Counting of Blessings

I am thankful, Lord for...

Prayer journal anything that comes to mind.

Reading 6 Matthew 8

Not written yet. 

Reading 7 Matthew 9

Matthew 9

Read Matthew 9. As you do, prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, questions you might have, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, etc.? **~**

Now, read the Key Verses of Matthew 9:20-22 in your favorite version of the Bible.

Prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, questions you might have, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, etc.? **~**

Now, read the version which follows. If you have already used this translation, then use another:

Matthew 9:20-22 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

20 Just then, a woman who had suffered from bleeding for 12 years approached from behind and touched the tassel on His robe, 21 for she said to herself, “If I can just touch His robe, I’ll be made well!”

22 But Jesus turned and saw her. “Have courage, daughter,” He said. “Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that moment.

Since you just read a different version of the Bible for those verses, prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, questions you might have, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, etc. **~**

Our focal verse for today is Matthew 9:22.

Matthew 9:22 / Expanded Bible (EXB)

22 Jesus turned and saw the woman and said, “·Be encouraged [Have courage; Take heart], ·dear woman [L daughter]. ·You are made well because you believed [Your faith has saved/healed you].” And the woman was ·healed [made well; saved] from that moment on.

Prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, questions you might have, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, etc. **~**

Matthew 9:22 / GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

22 When Jesus turned and saw her he said, “Cheer up, daughter! Your faith has made you well.” At that very moment the woman became well.

Prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, questions you might have, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, etc. **~**

**~** PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS

1 What did her belief and faith do?

2 So, what did we just learn about faith and belief?

3 Can our faith do the same?

CROSS-REFERENCES

Matthew 17:14-20 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

14 When they reached the crowd, a man approached and knelt down before Him. 15 “Lord,” he said, “have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers severely. He often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 I brought him to Your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.”

17 Jesus replied, “You unbelieving and rebellious generation! How long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” 18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and from that moment the boy was healed.

19 Then the disciples approached Jesus privately and said, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

20 “Because of your little faith,” He told them. “For I assure you: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

Prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, questions you might have, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, etc. **~**

Look at verse 20 alone and: Prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, questions you might have, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, etc. **~**

Verse of the Day:

Romans 12:1-3

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

12 Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

3 For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.

-- HCSB: Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Prayer Journal about verse 2 in particular.

Also, don't forget to count your blessings and prayer journal what you thank God for today.

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease 2007-2014. Taken at the YMCA of the Rockies.)

Lord, I'm thankful for...

Reading 5 Matthew 7:13-14 and 7:21 (Part 2 of Matthew 7)

NOTES OF CAUTION

MORE DAYS THAN ONE: There may be some lessons you might feel compelled to spend several days on the key verse rather than just the next twenty-four hours.

PRAYER JOURNALING: I will ask you to do lots of prayer journaling in this reading. Please do ALL of it and not skip anything. In fact, prayer journal every single time you feel led to, on top of what I suggest. The rule of thumb is: “The more you prayer journal, the more you’ll interact with God and His Word, and the more you’ll get out of the reading and studying of the Bible.”

MATTHEW 7

Read Matthew 7 again in another version or translation of the Bible.

Our main verses today are: Matthew 7:13-14; 7:21. Why don’t you read those in a third version of the Bible and prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, questions you might have, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, etc.? **~**

Our Key Verse is: Matthew 7:14.

Matthew 7:13-14 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. 14 How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.

Matthew 7:21 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Why don’t you read those verses in a third version of the Bible and prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, whatever questions you might have, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, etc.? **~**

{Reminder: Whenever you see the previous symbol, that means to prayer journal your response, thoughts, questions, etc. Do everything listed as well. Don’t skip anything. The ‘etc.’ is make sure you write more and get whatever comes to mind down on the page. It doesn’t mean to skip, which we might be tempted to do. ETC. in the case of prayer journaling really means, AND.}

Matthew 7:14 / Expanded Bible (EXB)

14 But the gate is small and the road is ·narrow [or difficult; hard] that leads to true life. ·Only a few people [And there are few who] find that road.

Prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, questions you might have, etc.? **~**

Read it again.

