281 Thursday, October 8, 2009

281 Psalms 137 – 140; Matthew 10

It is not fun but it is necessary to have a physical exam. Just as we need a physical we also need a "spiritual exam." Listen to Psalm 139,

Psalms 139:1 (MSG)
1 A David psalm God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. David prays that would investigate his life.

The point in the Psalm is that God already knows what is happening in your life, therefore get it right. Here is how David ends the Psalm,

Psalms 139:23-24 (MSG) 23 Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; 24 See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life.

Would you make this your prayer today? Ask God to give you a good “going over”. Remember if you find something wrong in your life, confess it and give thanks that God forgives you!

We are now into some heavy stuff. People can get really confused over these verses found in Matthew. Here are some of the tough sayings of Christ,

Matthew 10:34-37 (MSG)
34 "Don't think I've come to make life cozy. I've come to cut—
35 make a sharp knife-cut between son and father, daughter and mother, bride and mother-in-law—cut through these cozy domestic arrangements and free you for God.
36 Well-meaning family members can be your worst enemies.
37 If you prefer father or mother over me, you don't deserve me. If you prefer son or daughter over me, you don't deserve me.
When God says He is to be first in our life, He really means it. We are to love God so much that our love for others pales in comparison. This life is really not about us--you or me. This life is about God! This life is about His Son who gave everything to have us restored. Are you a Christ-centered follower of Christ? Do you live your life to please God in everything that you do? Read this chapter carefully and ask God to help you love Him in a new and deeper way.