This week, we will take a look at a longer passage (several verses) from the book of Matthew. As you read these verses each day, keep in mind we are the TEMPLE of God. We are a house of prayer.
Let’s consider the “temple area,” our sphere of influence.
Pay attention to the opposition in your sphere/temple currently. What is Jesus driving out?
Pay attention to the thoughts that may plant doubt or attempt to rob your faith.
“Upon entering Jerusalem Jesus went directly into the temple area and drove away all the merchants who were buying and selling their goods. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the stands of those selling doves. And he said to them, “My dwelling place will be known as a house of prayer, but you have made it into a hangout for thieves!” Then the blind and the crippled came into the temple courts, and Jesus healed them all. And the children circled around him shouting out, “Blessings and praises to the Son of David!” But when the chief priests and religious scholars heard the children shouting and saw all the wonderful miracles of healing, they were furious. They said to Jesus, “Don’t you hear what these children are saying? This is not right!” Jesus answered, “Yes, I hear them. But have you never heard the words ‘You have fashioned the lips of children and little ones to compose your praises’?” Jesus then left at once for the nearby village of Bethany, where he spent the night. While walking back into the city the next morning, he got hungry. He noticed a lone fig tree by the side of the path and walked over to see if there was any fruit on it, but there was none—he found only leaves. So he spoke to the fig tree and said, “You will be barren and will never bear fruit again!” Instantly the fig tree shriveled up right in front of their eyes! Astonished, his disciples asked, “How did you make this fig tree instantly wither and die?” Jesus replied, “Listen to the truth. If you have no doubt of God’s power and speak out of faith’s fullness, you can be the ones who speak to a tree and it will wither away. Even more than that, you could say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and be thrown into the sea’ and it will be done. Everything you pray for with the fullness of faith you will receive!”
Matthew 21:12-22 TPT
Father, Open up our hearts. Take us into the secret place and reveal the mysteries of these verses. Speak personally to us this week. Bring us to deeper faith and give each one of us a personal word to cling to this week. Show us something about You we have not seen before. God let truth invade our doubt with bursting praise and belief! Let us be found in partnership with Christ by Your grace until the end! In Jesus' name amen.