Author: Beth Morrison

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 15:19-17:7 ESV, Matthew 22:1-33 ESV, Psalm 27:1-6 ESV, Proverbs 6:20-26 ESV

Daily Verse: “And again Jesus spoke to them in parables,” (Matthew 22:1 ESV)

ROOT WORD: “Fictitious narrative of common life conveying a moral.  A placing beside, to throw or lay beside.  Christ’s parables most frequently convey truths connected with the subject of the kingdom of God.  Two dangers are to be avoided in seeking to interpret parables: ignoring of important features, trying to make all the details means something.”[i]

                      Stories help us relate.

Jesus used parables, short stories, to make His point.  Today’s verse begins the parable of the wedding feast.  A king hosts a party for his son’s upcoming nuptials, but no one comes.  The slighted father becomes angry, retaliating against those who didn’t come; he sends his servants to gather more guests, “good and bad” (vs. 10), to fill the wedding hall.

Dissecting Jesus’s parable could lead us in many different directions.  People turn down God’s invitation to eternal life with Him.  For whatever reason, they don’t accept the invite. 

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14 ESV)

When interpreting Jesus’s teachings, deciphering important details from unimportant ones requires God’s help.  If we rely only on our human interpretation, we may find ourselves in a rabbit hole.  To see life application, we must spend time with our Creator.

Trust God’s Spirit.

Reading the parable of the wedding feast makes me think of people in my life who deny Jesus.  Friends and family members who, for whatever reason, choose not to follow God.  Hurtful experiences in church cause them to stop attending, causing a slow drift away from God.  Or they worship something or someone else.  I have friends who worship their jobs or a personal relationship first and foremost. When God gave the 10 Commandments to Moses, having no other god before Him, number one (Exodus 20:3 ESV).

Any one of us can unwittingly place someone or thing before God, missing the invitation.  When we take our eyes from Jesus, putting unrealistic expectations on something temporary, we’ll miss out on the gifs of God.  Peace that surpasses understanding, hope that never dies, love that never ends, all gifts received when we accept God’s invitation.

Don’t miss the invitation God extends.  Trust His promises.  When reading Jesus’ parables, ask God’s Spirit for help understanding the lesson.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p 188) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 13:17-15:18 ESV, Matthew 21:23-46 ESV, Psalm 26:1-12 ESV, Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV

Daily Verse: “And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” (Matthew 21:23 ESV)

EXOUSIA (1849): “From the meaning of “leave or permission,” or liberty of doing as one pleases, it passed to that of the “the ability or strength with which one is endued,” then to that of the power of authority,” the right to exercise power.”[I]

God gives authority.

Jewish leaders at the temple challenge Jesus’s authority about God.  The day before this encounter, Jesus rid the temple of money changers conducting business within its walls.  Appalled, the chief priests and elders want to know who gave Jesus the right to exercise such power.

Brilliantly, Jesus answers the question with a question.  Instead of thinking for the religious leaders, Jesus allowed them to think for themselves.  When faced with the dilemma of who gave John authority to baptize, heaven or man, the elders didn’t have an answer.  Since the chief priests couldn’t answer Jesus, He didn’t respond to their query.

Actions convey authority.

Instead of asking permission, Jesus knew His mission.  On a divine task, direct from His Father, Jesus didn’t hesitate.  When God’s house became tainted with commercial traffic, Jesus put an end to the business.  Teaching parables, Jesus taught those in the temple a new way of thinking.

Jesus left us with a divine task, love God and others (Mark 12:30-31).  We have the authority to love, against such things; no law exists (Galatians 5:23).  When searching for purpose in life, God gives direction.  You have the choice of what your actions convey, to love or to hate.

Exercise your authority today.  Love everyone God brings into your path.  Give affection freely, just as God gives it to you.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p 92) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 12:14-13:16 ESV, Matthew 20:29-21:22 ESV, Psalm 25:16-22 ESV, Proverbs 6:12-15 ESV

 Daily Verse: “He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” (Matthew 21:13 ESV)

PROSEUCHE (4335): “Worship; by implication oratory (chapel); pray earnestly to God, the most frequently used term.”[I]

Keep prayer sacred.

