mattmehaffey

What's Your Favorite Dessert?

I think many people anticipate reading the Bible as much as they anticipate eating a bowl full of lima beans. However, God intended His Word to be craved for much like we crave our favorite desserts! (Check out Psalm 119:103)

That being said, "What's your favorite dessert?" Post your answer by clicking on "comments" below.

Mine ... Portillo's Chocolate Cake Shake. OMG. Bad news is I live in SoFlo and they are only in Chicago. Good news is I don't weigh 500 lbs., which I am sure I would if I lived in Chicago.

Next time you are in the Chicagoland area you've got to have one.

Day Twenty-Eight

Matthew 28:6 "He is not here; he has risen, just as he said."

Observation: How is it possible, not one of the followers of Jesus expected Jesus to rise again? The following verses point out many times Jesus gave them fair warning: Matthew 12:40; 16:21; 17:9, 23; 20:19; & 26:32 (that's just the book of Matthew!). Apparently, even his enemies even understood Jesus thought he was going to rise from the dead in three days (see Matt. 27:62-66)!

Application: I can live confidently knowing God keeps his promises. He said he would send Jesus to rescue all of us. He did. Jesus said he would be killed, buried and on the third day he would rise again. He was. He was. He did. Jesus said he would come again. He will.

Prayer: God, you never fail. Your word is true. I long for the day when I spend forever with you in Heaven. There's still a lot of work to be done. Use us God. Use The Pursuit to point countless people to your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Day Twenty-Seven

Matthew 27:42 They mocked ... "Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him!"

Observation: With one word Jesus could have called to his rescue a legion of angels. In the blink of an eye, he could have escaped the cross for all to see. Jesus had to die because that was his mission from God the Father. It was his love for us that held him to the cross not the nails. Even his love for the men who were mocking him.

Application: A few days ago in the 28 Day Journey through Matthew, I wrote about Jesus' difficult teaching to love our enemy. There is no greater example than the cross. While on the cross, Jesus pleads to the Father, "Forgive them, they do not know what they are doing." I want to be so focused on the mission God has given to me that I do not care about the critics.

Prayer: God, there is no one like you. May I find my need for approval in You and not in anyone else. Thank you for doing what had to be done. Amen.

Day Twenty-Six

Matthew 26:2 "As you know, the Passover is two days away--and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."

Observation: Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen. He told his followers several times he was going be killed but three days later he would rise from the dead. However, they didn't get it.

One of my favorite movies is Stranger than Fiction where a man who knows his death will cause a greater good to come about has to decide if he will walk knowingly into that death.

Application: I can trust Jesus because he already knows the end of the story. We don't have the same vantage point. He loves us so much he walked willingly into the most excruciating death. No one took his life. He laid it down for you and me.

Prayer: God, this weekend billions of people across the globe celebrate your death, burial and resurrection. It is because of this event we have the hope we have. Thank you for restoring our relationship through your Son. Amen.

Day Twenty-Five

Matthew 25:23 "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much."

Observation: God is the giver of all good things. Every one of us God has entrusted to take care of and use what He has given us. While it's true some have been given more than others, it is also true each of us will be held accountable by God according to what He has given us. This is a good truth to remember in all areas of our lives. The good news of Jesus, money, the environment, the Church, our time, our jobs, our health, and our family. All of these are good gifts God has blessed us with. Imagine standing before God and giving your account on how you managed all these areas. Would he say, "Well done" to you and me?

Application: Reading the newspaper every day we are constantly reminded the county is headed for recession. Many people are concerned because their 401k isn't going in the right direction. I wonder what God sees from his all-knowing point of view. He can not be surprised. He was God during the "Great Depression" of 1929 and He was God when the Roman Empire collapsed. No matter how bad things get nationally, the most important thing God cares about is the hearts of individuals. How I use and take care of the gifts God has given me is the same question He asks whether I have much or if I have little.

Prayer: God, I want nothing more than for You to find me faithful. Help me be generous with what you have allowed me to take care of. Give us peace of mind and the knowledge no matter what happens you are on the throne. Amen.

Day Twenty-Four

Matthew 24:36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

Observations: Every now and then I hear some yahoo predicting the end of the world. God has made it clear no one knows except Him. However, we are to be watchful and prepared because Jesus will return when we do not expect it.

Application: God keeps His promises. Everything He has said He would do, He has done. One promise remains unfulfilled. Jesus said he would come again. Based on his track record I believe him.

Prayer: God, You never leave us. You never turn your back on us. Thank You for the promise of eternal life with You. I pray The Pursuit can be a church where countless people find Jesus and are prepared for Your return. Amen.

Day Twenty-Three

Matthew 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, ... how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing."

Observation: The hardest thing a loving parent has to deal with is a child who won't accept their love. Jesus' knows what that feels like. The very people group he came to serve and lead, conspired against him to have him killed.

Application: Jesus teaches us to love our enemies. As a follower of Jesus, I am to love those who reject and criticize me. I believe this is one of the hardest teachings of Jesus. Anyone can love those who are easy to love, but few love without limits. Seriously, how can anyone love Red Sox fans?

Prayer: God, thank You for loving us unconditionally. Help me to see the good in people and love them the way you love them. Amen.

Day Twenty-Two

Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

Observation: Jesus chooses these words as the single, most important commandment of the Bible. God must be our greatest love. Our deepest desire. If we love God with everything we are everything else will fall into place.

Application: This verse is the reason why The Pursuit's first core value is Love God. Without God's love we can do nothing. He gives us the choice to love Him back. The best decision of my life was when I surrendered my life to God. I am madly in love with God. Doesn't mean I don't disappoint Him. I do that daily. But God's love for me (and you) is unconditional which drives me to love Him more day by day.

Prayer: God, I can't thank You enough for Your love for me. You never give up on me and You won't let me settle for anything less than what You want for me. Thank You for demonstrating the fullest extent of Your love by allowing Jesus to die for us when we were at our worst. I love you, God. Amen.

Day Twenty-One

Matthew 21:9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna in the highest!"

Observation: It always breaks my heart to think many of the same people in the crowd who cheered Jesus as he entered Jerusalem would soon be screaming "Crucify him" a few days later.

Application: How easily we are swayed by the crowd. Jesus says, "Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." The way of Jesus is not a place for crowds.

Prayer: God, give me the courage to follow You even if none follow after me. Amen.

Day Twenty

Matthew 20:26 "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant."

Observation: Was it is a bold or stupid move? Brothers, James and John, get their mom to ask Jesus if they can be the 2nd and 3rd in command in the Kingdom of Heaven. This seems like an Everybody Loves Raymond situation where the mom is WAY to involved. Jesus surprises them with his answer. "If you want to be great in my kingdom, you have to serve." When we think of power and greatness we don't usually think of servants. However, Jesus who is the greatest and most powerful of all came to earth to become a servant to all.

Application: Our core values at The Pursuit are Love, Live, Lead. Lead is short for "Lead as we Serve." We want to look like Jesus in our community and that is best achieved by serving others. As the Lead Pastor, I understand this needs to start with me. I don't always succeed at putting others needs before my own but sometimes I get it right.

Prayer: God, I want to serve You with my life. Help us become more like Jesus by serving others. Guide us to the needs You want us to meet. Amen.