen 19:1. Our bodies will change from a natural to a spiritual one 1 Co 15:44 and will have a unique splendor 1 Co 15:40,41. It appears to be no need to increase in number Gen 1:28 in eternity, making marriage and sexual organs unnecessary. Therefore Jesus’ comment about being like angels would refer to our inability to procreate. An important fact concerning marriage in eternity—there will be one permanent marriage in New Jerusalem, between the Church and Jesus 2 Co 11:2 in which we will serve Him only Rev 22:3.

Application: many will not like to believe such a beautiful gift of human marriage and sexual intimacy would be taken from us in eternity but may not realize that it will be replaced with something much better, just as the New Covenant is much better than the Old. We will still have family ties 2 Sa 12:23 and our intimacy will be in our spiritual union with Christ 1 Co 6:17.

LOOK AT ME NOW

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Mt 21 A DAY OF RECKONING COMING
Tuesday, August 17, 2021.

Matthew 21:13 

It is written, he said to them, My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers: Jesus was appalled that the religious leaders had turned God’s temple into a house of merchandise. Instead of a place of worship, it had become a den of thieves. The temple was to be an environment where the people could connect with God in prayer but the wicked religious leaders had turned it into a money-making organization. After overturning the money tables Jesus stating that God’s house was to be a house of prayer!

Application: how many people use God’s church to make contacts for their business adventures rather than to worship God? How many pastors are more interested in their personal gain than God’s kingdom being promoted? One day God will judge our motives and each will receive their just reward 1 Co 4:5.

 
GOING HOME

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Mt 20 HAVING A PROPER ATTITUDE
Monday, August 16, 2021.

Matthew 20:16  

So the last will be first, and the first will be last: Jesus told a parable in which workers hired late in the day were given the same wage as those hired early in the morning. These early workers were upset as they expected that they would be paid extra, since they worked longer hours. The landowner’s answer was that he was fair with them and if he wanted to be generous with the later workers that was his right. Jesus concluded the parable by stating that the last would be first and the first would be last. This doesn’t make much sense until you realize that Jesus was directing this story at the Jewish religious leaders who were about to kill him Mt 20:18. These leaders were the first ones God chose to teach and lead Israel righteously. However, they didn’t fulfill their duty, so now God would turn to the Gentiles to guide His people. Jesus’ conclusion was that these Jewish leaders, although first chosen would be at the end of the praise line while the last chosen (Gentiles/Church) would be at the head of the reward procession.

Application: this same spirit was found in the prodigal son’s older brother, as he was jealous and resented that his father wanted to have a banquet for his wayward son Lk 15:29,30. Let us have a grateful attitude that we are God’s children and not worry about the Lord’s dealings with His other servants Jn 21:21,22.

PRODIGAL

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Mt 19 MARRIAGE
Sunday, August 15, 2021.

Matthew 19:6  

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate: in Gen 2:24 the word “united” or “cleave” has the meaning of sticking together like glue, a good illustration of the permanence of marriage. It is possible that when God created Eve, He deleted Adam’s feminine genes and used the rib (DNA) to make Eve, a woman Gen 2:22. Therefore, man is not complete until he unites his masculine genes with woman’s feminine genes. The sexual act is a good demonstration of the two bodies becoming one 1 Co 6:16.

Application: human marriage is a wonderful picture of our spiritual union with God 1 Co 6:17 and that is why divorce is such a negative action. Those who refuse God’s marriage offer will suffer an eternal separation 2 Th 1:9.

IT’S YOU THAT WE ADORE

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Mt 18 GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM?
Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Matthew 18:1 

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus’ disciples wanted to know who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven but were quite shocked at Jesus’ response. He called a young child and told his disciples that they had to become like this little one and those who took this lowly position would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Application: the kingdom of heaven is upside down compared to Satan’s worldly kingdom Eph 2:1,2. God gives grace to the humble but resists the proud Jas 4:6. To be greatest in the kingdom of heaven you must be servant of all Mt 23:11.

 
CHILD OF THE LIVING GOD

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Mt 17 TRANSFIGURATION
Friday, August 13, 2021.