Jesus quotes the prophet Jeremiah when He calls the Temple a “den of robbers” (Jeremiah 7:11 ESV). People committed sins in the temple, feeling safe from God’s punishment because they occupied His house. But God doesn’t play those games. Our heavenly Father expects us to keep the temple holy. Jesus’ anger arises because the merchants cause distraction in the temple courts.

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV)

Christ lives in us when we place our faith in Him. As a result, our bodies become God’s temple. Keeping our temples free from the distraction of sin requires earnest conversations with God.

Prayer worships.

Proseuche, prayer’s root word, means oral worship. In other words, talking to God. As quickly as I sin, I try to confess. “Forgive me, Lord,” words I utter often, begins my confession. My thoughts require the most repentance. Internally, Jesus sweeps the merchants from my brain as I confess my sinful thoughts to Him.  Once I rid myself of the things which distract me from God, I can connect with my Creator.

Conversations with God don’t end. Each morning, when I finish my quiet time with the Big Guy, I get on my knees for prayer. At the end of the chat, I say, “In Jesus’ name, I pray.”  Then I get up and go about my business. However, my conversation with God continues throughout the day.

“Three Word Prayers” help me keep the conversation going. When I begin to drift off track, uttering a plea to God helps me stay on task. Whether “Grace, not Anger,” “Faith, not Fear,” or “Pray, not Panic,” all draw my thoughts back to God.

Keep your conversations going with God. When thoughts try to distract you from the King, let Jesus sweep them from your mind. Refocus, again and again, on God with prayer. Keep your temple holy by continuously chatting with God.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p 213) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 10:1-12:13 ESV, Matthew 20:1-28 ESV, Psalm 25:1-15 ESV, Proverbs 6:6-11 ESV

Daily Verse: “But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?” (Matthew 20:13 ESV)

HETAIROS (2063):  “A companion, comrade,” is translated fellows (Mt. 11:16). The word is used only by Matthew and is translated as “friend.”[I]

Friends work together.

Matthew uses a word no other author in the Bible does; he describes the laborers as “friends.”  Needing workers for his vineyards, the farmer pays the helpers, one denarius, the going rate for day laborer’s efforts.  As time proceeds, the master recruits more help, paying them all the same wage, whether they worked 8 hours or 1 hour.  Tired and hot from toiling in the sun for their employer, grumbling erupts as everyone receives equal pay.

“Friend (hetairos), I am doing you no wrong.” Says the master to his workers.  Each person working a full day agreed to set wages, while those recruited later didn’t.  Instead, when the farmer said, “Whatever is right, I will give you,” they trusted him and went on about their business (Matthew 20:5 ESV).

God considers us companions.

Matthew’s use of “Hetairos” to describe the laborers means the master considered them companions and comrades.  Everyone works towards the same goal, harvesting the vineyard.  Even though the master wasn’t in the fields, he recruited more help to accomplish the task faster.

Some people, like myself, met Jesus early in life.  Others don’t enter a relationship with God’s Son until taking their last breath.  Length of service doesn’t determine the reward. Aligning our lives with God’s mission, whether young or old, means we reap the same benefit, eternal life.  The longer we serve the Lord, God willing, the more people who enjoy the benefits of heaven with us.

Don’t become bitter because others haven’t put in the same effort as you.  Rejoice that they joined the mission, planting seeds in the fields where God placed them.  When Christ calls us home, you won’t care they joined the party late.  You’ll rejoice they came at all.

Working for Christ means becoming His comrade.  Companions for life, our mission never ends.  Love God, love others until the day your heavenly Father calls you home.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p 104) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 8:1-9:35 ESV, Matthew 19:13-30 ESV, Psalm 24:1-10 ESV, Proverbs 6:1-5 ESV

Daily Verse: “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mathew 19:24 ESV)

PLOUSIOS (4145):  “Wealthy, abound with.” [I]

Rich people abound.

