Watch for Deceivers-The Sermon on the Mount

By Mary Vee
Matthew 7

From Matthew's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee. View down to the Sea of Galilee from
the Mountain where it is believed Jesus was at this time.
Capernaum is down and to the left by the shore.

My name is Matthew. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am here with other disciples, so one or more may add something to today's post. 

We are sitting on the side of a mountain bordering the Sea of Galilee, and there is a large number of people here with us, some have traveled a long ways to hear Jesus speak.

Jesus has been speaking most of the morning. You may know this talk as the Sermon on the Mount. The previous posts telling what he said already are below this one.  Just scroll down.

I am a witness and am here to tell you what Jesus said next on this day. A few moments ago, He spoke about judging others before seeing the problems we have. When He finished He returned to the subject of prayer.

Jesus said, "All you need to do is ask the Father. If you ask, it will be given to you. Search and you will find it. Knock and the door will be open to you. Everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find it. Everyone who knocks will find the door opened for them.

He looked at the crowd's faces. They seemed a bit confused. "Let me ask you this. If your son asked for bread, would you give him a stone?" He paused. "Of course you wouldn't. Or if he asked for some fish to eat, would you give him a snake? No, you would give him the best you had. All right then, if you, a sinful person, know how to give good gifts to your children, think of how much more you heavenly Father, who is perfect, gives good gifts to those who ask him! And so, in every circumstance, in everything you do, do for others what you want them to do for you. This alone sums up the Law and the Prophets.

"You have two choices. You may only pick one. One has a narrow doorway, the other one, wide. The wide doorway seems easier, and many will choose this way. But the road beyond will end with destruction. Few people will chose the narrow gate. The path is narrow and the road difficult, but it will end with life."

Jesus then gave a warning about which this choice:

"There will come those who will deceive you and steer you toward the wide path. Each day, watch for them. They put on the clothes of a knowledgeable person, they speak convincing words, but inwardly they are like a ferocious wolf. How will you know who these wolves are? By looking at the fruit of their work. 

"You wouldn't find tasty grapes on a thorn bush or juicy figs from thistles, right? People are like trees. Every good tree will bear only good fruit, and every bad tree will only bear ugly, bitter fruit. These rotten trees are cut down and used for firewood. Listen carefully when a prophet comes to you. Look for the fruit of his words if they are sweet or bitter. If his words are true what he says will come to pass.

"So watch. Not everyone who says, Lord, Lord is honest. Some are deceivers. These deceivers will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven will enter through this narrow way. The deceivers will say, 'But didn't we prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' I will say plainly to them 'Go away, I never knew you'--because I know they are deceivers and liars."


And so Jesus continued, but those words will be told next time. 

Author's note, this section is from the Sermon on the Mount. Come back to read the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

Jonathan Goforth-The Great Depression Stopped Funds But Not the Work

By Mary Vee
Year: summer 1934

Jonathan Goforth 75 years old

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

My name is Jonathan Goforth. My wife, Rosalind, and I are missionaries in Manchuria. 

In all the years I have been in Asia, I have never wanted to do anything else with my life than to tell the people in China and as it turns out, Manchuria, about the living God who loves them. 

It is June. A letter came in the mail. One I was very sad to read. Even with all the news we've sent about the good happening here in Manchuria, the mission board had decided to slash funds supporting the pastors, missionaries, and churches here in Manchuria.

The Great Depression hit America and Europe. Funds were at an all time low. There just wasn't the money to send.

I have to admit, the news concerned me deeply. I thought I would have to tell all the pastors they would have to leave their churches and the doors closed. We wouldn't be able to support them any longer. Just thinking about what would happen to the forty churches we'd set up broke my heart.

But I had to tell the churches.

I went to the first church and during a service explained to the people that money would not be sent to pay for their pastor any longer. I honestly didn't know how they would respond. I was ready for the worst, whatever that would be.

Instead the people from the first church and the other 39 churches said they would pay for their pastor and the other expenses for their church. It was a huge responsibility for them with their limited income. By the end of 1934, not one pastor had to leave or go hungry, in fact, 966 new believers joined the churches. 

I hadn't realized it at the time. But thinking back, I feel God wanted to test the faith of these Chinese people. Would they be willing to give some of what they had to support the church. The answer was an amazing yes.