Matthew 17:3  

Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus: Matthew described the transfiguration—Jesus in His glorified state. “Peter, James and John were present Mt 17:1.  God gave these three disciples a taste of the coming kingdom—what would take place in the future, as Jesus prepared to usher in His millennial kingdom through His two witnesses Moses and Elijah.

Application: we are a fortunate generation as the end times are upon us with the Millennium kingdom to follow shortly. We should be living with a watchful eye Mt 25:13 ready to share the Good News, for the time is short and soon the door of salvation will be shut Mt 25:10-12 just like in the days of Noah Gen 7:16.

HE’S COMING BACK

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Mt 16 INTERPRETING THE TIMES
Thursday, August 12, 2021.

Matthew 16:3  

‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times: Jesus told the religious leaders that they could interpret signs in the natural world and predict future weather conditions, yet they couldn’t interpret spiritual signs that had been given to them. The Bible spoke of the coming Messiah, so these Pharisees and Sadducees should have recognized Jesus as the Anointed One. The only sign Jesus would give them was Jonah’s experience in the fish. Spiritual insight would have revealed to these religious leaders that Jesus would die and be buried for three days then be resurrected—foreshadowed in Jonah spending three days and nights in the belly of the fish then spewed out onto dry land Jnh 2:10.

Application: we are seeing end times events unfold before our eyes, yet many Christians can’t see the connection with the CoVid pandemic and the coming mark of the beast Rev 13:16,17,18. The signs are clear: increase in earthquakes, famines, floods, pestilence Lk 21:11, one world currency coming, one world religion, one world government already in placedirecting worldwide lockdowns and mandating non-sensical obedience.

THESE PRESENT TIMES

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Mt 15 TRUE DEFILEMENT
Wednesday, August 11, 2021.

Matthew 15:18 

“Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them: the Pharisees were accusing Jesus’ disciples of breaking the law because they failed to wash their hands before they ate. Jesus pointed out their hypocrisy Mt 15:3-6 then taught the truth about defilement. Eating is a physical act and doesn’t defile anyone but the words that come out of one’s mouth originate in his or her heart and these defile the individual.

Application: when we major on an insignificant act and fail to fulfill a critical law, we are acting like a hypocrite. Jesus wants us to judge righteously Jn 7:24 for the way we judge others, God will  judge us Mt 7:2.

GIVE LOVE

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Mt 14 WALKING ON WATER
Tuesday, August 10, 2021.

Matthew 14:28,29  

Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”  “Come,” he said: faith is trusting in God.  When Jesus affirmed that Peter could come to him, the disciple began walking on the water. But when his eyes were focused on the wind rather than Jesus, he began to sink and cried out to the Lord to save him Mt 14:30. Jesus caught Peter but rebuked him for doubting Mt 14:31.

Application: is our faith unproductive because we fail to keep our eyes on Jesus and point them at our circumstances? The writer of Hebrews exhorts us to fix our eyes on Jesus Heb 12:2, while Jesus reminds us that all things are possible with God Mt 19:26.

FAITH OUTLOUD

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Mt 13 SECRETS OF THE KINGDOM
Monday, August 9, 2021.

Matthew 13:11  

He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them: the secrets of the kingdom are contained in the Word of God available to all who are willing to dig deeply. Unbelievers do not cherish the Bible and therefore will not discover these secret truths.

Application: believing that the Bible is God breathed 2 Ti 3:16 will allow the hidden treasure to be discovered.
BEAUTIFUL WORDS

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Mt 12 LORD OF THE SABBATH
Sunday, August 8, 2021

Matthew 12:8 

For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath: Jesus’ disciples were hungry, so they picked some heads of grain. This caused the Pharisees to rebuke Jesus for doing what was unlawful on the Sabbath. Jesus used Scripture to justify their actions stating that David and his companions ate the consecrated breadwhich was not lawful as it was set apart for the priests. Jesus concluded by saying He was Lord of the Sabbath. Doing what was right was God’s ultimate will and if it conflicted with His written Law, then it superseded that rule.

Application: may we not worship the Law, but the Giver of the Law. In giving, the Law says ten percent but God says give whatever you can cheerfully 2 Co 9:7. In forgiving, Peter thought legalistically seven times was the magic number but Jesus told him seventy-seven times or an unlimited amount Mt 18:21,22. Let us love the “Lord of the Sabbath” rather than the stone, cold tablets.

