Devos 365

Matthew 8:1-4 1 When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” This is one of those passages where a fertile imagination is helpful. Place yourself into this scene. Jesus has just delivered a message that is brilliant, revolutionary, and challenging. He has up-ended the status quo and His authority over all things is beginning to emerge. Now a man steps forward that is leprous. As the rest of the crowd shrinks back, so as to remain free of this person who carries uncleanness with him, Jesus stands alone, graciously receiving this person no one else will ...

Matthew 7:24-29 24 Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it. 28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. We live in a house that is completely open on two sides – no surrounding buildings; just open fields. It’s great. I love being able to see for a ways rather into someone’s backyard. But it comes as a price. There’s nothing to stop the wind when a storm com...

Matthew 7:15-23 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ “I never knew you.” These are fright...

Matthew 7:13-14 13 Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. One of the most beautiful places on the planet is the Rocky Mountain National Forest in Colorado. I have been there too many times to count in my life and it never gets old. Heading west out of Estes Park you can find access to Old Fall River Road. This is a one lane, one way, gravel road that leads up to the continental divide where this old road intersects with Trail Ridge Road (which is paved and lovely). I was very sad to learn that last year Old Fall River Road was largely destroyed by floods. It has been closed for all of 2014 in order to assess the damage and see what can be repaired. It was carved out of the mountains beginning in 1912 and opened in 1920. The work was largely done by convicts work gangs. I have includ...