“Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, ‘Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts?’ Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven, or Stand up and walk? ”
Matthew 9:4-5 (NLT)
How often do we think bad thoughts and think nothing of it? As long as we don’t say it out loud it’s ok right?
That’s what the teachers of the law thought until Jesus called them out in front of a crowd.
Let’s rewind. Jesus and the guys had just gotten back from a busy time and still there was a crowd of people around him, including religious leaders. When a paralyzed man enters the scene being carried on a mat by his friends. These are the guys who dug a hole in the roof to get their friend in front of Jesus. Jesus was impressed by their faith and tells the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven” (Matthew 9:2b).
This is where this week’s questions come in. The teachers of the law were aghast; how dare he forgive sins; who does he think he is God? Jesus calls them out with his questions and then tells the man on the mat, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home” (Matthew 9:6)!
I find the response from the crowd interesting. The paralyzed man jumped up and went home and then fear swept through the crowd as they watched it all happen. Why was there fear? They had most likely seen Jesus heal others or heard him teach, so that should not have caused them to fear. Were the people afraid because they realized Jesus knew what they were thinking? Maybe. Were they afraid because Jesus had called out the teachers of the law for their evil thoughts? It’s possible. The encounter ends with the people praising God for giving humans such authority (Matthew 9:7-8).
In the times we are living in it can be easy to think evil thoughts. But we should be mindful of Who is listening. Jesus knows us better than anyone, He knows us well enough to know what we are thinking. That should be enough to temper our thoughts with good and not evil. With faith and trust instead of fear.
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this email – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – let your thoughts be filled with things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and worthy of praise.
Monday, February 23, 2026
Monday, February 16, 2026
Fear or Faith
“He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid? ”
Matthew 8:26a (NIV)
Well my friends we have finished our time on the mountainside. Jesus had finished the message with a story about building on a rock solid foundation or a foundation of sand. The crowds had been amazed by the authority in which He taught. Are we amazed by that authority?
After spending so much time on the mountainside with Jesus and then reading what happens next – I have to wonder if that was one of his most “restful” times. On the way down the mountain Jesus heals a man with leprosy. When He arrives in Capernaum, a Roman officer asks for Jesus’ help for one of his young servants. Jesus applauds the faith the officer and heals his servant. Then when Jesus get to Peter’s house, Peter’s mother-in-law is sick, so He heals her too. Then the people just keep coming and coming. Jesus cast out the evil spirits and healed the sick all evening. It would seem that the crowds were getting to be a bit much so Jesus told His disciples to get the boat ready so we can cross to the other side of the lake. Even as He waited people were coming to Him asking him questions. Finally, the boat was ready, Jesus got aboard and they set off.
That’s where this week’s question comes in. As they were crossing the lake a sudden and violent storm hit the lake. The wind was terrible and waves were breaking over the sides of the boat. Jesus was sleeping as the storm raged. The disciples woke Him up shouting for Him to save them before the boat sank and they all drowned. I can almost see Jesus, rubbing His eyes, having a bit of a stretch and then asking them “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”
Why indeed! First of all, some of the men on that boat worked on the water, surely they had faced storms on the lake before. Second of all, they had just witnessed all sorts of people getting healed as they came down the mountain and tried to have a quiet dinner. Even before the mountainside teaching they had already witnessed all sorts of miracles. So why so afraid?
It doesn’t appear that Jesus waited for them to answer, rather “He got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm” (Matthew 8:26b). I love that the disciples then asked one another a question. “Who is this man?... even the wind and waves obey Him” (Matthew 8:27)?
We humans tend to be a little dense and also quick to forget the things we have witnessed. What storms have you shouted for rescue from out of fear? How many times have you seen Jesus meet your needs in times of trouble and then forgotten what He did when the next storm hit? We all do it on occasion. But because we know He has the power to rebuke the wind and waves, or to calm us – we can choose – will it be fear or faith?
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – let your faith in Jesus conquer your fear.
Matthew 8:26a (NIV)
Well my friends we have finished our time on the mountainside. Jesus had finished the message with a story about building on a rock solid foundation or a foundation of sand. The crowds had been amazed by the authority in which He taught. Are we amazed by that authority?