Jonathan has many stories to share. Come back each Monday to find out what happened next.



Resources Used for This Series
Being, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China. Seattle. WA: YWAM Pub., 2001.Print
Doyle, G. Wright. Builders of the Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders. Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Pub, 2015. Print.
Goforth, Jonathan, and Rosaline Goforth, Miracle Lives of China, London" Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1931, Print.
Goforth, Jonathan. "By My Spirit" Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1942. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Climbing; Memories of a Missionary's Wife. Chicago: Moody Pub, n.d. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How I Know God Answers Prayers; The Personal Testimony of One Life-time, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Jonathan Goforth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethan House, 1986. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How God Answers Prayer: The Mighty Miracles of God from the Mission Field of Jonathan Goforth. USA: Revival, 2016. Print Original copyright not stated.
Jackson, Dave, and Neta Jackson. Mask of the Wolf Boy: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1999. Print.
McCleary, Walter. An Hour with Jonathan Goforth: A Biography. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1938. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Jonathan Goforth: Never Give up. Seattle, WA: YWAM, 2004. Print.

.

Let Jonathan hear from you!

Leave a comment below.

You Hypocrite-From the Sermon on the Mount

By Mary Vee
Matthew 7, Luke 6

From Matthew's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee. View down to the Sea of Galilee from
the Mountain where it is believed Jesus was at this time.
Capernaum is down and to the left by the shore.

My name is Matthew. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am here with other disciples, so they may add something to today's post. 

We are sitting on the side of a mountain bordering the Sea of Galilee, and there is a large number of people here with us, some have traveled a long ways to hear Jesus speak.

Jesus has been speaking most of the morning. You may know this talk as the Sermon on the Mount. Posts telling what he said already are below this one.  Just scroll down.

I am a witness and am here to tell you what Jesus said next on that day.

Jesus said, "Don't judge others for what they have done then you won't be judge for what you have done. Don't even condemn others if you hope to not be condemned. 

Instead 
Forgive others so that you also may be forgiven.

If you give to others they will give to you. When they do, you will receive a gift in full compensation, overflowing, then pressed down and shaken together to make room for more. Whatever you use to measure what you will give, whether too large or too small, the same will be used for the gift given to you."

Jesus paused for a moment then said, "There once was a blind man leading another blind man. You can imagine one eventually falling into the ditch and pulling the other one down with him. Think about this, does a student know more than the teacher? No. But if he works hard, he may learn as much.

"So, why fuss about a small thing? Isn't it nothing more than a speck in an eye? Take a look at what you've done. Your sin is like a huge board plunged into your eye. Is it really right to say you are helping your brother remove the tiny speck when you have a huge board in yours? You are a hypocrite.

"You must first remove the large board in your own eyes before dealing with the speck in your neighbor's eye.

"Giving holy things to a depraved man is like giving pearls to a swine. The swine will trample the pearls then turn and attack you.

And so Jesus continued, but those words will be told next time. 

Author's note, this section is from the Sermon on the Mount. Come back to read the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

Jonathan Goforth-The Girl Who Conquered Twenty Bandits

By Mary Vee
Year: summer 1933

Jonathan Goforth 74 years old

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

My name is Jonathan Goforth. My wife, Rosalind, and I are missionaries in Manchuria. 

In all the years I have been in Asia, I have never wanted to do anything else with my life than to tell the people in China and as it turns out, Manchuria, about the living God who loves them. 

I have so many stories to tell about what God has done for the people here. How He has shown people, even in hardship that He is present and will care for them.

The Japanese have taken rule of Manchuria. The man in charge only does what the Japanese tell him to do. Many Japanese bandits have come here to rob the people.

These bandits have said they hated anything foreign. They've murdered Chinese Christians and burned churches to the ground. What brings tears of joy is seeing Christians standing firm in their belief. 

I visited a church in Fanchiatun which is north of Szepingkai. Two girls, cousins, one age fourteen the other twelve, told me what happened to them.

"It was three weeks ago," Sun Wen's story started. "My mother, she yelled to us to run out of the house. Japanese bandits came to our home. We all ran toward the backyard. I looked for my cousin, Sun Guang and didn't see her. I sneaked back to the house and looked for her when I heard a loud noise at the door. The Japanese shouted, wanting the door to be opened. 

