A Clay Jar

Encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (1 Thess. 2:12 NIV)

Matthew

This is a collection of devotional posts from the book of Matthew. They are sorted according to when they were written, with the most recent first. To see them in their biblical order, select them from the menu.

Why Are You So Afraid?

Why Are You So Afraid? – Matthew 8:26

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We might face many storms in this life. But we do not need to be afraid. Jesus will safely bring us through all the challenges we face.

What would Jesus do?

What Would Jesus Do? – Matthew 9:9-13

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What would Jesus do if he came to town? I think he would be hanging out with 'sinners' rather than us good Christian folk, safely tucked into our churches.

new patches on old garments

New Patches on Old Garments – Matthew 9:16-17

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Putting new patches onto old garments may work in fashion, but not in our walk with Christ. Instead, we need to ditch the old man, and be made anew.

Diversity in the Body of Christ

Diversity in the Body of Christ, A Good Thing – Matthew 10:2-4

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We don't know much about many of Jesus' disciples. But they included a tax collector and a zealot. Political opposites. But chosen intentionally.

snakes and doves

Shrewd as Snakes and Innocent as Doves – Matthew 10:16

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Be as shrewd as a snake and as innocent as a dove. Walk through this life with your eyes wide open. And seek to live a holy life.

don't be afraid

Don’t Be Afraid; God Loves You – Matthew 10:29-31

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Are you a child of God? Don't be afraid of this world and the people in it. You are of great value to God. So be faithful to follow him.

taking up my cross

Taking Up My Cross and Following – Matthew 10:38

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Jesus' call to take up our cross and follow him is a call to self-denial, a call to die to self and to live for him. It is the only way to be worthy of him.

The great wall of China: The greatest and the least in the kingdom

The Greatest and the Least – Matthew 11:11

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How do you measure greatness? Jesus told us that the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than the greatest in this world.

The yoke of Jesus

Take Up the Yoke of Jesus – Matthew 11:28-30

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The yoke of this world is heavy and burdensome. Throw if off and take up Jesus' yoke instead. His burden on us is light and refreshing to our souls.

A Tree Is Recognized by Its Fruit

A Tree Is Recognized by Its Fruit – Matthew 12:33

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Just as a tree is recognized by the fruit that it produces, so the state of my heart is recognized by the fruit that it produces in my life.

Brothers and sisters of Jesus

Brothers and Sisters of Jesus – Matthew 12:50

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How does one come into the family of God as a brother or sister of Jesus? By doing the will of the Father; coming to Jesus and walking with him.

small beginnings

The Parables of Small Beginnings – Matthew 13:31-33

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The parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast illustrate that the kingdom of God works with small beginnings to produce big changes in people and culture.