After spending so much time on the mountainside with Jesus and then reading what happens next – I have to wonder if that was one of his most “restful” times. On the way down the mountain Jesus heals a man with leprosy. When He arrives in Capernaum, a Roman officer asks for Jesus’ help for one of his young servants. Jesus applauds the faith the officer and heals his servant. Then when Jesus get to Peter’s house, Peter’s mother-in-law is sick, so He heals her too. Then the people just keep coming and coming. Jesus cast out the evil spirits and healed the sick all evening. It would seem that the crowds were getting to be a bit much so Jesus told His disciples to get the boat ready so we can cross to the other side of the lake. Even as He waited people were coming to Him asking him questions. Finally, the boat was ready, Jesus got aboard and they set off.
That’s where this week’s question comes in. As they were crossing the lake a sudden and violent storm hit the lake. The wind was terrible and waves were breaking over the sides of the boat. Jesus was sleeping as the storm raged. The disciples woke Him up shouting for Him to save them before the boat sank and they all drowned. I can almost see Jesus, rubbing His eyes, having a bit of a stretch and then asking them “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”
Why indeed! First of all, some of the men on that boat worked on the water, surely they had faced storms on the lake before. Second of all, they had just witnessed all sorts of people getting healed as they came down the mountain and tried to have a quiet dinner. Even before the mountainside teaching they had already witnessed all sorts of miracles. So why so afraid?
It doesn’t appear that Jesus waited for them to answer, rather “He got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm” (Matthew 8:26b). I love that the disciples then asked one another a question. “Who is this man?... even the wind and waves obey Him” (Matthew 8:27)?
We humans tend to be a little dense and also quick to forget the things we have witnessed. What storms have you shouted for rescue from out of fear? How many times have you seen Jesus meet your needs in times of trouble and then forgotten what He did when the next storm hit? We all do it on occasion. But because we know He has the power to rebuke the wind and waves, or to calm us – we can choose – will it be fear or faith?
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – let your faith in Jesus conquer your fear.
Monday, February 9, 2026
Beware of the Wolves
“Can you pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? ”
Matthew 7:16b (NLT)
Well my friends as we finish our time on the mountain side we are pausing for a moment to reflect. Jesus will continue his time of mountain side teaching, but this week’s verse is the last question he asks. Over the past five weeks we’ve been encouraged to Stay Salty, to Love Others, to Don’t Worry, to remember that Nobody is Perfect, and that HE Gives Good Gifts.
So, you are probably wondering why this week’s devotion is titled Beware of the Wolves, when the question is about fruit? Partly it is a reminder not to pick a single verse or part of verse to make a point – context matters. Mostly cause, apparently wolves produce bad fruit. Let me try to explain. In this section of Jesus’ sermon, He is actually talking about false prophets – “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act…” (Matthew 7:15-16a). Then this week’s question comes into play. Grapes are good fruit that grow on a thorn free vine and figs they grow on trees not on sticker bushes.
It is a warning for us to beware of those who come into our lives saying that they speak for God but their actions say something different altogether. What do we know of Godly fruit – it looks like love, joy, peace, kindness, patience, goodness, faithfulness, self-control, mercy, grace, wisdom, compassion, truth and unity to name just some. Can you think of other things that might be considered the good fruit of GOD? So what does that mean for us? In the words of YouTube content creator Charlotte Dobre – “DO YOUR RESEARCH!” Don’t take my word or anyone else’s as fact; without checking. Check the Bible, check with trusted friends, check with your pastor or a couple of pastors, maybe ask a Rabbi – you get the idea. Then you will be able to tell if the LAMB is speaking or a wolf is.
Jesus closes this section of His message by saying that “…just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions” (Matthew 7:20). Is the Lamb speaking into your life or is there a wolf whispering in your ear? Beware of the wolves.
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – guard your heart and mind, do your research, and tell the wolves to get lost.
Matthew 7:16b (NLT)
Well my friends as we finish our time on the mountain side we are pausing for a moment to reflect. Jesus will continue his time of mountain side teaching, but this week’s verse is the last question he asks. Over the past five weeks we’ve been encouraged to Stay Salty, to Love Others, to Don’t Worry, to remember that Nobody is Perfect, and that HE Gives Good Gifts.
