Maya Hot Chocolate Recipe

Maya Hot Chocolate Recipe:

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup organic goat or cow milk (Almond or oat milk is a great substitute for vegans)
• 2 tbsp. raw cacao powder
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. ground chili pepper
• 1-2 tbsp. honey
• (Makes 1 serving)

PREPARATION

1. In a small mixing bowl, stir together cacao and spices.
2. Adding a small amount of the milk, whisk into a paste.
3. In a saucepan, heat remaining milk slowly over medium heat, making sure to remove just before boiling.
4. Slowly add the paste to the saucepan and simmer until slightly thickened.
5. Pour into a mug and add honey to desired sweetness.
6. Enjoy!

We make this soul-warming treat in my house all the time, and it's great for the winter months. Be careful though -- that raw cacao powder is powerful stuff. Don't prepare this energizing beverage if you're hoping to go to sleep in an hour!

The History of 'The First Noel'

ThoughtCo

Updated February 11, 2019

"Aujourd'hui le Roi des Cieux" is the French version of "The First Noel." The two are sung to the same tune, but the words are different. The translation given here is the literal translation of the Christmas carol "Aujourd'hui le Roi des Cieux."

The song has been covered by a variety of popular French artists, including Michaël, but the French version of "The First Noel" is most commonly sung today by a church and lay choirs. 

The History of 'The First Noel' 

"The First Noel" very likely began as a song that was passed along orally and sung in the streets outside of churches, since early Christian congregants participated little in the Catholic mass. The term Noël in the French version (Noel in English) apparently derives from a Latin word for news. Thus, the song is about a crier, in this case, an angel, spreading the good news that Jesus Christ (le Roi des Cieux) is born. 

Although thought to be a 18th-century English carol, the structure of "The First Noel" resembles that of medieval French epic poems, chansons de geste like La Chanson de Roland memorializing the Charlemagne legends; these poems were likewise not written down. The song was not transcribed until 1823 when it was published in London as part of an early anthology called Some Ancient Christmas Carols. The English title appears in The Cornish Songbook (1929), which could mean "The First Noel" originated in Cornwall, situated across the Channel from France. 

Christmas hymns, on the other hand, were written down as early as the 4th century A.D. in the form of Latin songs glorifying the concept of Jesus Christ as the son of God, an important element of orthodox Christian theology at the time. Many hymns were drawn, for instance, from the 12 long poems of the fourth-century Roman poet and jurist Aurelius Clemens Prudentius.

French Lyrics and English Translation

Here is the French version of "The First Noel" and the English translation:
Aujourd'hui le Roi des Cieux au milieu de la nuit
Voulut naître chez nous de la Vierge Marie
Pour sauver le genre humain, l'arracher au péché
Ramener au Seigneur ses enfants égarés.
Today the King of Heaven in the middle of the night
Was born on Earth of the Virgin Mary
To save the human race, pull it from sin
Return the Lord's lost children to him.
Noël, Noël, Noël, Noël

Jésus est né, chantons Noël !
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Jesus is born, let us sing Noel!
En ces lieux durant la nuit demeuraient les bergers
Qui gardaient leurs troupeaux dans les champs de Judée
Or, un ange du Seigneur apparut dans les cieux
Et la gloire de Dieu resplendit autour d'eux.
In these parts during the night stayed the shepherds
Who kept their flocks in Judea's fields
Now, an angel of the Lord appeared in the skies
And the glory of God glowed around them.
Refrain
Refrain
L'ange dit : « Ne craignez pas ; soyez tous dans la joie
Un Sauveur vous est né, c'est le Christ, votre Roi
Près d'ici, vous trouverez dans l'étable, couché
D'un lange emmailloté, un enfant nouveau-né ».
The angel said, "Do not fear; everyone be joyful
A Savior is born to you, it's Christ, your King
Nearby, you will find in the stable, put to bed
Wrapped up in a flannel blanket, a newborn child."
Refrain
Refrain

Aux armes, citoyens

Allons, enfants de la patrie,

Le jour de gloire est arrivé.

Contre nous, de la tyrannie,

L’étendard sanglant est levé; l’étendard

sanglant est levé.

Entendez-vous, dans les campagnes

Mugir ces féroces soldats?

Ils viennent jusque dans nos bras

Égorger nos fils, nos compagnes.

Aux armes, citoyens!

Formez vos bataillons,

Marchons, marchons!

Qu’un sang impur

Abreuve nos sillons.

Amour sacré de la Patrie,

Conduis, soutiens nos bras vengeurs.

Liberté, liberté chérie,

Combats avec tes défenseurs; combats

avec tes défenseurs.

Sous nos drapeaux, que la victoire

Accoure à tes mâles accents;

Que tes ennemis expirants

Voient ton triomphe et notre gloire!

Aux armes, citoyens! etc.

(Let us go, children of the fatherland,

Our day of glory has arrived.

Against us the bloody flag of tyranny

is raised; the bloody

flag is raised.

Do you hear in the countryside

The roar of those savage soldiers?

They come right into our arms

To cut the throats of our sons, our comrades.

To arms, citizens!

Form your battalions,

Let us march, let us march!

That their impure blood

Should water our fields.

Sacred love of the fatherland,

Guide and support our vengeful arms.

