A Weekly Walk in the Word

Matthew 15:17-20 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man unclean. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man unclean, but eating with unwashed hands does not make him unclean.”

For one day – 24 hours – concentrate more on what you put in your heart than what you put in your stomach. Think of the time spent to prepare or eat out 3 meals a day, plus snacks. Spend at least that much time in the Word and prayer. Instead of food going into our mouth, spread love coming out of your mouth. Let the love from your heart land on your children, spouse, friends, enemies and strangers through your words.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…….

Sunday – Matthew 19:13-19:30

Monday – Matthew 20:1-20:28

Tuesday – Matthew 20:29-21:22

Wednesday – Matthew 21:23-21:46

Thursday – Matthew 22:1-22:33

Friday – Matthew 22:34-23:12

Saturday – Matthew 23:13-23:39

Matthew 12:40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

I was in Wisconsin this past week caring for my parents. During my stay, we had a conversation about their funeral wishes and desires for burial. Following our discussion, I met with their cemetery’s contact person to view available plots. It was a relatively simple decision as I feel like I found the perfect final resting place for my parents. We shared contact information and completed the paperwork. It all seemed pretty easy…. Until I got in my car to drive away. The finality of this decision hit me hard as I began to sob uncontrollably. I love my parents and want nothing but the best for them, which includes them living forever. I cherish every phone call, every visit and every hug. I was comforted the next morning as I read Matthew 12:40 that even Jesus died and was laid to rest in the heart of the earth. Jesus understands my aching heart. Jesus will be with me when the time comes to lay my parents in the heart of the earth.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Matthew 14:13-14:36

Monday – Matthew 15:1-15:28

Tuesday – Matthew 15:29-16:12

Wednesday – Matthew 16:13-17:9

Thursday – Matthew 17:10-17:27

Friday – Matthew 18:1 – 18:20

Saturday – Matthew 18:21-19:12

Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Jesus came to lead. He led his disciples. He led the religion teachers. He led the crowds who gathered to hear him. All who had faith in the shepherd were led to a better place. Jesus, our shepherd continues to lead today. I have heard it said that the youth in our churches will either lead or leave. Let’s encourage our kids to become leaders in the church and in the world.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…….

Sunday – Matthew 10:24-11:6

Monday – Matthew 11:7-11:30

Tuesday – Matthew 12:1-12:21

Wednesday – Matthew 12:22-12:45

Thursday – Matthew 12:46-13:23

Friday – Matthew 13:24 – 13:46

Saturday – Matthew 13:47-14:12

Matthew 6:22 The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.

Did you have a favorite verse this week? There were so many that it was hard to choose just one. I chose Matthew 6:22 because the readings all seemed to come back to finding light in our dark world. How can we be that light for others?

We are one week into the new year. I pray that one of your goals is to read along with me through the New Testament. Another goal people have shared with me is to write in a gratitude journal every evening. For those of you who struggle with words, how about trying a gratitude photo album? Once a day take a picture that brings you joy or where you find beauty, like the red cardinal I spotted in a tree outside my kitchen window on Wednesday morning. What a great way to flood your whole body with light. And at the end of the year you can reflect on all the beauty you have seen. God bless you this week as you walk in the light.

I would love to hear what your favorite verses were from last week’s readings. This weeks readings are…..

Sunday – Matthew 6:25-7:14

Monday – Matthew 7:15-7:29

Tuesday – Matthew 8:1-8:17

Wednesday – Matthew 8:18-8:34

Thursday – Matthew 9:1-9:17

Friday – Matthew 9:18-9:38

Saturday – Matthew 10:1-10:23

Matthew 1:1 A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:

Welcome to 2023 – the year we will travel though the New Testament together. Here we go……

Day 1 – Matthew 1:1 – 2:12

Day 2 – Matthew 2:13 – 3:6

Day 3 – Matthew 3:7 – 4:11

Day 4 – Matthew 4:12 – 4:25

Day 5 – Matthew 5:1 – 5:26

Day 6 – Matthew 5:27 – 5:48

Day 7 – Matthew 6:1 – 6:24

Enjoy your first 7 days in the New Testament. Share with the group the verses that touch your heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

We are days away from a new year. I don’t like to make resolutions that seem to loose their luster after only a month or two. I do like to set goals for myself though. A few years back, I set a goal of reading through the New Testament in a year while writing messages to my children each day. That goal turned into a published book “Walking In The Word, A Daily Journey Through the New Testament”.

I welcome you to walk alongside me as once again I set out on the journey of reading the New Testament in 2023. Every Sunday I will send out the scripture to read for that week and we will discuss verses that touch our hearts. All the information will be in my blog.

If you would like a copy of my book to help you stay on track, and keep your journaling all in one place, let me know. I will send you a copy of my book for only $15 which includes shipping & handling. God bless you and your goals for 2023.

Acts 1:7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.”

Once a year, we receive an extra hour. Today is that day! What will you do with the one hour you have been given?

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am with them.

20 years ago, a group of antiquing friend got together and started an antique show, which they called A Gathering of Friends. They organized an amazing show filled with unique quality pieces. The show is located at Bachman’s greenhouse on Lyndale Ave where it continues to be held twice a year with 18 juried vendors. I was asked to be a guest vendor at their spring show this year, and invited back for their fall show which is being held this weekend. Yesterday, they invited me be become a permanent vendor. I feel so blessed to be a part of the official friends group.

God knows we all need those friend connections. And through our friend connections, Jesus shows up. What a gift we have been given. Thank you Jesus for friends!

Philippians 3:10 For my determined purpose is that I may know Him, that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly.

God is calling. But, I have so many questions that it is hard to hear Him through all the noise. I continue to ask these three questions……

Who am I called to be?

What am I called to do?

Why am I here in this place at this time?

God is calling. If only I listen, He will answer my all of my questions. Recently I have come to realize that God is in the big decisions, but He is also in all the small mundane decisions as well. He walks beside me at all times so that I can be the hands and feet of Jesus. God doesn’t need my good works, but my neighbor does. I will continue to walk with God as we explore this beautiful, but sometimes messy, world He has given me.

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Well, it happened after 2 1/2 years of somehow avoiding it, Mike and I both tested positive for COVID. There really was no need for testing because we had all of the symptoms….. fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, headache, sore throat, congestion, nausea, diarrhea. I lost my voice and had no energy to move from the couch to the recliner.

Today, I am so grateful for my Jesus. He lifts me up when I am weak and unable to think clearly. His strong arms have held me and brought me through a week of sickness. I praise his mighty healing hand!

After several naps and endless glasses of water, both Mike and I are on the road to recovery. Every day we feel stronger. Thank you to all our friends and family for their prayers this week. May God be with you and keep you healthy as you move through life.