Prayer journal any other gems that jump out you afresh and those that are reinforced now. **~**

Read it one more time. (I’m not kidding.) Read it one word at a time, as slowly as possible, and allow each word to sink in fully and completely. So, really take your time. Do lots of prayer journaling on this read-through. Do the quadruple amount of prayer journaling this time. (Seriously.) Mine it. Savor the treasure you find. **~**

This verse is probably one of the most important verses we can grasp and need to live by every moment of every day and night. It’s not one to take lightly.

In fact, I would add this to my “Daily Pondering List” to ponder, meditate upon, think about, and contemplate, every single day for at least the rest of the year, if not for the rest of your life.

DAILY PONDERING LIST (DPL)

And, yes, by the way. Start to carry a “Daily Pondering List” of verses I tell you to add, along with the daily verse we learn here in each reading, and by far, even more importantly, anything God tells you to add to the list. Our daily reading verse, we will only reflect upon for the next twenty-four hours, unless God tells us otherwise.

So, on our list so far is at least: Matthew 7:14, which will stay on the DPL for at least the next year.

READ

Read Matthew 7:14 in yet another version of the Bible.

Read it one word at a time, as slowly as possible, and allow each word to sink in fully and completely. So, really take your time. Do lots of prayer journaling on this read-through. Do the quadruple amount of prayer journaling this time. (Seriously.) Mine it. Savor the treasure you find. **~**

CONTEXT

Read Matthew 7:8-25 for the proper context of Matthew 7:14.

Prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, questions you might have, etc.? **~**

Also, prayer journal about how reading the context helps you to understand Matthew 7:14 more completely. **~**

WE ARE NOT TO DO WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE DOES OR TAKE THE EASY ROAD: SUMMARY #1

Isn’t this the underlining summary of Matthew 7:13-14 and 7:21?

Prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, questions you might have, etc.? **~**

SUMMARY #2: THE CHRISTIAN LIFE ISN’T AN EASY ONE

Isn’t this the underlining summary of Matthew 7:13-14 and 7:21?

Prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, questions you might have, etc.? **~**

THE BUILD-UP

This is where I feel like a dog, shaking all over with excitement just before their master takes them for a walk. I get so excited thinking about something new I discovered this morning in my study of Matthew 7:14. I just cannot wait to share it with you, so you can see how big God’s Word is and how meaningful and important. Never mind how deep His Word is and the impact it has when we learn to dig deeper and mine it to find the precious gems. Well, that’s what I did earlier and am bursting at the seams with treasure to share with you (since I didn’t have a bag to put it in, I had to stuff it in my clothes on my back, never mind in my pockets.) Now, I will lie them down on the ground so we can look at each piece, now that I am outside again and can see them in the sunlight, as well as in the Son’s Light. I want to share my discovery and make it our discovery--yours and mine.

PRAYER FOR UNDERSTANDING REGARDING THE GEMS FOUND IN MATTHEW 7:14

It’s funny, now that I sit here at my computer and want to share this treasure with you, I keep putting my fingers on the proper keys and then wait for the words to come. My mind races and I cannot contain one thought to put on the page and share with you. This is so big, I’m finding it difficult to put it in words. I think I will do a great disservice to the text and the lessons we can learn here. I don’t want to foul this up and minimize it in any way.

So, would you, please, pray with me?

First, take a look at Ephesians 1:7-12, please. Prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, questions you might have, etc.? **~**

Then, see 2 Timothy 2:7. Prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, questions you might have, etc.? **~**

Then, see 1 John 5:19-21. Prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, questions you might have, etc.? **~**

Psalm 119:18 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

18 Open my eyes so that I may contemplate

wonderful things from Your instruction.

Replace the word, ‘instruction’ with ‘the Word of God,’ or ‘the Bible.’

Prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, questions you might have, etc.? **~**

PRAYER:

Lord, help us have full understanding (according to the mind and heart we have today, knowing they will transform today to tomorrow) of everything we read and study in the Bible. However, right now, we ask this in particular regarding Matthew 7:14. help us mine its treasure and find the gems You want us to grab hold of and take into our possession. To You be the glory, honor, and praise.

