Matthew 6: S.O.A.P. #6 of 1,189

Matthew 6 on Thursday, December 10, 2015

SCRIPTURE

Read Matthew 6 here:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+6&version=HCSB

Topics of Matthew 6: Giving, prayer, fasting, money, and worry.

Again, the entire chapter is one to read repeatedly and every verse could be a key verse. Nevertheless, here are my key verses for today:

Matthew 6:33-34 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. 34 Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
--Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Cross-References of Matthew 6:33-34 are:

1 Kings 3:11-13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 So God said to him, “Because you have requested this and did not ask for long life or riches for yourself, or the death of your enemies, but you asked discernment for yourself to understand justice, 12 I will therefore do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you before and never will be again. 13 In addition, I will give you what you did not ask for: both riches and honor, so that no man in any kingdom will be your equal during your entire life.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

2 Chronicles 1:11-12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 God said to Solomon, “Since this was in your heart, and you have not requested riches, wealth, or glory, or for the life of those who hate you, and you have not even requested long life, but you have requested for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king, 12 wisdom and knowledge are given to you. I will also give you riches, wealth, and glory, unlike what was given to the kings who were before you, or will be given to those after you.”
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 2:1-9 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
1 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 listening closely to wisdom
and directing your heart to understanding;
3 furthermore, if you call out to insight
and lift your voice to understanding,
4 if you seek it like silver
and search for it like hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and discover the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He stores up success for the upright;
He is a shield for those who live with integrity
8 so that He may guard the paths of justice
and protect the way of His loyal followers.
9 Then you will understand righteousness, justice,
and integrity—every good path.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Lamentations 3:23 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
23 They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness!
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Luke 11:3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Hebrews 13:5-6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
5 Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you. 6 Therefore, we may boldly say:
The Lord is my helper;
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
--Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

John 14:27 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

OBSERVATION

The entire chapter of Matthew 6 reminds us to apply the Bible in our lives, in other words do what it says, and do so in private. Do it as a relationship between us and God, one on one.

If we are intimate with Him, and seek Him first, He will take care of everything we need. We have no reason to worry.

We are to seek Him first. Not man. Not self. Not thing. Not activity. Not schedule/planner/to-do list. God first.

APPLICATION

Matthew 6:33-34 Expanded Bible (EXB)
33 ·Seek first [Be concerned above all else with] God’s kingdom and ·what God wants [L his righteousness]. Then all ·your other needs will be met as well [L these things will be given to you]. 34 So don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will ·have its own worries [or worry about/take care of itself]. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

Matthew 6:33-34: For years, I've learnt red these verses and have them memorized. I live them and apply them at times and don't at other times. I hope to live them every moment.

PRAYER

God, help me live and apply Matthew 6:33-34.

Matthew 5: S.O.A.P. #5 of 1,189

Matthew 5 on Wednesday, December 09, 2015

SCRIPTURE

Here is the link for Matthew 5:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+5&version=HCSB

Matthew 5-7 is the Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught.

Matthew 5:1-2 The setting where Jesus taught and preached. It was near Capernaum on the side of a hill along the north shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Matthew 5:3-10 The Beatitudes.

Matthew 5:11-12 The persecuted.

Matthew 5:13-16 The Salt and the Light Teaching.

Matthew 5:17-20 Jesus teaches about the Law.

Matthew 5:21 and on: Jesus preaches about anger, lust, divorce, vows, revenge, and loving our enemies.

The truth of the matter is every verse of Matthew 5 is a key verse. This is a chapter that should be read in its entirety over and over. Nonetheless, I narrowed it down to these:

Matthew 5:3-10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
-- New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Matthew 5:14-16 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
-- New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Matthew 5:37 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
37 But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil.
-- New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Matthew 5:44 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
-- New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Matthew 5:48 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
48 Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
-- New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Given the times in which we live, I am choosing to focus on Matthew 5:44.

Matthew 5:44 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Cross-References of Matthew 5:44 are:

Romans 12:14 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
-- New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Romans 12:20-21 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
20 “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
-- New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.
-- New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

1 Peter 3:9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
-- New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

OBSERVATION

Matthew 5:44 New King James Version (NKJV)

44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
-- New King James Version (NKJV). Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The beliefs of terrorists is that the Koran teaches that all infidels must convert or be killed. An infidel is anyone who does not believe what they do, and that includes other Muslims. They believe their god will come again, but only after all infidels are dead.

