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Leaven
/in Pastors BlogLeaven
5 Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6 Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”
Matthew 16:5-6
Jesus can really make you scratch your head sometimes. While his disciples were worried about the physical absence of real bread, Jesus answered with some spiritual lesson. Beware the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. What did that have to do with eating? Sometimes it looked like Jesus’ mind was lost in thought and a word would trigger an idea- in this case bread made him think of leaven.
The disciples were left confused which explains the next verse:
7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.”
Matthew 16:7
Now we could unpack the words of Jesus and try and discover the meaning behind it, or we could just stay with this little interaction and learn from that. Let’s do the second.
How many times have you read a verse in the Bible, gotten confused and simply let it go? It’s easy to read on and find something that you do understand. Although that will probably make you feel better, it keeps you from truly learning and growing.
The Bible should be a challenge. It should be a struggle. Don’t forget that you are reading the words of God. Jacob wrestled with God all night for a blessing, we should be able to wrestle for a few minutes or even hours to gain the same.
The good news is that even the disciples, who lived with Jesus for years, were often confused by his words. We’re in good company. The difference is that they were physically with him and so were able to hear his explanations after the fact.
That is where prayer and study comes in. Like the disciples who simply spent time with Jesus and learned the difficult ideas, we too can do the same. Praying and reading and spending time in God’s word will bring the answers that we seek. They also build a relationship with God.
Next time you are with God in the Bible and he says something confusing, don’t ignore him and move on. Stay a while and hear what he has to say. There is a blessing for those who do.
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
A Boat
/in Pastors BlogA Boat
16 Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them.
John 6:16-17
When we read this same story in another gospel we see that it was Jesus himself that said to cross the lake without him but here it is left unknown. It is written in a way as to almost suggest that they decided to cross ahead of him, expecting him and yet ‘it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them’.
How many times do we do this in our life? We get anxious about something or impatient and go on ahead with a plan before letting God lead. This, as you could expect, never turns out well.
18 Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing.
John 6:18
How many storms do we sometimes encounter because of our impatience? How many times do we put ourselves in danger because we run off ahead of God?
19 So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. 20 But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
John 6:19-20
I love the fact that it mentions that they were 3 or 4 miles away when they first notice Jesus walking towards them. It doesn’t matter how far we run on ahead, Jesus knows where we are and when to come. He has His plan and even when we mess it up, He has a way of righting it again. It’s also funny that instead of being happy, it is said that they were afraid. We often do the same- though with us, many times it’s out of embarrassment and shame.
21 Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.
John 6:21
They willingly received Him into the boat. That is our greatest need. Some are and some will be alone in a boat in the middle of a storm. Don’t be afraid, Jesus is already walking on the water. All you have to do is willingly receive Him.
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
A Dispute
/in Pastors BlogA Dispute
25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”
John 3:25-26
John 3 is usually quoted for v.16, but there is much more than one verse. Starting at v.25 we see that there is an argument rising. When you look at it closely it seems to be between John’s followers and Jesus’ disciples, but it’s not. It’s between the Jews and John and Jesus is only used to try and get John to lose control and become a bad example to those around him.
This happens often within the church. Arguments arise and many times neither side realizes that the argument really isn’t about either one of them, but actually Satan using an opportunity to create discord and bad behavior in the church. Many times he wins.
John, however, doesn’t let himself to be swept up in the argument. Look at his response to the Jews.
27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’
John 3:27-28
Instead of getting his emotions or ego to control him, John humbly states his place. He knows that he isn’t the Christ. He knows that he isn’t the focus or important center. All he has is from God and he will follow His will.
If we were to follow John’s example, how many ugly scenes could be avoided within our churches. How many times could we avoid giving Satan a win within our own pews? John wasn’t the Christ but he truly was a real son of God.
John also says his famous words here.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:30
These words were not just meant for John, but they should be our words as well. Church is not a place for us to increase. It is not a place to gain power and authority. Church is a place where Christ should be increased. If we all looked at the church in this way, we could really make a home for God.
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
Wrestling in Prayer
/in Pastors BlogWrestling in Prayer
Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up; Fighting all day he oppresses me. My enemies would hound me all day,
For there are many who fight against me, O Most High.
Psalm 56:1-2
Everyone at some point in their life makes this type of prayer to God. There are times where we are truly overwhelmed by enemies around us- be they people or situations. We have been learning about trusting in God and not worrying these last few weeks but here we see a ‘man after God’s own heart, doing just that. David is worried and he is pleading with God for help.
David was always very good at opening his heart and letting his true emotions and thoughts out. He was afraid and he wasn’t ashamed to proclaim it. What makes David different however is how his thoughts are so cleanly changed as he speaks. Just look at the following verses of his Psalm.
Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?
Psalm 56:3-4
I will not fear. What a huge change is seen in just a few verses. How is Davis able to do that?
To be honest, David is probably speaking out of faith at this moment than expressing his actual state. The next few verses go back to him focusing on his enemies and so the fear is still there.