Matthew 7:14 / GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

14 But the narrow gate and the road that lead to life are full of trouble. Only a few people find the narrow gate.

Matthew 7:14 / New American Standard Bible (NASB)

14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Matthew 7:14 / Expanded Bible (EXB)

14 But the gate is small and the road is ·narrow [or difficult; hard] that leads to true life. ·Only a few people [And there are few who] find that road.

LEXICON (A FANCY NAME FOR A WORD STUDY)

First, look at this link: http://biblehub.com/lexicon/matthew/7-14.htm

Then, look at the first small or narrow of the verse: http://biblehub.com/greek/4728.htm

Prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, questions you might have, etc.? **~**

Then, look at the second small or narrow of the verse: http://biblehub.com/greek/2346.htm

Prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, questions you might have, etc.? **~**

The second link we just read is the world’s largest diamond, ruby, emerald, topaz, sapphire, etc--all combined in one. It’s big--and, boy, is it a gem.

God is the One who presses, narrows, compresses, contracts, and afflicts us and our way--in the best way possible. He is the One doing the action. It’s a verb and it is also a passive, present, perfect participle--meaning He is always actively doing this in our lives. He is making us a diamond in a rough, my friends.

Prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, questions you might have, etc.? **~**

When we go through challenges, remember this. This is our narrow gate life as a Christian. If we are not being pressed, we are most likely on the wrong path!

Prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, questions you might have, etc.? **~**

We are to constantly be growing in God and in His Word. He is the One who transforms us from the inside. Are we allowing Him? Are we fighting it or are we cooperating?

Prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, questions you might have, etc.? **~**

Please. Make sure you fully grasp the full Truth of this verse. Understand it. Grasp all of it--every gem, every facet, every nook and cranny. Do not read anything else until you ponder this and chew on it for a MINIMUM of twenty-four hours. Over the next day, please make sure to prayer journal as much as possible about this verse and: Prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, questions you might have, etc.? **~**

This verse is a life-changer, but only when you grasp what God is doing. He loves you enough, and has so many grand purposes, to bring Him the glory, He cannot, will not leave you the way you are, or where you are. He will transform you into a special gem. You are His treasure. But, this process is hardly easy. It will be hard. But, it’s worth every bit of it. He will turn you into His treasure and will give you treasure of the truth of His Word.

Prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, questions you might have, etc.? **~**

Just remember, you are to travel a different path than most. If you look around in your life (and you should right now) and are surrounded by a lot of people you say are close to you, re-evaluate. Seriously.

Prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, questions you might have, etc.? **~**

The road is narrow. Few travel it. Few. Will this be you? Or, will you find those you choose to travel with more valuable than God and His Word and Way? The many or the few? God or others? God or possessions? God or any other idol in your life? His way of the narrow gate or the way of the masses?

Prayer journal your thoughts, whatever jumps out at you, gems you want to consider, anything you want to apply to your life, what God says to you, what you say to God, questions you might have, etc.? **~** 

(Top image credit: Stacy Duplease 2009-2014.) 

Contemplate, Meditate, Ponder, Think, Focus, and Chew On Your Daily Key Bible Verses

Contemplate, Meditate, Ponder, Think, Focus, and Chew On Your Daily Key Bible Verses

The point of our daily readings and studies of "A Godly Vision Chapter by Chapter Study of the New Testament, Part 1" is to take time with the we read and study. It's so we can allow those verses to grow deeper roots in us. If we read it once, forget about it, and continue on with life as normal, and as though we never read these readings, then we've missed the whole point and wasted God's time and our own.
Therefore, make sure to ponder and think about the key verse from each of our daily Bible reading all day and night long and until our next reading in this blog post series or book.

(Image credit: Microsoft images online 2009-2014.) 

Reading 4 Matthew 6 (Part 2) and 7 and New Bible Study and Reading Plan

Reading 4 Matthew 6 (Part 2) and 7 and New Bible Study and Reading Plan

MY (OUR) NEW BIBLE STUDY AND READING PLAN

I’ve decided to only read one chapter of the New Testament per day. I found reading more than that was just too much. I want to fully grasp and absorb what I’ve read and reading three to four chapters per day isn’t allowing me to do so. So, now, this study will be called:

“A Godly Vision Chapter by Chapter Study of the New Testament, Part 1”

Also, I want to look a little more at Matthew 6:33-34 today and then we’ll read Matthew 7.