Liberty, beloved liberty,

Fight with your defenders; fight

with your defenders.

Under our flags, so that victory

Will rush to your manly strains;

That your dying enemies

Should see your triumph and glory!

To arms, citizens! etc.)

This article was most recently revised and updated by Michael Ray, Associate Editor.

How to really Pray? Study Guide!

Blog: My Unusual Road of Life....
by kerminator

** How to effectively Pray?

** Most people today are covetous (* having a craving for possessions), although few would use that word to describe their attitude. The proper way live in a positive fashion is to first Seek the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) then this provision will become a byproduct of our life, thus fulfilling God’s purpose for our existence. **

  ***  A Study on Matthew Chapter 6 :

Seek knowledge and it will be made the whole truth known unto you!

** Here is a study which will help set you on the right path both toward and thru the Kingdom of God!
====

Matthew 6:1

Note on Matthew 6:1

This is saying that the motives behind our actions are more important than the actions. This is the same point of 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. If the motive for our good works is the praise of men, then the little pat on the back that we get from people is all the reward we will get. We will miss out on God’s blessing.

Life For Today Study Bible Notes

Note 25 at Matthew 6:1: Jesus’ teaching on the giving of alms refers directly to money or goods given to the poor. However, the point He was making applies to all of our acts of righteousness. Our acts of love and charity should be done with the pure motive of blessing others.
If our hidden motive is to gain self-recognition, God will not reward us (this verse). The pat on the back that we gain from people will be all the reward that we get (Matthew 6:2), thus making the promise of Proverbs 19:17 of no effect.

Matthew 6:2

Note on Matthew 6:2

This is not hyperbole. The Pharisees actually had trumpets blown to attract people’s attention as they would give alms. They didn’t care at all for the people they were giving to. They were using those people to gain approval from those who watched. What hypocrisy! Jesus is saying that the type of good works has no reward from God.

Matthew 6:3

Note on Matthew 6:3

This is a hyperbole is, derived from a Greek word meaning “over-casting,” is a figure of speech that involves an exaggeration of ideas for the sake of emphasis.
(see my note at Matthew 6:2). This is simply stating that we should not do our good works for the praise of others. It is not always possible or necessary to keep our good deeds totally anonymous. But we should not seek praise from man. John 5:44 says, “How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from God only?”

Note the usage  at Matthew 6:3: “Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand does” is simply a metaphor used by Jesus to stress secrecy (Matthew 6:4). Of course, it is not possible to have one member of the body function independently of another (1 Corinthians 12:26), and so it is not always possible to conceal our alms. As stated in Matthew 6:1, it is not the fact that we do alms before men that is wrong, but rather that the motive is to be seen by men.

Matthew 6:4
Note on Matthew 6:4

God sees everything we do and doesn’t need to be informed of anything. If we seek His honor only, we will get it. And when the Lord rewards us, it will not be done secretly. It will be open in front of everyone.

Matthew 6:5

Note on Matthew 6:5

The little bit of admiration these hypocritical actions produce is all the benefit they will get from such prayers. God will not respond positively to such negative motives.

There is an amazing statement by Jesus is this verse: hypocrites love to pray. Many people feel that all prayer is good. That must not be so since hypocrites love to pray. There is right and wrong praying. Wrong praying can actually make the situation worse and contribute to spiritual pride or, as Jesus termed it, hypocrisy.

Matthew 6:6

Note on Matthew 6:6

This is not literally saying we have to pray in a closet. What if a person doesn’t have a closet?
There are hundreds of scriptural examples of people praying wherever they were. This is simply saying we should not pray for pure show. Our prayers should be sincerely addressed to our heavenly Father and not to the people who listen.


Note 27 at Matthew 6:6: Jesus was certainly not speaking against public prayer, as can be seen by His example (Luke 23:34; John 11:41-42, 12:26-30, and 17) and the examples of many other great men of God
(David - 1 Chronicles 29:10-19; Solomon - 2 Chronicles 6:12-7:1; Jehoshaphat - 2 Chronicles 20:5-13; Ezra - Ezra 9:4-10:1; Daniel - Daniel 6:10; the disciples - Acts 1:24, 4:23-30, 12:12, and 13:3; and Paul and Silas - Acts 16:25). He was simply stressing that our motivation behind prayer should not be to gain recognition from people (compare with note 26 at Matthew 6:3).

Matthew 6:7

Note on Matthew 6:7

This is forbidding the use of insincere words–specifically, repetitious words. The amount of time or words in prayer is not important. It is the sincere heart communication with the Lord that counts. Sometimes the best players are the shortest. “HELP!” is a good prayer. Today many standardized religious prayers fall into the category of prayer that Jesus was rebuking here.

Matthew 6:8

Note on Matthew 6:8

Prayer is not just an opportunity to inform the poor misinformed God of our needs. The Lord knows what we need better than we do. The Lord always creates the supply before we have the need. See my note at Genesis 1:26.

Matthew 6:9

Note on Matthew 6:9

This was never intended to be a prayer that we recite word for word. It is more appropriately a model prayer rather than the Lord’s prayer. It guides us into the different parts of prayer. As valid as the truths of this prayer are to us today, it is not an N.T. prayer. It is not prayed in the name of Jesus, taking advantage of His role as mediator.

