For the whole Matthew study, click here.
Do you want to reach the world with the Gospel? The ones who respond to your message may not be the ones you have in mind…..and in addition, you may not actually be ready to tell that message….
” A Cup of Cold Water for a Weary Traveler” Matthew Chapter 10
For the whole Matthew study, click here
Are you a disciple of Jesus, walking, walking, walking – telling His story? Are you sometimes a weary traveler? There is a blessing from Him for everyone who helps you along the way. The Lord Himself will gently bless the life of the one who hands you that cup of cold water after a dusty day on the road.
“And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”
“Birthday Parties for Prostitutes”. Matthew Chapter 8 part 2, and Matthew Chapter 9
For the whole Matthew study, click here.
Matthew 8, part 2, and Matthew 9.
We are told to go out into our world and tell people about Jesus, then baptize them once they believe, and then teach them the Bible.
It’s simple. And very rewarding.
But there are tremendous costs.
In Matthew chapter 9 (and a little bit of chapter 8, too), Jesus gets His future disciples ready for a choice they will be making. Do they want to follow Him? Do they realize the cost?
Books I Am Reading. “Disappointment With God” – Phillip Yancey
When you have come up against an impossibility in life. When you have grieved and wondered where God is. That’s the time to read this book. I think it will help.
“Simply reading the Bible, I encountered not a misty vapor but an actual Person. A Person as unique and distinctive and colorful as any person I know. God has deep emotions; He feels delight and frustration and anger. In the prophets He weeps and moans with pain….”
“..I turned to the Bible again, trying to hear God’s words as if for the first time. He speaks for Himself there, and I realized that had not often paid attention. I had been too preoccupied with my feelings to listen attentively to His feelings.” – Phillip Yancey
Books I Am Reading – “Bruce & Stan’s Guide to Sharing Your Faith”
Yeah – Great little book just giving the basics of sharing your faith. Lighthearted.
I’m going to buy several and give them to people who want to learn how to share their faith.
“Let’s look at this whole thing rationally for a moment. It just isn’t realistic to think that sharing your faith will cause total calamity in your life. You won’t end up living on the streets with no friends, locusts in your pants, and only your boils to keep you company. What is the worst that could happen?” – Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz
“If You Are Willing…” Matthew Chapter 8:1-17
For the whole Matthew study, click here.
“Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
Why did the leper say “If You are willing.”? Surely the Lord Jesus was willing to heal every sick and hurting person who came across his path. Surely the leper knew that – Jesus had been ministering in Israel for awhile now – surely the leper had heard of his reputation. Had he ever turned down someone for healing? So why did he say “If You are willing.”?
The Rules of the Kingdom. Matthew Chapter 7
For the whole Matthew study, click here.
There’s nothing like truth to get you ready for a challenge. And there’s nothing like a lie to sweep your feet out from under you.
So let’s just be honest. The Christian life is going to stink sometimes. It’s going to be hard. You are going to suffer. You are going to be hated. You are going to make mistakes. You’re going to have to apologize sometimes …and you’re going to have to overlook hurts sometimes. Your life isn’t going to go smoothly. You do have spiritual enemies in high places.
The Secrets of the Kingdom. Matthew Chapter 6
For the whole Matthew study, click here.
Some things need to be done in secret. Some things in the Christian life need to be just between you and your Lord. These things are special gifts from God – moments only you and He know about – and they will bring a spring to your step, a smile on your face, a sweet peace deep within you that bubbles up at the most unbelievable times.
What are these secret things?
Giving.
Praying.
Forgiving.
Fasting.
You’re going to love this chapter of Matthew!
The Kingdom of Heaven is All About Being Perfect Matthew Chapter 5:17-48
For the whole Matthew study, click here.
Do I have anger problems? The perfect Son of God can change me.
Do I have broken relationships? The perfect Son of God can show me how to heal them.
Do I have sexual thought problems? Pornography problems? The perfect Son of God can clean up my mind.
Have I divorced…remarried…committed adultery? The perfect Son of God can heal my bruised life.
Do I have to swear on a stack of Bibles because my word is worth nothing? The perfect Son of God can teach me how to talk simple truth.
Do I find myself hurting others because they have hurt me? The perfect Son of God can change my desires.
Do I love those who love me, but hate those who hate me? The perfect Son of God can give me love for everyone.
Hillary Clinton’s Testimony on Benghazi Today….Jan 23, 2013
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton,
Jan 23, 2013 Hearings on Benghazi
My Summary of Hillary Clinton’s testimony:
“I take full responsibility, but it wasn’t my fault.”
Specifically:
Ambassador Chris Rice knew it was dangerous
Ambassador Chris Rice asked for the specific location in Benghazi for the embassy compound.
I wasn’t involved in the Ambassador Rice talking points.
I didn’t have personal knowledge of all the requests for security at Benghazi.
Congress isn’t giving us enough money to sufficiently protect our citizens and embassies in dangerous assignments abroad.
North Africa is extremely dangerous and that’s common knowledge
I didn’t choose Ambassador Rice to represent the government on the Sunday talk shows
No one from the State department talked to any of the evacuated people from Benghazi.
Much of what happens in the world is classified.
“What difference does it make?”…that Benghazi was an attack and not a demonstration?
The Administration and the Congress need to get their act together.
The House has not acted to free up money for the State Department.
My conclusion:
Hillary Clinton has been an extremely hard-working, tirelessly mileage accumulating, well-politically networked Secretary of State. This hearing was a huge accolade to her 4 years of service.
But….if she is telling the truth, she has been a poor Secretary of State. If she is covering up, she has been a very dangerous Secretary of State,…..
….and we have no reason to think any of the US personnel in embassies in dangerous locations abroad are sufficiently protected, or will be in the near future.
Bible Studies by Kathleen Dalton 
