Saturday, 20 April 2024

Faith

How many words are there in the book of Matthew?

In the King James Version (KJV) - there are 18346 words in the book of Matthew.

Faith appear 9 times in the book of Matthew

Here are the nine instances where the word "faith" appears in the Book of Matthew in the King James Version (KJV):

  1. Matthew 6:30 - "Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?"

  2. Matthew 8:10 - "When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."

  3. Matthew 8:26 - "And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm."

  4. Matthew 9:2 - "And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee."

  5. Matthew 9:22 - "But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour."

  6. Matthew 9:29 - "Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you."

  7. Matthew 14:31 - "And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"

  8. Matthew 15:28 - "Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour."

  9. Matthew 17:20 - "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."

These verses encapsulate various teachings and incidents in the Gospel where Jesus comments on or responds to the faith of the individuals involved, highlighting its importance in the narrative and spiritual teachings of the Gospel of Matthew. Prayer :

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with hearts open to the teachings of Your Son, Jesus, who spoke so often of faith. Through His words and actions, He showed us how vital our faith is in our relationship with You. Lord, help us to cultivate a faith that is deep and enduring, a faith that does not waver in the face of trials or diminish in the calm of everyday life.

Lord Jesus, You marveled at great faith and gently corrected where it was lacking. We ask for the courage and strength to trust You more fully. Where You have found us wanting, increase our faith. Teach us to believe without seeing and to trust without hesitation. Your words remind us that if our faith is even as small as a mustard seed, nothing will be impossible for us.

In every instance where You spoke of faith—when calming the storm, healing the sick, and forgiving sins—You showed us that our faith is not just belief but action. Help us to act on our faith, to be bold in our prayers, and steadfast in our walk with You. Let our faith be active, working through love, reaching out in compassion, and standing firm on the truth of Your Word.

Forgive us for the times we have doubted. Forgive us for the moments when fear overshadowed our faith. In those times, remind us of Your faithfulness. Strengthen us to be of good cheer, to remember that You have overcome the world, and that through You, we can do all things.

We thank You for the gift of faith. We pray that it grows within us, bearing fruit in every season, and leading us closer to You. May our lives reflect the faith that speaks to mountains, heals the sick, calms the seas, and reaches out to make the broken whole.

In the precious name of Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith, we pray, Amen.


Holy Spirit - in the book of Matthew

Here's a list of the verses from the book of Matthew where the Holy Spirit is specifically mentioned:

  1. Matthew 1:18 - "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost."
  2. Matthew 1:20 - "But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."
  3. Matthew 3:11 - "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:"
  4. Matthew 3:16 - "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:"
  5. Matthew 4:1 - "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil."
  6. Matthew 10:20 - "For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you."
  7. Matthew 12:18 - "Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles."
  8. Matthew 12:28 - "But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you."
  9. Matthew 12:32 - "And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come."
  10. Matthew 22:43 - "He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,"
  11. Matthew 28:19 - "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" Prayer :

    Heavenly Father,

    We come before You in awe of Your Holy Spirit, the giver of life, the comforter, and our guide. As we reflect upon the words of Matthew, we are reminded of the profound role Your Spirit has played from the very beginning.

    Lord, we thank You for the Holy Spirit's work in the conception of Jesus Christ, a mystery that demonstrates Your power and grace. We are grateful for the assurance given to Joseph in a dream, revealing that the child Mary carried was of the Holy Spirit, setting into motion the salvation story that would change the world.

    We praise You for the promise made by John the Baptist, that while he baptized with water, the One coming after him would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. We yearn for such a baptism, to be immersed not only in water but in the spirit and power of Your presence.

    Thank You, Father, for the moment when Jesus was baptized and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove, signifying Your pleasure in Him and empowering Him for His ministry on earth. Let us also seek the Spirit's anointing in our lives, that we might serve You with power and love.

    We remember how Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led into the wilderness. In His solitude and testing, Your Spirit sustained Him. Teach us to rely on Your Spirit in our moments of trial and temptation, knowing that Your strength is perfect when our strength is gone.

    Lord, we acknowledge that it is not by our might nor by power, but by Your Spirit that Your purposes are accomplished. As Jesus cast out demons by Your Spirit and demonstrated the coming of Your kingdom, help us to walk in that authority and freedom.

    We are sobered by Jesus' warning about the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit. Help us to approach You with reverence, to honor Your Spirit's work in our lives, and to never take for granted the grace that You have extended to us.

    As we go forth to make disciples of all nations, we do so in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. May Your Spirit teach us and remind us of all that Jesus taught. May Your love and peace be with us, guiding every step we take and every word we speak.

    In the blessed name of Jesus, who with You and the Holy Spirit reigns supremely forever, Amen.