The first thing we are to do is enter into God’s “gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto him and bless his name” (Psalms 100:4).
By referring to God as our Father, we are calling on His love, mercy, and grace. This reminds us that He is our Father, not our judge. As we magnify God, our problems shrink. Therefore, we should always take this approach with the Lord.

Note 28 at Matthew 6:9: The word “manner” is translated from the Greek adverb “HOUTO,” and it means “in this way” (Strong’s Concordance). It is different from the Greek noun “ETHOS” that is also translated “manner,” and it means “habit” or “custom” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary).
Some have adopted the reciting of this prayer and made it nothing more than custom or a “vain repetition,” which Jesus was teaching against. This prayer, commonly called the Lord’s Prayer, is more accurately called the model prayer. It was given as a model of what prayer should consist of.

First, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name” admonishes us to recognize our relationship with God and praise Him for it.

Second, Matthew 6:10 shows us to intercede for the furtherance of God’s kingdom in the hearts of people (Luke 17:21) and their affairs.

Third, Matthew 6:11 tells us to ask for our daily needs (John 16:24).

Fourth, Matthew 6:12 shows us to confess our sins (1 John 1:9) for the purpose of forgiveness and that we should also forgive others
(Mark 11:25-26).

Fifth, Matthew 6:13 says to resist the devil (James 4:7) by receiving God’s protection (Psalms 91).

Finally, the prayer should be ended with praise once again (Matthew 6:13), because if we ask, we receive (Matthew 7:7-8).


Note 29 at Matthew 6:9: Although God is referred to as Father twelve times in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 32:6; 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13, 22:10, 28:6; Psalms 68:5, 89:26; Isaiah 9:6, 63:16, 64:8; Jeremiah 31:9; and Malachi 2:10), Jesus’ frequent use of this title brought in a whole new understanding of our relationship with God.
Jesus referred to God as His Father over 150 times, and He spoke of God as being our Father 30 times. This infuriated the religious Jews of Jesus’ day who considered it blasphemy to call God their Father because they understood that to mean they were equal with God (John 5:17-18).


This title has become so common in the church today that many times, we don’t perceive its real significance. The revelation that we are instructed to call God our Father reveals the kind, gentle, loving nature of our God (1 John 4:8).
Paul amplified on this by using the term “Abba Father” (Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6), which is an affectionate term that young children would use for their fathers, corresponding to our term “daddy.” “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1).

Matthew 6:10


Note on Matthew 6:10

This is speaking of God’s power and authority. This is essential to remind ourselves that God can do anything. Then we pray that God’s will to be done on the earth even as it is in heaven. In heaven, everything is according to God’s will. So let it be on earth. There is no sickness in heaven, no sin, no poverty, no strife. That’s God’s will for this earth too.


Note 30 at Matthew 6:10: The word “kingdom” means “a political or territorial unit ruled by a sovereign.” When applied to God, it could refer to all creation, since “His kingdom rules over all” (Psalms 103:19), but “kingdom” more often applies to His rule in and through those who are submitted to Him. The parables of the kingdom in Matthew 13 are clearly referring to the church. 
Compared with Luke 17:21, we see that “The kingdom of God” more specifically refers to Christ living and ruling in our hearts. So, praying “thy kingdom come” is praying for the expansion and influence of God’s rule in the hearts of people everywhere and ultimately, the establishment of His physical kingdom here on earth at His second coming (Revelation 11:15 and 20:4).


The term “kingdom of heaven” is a term found thirty-three times in Matthew’s Gospel. By comparing Matthew 13:31 with Mark 4:30-31, it can be seen that the “kingdom of God” and the “kingdom of heaven” are identifying the same thing.


Note 31 at Matthew 6:10: God’s Word reveals (or is) His will (examples: 2 Peter 3:9 and 3 John 2). Praying for God’s will means praying in agreement with His Word (compare with Psalms 103:20 and 1 John 5:14-15).


Note 32 at Matthew 6:10: We do not have to live beggarly existences here on this earth and just wait till we all get to heaven to begin experiencing the benefits of our salvation. Jesus told us to pray “thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” In heaven, He will wipe away all tears from our eyes (Revelation 21:4), so here on earth we can pray and believe to receive “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8).
 Healing, prosperity, and all the other benefits of heaven are ours here on earth to the degree that we can believe and receive them.

Matthew 6:11

Note on Matthew 6:11

This is not a request. It’s a demand, albeit a loving demand. This is like a child coming to their Father for something to eat. What would you think of a child that had to beg for their food? That would be a reflection on the parent. Likewise, the way Christians see God as not inclined to provide their needs and therefore they beg God or try to manipulate Him is a terrible reflection on their lack of understanding. We should come boldly before His throne of GRACE to receive what we need.

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the word “ask” can mean “to expect or demand; to invite.” It’s in this sense that we are to ask for things from the Lord. He is already disposed to meet our needs. In fact, He already has (see my note at Genesis 1:26). But we have not because we ask not (James 4:2). Through faith, we have to place a demand on what God has already provided by grace (Ephesians 2:8).

If I told someone they could use my car tomorrow, then tomorrow they came up to me and asked “Can I use your car?” they could mean two totally different things by the exact same words. They could mean “Were you telling me the truth?
Can I really use your car?”
Or they could mean “I really believe you. You promised, and I’m here to receive what you promised. Let me use your car.” These are two totally different approaches, but both could speak the exact same words.

Predominately, the church takes the first approach.
They don’t really believe the promises of God, so they ask in unbelief, hoping that God will do something.
But the superior approach is to believe that God has already provided all we will ever need and come boldly (Hebrews 4:16) and appropriate by faith what God has already provided by grace (see my note at Ephesians 2:8).


Note 33 at Matthew 6:11: Notice that Jesus didn’t instruct us to pray for a year’s supply of bread. The Jews, whom God miraculously sustained for forty years in the wilderness by giving them angels’ food (Psalms 78:24-25) to eat, had to gather the manna every day. They could not gather more than one day’s supply at a time (except before the Sabbath) or it would rot (Exodus 16:19-21).
Exodus 16:4 says that the Lord gave them their bread daily to “prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.” The Lord desires for the just to live by faith (Galatians 3:11); that is, to make it a lifestyle, not just a once-in-a-while occurrence.

Matthew 6:12

Note on Matthew 6:12

Luke 11:4 records this same prayer and uses the word “sins” in place of the word “debts” that Matthew used here. Therefore, it is to be understood that this is speaking of our moral debts, or sins, against the Lord.

Notice the linkage between the way we forgive others and the way we are forgiven. See my note at Mark 11:25.

Matthew 6:13

Note on Matthew 6:13

This prayer starts with praise (“hallowed be thy name,” Matthew 6:9) and ends with praise. This is how we are to pray. By starting and ending our prayers with praise, it keeps us from falling into complaining.
It keeps us in faith.


Note 34 at Matthew 6:13: God is not the source of our temptation (James 1:13).
Satan is called the tempter (Matthew 4:3 and 1 Thessalonians 3:5).
So why did Jesus instruct us to pray that the Father would not lead us into temptation? This is simply a request for guidance so that we can be delivered from evil. The Father would no more lead us into temptation than He would withhold our daily bread. But, as stated in James 4:2, “you have not, because you ask not.”
Both “give us...our daily bread” and “lead us not into temptation” are simply requests for what has already been provided for us. This part of prayer serves as a reminder to us of God’s promised protection
(Psalms 91) and gives us an opportunity to release our faith and appropriate what has already been provided.

Matthew 6:14

Note on Matthew 6:14

See my note at Mark 11:25.

I believe Jesus is doing the same thing here that He did in Matthew 5:21-22. Jesus went beyond the commands of the Old Testament Law to increase the transgression and take away any hope of earning right standing with God based on performance (see my notes at Philippians 3:9 and Romans 7:13).
This isn’t saying that a person with unforgiveness in their heart cannot be saved. They can if they repent and receive forgiveness.

Matthew 6:16

Note on Matthew 6:16

Just as Jesus said about prayer (Matthew 6:5), hypocrites love to fast. Therefore, it is the motive of the heart, and not the action itself, that is important (see my note at 1 Corinthians 13:3).

The reward that hypocritical fasting has is the recognition they get from other people. They don’t have any reward from God.

Matthew 6:17

Note on Matthew 6:17

This is simply saying we should groom ourselves as normal so there will not be an outward indication of our fast.

Note 35 at Matthew 6:17: It was a Jewish custom to anoint oneself with olive oil (Deuteronomy 28:40, Ruth 3:3, 2 Samuel 12:20, and 2 Chronicles 28:15), and in Jesus’ day, it was apparently customary to anoint the heads of your guests also (Luke 7:46).
Sometimes ointment or perfumes were used in this personal anointing (Amos 6:6, Luke 7:38, and John 12:3). A lack of having one’s head anointed was associated with mourning or sorrow (2 Samuel 14:2 and Daniel 10:3). Therefore, in this verse, Jesus was saying that there should be no external sign of fasting or sorrow, but it should be done secretly to the Lord to receive a full reward.

Paul stated in
1 Corinthians 7:5 that abstinence from the physical relationship in marriage for the purpose of fasting should not be done without the consent of your mate.

Therefore, it can be concluded that a fast does not always have to be totally secretive to be productive.
Rather, Jesus was once again dealing with the motives behind the actions. The fast must be directed toward God and not man. Compare with the motives spoken of in notes 25-26 at Matthew 6:1 and 3.

Matthew 6:18
Note on Matthew 6:18

If our fast is in secret to God, He rewards us openly. If our fast is to impress people, we aren’t rewarded by God. It all depends on who we are trying to impress.
Matthew 6:19

Note on Matthew 6:19

The Greek for this phrase “lay not up” is literally “THESAURIZO ME THESAURIZO.” THESAURIZO means “to amass or reserve (literally or figuratively)” (Strong’s Concordance).
The word ME means “a primary particle of qualified negation” (Strong’s Concordance).
This means this command to not lay up treasure for ourselves is not absolute. 
In fact, there are scriptures that enjoin us to lay up treasures for ourselves and offspring.
2 Corinthians 12:14 says, “For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.” How could the Lord bless our store if we never store anything up
(Deuteronomy 28:5)? We cannot leave an inheritance for our grandchildren if we never save anything.

How does Jesus’s statement here square with commands given to us to leave an inheritance for our children’s children? Proverbs 13:22 says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.” The answer is that it is not laying up treasure for ourselves. That’s laying up treasure for our children and grandchildren. I think this could be expanded to say that prosperity so that we can bless others or the kingdom of God is not a violation of this verse.


Note 36 at Matthew 6:19:
If isolated from the rest of God’s Word, there are some scriptures that could be interpreted to say that having money or wealth is wrong (Psalms 37:16; Proverbs 10:2, 11:4, 28, 13:7, 15:16-17, 16:8, 23:4-5, 28:8, 20, 22, 30:8-9; Ecclesiastes 5:10-15; Jeremiah 9:23;
 Matthew 6:19-34, 13:22, 19:23-24;
Luke 12:15-21; 1 Timothy 6:4-11, and 17-19).
However, there are other scriptures that speak of riches as a blessing
(Genesis 13:2, 6, 24:35; Deuteronomy 8:18, 28:1-14; 1 Kings 3:11-13, 10:21-23; 2 Kings 20:13; 1 Chronicles 29:11-12; Job 1:3; Psalms 112:3; Proverbs 3:13-16, 8:1, 18, 21, 21:20; Matthew 6:33; Mark 10:28-30; 2 Corinthians 8:9; and 3 John 2).


The harmony between these two apparently opposite positions is that money is neither good nor bad. It is the love of money that is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10), and many have committed that sin who don’t have a dime.
The love of things (covetousness) is idolatry and that is what Jesus was addressing.


Jesus gave this same teaching another time, recorded in Luke 12:22-32. His teaching in Luke (which is nearly word for word the same as here in Matthew 6) was in response to a man who asked Jesus to arbitrate the dividing of his family’s inheritance.
Jesus warned the man concerning covetousness, taught a parable about the rich fool, and then spoke of seeking first the kingdom of God. Through this, it is easy to see that Jesus was not speaking against riches but rather covetousness.

Because it is so easy to lust after money and the things it can provide, the Lord established a system whereby prosperity is a byproduct of putting God first. As Matthew 6:33 states, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” We should no more reject the blessing of prosperity that we should covet it, which would be idolatry.

Matthew 6:20
Note on Matthew 6:20

This makes it very clear that we can store up treasures in heaven. We can’t take any monetary wealth with us to heaven, but we can send it on ahead of us not in cash but through turning it into something non-perishable. Jesus said that giving to the poor was laying up treasure in heaven (Matthew 19:21 and Luke 12:33). We can use the money to impact people’s lives with the Gospel, and then they will welcome us into heaven (Luke 16:9).

Note 37 at Matthew 6:20: We can’t take it (money) with us (to heaven), but we can send it on before us. Matthew 19:21 says that through giving to the poor, we are laying up treasure in heaven. Compare with Proverbs 19:17.

Matthew 6:21
Note on Matthew 6:21

It’s very interesting that Jesus didn’t say, “Where your heart is, there will your treasure be also.” But Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” We can use the money to direct our hearts towards God and the things of God. Our hearts will go where our greatest investment has already gone.

Note 38 at Matthew 6:21: The reason for not laying up treasures on this earth is so that we will not have our hearts drawn away from the things of God (Mark 4:19). A key to success in the kingdom of God is singleness of purpose (Proverbs 23:7; Philippians 3:13, and 4:8). We don’t have the capacity to do our best in two areas at the same time (Matthew 6:24 and James 3:1-2). Therefore, if we will simply put God and His kingdom first in every area of our lives, He will add unto us all the wealth that we need (Matthew 6:33). “The blessing of the LORD, it makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22).
 It’s when we covet after money that we pierce ourselves through with many sorrows (1 Timothy 6:10).

Matthew 6:22
Note on Matthew 6:22

The context of this verse is speaking of money. The reason Jesus makes the statements in this verse is to illustrate how we cannot be occupied with money and the kingdom at the same time. If we will seek first the kingdom of God, then money will be added unto us supernaturally by God. But if we seek money first, it will turn our hearts away from the Lord. Our eye, or focus or attention, has to be single upon the Lord.


Note 39 at Matthew 6:22: Jesus was speaking of spiritual vision. If we keep our attention (eye) single upon Jesus, the Word (John 1:1 and 14), then all that we will be filled with is the light of His Word (Psalms 119:105). The key to victory is this singleness of purpose (Philippians 3:13). The strength of the laser lies in the fact that all of the light is concentrated on one single point. Likewise, the strength of Christians lies in how single our vision is upon Jesus, the Author, and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-3).

Matthew 6:23

Note on Matthew 6:23

Matthew 6:22 speaks of being single in our vision. Here, Jesus contrasted that singleness of purpose and vision with what He calls an evil eye. Therefore, we conclude that an evil eye is anything that is not single upon the Lord, or as Proverbs 28:22 says, “He that has to be rich has an evil eye, and considers not that poverty shall come upon him.”
We should seek first the kingdom of God, and all the things we need will be added unto us (Matthew 6:33).


