“And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but are you unable to discern the signs of the times?  An evil and adulterous generation wants a sign; and so a sign will not be given to it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away” (Matthew 16:3-4).

We know of the earthly signs that tell us the conditions of the weather.  We act and react accordingly.  Jesus gave the powerful sign of Jonah by being dead and on the third day, rising again.  That is the sign.  If people will not respond to that, they will not respond to the Lord.  Jesus took on a human life and died to give us His life so that we can live.  He leaves those behind who do not follow Him.

Will you follow Jesus as He takes you away from the way of this world to learn how to live in the way of eternity?  Jesus forces none but offers to everyone the way of salvation.  Many get stuck in the way they think and do things the way they believe they ought to do them.  We do not know how to think clearly, which is why Jesus needed to come to save us.  Follow the Lord and live.

Lord Jesus, I am more like the Pharisees than I want to admit.  Sometimes I am a Sadducee and do not believe there is life eternal.  Move me farther and farther away from this limited sinful thinking to realize and know that You are the One through whom all things have their being.  Guide me through all the pitfalls of this life to see the signs that You have given me by Your word.  Guide me in the faith You have given me.  Amen.

“The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and putting Jesus to the test, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven.  But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’” (Matthew 16:1-2).

The scoffers in this world will never be satisfied.  “Yes, You did this, now do more.”  The wicked want sign after sign.  Their hearts are hard, and they do not want to trust the One who made all things.  That is the rebellion of this age.  Learn to trust the Lord above all things.  Be guided by His grace to move through those times when you doubt or want something other than what the Lord is giving you.

Lord, where we are skeptical, help us to be thankful.  Where we are demanding, teach us to be content.  Where we do not believe, help our unbelief.  Guide us away from the wickedness of this world to understand that all things have always been in Your hands.  You are the author of life, and You know where our lives are going.  Guide us, Lord, so that we live into the new lives You are giving the faithful.

Holy Spirit, You know me outside and within.  In the example of Christ my Savior, lead me out of the sinful places where my heart resides to accept and love all that You are doing in and through my life.  Help me live into the upward call You give and be content in all situations.  Minister to me that I may be enabled to minister to others.  Create in me a pure heart that prays for the Father’s will to be done at all times and in all places.  Amen.

“And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, seven large baskets full.  And those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children” (Matthew 15:37-38).

Our Lord provides for all living things every day.  Rather than being surprised at feeding so many with this miracle, wonder at the Lord’s provision every single day for all living things.  Be thankful always for all that the Lord does.  He knows our needs.  We may have desires beyond this, but He knows what we need.  And yes, from time to time, He does do things that we call miraculous.  See the miracle of life that is all around you.

Lord, we often see things with a very limited point of view.  You have provided for us all.  Help us to see the provision and be thankful for all that You provide.  Let our gratitude go beyond each of us to go to the place where we live with a heart that is content and thankful for all that You do.  Help us to let the evidence of this show clearly to all whom we meet.  In Your goodness and mercy, guide us in the way to live the new life You give.

Lord Jesus, You have patiently led me in the life of faith You have given me.  Continue to guide me, as You alone can do, so that I may learn how to be thankful in every circumstance.  Whether in deprivation or in plenty, let me be thankful for all that You give.  Help me to live this outwardly so that others may have the opportunity to learn to be thankful through what I do in this life as one more example of faithfulness.  Amen.

“And He directed the people to sit down on the ground; and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds” (Matthew 15:35-36).

Our Lord is a Lord of order.  In this world, when free things are handed out there is often a mob.  Jesus has us sit down and be orderly.  Sin confuses, and righteousness calms and clarifies.  With thanksgiving, what is needed is provided.  Why do you worry?  Why are you anxious?  Does God not know what we need?  Will He not provide all that is needed?  Yes!  With good order, mercy, plenty of grace, and love, our Lord provides.

Lord, many fall into a way of acting such that they become excited, push their way in, and want to be first.  You teach us to sit down with You and to be anxious for nothing.  Lead us, Lord, in the way You know we need to go.  Grant understanding so that we see things simply and the way they truly are.  When You do something, help us to accept the order of how You do things.  Guide us  in the way You know we need to move.

Lord Jesus, You do so many things at the same time.  I look at the miracle, but often forget the lessons You are teaching.  Help me to come fully into Your will so that I do all that You command.  Guide me today in the upward way and lead me to be patient and kind with all others.  You are first, and I will be where You place me.  Like the disciples, teach me to walk amongst the crowd doing what You direct me to do.  Amen.

“The disciples said to Him, “Where would we get so many loaves in this desolate place to satisfy such a large crowd?”  And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few small fish” (Matthew 15:33-34).

We often think in what we call practical terms, limited by our understanding of how things work.  From nothing, the Lord created all things.  If He commands something to be done, it will be done.  Do not be limited by Your understanding, rather come into the reality that our Lord is more than able to do all things according to His will.  Be led by the Lord and not by the limitations of what you know.

Lord, without thinking it is a power You will give me, guide me to understand that You can do all things.  You can move mountains, heal any infirmity, and save us from eternal damnation.  In faith, guide me to live understanding that all things are in Your hands.  Help me to answer all questions that You give me, such as when You asked the disciples what they had, so that I see Your hand in all things.

Lord Jesus, help my unbelief.  I often stop short because I do not believe that You will do what You can do.  Help me to go forward even when I am doubting, so that I may see that You are the One who is acting.  Guide me in Your goodness to live out the Father’s will for my life.  Through all things help me to learn true obedience and humbly do all that You command.  Lead me today to live faithfully in the Father’s will.  Amen.