Yesterday, we read, studied, and contemplated Matthew 6:33-34 all day and night.

**~** PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS

1 What more has God revealed to you about those verses?

2 What more has God revealed to you about seeking His kingdom and His righteousness first?

3 What more has God revealed about worry in your life?

SEEK FIRST AND WORRY: APPLICATION

If we are seeking the kingdom of God (heaven) first, along with his righteousness, then these things will be awarded--and we will not need to worry.

I find it amazing how much God can use a verse and a chapter in my life. It’s as though He’s written specific things just for me. But, I know the words were written for the context in whom and for which they were written. It’s just also something I can relate to and Matthew 6:34 is one of those verses that apply to my life right now.

Everything in my life, without fail, in a flux right now. I only have these things in which I have a firm foundation:

1 The Word of God and my faith,

2 My husband and me--our marriage

3 My family and friends

That’s it. It’s everything. But, that’s it.

As of right now, my husband has a full-time job, but we may look at retirement from it and he may start work elsewhere. We’re looking into it. Who knows. It’s just an idea right now. This means we could move across the country to our forever home in as little as five weeks or as many as a year. Which then would mean finding a house to buy and everything in which that brings. He also may be going to school and leaving for a while, where I man the fort and critters. So, this means we are putting adoption on hold until we are set in place with new job and home. Or, we may decide to stay in place and proceed with Plan A. We just do not know. We’re in God’s waiting room as we plan for several contingencies and wait for His answer.

Life gave us a situation in which kicked us in the gut and we’ve had to reanalyze everything (other than our marriage and faith--both are our sure constants and are never in question). With everything being a question mark right now, I cannot help but feel worry nip at my heels as it tried to again my attention. Worry for me is the number one things that pops up to the surface, like a turtle needing to breathe after swimming underwater for a while.

Worry has always been a bad habit of mine. But, it’s worse than that. Worry is a sin.

It’s wrong of me to worry about anything. It shows I do not fully trust God. It’s something I need to constantly be on alert for and combat. Part of this stems from grief. I’ve lost so many people and things in my life, so I tend to get a little anxious when one of them is threatened. This is the inappropriate response, though.

Worry is when I am afraid of allowing God to take control. Worry is taking from God. It’s stealing what is His and trying to claim it as mine.

It’s me acting like a thief. People get sent to prison of stealing as much as I’ve stolen (from God in my life). This is serious stuff. Therefore, I need to make sure I never minimize it or worse, ignore it or dismiss it. I should never say, “I know if anyone else had this to deal with, they’d worry, too.” Or, “This is big stuff. It’s understandable if I’m worried.” Both are wrong to think, never mind say.

The Bible says do not worry. Period. It doesn’t give a clause to say that it’s okay to worry if… Matthew 6:34 says it simply. “Do not worry.”

Worry is that which takes our attention off of God and His Word. This makes it even more wrong. Worry too much and it can become an idol.

**~** PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS:

1 Write any thoughts that came to mind when you read the things I wrote previously today.

2 What are you worried, concerned, and/or anxious about right now? Prayer journal about it.

3 Has worry ever been an idol in your life--where it takes your attention off of God or His Word?

4 Then, write a prayer releasing your worries, concerns, and/or anxiety to God.

I have to admit, I am less worried now than I would have been a year or two ago, particularly five years ago. I have grown in my faith, thank You, Jesus.

So, how do I handle the worry that pops up right now, I throw myself into the Word of God and think on it so much worry doesn't have time to simmer in my mind. I’m thinking too much on other things, after all. This is how I beat worry. I make sure to stop it in its tracks with the Word of God, the belt of Truth and shield of faith. God’s so got this. His plans are perfect. My worry is silly. He’s much bigger and is in control.

Matthew 7 Bible Reading and Study

Read Matthew 7 for yourself and make sure to prayer journal, **~**, about anything that captures your attention, any questions you might have, what you would like to apply to your life, favorite verses, etc.

Our Key Verses are: Matthew 7:7-8 and Matthew 7:13-14. (Matthew 7:13-14 will be our lesson tomorrow.)

Matthew 7:7-8 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

7 “Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 7:7-8 / New Century Version (NCV)

7 “Ask, and God will give to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will open for you. 8 Yes, everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And everyone who knocks will have the door opened.

