Blogging Through the Gospels: Matthew 13: 36 - 58

I am so blessed that I took on the challenge of Blogging Through the Gospels with Amy from Mom's Toolbox.

Reading:
Matthew 13 : 36 - 58

Scripture:


Matthew 13: 53 - 57


53  When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there.  54  Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue and they were amazed.  "Where did this man get this widsom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. 55  "Isn't this the carpenter's son?  Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?  56 Aren't all his sisters with us?  Where then did this man get all these things?"  57  And they took offense at him.

But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home."


Application:




This is just another reminder that what He is called my husband and I to do ( ---  plant a church in the community where I teach --- ) is NOT going to be easy.  He has established me firmly in the community where I teach.  The band program is flourishing.  The numbers keep going up, each and every year, even while enrollments are going down.

We lived there two times.  Both times we left, it was because our leases had not been renewed, because as a teacher and a....  person who struggled to find and keep a job, we were not making enough for our expenses.  Our witness with a few people - two former landlords, to be precise-  has been harmed.  Not many other people knew the reasons we had to leave, or the issues surrounding the moves off of the peninsula, though everyone understood that the cost of living in that area is much higher than where we are currently living.

While neither of us grew up in the community where I teach, we feel connected, and deeply involved.
So while the Scripture does not apply completely to our situation, it resonates so deeply in my heart, that I know that He is gently warning and reminding me that no matter what happens, HE is in control.

So, even though we have no idea where we are going to live yet, I am trusting my God.
Even though we have no clue yet what our expenses are going to be, I am trusting my God will provide.
We want nothing more than to be there already -- but the price of childcare is more than double (more like triple... NOT joking) what we are currently paying.  Next school year, our oldest starts Kindergarten, so we will be paying for childcare for only one kiddo.  Even then, with only ONE child in daycare, it will be double what we are currently paying.   My trusting God when I start doing the math isn't strong enough to stop my throat from closing up and keep my heart from skipping a beat.

But- He IS in control.
And He is who He says He is.

And we are praying.
And we are trusting.


Prayer:


Heavenly Father,
I need the reminders that you ARE calling us to do this crazy thing.  All I need to do is remember that you use the FOOLISH things of the world, to believe that it might really be true!  Thank you for the constant companionship that you offer. Help me to take you up on it, so that my faith in you, and my trusting you, would be vibrant and healthy.
Lord you are amazing, and I am unworthy.
Thank you for all you have done, are doing, and will do.
Amen.

Blogging Through the Gospels: Matthew 13: 1-35

Blogging Through the Gospels with Amy from Mom's Toolbox

Reading:  Matthew 13: 1 - 35


Scripture:

Matthew 13 : 16-17

16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17  For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

Application:


 This was not the verse that I was expecting to jump out at me.  It was interesting.  There are so many parables that have valuable life lessons.  I checked them off as I read through.  Yes, yes, oh that's a good one....  etc.  This verse didn't really even warrant a response from me on the first read-through.  Ha!

But on the third, it jumped right out at me.

And I realized -- whoa. This verse, while it is Jesus talking to his disciples about actually being WITH JESUS and seeing the miracles, and hearing the teachings, is also completely relevant to our ability to completely saturate ourselves with the Word, and teachings, and fellowship.  I mean -- just look at what we are doing here!!  Don't you think that Sarah would have loved to have a group of awesome bloggers to talk through the prophesy that she was going to have a child even though she was.... um...over the hill??   And what about Tamar?  She was going through some pretty heavy stuff and would definitely have benefitted from some encouragement via the world wide web.  And Mary, the mother of our Lord.
She could have used some virtual hugs and e-cards and some shared awe and wonder at the Majesty of our God!

We have all of these tools at our disposal, and we are abundantly blessed because of it.

But more than that----  we have the privilege of the presence of our Savior at any and all times.  I know that I do not live my life at all moments like I am feeling the presence of my Savior.

I want that to change.

Prayer:


Lord,
Oh how you have blessed me.  My human mind will never be able to understand how you can be so completely and intimately involved with my life, and be the same for everyone, everywhere. It hurts my head to try to comprehend it.  But you ARE.  You are the Alpha, the Omega, and everything in between.

Thank you so much for :

1) This opportunity -- blogging through the gospels, learning a new way of digging into Scripture and really feeling like I am hearing from you on a regular basis.
2) my parents... I am just so overwhelmed that they are walking WITH you!  You are so good!
3) My boys (the two littles and one adult)
4) My job...  I love it, and I love my students.
5) EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT!!!

6 and forever)  The CROSS.

I can't take it.... I am sitting here crying because I am so grateful for what you have done in my life, and what you continue to do in my life -- knowing how completely UNWORTHY I am.

In awe, and humbled yet again,
Amen.