Today's bible reading is in the eighth chapter of the book of Matthew. You can read it here at Bible Gateway: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%208&version=NASB

As I read today's passage there was a particular theme that stuck out for me. Jesus was willing. The chapter begins with a man affected by leprosy saying to Jesus, that if He is willing, Jesus can make him clean. His response is glorious news, not only to the leper, but for you and I also. "I am willing; be cleansed" are the words from our gracious Savior. What wonderful words. I'm so thankful that He was willing to cleanse me. He continues to be willing to cleanse the hearts of men, women and children all around the world. As we read on in the chapter, we see that Jesus is willing to heal the centurion's paralyzed servant, relieve Peter's mother in-law of her fever, save His disciples in the boat by rebuking the winds and the sea and casting demons out of the two men He met coming out of the tombs. Jesus is willing. Praise God!
Greg

Today's Bible reading is the seventh chapter of the Book of Matthew. You can read it here at Bible Gateway: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7&version=NASB

The volume of content in today’s passage makes it difficult to pull just a short thought out from it all. I guess I would say praise God for the Rock of our Salvation! In a sin affected, sin torn world, it is a wonderful reminder that when life’s “rain” falls, when it’s floods come up around us, and it’s winds blow and slam against us, a life built upon the Lord Jesus Christ, our Rock, can stand victorious. Praise the Lord.

Greg

Today's Bible reading is in the sixth chapter of the Book of Matthew. You can read it here at Bible Gateway: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6&version=NASB

In today’s scripture reading in Matthew Chapter 6, the word “secret” caught my attention. The word “secret” is repeated 6 times in the text and appears to be the same word used in the NASB, the ESV and the King James. We read of giving in secret, praying in secret and fasting in secret. These three seem to cover our outward acts of service, our pray life and our “fasting” or I might suggest, our Spirit lead self examination and seeking the Lord’s will to obey. I don’t suppose this “secret place” is truly a closet, a monastery, or an effort to remain anonymous in all that we do in Christ. It appears to be the secret place of the heart. Verse 21 tells us that “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” When Christ is our treasure, the preeminent One in our life, our acts of giving and service are pleasing to Him, we find our prayers more consistent with His will and we desire a relationship marked by “simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ”. Oh, that Christ might be our treasure and that we might guard the secret place of the heart.

Greg 

Today's bible reading is the fifth chapter of the Book of Matthew. You can read it here at Bible Gateway: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5&version=NASB

The first verse of today passage reminded me of Ephesians 4:29 which admonishes us to “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” This would be quite an accomplishment in this life. Sort of the ultimate “taming of the tongue”. But today’s text tells us that Jesus “opened His mouth and began to teach….”. He opened His mouth, He taught and He edified those who listened. John 14 tells us that Jesus did not speak on His own initiative but that His words were the words of His Father. Oh, that we might teach and edify others when we open our mouths. As Paul was inspired to admonish the believers in Colossee, may our "speech always be with grace".

Greg

Today's Bible reading is the fourth chapter of the Book of Matthew. You can read it here at Bible Gateway: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%204&version=NASB

What a simple but powerful lesson from the Lord in today’s Matthew 4 passage. In His interaction with the tempter, Jesus taught the great importance of proclaiming the whole counsel of God’s word. In verses 3-4 we read, "And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” Time and again the Lord Jesus is our perfect example. As Paul admonished his dear son in the faith, we read in 2 Timothy 2:15, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth." Clearly it has always been so, but how great it seems that we must heed this admonishment in our day.

Greg 

Today's Bible reading is the first chapter of the Book of Matthew. You can read it here at Bible Gateway: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1&version=NASB

The first 17 verses trace the genealogy of the Jesus, beginning with Abraham. In the first verse Jesus is referred to as "the son of David" and "the son of Abraham". In the last 8 verses we find these wonderful truths. The virgin Mary is miraculously found to be "with child". We see the angelic announcement to Joseph that the child she is carrying is "of the Holy Spirit". I have never really taken much time to consider Joseph's response but I appreciate today's text that tells us that Joseph was concerned about Mary and he did not want to disgrace her. I think that tells us much about the man who was Jesus' earthly father. I also appreciate that he is described by the writer as a "righteous man".

Joseph is also said to have been obedient to the angelic message to take Mary as his wife. I was reminded of an incident that would take place sometime later (recorded in Matthew 2) when Joseph would again be spoken to by "an angel of the Lord" and told to take his son and his wife and flee to Egypt. Again, Joseph was obedient and the baby Jesus was kept safe from Herod's evil attempt to kill him as he ordered the murder of all male children 2 years of age and younger residing in and around Bethlehem. Yes, Mary had "found favor with God" and it is clearly God's hand that had orchestrated her engagement to a "righteous man", Joseph.
Greg

Reading Through the New Testament

My home church has started a Bible reading program for the new year that will take us through the entire New Testament. I am praying and asking God to help me write a brief thought from each chapter. My hope and my prayer is that anything that I write might be used by our Lord for the edification of others in the Body of Christ and be to His glory.
Greg