"I called for my cousin from the kitchen until she answered. She was hiding in the storage room. It was too late for me to run to her. I didn't know what to do. I knelt on the floor and prayed.

"The door burst opened. I counted twenty men pushing to get inside our home. The leader saw me. He grabbed my hair and yelled, 'where is your father?' When I didn't answer he put his hands around my throat and shouted, 'where is your father. Tell me now or I will kill you.' I said, 'I don't know.' And I didn't because I wasn't sure which way my family ran."

Her eyes closed tightly for a moment. She wiped a tear then said, "My answer made the bandit angry." She touched her neck. "He squeezed my throat and yelled, 'You're lying. Tell me the truth.' 

"It was so hard to speak but I managed to say, 'I am not lying. I am a Christian.' I don't know how or why but the idea came for me to sing to him. 'You would like to hear me sing.' These words confused him. He stood back and looked strangely at me. I sang 'Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.' Even as they threw our things into a pile, opened cupboards and grabbed my family's things, I kept singing. I thought no one was listening.

"When I finished the song, though, several of the bandits said, 'Sing more.' I remembered Sun Guang in the storage room and said, 'I love singing. My cousin who is in the other room can sing even better.' I called her to come out. 

"We sang the second verse of Jesus loves me and the chorus together in harmony. When we finished the song, the leader said, 'We have to stop. Put everything back where you found it.' The men looked at him like he was crazy, but they obeyed. After they put everything back, the leader took money from his pocket and gave it to us."

I said, "Weren't you afraid of them or what they would do?"

A beautiful smile came and she said, "Why no. I knew Jesus was with me no matter what happened."

You see? These are the stories that give me the life and breath to want to tell everyone I see about the living God who loves them.

I could never tire of hearing them. 

This doesn't mean that God always brings these happy endings. Bad things happen even to those who believe in God. That is part of life here on earth. But if we endure to the end with a love for God, we will be with Him in heaven where there will be no more evil.


Jonathan has many stories to share. Come back each Monday to find out what happened next.



Resources Used for This Series
Being, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China. Seattle. WA: YWAM Pub., 2001.Print
Doyle, G. Wright. Builders of the Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders. Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Pub, 2015. Print.
Goforth, Jonathan, and Rosaline Goforth, Miracle Lives of China, London" Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1931, Print.
Goforth, Jonathan. "By My Spirit" Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1942. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Climbing; Memories of a Missionary's Wife. Chicago: Moody Pub, n.d. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How I Know God Answers Prayers; The Personal Testimony of One Life-time, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Jonathan Goforth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethan House, 1986. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How God Answers Prayer: The Mighty Miracles of God from the Mission Field of Jonathan Goforth. USA: Revival, 2016. Print Original copyright not stated.
Jackson, Dave, and Neta Jackson. Mask of the Wolf Boy: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1999. Print.
McCleary, Walter. An Hour with Jonathan Goforth: A Biography. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1938. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Jonathan Goforth: Never Give up. Seattle, WA: YWAM, 2004. Print.

.

Let Jonathan hear from you!

Leave a comment below.

Jesus-Don't Worry About Food and Clothing

By Mary Vee
Matthew 5, Luke 6

From Matthew's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee. View down to the Sea of Galilee from
the Mountain where it is believed Jesus was at this time.
Capernaum is down and to the left by the shore.

My name is Matthew. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am here with other disciples, so they may add something to today's post. 

We are sitting on the side of a mountain bordering the Sea of Galilee, and there is a large number of people here with us, some have traveled a long ways to hear Jesus speak.

Jesus has been speaking most of the morning. You may know this talk as the Sermon on the Mount. Posts telling what he said already are below.  Just scroll down.

I am here to tell you what Jesus said on that day.

Jesus said, "Don't worry about your life, what you will eat or drink. Don't think about your body, what you will wear. Life is much more important than food, and the body is more important clothes. Look up. See the birds. they don't plant or reap or store away their food in barns, and yet, your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you more valuable than they? How can worrying add a single hour to your life? It can't. 