This teaching us about an important aspect of prayer. It is about proclaiming truths about God even when your heart isn’t feeling it. David knew that with God he didn’t need to fear. AT that very moment, he might have been feeling something different but he would still proclaim it. By doing that, he creates a connection with God, one that God can use to make his promise a reality in David.
The Psalm goes back and forth between fear and faith but end like this:
Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God; I will render praises to You, For You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, That I may walk before God In the light of the living?
Psalm 56:12-13
David wrestled between his fear and God promises and in the end, God prevails. You can do the same in your prayer life.
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
See Life
/in Pastors BlogSee Life
36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
John 3:36
It’s amazing how much emphasis the Bible puts on your belief. If you simply believe in the Son, Jesus, you can have eternal life. Realize of course that this belief is not dead or powerless. The belief that we must have has to be one that can create change and movement in our lives.
Of course the opposite is equally true. Not believing in the Son keeps you from life itself. Notice how it says that you shall not see life, as if life actually only starts when you begin to believe in Jesus. What we are ‘living’ now is just an empty husk compared to the real life that is available to all who are willing to make the great leap to believe.
The last few words of the verse can seem very scary. The wrath of God is on all who do not believe. Some people can read this and think that God is uncaring and cruel. He punishes those who reject His Son. But I see it as a natural consequence. Do you blame fire itself when you burn yourself if you were to stick your hand into a flame? Of course not. Fire is hot and burns. That is not punishment but a natural reality of fire. God is similar.
God is pure goodness. He is the giver of life and life itself. To reject God is to reject life. Can you blame God for you yourself rejecting to live? Life, like the burning of fire, is just a natural state of God. Remember too that there is no other source of life.
I hope you can see your belief in Jesus, not as a requirement or decision but also as a natural consequence. I hope that when you experience the love, joy and peace of Christ that you just naturally become believer in it and Him.
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3:16-17
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
Waiting for a Miracle
/in Pastors BlogWaiting for a Miracle
16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,
Matthew 8:16
I can’t even imagine what it must have been like for the sick and their families, waiting for sunset, the changing of Sabbath to Sunday to rush over and have Jesus touch their infirmities away.
One day we will all be able to experience it if we chose to take part. When Jesus returns in the clouds, we will have our day of healing and perfection. We will see Jesus face to face. We simply have to wait.
But wait how long?
I ask this question because it is possible that we ourselves create time limits on ourselves. Many a debate has raged over 2 Peter 3:12:
12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
Can we really hasten his coming?
I’m not going to answer that question here but I will bring up something that all those looking for healing got wrong in Matthew 8:16. Look at the few verses before it.
14 Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. 15 So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.
Jesus didn’t wait for the Sabbath to end to cure Peter’s mother in law. She was sick, he was there and so he healed her. So many people waited for the sun to go down not realizing that Jesus was already willing and waiting to heal them. Can you be doing to same today?
Is there a miracle Jesus is waiting to give you, but you yourself is waiting for a special time or event?
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Revelation 3:20
Look at tour current situation right now and ask yourself: is Jesus waiting for me to ask for a miracle I’m needing?
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
Don’t Worry
/in Pastors BlogDon’t Worry
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Matthew 6:25
Last week we talked about our treasures. The question was asked, where do you focus most of your effort and attention? Is it on the physical things of this world or is it in our future life with God in heaven?
Today, we will continue with this theme. Jesus made it perfectly clear that he loves us and wants the best for us. He made it very clear that he knows what we need in this life. He himself came down to this world to experience it. He said to put our focus on the things of heaven but that creates anxiety for us who believe that we ourselves must care for our futures here. Matthew 6:25 is telling us the exact opposite. Jesus, knowing our needs, is promising that we will have our futures here secured even if we put our focus on the heavenly things first. This is where true faith is experienced and challenged. Do not worry! That is the core theme of Matthew 6:25. Do not worry, not because you will win the lottery and not have to worry about but, but because God will always provide your needs in this life. Notice I say needs here and not wants.
It is the difference between needs and wants that our true struggle rests. God promises our needs will be met but the world offers us wants to fill our joy, desire and fulfilment. The wants of this life truly are appealing. Who wouldn’t want a big fancy home, expensive car, pool, world vacations and more? This world can be very hard and stressful and that vacation can really be a benefit sometimes. The struggle however is what is more important to you? Will you put that ‘want’, whatever it may be above what God is trying to give or lead in your life?
The problem with wants is that they are never satiated. You can always have room for more and in fact an old want quickly loses its appeal and something bigger is desired. Wants can easily become more and more important in someone’s life. It can quickly rise up in the pyramid of importance you create for yourself. If not restrained and controlled, it can even take the spot of God.
Don’t get me wrong. There is no problem in having a big home, fancy car, pool, enjoying a luxury vacation or other expensive things. Wants, in of themselves, are not sinful just as money itself is not sinful. Sin begins when those things begin to take control of a person’s mind and life. When you begin to worry, not about your needs but your lack of wants, it is a sign that you may be going down a dangerous path.
Do not worry. It’s a simple message from God. Are you following it?
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto