Matthew 16:5-12
5 And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 They began to discuss this among themselves, saying, “He said that because we did not bring any bread.” 8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets full you picked up? 10 Or the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many large baskets full you picked up? 11 How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. - Matthew 16:5-12
Dear Jesus,
How easily I let my earthly limitations capture my heart. I worry about having enough money, about having the right opportunities, about getting the most success from my daily endeavours, when all the while you are concerned about the spiritual enlightenment of my soul and the safety of my heart in the pure gospel. So, here I see you warning the disciples about the worldly teaching among religious leaders called Sadducees and Pharisees while the disciples are preoccupied with the food that they don't have for the next few days. You have my attention Jesus, I will be on guard against the Sadducee-ic mind that denies the miraculous and supernatural and in liberality makes all things permissible as long as you can rationalize it away. I will also watch out for the Pharisaic mind that focuses on outward behavior and dead formalism. Instead, I will listen to you and your penetrating words that lead me to repent of selfishness and cling to grace and forgiveness for peace of mind each and every day. I will concentrate on trusting in you for daily bread instead of my plans and successes. I will focus on loving my neighbor instead of building my own nest. I will rest at night knowing you will take care of the world while I sleep.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
Only the teaching where God is all in all, can suffice a human craving for truth.
Additional Reading: Psalm 27
Matthew 15:1-20
Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” 3 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ 5 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ 6 they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 8 “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain their teachings are merely human rules.’”
10 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. 11 What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” 12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”13 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” 15 Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.” - Matthew 15:1-20
Dear Jesus,
Rescue me today from petty externalism that makes me justify myself and judge others based on behaviors. Help me bite my tongue in the home so I don't harp on everyone about changing their actions in order to make my life perfectly ordered the way I want it. Give me a sober introspection that helps me see the evil lurking in my motives deep in my heart. Come into my inner person and cleanse and rearrange my heart so I am more inwardly ordered than externally organized. Then, make me a champion of grace who helps other people get free from their sinful natures' control through a growing love of God for his mercy. Oh Jesus, help us be grace filled people this year!
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
Don't avoid inner cleansing through busyness about outer neatness.
Additional Reading: Romans 14, Galatians 5
Matthew 1:18-21
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” - Matthew 1:18-21
Dear Heavenly Father,
I can relate to Joseph and how hard it was for him to believe Mary at first. People just don't get pregnant without physical relations. I'm moved by his desire to protect her reputation the best that he could even though he was deeply hurt (as he thought) by her. It shows that his righteousness by faith expressed itself in love. How often I think that righteousness expresses it's hurt in anger, but it doesn't. Help me to be like Joseph when I'm hurt by others. Help me to love them and protect their reputation instead of getting even through retaliation and gossip. How relieved Joseph must have been when your angel visited him with the truth. Thank you for giving Jesus two wonderful parents to help him save humanity by providing him a loving believer's home. Help me be that kind of home for your Son too, so he can reach my neighbors through me.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
Rearing Jesus for us rocked Mary and Joseph's world. Don't be surprised when God rocks your world to help you reach others for him.
Additional Reading: Luke 1
Matthew 14:1-12
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet. 6 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much 7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10 and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. - Matthew 14:1-12
Dear Jesus,
What treachery! Your cousin was killed for telling the truth to a man for his own eternal good. He was killed because that man was a coward. He was killed because that immoral woman was a hater. He was killed because he had to decrease while you increased. It makes my head swim. Both he and you are my example to speak the truth in love even if it angers people. They have to know their sin and their need for you. Help me find courage to stand up for your morals and your exclusive grace even though I live in a country where it's a social sin to call anything but being mean, wrong. Help me keep my head clear and heart willing to help lead lost souls toward you with peaceful but honest confrontation when it is appropriate. Help us all Lord Jesus!
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
It's not a bad thing to call a bad thing, bad.
