• New Testament Reading: Matthew 19:1-30
• Old Testament Passage: Malachi 2:13-16
• Points to Ponder

“Who Then Can Be Saved?”

Intellectually we know that God indeed does understand the challenges we face as sinners in a sinful
world. Even though we are trying as hard as we can to live according to his will, there are so many
temptations and trials in this life. Some of God’s expectations just seem to be “over the top” --
seemingly insensitive and perhaps even out of touch with reality. “Who can do that,” we think. Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 18:1-35
• Old Testament Passage: Psalm 32:1-5
• Points to Ponder

“Lord, How Many Times?”

What is the problem in the world and in our lives? God’s word makes it clear: the problem is sin.
The first part of this chapter reminds us most vividly what a serious problem sin is. Our sin leads
others into sin, even those little ones who believe in God. “But woe to the man through whom they
come!” That’s the bad news. Sin is a reality in our world and in our lives. Sin is also a reality in the
fellowship of God’s people. So much so that Jesus has given us a plan for what to do when “a
brother” sins against us. Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 17:1-27
• Old Testament Passage: Psalm 1:1-3
• Points to Ponder

“Listen to Him”

One of the fundamental implications of our confession that Jesus “is the Christ, the Son of the
Living God” is that we know for sure to whom we must listen. When I’m having those “mountain
top” experiences and can “see” the transfigured and glorified Jesus in my mind’s eye, I don’t have any
problem listening to him. During worship services, church retreats, Bible workshops and
conferences and personal times alone with God in his word and prayer, I say “Amen” to whatever
Jesus says. Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 16:1-28
• Old Testament Passage: Joshua 24:14-15
• Points to Ponder

“Who Do You Say That I Am?”

“Who do people say the Son of Man is?” And the poll says, “John the Baptist
or Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” If we asked the same question
today, what responses would we get? Religious leader. Martyr. Fake or
fraud. Fictional character. Son of God. Most doubt that Jesus was who the gospel accounts claim
him to be -- even many who would say that he is the Son of God don’t accept everything said in the
New Testament about him. Many leaders in mainline denominations do not believe that actually he
rose from the dead -- even though that’s the only sign he would give the religious leaders of his day
(16:1-4).
Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 15:1-39
• Old Testament Passage: Exodus 14:10-14
• Points to Ponder:

“Are You Still So Dull?”

Jesus performed miracle after miracle after miracle, yet the disciples still could not figure out how
they were going to feed 4000 people! Since they’d seen Jesus feed 5000, why couldn’t they make the
connection and offer him their fish and bread? I’m amazed! I would join with Jesus and say “Are you
still so dull?” I amazed that Jesus didn’t just give up on them and find some others like the Canaanite
woman, who seeing so little, believed and trusted implicitly! Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 13:53-14:36
• Old Testament Passages: Isaiah 40:27-31
• Points to Ponder

“Isn’t This The Carpenter’s Son?”

Do you ever find yourself, while reading the gospel accounts, becoming critical of the twelve? I know
I do! There they were walking with Jesus in the flesh, hearing his words and watching him perform
miracles day after day. Yet, so often, we read about their faithless responses, both in word and deed!
And I think to myself, “I wish I had the privilege of being there! I wouldn’t be so slow to believe!” Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 13:24-52
• Old Testament Passage: Daniel 2:44; 7:18
• Points to Ponder

“The Kingdom of Heaven is Like...”

When you think about, or hear the phrase, “the kingdom of heaven” what images or thoughts come
to your mind? For many in our fellowship, the immediate response is that the kingdom is the
church. Unfortunately it’s not that simple or clear cut. Reading these parables with care shows us
that the kingdom of God includes or involves more people than just those who are saved. Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 13:1-23
• Old Testament Passage: Zechariah 7:8-14
• Points to Ponder

“The Seed That Fell On Good Soil”

