Passion and Truth in Praise
Note from Jesus Dear Beloved, Today you will read two powerful passages of praise. The first one is from Paul’s letter to the Colossians. The second is from Paul’s letter sent to several churches in Asia, with Ephesus being the most influential city. The first passage is a wonderful summary of My pre-existence, My work in creating the universe, My work at sustaining the universe, and My triumph over the cross and death. My mission was not only to reconcile you back to the Father, but also to reconcile all of creation back to the Father. The burst of praise in this first passage, this song of glory dedicated to Me, ends with an exhortation for you to hold onto these truths about Me. I AM with the Father and the angels of heaven, and I announce you to the Father as His beloved child who is “holy, blameless, and totally free of imperfection.” Paul reminds you that as you praise Me and remain faithful to your praise of Me, I present you to the Father as His perfect child. So I want you to read this first passage aloud. Do it at least three times. Read it one time to honor Me — to concentrate on Who I AM and what I’ve done for you. The second time, read it to remind yourself that these truths are important, that they allowed Me to be the sacrifice that not only atones for your sins but also makes you God’s perfect child. The third time, read the passage aloud to remind yourself to hold onto this confession of both Who I AM and who you are because of Me. Don’t ever denigrate who you are, because I AM the One Who has made you holy at an extremely high cost: My crucifixion! The second passage was written to the Colossians. They needed these truths because they were being lured away by false teachers who told them they lacked things needed to be truly holy. People will do the same in your day to get you to follow their special “enlightened” teachings on how to be really holy. Remember, your holiness comes from Me and from being joined to Me — examine Colossians 3:1-17, for example, to see what that ultimately means! The second passage is a burst of praise that has a kind of chorus near or at the end of each of the three major points of the message. (These choruses are highlighted with bold text below.) Paul again mixes praise for the Father and Me with a description of who you have been made to be by the Father’s plan, My sacrifice, and the Holy Spirit’s power at work in you. Paul emphasizes that this work of grace, your adoption into Our holy family, came about through Me, by Me, and in Me. Translators over the centuries have rightly said that this is one long burst of praise that comes from the Holy Spirit’s inspiration of Paul’s heart. The words flow out into a stream of thoughts that cannot be punctuated easily. Paul’s words are the language of the heart, the language of praise, and they are more poem than prose and more song than speech. Verses to Live Sometimes truth is most powerfully communicated in poetry and song. These two great passages of praise do just that. I want you to let them fill you with a sense of glory at Our — Father, Son, and Spirit’s — identity and then realize that I poured out Our love for you in your world in tangible ways so that you can share the glory of Our world! He [Jesus] is the exact image of the invisible God, the firstborn of creation, the eternal. It was by Him that everything was created: the heavens, the earth, all things within and upon them, all things seen and unseen, thrones and dominions, spiritual powers and authorities. Every detail was crafted through His design, by His own hands, and for His purposes. He has always been! It is His hand that holds everything together. He is the head of this body, the church. He is the beginning, the first of those to be reborn from the dead, so that in every aspect, at every view, in everything — He is first. God was pleased that all His fullness should forever dwell in the Son Who, as predetermined by God, bled peace into the world by His death on the cross as God’s means of reconciling to Himself the whole creation — all things in heaven and all things on earth. You were once at odds with God, wicked in your ways and evil in your minds; but now He has reconciled you in His body — in His flesh through His death — so that He can present you to God holy, blameless, and totally free of imperfection as long as you stay planted in the faith. So don’t venture away from what you have heard and taken to heart: the living hope of the good news that has been announced to all creation under heaven and has captured me, Paul, as its servant. (Colossians 1:15-23) Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One, Who grants us every spiritual blessing in these heavenly realms where we live in the Anointed — not because of anything we have done, but because of what He has done for us. God chose us to be in a relationship with Him even before He laid out plans for this world; He wanted us to live holy lives characterized by love, free from sin, and blameless before Him. He destined us to be adopted as His children through the covenant Jesus the Anointed inaugurated in His sacrificial life. This was His pleasure and His will for us. Ultimately God is the one worthy of praise for showing us His grace; He is merciful and marvelous, freely giving us these gifts in His Beloved.
