10 and 10 - Entries tagged "Matthew"

SatSaturdayMarMarch23rd2013 March 23

Posted Saturday, March 23 2013 @ 5 AM byCindy Ryan Tagged Cindy Ryan Compassion Matthew Solitude Spiritual Disciplines 0 comments Add comment

March 23

Matthew 9:25-38; 23:37

These passages show us one of the many gifts of solitude: compassion. When we spend time alone with God, aligning our will to God’s will, we “see” better. We have a sixth sense of intuition that helps us look at others the way God does. Haven’t you ever wondered how many times you have rushed past someone in need? Or, perhaps missed what someone was really saying to you?

Jesus looks at the people around him and he “sees” them. He feels compassion for them. Sometimes he even weeps for them.

God, are you inviting me to spend time with you, so I might see people like you do?

ThuThursdayMarMarch21st2013 March 21

Posted Thursday, March 21 2013 @ 5 AM byCindy Ryan Tagged Cindy Ryan Luke Matthew Solitude Spiritual Disciplines 0 comments Add comment

March 21

Matthew 6:5-6, Luke 5:16

These passages are about spending time in solitude. They are about a little more than that however, they are about spending time alone with God. Jesus teaches in the first passage about praying alone, in secret, with the door shut. In the second verse the text simply reports that Jesus had a habit of “slipping away to the wilderness to pray.”

Jesus’ actions speak loudly, don’t they? We need time alone with God. We need quiet. It is impossible to cultivate a true spiritual life without regularly engaging in silence and solitude. And yet, we fill our lives with noise. We fear loneliness so much that we are quick to turn on the radio and t.v or to sit down at our computers. We over schedule our time. We surround ourselves with people. We fail to be quiet or alone. We miss hearing what God is whispering to us.

God, are you inviting me to turn off the noise of the world and spend time with you? Amen.

TueTuesdayMarMarch19th2013 March 19

Posted Tuesday, March 19 2013 @ 5 AM byCindy Ryan Tagged Anxiety Cindy Ryan Matthew Spiritual Disciplines 2 comments Add comment

March 19

Matthew 6:25-34

Jesus asks us in this passage why we are anxious about clothing. He points out that God has done a great job clothing the lilies of the field and they don’t worry about clothes at all. The fashion industry exists because you and I are anxious about our clothing. Think about it, we do not just wear clothing to cover us and to be durable. We have come to believe that we also need to be in style. Style changes rapidly so you and I will stay anxious and keep buying things we do not need. What if we simplified our wardrobe as a spiritual issue? What if we worried less about what we wore? I love wearing cute clothes. I just do not want my clothes to complicate my life so that I have less room for God.

God, are you inviting me to simplify my clothing? Amen.

MonMondayMarMarch18th2013 March 18

Posted Monday, March 18 2013 @ 5 AM byDr. Cindy Ryan Tagged Cindy Ryan Matthew Simplicity Spiritual Disciplines 0 comments Add comment

March 18

Matthew 6:19-24

The spiritual discipline of simplicity teaches that our “stuff” can get in the way of our relationship with God. Yet, you and I have homes that are full of “stuff”. We have garages that we can’t even fit our cars in. We have clothes that are stuffed into our closets and drawers. The more we have, the more time and money and energy it takes to take care of it all. Is our “stuff” a spiritual issue? What did Jesus mean when he said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also?”

God, are you inviting me to unclutter? Amen.

FriFridayMarMarch1st2013 March 1

Posted Friday, March 01 2013 @ 5 PM byJohn Mollet Tagged Matthew 0 comments Add comment

Friday, March 1

Matthew 5:1-48 (the whole chapter)

Read chapter 5 (the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount) with the spiritual discipline of submission in mind. As I said Sunday, it is tied to our ability to free ourselves to love as Jesus did. How many of these sayings speak to submitting ourselves to God and how many of them speak to submitting ourselves to others? The more we look at the message of Jesus, the more we find how much it has to do with submitting to God and neighbor.