My father-in-law is a farmer in the midwestern U.S. My wife comes from a family of farmers. They
know their seeds and they know their soils. They know what to do give their crops the best
opportunity possible to bear much fruit, because that’s what its all about. It is an amazing, almost
miraculous process, where a tiny seed is planted and with water, nutrients and time a plant is born
that bears dozens more new “seeds”. Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 12:22-50
• Old Testament Passage: Nehemiah 6:1-15
• Points to Ponder

“He Who Is Not With Me”

Two of Satan’s most effective strategies are discouragement and distraction. For those firmly
entrenched in their commitment to Christ deception doesn’t work, so he loves to send people into
our lives to say and do discouraging things or simply to draw us away from our commitment. Jesus
recognized Satan’s tactics and while not always ignoring the questions, comments and invitations, he
refused to give up or give in. Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 12:1-21
• Old Testament Passage: Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8
• Points to Ponder

“Lord of the Sabbath”

I believe there are a couple of very important spiritual principles in this passage. The problem with
the Pharisees was not that they didn’t know the law; the problem was that they didn’t know God,
the author of the law. Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 11:1-30
• Old Testament Passage: Jonah 3:3-10
• Points to Ponder

“Wisdom Is Proved Right By Her Actions”

“The proof is in the pudding.” “Where the rubber meets the road.” “Show me.” “Talk is cheap.” “Actions speak louder than words.” We all want and
need proof that things are what they are professed to be and that people are who they claim to be. Faith is not believing in spite of the evidence, but believing (and trusting) because of the evidence. Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 10:24-42
• Old Testament Passage: Jeremiah 20:7-12
• Points to Ponder:

“Proclaim From the Roofs”

Fear can save us and fear can send us to hell! It’s all about what or who we fear the most. Jesus
states, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the
one who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” We are not to be afraid of people and what they
might do to us. If we allow that fear to control us not only will others never hear the saving message
of Jesus, but we ourselves will be lost. We cannot please both people and God (Galatians 1:10). Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 10:1-23
• Old Testament Passages: Ezekiel 2:4-9
• Points to Ponder

“Like Sheep Among Wolves”

I so much appreciate the honesty and directness of Jesus. He simply doesn’t mince any words, nor
does he sugar-coat his message. He tells it like it is and foretells it like it will be. Here he sends out
his twelve disciples to preach and to heal and he lets them know from the very beginning that while
some will listen and some will be hospitable, others will reject and even persecute them. This was
the reality of the world in which they lived and it is the reality of the world in which we live. Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 9:18-38
• Old Testament Passage: Psalm 116
• Points to Ponder

“He Had Compassion”

One of the reasons that Jesus was always doing and saying the unexpected was because he saw people
differently than everyone else did. When he looked at people he didn’t see them primarily as
violent, possessed, physically handicapped, socially despised or diseased. He saw them as “sheep
without a shepherd”. Therefore, he didn’t respond with fear, pity, embarrassment, disgust or anger;
instead he responded with compassion. Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 8:23-9:17
• Old Testament Passage: Isaiah 40:13-14
• Points to Ponder

“What Kind of Man is This?”

What struck me as I read these familiar accounts again, is that Jesus was always doing or saying
something totally unexpected. All manner of people were amazed -- his own disciples, the crowds,
the teachers of the law, the Pharisees and John’s disciples. Consider what Jesus did and said in each
of these situations. He ought to amaze us as well, no matter how many times we have read these
accounts! Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 8:1-22
• Old Testament Passage: Psalm 5:1-3
• Points to Ponder

"Just as You Believed It Would”

God is not limited in what he can do, but he limits himself in what he will do. Though sometimes
he works wonders in spite of our lack of faith, mostly he heals and helps in response to our faith.
Indeed, without faith it is impossible to please God, and conversely, nothing is impossible for him
who believes! Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 7:1-25
• Old Testament Passage: Psalm 1
• Points to Ponder

“How Much More...”

