what I've learned from reading the Book of Matthew

     What I’ve learned from reading through Matthew that Jesus chose everyday people. Average fisherman to be His disciples Jesus told them to drop their nets and He would make them fishers of man. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19. If Jesus can use average fisherman without formal schooling He can use anybody He calls.

     Another thing that stood out to me was that even though Jesus knew that Peter would disown Jesus three times, Jesus still chose Peter to be the one to build His church; because he would come back. “ And I tell you that you are Peter(rock) and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18

     If Jesus can still use Peter after everything Peter did He can still use us. I am thankful that He is a God of second and third chances. God does call the equipped He equips the called. Jesus gave them the great commission and that still applies to us today. “Then Jesus came to them and said, “ All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.

     Jesus will always be with us as long as we are His.

     After reading through Exodus and Leviticus all I can say is I am thankful for Jesus, and His blood covering my sins, because I know that there is now way without Him. All I am is a sinner saved by Grace. Thank you Jesus. 

What I learning so far

With the Old Testament is that so much of the Old Testament points toward the coming Savior.  With Abraham and Sarah it shows us that our timing is different that God's timing but God's timing is always best, and right on time. Also with Judah and Tamar even though they sinned God was still able to use them, and use them in the line of people that would one day lead to Jesus God's only Son the one God sent to take the weight of sin upon Him, to live a sinless life, but to bare the cost of our sin, and die on the Cross. But because of God's grace rose three days later, allowing those who call upon His name to be saved.

With the Psalms it serves as a reminder to me of who God is and what he has done for me.

With Proverbs I am reminded the wisdom and lessons from the Bible still apply today even more so.

With the New Testament and Matthew it shows that even though Jesus could have chosen anybody to be His disciples He chose common fisherman to be some of the first. Showing that God can use anybody to reach people for Jesus. Everyday people really can make a difference for the Kingdom of God. 

Day four of read through the Bible in a year

Today I read Genesis 8:1-10:32, Matthew 4:12-4:25, Psalm 4:1-8, and Proverbs 1:20-23. The verse that stands out the most to me today was Matthew 4:19


 "Come and Follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."  Matthew 4:19


The verses prior to that are about Simon Peter and Andrew who were fisherman in Galilee. What gets me is that Jesus could have chosen anybody to be his disciples, and he chooses to call two small town boys (I'd call them country boys) to follow Him to learn from Him. This goes to show that God can choose anybody to impact the world for God. Jesus choose Simon Peter and Andrew not because of who they were but because of who God is. This verse helps to remind me on days that I doubt myself  that God can still use me just like He used two simple fisherman. 

Reading the Bible in a year

Today marks day one of reading the Bible through in a year. The reading guide that my Sunday school class is using to read is from http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com and is set up where each day you read passages from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Proverbs, and a Psalm. To me this seems easier to read  because your reading four different parts a day instead of reading straight through.