THE LIVING STONE

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Mt 11 UNCERTAINTY
Saturday, August 7, 2021.

Matthew 11:3

Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else? John was given revelationa dove would light on the Messiah to confirm His identity. However, when John was thrown into prison with the good possibility the he would be beheaded, he began to question if Jesus was the Chosen One sent by God. Jesus confirmed John’s doubts by reminding him of the miracles He had done.

Application: we are told to walk by faith not by circumstances 2 Co 5:7. John began to doubt when his expectations didn’t materialize. We must trust God that His Word is true and all promises and prophecies will come to fruition in God’s time and in His ordained way.

I WILL TRUST

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Mt 10 EXPOSED
Friday, August 6, 2021.

Matthew 10:26 

So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known: Jesus told His followers not to fear the lies of the Enemy Jn 8:44 for truth will eventually be revealed and will be the victor Jn 8:32.

Application: Satan has deceived many people in these present times Mt 24:11. Our discernment must come from biblical truth and our task is to expose the lies of the corrupt Eph 5:11,12,13 and wake up those people who have been sleeping Eph 5:14.

SLEEPY DREAMER

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Mt 9 CALLING ALL WORKERS
Thursday, August 5, 2021.

Matthew 9:37,38  

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field: Jesus came to save people but the Pharisees, the spiritual leaders had failed to do their job. Jesus’ miracles had stirred hope in the people, but workers would be required to bring in the harvest. The plan required prayer asking God to place a passionate desire in believers’ hearts to go and bring in the harvest.

Application: the final harvest is near and God is desiring His people to bring in the bountiful crop Jn 21:6. Let us ask the Lord of the harvest to use us to gather His precious yield Mt 28:19,20.

THE HARVEST

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Mt 8 RESPONDING TO MIRACLES
Wednesday, August 4, 2021.

Matthew 8:34  

Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region: Jesus had just delivered two demon-possessed men Mt 8:28. The demons begged Jesus to send them into the herd of pigs Mt 8:31. After granting their request the herd rushed down the bank and drowned in the lake Mt 8:32. The entire town came to meet Jesus but rather than praising Jesus for the miracle of freeing the demon-possessed men, their anger for the lost revenue from the pigs pleaded with Jesus to leave their region. This may have been the reason why the demons asked Jesus to send them into the pigs, as they could put resentment in the hearts of the people for the pigs’ death. Earlier Jesus had calmed the storm Mt 8:26 causing His disciples to marvel at His power but this miracle caused the people to respond with hardened hearts and begging Jesus to leave them.

Application: the same sun which hardens clay melts wax. Jesus’ disciples drew closer to Him through the miracle of the calming of the storm, however the Gentile hearts were angered and fear pleaded for Jesus to depart after witnessing the power to deliver men from Satan’s control. All of us have one important decision to make—to follow Jesus or deny Him. This choice will determine where we will spend eternity!

FISH OR CUT BAIT

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Mt 7 Road To Eternal Life
Tuesday, August 3, 2021.

Matthew 7:13  

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it: Satan would have us believe that there are no consequences to the choices we make, and to live for our pleasures. However, God stated that there are two roads and one leads to eternal life while the other to destruction. The road to life has a narrow gate, based on God’s standards and no exceptions, while the wide gate allows us to be our own god, but the end reaps eternal separation 2 Th 1:9.

Application: choosing the road you want to travel on will determine your home for eternity. Reflect on Adam and Eve’s decision—do you really want to go down that road!

DOWN THE ROAD

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Mt 6 Heavenly Investments
Monday, August 2, 2021.

Matthew 6:19,20 

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal: Jesus taught the best investment one could make was to give to the Lord as God guaranteed this kind of investment. The stock market may make you rich but it could crash and you could find yourself penniless. When you are promoted to heaven Php 1:21 your investments into God’s kingdom will be awaiting you. The wisest businessmen will recognize temporal wealth cannot compare to God’s eternal inheritance.

Application: By giving to God’s kingdom you are demonstrating your love for God Mt 25:40 and affirming the Christian character Jn 13:35.