Today’s Verse – Leviticus 10:3
Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD spoke of when he said: “‘Among those who approach me I will show myself holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.’” Aaron remained silent. —Leviticus 10:3 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Moses spoke these words after Nadab and Abihu dishonored God by their disobedience in the LORD’s holy presence. Aaron was silent because God struck Nadab and Abihu dead. They had dishonored God’s holiness, and God’s holiness is unapproachable without the gift of his grace to enter into his presence. When we disregard God’s holiness and do things the way we think is best, we profane what is precious and sacred. God will be known and shown as holy, if not by his people, then by God’s remedial actions. Let’s take our worship of God seriously, honoring him with our reverence and awe (Hebrews 12:28-29). Let’s also refuse to confine our worship to only what we do in a church building or around other believers. Let’s realize that all of our life is worship (Romans 12:1-2) and live out our lives with a commitment to be holy in all we do (1 Peter 1:15-16), both in the worship with our lips and the worship with our lives (Hebrews 13:1-16). My Prayer… Almighty and Most High God, who alone is holy in perfect righteousness, please forgive me for my sins. Cleanse me and make me holy by your Holy Spirit’s transforming and sanctifying power. May my life be lived as a holy sacrifice to you — pleasing and acceptable and full of joy for all you have done for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
My Mindset
Note from Jesus Dear Servant of God, Families, churches, groups, and communities are all systems of people. These systems are built upon flawed people and broken people. No matter how well-intentioned many people may be, each of us is flawed. The flaws of all, the pettiness of some, and the sinful behaviors of a few wound other people and damage the system as a whole. You live with two realities: you live in a fallen world, and it is full of imperfect people. These two truths make life in a family, church, group, or community very challenging. The new Christians in Philippi were having difficulty with each other’s imperfections. Two leading women in the Philippian church, Euodia and Syntyche, were at the center of some of the problems. These two women had worked beside Paul in leading people in Philippi to believe in Me and become My disciples (Philippians 4:2-3). Their disagreement had a very negative influence on the whole church. It had led many to forget an essential truth about living as My disciples: My disciples must follow My example as a servant to others. Paul had to write and ask for help in getting Euodia and Syntyche “to be of the same mind in the Lord“ (Philippians 4:2 NIV). Paul used the phrases “same mind” or “one mind” or similar expressions in various translations throughout the letter (Philippians 1:27; Philippians 2:2-5; Philippians 3:15) to mean they needed to “have the mind of Christ.” The problems these ladies had with each other were affecting the whole church! Paul knew that the brothers and sisters in Philippi needed to understand what it meant to have “the mind of Christ.” The first five verses below (Philippians 2:1-5) give Paul’s introductory exhortation. He urged the Philippian believers to “come together as one in mind and spirit and purpose, sharing in the same love.” Then he reminded them of a hymn they sang about Me. This hymn reminded them of what “one in mind and spirit and purpose, sharing in the same love” actually looks like in real life (Philippians 2:6-11). The hymn is beautiful. Paul’s exhortation was powerful. However, Paul didn’t stop with these reminders. He went on to give the Philippian disciples some examples of people who emulated My selfless lifestyle. He first mentioned Timothy: There is no one like Timothy. What sets him apart from others is his deep concern for you and your spiritual journey. This is rare, my friends, for most people only care about themselves, not about what is dear to the heart of Jesus the Anointed. (Philippians 2:20-21) Then Paul mentioned their own fellow Philippian, Epaphroditus, who nearly died trying to serve Paul on behalf of the Philippians (Philippians 2:27-30): I think it is best to send Epaphroditus home to you. He has become my dear brother in the Lord. We have worked well together and fought great battles together, and he was an encouraging minister to me in my time of need. (Philippians 2:25) Paul next reminded the Philippians of his own example. He focused forward. He did not rely on his past accomplishments. He realized he hadn’t arrived at full maturity and being like Me. He pressed on to become who he wanted to be in Me (Philippians 3:7-14). Then