VERSE: Matthew 17:2–And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. TRUTH: These men had been following Jesus for some time and yet were shocked and afraid when Jesus displayed even just a tiny portion of His glory and power. Do we recognize the power and the glory that is Jesus Christ? Do we give Him the praise that is due Him knowing the glory and power that He has? RESPONSE: Lord, You are full of glory and power, but often I don’t think about that when I speak to You or speak about You. I pray You…

VERSE: Matthew 16:15-16–He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” TRUTH: Each person must ultimately answer that very question for themselves. Who do we say that Jesus is? However, this is not just a one time question; this question must be answered every day. Sure, we can say that Jesus is the Lord of all in our life and live that out in obedience to Him today, but how about tomorrow? Certainly, we cannot lose our salvation, as that is a one time decision, but we can certainly lose our effectiveness if we…

VERSE: Matthew 15:8–This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. TRUTH: It can be so easy to just go through the motions. We turn our relationship with Jesus into just another line on our daily “to do” list. We say the right things and do the right things, but for all the wrong reasons. Jesus accused the pharisees of honoring Him with their lips, but not with their hearts. What would Jesus say to us if He stood before us? Do we follow and obey God because we love Him and desire Him? Or is it just because we’ve always done it this way,…

VERSE: Matthew 14:16–But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away, you give them something to eat!” TRUTH: When people come to us in need, desperate for Jesus Christ in their life, do we answer them and address their need and bring them to our Lord? Or do we instead tell them to go visit the pastor, or the church, or some other place without us meeting any of their needs? God brings people into our lives for us to minister to. We are to allow God to meet their needs through us, not just blindly send them away. RESPONSE: Lord, help me to see and recognize…

VERSE: Matthew 13:16–But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. TRUTH: Throughout this chapter, Matthew gives multiple parables that describe the kingdom of heaven. Over and over again, He admonishes and encourages us to “hear” what He is saying. Are we listening? Are we seeking to hear and to know all that Christ has in store for us? Do we share it with others so that they will not miss out? RESPONSE: Lord, Your kingdom sounds amazing and beyond what words can describe. I pray that I will see and hear all that You want to share so that I can share it with…

VERSE: Matthew 12:36–But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. TRUTH: Jesus has discussed in this chapter that our words are a reflection of our heart. As a result, every word we speak, even the careless one, is a reflection of something in our heart and we will have to give an accounting to Him for it. Why do we say some of the flippant things we say? Do we think before we speak? Would we want every word we’ve said to be used to describe us to someone we’ve never met before? RESPONSE: Lord, help…

VERSE: Matthew 11:28–Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. TRUTH: What a beautiful promise! Do we feel exhausted and over-whelmed? Do we feel weighed down by the cares of the world? Then we have not come to Jesus with those things. God promises us that if we will come to Him, He will give us rest. RESPONSE: Lord, I feel weary and heavy-laden in some areas of my life. Forgive me for not coming to You and giving You those areas. I do so now. Take them and I will rest in You.

VERSE: Matthew 10:39–He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it. TRUTH: We are we searching for? What are we trying desperately to attain? If we are seeking to gain and hold on to our life, we will not be able to keep it. If we are willing to sacrifice our life, or give up our life for Jesus Christ, then through Him, we will be given life. How are we trying to obtain life? RESPONSE: Father, help me be willing to sacrifice all for You. My life means nothing apart from You, for only You give…