This section of Matthew strikes me with the differences in the details of the story that he put in his account, verses Luke and Mark. Luke writes about the demon-possessed man’s life after the demons are sent away. Matthew’s goal is to reach a Jewish audience, so he leaves that unimportant detail out because it concerns Gentile people.

Mark also includes the detail that the paralytic was lowered through a roof to Jesus—his friends worked hard to get him healed. Matthew leaves out that part.

Different audience, different emphasis.

Jesus definitely has an interesting way of meeting us where we are. Like the section that speaks of new wine in new wineskins, we must learn things that match our maturity. I can’t learn things now because I’m not at the right stage for it. But one day that’s a lesson I will learn.

I need Jesus to meet me where I am at—and I need to make sure I am open to hearing his lesson for me, not for someone else or a different maturity level.

The centurion made Jesus astonished at his faith. Then Jesus went on a healing spree that left the people in awe, and finally, he blew the disciples away when he calmed the storm.

God wants my faith to believe with utter assurance that He can do those things–for me and for others. He doesn’t want me to worry, but to trust in His protection and enablement to do the ministry He has given me to do.

My default attitude is to worry, but a great leader I knew once said, “you are indestructible until you do the task God has set for you to do.”

I am going to choose to believe that God won’t make life easy, but that He won’t allow people to harm me or  my ministry because it is ultimately His ministry and I am His servant.

I’m tired and emotional. I’m a day behind on reading, and I’ve had to write this post twice…it didn’t save the first time.  Sleep is a necessary part of keeping in line with God at times. And I am grieving for a lost family member. Circumstances are clouding my mind, and it’s hard to know what God is trying to say or to learn something from the Scripture that I don’t need to hear right now.

But I won’t stop. I need to press on. There will be a day when the time with God is great. right now, it’s important to try hard, and be satisfied that I am maintaining the habit.

Worry…fear…anxiety – they can tear us apart. We can perform: fast for everyone to see–because we can’t trust that God sees us and is pleased when we keep it a secret between the two of us. Worry can motivate you to store up treasures on earth, so that you never have to worry about going hungry or wanting anything.

Only rarely does worry draw us back to God, cause us to ask forgiveness for things we really have done and need to be sorry for, and drive us to change our lives to get them back into sync with Him.

Is worry prompting me to get back in sync or get out of it?

My best way to beat worry–doing this right here. Spending time with God and reflecting on His Word.

This weekend has been about the question, why am I doing this? I definitely began following Christ for selfish reasons, but as I grow as a Christian I should become more and more selfless. And that test is never more real than when Jesus tells us to love our enemies. That’s not easy or fun…it’s hard.

I’ve been reading about David recently for a sermon–David was really good at loving his enemy. He refused to take his anger and aggression out on Saul, even when Saul repeatedly tried to kill him. He faced death at every turn in the process too. I am just not sure I could do what he did.

I also find myself wanting to become more selfish at times–to be recognized and praised for my faith, like the Pharisees Jesus is pointing out in this passage. I want some status for the person I have become, but I am reminded that the moment I return to doing good things for pride and public recognition, the benefits are gone.

Who am I doing this for? Why am I doing it? For God, and for me. I love Him and want to become the guy He called me to be. I also believe the way to true happiness is in following Him, and I want to be happy. If loving my enemy is the path to both, then let the hard work begin.