If I look at all of the verses in this Bible reading of Matthew 5, and all of the verses I have listed here in this journal and blog post, I read that:

I am to LOVE my enemies.

I am to bless my enemies.

And I am to pray for them.

This takes the beliefs of terrorists and flips it on its head. It refutes their thinking.
Who would want to believe in a god that wants most of the people on earth to die? And a god who depends on people to bring about his judgment since he cannot execute it himself?

Enough about them.

I have failed. I have not lived these verses, commands of my loving God. I have not loved, blessed, and prayed for my enemies (terrorists and some politicians) like I should.

Also, other enemies are ideas of this world.

Also, other enemies are the idols of this world.

I haven't lived Matthew 5:44.

APPLICATION

See the above.

PRAYER

Lord, help me to love, bless, and pray for my enemies (terrorists, some politicians, worldly ideas, worldly idols, and the temptations and idols in my life).

Help me, Father, to love my enemies like these verses say:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 New Living Translation (NLT)
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Lord, help me to pray all the time, night and day, day and night, for all of my enemies and to learn to love them so I can pray for them as You say I should.

What would happen in this War on Terror if I sincerely prayed, with love and blessing, for all the terrorists and terrorist groups and nations?

What would happen if we all did?

Matthew 4: S.O.A.P. #4 of 1,189

Matthew 4 on Tuesday, December 08, 2015

SCRIPTURE

I read Matthew 4 from this version of the Bible and at this link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%204&version=HCSB

Matthew 4:1-11 The devil tempted Jesus Christ.

Matthew 4:12-17 Jesus started His ministry and went to Galilee, where He preached.

Matthew 4:18-22 Jesus asks four fishermen to follow Him while in Galilee (Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John).

Matthew 4:23-25 Jesus preached the good news and healed the diseases and sicknesses of the people throughout Galilee.

The key verses of Matthew 4 are: Matthew 4:4, 4:7, 4:10, 4:11, 4:19, 4:20, 4:22, 4:23, 4:24, and 4:25.

Here are the key verses:

Matthew 4:4 New Living Translation (NLT)
4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
‘People do not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Matthew 4:7 New Living Translation (NLT)
7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Matthew 4:10 New Living Translation (NLT)
10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God
    and serve only him.’”
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Matthew 4:11 New Living Translation (NLT)
11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Matthew 4:19 New Living Translation (NLT)
19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Matthew 4:20 New Living Translation (NLT)
20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Matthew 4:22 New Living Translation (NLT)
22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Matthew 4:23 New Living Translation (NLT)
23 Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Matthew 4:24 New Living Translation (NLT)
24 News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Matthew 4:25 New Living Translation (NLT)
25 Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Here is the verse that spoke the most to me this morning:

Matthew 4:4 Expanded Bible (EXB)
4 Jesus answered, “It is written in the Scriptures, ‘A person lives not on bread alone, but by ·everything God says [L every word that comes out of God’s mouth; Deut. 8:3].’”
--Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

The cross-references for Matthew 4:4 are:

Deuteronomy 8:3 New King James Version (NKJV)
3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.
--New King James Version (NKJV). Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

John 6:63 New King James Version (NKJV)
63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
-- New King James Version (NKJV). Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

OBSERVATION

We are to live first and foremost by the Word of God, which is the Bible. The Word of God gives me life, not anything I put into my mouth to chew. Rumination on the Word gives me life.

APPLICATION

Be a serious student of the Bible and meditate on it day and night as I do other things and in my quiet time.

PRAYER

Lord, teach me to live and remember Matthew 4:4 in all I do and at all times.

Matthew 3: S.O.A.P. #3 of 1,189

Matthew 3 on Monday, December 07, 2015

SCRIPTURE

I read Matthew 3 from this link:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+3&version=HCSB

The key verses of Matthew 3 are: Matthew 3:1, 3:2, 3:3, 3:8, 3:10, 3:11, 3:12.

John the Baptist baptized people in the Jordan River and told people to repent in Matthew 3:1-12.

The baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3:13-17.

