Matthew 22:15-21

Coaches face many external battles, but perhaps our greatest battle is the internal one to find peace and fulfillment. All too often, we fall for the trap of measuring our self-worth by the scoreboard, but no amount of winning is ever enough. This devotional is a guide to find balance and contentment in the midst of a sporting culture that values winning above all else.

Christmas for many of us is a time of celebration and community, but for others it can be a time of loneliness and pain. This week Jon Owen (Pastor and CEO of Wayside Chapel, Sydney) reflects on the radical life of Jesus – a life defined by love and a heart for the oppressed and marginalised. There is hope, and we have a part to play.

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves…be as shrewd as snakes…innocent as doves” Matthew 10:16. Culture is ever-changing, meaningful conversations can become more difficult as hostility increases. This plan will encourage you to learn from Jesus example as he engaged with the interested, only sought to intrigue the disinterested, and deflected the hostile. He both thrived and achieved his purpose on earth despite hostility, and so can we!

Matthew writes to God’s people and walks them on a journey that will take them from where they are to be Disciple Makers. This is 21 of 27 devotional plans walking us through the book of Matthew.  In this portion, Jesus comes into the Temple—and deals with challenges to His authority and attempts to trick Him into saying something wrong. They fail!