Matthew 23

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Devotional

“Woe to you blind, hypocritical, self-righteous scribes and pharisees.” Eight times in Matthew 23 Jesus refers to them as hypocrites. Eight times He pronounces “woe” upon them. He wasn’t trying to win friends and influence people, but He certainly was aiming to bring conviction.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Bible.com

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

Matthew 22

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Devotional

But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?

– Matthew 22:18

It is difficult not to smile at the directness of Jesus. He knew full well the unrighteous intent of His examiners. He perceived their wickedness and straightforward called it (and them) out.

Sometimes the right response is the direct response. Even if it is perceived to be rude.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Bible.com

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

Matthew 21

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Devotional

We have before us this week the beginning of the testing of Christ before His betrayal, arrest, trial, condemnation and death. In this passage He is effectively examined by the religious establishment of His day. I love in this section of Scripture, as Jesus always defeats His examiners by responding to their questions with questions.

In this is a good example we would do well to follow. Sometimes the best way to defeat an insincere examiner is to question the questions they raise.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Bible.com

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

Matthew 20

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Devotional

But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.”

– Matthew 20:25-26

I’ve spent a lot of time over the last several years reading books and listening to podcasts on the topic of executive leadership. And while many of those resources present helpful principles, very few exalt the Christian value of servant leadership. The leaders of this world are assertive, often demanding and many times rather harsh. But I don’t think any of those adjectives fit very well with Jesus. And apparently He doesn’t want them applied to the leaders in His church either.

By the way … in addition to receiving The Listening Plan via email each weekday, we now have added our daily listening plan to iTunes as a Podcast. You can subscribe in iTunes, or the Apple Podcast App here. Or get subscribe to the RSS feed for Android Podcasts here.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Bible.com

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

Matthew 19

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Or Read the Passage Here

Devotional

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

– Matthew 19:26

As he announced the miraculous conception of Jesus, the angel proclaimed to Mary, “with God nothing will be impossible.” I need to be reminded of this often, because I have a difficult time not applying my limitations to God. But He is omni-awesome and is not to be limited.

By the way … in addition to receiving The Listening Plan via email each weekday, we now have added our daily listening plan to iTunes as a Podcast. You can subscribe in iTunes, or the Apple Podcast App here. Or get subscribe to the RSS feed for Android Podcasts here.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Bible.com

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

Matthew 18

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Devotional

“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.

– Matthew 18:10

I was asked last week, “Does the Bible have anything to say about guardian angels?” Well, as I shared with this friend, Matthew 18:10 is about the only potential proof text for the concept of guardian angels in the Bible. So, yes! It is possible that we have angels dispatched as our guardians.

By the way … in addition to receiving The Listening Plan via email each weekday, we now have added our daily listening plan to iTunes as a Podcast. You can subscribe in iTunes, or the Apple Podcast App here. Or get subscribe to the RSS feed for Android Podcasts here.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Bible.com

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

Matthew 17

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Devotional

“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”

– Matthew 17:5

There are a constant drone of competing voices, vying for your attention today. In 21st century western society, distractions abound. I want to challenge you this week to schedule time to “hear Him!” Shut off the distractions, and spend time hearing the Lord. I promise, He has something important to say.

By the way … in addition to receiving The Listening Plan via email each weekday, we now have added our daily listening plan to iTunes as a Podcast. You can subscribe in iTunes, or the Apple Podcast App here. Or get subscribe to the RSS feed for Android Podcasts here.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Bible.com

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

Matthew 16

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Or Read the Passage Here

Devotional

But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith …

– Matthew 16:8

I can confess without hesitation that I often find myself to be just like Jesus’ disciples here in Matthew 16. I am “of little faith.” Like the man with the demon possessed son, I routinely am praying, “Lord I believe, help my unbelief.

Last week I was reminded that our God is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond anything I can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). It’s not that I don’t know that verse. I memorized it a long time ago and have taught on it many times. But the pastor who reminded me of it last week followed it up by saying, “Remember, our God is the God who has Genesis 1 on his resume.”

Good reminder!

By the way … in addition to receiving The Listening Plan via email each weekday, we now have added our daily listening plan to iTunes as a Podcast. You can subscribe in iTunes, or the Apple Podcast App here. Or get subscribe to the RSS feed for Android Podcasts here.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Bible.com

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

Matthew 15

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Devotional

He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?

– Matthew 15:3

In what ways might we be doing this today?

The Scriptures command humility. The modern traditions of our country tend toward pride. The Scriptures command generosity and charity. The modern traditions of our day encourage greed. The Scriptures speak of moderation and chastity. the traditions of our time promote gluttonous excess and immorality.

There are probably a lot of ways in which our modern traditions transgress God’s commandments.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Bible.com

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

Matthew 14

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Devotional

When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.”

But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

— Matthew 14:15-16

Are you prepared to be God’s answer and instrument to address the problems, pains and issues you see before you today? Understand that the very fact that you notice these problems might just be the Lord working in and through you to see and meet the need.

Get ready. Jesus wants to use you to be a blessing to others.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Bible.com

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon