Red Letters
The challenge to the SNL group this week is to read the Red Letters in Matthew and discover all that we can about who Jesus is and what He is like. I am not what some call a “Red Letter Christian” but I do believe there is enough there to change the lives of those who care enough to read.
Here is what God is saying to my spirit this morning as I read the red letters.
Matthew 4: 4
But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
‘People do not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
In this passage, the devil is telling Jesus to turn stones to bread so that he can eat. Jesus is at this point in an extended fast and he hasn’t eaten, even though he may not be hungry, I am sure that he would like to eat at this point. (Have you ever tried fasting?) Jesus makes the point here that we need the food of the Spirit much more than we need physical food. We need to get into God’s word and study to see what it is He expects from us. So often we go to the bible when we have a point to prove, we proceed to find the texts that will prove our point and that is about all we do with scripture.
Scripture needs to get inside of us, it needs to be what drives our actions, it needs to be what guides our lives and not just a second thought.
Two more times in Matthew Chapter 4: vs. 7 & 10 Jesus says, “it is written”. The first thing Jesus did to confront controversy is to quote scripture.
What is our first response in times of temptation, trial, or test?
We can see what scripture has to say and follow it or we can do it our way and pick up the pieces later. i am not saying that God causes our way to fail, I am saying that God created us and He knows what is best for us and His way is best. There may be times when doing it our way seems to pay off but the payoff is short-lived.
Ronnie
Let me know what you are learning in the Red Letters.
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About Ronnie G. Collins
I am the Planting Pastor of Out of the Box Worship Center and I also serve as the Associate Pastor of First United Methodist Church in Hillsville Virginia. We are a Multi Site Church, one church in multiple locations. Our 1st campus is located at 225 Fulcher Street in Hillsville Virginia. Our 2nd location is on Main Street in Hillsville, FUMC Downtown, Out of the Box Worship Center, and our 3rd location is 522 North Main Street in Hillsville and this is our Youth Ministry Center, FUMC Downtown “Out of the Box”, Youth Ministry. The most recent ministry we have is “Out Of The Box Worship Center” and we are located at 516 North Main Street Hillsville. This site is now my main focus, along with the Youth Ministry.
I have a Passion to see hurting people come to know Jesus Christ. I believe that we as Christians have to demonstrate God’s Love to the world, rather than just telling them they are loved. I am married and have 3 sons two very special nephews that are like sons, 3 grandchildren, 5 great nephews, and one great niece that are like grandchildren. I am a blessed man.
I attended school at Carroll County High School, Wytheville Community College, Liberty University, and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.
My passions are as follows:
God
Family
Others
Reading
Running
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There are two scriptures that come to mind with this: Psalm 119:11 “Thy WORD I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against Thee.”
Philippians 4:8 “…Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, LET YOUR MIND DWELL ON THESE THINGS.” If we would check this everyday, we would do well in avoiding sin.
This could even go with our dress and countenance. If we look in the mirror we can ask “Does my countenance reflect Christ?” Does my clothing draw attention to my body or to my reflection of Christ? This should be our daily routine, just as brushing our teeth. What does my mirror reflect?