Day 11 Bible Readings – Matthew 9: 1-2

Genesis 23 & 24, Matthew 9, Psalm 9: 7-12

Matthew 9: 1-2

“And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”

In verses 1 and 2 from Matthew 9, Jesus heals a paralyzed man because of the faith of his friends. These verses tell us how important it is to have friends pray for you when you are in need. Your own faith may not be strong enough for God to grant you a miracle, but if you have friends who will pray for you then God may decide to grant you your prayers based on the faith on your friends. Friends are so important in your journey of faith. Friends can encourage you in the faith and keep you on track to follow God’s law. When your faith is lacking, a friend can always help you to strengthen your faith. A friend can pray to God for a miracle for you, and based on their faith alone God may decide to grant you that miracle. 

Day 10 Bible Readings – Genesis 22: 15-18 (ESV)

Genesis 21 & 22, Matthew 8: 23-34, Psalm 9: 1-6

Genesis 22: 15-18 (ESV)

“And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

In verses 15 through 18 from Genesis 22, the Angel lets Abraham know what will happen to him after his complete obedience to God. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac to God. These verses reminded me of how God was willing to sacrifice his only son Jesus Christ to save us. As Isaac was saved from death by God, Jesus Christ was also saved from true death when he rose from the cross. Isaac went willingly to his death when Abraham bound him and laid him on the altar. Jesus also went willingly to his death on the cross to fulfill his father’s will. Abraham shows us what it means to be completely obedient to God, even if that obedience meant sacrificing his most precious son.

Day 9 Bible Readings – Matthew 7: 24-27 (ESV)

Genesis 19 & 20, Matthew 7: 24-29, Matthew 8: 1-22, Psalm 8

Matthew 7: 24-27 (ESV)

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

When I read verses 24 through 27 from Matthew 7, I immediately thought of the song “Firm Foundation” by Cody Carnes. We sing this song at least once a month at my church. People love this song because everyone seems to know the words. Every time I am facing any kind of problem, I pray to God to help me out. I cannot imagine what it must be like to face any kind of problem or issue and not have God to rely on to help you in these moments. Not only does praying to God for help free my mind, but I have experienced so many miracles from God when I experience any kind of problems in my life.

Here's the song for your listening pleasure:

Day 8 Bible Readings – Matthew 7: 7-11

Genesis 16-18, Matthew 6: 25-34, Matthew 7: 1-23, Psalms 7: 10-17

Matthew 7: 7-11

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

Verses 7 through 11 from Matthew 7 are well-known verses. Jesus tells everyone “ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.” I experienced an example of what Jesus said today. I received an email from an online shop that said if ordered $100 worth of merchandise, I would receive a $25 gift card. I went ahead and ordered an item that was over $100, but I never received the gift card. I called the online shop’s Customer Service line and Rep # 1 told me that I didn’t receive the gift card because the brand of the item I purchased was excluded from this kind of promotion. Rep # 1 suggested I order something else and see if it triggers the $25 gift card. I did as Rep # 1 suggested, but I could not get the gift card to trigger. I decided to call the online shop again and spoke to Rep # 2. I explained the situation to Rep # 2, and she decided to manually trigger the gift card for me. So I asked first and nothing happened, then I sought to see if I could get the gift card and still got nothing. Finally, I knocked on Rep # 2’s door and I received my gift card. Sometimes asking isn’t enough, and even seeking isn’t enough to get you what you want. You have to be persistent and not give up and keep knocking and knocking until you get what you want.