Additional Reading: Psalm 119, Proverbs 29:1
1 John 1:7
If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. – 1 John 1:7
Dear Jesus,
I long to have close, personal fellowship with the people around me, but sometimes it seems so hard to achieve. Yet, You promise that as I learn to walk in the light of your truth and love, and the people around me do to, then I will have rich personal fellowship with them, the way You always intended people to have. Help us to walk in your light, so we can enjoy close relationships. Help us live honestly, humbly, and comforted by grace that covers all sins. Drive out all criticism and judgmental-ness, so I welcome people with open arms. All of this so we can be close to You and one another and enjoy what the world hasn’t got a clue about.
Amen.
Being close to God and others is an achievement of grace, not rules.
Additional Reading: 1 Peter 1:22-2:3
Matthew 13:22-23
“The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.””
Matthew 13:22-23
Dear Jesus,
You have planted the word in my heart. It brings me peace, power to live well and love to change the world. It has born fruit in me and through me. I have a full life because of it. But honesty makes me admit that I let the thorns of worldly ambition and the anxieties of this life choke out the word sometimes. I get so caught up trying to be God and make everything happen that I forget your word that reminds me that you can handle the big stuff. In those times the word of life gets choked out in me. I love your parable. It shows what is happening and gives me the direction to repent, regroup and restore the soil of my heart to receive your word as my greatest treasure again. Thank you for this simple, sticky parable.
Amen
God’s word works to make our lives fruitful. Stop eating the worlds junk food.
Additional Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1
Matthew 12:38-45
38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” 39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here. - Matthew 12:38-45
Dear Jesus,
Your death and resurrection out of perfect love for my soul is enough for me. Far be it from me to ever demand a sign "greater" than that. There is none. I know you are the perfect God, because you are honest with me about my need, but at the same time you fill it. I cannot understand how you could be dead and then come back to life. But more than that, I cannot understand how you have given up your life for mine, sinner that I am. I believe it with all my heart. It gives me peace and joy. Thanks for making my life worth so much.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
Don't let any criticism touch your value. Jesus has established your worth for you.
Additional Reading: 1 Corinthians 15
Matthew 12:30-32
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. - Matthew 12:30-32
Dear Jesus,
Your words make me shudder. I wonder if I have committed the unpardonable sin. Then I remember that you are talking about a continual rejection of your Holy Spirit and his word. The fear I have of sinning against him is your desired effect. I do believe that I am a lost sinner without you. I do accept you as my Lord and Savior. I realize now that this is the mark of responding correctly to the Holy Spirit's greatest work, creating and sustaining faith. Now, since I am at peace with you, come and help me today to speak in ways that honor you and show love for others, to help those who are needing it and to be joyful in hope. I am gathered with you on your team. Help me to wear the uniform with pride.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
If you are afraid of committing the unpardonable sin, you haven't.
Matthew 12:9-14
9 Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, 10 and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” 11 He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. - Matthew 12:9-14
Dear Jesus,
The Jewish leaders had just confronted you out of envy. They overlooked your mercy. They refused to recognize you as their Savior too. You could have and should have walked the other way. But you didn't. You went straight into their synagogue and relentlessly loved them and other people in front of them. You healed that man's hand without any work. You reminded them that they would do the same if they were not beset by jealousy. You kept on loving and you knew full well it was setting up your death. They began to plot how to kill you. I'm blown away by such bold love. I want to have that love too. I know I'm not the famous healer meeting resistance because of envy, but I have resistance to my ministry to others at times. I'm prone to give up way too early. Help me not do that. Make me love beyond the limits set by the hard hearted sinners I'm trying to love. Make me forgiving and giving toward them in your name and for your glory.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
Learn not to care if people criticize you for how much you care for them and you will live an impactful life.
Additional Reading: Romans 12, 1 John 4 and 5
Matthew 12:1-8
At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. 2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”3 He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. 5 Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? 6 I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. 7 If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” - Matthew 12:1-8
Dear Jesus,
You and your heavenly Father created the Sabbath for people to find rest in you. You never intended for it to prevent people from getting what they needed to sustain body and life. In the same way you have blessed the rhythm of regular worship at local churches to sustain the souls of people. You never intended that church attendance would be the measure of true righteousness. Help me to see in the way you enlightened the Pharisees about their dead formalism, an insight for my own superficial judgements. Give me a deeper understanding of how your statement regarding mercy, "I desire mercy and not sacrifice" informs my thinking about everything done around my church. Make all of us a grace filled, grace producing, grace relieving people.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
If you do not understand grace, you will never understand how to speak to people for God.