A-S-K.

Ask, Seek, Knock.

We are to act persistent and consistent in our prayer.

Nowhere does it say in the Bible that God grows weary or tired from our prayers. Nor does it say we’re bothering Him. Nor does it say our prayers are too small or insignificant for God to bother with or any such nonsense.

Seriously. Look in your Bible. Try to find where it says otherwise. (Hint: You won’t find an exception.) Rather, Matthew 7:7-8 suggests something drastically different.

Matthew 7:7-8 / Expanded Bible (EXB)

7 “·Ask [Keep asking], and ·God will give [L it will be given; C the passive verb implies God as subject] to you. ·Search [Seek; Keep seeking], and you will find. ·Knock [Keep knocking], and the door will open for you. 8 ·Yes, [L For; Because] everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who ·searches [seeks] will find. And everyone who knocks will have the door opened.

Matthew 7:7-8 / New Living Translation (NLT)

7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

Read each of the versions previously, plus your favorite version, if it wasn’t listed.

**~** PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS:

1 What are your thoughts?

2 What does this say to you about asking God for/about something?

3 What did you learn from each of the versions?

4 What jumped out at you most from those two verses? Why?

5 What jumped out to you about each of the versions/translations? Why?

6 What did you say to God about these verses and translations?

7 What did God say to you about these verses and versions?

8 What do you need to A-S-K for in your life?

Let’s look at some cross-references now:

Matthew 21:22 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

22 And if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Mark 11:24 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

24 Therefore I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for—believe that you have received them, and you will have them.

John 14:13 / New American Standard Bible (NASB)

13 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

**~** PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS:

Look at each cross-reference previously and then prayer journal about the following?

1 What are your thoughts?

2 What did you learn?

3 What jumped out to you about each of these cross-references? Why?

4 How did these cross-references help you understand Matthew 7:7-8 more?

5 What did you say to God about these cross-references?

6 What did God say to you about these cross-references?

Now, let’s look are more cross-references:

John 15:7 / Expanded Bible (EXB)

7 If you ·remain [abide] in me and ·follow my teachings [L my words abide/remain in you], you can ask anything you want, and it will ·be given to [be done for; come to] you.

John 15:16 / GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

16 You didn’t choose me, but I chose you. I have appointed you to go, to produce fruit that will last, and to ask the Father in my name to give you whatever you ask for.

1 John 3:21-22 / GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

21 Dear friends, if our conscience doesn’t condemn us, we can boldly look to God 22 and receive from him anything we ask. We receive it because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.

1 John 5:14-15 / New Century Version (NCV)

14 And this is the boldness we have in God’s presence: that if we ask God for anything that agrees with what he wants, he hears us. 15 If we know he hears us every time we ask him, we know we have what we ask from him.

**~** PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS:

Look at each cross-reference previously and then prayer journal about the following?

7 What are your thoughts?

8 What did you learn?

9 What jumped out to you about each of these cross-references? Why?

10 How did these cross-references help you understand Matthew 7:7-8 more?

11 What did you say to God about these cross-references?

12 What did God say to you about these cross-references?

In other words, we are to keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking--and do so with boldness and confidence. This is how we are to approach the throne of God and our prayer lives.

**~** Prayer journal your thoughts. 

Reading 3 Matthew 6

Matthew 6 Bible Reading and Study

My Key Verses are: Matthew 6:33-34.

Matthew 6:33-34 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. 34 Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:33-34 / Expanded Bible (EXB)

33 ·Seek first [Be concerned above all else with] God’s kingdom and ·what God wants [L his righteousness]. Then all ·your other needs will be met as well [L these things will be given to you]. 34 So don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will ·have its own worries[or worry about/take care of itself]. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:33-34 / New Living Translation (NLT)

33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Read your favorite version of the Bible, plus the three versions or translations listed previously and then answer these questions: 

**~** PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS:

1 What did you learn from each of the versions?

2 What jumped out to you about each of the versions/translations?

3 What did they say to you?

4 What did you say to God about these verses and translations?

5 What did God say to you about these verses and versions?

QUESTION: WHAT’S THE KINGDOM OF GOD MENTIONED IN MATTHEW 6:33?