I can’t tell you how many times in a week I think about Matthew 7:9-11. Read these three verses
again. I am blessed with two sons (both adults with families of their own now). I love them and I
want to give “good gifts” to them (not always what they want, but what I know they need). Yet, I am
far from perfect in my love for my sons. Selfishness, pride, anger, frustration, ignorance, etc. also
have affected how I have raised and related to my sons. Yet, if my sons asked for bread, I wouldn’t
give them a stone, nor a snake instead of a fish. Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 6:19-34
• Old Testament Passage: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11; 12:13-14
• Points to Ponder

“Seek First His Kingdom and His Righeousness”

There are certainly some parts of the Sermon on the Mount I have more
trouble relating to than others. Living in Canada, I might get odd looks,
blank stares and maybe even a negative comment or two from non-Christian
friends, family or neighbors with whom I share my faith, but I can’t really relate to being persecuted
because of Jesus. Read More...

Perhaps the comments and questions in “A Daily Walk” don’t go deep enough for you, you have more time to delve into the New Testament text or you have some specific questions to answer or interests to pursue. I offer the following suggestions of things you can do and resources you can use to spice up your daily walk. Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 6:1-18
• Old Testament Passage: Psalm 63:1-8
• Points to Ponder:

“Then Your Father…Will Reward You”

A surpassing righteousness is not only a matter of depth (attitudes not just actions), but also of
motivation (why or for whom we do what we do). Don’t misunderstand Jesus here – many of our
“acts of righteousness” will be done before men and be seen by them. Remember (or reread) what
Jesus said in Matthew 5:16. He is not saying that all our acts of righteousness must be private and
therefore unobserved by others. Rather he is calling us to do what we do for God and not for men. Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 5:21-48
• Old Testament Passages: Exodus 20:13-14
• Points to Ponder

“But I Tell You…”

Jesus’ expectations are radical. He calls his disciples not only to obey the letter of the law (e.g. “Do
not murder”), but the spirit of the law as well (e.g. “anyone who is angry with his brother will be
subject to judgment”). Righteous actions begin with righteous attitudes. “A good tree cannot bear
bad fruit,” Jesus will later say. To have a righteousness that “surpasses that of the Pharisees and the
teachers of the law”, we must strive to understand and obey the spirit of God’s commands and not
simply be satisfied as long as our outward actions appear righteous. The question is, “What’s really
going on in our hearts?” Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 5:1-20
• Old Testament Passage: Micah 6:6-8
• Points to Ponder

Start with the Heart

As Jesus gathered his disciples together and began to teach them, he started not with what they
needed to do, but with who they needed to be. These are called the “beatitudes” because each one
begins with “blessed are”, but I think a better way to remember their intent is that these are the
“attitudes that need to be” in each one of us. Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 4:12-25
• Old Testament Passage: Isaiah 9:1-7
• Points to Ponder

“A Light Has Dawned”

Jesus was a “great light” in a land of darkness. The darkness of ignorance, faithlessness, selfishness
and hatred was scattered by the teaching, preaching and healing ministry of Jesus. He went about
doing good, helping all who came to him regardless of motivation. He shared the truth about God
and his kingdom and to those who listened and believed he said, “Follow me”. Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 3:1 – 4:11
• Old Testament Passage: Isaiah 40:1-5
• Points to Ponder

“Repent…for it is written”

The message from God to humanity has always been the same. In order to live in the presence of
God, now and for eternity, we must change our minds and our hearts – we must repent. God will
continue to work out his plan whether we take heed of his message or not. Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 2:1-23
• Old Testament Passage: Micah 5:2-4
• Points to Ponder

“Get up,” He said…”

You simply can’t read this chapter without seeing how God not only worked throughout time to
bring about his plan but how he worked also in time for its protection. And once again we see how
he relied on human beings (Joseph and the Wise men), not only to hear his voice, but to obey his
voice. God leads us because he wants what is best for us, but we must choose to hear and to obey
his leading. Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 1:1-25
• Old Testament Passage: Isaiah 7:14
• Points to Ponder

“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about…”

It wasn’t an accident, a mistake or a surprise – well, at least not to God! It
was his plan from the very beginning and he brought it all to pass. He
worked among humanity, with humanity and through humanity to bring his own son into our midst
at just the right time and in just the right place. God was able to do what he had purposed and
accomplished what he had planned with, and without, the cooperation of humanity. Read More...