"So why worry about our clothes? Look about you. See how the lilies of the field grow? They don't work or spin their clothes. Not even Solomon in all his spender was dressed like one of these. If God shows care for the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow thrown into the fire, won't he care for your clothes? 

"You have such little faith. Don't worry and say, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink' or 'What shall we wear?' The pagan are the ones who fret over these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them. Instead, look first for his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you.

"I'll repeat this, don't worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

And so Jesus continued, but those words will be told next time. 

Author's note, this section is from the Sermon on the Mount. Come back to read the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

Jonathan Goforth-Bliindness Wouldn't Stop Him

By Mary Vee
Year: summer 1933

Jonathan Goforth 74 years old

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

My name is Jonathan Goforth. My wife, Rosalind, and I are missionaries in Manchuria. 

In all the years I have been in Asia, I have never wanted to do anything else with my life than to tell the people in China and as it turns out, Manchuria, about the living God who loves them. 

It is 1933, I am 74 years old and want to do so much more for God.

Rosalind and I were happily doing God's work in China. We took more vacations. My kind of vacation. We returned to our first mission station in Changte and saw our friends. I spoke at 4 meetings every day. More than 800 people showed on average. 

Each day was a blessing. Then one March day I felt this terrible sensation in my left eye, the only good eye I had. Everything became blurry. I called my wife Rosalind, who happened to be a nurse. She saw the problem was serious enough to go to a big city for help.

The doctor in Peking said I had a detached retina in my left eye. He operated several times, none of them helped. I soon realized that I was permanently blind in both eyes. 

Going blind is a dramatic shock. A person no longer sees the daylight, or the moonlight. Time has to be thought of in a completely different way. I talked with God for several days looking for comfort. He reminded me I had read through the entire Bible over 70 times and memorized large passages.

Visitors came to see me. They ended up telling me about their troubles. Because I knew the Bible passages for memory I was able to tell each one a verse of comfort or advise. 

I soon saw that I was not useless. I could still tell people about the God who loves them.

I saw that blindness could not rob me of my work for God.

Jonathan has many stories to share. Come back each Monday to find out what happened next.



Resources Used for This Series
Being, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China. Seattle. WA: YWAM Pub., 2001.Print
Doyle, G. Wright. Builders of the Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders. Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Pub, 2015. Print.
Goforth, Jonathan, and Rosaline Goforth, Miracle Lives of China, London" Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1931, Print.
Goforth, Jonathan. "By My Spirit" Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1942. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Climbing; Memories of a Missionary's Wife. Chicago: Moody Pub, n.d. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How I Know God Answers Prayers; The Personal Testimony of One Life-time, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Jonathan Goforth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethan House, 1986. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How God Answers Prayer: The Mighty Miracles of God from the Mission Field of Jonathan Goforth. USA: Revival, 2016. Print Original copyright not stated.
Jackson, Dave, and Neta Jackson. Mask of the Wolf Boy: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1999. Print.
McCleary, Walter. An Hour with Jonathan Goforth: A Biography. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1938. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Jonathan Goforth: Never Give up. Seattle, WA: YWAM, 2004. Print.

.

Let Jonathan hear from you!

Leave a comment below.

Jesus: Fasting, Treasures, and Light

By Mary Vee
Matthew 5, Luke 6

From Matthew's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee. View down to the Sea of Galilee from
the Mountain where it is believed Jesus was at this time.
Capernaum is down and to the left by the shore.

My name is Matthew. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am here with other disciples, so they may add something to today's post. 

We are sitting on the side of a mountain bordering the Sea of Galilee, and there is a large number of people here with us, some have traveled a long ways to hear Jesus speak.

Jesus has been speaking most of the morning. You may know this talk as the Sermon on the Mount. Posts telling what he said already are below.  Just scroll down.

I am here to tell you what Jesus said on that day.

Jesus said, "When you set aside eating a meal to worship the Father do not go about looking somber as the hypocrites do. They disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their full reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, go about not attracting attention to yourself. Isn't the reason for fasting to give God the glory and not yourself? Your Father who sees what is in secret will reward you.

"I say, do not store up wealth on earth. Moth and rust destroy all these things. Thieves break in and steal these things. Instead, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. There moth and rust will not destroy and thieves won't be able to break in and steal. Where your treasure is truly hidden, there your heart will be.

"Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eyes are good, opened wide to see all that God has for you, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, squinting with greed and distrust then your whole body will be full of darkness. If you have blinds blocking the light to your eyes, how great is that darkness! You are empty.

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

And so Jesus continued, but those words will be told next time.

Author's note, this section is from the Sermon on the Mount. Come back to read the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

Jonathan Goforth-The Manchurian Harsh Plague

By Mary Vee
Year: summer 1929

Jonathan Goforth 70 years old

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

My name is Jonathan Goforth. My wife, Rosalind, and I are missionaries in China. In all the years I have been here, I have never wanted to do anything else with my life than to tell the people in China about the living God who loves them. 

We live in Manchuria at this time. A place where many Chinese have fled, hoping for a peaceful life. So many people longed to hear about the living God who loves them. The need is very great for workers and we couldn't be any happier about a Bible college in northern China who sent sixty graduates.

We didn't have the space or funds to care for their needs, but we knew God would provide. Somehow.

Days later we received a lot of mail. Many had checks inside from people we'd never told about the sixty missionaries. The money was enough to take care of all the new Chinese missionaries coming to help us. 

A month later the sixty arrived. We put them to work right away. There was so much to do, and they lightened the load. 

More people came to hear about the God who loved them. We needed even more workers. So we prayed. 

More workers helped more people to hear who tell others so that more workers were needed. How could anything be better?

Well, as we know things happen in life. The harsh winter brought a plague. People ran out of fuel to warm themselves. I told all of our workers that we must keep a fire roaring in the big hall where we hold services at all times. We invited people in who were freezing in the streets. They came and sat, warming themselves, so grateful. While they sat they listened to what Jesus did for them. They stayed long hours asking questions and wanting us to tell them more. I loved each day.

In time, Rosalind and I suffered physical problems that took us back to Canada for treatment. I really didn't like leaving the work behind. Sometimes it's difficult to understand that God will send others to do the work. We left 30 evangelist and church workers to do the work.

I can't wait until we are better and can return!



Jonathan has many stories to share. Come back each Monday to find out what happened next.



Resources Used for This Series
Being, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China. Seattle. WA: YWAM Pub., 2001.Print
Doyle, G. Wright. Builders of the Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders. Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Pub, 2015. Print.
Goforth, Jonathan, and Rosaline Goforth, Miracle Lives of China, London" Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1931, Print.
Goforth, Jonathan. "By My Spirit" Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1942. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Climbing; Memories of a Missionary's Wife. Chicago: Moody Pub, n.d. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How I Know God Answers Prayers; The Personal Testimony of One Life-time, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Jonathan Goforth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethan House, 1986. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How God Answers Prayer: The Mighty Miracles of God from the Mission Field of Jonathan Goforth. USA: Revival, 2016. Print Original copyright not stated.
Jackson, Dave, and Neta Jackson. Mask of the Wolf Boy: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1999. Print.
McCleary, Walter. An Hour with Jonathan Goforth: A Biography. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1938. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Jonathan Goforth: Never Give up. Seattle, WA: YWAM, 2004. Print.

.

Let Jonathan hear from you!

Leave a comment below.

Jesus-This is How You Should Pray-Sermon on the Mount

By Mary Vee
Matthew 5, Luke 6

From Matthew's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee. View down to the Sea of Galilee from
the Mountain where it is believed Jesus was at this time.
Capernaum is down and to the left by the shore.

My name is Matthew. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am here with other disciples, so they may add something to today's post. 

We are sitting on the side of a mountain bordering the Sea of Galilee, and there is a large number of people here with us, some have traveled a long ways to hear Jesus speak.

Jesus has been speaking most of the morning. You may know this talk as the Sermon on the Mount. Posts telling what he said already are below.  Just scroll down.

I am here to tell you what Jesus said on that day.

Jesus said, "Be careful not to do good deeds so that other can see what you've done. If you do, your reward will be given to you by those who saw, instead from your heavenly Father. 

"So, when you give to the needy, don't announce it in front of everyone like the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets. I tell you the truth, they have received their full reward. But, when you give to the needy, do it in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.


"Let's talk about how to pray. When you pray don't be like the hypocrites who love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by everyone. I tell you the truth, they have received their full reward. But when you pray, go into your private room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done is secret, will reward you. 