Additional Reading: Galatians 5 and 6
Matthew 11:25-27
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
Matthew 11:25-27
Dear Jesus,
I love it that you have made the gospel so simple that every human being can grasp it. You love us so much that you forgave us all. You paid the debt that we owe. You promise blessing in this life, the Holy Spirit to help us grow and heaven forever in body and soul. People don’t have to be smart or special to receive this. Thank you for choosing to reveal your truth to a plain sinner like me. I love you for it. I will seek to love you today by the way I live.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
God did not create the gospel for smart or good people alone. He created it for all people.
Additional Reading: Isaiah 55, Micah 6:8
Matthew 11:7-10
7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ - Matthew 11:7-10
Dear Jesus,
Oh how you wanted to define who John the Baptist was! You were not worried about his own sense of value. But rather, you wanted to make sure that everyone knew he was God's man preaching an unrelenting message. You wanted them to see him as the fulfillment of Scripture. Isaiah and Malachi both talked about him. He was your messenger preparing your people to find you. It had all been foretold. People just needed to realize it. It's grace that made you so careful to define John and his ministry. I feel stronger in faith knowing that John the Baptist and his ministry were foretold just as you were. Thank you for prophesying about John and then for creating and sustaining him so that all people could be saved by you. Help me to speak about you with more confidence because I know more about John's ministry and its place in your heart.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
Jesus needed John the Baptist to help him save us. Now he needs us to help him save others.
Additional Reading: Matthew 3 and 28:18-20
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. - John 15:13
Dear Jesus,
I know there are droves of men and women who join the armed services as mercenaries who live to fight. But as many more joined up out of the same motives you had when you came to earth and spoke these words the night before you laid it all on the battlefield for us. They served in the military of the United States of America to protect their family, friends and fellow Americans from tyrants and the enemies of justice and freedom. On this special day I thank you for creating and sustaining people like this who have secured for my family and me a peaceful and tranquil life where I can worship freely, preach energetically, travel without interruption and pursue opportunities not known in most of your world. These folks are a gift from you. Today help veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much for so many, to feel their worth and comprehend the gratitude that the rest of us have for them. Give them the honor they are due that will combat their feelings of chaos and worthlessness that war can ravage on a soul. Make them understand that their sacrifices are not spent in vain on us who respect their heartfelt gift. Protect their hearts from foolish despair.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
If your biggest earthly concerns today are your job, family, education and faith, you have a veteran to thank for the freedom and safety that allows for it.
Additional Reading: Romans 13
Matthew 9:16-17
“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17 Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” - Matthew 9:16-17
Dear Jesus,
John the Baptist's disciples asked you why your disciples didn't fast twice a week as they did. You told them it was because fasting was for more difficult times than what your disciples were experiencing. Your presence filled them with joy. Oh, how you are bigger than life! Harder times did come for your disciples after you left. Then they fasted but not the way the Pharisees did. Instead, they sought your will in prayer and fasting. They did not fast to earn your favor. After you taught about fasting you used these two powerful illustrations (unshrunk cloth and new wine) to describe how incompatible your gospel is with religion built on moralism and laws. You cannot try to fit your good news about all sins forgiven into a system of religious ceremonialism. I'm thankful that you have graciously chosen me to learn about grace. I'm forgiven of all my sins, free from all laws and happy to live a life of love toward you and all people. I have a renewed desire to live well that I never got from rules. Help me to live a good life today not because I must but because I love to.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
Living for God is a no brainer when you know he lives for you.
