Matthew 9-10

In Matthew 9 when Jesus saw their faith He said "take heart your sins are forgiven." This offended the teachers of the law and He knew their thoughts. He knows the attitude and intentions of our hearts and what He is able to do through us because of that. Many times we limit what God can and will do through our lives by our lack of trust in Him. "Get up, take your mat and go home." 7And the man got up and went home. 8When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men. (NIV) Are men praising God over what you are allowing God to accomplish in your life?

We then see God calling Matthew Jesus said "Follow me." Many times the message will be simple and the response is so important. If Matthew had hesitated it would have changed his whole destiny. He didn't hesitate and it did change his destiny and God used him mightily - a sinner! He could have chosen any religious leader. What has He been telling you to do? Follow Him and your whole life will change. 29"According to your faith will it be done to you" 30and their sight was restored.(NIV) What is God wanting to add to your life? We are to pray for workers - 37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

In Matthew 10 we see the Lord giving the 12 the authority to do the work before them. With the assignment comes the equipping. He told them "freely you have received, freely give." We are to share our Lord with others. We fear that. Jesus said "28Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell...42And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."(NIV)