|
Heart Preparation:
Before reading each day this week, say a quick prayer that God would reveal new things to you within these gospels that you have likely read several times. There is so much to be absorbed from the short period of time that Jesus walked on this earth among us. Sometimes it's easy to glaze over details when you have read something more than once or twice. So take your time, and really study these scriptures. Think about how they pertain to your life today. Reading Plan:
What to Expect: We will continue to read about Jesus ministry on earth this week. There are several things to look for as you read through the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Among them are several miracles performed by Jesus: The blind are made to see, the deaf/mute hear and speak again, demons are cast out, Jesus feeds four thousand with seven loaves of bread, and a coin even appears in the mouth of a fish. Another highlight of this weeks reading is the transfiguration of Jesus in front of Peter, James, and John. During this transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appear and are talking to Jesus. What to Look for: Pay attention to the amount of scepticism and hatred the Pharisees show Jesus. They do everything they can think of to find fault in every move Jesus makes. Even after seeing first hand the miracles that Jesus was performing, they wanted more. They wanted a sign in the sky. In John chapter 10 Jesus uses a shepherd, and his sheep as an analogy for Himself and those who choose to follow him. But the Pharisees don't understand. They eventually try to arrest him, and stone him. But Jesus is able to flee. Personal Insight: In the midst of all the miraculous things that Jesus does, including healing the sick, lame, deaf, and demon possesed. In a week where Jesus is transfigured on a mountain top and has a conversation with Moses and Elijah. Where God himself tells Peter, James, and John that "This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to Him". In the middle of all these profound things, one verse in Luke really stuck with me. As Jesus and the disciples are on thier way to Jeruselum, a number of men either ask to follow Jesus, or are asked by Jesus to follow Him. One in particular says that he must first go say goodbye to his family. In Luke 10:62 Jesus replied "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God". Here, Jesus uses an agricultural metaphor involving the operation of a plow. In Bible times, farmers used what is called an ard, or a scratch plow. These plows were much different than the ones we think of and know today. If you've never seen one, I encourage you to look it up. This simple, and very unstable tool requires the operator to be fully focused on both the direction of the draft animal, and the operation of the plow. So when Jesus says "anyone who puts his their hand to the plow and gets distracted is not fit for service in the Kingdom of God" He is saying in very strong language that we need to be focused on serving Him, and not looking at, or serving the distractions in our lives. For me, putting my hand to the plow and making the decision to give my life to Christ was the easy part. The hard part, the part that requires constant, intentional focus is the not looking around. Or even worse, looking back. Looking back into the past keeps us from having that completely undivided heart that Jesus tells us we should have. We have to leave that old life behind, and not look back. Putting our "hands to the plow" and being a follower of Christ is the most serious commitment we will ever make. It requires more than an hour a week, or an hour a day. It requires CONSTANT, intentional commitment to Jesus Christ, who's blood was the atonement of our sins so that we don't ever have to look back. Prayer: Heavenly Father, Strengthen my focus daily on following you and doing your will. There is nothing I want more than to serve in your Kingdom. So let your preserved word be a beacon to guide me foward through the rest of my days in this life, so that I am fit for service. -Amen This week’s devotion was prepared by Jonathan King
0 Comments
Heart Preparation:
This week, I invite you to read Matthew 11:28-30 and Matthew 12:18-21 before every day's reading. Take them in slowly. What do these words reveal about Jesus? About his heart for you? About the character of your Father? Pay attention to what rises up in your heart as you read these words. Whatever that is, hold it up to the Father honestly. Then proceed with the reading. This Week's Reading:
What to Expect: Expect to see the inbreaking of the Kingdom of God, the reign of God in His Son, Jesus Christ, in this world. This is good news. This is the realer than real and the truer than true. Jesus Christ is Lord of heaven and earth. The good news of his Kingdom is being established. It happens as the good news is preached from the mouth of God the Son. It happens as the broken are healed and put back together. It happens as the self-righteous are confronted with their own need for Jesus. It is summarized in Jesus' own words to John the Baptist through his followers, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: "the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have the good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me" (Matt. 11:4-6). What to Look For: In these reading's there is encounter after encounter with people. Look for how Jesus responds to people. Read these encounters through the lens of the verses highlighted at the beginning. Jesus is living out of his own heart description. Jesus is merciful, kind, powerful, and good. Jesus is only ever upset with people who say he is no good for them or others and who, by their religious observance, harm and hurt his people with loads too heavy for their shoulders to carry. Personal Insight: Sometimes I wonder if the way we beat up on ourselves as believers is just another misguided way we try to justify ourselves to God; another way we try to convince God we are worth Jesus' death on the cross. How's that? When my posture towards God is saying again and again what a failure I am, how terrible I am, how I need to do and be better, isn't that just another way of saying, "God, aren't you proud of me? I am sufficiently repentant. I am beating up on myself the proper amount. You must be satisfied with how awful I know I am and my efforts to fix myself. If you have come to Jesus, you know your need. Go back and read these accounts. Does Jesus treat people who know their need for him like I do? Nope. Prayer: Jesus, I love you. Here I am. Take me as I am. You see what is rising up in my heart. Here it is, Lord. Here I am Lord. I trust you. You are good. Amen. This week's devotion was prepared by Justin Coberley. One of our seasonal favorites!
Jesus Begins His Ministry This Week’s Recipes:
Ingredients: Beatitudes (8) Forgiveness Prayer Faith Worship Teaching Fasting Salt and Light Healing Giving Mercy Obedience Grace Truth Testimony Directions:
When prepared, serve everywhere. Makes numerous disciples, as following the ministry of Jesus and faith in Him as the Son of God. Highly recommended to eat with sinners. Testimonies:
**Author assumes no responsibility for fasting, although it is highly recommended from time to time. ** - Check back next week for more exciting devotions! - Bonus recipes include new ways to serve and prepare, including entertaining angels! This week’s devotion was prepared by Stu Schell. |
RSS Feed