89th Week, Matthew Chapters 18-20 (Clink on Title for Video Introduction)

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Monday, Matthew Chapter 18A (Verses 1-14)
Matthew 18A
Verse 6
Jeanie Boldt

Verse 6:  But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

THOUGHT
Children totally depend on adults for their care and must live by faith. These are God’s children, and He loans them to us to love and nurture until they meet Him again in Heaven.  How very important it is for us to raise them in a Godly, Loving and Caring World.  When I was living in the beautiful world of having my daughters around me, I thought with each move the importance of living as Jesus would want me to so that they may see and reflect the same.  The song, “I Want To Be Just Like You So They Can Be Just Like Me” holds many memories for me.  It was my theme song while going through my separation.  I wanted to humble myself each day and totally surrender it all to the Lord reaching out moment by moment for His strength, grace and mercy. He never let me down.

Now that the years have passed and Tanya has children of her own, the theme song rang out once again.  Tanya sang it to her girls and to me at church in Wichita.  How awesome to hear it being sung by her.  The example has been passed on.  She wanted to reflect Jesus to her girls for they love their mom so much that they want to be just like her.  Tanya is a reflection of Jesus and His love.  Let’s all remember this as we help all the little ones grow and develop.

PRAYER
Father God, please hold us accountable to be the best examples for our children and grandchildren and nieces and nephews as possible.  Help us to keep our eyes on You so that Your love and gentleness will become a security for them.  We ask forgiveness when we fall short and become impatient.  Remember we are all children of God.  Thanking You for each one represented by the Salt Shakers.  May we never make one of Your lambs fall.  In the Name of Jesus.  AMEN


Tuesday, Matthew Chapter 18B (Verses 15-35)
Matthew 18B
Verse 15
Jeanie Boldt

Verse 15:  If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you.

THOUGHT
Wouldn’t things be easier if we could just go and explain to someone how their actions hurt our feelings and our heart?  We could make a small suggestion on how the action next time might be done differently so that our feelings would not be hurt.  Now, this is hard.  However, even harder still is the part of the receiver.  Would we be open to words from another about how you may have hurt someone?  Bitterness and revenge could be taken care of so much easier if we would just open our hearts for listening to others and realizing that we are NOT PERFECT.  I think this could be called “Speaking the Truth in Love”.  Humility and honesty must work together in producing harmony.

The rest of the chapter speaks so much on forgiveness.  We are to forgive others because God has forgiven us, and He has forgiven us at great costs to Himself.  Remember also that the measure we forgive will be the same measure that we are forgiven.  How do the numbers look?  Do we need to get busy? Bring peace to your soul where needed.  God makes it so easy.

PRAYER
Father, help us not to harbor bent up, ugly feelings from actions of the past.  Help us to pray for those who wrong us and address those who hurt us and forgive them.  Thank You for the gift of forgiveness that You have given us.  Help us to use Your tools that we can be strong in humility and honesty.  May we speak the truth in love as You would do.   AMEN


Wednesday, Matthew Chapter 19
Matthew 19
Verse 26
Jeanie Boldt

Verse 26:  Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

THOUGHT
I use this verse many times when I pray and speak with others to boost their faith. We must believe with all our hearts that with the Lord on your side we can do anything. When we examine our lives and where we have come from, we can stand in amazement for where we are. I began life again at 51 in a new city and living alone for the first time in my life. I look back at where I was and where I have come and know that without the Lord it would have been a different path. I feel so at home in Omaha now loving my job, enjoying the home we have and praising God each day for the man He has put in my life to share the intimacy of Christ with. Yes, all things are possible with God. Make Him your Best Friend and not man.

PRAYER
Father, thank You for the day of celebration to reflect on all the things we have and the experiences we have enjoyed.  Help us to never doubt Your strength, power and Your will for all of us. Make us strong in our faith and keep us ever mindful of You each and every moment. AMEN


Thursday, Matthew Chapter 20A (Verses 1-16)
Matthew 20A
Verse 1
Delores Little

Verse 1:  For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard.

THOUGHT
What an interesting parable Jesus gives us. Here we read where men started working at different times of the day, and all received the same wages. What happens when pay time comes for the denarius a day?  They all got the same no matter what time they started. They grumbled against the land owner. He reminds them that they agreed to work for that amount.  Take your pay and go.

In verse 16, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
What does that have to do with us?  Well, many people have worked long for God’s kingdom, and some for a very short time.  The rewards from God are the same. When my Dad had cancer, he received Jesus as his Lord in the last two weeks of his life. Do you know what joy and peace of mind I got from that? I tried but could not witness to him, and I don’t think he would have listened to me. God in His mercy sent two dear friends instead.  He became a believer in the last season of his life not a first season. No matter when the transformation comes, the reward is the same.   

PRAYER
Father, I do ask You to forgive us in all the things we do wrong. Help us to be all You want us to be. I pray this for us all.  May we never be hesitant to proclaim Your love and gift of eternal salvation. Heal those who need healing and help us to work faithfully in Your vineyard with joy.  In Jesus Name. AMEN


Friday, Matthew Chapter 20B (Verses 17-34)
Matthew 20B
Verses 22 & 23
Delores Little

Verses 22-23:  “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I AM going to drink?”  “We can.” they answered.  Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right hand or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

THOUGHT
Today’s verses are about a mother’s request.  John and James’ mom wanted one of her two sons to sit at Jesus right hand.  After reading the above verses we find out why they will not be in that position. 

I sometimes think that John and James wanted to sit by Jesus because they were so in love with our Savior.  I know I would never feel worthy to be at His right hand or left.  James’ mother may have wanted her son and John recognized as better that any of the other disciples.  The Lord thinks of all of us as equals.  We may have other qualities but we are equal in His heart and sight.  

Our Father has chosen who sits at His side.  

PRAYER 
Father, help us to serve others in Your name.  Help us to be servants of love, compassion and joy to others. Forgive us when we mess up and lead us forth with Your grace and strength.  Bless the Salt Shakers. In Jesus Name. AMEN







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