The Wrong Friends 10.01.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we are beginning our studies on the book of Matthew, please read Chapters 1-3 in your Bible or you cna Click Here to read them online. You can also cut & paste the link to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%201-3&version=9\

The first four books in the New Testament are the Gospels. These books record the birth, life, ministry, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The approach of each book differs stressing His role in different ways.

The book of Matthew is the 1st book of the New Testament and contains 28 chapters. The author of the book was Matthew and it was written to all believers, although the first intended audience was the Jews to whom he presented Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of David. The purpose of the book is to present the ministry of Jesus, stressing His role as King of the Jews. What we are to learn from the book is that the final command of Jesus before He decended up to heaven to His followers was to go to all nations with the Gospel, that includes us.

The birth of Jesus had taken place and wise men were led by a star to see Him, but when they arrived in Jerusalem He was not there. "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." (Matthew 2:1-2).

When King Herod heard the men say, "King of the Jews" he was displeased and plotted to kill Jesus. Herod then sent the wise men to Bethlehem to find the baby, "And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." (2:8-10).

It took the wise men about two years to reach Jesus as we read, "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh." (2:11). The gifts presented to Him had a special meaning, the gold symbolized Him as the King of Kings since gold was the most fitting gift for a king. The frankincense, a sweet perfume used on the Altar of Incense in the Temple, symbolized prayer ascending to God. And myrrh symbolized His death, myrrh was often used as a spice for burial.

In the providence of God, their gifts also provided adequate resources for Joseph and Mary's journey and stay in Egypt, where they remained until the death of Herod. "And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene." (2:23).

Herod is typical of those of the world who use Christian's as a means to get what they want, they befriend you just enough for their needs to be met only to run or even cause harm when they get it. We can not waste our time and energy trying to please the world, in the end all we get is grief. We must stay focused on God, put our trust in Him, and let Him guide us, if not, we could end up leaving this earth way before our time and never get what was intended for us.

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
We place our complete trust in You, for You are a faithful, trustworthy, and loving God. As we feed on Your faithfulness and live by Your righteousness revealed to us through the Scriptures we find ourselves delighting in Your presence. We also delight in You when we sing praises, when we give ourselves in service to others, and most especially when we commune with You in prayer. May the desires of our heart bring delight to Yours as we conform ourselves to Your will and rid ourselves of that which lures us from the safe pasture You have abundantly supplied for those who believe. In Jesus' name.....Amen

Have a great and wonderful day!
God Bless,
Christina

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