Author Archives: Matthew, Karen, and God

The mother of James and John both disciples of Jesus Christ asked a favor of Jesus. She wanted Jesus to give both of her son’s preferential treatment. She asked if in His kingdom could her son’s have positions of honor and authority by seating one on His right and one on His left. Jesus told her that it was not his decision to make. In the book of Matthew chapter twenty, Jesus explains to his disciples that they need to serve others, and stop thinking how they deserve special treatment in being served. This is how we are to live our life also. Jesus came to serve not to be served.

THE REST OF THE STORY…………

“When the ten others heard about this, they lost their tempers, thoroughly disgusted with the two brothers. So Jesus got them together to settle things down. He said, “You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around, how quickly a little power goes to their heads. It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭20:24-28‬ ‭MSG‬‬
https://www.bible.com/97/mat.20.24-28.msg

just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 NIV https://matthew.bible/matthew-20-28

“Let us seize and hold tightly the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful [to His word]; and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.

FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, H E WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:23-25, 37‬ ‭AMP‬‬
https://www.bible.com/1588/heb.10.23-25,37.amp

I didn’t think that my family and I would have any honey from our bee hives this year. The number of bees in the hives we’re pretty low but I prayed for protection over them and that they would be healthy. God is always listening and when I pulled them from the field to inspect them I was pleasantly surprised. I saw honey stored in some of the top boxes. When we went to extract the honey from those boxes it seemed like the honey flow just kept coming in. Jar after jar after jar overflowing with honey. I was expecting maybe one or two jars and ended up with over 30 jars of honey! God always meets our needs every single day but sometimes exceeds them. God is good and always will be. It made me think of the story in the Bible of the widow and the oil found in 2 Kings 4: 1-7.

“The wife of a man from the groups of prophets said to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead. You know he honored the LORD. But now the man he owes money to is coming to take my two boys as his slaves!” Elisha answered, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” The woman said, “I don’t have anything there except a pot of oil.” Then Elisha said, “Go and get empty jars from all your neighbors. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go into your house and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and set the full ones aside.” So she left Elisha and shut the door behind her and her sons. As they brought the jars to her, she poured out the oil. When the jars were all full, she said to her son, “Bring me another jar.” But he said, “There are no more jars.” Then the oil stopped flowing. She went and told Elisha. And the prophet said to her, “Go, sell the oil and pay what you owe. You and your sons can live on what is left.””
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭4:1-7‬ ‭NCV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/105/2ki.4.1-7.ncv

The women truly witnessed a miracle of multiplication by trusting and obeying what Elisha told her. Her tiny bit of oil was multiplied enough to pay off the debt and also provide for her family’s future. I made three big mistakes with my bees this year. It would have been easy for me just to give up. My wife and I kept praying for God to bless our bee business. I kept working with them just as God had impressed me to do. We also witnessed a miracle of multiplication. 🌻🐝

“Nevertheless, even many of the leading men believed in Him [as Savior and Messiah], but because of the Pharisees they would not confess it, for fear that [if they acknowledged Him openly] they would be put out of the synagogue (excommunicated); for they loved the approval of men more than the approval of God.”
‭‭John‬ ‭12:42-43‬ ‭AMP‬‬
https://www.bible.com/1588/jhn.12.42-43.amp

Dear Jesus, I believe that you’re the son of God that came to earth to bear all of my sins, past, present, and future. You conquered death so that I can have eternal life. You are my Savior, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the all-powerful God, my creator that I want to please above all. Lord, I don’t desire the approval of man I need your approval. I want to hear you say, ”Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Glory be to God. In Jesus’ name. Amen 🙏

www.bible.com/111/col.3.17.niv

“Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:15-17‬ ‭MSG‬‬

https://www.bible.com/97/col.3.15-17.msg

”Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you, and I will be with you always, even until the end of this age.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28: 20‬ ‭NCV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/105/mat.28: 20.ncv

Life is like a puzzle. If even one piece is missing it’s not complete. Each puzzle piece is unique and made for one particular spot. Our God created in each of us space for the Holy Spirit to live in. It doesn’t matter how hard you try to put in another piece it just won’t work. Accepting Jesus Christ in your life is the only way for redemption. How do I accept Jesus in my life? Peter makes it very clear in Acts 2:38.

“And Peter said to them, “Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:38‬ ‭AMP‬‬
https://www.bible.com/1588/act.2.38.amp

Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. Proverbs 31:31 NIV https://proverbs.bible/proverbs-31-31

I wasn’t sure what our family was going to do for mother’s day. Going out to eat or visiting someplace new would have to wait do to the corona virus shutdowns. My wife is totally awesome and wouldn’t let this stop her from having a great day with us. She opted for a backyard camping trip, BBQ complete with smores, and relaxing day by the pool! It was fantastic and God blessed. I love how my wife can take the time to rest. It’s hard for me to do things like that as I’m always so very busy. I believe that God matched me with my wife for a slew of reasons and I have learned so much from her. She loves like no one else I’ve ever known. She has a ❤️ and compassion for others that is beyond compare and patience which I strive to have. She is the perfect role model for our baby girl and a very hard worker. I thank God every day that He has placed her in my life. Thank you so much Heavenly Father for all of the Mother’s out there. Thank you for matching us with our perfect mates to help us with life’s difficulties. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL OF YOU!

““‘For here’s what I’m going to do: I’m going to take you out of these countries, gather you from all over, and bring you back to your own land. I’ll pour pure water over you and scrub you clean. I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed. I’ll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands. You’ll once again live in the land I gave your ancestors. You’ll be my people! I’ll be your God!”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭36:24-28‬ ‭MSG‬‬
https://www.bible.com/97/ezk.36.24-28.msg