“Now Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way” (Matthew 15:32).

Our Lord is filled with compassion.  Are you?  The world moves on, often uncaring, but our Lord asks us to become compassionate as He is compassionate.  Too many are uncaring of others, but our Lord has commanded that we love our neighbor as we love ourselves.  Seek the path of compassion and mercy, learning to love others as our Lord loves you.  He will fill you with all that is needed.

Lord, You know that I have my own ideas about things.  Take me from the place of judging others to the place where I am willing to meet them where they are.  Guide me in Your goodness so that I learn how to be compassionate.  You know all that is needed.  Lead me in the way of salvation so that I see in others the hope those who have shared the faith with me saw when they looked at me.

Come Holy Spirit and minister through me in order that I may reach out to others.  Keep me from the things that would hinder me from being compassionate and merciful.  Take away that which would cause me to judge another, but in the patience You give, help me kindly meet people where they are.  Thank You for leading me on this journey.  Work on my heart so I become one who is willing to follow Your lead.  Amen. 

“So the crowd was astonished as they saw those who were unable to speak talking, those with impaired limbs restored, those who were limping walking around, and those who were blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel” (Matthew 15:31).

Our lord heals.  In this world, it is not for the length of life but for the age to come. It is the supernatural healing which gives life eternal.  We may be plagued in this age with infirmities, but they are temporary.  Why some are healed and not others we can only speculate.  Experience the true healing which comes by grace and through faith.  Our Lord is showing us that all power belongs to Him and that He, who created all things, is able to accomplish what He promises.

Lord, I am fascinated when I hear of a miraculous healing; but let me not stop with that.  You physically heal whom You heal.  Help me to not look at circumstance, but to You who see all things.  Yes, I love healing but guide me to focus on the real healing You have given me in this life You give which springs to eternal life. Keep me from being conditional in my faith but instead learn to trust You in and through all things.

Guide me, Lord Jesus, in the way of everlasting life.  Help me to bring the healing You have given me to others that they too may be healed of the sickness of sin.  You know every circumstance and You know what is needed.  Lead me today, Lord, so that I obey all that the Holy Spirit will direct.  In Your goodness, help me to know that You are the One who will bring healing to all who believe.  Amen.

“Departing from there, Jesus went along the Sea of Galilee, and after going up on the mountain, He was sitting there.  And large crowds came to Him bringing with them those who were limping, had impaired limbs, were blind, or were unable to speak, and many others, and they laid them down at His feet; and He healed them” (Matthew 15:29-30).

Jesus heals.  First, He heals us of the deadly disease of sin.  Then He heals us of the unrighteous way of life.  He is our healer.  Anything else He does is for the good of us all.  We are led to the place where we learn to trust the Lord above all things.  Be guided by the goodness and mercy of our Savior.  Believe in the truth that all things exist because of Him and through Him.  Do not go your own way, but in the narrow way of the Lord.

Lord, You know the state of my heart.  I have come thus far, but You know how much farther I will need to go in this life.  Lead me in Your goodness and mercy to walk with You all the days of my life.  Guide me so that I continue to grow in Your likeness.  Help me Lord, as I come to those places which are difficult, to know that this serves a purpose in my walk of faith.

Lord Jesus, Great Physician, You have healed many of the diseases and disorders caused by a sin-sick heart.  You have given me healing.  With that healing, lead me so that I do not fall back into the life that made me sick.  Keep me in Your goodness on the narrow road, always walking with You leading the way.  Guide me to take seriously the call You have placed before me and walk in Your ways all the days of my life.  Amen.

“And she said, “Yes, Lord; but please help, for even the dogs feed on the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”  Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed at once” (Matthew 15:27-28).

Jesus loves a response of faith.  She was persistent, but not insistent.  Knowing that our Lord can do anything does not mean that we should expect Him to do what we ask.  But, knowing that we can ask in faith, we should be bold and realize that our Lord will always do what is just.  Jesus told us to ask in faith for anything in His name knowing that the Lord will hear and answer every prayer.

Lord, teach me to live the kind of faith that is bold, but humble.  Help me to understand the difference between persistence and insistence.  Lord, encourage me to be content with the crumbs from the table, and not demand the best portion.  Guide me to know that being a part of Your kingdom is already the best part.  In all things, keep me looking to You as the source of all things so that I may grow in the likeness of Christ my Savior.

Lord Jesus, what an incredible story this is.  May I learn that I too am an “outsider” whom You have redeemed.  Only by Your grace can I come into Your presence.  Lead me in the way You know I need to go.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to live into the life of faith that You have given me.  Help me to be persistent in faith but never demand that my way be done.  Through all things, show me the way of eternal life.  Amen.

“But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”  Yet He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs” (Matthew 15:25-26).

Our Lord knows everything.  He is not being rude, but He knows what it will take to get her to come out of herself and live by faith.  Sometimes He will do that with us.  He is always gracious and always kind.  What our Lord does for us is to call us out of ourselves and into faith.  The Lord is serious about making us into children of God.  He will do what it takes to lead us in the way of truth.

Lord, I often do not like it when You do something that challenges me.  Help me to move beyond myself and get to the place where I willingly do as You command.  Unlike the world, You are trustworthy.  You will lead me in the way I need to go.  I may not like it at first, but it will be what is needed.  Guide me always that I may live in the hope You give me through faith in You.

Holy Spirit, when I am resisting, help me to see that I am seeking my will above Your will.  Where I am offended, help me to understand the difference between my own indignation and the place where, when offended by others, tolerance is called for.  In all things, teach me to be gracious and kind, seeking what is right no matter how I feel about any situation.  Lead me to live a life of righteousness.  Amen.