SatSaturdayDecDecember24th2011

Matthew 2:1-12

Posted Saturday, December 24 2011 @ 5 AM byDr. Cindy Ryan Tagged Matthew 0 comments Add comment

Matthew 2:1-12

…they fell down and worshiped Him…

It is Christmas Eve, time to kneel at the manger. I pray you get close enough this season to see the baby…maybe even to touch him. And, as you reach out with a finger toward him…may the Son of God clasp onto your finger with his tiny newborn hand. I pray that you find yourself today in just that posture—on your knees, held gently by God’s gift of Jesus.

MonMondayDecDecember19th2011

Matthew 1:18-25

Posted Monday, December 19 2011 @ 5 AM byDr. Cindy Ryan Tagged Matthew 0 comments Add comment

Matthew 1:18-25

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows…Mary was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.…

The Christmas story is stunning. Mary is found to be with child by the Holy Spirit…and we are told the baby is named “Immanuel”, God with us. What stunning things is God doing in your life this week of Christmas? What ways is “God With Us” being revealed to you?

TueTuesdayNovNovember8th2011

Matthew 25:34-40

Posted Tuesday, November 08 2011 @ 5 AM byRev. Rick Mang Tagged Matthew Service 1 comments Add comment

Matthew 25:34-40

The point of this parable is not the who, but the what—the importance of serving where service is needed. The focus of this parable is that we should love every person and serve anyone we can.

Something we have done in our church . . . is going out and verifying real needs. We don’t meet and ask, “how do WE want to serve today.?” We don’t do that. Why? Serving is not about us. It’s about meeting the needs of others around us. That’s what being a church is all about. Not building or signs . . . but caring for those around us.

Dear Lord, help me have the heart to serve whom ever needs me. Open my eyes to the endless possibilities of service, for the sake of Your Kingdom, that I not be lifted up, but that You be lifted up. Amen.

WedWednesdayNovNovember2nd2011

Matthew 12:35-37

Posted Wednesday, November 02 2011 @ 5 AM byRev. Rick Mang Tagged Matthew Words 0 comments Add comment

Matthew 12:35-37

And I tell you this, that you must give an account on judgment day of every idle word you speak.

I have to give an account of every idle word I have ever spoken?? Then in truth, I am doomed.

I’m an extrovert. A flaming extrovert. I love the sound of my own voice. I love to talk, I love to sing, I love to engage in conversations. I also, like most people, enjoy “one-upping” the other person when it comes to telling a story.

Words are dangerous, like matches. And yet like children we play around with them too often, unaware of the serious consequences of not thinking before we speak. Idle words tend to tear down. Words from the mouths of people-of-faith, should always build up!

Dear Lord, please help my actions and choices to be louder than my words today, for your glory and benefit. Amen.

TueTuesdayNovNovember1st2011

Matthew 6:7-14

Posted Tuesday, November 01 2011 @ 5 AM byRev. Rick Mang Tagged Actions Matthew Prayer 1 comments Add comment

Matthew 6:7-14 (NLT)
7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again. 8Don’t be like them, because your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! 9 Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
may your name be honored.
10 May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done here on earth,
just as it is in heaven.
11 Give us our food for today,
12and forgive us our sins,
just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.
13 And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Despite having what amounts to an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice, a bachelors degree in Religion, and having completed a graduate level theological program, I often find myself not knowing what to say in many situations.

If I am walking close to God during those times, I usually end up saying, “Let’s pray about it.” And if I don’t know what to pray I recite the Lord’s Prayer, asking those around me to join with me by praying out loud.

Sometimes the best course of action is to just pray.

Dear Lord, please help my actions and choices to be louder than my words today, for your glory and benefit. Amen.

ThuThursdayOctOctober27th2011

Matthew 25:34-46

Posted Thursday, October 27 2011 @ 5 AM byDr. Cindy Ryan Tagged Generosity Matthew Poverty 1 comments Add comment

Matthew 25:34-46

"Then I, the King, shall say to those at my right, 'Come, blessed of my Father, into the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world. For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me water; I was a stranger and you invited me into your homes; naked and you clothed me; sick and in prison, and you visited me.' "Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Sir, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you anything to drink? Or a stranger, and help you? Or naked, and clothe you? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?' "And I, the King, will tell them, 'When you did it to these my brothers you were doing it to me!'