Note 40 at Matthew 6:23: Jesus was contrasting an evil eye with the single eye just mentioned (Matthew 6:22). An evil eye is simply when we allow our thoughts to be anything less than single upon Jesus (James 1:8).


Note 41 at Matthew 6:23: As light is symbolic of God and His kingdom (Isaiah 9:2; John 1:4-9, 8:12; and 1 John 1:5),
 so darkness symbolizes Satan and his kingdom (John 1:5, 3:19; Romans 13:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 John 1:6, and 2:11).
 Not having our minds stayed on Jesus gives Satan an inroad into our lives (Romans 8:6). If we are setting our affections on things of this earth (Colossians 3:1-4), then Satan and the unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11) will dominate us.

Matthew 6:24
Note on Matthew 6:24

The Message translated this verse as “You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both.”

The passages in Luke where the word “mammon” is used clearly refer to money (Luke 16:9 and 11). We can’t serve God and money at the same time. Hence the instructions of these verses. Barnes Notes on the New Testament says, “Mammon is a Syriac word, a name given to an idol worshiped as the god of riches. It has the same meaning as Plutus among the Greeks. It is not known that the Jews ever formally worshiped this idol, but they used the word to denote wealth. The meaning is, you cannot serve the true God, and at the same time be supremely engaged in obtaining the riches of this world.
One must and will interfere with the other.”
Colossians says that covetousness is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). 
The American Heritage Dictionary defines “covet” as “to feel strong or immoderate desire (for that which is another’s).”
Most people today are covetous, although few would use that word to describe their attitude. The proper way is to seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) and then the provision will come as a byproduct of us fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives (see my note at Revelation 4:11).


Note 42 at Matthew 6:24: You can have God and riches, but you must only serve one of them.

Matthew 6:25

Note on Matthew 6:25

Notice the use of the word “therefore.” This is saying the arguments of this verse and the ones following are the results of what he had just said. He was not talking about laying up treasures on earth (Matthew 6:19) but putting all our treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20) because our hearts will be where our treasures are (Matthew 6:21). If our attention is on money, our hearts become dark. We have to have a single focus upon God (Matthew 6:22-23). We can’t be slaves to money and God at the same time (Matthew 6:24).

The carnal mind would say, “Then how can I survive if I’m focused on God instead of meeting my needs?”
Jesus pointed us to examples in nature of how God provides for His creation and concluded with the truth that we are much more valuable to God than birds or lilies. Therefore, God will take care of us when we put Him first
(Matthew 6:33).

The last phrase of this verse makes a very profound statement that most people haven’t come to realize. People’s lives consist of more than food and raiment. The intangible matters of the heart are much more important than the tangible things they need to survive (Proverbs 4:23). Yet people’s obsession with carnal things screams that they don’t know this truth.
Note 43 at Matthew 6:25: The Greek word used here for “thought” is “MERIMNAO” and denotes “to be anxious about” (Strong’s Concordance) (example: 1 Samuel 9:5).
In this account (Matthew 6:25-34), as well as the same account found in Luke 12:22-32, Jesus was commanding us not to worry or be anxious about our material needs being met.
It would not be possible to not have any thoughts whatsoever about our physical needs. Even Jesus thought about His need for money to pay taxes (Matthew 17:24-27). We are simply not to be occupied with thinking about riches or spend time worrying about our necessities. They will be added unto us as we seek first the kingdom of God.

Matthew 6:26

Note on Matthew 6:26

Did you read in the paper where thousands of birds were found dead in the streets of your town because they had starved to death? NO, and you never will! God takes responsibility for feeding the birds. They don’t have to practice the laws of sowing and reaping; God just takes care of them. If the Lord does this for birds, how much more will He do this for us? We don’t have to serve money. If we just serve God and do as He leads, the money we need will be there.
Notice that the Lord said people are much better than birds. This doesn’t mean people should mistreat birds. Proverbs 12:10 shows that godly people treat animals well. This new morality, though, where people go to great lengths to save endangered animals while killing unborn humans is total hypocrisy.
Matthew 6:27

Note on Matthew 6:27

We cannot make ourselves taller by worrying about it. We just grow; we don’t know how. Our height isn’t determined by how tall we desire to be. It just happens. We eat, we exercise, and we just grow. Likewise, we should just seek the Lord and His kingdom first, and God will open the doors and provide the opportunities we need to prosper.

Matthew 6:28

Note on Matthew 6:28

Flowers don’t clothe themselves. They don’t weave material or go shopping. They are clothed by God, and their attire is greater than even what the richest person on earth wears. If God bestows such beauty on a flower, which only lasts a few months and then is destroyed, how much more will the Lord take care of clothing us?
Just like the lily, if God clothes us, it won’t be shabby. It will be beautiful.

Matthew 6:29

Note on Matthew 6:29

There are people who would differ with this assessment, yet God’s opinion is the only one that really matters. In God’s eye, a lily is more beautiful than anything man can create. 
Dear God, help me to see as You see.
Matthew 6:30

Note on Matthew 6:30

Those who do not see God as their source but think they have to provide for themselves have little faith. Trusting God in our finances is the least demand on faith (Luke 16:10). If we can’t do that which is least, we are deceiving ourselves to think we can do the greater.