Key Verses:

Their original source is:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+3%3A1%2C+3%3A2%2C+3%3A3%2C+3%3A8%2C+3%3A10%2C+3%3A11%2C+3%3A12&version=HCSB

Matthew 3:1 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Wilderness of Judea
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Matthew 3:2 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
2 and saying, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!”
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Matthew 3:3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
3 For he is the one spoken of through the prophet Isaiah, who said:
A voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
Prepare the way for the Lord;
make His paths straight!
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Matthew 3:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Matthew 3:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
10 Even now the ax is ready to strike the root of the trees! Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Matthew 3:11 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but the One who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove His sandals. He Himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Matthew 3:12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
12 His winnowing shovel is in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn. But the chaff He will burn up with fire that never goes out.”
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

My top key verse of this chapter:

Matthew 3:10 Expanded Bible (EXB)
10 The ax ·is now ready to cut down [already lies at the root of] the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire [C a metaphor for judgment].
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

Cross-References of Matthew 3:10:

Malachi 3:1-3 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
3 “Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts. 2 “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 3 He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness.
-- New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Luke 3:9 New Century Version (NCV)
9 The ax is now ready to cut down the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
-- New Century Version (NCV). The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Psalm 1:3 New Century Version (NCV)
3 They are strong, like a tree planted by a river.
    The tree produces fruit in season,
    and its leaves don’t die.
Everything they do will succeed.
-- New Century Version (NCV).  The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Psalm 92:13 New Century Version (NCV)
13 Like trees planted in the Temple of the Lord,
    they will grow strong in the courtyards of our God.
-- New Century Version (NCV). The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Jeremiah 17:8 New Century Version (NCV)
8 He will be strong, like a tree planted near water
    that sends its roots by a stream.
It is not afraid when the days are hot;
    its leaves are always green.
It does not worry in a year when no rain comes;
    it always produces fruit.
-- New Century Version (NCV). The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

John 15:2 New Century Version (NCV)
2 He cuts off every branch of mine that does not produce fruit. And he trims and cleans every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit.
-- New Century Version (NCV). The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

OBSERVATION

Again, here is my key verse in a different translation:

Matthew 3:10 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
10 The ax is now ready to cut the roots of the trees. Any tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into a fire.
-- GOD’S WORD Translation (GW). Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

As I noticed in the cross-references, this is a theme repeated throughout the Bible. Also, let me add, how I didn't list all of the cross-references. Therefore, it's important for me to stop and recognize this theme. I am to produce good fruit in my spiritual walk and in my daily life. My fruit should show in all I do. In other words, do my thoughts, feelings, goals/dreams, actions bring glory to God?

Let all I do and think bring God glory. This is how I bear productive and healthy fruit.

APPLICATION

See the above.

PRAYER

Lord, help me bring You glory in all I do and think.

Matthew 2: S.O.A.P. #2 of 1,189

Matthew 2 on Saturday, December 05, 2015

SCRIPTURE

Read  Matthew 2 in your favorite Bible or see:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%202&version=HCSB;NLT;EXB

Key verses are: Matthew 2:1, 2:2, 2:3, 2:6, 2:9, 2:11, 2:12, 2:13, 2:14, 2:15, 2:16, 2:18, 2:19, 2:20, 2:21, 2:22, 2:23

Here is a link to go to those verses and you can change the version of the Bible to your favorite:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%202%3A1%2C%202%3A2%2C%202%3A3%2C%202%3A6%2C%202%3A9%2C%202%3A11%2C%202%3A12%2C%202%3A13%2C%202%3A14%2C%202%3A15%2C%202%3A16%2C%202%3A18%2C%202%3A19%2C%202%3A20%2C%202%3A21%2C%202%3A22%2C%202%3A23&version=HCSB

Note: I list each of those individually, and not in groupings of sequential verses, so they are looked at one by one. I get more out of them that way and am less likely to let them run together in my mind. This helps me look at them word by word.

My overall key verse is:

Matthew 2:11 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

OBSERVATION

This entire chapter is about the threat on the life of Jesus Christ the Messiah and how that threat began when he was around two years old.

In both Matthew 1 and in 2, Joseph was told something by an angel and he immediately responded, without question, and he obeyed and trusted.

APPLICATION

When you as the last time I thoroughly worshipped Him? Isn't this something I should do every moment of every day? The answer is yes, so I will try.

I will also try to do what He says, when He says it, without hesitation or question.

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for going through such measures to protect Your Son. I know you do the same for me and for all of us. I thank You for that as well.

Teach me how to thoroughly worship You in every moment of every day. I want to do so, but am not sure how. I want to revere and worship You.

Also, help me do what You say, when You say it, no questions asked.

Thank You for this chapter. May this, and Matthew 1 continue to work on me. I hope to have to keep going back and making notes.

To You be all glory. May I bring You glory in all I do.