Today’s reading: Gen 19:30–21:21, Matt 13:44–14:36, Eccles 4:8–16

Today’s theme: With everything

Today we see that God is always in control as the sovereign ruler over all. There is a lesson in the parable about the pearl of great price, we should give our all to loving and serving God with everything.

Genesis 19:30–21:21

God is in control

Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her. Genesis 20:6 (ESV)

Even during Abraham’s lack of faith, God remained in sovereign control of the situation by keeping the king from sinning.

Matthew 13:44–14:36

Serve with everything

who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:46 (ESV)

As disciples of Jesus Christ we should serve God with everything, do not hold anything back.

The word received and shared

Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. Matthew 14:19–20 (ESV)

This is an amazing miracle, it is also a picture of how our leaders receive God’s word and pass it on to us, without this we would not be truly satisfied in God.

The deity of Christ

And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:33 (ESV)

A clear biblical account of the deity of Christ and Him receiving worship.

Ecclesiastes 4:8–16

Active fellowship

And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 (ESV)

None of us should be isolated, we should all engage in active fellowship, agreement in prayer and work for the Lord.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014

Additional resources

With Everything (Song)

Today’s reading: Gen 18:1–19:29, Matt 13:1–43, Eccles 4:1–7

Today’s theme: Be fruitful

We have lots of good lessons in today’s reading. We see evidence of the Trinity in the Old Testament (OT) as well as the life lesson that cowardly compromise will never end well for us. The most important lesson comes in the parable of the soils where Jesus exhorts us to be firm, steadfast and fruitful.

We should give God thanks for revealing the truth to us and helping our roots go down deep. This will enable us to persevere and actively bear fruit to God’s glory and our joy.

Set your mind to be fruitful this year.

Genesis 18:1–19:29

Jesus in the Old Testament

and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Genesis 18:3 (ESV)

Abraham calls the leader Adonai. This is an Old Testament appearance of The Word, The Son, The Lord, later incarnated as Jesus The Christ.

This is what theologians call a theophany. It is when God appears in human form in the OT. This is a great point to raise when witnessing to Jews and others who honour the OT, to explain that Jesus is God, distinct from the Father and the Holy Spirit meaning that God is a trinity.

Don’t be a coward

Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please. Only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof.” Genesis 19:8 (ESV)

Lot was a cowardly man who sought to compromise with the evil men of Sodom by giving them his daughters.

Cowardly compromise and appeasement with the wicked will only come back to harm us. This was the case with Lot and his daughters. As a dad he should have been their guide, covering and protection.

Have faith in God

Behold, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one. Let me escape there—is it not a little one?—and my life will be saved!” Genesis 19:20 (ESV)

This is again indicative of the cowardice, fear, compromise and lack of faith in Lot’s life. We should not be like this but boldly follow the Lord all the way with lion hearts. We were encouraged to do this at the men’s prayer gathering yesterday evening.

Matthew 13:1–43

Praise God for revelation

And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. Matthew 13:11 (ESV)

We should not take the fact that we understand the gospel and the teaching of Jesus for granted. Our ability to know the truth is a gracious gift given to us by God as his elect. We should give thanks and praise to God!

Apply yourself to studying and living God’s word

When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. Matthew 13:19 (ESV)

This is why we should apply ourselves to reading and thinking about God’s word and giving thanks for our Pastors. They labour in the word and prayer so that we might understand the word and not be beaten by the enemy.

Be fruitful

As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” Matthew 13:23 (ESV)

Understanding the Word is so important if we want to be fruitful.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014

Additional resources

The following articles are from Tabletalk magazine on Matthew 13
The Good Soil
The Thorns
The Wayside and the Rocks
Grace Alone