When we love those in need in practical ways, we love Jesus. That seems simple enough, yet so difficult to practice. How much should we give? How much should we help? What if our helping is hurting? Those are all valid questions but the reality is that over and over again scripture keeps reminding us to love those in need.

SatSaturdayOctOctober22nd2011

Matthew 7:24-27

Posted Saturday, October 22 2011 @ 5 AM byJohn Mollet Tagged Matthew Stewardship 0 comments Add comment

Matthew 7:24-27

“…a wise man…built his house upon the rock…”

How are you building your house (life) on a foundation of rock and how are you building it on sand? How are you building a firm foundation for others to build their lives? Jesus says to those listening to his Sermon on the Mount, it is those who hear his words and do them that are building their houses on a firm foundation.

SatSaturdayOctOctober15th2011

Matthew 4:18-22

Posted Saturday, October 15 2011 @ 5 AM byJohn Mollet Tagged God's Calling Matthew 1 comments Add comment

Matthew 4:18-22

“Follow me…”

This is another one of the biblical call stories and the inspiration behind one of our two new stained-glass windows. Look at what these four men gave up to follow Jesus – their means of making money, the tools of the only trade they knew, their security, their families. What have you been willing to give up to follow the Lord’s invitation to discipleship? I have often found my path to be much more in my comfort zone, yet when I have had the courage to follow Jesus, I have discovered it to be much more enjoyable and profitable.

SatSaturdayOctOctober8th2011

Matthew 15:10-20

Posted Saturday, October 08 2011 @ 5 AM byJohn Mollet Tagged Matthew Words 1 comments Add comment

Matthew 15:10-20

“…if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

Jesus’ argument with the Pharisees regarding eating Kosher was: What comes out of our mouths is more important than what goes into them. What a wise man. Jesus says, “…what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart…” To know where and how your heart is, you might want to listen to the words and the tone of what is coming out of your mouth.

WedWednesdaySepSeptember28th2011

Matthew 6:25-34 and 10:26-33

Posted Wednesday, September 28 2011 @ 5 AM byJohn Mollet Tagged Matthew Provision 0 comments Add comment

Matthew 6:25-34 and Matthew 10:26-33

“…you are of more value than many sparrows.”

I love the hymn, “His Eye is on the Sparrow.” “‘Let not your heart be troubled,’ His tender word I hear, And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; Tho’ by the path He leadeth, But one step I may see: His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me.” Today may you feel the watchful eye of the Lord looking down on you.

ThuThursdaySepSeptember15th2011

Matthew 25:31-46

Posted Thursday, September 15 2011 @ 5 AM byJohn Mollet Tagged Love Matthew 0 comments Add comment

Matthew 25:31-46

“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”

Loving God and loving neighbor, the greatest commandments according to Jesus, are one and the same. In the loving responses we witnessed to the tragedies of 9/11, we saw the presence of the Lord.

MonMondayAugAugust29th2011

Matthew 28:16-20

Posted Monday, August 29 2011 @ 5 AM byJohn Mollet Tagged Great Commission Matthew Share 1 comments Add comment

Matthew 28:16-20

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Sunday I encouraged you to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others and to invite them to your church. I am just following the example set by Jesus; he does the same with his disciples just following the resurrection. He says go "baptize," "teach," and "remember." Baptize means to welcome them into the fellowship of believers. So many in our community are looking for a place to love and be loved. Teach means more than book knowledge or learning a list of do’s and don’ts. It is to grow together in our relationships, so that ultimately we will all grow closer in relationship with Jesus. Remember means to know we are never in this alone. God is with us.

TueTuesdayAugAugust16th2011

Matthew 21:23-27

Posted Tuesday, August 16 2011 @ 5 AM byJohn Mollet Tagged Authority Matthew Relationship 1 comments Add comment

Matthew 21:23-27

“By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”

Authority is given, not owned. A person has authority because others bestow it on them, not because they proclaim it about themselves. Think of what has gone on recently in Egypt and Libya. The leaders of those countries rely on the authority given them by the people. They may have thought of it as divine right or due to having control of the military, but in the end, those who were willing to be ruled by them gave them their authority.

