MATTHEW

It's Sunday, and I'm thrilled I get to be with God's people.  Get to enjoy Senior Sunday with all of the Senior Saints enjoying a meal together today after church.  Looking forward to having the senior citizens fill the choir and do all of the special music.  It will be a blessing!! I finished up Matthew today and here is a thought or two: 1) THEY COULD SAY IT RIGHT- In Matthew 23:3, we see these words:  "All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works:  for they say, and do not."    Jesus is talking about the Pharisees that sit in Moses' seat.  Jesus says that they talk a good talk.  Do what they say; Jesus says to His disciples.  But, don't live like them, Jesus says.  They say and do not!  Now if we have been saved a while (a few years or more), we have learned what to say.... the goal is to live what we say however.  Let us be careful to not be Pharisaical and be a part of the group that talks a good talk, but walks a bad walk.  Let us talk a good talk and walk a good walk.  Sure, we can say it right.... but are we living it?  This is the key! 2) GOD'S WORD SHALL STAND- Matt 24:35 says:  "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."  God's Word shall stand.  Now, we should use God's Word, and not be a part of those who corrupt it, change it, re write it, dumb it down, paraphrase it, explain it away and whatever else they are doing to God's Word.  We are to be a part of those who read it, believe it, love it, apply it, teach it, preach it, learn from it, and elevate it..  But.... God will make sure it does not pass away with or without our help!  He said it.... you can mark it down! 3) THERE IS HOPE- As I read about the role of Peter during the trial of Jesus, I thought to myself.... there is hope!  You see, if God can use a person like Peter, He can use a person like you and me.  Peter denied Christ, and then he denied with an oath, and then "began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man."  "And immediately the cock crew."  Wow!  Not a very good testimony, but look at the day of Pentecost and see him preaching.  Look at Peter and know that God can use you too!  You probably have not cursed and denied Jesus lately, so there is hope for you too my friend. Well, got to go.  Hope you have a great Sunday!  I'm so looking forward to church.  What a blessing it is to my heart.   God bless!  Pastor Mike Mutchler