After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
Thoughts on Today's Verse....
After capturing the hearts of the crowd, Jesus now calls another disciple, Levi (Matthew). Two things are significant about this calling.
First, Jesus called someone no other religious leader would have chosen, a tax collector and Roman sympathizer — to any Jew of Jesus' era, Matthew would have seemed very much like a traitor to his heritage and to his faith.
Second, the tax collector followed, leaving behind his livelihood and his fortune.
This is a powerful reminder that there is no one we should write off as unreachable with the Gospel and as unusable by our Lord.
Always begin with Prayer
Energy movement of God begins with prayer. Through prayer our hearts begin to beat with His heart.
His passion becomes our passion.
And we become effective instruments to speak and do His will in this world.
From the desk of Billy Graham
How do we await Christ’s final return? The answer is, we practice Heaven now! Jesus declared, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.
My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (John 14:23). Think of it—the Father and Son staying with you by the Spirit’s power, in your very home!
Hold On
In our journey of faith, how can we finish the race well and “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus”? (Phil. 3:14). Like the cable car, we keep a strong grip on Christ, which is what Paul meant when he said “stand firm in the Lord” (4:1). We have no resources of our own. We depend fully on Christ to keep us moving forward. He will take us through the greatest challenges and lead us safely home.
Toward the end of his earthly life, the apostle Paul declared, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). You can too. Simply keep a strong grip on Christ.
We’re grateful, Lord, that while we aim to keep a strong grip on You, You always keep a strong grip on us! You are working in us and giving us what we need to continue trusting You on our faith journey.
Keeping the faith means trusting God to faithfully keep you.
Thoughts on Today's Verse....
After capturing the hearts of the crowd, Jesus now calls another disciple, Levi (Matthew). Two things are significant about this calling.
First, Jesus called someone no other religious leader would have chosen, a tax collector and Roman sympathizer — to any Jew of Jesus' era, Matthew would have seemed very much like a traitor to his heritage and to his faith.
Second, the tax collector followed, leaving behind his livelihood and his fortune.
This is a powerful reminder that there is no one we should write off as unreachable with the Gospel and as unusable by our Lord.
Always begin with Prayer
Energy movement of God begins with prayer. Through prayer our hearts begin to beat with His heart.
His passion becomes our passion.
And we become effective instruments to speak and do His will in this world.
From the desk of Billy Graham
How do we await Christ’s final return? The answer is, we practice Heaven now! Jesus declared, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.
My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (John 14:23). Think of it—the Father and Son staying with you by the Spirit’s power, in your very home!
Hold On
In our journey of faith, how can we finish the race well and “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus”? (Phil. 3:14). Like the cable car, we keep a strong grip on Christ, which is what Paul meant when he said “stand firm in the Lord” (4:1). We have no resources of our own. We depend fully on Christ to keep us moving forward. He will take us through the greatest challenges and lead us safely home.
Toward the end of his earthly life, the apostle Paul declared, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). You can too. Simply keep a strong grip on Christ.
We’re grateful, Lord, that while we aim to keep a strong grip on You, You always keep a strong grip on us! You are working in us and giving us what we need to continue trusting You on our faith journey.
Keeping the faith means trusting God to faithfully keep you.
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