Category: Daily Prayer

“He will repay each man according to his conduct.” —Matthew 16:27 The prophet Nahum foretold the downfall of Nineveh, “the bloody city,” the capital city of Assyria (Na 3:1). The nation of Assyria brutalized and destroyed many cities and nations for several centuries, including wiping out the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 B.C. As Nahum prophesied, Nineveh was defeated (Na 3:2ff). As Jesus prophesied, Nineveh was repaid by the Lord “according to [its] conduct” (Mt 16:27). Our conduct is extremely important for our eternal future. We are to conduct ourselves as “a member of God’s household” (1 Tm 3:15)....

“Jesus turned on Peter and said, ‘Get out of My sight, you satan! You are trying to make Me trip and fall. You are not judging by God’s standards but by man’s.’ ” —Matthew 16:23 By the grace of the heavenly Father, Simon Peter made a great act of faith by professing Jesus as the Messiah, “the Son of the living God!” (Mt 16:16) In a short time, however, by denying the cross and “not judging by God’s standards but by man’s” (Mt 16:23), Peter showed that he did not understand what he had professed. This shows the astounding proclivity...

“At about three in the morning, [Jesus] came walking toward them on the lake.” –Matthew 14:25 When Jesus walked on the water, He showed that He had the authority and power to “quickly crush Satan” under His feet (Rm 16:20) and to heal all diseases (see Mt 14:36). Jesus walks not just on water but on tidal waves and tempests. Because “full authority has been given” to Jesus “both in heaven and on earth” (Mt 28:18), “He is always able to save those who approach God through Him” (Heb 7:25). Jesus is the “Pantocrator,” the all-powerful God (see Rv 1:8)....

“At about three in the morning, [Jesus] came walking toward them on the lake.” –Matthew 14:25 When Jesus walked on the water, He showed that He had the authority and power to “quickly crush Satan” under His feet (Rm 16:20) and to heal all diseases (see Mt 14:36). Jesus walks not just on water but on tidal waves and tempests. Because “full authority has been given” to Jesus “both in heaven and on earth” (Mt 28:18), “He is always able to save those who approach God through Him” (Heb 7:25). Jesus is the “Pantocrator,” the all-powerful God (see Rv 1:8)....

“When Jesus heard this, He withdrew by boat from there to a deserted place by Himself.” –Matthew 14:13 This was one of the worst days in Jesus’ life. He had just received the bad news that His friend and relative, St. John the Baptizer, had been beheaded. It was John who baptized Jesus in the Jordan (see Mt 3:13-16). He and Jesus had a special bond. Now John was dead, murdered, beheaded. Jesus had to get away, go off by Himself, and receive healing from His Father. He got in the boat and intended to go to a deserted place...