Matthew 6:31

Note on Matthew 6:31

Anxious thoughts will come. As Kenneth Hagin said, “We can’t keep a bird from flying overhead, but we can keep a bird from lighting in our hair and making a nest there.”
The way we keep these anxious thoughts from becoming our thoughts is that we never voice these fears. You take thoughts or make them your own by saying them.
Note 44 at Matthew 6:31: The way we take or receive anxious thoughts is by speaking them. Doubtful thoughts will come, but it is not sinning until we entertain them (see note 17 at Matthew 5:28). According to this verse, speaking forth these thoughts is one way of entertaining them. Therefore, don’t speak forth these negative thoughts
(compare with Proverbs 6:2, 13:3, 18:20-21; and Matthew 12:36-37).

Matthew 6:32

Note on Matthew 6:32

Most people are consumed with worry about how they will make ends meet. Born-again people should not be that way.

You may then ask, “If I’m not consumed with these things, who will be?”
The answer is that God knows what you need better than you do. If you would seek Him first in your life, God will take care of your prosperity.
Notice that this verse switches from speaking about what you think to use the word “seek.”
Jesus was using these terms interchangeably. Keeping your mind on the right things is equal to seeking the Lord. Therefore, you can’t really be seeking the Lord without keeping your mind stayed on Him.

Note 45 at Matthew 6:32: Technically, a Gentile is anyone who is not a Jew.
 The term came to be also synonymous with “heathen” or “pagan” since all Gentiles were “strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12), and it is used in that sense here.

Matthew 6:33

Note on Matthew 6:33

What are the “things” Jesus is speaking about?
They are the things listed in the previous verses. Specifically, the Lord said what we need to eat, where we sleep, and what we are clothed with will all be taken care of by God if we will seek first and foremost the Lord and His righteousness. If we put God first in our lives, God will supernaturally take care of our needs.

When God starts supplying our needs, He will do it better than we ever could.

God is El Shaddai, not El Cheapo.
 He paves His streets with pure gold, and He makes His gates out of pearls (Revelation 21:21). God is extravagant. When He starts being our provider, His supply will be extravagant.
If we aren’t tempted to be embarrassed at God’s abundant provision, then we haven’t fully tapped into His supply.

Notice the use of the word “first.” This is speaking of priorities. We have to focus some of our attention on earthly things, but they should never be our priority. God and His kingdom should always come first in our priorities, and when they are, He supernaturally takes care of all the natural things we need.
Matthew 6:34

Note on Matthew 6:34

This is speaking of anxious thoughts or worries. The NIV translates this, 
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow...”
** Study is From: Life For Today Study Bible Notes
Andrew Wommack's Living Commentary.

Knowing who you are

Knowing Who We Are

January 23

Matthew 4:3, 'And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.'

MT. 4:1-11; MK. 1:12-13; LK. 4:1-13

Two of Satan's three temptations began with the words, 'If you be the Son of God.'
Jesus was God, but he did have a human body that had to grow in the knowledge and wisdom of God (Jn. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:16; Lk. 2:52). It took faith for the physical mind of Jesus to believe the witness of the Spirit within Him that he was the Messiah. Satan was attacking the most basic of His beliefs. This must have been a temptation to Jesus or Satan would not have used it.

Satan is very subtle in his temptations. It may have looked like he was trying to get Jesus to perform a miracle, but he was actually trying to make Jesus waiver in His faith of who He was. He tried to get Jesus to draw on the supernatural power of God to confirm it to the devil and Himself.

Unlike Jesus, we sometimes fall for this trick of the devil. We may say that we are arguing for some truth of the gospel, but many times we are hoping to convince ourselves. Someone who really knows who they are and what they believe doesn't have to prove anything to anyone.

Isaiah 30:15 says, 'For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength...'

 Let the Lord build your confidence in who you are in Christ.

Who are you? 

AWMI.net

When 6 Months that led to Eternity!

The Ministry Of John The Baptist

January 21

Matthew 3:1,

 'In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea.'

MT. 3:1-12; MK. 1:1-8; LK. 3:1-18

These scriptures record the ministry of John the Baptist. He spent thirty years in the deserts of Judaea preparing for this ministry. Then it only lasted about six months before He baptized Jesus and men started following the Messiah. Yet in those brief six months, He turned an entire nation to God.

He did not take the normal approach and go where the people were. He was out in the wilderness and the people came to him. He had no advertisements other than the testimonies of those who had heard him. He wasn't a flashy evangelist wearing the latest styles of the day. He didn't do anything the way the religious leaders taught it was supposed to be done in their seminaries, yet it worked.
In six short months, an entire nation was stirred in anticipation of their Messiah through a man who was not 'normal.'

One of the things that keep many of us from being used by God is our 'herd instinct.' We are so afraid of what someone else will think. We try to be like everyone else and then we wonder why we are getting the same results as everyone else. That's not smart.

John was completely yielded to the Holy Spirit and he succeeded against all the odds.
 Dare to follow the Holy Spirit, even against the crowd, and you will get supernatural results, too!

The generation which sees the Lord come back?

Spiritual Warfare

January 18

MATTHEW 2:16, 'Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.'

MATTHEW 2:16-23

Satan was the real motivator of Herod's actions. Ever since the Lord first prophesied that a man would bruise his head, Satan has been seeking out this 'seed' of the woman (Gen. 3:15).

