Matthew 20:1-16

Entitlement is a dangerous concoction of all sorts of “me centered” thoughts that take us down a path far from walking w Jesus!As Christians,we r more susceptible 2 these than we think...,which makes them even more dangerous!N Matt20:1-16,Jesus describes another one of these that reveals a sneaky/sly piety that can turn our lives from a reflection of God’s Mercy&Grace,to becoming more like a Pharisee than the Pharisee’s were.Jesus describes 3 different groups that all need the same thing!Yet,those that “around first” r the ones that develop the “worst attitude”...an attitude of superiority because of “being around longer”,being “more mature”.The ONLY STANDARD there is for “maturity” is Christ! N comparison 2 Him,we r all worms!
(Psalm22:6 “But I am a worm and not a man,scorned by everyone, despised by the people.”Job25:6 how much less a mortal, who is but a maggot—a human being, who is only a worm!”).We who have trusted & r following Christ r all worms that have been transformed by the Blood of Christ n2 sons&daughters of the Most High God!There is nothing that can give us any reason 2 think of ourselves as better than a worm,OTHER THAN WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE IN US & FOR US!We have no reason 2 have a pious pride of any kind! ANYTHING HOLY & RIGHTEOUS N me IS ONLY BECAUSE OF JESUS’ WORK N &THROUH me!This type of pride will always infect me w a sense of entitlement of some kind...,that turns me n2 a Pharisee...Dear Lord,I do not want to think of the many times this attitude has been n my heart....,forgive me! Help me 2 be humbled by YOUR LIFE,YOUR SACRIFICE,and the transformation YOU alone have made possible n my life..,& help me 2 honor what YOU have done w my all my being.

Matthew 18:23-35

“ENTITLEMENT” is a lie.A very deceptive lie that not only messes with our ideas about who we are,and WHO God is;but also taints our hearts w an evil “bacteria” that will infect & destroy a right relationship w The Lord,& those around us.And “it” has at least two ways of entering our lives!Jesus describes one of these through his parable n Matthew18:23-35.A person carrying a heavy debt is forgiven the entire debt,”miraculously”!Nnstead of this humbling him & softening his heart for change within,he doesn’t let what he has been offered(freedom from his debt)sink in/humble him! Therefore,no change/real cure occurs n his life.Nstead,he takes what he has been offered and goes about his old life with a new “sense of entitlement” because of the freedom from his debt.This is a twisted sense of entitlement that we all tend to have.The depth&breadth of what Jesus offers to me personally,the freedom from “ALL SIN DEBT”,is beyond measure!Yet,often times I fall far short of offering the same measure of forgiveness n the lives of many people around me.For 1 reason or another...this means that I have the attitude that “I deserved” the freedom Jesus offered me...,but “they do not deserve” the same.This is twisted sense of entitlement,infecting my life w a bacteria that can do damage to my heart if not addressed w the only “prescription” that is effective.In my life this “prescription” must begin w a dose of confession,and a prayer 4 The Holy Spirit 2 bring about the medicine of contrition,followed w an ongoing “regiment” of “heart therapy” of seeking&following Christ so the “cure” is permanent....I do not want to relapse!Lord,I am so so guilty of this  “sense of entitlement” n my life.Forgive me...,and help me 2 be contrite before You,& those around me,so Your GIFT will have the overwhelming impact&effect n my life that IT must...& may the GREATNESS of Your GIFT draw me 2 know YOU MORE,through Your Word & through Prayer w YOU!

Matthew16:15b;17:5b

There r “GARGANTUAN” moments n our lives that we must decide whether or not these r 2 have the significance n our lives they r meant 2 have,or not!N chapters 16&17 of Matthew,we see a couple of these n the life of Peter.N the Sovereign Wisdom of Jesus,He knew it was time 2 ask Peter a “GARGANTUAN” question that Peter was ready 2 answer correctly-“But who do you say that I am?”(Matt16:15b).Peter answers,”You r The Christ,The Son of The Living God.”Jesus tells Peter that his correct answer is made possible ONLY by GOD revealing it to him!WHO Jesus is,is so GARAGANTUALLY significant,that n our human capacity alone we will never b capable of “internalizing” the Eternal Significance of WHO Jesus is! That Jesus IS GOD made flesh->”And The Word became flesh & dwelt among us,& we have seen His Glory,Glory as the only Son from the Father,full of Grace & Truth.”(John1:14).The only way we can begin to fathom the true significance of this,is because of God intervening n our hearts/lives somehow..2 bring this reality 2 our “knowing”!But,”knowing” is just the first step! Even Satan is “knowing” WHO Jesus is...! N God’s Great Loving concern 4 our Eternal Lives(ncluding our “here and now”),HE takes Peter,James,&John 2 the “next step” n Matt17:5b!God’s  Voice speaks personally 2 them and says,”This IS My beloved Son,w Whom I am well pleased;listen 2 Him.”When God speaks here,God Himself is telling us that to “only” know the right answer about Who Jesus is...is good,but not “enough”.We must assimilate n2 our lives the personal significance of God making us aware of this Truth,so we may have the Blessings of what HIS TRUTH makes possible for us!When God speaks 2 Peter,James,& John...HE is letting us know we must “take the next step”,and listen to Him!
A definition for “listen” is:
1. to give attention with the ear; attend closely for the purpose of hearing; give ear.
2. to pay attention; heed; obey (often followed by to): Children don't always listen to their parents.
3. to wait attentively for a sound (usually followed by for).
God is pleading w us 2 not “just personally acknowledge Who Jesus is”,but acknowledge the SIGNIFICANCE of Who Jesus is,& seek Him;wait for Him;pay attention to Him,follow Him,etc.Dear Lord, so much of my life I feel a false sense of security in my knowing Who You are,and don’t let that REALITY impact my life! Lord,let the REALITY of Who You are, “astound” my life w reverberations through my entire life that change me,and draw me ever closer 2 You!