Everyone living in America abounds in food, housing, and jobs compared to the rest of the world.  No one enjoys the freedom of life as much as we do in the USA.  Unfortunately, we take our luxuries for granted.  Instead of privileges, we think rights, becoming self-entitled.  Spending a week in a third-world country changed my materialistic perspective into gratitude.  I only had to use the outhouse in El Salvador one time to praise God for my porcelain pot that doesn’t require lime to tame the smell.

Witnessing the rectangular cement tank filled with bug-infested water changed my life.  Watching as the women scooped water, using it for cooking, cleaning, and drinking, made me nauseous.  Controlling my features and acting completely normal in such utter poverty challenged all my senses.  Living in what they considered a luxury, the family devoted their lives to Jesus.  Connecting over our love of the Lord, one of the most profound days of my life.  My El Salvadorian friends didn’t have material wealth, but the richness of their relationships with God and each other, inspiring.

Become richer.

God gave us life in America for a reason.  Having material wealth doesn’t make someone a sinner.  What we do with our wealth does.  Keeping a Biblical perspective, we remember all good things come from God (James 1:17). First and foremost, we’re to give back to God through our local church (Malachi 3:10, Mark 12:17).  When we put God first in our finances, money loses its hold.  The best way to offend money, give it away.  Don’t let the dollar control your life; let Jesus become your financial planner.

Giving requires faith.  Becoming involved with a local church allows you to share God’s gifts with others.  When we adopt the principles of the early church, everyone wins.

“And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” (Acts 2:45 ESV)

As you apply Biblical principles to your finances, your faith will grow.  God will provide in ways you can’t imagine, not always financially.  Good health saves money and allows for a fuller life.  When you begin counting blessings, you’ll realize your wealth, much more significant than you think.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p 204) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 5:22-7:25 ESV, Matthew 18:21-19:12 ESV, Psalm 23:1-6 ESV, Proverbs 5:22-23 ESV

Daily Verse: “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” (Matthew 18:35 ESV)

APHIEMI (863):  “To send away, to bid going away or depart.  To let go, let alone, let be, to disregard.  To give up a debt, keep no longer, remit.  To leave, go away from one in order to go to another place,” [i]

Keep no longer.

Forgiveness frees you from negative thinking.  When we focus on an offense, we bind ourselves up inside.  Wanting someone to suffer for the hurt caused, whether intentional or unintentional, keeps you in bondage, not the offender. 

“Schadenfreude” means pleasure derived by someone from another person’s misfortune.[ii]  When we hold onto unforgiveness, we want someone else to suffer.  As my husband says, “You know you’ve truly forgiven someone when you wish them well.”

However, if we spend our time wanting bad things to happen to other people, we miss out on today.  Instead of enjoying the blessings in our own lives, we waste time.  You do have the ability to refocus your thoughts, freeing yourself from the bondage of unforgiveness, living in the freedom of God’s grace and mercy.

Take no offense.

In a world offended by everything, choose a different path.  When someone offends you, make the conscious decision to let it go. A friend sent me a picture of a simple sign, black background with white letters that carried a profound message:

“When you finally learn that a person’s behavior has more to do with their internal struggle than it ever did with you, you learn grace.” Vintage Vivid

Hurting people hurt others, four words that will help you not take offense.  When someone’s actions impact you negatively, remember, they’re operating out of their pain.  Whatever flawed thinking causes them to commit harmful acts, it’s about them, not you.  Choose grace, keep the offense no longer, let it go. 

Letting Go
Author unknown

To “let go” does not mean to stop caring,
it means I can’t do it for someone else.
To “let go” is not to cut myself off,
it’s the realization I can’t control another.
To “let go” is not to enable,
but to allow learning from natural consequences.
To “let go” is to admit powerlessness,
which means the outcome is not in my hands.
To “let go” is not to try to change or blame another,
it’s to make the most of myself.
To “let go” is not to care for,
but to care about.
To “let go” is not to fix,
but to be supportive.
To “let go” is not to judge,
but to allow another to be a human being.
To “let go” is not to be in the middle arranging the outcomes,
but to allow others to affect their own destinies.
To “let go” is not to be protective,
it’s to permit another to face reality.
To “let go” is not to deny,
but to accept.
To “let go” it not to nag, scold or argue,
but instead to search out my own shortcomings, and correct them.
To “let go” is not to adjust everything to my desires
but to take each day as it comes,
and cherish myself in it.
To “let go” is not to criticize and regulate anybody
but to try to become what I dream I can be.
To “let go” is not to regret the past,
but to grow and live for the future.
To “let go” is to fear less,
and love more.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p 48) Thomas Nelson