It appears that Satan is able to perceive when the Lord is making a major move on the earth. In the days of Moses, Satan moved Pharaoh to kill all the male children of the Israelite slaves, and here he motivates Herod to kill all the male children in Bethlehem. No doubt he was seeking to eliminate this 'seed' who was going to bruise his head?

Once again, we see children being slaughtered today. This time it's through abortion. Our youth are also being attacked in unprecedented ways. Is it possible that Satan thinks this is the generation that is to bring in the second return of the Lord? Is he, in desperation, trying to stay off his doom by destroying this generation?

We need to have enough spiritual perception to recognize that just as in the days of Moses and Jesus, this slaughter of the innocent children today is an indication of an even more important struggle in the spiritual realm. We might be the generation that sees the Lord come back.
 Praise the Lord!

Don't be a crowd pleaser - be a true thinker!

 Do not just be a crowd pleaser! 

“If you learn something worthwhile, and you learn it well, your brain changes.”  

The act of going about and learning something new can change your brain and thus change the way you process things, which will change the way you actually, see the world in a more improved way!

The problem many people have is they get tangled up in the " Popular and Trending " things of the world and seldom learn how to use their God Given Intelligence! This is such a waste and leads to a very narrow limited life of following and never becoming the person they could be! This is how you get a large group of limited thinkers who tend to just go from one shallow entertaining ideas and provocative stories and actions!

Why? 
Mainly because they do not exercise their brain with useful and fulfilling thoughts which could lead to an improved life! If you only dwell upon the small and narrow things in life - where is you thought chain? 
This is part of the question we will discuss and present in this section of the blog!

** This is where I have learned to use a more exhilarating method both to exercise my brain and to build and support better thoughts!  

=====

One thing I learned as I grew up was to take special notice of the world around me. This includes observing even many minor things that most people tend to overlook! like the weather and how different people reacted to it, then taking a general overview of the moods and topics I witnessed.
Because there is a magnitude of things going on around you - which you should become aware of or otherwise, you lose opportunities to see and memorize even small things that will add to your brainpower! Your mental powers were meant to help you make decisions and learn how to adapt and interact with the world!

Some will stop here and say that it is a waste of time! Yet many of these will also not have much depth of thought in their brains -because they only follow the crowd! Here is where many people spend their time and thoughts on small and mundane things! It is not that you can always have some special form of superior thinking - rather it is the knowledge which you pick up and learn to use that will set you apart from the crowd-pleasers! It will help build a history of interrelated things which will help you put together new ideas later! 

The secret is to take notice of the happening around you or whenever you read or hear of new and different things! This is the key: learn to seek and notice so you can remember much of what goes on around you! Not every detail but an overview and keen interest as to what you have seen or heard! It is more like saving money or some other rare and important commodities in life! Take time to put these away in your mind for later uses. 

Because unless Jimmie or Jane do not start remembering things which will help to improve their lives, they fall into a lack of willpower and continue to follow the hell-bent ways of the world. Such limited and self-centered thinking leads to loss! If you do not believe me, read history and note how it has worked to the ruination of both people and nations over the centuries, wars, pestilence and famine!  All of which could have prevented because the world can easily support every human in each generation who ever lived upon the earth! 

We will start looking at some ways to help make your brain function better plus help make you a better person! Seek the person God made you to be, not the corraled group of pleasure-seekers!










   

How we spend our time shows where our heart is!

Today, let's please our Heavenly Father and acknowledge His presence in faith just because of His promise (Mt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5). 

Do you ever take time to consider who or what you are in this earthly existence?

Matthew 6:33

What was the first of the Seven Laws of Success? Set the right goal!
 Jesus clearly established the highest-priority goal for His disciples in this verse. He did this because He knows that the main goal, our highest priority determines the preparations, efforts, and zeal for reaching it.
Suppose someone offered us a tremendous sum of money, perhaps billions of dollars, but the exact amount would be determined by how well we could learn to speak German in two month's time. We would embark on the most intense crash-course program of learning in our life! We would study from morning to night, burn the midnight oil, listen to language tapes, carry flashcards wherever we went, and seek out fluent German-speakers so we could practice with them.
During those two months, no one could drag us near a time-wasting television program. We would probably allow nothing to interfere other than necessary physical activities to sustain life itself. All for the money!
Notice what Jesus says earlier in Matthew 6:

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (verses 19-21)

Consider these scriptures in the context of what Jesus says in verse 33. Our hearts are in the things to which we devote ourselves, the things we spend our time pursuing it. He is helping us prioritize by stating and illustrating principles that will help us make the right choices in managing time.

Every day another 24 hours or 1,440 minutes or 86,400 seconds is credited to our account, and we have to spend them. Whether we are a billionaire or a dirt farmer, except for those who die that day, all have the same amount of time. Jesus says how we spend it shows where our heart is.

Of course, Bible Study and prayer are very high priority activities. But Satan also knows this! He also knows it would be very difficult to change our minds regarding their value if he confronted us directly. So he makes use of subtle, indirect approaches, and all too often he succeeds in diverting our attention from these high priority concerns.

John W. Ritenbaugh
Simplify Your Life!