Yesterday in Matthew 14, we saw Jesus reveal Himself as the One who meets us in storms and multiplies what we surrender. Today, Matthew 15 continues this journey by showing us that walking with Jesus is not just about storms outside but storms inside—our traditions, motives, and hidden heart issues.
In this chapter, Jesus confronted the Pharisees who valued human rules above God’s heart. He declared plainly:
“These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” — Matthew 15:8
This is a wake-up call. Life in Him demands more than activities, appearances, or Christian culture. It requires a heart aligned with His.
Jesus goes on to explain that external things are not what defile a person, but what flows out of the heart, our words, motives, and intentions. This links strongly with yesterday’s lesson: God is more interested in transforming us within than impressing us outwardly.
And then, like a beam of grace, we meet the Canaanite woman – desperate, persistent, humble. She is everything the Pharisees were not. Her faith transcended boundaries, and Jesus responded:
“Woman, great is your faith!” Matthew 15:28
Life in Him isn’t about qualification; it’s about hunger. It isn’t about tradition; it’s about trust.
CALL TO ACTION
Today, ask the Holy Spirit to expose any tradition, habit, or mindset that keeps your heart from Him. Surrender it. Pray like the Canaanite woman: “Lord, help me.”
Blog
-
DAY 15 – Life in Him Confronts Our Traditions (MATTHEW 15)
-
🌧️ DAY 14 – When Fear Meets Faith (Matthew 14)
Coming from Matthew 13 where Jesus teaches about the heart. Matthew 14 shows the disciples’ hearts in real situations again.
John the Baptist is killed.
Jesus feeds five thousand.
Then, in the quiet of the night, a storm rises again.
This time, Jesus comes walking on water.
Peter steps out, bold and courageous… until fear creeps in.
Jesus catches him and says:
“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31
LIFE IN HIM is not a life without fear , it is a life where faith wins over fear.
Yesterday was learning the Word.
Today is living it out in real storms.
Now, write down one fear you want Jesus to help you overcome. Pray over it and take one small step of faith today.Share this:
-
🌖 DAY 13 – When God Speaks in Stories (Matthew 13)
Yesterday in Matthew 12, Jesus confronted hardened hearts.
In Matthew 13, He begins to teach in parables, that reveal truth to the willing and conceal truth from the stubborn.
The famous parable of the sower reminds us of the state of the heart:
“The seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it.” Matthew 13:23
LIFE IN HIM is about the heart’s response to God’s Word.
He also speaks of hidden treasure, the pearl of great price, and the net – all pointing to the incomparable worth of God’s kingdom.
Yesterday was about guarding your heart from hardness.
Today is about keeping your heart soft and fertile.
Call to Action:
Take one verse today and meditate on it slowly. Ask God to make your heart “good soil.”Share this:
-
DAY 12 – When Opposition Rises, Keep Doing Good (Matthew 12)
In Matthew 11, Jesus invited us to rest.
But Matthew 12 shows that even while you walk in peace, opposition may rise.
The Pharisees question Him.
They misunderstand Him.
They plot against Him.
Yet He keeps healing.
Keeps loving.
Keeps restoring.
“…A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out.” Matthew 12:20
LIFE IN HIM means responding to hostility with gentleness, not bitterness.
Jesus warns about words, hearts, and the danger of empty religion.
He ends by saying those who “do the will of my Father” are His true family.
Call to Action:
Choose gentleness today. When tempted to react harshly, pause and respond with love instead.Share this:
-
DAY 11 – When You Don’t Understand Everything (Matthew 11)
In Matthew 10, Jesus sent the disciples out with authority.
In Matthew 11, we find John the Baptist, the same man who prepared the way, struggling with doubts in prison.
He sends messengers asking, “Are you the One?”
Jesus responds gently:
“Go and tell John… the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed…” Matthew 11:4–5
Sometimes LIFE IN HIM means trusting even when we don’t understand the season we are in.
Then Jesus gives one of the most comforting invitations in Scripture:
“Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Yesterday was a mission.