In the Book of Matthew - Number of times these name of God was mentioned

 

  1. God - Mentioned 25 times, this is the most general and frequently used term to refer to the deity in Judeo-Christian tradition, prevalent throughout Matthew.

  2. Father - Appears 10 times and is often used by Jesus to express a close and personal relationship with God. This title, especially highlighted in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9), indicates a familial and intimate bond.

  3. Heavenly Father - Used 5 times, this specific form of address emphasizes God's transcendence, paternal care, and His divine authority over all creation, reflecting His nurturing aspect.

  4. Lord - Occurs 6 times and commonly refers to God as the sovereign ruler and authority, although it can also refer to Jesus, underscoring the divine authority shared between the Father and the Son.

  5. Abba, Father - A term of deep affection and endearment used by Jesus in prayer, not quantified in the count but notable for reflecting an intimate, personal relationship with God and emphasizing a very close familial connection.

  6. King of Heaven - Denotes God's majesty and His supreme rule over the kingdom of heaven, not quantified in the count but highlighting His regal and sovereign nature.

  7. The Holy One of God - Signifies God's purity and separateness from sin, emphasizing His sanctity and moral perfection, not specifically quantified in the count.

  8. The Lord of Heaven and Earth - This title, not quantified in the count, emphasizes God's ultimate dominion over the entire universe, both celestial and terrestrial realms.

  9. Lord of the Harvest - Mentioned once, this title refers to God's sovereignty over the spiritual gathering of souls, metaphorically representing His management of spiritual fate and growth.

  10. The Lord our God - Cited 3 times, this title is used to denote a covenantal relationship with His people, emphasizing His ongoing commitment and connection to His followers.

Names of God mentioned in the Book of Matthew

 

  1. God - The supreme.
  2. Father - Highlights a close, personal relationship with believers, especially in prayer contexts.
  3. Heavenly Father - Emphasizes God's transcendence and nurturing nature.
  4. Lord - Denotes divine sovereignty and authority.
  5. Lord of the Harvest - Signifies God’s role in spiritual oversight and gathering.
  6. The Lord our God - Stresses a covenantal relationship and reverence.
  7. Jesus - The human name of Christ, central to the narrative, indicating "Yahweh saves."
  8. Emmanuel - "God with us," highlighting the incarnation and God’s intimate presence among humanity.
  9. Son of David - Links Jesus to the royal lineage, emphasizing His messianic role.
  10. Son of God - Affirms Jesus’ divine sonship and unique relationship with the Father.
  11. King of the Jews - Used during the Passion narrative to emphasize His messianic role.
  12. Rabbi (Teacher) - Recognizes Jesus’ authority in teaching and interpreting Jewish law.
  13. Christ - "The Anointed One," underscoring His role as the prophesied Messiah.
  14. Son of Man - Refers to Himself, particularly in contexts of His role in salvation history and as an eschatological judge.
  15. Master - Acknowledges Jesus' authoritative status, particularly among His disciples.
  16. The Bridegroom - Metaphorically describes Jesus' relationship with His followers and His kingdom.
  17. Teacher of Righteousness - Encompasses Jesus' role as a moral and spiritual instructor.
  18. Healer - Reflects His compassion and divine power through miracles of healing.
  19. Miracle Worker - Demonstrates His supernatural abilities and divine authority.
  20. Fulfiller of the Law - Indicates His role in continuing and completing Old Testament prophecies and laws.
  21. Judge - In eschatological contexts, Jesus is portrayed as the one who will judge humanity based on faith and actions.
  22. Light of the World - Implies Jesus’ role in illuminating spiritual truth, though more explicit in other Gospels.
  23. The Good Shepherd - Suggests Jesus' pastoral care, guiding and protecting His followers, primarily highlighted in other Gospels.
  24. Alpha and Omega - Represents Jesus' eternal nature and God's completeness, mainly found in Revelation but relevant for theological completeness.
  25. The Gate or The Door - While more direct in John, it indirectly encompasses Jesus' role as the pathway to salvation in Matthew.
  26. Redeemer - Central to Christian understanding of Jesus’ purpose in dying for the sins of humanity, integral to the New Testament narrative.
  27. Mediator - Refers to Jesus as the mediator between God and man, aligning with His intercessory role and His centrality in the New Covenant.

Wednesday, 17 April 2024

The Call of God

How do you know that you are entering into The Call of God.


Genesis 12: 1-3

12 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.


Call must have some symptom



1) An objective

Every calling comes by an encounter

Is there something that God wants to achieve something.

God will not do anything without a man and an objective



2) Location

The call must have a specific location
It can be family, ministry, nation, church.....

That calling must have a location - you have to stay and move where God gives you the location.


3) A Guarantee

There is a guarantee that God will bless you. He will provide when it is His Purpose and His Plan.


4) You will become a blessing

He will make you a blessing.


God can take care of you. He can take care of you when it is His will that you are doing.




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