[ii] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schadenfreude

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 4:1-5:21 ESV, Matthew 18:1-20 ESV, Psalm 22:19-31 ESV, Proverbs 5:15-21 ESV

Daily Verse: “And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:2-3 ESV)

OURANOS (3772): “through the idea of elevation; the sky; as the abode of God. By implication, happiness, power, eternity.  The eternal dwelling place of God (Matt. 5:16).”[i]

Become like children.

Entering God’s kingdom requires childlike faith.  Heaven’s root word means the dwelling place of God.  Children have no problem believing in God and His promises.  Biblical stories of Jonah in the belly of a fish or David’s triumphant victory over a giant, easy to believe from a child’s perspective. And children trust they receive the Holy Spirit when they place their faith in Jesus, bringing heaven to earth:

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10 ESV)

Heaven means God’s residence.  When we receive His Spirit, we become God’s dwelling place.  Eternity in heaven begins on earth when we place our faith in Jesus.  Accepting God’s Spirit gives us access to His peace.  Only when we tune into the Spirit’s promptings will we enjoy the beauty of heaven.

Embrace heaven.

God doesn’t want us to live lives of misery; He wants us to live our lives to the fullest.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 ESV)

Receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit will help us live abundantly.  Trusting God’s grace and mercy, despite our sinful nature, frees us from condemnation.  Learning to forgive others as Christ forgave us liberates us from the negative thoughts of unforgiveness.  When we fill our minds with God’s word, we become more childlike.  Instead of letting harmful intentions control our minds, God’s word transforms us into uplifting and encouraging people.  Life change happens when we put God’s word into practice, not just reading it but doing it.

You can experience heaven on earth by applying childlike faith to God’s promises.  Don’t look for explanations; trust God will do what He says He will.  Experience heaven on earth as God’s peace transcends all understanding in your life.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (pp. 183-4) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 2:11-3:22 ESV, Matthew 17:10-27 ESV, Psalm 22:1-18 ESV, Proverbs 5:7-14 ESV

Daily Verse: “He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20 ESV)

ADUNATEO (101): “Signifies to be impossible, unable, and in the NT it is used only of things.  Nothing to a believer is impossible.”[i]

Faith creates possibility.

The disciples, faced with an impossible situation, fail.  Trying to heal a demon-possessed boy, their efforts come to no avail.  The desperate father took his son to Jesus and asked the Lord to make the impossible possible. Without hesitation, Jesus rebuked the demon, healing the boy.  The dad’s faith in his Master brought healing to his son.  Watching Jesus work, the disciples didn’t understand why they couldn’t complete the task.

Lack of faith stops us from accomplishing our divine tasks.  Whether we doubt God’s sovereignty, His presence, or His power, our unbelief prevents us from making the impossible possible.  Only when we believe in Jesus can miracles happen.

Open your mind.

Closed minds won’t see miracles.  Standing before the Red Sea, Moses believed God would create a way.  Because of his faith, Moses experienced walking through parted water.  Strolling through the sea, walls of water on each side, fish swimming along beside you, I can only imagine the magnificence of such a moment. God created a way where none existed.

Miracles need impossible circumstances to become possible.  Facing the demon-possessed boy, the disciples found it impossible to help him.  But with God, all things become possible.  We can meet the mountains before us, knowing God possesses the power to move them.  Whether we climb the hill, go around it, through it, or move it, God will show us how to overcome. 