Today is a rest.
Both are part of Life in Him.
Take 5 quiet minutes today. Breathe deeply and surrender one burden to Jesus.Share this:
-
Sent With Power, Rooted in Love
Matthew 9 ends with Jesus saying, “The harvest is plentiful…”
Matthew 10 begins with Him sending workers into that harvest the disciples.
He gives them authority, not to boast, but to serve.
Jesus says:
“Freely you have received, freely give.”
Yesterday we saw compassion; today we see compassion put into mission.
But Jesus also prepares them for difficulty rejection, opposition, discomfort.
Life in Him is powerful, but it is not always easy.
Still, He assures:
“Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Share something God has blessed you with today — a prayer, a smile, a gift, a word of hope.Share this:
-
Compassion That Moves
Coming from Matthew 8 where Jesus calmed storms Matthew 9 shows Jesus calming the storms inside people.
He forgives a paralytic.
He restores a bleeding woman.
He raises a dead girl.
He opens blind eyes.
At the end, Matthew writes:
“When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them…” Matthew 9:36
Storms were not only around people; many storms were within them.
And Jesus responded with compassion every time.
LIFE IN HIM means allowing His compassion to flow through us to others.
Who around you needs kindness today? Send one encouraging message or speak one uplifting word before the day ends.Share this:
-
Day 8 – When Life Feels Like a Storm
Yesterday in Matthew 7, Jesus taught us that hearing and doing His word builds a firm foundation. Today, in Matthew 8, we see that foundation tested – not in theory, but in a real storm.
After teaching, Jesus moves into action: healing a leper, restoring a servant, lifting fevers, delivering the oppressed. Then suddenly… a storm.
The disciples panicked.
Jesus slept.
Two different responses to the same situation.
When they cried out, He rose and “rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” Matthew 8:26
LIFE IN HIM does not exempt us from storms,
but it guarantees we’re not facing them alone.
Now, think about one “storm” in your life right now. Whisper, “Lord, save me,” and invite Jesus into that situation today.Share this:
-
DAY 7 – The Foundation of Life 🕊️ 🕊️ 🕊️ (Matthew 7)
Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount with a call to choose our foundation.
Two builders.
Two houses.
One storm.
The one who hears and does His word stands firm.
Life in Him is built on obedience, not emotion.
Jesus also teaches about:
Asking and receiving
Seeking and finding
Knocking and open doors
The narrow way
True and false fruits
Reflection:
Is your life built on Christ’s teachings or on convenience?Share this:
-
DAY 6 – A Different Kind of Living (Matthew 6)
In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches that LIFE IN HIM is different from the world.
Different priorities.
Different motives.
Different treasures.
He calls us to:
Give in secret
Pray with sincerity
Fast with purpose
Seek God first
Then He says: “Do not worry.”
Because in Life in Him, God carries the weight we cannot carry.
Reflection:
What are you worrying about that God wants you to trust Him with?Share this:
-
DAY 5 – Kingdom Life, Kingdom Heart (Matthew 5)
Matthew 5 unveils what many call the “Constitution of the Kingdom.”
Jesus teaches not just about doing right, but being right from the heart.
The Beatitudes show us the kind of life He blesses:
The humble
The pure in heart
The merciful
The peacemakers
LIFE IN HIM is a transformation of character, not just conduct.
We are also called:
The light of the world
The salt of the earth
Meaning: Life in Him influences everything around us.
Reflection:
Which Beatitude do you need grace to grow in today?Share this:
-
DAY 4 – The Wilderness Before the Ministry (Matthew 4)
Before miracles, teachings, and crowds, Jesus went through testing.
The wilderness is not punishment — it is preparation.
Jesus overcame temptation by the Word, showing us that life in Him is sustained by truth, not feelings.
Then He called His first disciples with the invitation that still stands today:
“Follow me…”
Reflection:
LIFE IN HIM is a journey of trust. Are you ready to follow even when you don’t have all the details?Share this:
Courtship Forum 