Wonderful Creation Flowers
October, 24 - Daily Devotions
October Scripture Portion: Matthew chapter 1 - Luke chapter 22 including the Gospel according to Mark.
In chapter 6:1-11 Jesus answers the question concerning the Sabbath; in verses 12-19 the twelve are chosen; and verses 20-49 record the Beatitudes. Many of the teachings recorded here are in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5--7), and are commonly taken to be an abbreviated form of the Sermon on the Mount. However, since the records are somewhat different, we cannot be sure whether they are different reports of the same sermon or substantially the same sermon delivered on different occasions. Jesus was teaching continually, and it is likely that He uttered some of these words, in varying forms, hundreds of times. This may be a collection of His representative sayings, or a sort of sumMary of His main teachings. In any event, the literary beauty, as well as the matchless teaching, is unexcelled in literature.
In today's reading the love, compassion, and power of Jesus are demonstrated. Jesus not only ministered to the crowds; He also ministered to the individual. He died for the world; yet He also specifically died for you and me, individually. There is no color, creed, or nationality in God's love and grace. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. True, He is the God of the universe, but He is also the God of every person who will come to Him through faith. God's love for us is wrapped up in one person. That person is His Son, Jesus Christ.
We need to reach this world for Christ. We need to know how to win souls to Christ. Will you be one who will say, "Lord, I want to be a soul-winner. Please help me to do so." Proverbs 11:30 tells us, "...and he that winneth souls is wise." Do you want to be a wise Christian? Do you want to have the blessing of God upon your life? Then invest your life in the lives of others, and through compassionate understanding and love for your fellow man share Christ, who is the only lasting hope.
MEMORY VERSE FOR TODAY: Man now can be: Forgiven.
Acts 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins.