GIVE LOVE

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Mt 5 HIDDEN TRUTH
Sunday, August 1, 2021.

Matthew 5:1  

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down: this seems to contradict Lk 6:17. Did Jesus go up or down? Was He on a mountain or plain? Was He sitting down or standing up? Could there be two different beatitude sermons preached at different locations? By careful examination we can discover the reason for these differences. Matthew’s speech revealed a spiritual bent whereas Luke’s sermon had an emphasis on the physical. Let’s compare: Mt 5:3 poor in spirit (spiritually poor); Lk 6:20 who are poor (physically); Mt 5:6 hunger and thirst for righteousness (spiritual hunger); Lk 6:21 who hunger now (physical hunger). In the Matthew account it seemed that these beatitudes are mostly addressing the spiritual realm: comforted spiritually Mt 5:4; pure in heart Mt 5:8 whereas Luke appealed to the physical domain: weeping and laughing Lk 6:21; rich Lk 6:24; well fed Lk 6:25. If this is true what was God’s purpose? I believe Matthew’s account taught a spiritual truth: “up” referred to Jesus’ ascension Ac 1:11; “mountainside” symbolized Mount Zion (heaven) Heb 12:22 and “sat down” pointed to Jesus’ finished work of salvation Heb 10:12. In Luke’s report “down” referred to Jesus’ coming to earth as our Savior Jn 6:38. “Level place” inferred earth, since heaven is symbolized by the word mountain Ex 19:17. “Stood” demonstrated that the work of salvation was not yet completed Heb 10:11,12. In conclusion, Luke’s account described Jesus physically coming to earth to physical die for our sins, whereas Matthew’s sermon described Jesus’ finished spiritual work and thus He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father Heb 10:12,13.

Application: discovering hidden manna increases our faith and broadens our knowledge of the marvelous God we serve. When we feel defeated remember what God has revealed and the mighty promise that all things are possible with God Mt 19:26.

PSALM OF PRAISE

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Mt 4 SPIRITUAL MANNA
Saturday, July 31, 2021.

Matthew 4:4  

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God: Satan tempted Jesus in His hunger to do a miracle to meet His physical need for food. Jesus demonstrated that God’s Word not physical bread was the necessity of maintaining true life.

Application: the principle of fasting is a way of prioritizing this principle of spiritual manna being more important than physical bread. By fasting you are submitting the flesh under the control of your spirit Mk 9:29 KJV.

DANCE IN HIS LIGHT

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Mt 3 TRIUNE GOD
Friday, July 30, 2021.

Matthew 3:16,17 

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.  And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased:” a wonderful picture of the Triune God. Jesus came out of the water, while the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove lighted on Him and God the Father spoke from heaven.

Application: the Bible teaches that God is three Persons in one God which is not a contradiction as these two categories are different. Persons address “who” God is, whereas God’s nature is “what” God is. God is a spiritual being subsisting in three distinct Persons, just as identical triplets have one DNA, yet are three unique persons.

HOLY TRINITY

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Mt 2 KING, PRIEST, SAVIOR
Thursday, July 29, 2021.

Matthew 2:11  

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh: these gifts foreshadowed Jesus’ future. The gold represented that He would be the king of the Jews, frankincense demonstrated His role as High Priest and the myrrh pointed to his death which would make Him their Savior with His resurrection from the dead.

Application: the wisemen recognized who Jesus was through their studies but today, do people understand this truth. Jesus is Lord of lords and King of kings and one day every knee will bow before Him Php 2:10.

BLOOD AND WATER

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Mt 1 GOD’s GIFT: JESUS
Wednesday, July 28, 2021.

Matthew 1:18  

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit: Jesus was from both the line of Joseph and Mary from the tribe of Judah, yet conceived by the Holy Spirit not Joseph. Jesus was therefore like the created Adam without a sin nature. He is called the last Adam 1 Co 15:45 who did not succumb to Satan’s temptations and was able to save the world from their sins 1 Jn 2:2.

Application: there is no name under heaven that we can be saved except by Jesus Ac 4:12; Jn 14:6. A grateful heart praises God for His amazing Gift.

THEN THE ANGELS SANG

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