So it is with the authority of Jesus. In yesterday’s reading, Jesus says he has been given authority in heaven and earth. God (Heaven) gave Jesus authority to do God’s work, but we (Earth) must give him authority over our lives.

What gives Jesus “authority” for you? Is it because of his miracles or the prophesies about the coming messiah or his resurrection? For me, it comes out of my continuing relationship with him. I find I must give Jesus authority on a regular basis.

MonMondayAugAugust15th2011

Matthew 28:18-19

Posted Monday, August 15 2011 @ 5 AM byJohn Mollet Tagged Authority Matthew Sharing Faith 1 comments Add comment

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me…”

This scripture follows the story of the resurrection and the religious establishment's attempt to cover it up. The chief priests were doing everything they could to keep those who experienced the resurrection to say nothing about it. Jesus was telling them to teach the people of all the nations what he had commanded.

We live in a world where that same option is given to us: stay quiet about our faith or to share it with those around us. To whom do you give authority? To those who say we should keep it quiet or the one who tells us to share it with the world?

ThuThursdayAugAugust11th2011 Matthew 6:25-33

Posted Thursday, August 11 2011 @ 5 AM byJohn Mollet Tagged Generosity Matthew Prayer Worry 2 comments Add comment

Matthew 6:25-33

“…strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness…”

Much of our time is wasted on unproductive worrying. I will wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat worrying about something. I will toss and turn until finally, out of frustration and futility, I will ask for God to send me his peace. Inevitably, God’s peace will come and I will go back to sleep. The problem is still there in the morning, but with a good night’s sleep and a new perspective I have the energy to tackle it.

Pray for God’s gift of peace to overcome your worry and spend your time in helping bring about his kingdom and living in his righteousness.

MonMondayAugAugust8th2011 Matthew 22:34-40

Posted Monday, August 08 2011 @ 5 AM byJohn Mollet Tagged Generosity Matthew 2 comments Add comment

Matthew 22:34-40

"'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and prophets."

Generosity is, in its purest form, loving God. To love God is to love your neighbor. To love your neighbor is to love God. We show our love of God in the way we love God's children. In John 14, we are told that the spirit of God dwells with us and is in us. In 1 John 4, we are reminded that God is love. When we love our neighbor we are sharing the very presence of God with them. How are you showing God's love through your life and action? How is your generosity a way God is loving the world?

SatSaturdayAugAugust6th2011 Matthew 5

Posted Saturday, August 06 2011 @ 5 AM byJohn Mollet Tagged Forgiveness Matthew 1 comments Add comment

Matthew 5:43-48

“Be perfect…as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

How is that for a difficult commandment! How are we to be perfect, never to make a mistake again? John Wesley encouraged us to be moving on to perfection. (As a bishop once asked me, "If you are not moving on to perfection, what are you moving toward?")

What I think Wesley meant was not that we would not make any more mistakes, but that there are times we are so connected to God that God works through us. When God does the work, it is perfect. Our time is not best spent trying to do things perfectly and feeling guilty when we don’t, but rather to spend our time connecting with God and let God do the heavy lifting through us.

FriFridayAugAugust5th2011 Matthew 7

Posted Friday, August 05 2011 @ 5 AM byJohn Mollet Tagged Forgiveness Matthew 0 comments Add comment

Matthew 7:1-5

“Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?”

Empathy, standing in the shoes of another person, seeing ourselves when we look into their face, enables us to see ourselves and the other person more clearly. Pray that the Lord will open your eyes to see your own faults and the image of God created in your neighbor.

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10 and 10Read Scripture for 10 minutes. Pray for 10 minutes. Every day.

by Read Scripture for 10 minutes. Pray for 10 minutes. Every day. These daily readings are chosen by the pastor to relate to the sermon that was preached the previous Sunday.

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