Daily Reading

Matthew 17:10-27; Psalm 22:1-18; Proverbs 5:7-14 Today we have a few different things going on: First - As Jesus & the three disciples are returning from the transfiguration, they ask Jesus about a prophecy found in Malachi 4:5. The Jews know this prophecy & have been watching for Elijah to return. Jesus tells the disciples that Elijah did return. They recognize Elijah's spirit and power in the person of John the Baptist. Interesting that the Jews knew the prophecies, yet they failed to recognize them as they happened. It is a good reminder to us to study the prophecies and to be diligently watching for them. At the same time, we must be open-minded regarding these prophecies by not placing them in restrained definitions like the pharisees did. Second - The disciples have been given Jesus' authority to cast out demons. While Jesus was gone, the disciples encountered a demon they were unable to cast out. Jesus easily casts out the demon and He lays the disciples" inability to cast this demon out on their lack of faith. Great things can happen when a small amount of faith is placed in the right direction - on the power and authority of our mighty God. When the disciples failed at casting out the demon, they were dumbfounded & gave up. Jesus tells them that they need to continue to seek the Lord through prayer and fasting regarding the issue. This shows a reliance & dependence on God's power instead of their own. Third - Jesus tells the disciples once again of His coming death & resurrection and He gives specific details. He will be betrayed, killed, and on the third day rise again. This is prophecy - stating what will happen in the future. Notice the disciples are only focused on the betrayal & death. They are completely missing the fact that He will come back to life. This inability to see the prophecy for what it truly is will lead to many troubles for the disciples during the passion week. Stay tuned! Finally - Jesus is saying that He is not obligated to pay tax, because the Father does not require His Son to pay taxes for what is His. However, so as not to offend, He sends Peter out to pay the tax & He accomplishes this through another miracle. Notice that Peter did not argue concerning this odd way of getting money - he does what he is told because he has faith in Jesus. So what can we learn from all of this?

• Learn prophecy & be open to its interpretation. Don't focus on what makes sense to you - focus on the intent & purpose of the prophecy.


• Prayer and fasting are necessary for a Christian's life because it keeps us in touch with our Heavenly Father. When those lines of communication are open, we are able to defeat the enemy.


• As Christians, we are part of God's family and subject to His authority. However, so as not to offend so we might be able to bring light and salt into this world, we are to obey the laws of the government. We will have more teaching on this when we read Romans.

Ever feel like the writer of our psalm? Depressed, abandoned, persecuted? At times we all feel like this - so call out to the Lord! Tell Him how you feel. Your prayers should be honest and sincere, not wooden and hollow. Cry out to the Lord & let Him respond.

Proverbs - a little racy today? No, just practical. Solomon was the writer of proverbs. He asked the Lord for wisdom & it was granted to him. Unfortunately, he stopped listening to his own advice and let his lust for women destroy him. It would do you good to read these words & put them in practice. Stay away from sexual sin, it destroys.