So, you are probably wondering why this week’s devotion is titled Beware of the Wolves, when the question is about fruit? Partly it is a reminder not to pick a single verse or part of verse to make a point – context matters. Mostly cause, apparently wolves produce bad fruit. Let me try to explain. In this section of Jesus’ sermon, He is actually talking about false prophets – “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act…” (Matthew 7:15-16a). Then this week’s question comes into play. Grapes are good fruit that grow on a thorn free vine and figs they grow on trees not on sticker bushes.
It is a warning for us to beware of those who come into our lives saying that they speak for God but their actions say something different altogether. What do we know of Godly fruit – it looks like love, joy, peace, kindness, patience, goodness, faithfulness, self-control, mercy, grace, wisdom, compassion, truth and unity to name just some. Can you think of other things that might be considered the good fruit of GOD? So what does that mean for us? In the words of YouTube content creator Charlotte Dobre – “DO YOUR RESEARCH!” Don’t take my word or anyone else’s as fact; without checking. Check the Bible, check with trusted friends, check with your pastor or a couple of pastors, maybe ask a Rabbi – you get the idea. Then you will be able to tell if the LAMB is speaking or a wolf is.
Jesus closes this section of His message by saying that “…just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions” (Matthew 7:20). Is the Lamb speaking into your life or is there a wolf whispering in your ear? Beware of the wolves.
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – guard your heart and mind, do your research, and tell the wolves to get lost.
Monday, February 2, 2026
HE Gives Good Gifts
“You parents – if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! ”
Matthew 7:9-10 (NLT)
We are still on the mountain with Jesus and it isn’t a bad place to be at all. Jesus is teaching about prayer. This section of his message starts with His encouragement to be persistent in prayer. Jesus says: “Keep on asking… Keep on seeking… Keep on knocking. In my experience, when He says keep asking, he means keep asking, because it may be a while before you receive – I waited around seventeen years for my dream car. Depending on what you are seeking you may find it sooner rather than later. If you knock on His door, He will open it.
This week’s passage comes after His encouragement to persist in your prayer and He asks these questions concerning how parents respond when their children ask for something or about something. Questions to make us think about how we respond when something is asked of us, whether it is for something concrete – like bread, or a toy, or you fill in the blank, or something less so - like advice, or your time, or faith.
Jesus basically says, of course you are going to give your child some bread, or fish, or that cookie they’ve been wanting. Why? Because even though you’re all sinners you still know how to give good gifts to the people you love. Then he closes this section with the best bit and it is the bit we need to remember “…how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him” (Matthew 7:11).
So what are you praying for? Peace, healing, justice, a new car, a new job, a spouse, a child, a fragile relationship. What are you seeking after? Jesus, a stronger faith, less worry, a transformed life. What door are you knocking on? I hope it is Jesus’ because He loves inviting people into His life.
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – be persistent, keep asking, keep seeking, and be sure to knock on Jesus’ door.
Matthew 7:9-10 (NLT)
We are still on the mountain with Jesus and it isn’t a bad place to be at all. Jesus is teaching about prayer. This section of his message starts with His encouragement to be persistent in prayer. Jesus says: “Keep on asking… Keep on seeking… Keep on knocking. In my experience, when He says keep asking, he means keep asking, because it may be a while before you receive – I waited around seventeen years for my dream car. Depending on what you are seeking you may find it sooner rather than later. If you knock on His door, He will open it.
This week’s passage comes after His encouragement to persist in your prayer and He asks these questions concerning how parents respond when their children ask for something or about something. Questions to make us think about how we respond when something is asked of us, whether it is for something concrete – like bread, or a toy, or you fill in the blank, or something less so - like advice, or your time, or faith.
Jesus basically says, of course you are going to give your child some bread, or fish, or that cookie they’ve been wanting. Why? Because even though you’re all sinners you still know how to give good gifts to the people you love. Then he closes this section with the best bit and it is the bit we need to remember “…how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him” (Matthew 7:11).
So what are you praying for? Peace, healing, justice, a new car, a new job, a spouse, a child, a fragile relationship. What are you seeking after? Jesus, a stronger faith, less worry, a transformed life. What door are you knocking on? I hope it is Jesus’ because He loves inviting people into His life.
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – be persistent, keep asking, keep seeking, and be sure to knock on Jesus’ door.
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