Without faith, the impossible remains impossible.  With faith, all things become possible.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p. 6) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 50:1 – Exodus 2:10 ESV, Matthew 16:13-17:9 ESV, Psalm 21:1-13 ESV, Proverbs 5:1-6 ESV

Daily Verse: “But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Matthew 16:23 ESV)

SATANAS (4567): “A Greek word from derived from the Heb. ‘an adversary.’  Not simply the personification of evil influences in the heart, for he tempted Christ, in whose heart no evil thought could ever have arisen.”[i]

Adversaries exist.

Without a doubt, you have an enemy trying to keep you from fulfilling your God-given mission.  Satan prowls around, looking for ways to derail all of us.  His name means “adversary.” The devil uses any tool possible to derail us, and he knows, our thoughts determine our actions.

Whispering lies in our ears causes us to take our minds off God.  Peter, unable to understand Jesus’ words about His crucifixion, tries to dissuade Christ from His mission.  But Jesus knew Peter’s thoughts; He knew his disciple needed correction. Satan caused Peter to doubt, Jesus puts the devil in his place.

Take authority.

Jesus spoke with authority over Peter’s doubting thoughts.  He identified the adversary and put the devil in his place without hesitation.  Satan always loses; no matter what, his efforts fail.  Victory came at Calvary when Jesus died on the Cross.  Nothing the devil does changes what Jesus did.

Next time wayward thoughts try to take root in your mind, kick them out.  Like Jesus, tell Satan to get behind you.  On a mission for the Big Guy, you don’t have time for the devil’s antics.  Instead, fill your mind with God’s word, so when Satan tries to get you off track, you identify his ploys immediately.

To combat the negative thoughts in my head, I read God’s word daily.  Each morning, I use Biblically-based affirmations to remind me whose child I am, God’s.  When the devil tries to tell me I’m unworthy, I remember, I’m the apple of God’s eye, God protects me in the shadow of His wings (Psalm 17:8 ESV).  Nothing I can do, ever did or will do, can separate me from God’s love (Romans 8:31-39 ESV).

Don’t let the adversary get a foothold today.  When the devil tries to get your mind off of Jesus, use the Savior’s words:

“Get behind me, Satan!” 

Keep your mind on Christ.  Capture your thoughts.  Put the adversary in his place.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p. 225) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 48:1-49:33 ESV, Matthew 15:29-16:12 ESV, Psalm 20:1-9 ESV, Proverbs 4:20-27 ESV

Daily Verse: “Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” (Matthew 15:32 ESV)

SPLAGCHNIZOMAI (4697): “To be moved as to one’s inwards (splanchna), to be moved with compassion, to yearn with compassion, and is frequently recorded of Christ towards the multitudes and towards individual sufferers.[i]

Jesus cares.

People’s fear of judgment keeps them from approaching God.  Thinking they must become “better” before they enter a relationship with Jesus, they avoid Him.  But that’s not Jesus.  Because of His love for us, God created a way for us to relate to Him.  Through Jesus, we connect to God, spotless and whole.  No matter our past sins, God forgives the moment we confess them to Him.  New life begins when we accept, Jesus cares for us.

When I’ve listened to someone who captures my attention, time evaporates.  An hour passes in what seems like seconds.  The crowd following Jesus for three days had nothing to eat.  So enraptured in Jesus’s teaching, they didn’t think about food.  But Jesus did.  He knew the crowd needed food to sustain them for their journey home.

Let Jesus feed you.

Don’t miss out on Jesus’ teaching because you’re afraid to enter His presence.  Remember, God loves you unconditionally.  When the choice came to love, God chose you.  Nowhere in scripture does God expect perfection from you. Our heavenly Father desires a relationship with us based on honesty and love.  Opening our hearts to our Maker, confessing our sins, invites God into our lives.

Jesus leads with compassion.  His mission on earth, one of rescue.  Understanding our sinful natures leads to lives of misery; Jesus gives us a way out.  Instead of holding onto past mistakes, we have an opportunity to let them go and start again.

Feed on the words of Jesus.  Follow the example He set for us.  When facing an impossible situation, think of God’s Son.  Jesus doesn’t want anyone to go away hungry.  With divine intervention, God will fill you up.  Your Spirit will soar, ready for the next leg of the journey.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p. 232) Thomas Nelson