Additional Reading: Galatians 3,4,5
Matthew 9:10-13
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” - Matthew 9:10-13
Dear Jesus,
You did life with everyone. You did not discriminate. Love does that. It reaches out to all. I know why you did that too. You came to find the lost, confront them, forgive them and bring them into your fold. I want to live the same way. I'm on mission with you. Help me to live with the "sick" and challenge the scruples of the comfortably religious people around me. Help me to live in the soup with people and to find ways to present to them your redeeming grace in conversations that engage and enlighten them. I'm also open to learning from too. Even lost people you let me meet can teach me things. So, help me to ever become cliquish again.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
Everyone has a soul that needs redeeming and an experience that will bless others under God's providence.
Additional Reading: Acts 17
Matthew 8:27
“The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!””
Matthew 8:27 NIV
Dear Jesus,
They asked what kind of man you were. As the God/man you really are very different than us. My generation spends so much time talking about how you came be with us and save us that we forget sometimes to give credence to your majesty. You rule all things! You are the center of the universe. And you are our freind. It means we are going to be okay. We don’t need to fear so easily in a storm. You are in the boat with us. Calm my troubled heart and help me let go to the thought that you are guiding so much more than our ship. You are guiding the planet on which the seas roll under the ship. When I think about who you are I think less about short term storms.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
He guides the ocean beneath the ship, not just the ship.
Additional Reading: Isaiah 40:9-31
Matthew 8:18-22
“When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.””
Matthew 8:18-22 NIV
Dear Jesus,
You seemed so harsh to those two men. But I know you had to have a l loving reason to be so pointed. You always want to win souls. You wanted them to know that following you was more than a vacation. It’s a whole hearted adventure of service to God and one’s neighbor. I get it. You put everything on the line for us and so a full bodied response is to put everything on the line for you.If you will give me the strength, I will do that for you today. Just show me how you want me to do it. You deserve no less since you have redeemed my soul with your very life.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
We give it all for God since he gave it all for us.
Additional Reading: Revelation 3 and 4
Matthew 8:14-17
14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” - Matthew 8:14-17
Dear Jesus,
You not only promise to listen to our prayers and heal us of many of our diseases, but you also do life with us. You did not sit in heaven and pontificate blessings. You came down and entered our difficult drama. You submitted to the birth, growing up and growing older. You endured pain, broken furniture and sicknesses. Your friends and family hurt too. But you also healed and released them of burdens. All the while, you were marching to the cross to save us. Matthew's quote from Isaiah 53 reminds me that your journey on earth that included healing was still a journey to rescue us forever. I see in the healing of Peter's mother in law, your great compassion for those close to you. I am close to you. I trust you are still on earth with me through your Holy Spirit and that you understand the difficulty of my health problems. Be my healer and the healer of those I love so dearly. Heal their bodies and lengthen their lives on earth. Since you have rescued me for eternity I accept your decision either way, whether it be to heal or to simply accompany me in my misery.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
Jesus did life with us so we can do eternal life with him.
Additional Reading: Psalm 23, 27, 42
Matthew 8:2-4
A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Matthew 8:2-4
Dear Jesus,
There are two things you want me to believe about you: 1) You have the power to rescue me from any and every trial. And 2) You are willing and ready to rescue me because of your love for me. All of my troubles test my faith in these two realities. You can and want to help me. Thank you for healing that man of his leprosy. Your love for him Leaves room for me. Because you died on the cross taking away my biggest predicament, I believe you can and will rescue me from my troubles too. You know what they are. You know what I am afraid of. You know what challenges are around the corner too. I accept you as my rescuer. I will live in peace.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
When we know help is on the way, we can endure the trouble with patience.
Additional Reading: Psalm 50
Matthew 7:28-29
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. - Matthew 7:28-29
Dear Jesus,
Your teachings have a liberating authority in my life. They free me from confusion caused by my mixed motives and convoluted rationalizations. They point me to love, to obey and to be honest with you and people. They lift the burden of guilt and embarrassing shame from my thoughts. They give me life and hope too. Simply put, your words rock my world. Thank you for leaving them behind for the millions of us people who come after you. They are the foundation of our lives in a tumultuous world wrecked by our sins.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
The words of Christ are the tallest skyscraper among all the wise sayings towering over time.
Additional Reading: Psalm 25, Psalm 119, Isaiah 8, Isaiah 55, 1 Thessalonians 1