See Lexicon found here: http://biblehub.com/greek/932.htm

“Kingdom” means as we might think: the power of royalty, authority, rule, kingship, sovereignty, rule.

So, this refers to God as king.

What is His kingdom?

I’ve learned this answer in the seminary, as I have read and studied the Bible, and in other Bible studies. However, I learned a long time ago how I can remember things incorrectly, or not fully. Therefore, I try to check verses, passages, and meanings of words and phrases from time to time, to make sure I still get it and that I understand it rightly and completely.

I think the Kingdom of God is eternity and heaven. Is this accurate? Therefore, I want to look at the bible alone, not at man’s definitions at this point, to make sure I obtain the Truth. I looked up this prhase” Kingdom of God” here: http://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=%22kingdom+of+God%22+&qs_version=HCSB

So, here are some cross-references to help me understand what this means:

Matthew 19:23-25 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “I assure you: It will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven! 24 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.”

25 When the disciples heard this, they were utterly astonished and asked, “Then who can be saved?”

Hmm. It appears “Kingdom of God” and “Kingdom of heaven” are synonyms. Is this an accurate conclusion? Let’s look at more cross-references about the Kingdom of God:

Matthew 21:31 / New American Standard Bible (NASB)

31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They *said, “The first.” Jesus *said to them,“Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you.

Yes. It’s looking like a good conclusion. The Kingdom of God = the Kingdom of heaven. But, let’s keep checking cross-references to make sure we understand this fully.

Mark 1:15 / New American Standard Bible (NASB)

15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Mark 9:47 / New American Standard Bible (NASB)

47 If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell,

It seems like you either go to heaven or hell, according to this verse, which we know is true. Therefore, again, this shows how the Kingdom of God is indeed the Kingdom of heaven. Let’s look at a few more books of the Bible to make sure in a broader context:

John 3:3 / New American Standard Bible (NASB)

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

1 Corinthians 15:45-58 / GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

45 This is what Scripture says: “The first man, Adam, became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual does not come first, but the physical and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was made from the dust of the earth. He came from the earth. The second man came from heaven. 48 The people on earth are like the man who was made from the dust of the earth. The people in heaven are like the man who came from heaven. 49 As we have worn the likeness of the man who was made from the dust of the earth, we will also wear the likeness of the man who came from heaven. 50 Brothers and sisters, this is what I mean: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. What decays cannot inherit what doesn’t decay.

51 I’m telling you a mystery. Not all of us will die, but we will all be changed. 52 It will happen in an instant, in a split second at the sound of the last trumpet. Indeed, that trumpet will sound, and then the dead will come back to life. They will be changed so that they can live forever. 53 This body that decays must be changed into a body that cannot decay. This mortal body must be changed into a body that will live forever. 54 When this body that decays is changed into a body that cannot decay, and this mortal body is changed into a body that will live forever, then the teaching of Scripture will come true:

“Death is turned into victory!

55 Death, where is your victory?

   Death, where is your sting?”

56 Sin gives death its sting, and God’s standards give sin its power. 57 Thank God that he gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 So, then, brothers and sisters, don’t let anyone move you off the foundation of your faith. Always excel in the work you do for the Lord. You know that the hard work you do for the Lord is not pointless.

Verse 50 was the key verse. Now, we can affirm that the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of heaven are the same thing.

6 Now, here’s a good reminder after this. What sins are we guilty of personally? 7 What are temptations we struggle with? **~** Answer those two questions in your prayer journal, please.

Galatians 5:19-21 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity,20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions,dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I tell you about these things in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

**~** PRAYER JOURNALING QUESTIONS:

8 Now, read Matthew 6:33 again in your favorite version/translation of the Bible and prayer journal what you’ve learned. Write a summary in your own words of what Matthew 6:33 means to you now.

9 Whose righteousness do we seek in Matthew 6:33?

10 Notice the order of Matthew 6:33 then 6:34. What does this show you? Hint: First, then…

11 What does Matthew 6:33-34 mean to you and your life?

12 How do you worry about today?

13 What do you worry about?

14 What have you worried about?

15 What seems to be something you worry about continually? Why?

16 Given what you’ve learned through Matthew 6:33-34, how can you handle your worry?

17 What are you going to apply to your life about Matthew 6:33-34 now?