"When you pray, don't babble like the pagans who think they will be heard because of their many words. Don't do that because your Father knows what you need even before you ask him.

"This is how you should pray:

Our Father who is in heaven

Holy is your name

your kingdom come

your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us for our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory for ever and ever, Amen.

"If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don't forgive them, your Father will not forgive you."

Author's note, this section is from the Sermon on the Mount. Come back to read the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

Jonathan Goforth-The Unexpected Letter

By Mary Vee
Year: summer 1926

Jonathan Goforth-67 years old

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

My name is Jonathan Goforth. My wife, Rosalind, and I are missionaries in China. In all the years I have been here, I have never wanted to do anything else with my life than to tell the people in China about the living God who loves them. 

The mission board gave me permission to return to China and search for villages and cities that did not have any missionaries present. Rosalind and I traveled throughout the country for two years. We then went to Manchuria and found many new villages. Places built by Chinese who wanted to escape the problems in their country.

Three young missionaries joined us in Manchuria. We were so excited to tell people about Jesus. 

The day we arrived a terrible blizzard came.

We received letters from home right away telling us we were crazy for doing this. They said an old man and his sick wife shouldn't be in such a place. But, deep down, I knew I was in the right place. I couldn't have been happier any where else. 

I might get a terrible illness here, I could get sick back in Canada too. I might fall or get injured. The same could happen in Canada. Why not use these years God has given me to do his will and tell people who might otherwise not hear about a God who truly loves them. No. I am happy to be in Manchuria, even in a blizzard.

Not everyone tried to talk us into going back to Canada. Young Allan from Toronto, Annie from Holland, and Nancy from New Zealand asked to come help us.

May of 1927, we held our first church service in a building we rented. There were rooms for us to sleep, a huge room to hold the church service. Everything we needed all in one building.

The hall filled every night. Word spread about the meetings. We had to hold more services to meet the need On average 12 people per day put their faith in the living God who loves them. By June 1, two hundred people had formed the new church. 

There wer so many opportunities. I knew the mission didn't have money but we needed workers.  I wrote a letter to the board telling them all the great things God had done in Manchuria. The building, the many people who put their faith in God, the church. I was convinced they would change their mind and send missionaries to help. 

They wrote back impressed with the news, but unwilling to send anyone else because of financial problems. The news stunned all of us. When I told Rosalind she said, "Well, God will have to find another way to send help."

The next morning during prayer time, I remembered an old friend, Dr. Hayes who had a Bible college in North China. I wrote to him and asked if any of the graduating class might consider coming to help us.

Something quite funny happened next. The day after I sent the letter I received one from Dr. Hayes. It would have been impossible for him to have received my envelope so soon. His letter said, "The Chinese have closed the doors to all missionary work, even from their own people. Do you have any work for the sixty graduates?" I laughed so hard Rosalind and the others came running to hear what had happened.

"Look what God did!!" I showed them the letter.

Rosalind, my very practical wife said, but we only have room to care for two, maybe three.

I hugged her. "Rosalind, God is sending sixty workers. I think He can find a way to house and feed them."


Jonathan has many stories to share. Come back each Monday to find out what happened next.



Resources Used for This Series
Being, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China. Seattle. WA: YWAM Pub., 2001.Print
Doyle, G. Wright. Builders of the Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders. Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Pub, 2015. Print.
Goforth, Jonathan, and Rosaline Goforth, Miracle Lives of China, London" Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1931, Print.
Goforth, Jonathan. "By My Spirit" Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1942. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Climbing; Memories of a Missionary's Wife. Chicago: Moody Pub, n.d. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How I Know God Answers Prayers; The Personal Testimony of One Life-time, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Jonathan Goforth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethan House, 1986. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How God Answers Prayer: The Mighty Miracles of God from the Mission Field of Jonathan Goforth. USA: Revival, 2016. Print Original copyright not stated.
Jackson, Dave, and Neta Jackson. Mask of the Wolf Boy: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1999. Print.
McCleary, Walter. An Hour with Jonathan Goforth: A Biography. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1938. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Jonathan Goforth: Never Give up. Seattle, WA: YWAM, 2004. Print.

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