4/25                 Matthew 14:14-21 

Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.”  16 But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.” 17 “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered.  “Bring them here,” he said.  19 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people.  20They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. 21 About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children! 

PEOPLE

Jesus always put people first.  Ministry is what we do with people.  It is not a building, an activity or a program.  People count with God.  Christ died for each of us (and we are people) as if there were no other of us.  Jesus is Lord.  He is perfect in every way.  He loves people.

4/24                 Matthew 14:12 

Later, John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened.  13 As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. 

TIME

Jesus prioritized his time with His Father.  Often times He went into the wilderness to pray and spend time with God.  He knows what is next in His ministry here on Earth and He immediately goes to be alone with His Father.  When life presses in on you, get alone with Jesus and let Him give you the Spiritual wisdom you will need to continue in your faith walk.  Jesus will not hide wisdom from us and if we will listen He will gladly give it to us.  

4/23                 Matthew 14:1-11

1 When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about Jesus, 2 he said to his advisers, “This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead! That is why he can do such miracles.”  3 For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip).  4 John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry her.”  5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet.  6 But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, 7 so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted.  8 At her mother’s urging, the girl said, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!”   9 Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders.  10 So John was beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.

DISGUST

Don’t be surprised at the level of disgust you might have toward evil.  The king was pure evil.  His life was totally focused on himself.  Remember that the Lord calls us to love one another-to love others as our self.  It is important to also remember that sin is simply putting self first above God’s law and the needs of those around us.  

4/22                 Matthew 28:16

Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! 

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

ALWAYS

Note this is an important message to us as believers but the basic thrust for us is that Jesus is always with us.  Good or bad Jesus is with us.  Win or lose Jesus is with us.  You will never be without the presence of Jesus as a believer.  Christ has come and He is with us.  

4/21                 Matthew 28:11-15 

As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. 12 A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. 13 They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’  14 If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.”  15 So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today. 

FOOLISHNESS

The foolishness of the world knows no bounds.  One either believes in Jesus or doesn’t.  We cannot cajole folks into believing in Jesus and we don’t need to waste our time with people that are overly critical of others and not serious about their faith.  Our job is to tell the story of our relationship with Jesus.  The Holy Spirit takes that witness and uses it in the lives of those who believe.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and he will always be near you.  

4/20                 Matthew 28:9-10 

And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.” 

MEET

JESUS wanted to meet his disciples outside of Jerusalem in Galilee.  They would know the place.  He would be there.  Now you and I can be with Jesus everywhere we are but there are appointments we can make for a specific time each day that will build into our lives an awareness and an excitement about meeting with Him.  He wants to spend time with us.  Begin your time each day with Jesus.  Plan to meet him at the same place and the same time each day.  Prepare for your time with Him.  Plan to listen for what He says.  Jesus is Lord.  You and I have the privilege of spending time with the Lord of the Universe-Jesus.  

4/19                 Matthew 28:8 

The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. 

JOY

When we can tell others about what has happened to us it should fill us with joy unless maybe we are not filled with the Holy Spirit.  Make sure that you have met Jesus and believe in Him and you will share that word with the World.  Declare the Good News.  God has come for His children.  

4/18                 Matthew 28:7 

And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” 

FIRST

The women were the first to tell of the resurrection.  They came, they saw and they obeyed as they ran to tell the disciples.  Remember, we are called to receive the Good News and tell everyone about what has happened to us.  Believe and tell.   

4/17                 Matthew 28:5 

Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.

FEAR

All of us are fearful creatures because deep in our heart we know that we have a limited time in this world.  The Angels knowing this told the women “Don’t be afraid.”  Jesus tells us that when we come to Him we no longer have to fear.  Our God and Father is in control. 

4/16                 Matthew 28:2-4 

Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. 

WRONG

The Jewish leadership and their guards were wrong.  They were fighting against God now and they didn’t realize they had made a crucial error-they were not in control, God was.