Matthew 14:1-12

Pride is the very “attribute” that will stand in the way of our lives having room for God & His Grace&Mercy to root and grow in our lives(Psalm10:4,”In his pride the wicked does not seek him(the Lord);in all his thoughts there is no room for God.”).And it will make us do things that we would rather not do!Pride not dealt with n our lives will become a horrible “MANIPULATOR” of our life.This happens to Herod n Matthew 14:1-12.Herod’s pride had so consumed him that n a vile abuse of his authority,he arrests John the Baptist for no RIGHT&TRUE reason.A dangerous characteristic of pride is that it ultimately “manipulates” us away from good reason,away from anything close to wisdom...and away from TRUTH!N fact,when pride takes over n our lives,TRUTH becomes our “adversary”-what we run from!While JtB is n Herod’s jail,he throws a birthday party for himself.Herod is pleased by a young dancer,& pride manipulates him n2 making a promise w/out thinking about the possible ramifications of such a wild promise.She asks for the head of JtB.Even though this distressed Herod very much,he lets his pride manipulate him away from what he knows is RIGHT&TRUE.(Matt14:9,”The king was distressed,but because of his oaths & dinner guests,he ordered that her request b granted & had John beheaded n the prison.”).Herod knew that it was not RIGHT what was requested,but his pride MANIPULATED him so strongly that he does it anyway!Pride will manipulate us away from RIGHT&TRUTH...and choke out the potential for GOD’s PRESENCE in our life.Dear Lord,there are areas in my life that pride is choking YOUR PRESENCE from growing n and through my life.May Your Holy Spirit & Your Word make me “miserably aware” of these areas,so I would deal with them with Your help...& free Your Holy Spirit 2 root & grow n all areas of my life!

Matthew 13:3-4;18-19

The Lord God desires for all 2 come 2 KNOW HIM;for everyone 2 come 2 have HIS REDEMPTION from the grave “created” by sin.The grave that actually makes us “dead men/women walking” if we have not been REDEEMED by the Blood of Christ!We don’t “just begin” the benefits of Christ’s sacrifice when we die,but at the moment we turn our lives over 2 Christ-seeking&trusting Him w our lives(N John10:1 Jesus says,”The thief(Satan)comes only 2 steal&kill&destroy,I came that they might have life & have it abundantly.”)A major tactic of Satan’s is to confuse our RIGHT UNDERSTANDING of life,& especially our RIGHT UNDERSTANDING of WHO God is,& WHAT God pleas 4 us 2 accept from Christ!The way Satan primarily does this is by messing w our “understanding” of God,2 the point of making God & His Ways “un-understandable” n worldly/fleshly terms.Our minds will have great difficulty n appreciating God’s Mercy&Grace when we allow our minds 2 think based on “fleshly/worldly” ways of living&thinking!Only when we begin 2 ponder “outside” of this life,& earnestly seek 2 “rightly know” the true purpose of life (setting our minds on things of the Spirit)will we have an honest potential 2 know the “life more abundant” that Christ desires us 2 have(Romans8:5-6.”For those who live according 2 the flesh set their minds on things of the flesh,but those who live according 2 the Spirit set their minds on things of the Spirit).Sorta/kinda like “missing the forest for the trees”!Jesus talks about this n the Parable of the Sower(Matthew13:3-4,18-19;”...so the seeds fell along the path & the birds came & devoured them.....When anyone hears the Word of The Kingdom& does not understand it,the evil one comes & snatches away what has been sowed n his heart...”).God desperately desires 4 everyone 2 KNOW/UNDERSTAND His Mercy&Grace through Christ,& to have “abundant life”!(1Timothy2:4,”....God our Savior...desires all people 2 b saved & come 2 the KNOWLEDGE OF the truth.4 there is ONE GOD, &there is ONE mediator between God & men,the man Christ Jesus.”)Even though I have trusted Christ as my Savior, I may b missing “abundant life” when I allow my “train of life&thought” 2 b overwhelmed by fleshly/worldly things(the trees),&drift from things of the Spirit(the forest,I.e.,”the bigger picture” of life & it’s Meaning/Purpose).The stuff that happens on a daily basis which causes this drift,may very well b a way the enemy is messing w me...2 veer my life away from the “abundant life” Jesus wants me 2 have,& away from daily knowing God’s Voice n my life!Dear Jesus,my mind&life so easily drift away from things of the Spirit & onto things that r worldly/fleshly! I pray 4 Your Holy Spirit 2 make me aware of this drift when it occurs,& 2 b my source of strength&courage&discipline2 correct the course of my life/mind 2,so I will know Your Spirit’s “course” toward the “abundant life” You desire for me!