Matthew Study 9: 8:14-9:8

Dear Student of the Word,

I trust that you had a good resurrection weekend and that you feel empowered to do even more for the Lord, since you carry resurrection power in you. I have enjoyed my time at home this year, but I will be on the road for the next three weeks to Seattle, Nigeria and Texas. I love preparing these studies because they keep me in the Word no matter how busy I am or where I go. I hope you are finding the grace to be in the Word as well.

This week, we continue to study Matthew's accounts of Jesus, the Healer. Jesus was and is magnificent! He touched and cured situations from which most people avoided. This week I wrote:

vs. 24-26 – What a picture of confidence and peace! Jesus was sleeping while the waves overwhelmed the boat. What does this tell us about Jesus? 1) Jesus was fully human, since He was exhausted from His ministry encounters; 2) Jesus had complete confidence in the Father; 3) there was no need for Him to stay awake on watch because God had everything under control; 4) Jesus was God, since only has authority to speak to the waves and wind and they obeyed.

What does this tell us about the disciples? 1) They were afraid; 2) these were seasoned fishermen, but the power of the weather frightened them; 3) they knew that Jesus could help them, since theywent straight to Jesus with their “prayer request;” 4) they did not have confidence like Jesus; and 5) their fear had caused their faith to dissipate.

My finances are a bit low right now, but I refuse to panic like I have in the past. They aren’t really low; I’m just stepping out to publish, broadcast and innovate, all of which cost money. This is my daily prayer: I trust You, Lord. I will sleep while You watch and work. I will remember the exhortation in the psalms:

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves (Psalm 127:1-2).

Are you aware that God provides for you, even while you sleep? Is this truth evident in your daily life, your thoughts, your actions?

As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. You can write them or find the studies to Corinthians, First Timothy and Mark's gospel on the site where this week's entry is posted. You can also go there to sign up to receive each week's study.

Download this week's study: Matthew Study 9-1.doc