Paul added — and this is a very significant point — all who are mature share this point of view (Philippians 3:15). He closed with this exhortation about following the example of servants: Imitate me, brothers and sisters, and look around to those already following the example we have set. (Philippians 3:17) The bottom line, dear servant of God, is to be who I have called you to be: My disciple. A disciple when fully trained will be like his master (Luke 6:40). If I am your Master, then you will learn to serve and realize that serving is more important than being recognized as important or being proved right. Paul had to use exhortation, teaching, a song, and several examples to try to help the Philippians see this truth. I hope his efforts long ago make an impact on your heart today! Verses to Live As you read this exhortation and song, please remember that I, your Lord and Master, set you an example to do as I have done. Follow in My steps and be a servant. If you find any comfort from being in the Anointed, if His love brings you some encouragement, if you experience true companionship with the Spirit, if His tenderness and mercy fill your heart; then, brothers and sisters, here is one thing that would complete my joy — come together as one in mind and spirit and purpose, sharing in the same love. Don’t let selfishness and prideful agendas take over. Embrace true humility, and lift your heads to extend love to others. Get beyond yourselves and protecting your own interests; be sincere, and secure your neighbors’ interests first. In other words, adopt the mind-set of Jesus the Anointed. Live with His attitude in your hearts. Remember: Though He was in the form of God, He chose not to cling to equality with God; But He poured Himself out to fill a vessel brand new; a servant in form and a man indeed. The very likeness of humanity, He humbled Himself, obedient to death — a merciless death on the cross! So God raised Him up to the highest place and gave Him the name above all. So when His name is called, every knee will bow, in heaven, on earth, and below. And every tongue will confess “Jesus, the Anointed One, is Lord,” to the glory of God our Father! (Philippians 2:1-11) Response in Prayer Father, forgive me. Sometimes my need for approval and my desire to feel important make me jealous of those who get attention. Because of these weaknesses, I allow myself to become hurt and sulk about my own apparent lack of importance. Sometimes I just don’t want to submit myself
Today’s Verse – Psalm 10:2
In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. —Psalm 10:2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God hates violence, intimidation, or any means used by the powerful to control, manipulate, hound, and enslave those who are weaker or more vulnerable. God loathes wickedness based upon the strong and the abusive, preying on the weak and powerless — the sexual predator who abuses and enslaves the innocent and vulnerable is just one example. By our actions and resources, we must demonstrate to the weak and the helpless that there is a God of love who demands justice for those who practice evil and prey on them. Let’s make sure arrogant and abusive people ARE caught in their sinful schemes and brought to justice! My Prayer… Give me a heart, O God, that disdains the abuse of power and the misuse of wealth and influence. Thank you, dear God, for sending Jesus to save me when I was powerless to bring about my salvation (Romans 5:5-11). Please give me a heart like Jesus when I see others being abused, enslaved, or trafficked. In the name of my Savior, Jesus, I pray for your help as we seek to eliminate such manipulative forms of violence. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Joy in the Face of Hardship
Note from Jesus Dear Precious One, No matter what you are facing — right now or ever in the future — please know that I care about your struggles. I will never abandon you in your struggles (John 14:18). I have known what it is like to feel alone when facing trial and torture, even death (Mark 14:44-50; Matthew 27:46). While I felt forsaken, I was not abandoned no matter how alone I felt (John 16:32; Acts 2:23-28). I want you to hear the promise the Father gave to the Israelites (Deuteronomy 31:6). He then gave a similar promise to Joshua (Joshua 1:5). The Father then made the same promise to you through the writer of Hebrews: “I will never leave you; I will always be by your side.” (Hebrews 13:5) The apostle Paul believed My promise. He emphasized My promise to My disciples in Rome: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 NIV) He also lived based on My promise. While he was in prison awaiting possible death, Paul wrote the words you will read today. They are from his letter to the Philippians. He reminded them — and also you — that joy is based on a disciple’s relationship with Me and a disciple’s assurance of a future with Me, not on circumstances. The Philippians were getting bogged down in church arguments and life’s difficult situations. They were losing the joy of being the Father’s precious children. They were forgetting the peace they could have in being My disciples. They were letting their assurance of life forever with Me slip from their hearts and instead they were focusing on the squabbles in their church and the hostility of their culture against them. To help the Philippians change their wrong focus, Paul wrote the words you find in the two sets of verses below. The first set is near the beginning of the letter and the second, near the end. Each set of verses focuses on joy in the face of difficult times. Both are reminders that circumstances shouldn’t determine a disciple’s joy. A believer’s faith in Me and future with Me should determine his or her joy and peace! The first set of verses shared Paul’s personal situation in prison. His goal was to glorify Me in his body whatever happened — whether released to minister to the Philippians again or martyred because of his faith and loyalty to Me. No matter what happened — prison, torture, martyrdom, or release — Paul refused to let his hard circumstances steal away his abiding joy. “I will continue to rejoice,” Paul proclaimed. He rejoiced because of his faith that the Philippians’ prayers and the power of the Holy Spirit would bring deliverance. He was confident of his deliverance from prison. Either he would be delivered from prison and released to serve the Philippians and others, or he would be delivered from prison through death to share in My presence forever. No matter what happened, his faith in Me and his future with Me gave him a deep and abiding peace that allowed him to rejoice! I want you to have that kind of peace because of your faith in Me and because of your confidence in a glorious future with Me. The second set of verses occurs near the end of Paul’s letter to the Philippians. He gave the Philippians very practical instruction on how to experience both the “the peace of God” and “the God of peace.” This “peace that is beyond any and all of our human understanding” would be the foundation for their joy regardless of their circumstances. No matter what happened in their lives, Paul wanted the Philippians to know that they would never be abandoned. He promised that My abiding presence would always be with them: “The Lord is ever present with us.” With this knowledge, they should rejoice! They needed to make rejoicing a key part of their Christian lifestyle. Their rejoicing would help open the door for their gentleness to be displayed. Their anxieties could be released. Their prayers could be offered with confidence. Their focus should shift to lovely things. Their lives were to emulate Paul’s life as they obeyed his teaching. Faith in Me and assurance of a future with Me lead to rejoicing. This joy leads to living a life of gentleness, release from anxiety, confidence in prayer, proper focus in life, and obedience. This lifestyle leads to peace that empowers faith and assurance. This peace leads to more rejoicing, which reinforces your life of peace. This peace and joy form a powerful cycle of grace that Paul both demonstrated and taught to the Philippians. I want this to be your lifestyle, too. Verses to Live What is going to dictate your joy and your outlook on life? Will it be your circumstances or will it be your faith in Me and your future with Me? In the verses below, Paul made clear what his choice was and what the Philippians’ choice should be. Be blessed today as you read these words of grace and truth. So what do we do then? Listen. What matters is that in every way, regardless of the motives — whether pure or shady — the great story of the Anointed is a cause for joy. I will continue to rejoice because I know that through your encouragement and prayers and through the help of the Spirit of Jesus the Anointed, I will soon be released from this dark place. I don’t expect that dishonor and shame will plague me in any way, but I do hope that I will continue to be able to speak freely and courageously about Jesus, and that now and forever the Anointed One
Today’s Verse – Isaiah 10:1-2
Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. —Isaiah 10:1-2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God wants us to be generous, compassionate, holy, and righteous. Why? Because that is who he is: holy and full of righteous character (1 Peter 1:13-16; 2 Peter 1:5-11) as well as full of gracious compassion (Exodus 34:6-7; Deuteronomy 10:18). This kind of well-rounded kind of godly character must show up in how we live our daily lives. We must be both holy and righteous as well as compassionate and gracious. Righteousness and holiness must not be compromised. Neither should compassion and grace be set aside. Many of us find this a difficult balance. Still, it is a balance we are called to keep as we seek to honor our God by reflecting his character in our lives and as the Holy Spirit increasingly transforms us into the character of Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22-23). After all, Jesus was the living demonstration of God’s righteous character and gracious compassion in human flesh (John 1:1-3, 14-18). My Prayer… O God, you are holy and righteous. You are also the God of compassion to the fatherless. Please increase our compassion and commitment to work for those who are forgotten, abused, disenfranchised, and pushed aside. Please move us to a deeper hunger for holiness that reflects your will. We want your full character, the character Jesus demonstrated, to be formed in our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
God’s Suffering Servant
Note from Jesus Dear Follower, The Father’s role for Me when I came to earth as the Son of God shocked many people. They expected a warrior or kingly ruler who would restore Israel to prominence and power among the nations of the world. Even my cousin and forerunner, John the Baptizer, had questions about whether I was the Messiah. So I reminded this great servant that I was doing the things that are in the description of the Messiah given by Isaiah (Isaiah 35:4-6): John sent two of his disciples to ask the Lord, “Are You the Promised One, or shall we keep looking for someone else?” They came to Jesus and asked their question exactly as directed by John the Baptist. Before He answered John’s messengers, Jesus cured many from various diseases, health conditions, and evil spirits. He even caused many blind people to regain their sight. Jesus (to John’s disciples): Go and tell John what you’ve witnessed with your own eyes and ears: the blind are seeing again, the lame are walking again, the lepers are clean again, the deaf hear again, the dead live again, and good news is preached to the poor. Whoever is not offended by Me is blessed indeed. (Luke 7:19-23) I came to earth as the servant promised in Isaiah. I repeatedly tried to help people hear this truth about My identity; here are two examples of what I said about Myself: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to liberate the lost.” (Luke 19:10) “You know that among the nations of the world the great ones lord it over the little people and act like tyrants. But that is not the way it will be among you. Whoever would be great among you must serve and minister. Whoever wants to be great among you must be slave of all. Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to be a servant — to offer His life as a ransom for others.” (Mark 10:42-45) In the second passage of Scripture below, My apostle Paul dealt with problems in the church in Philippi. He used My example and My role as the servant of the Lord to be the foundation of his teaching. My disciples in Philippi needed to have the same mind, the same attitude, as I displayed in honoring the Father when I accepted My role as a servant. I want you to remember My role, My willingness to honor God in that role. More than remembering, I want you to adopt this servant lifestyle as your own! Verses to Live As you read the following verses, ask the Holy Spirit to imprint My example on your heart. First, you will read Isaiah’s words of description for the Lord‘s Suffering Servant. Then you will read Paul’s exhortation for My disciples to have this same attitude. As Paul wrote to the Philippians from prison, he wanted them to grasp fully that they must have this one mind as they lived in relationship with each other. I want you to have this same mind as you live in relationship with other believers! Indeed, who would ever believe it? Who would possibly accept what we’ve been told? Who has witnessed the awesome power and plan of the Eternal in action? Out of emptiness he came, like a tender shoot from rock-hard ground. He didn’t look like anything or anyone of consequence — he had no physical beauty to attract our attention. So he was despised and forsaken by men, this man of suffering, grief’s patient friend. As if he was a person to avoid, we looked the other way; he was despised, forsaken, and we took no notice of him. Yet it was our suffering he carried, our pain and distress, our sick-to-the-soul-ness. We just figured that God had rejected him, that God was the reason he hurt so badly. But he was hurt because of us; he suffered so. Our wrongdoing wounded and crushed him. He endured the breaking that made us whole. The injuries he suffered became our healing. We all have wandered off, like shepherdless sheep, scattered by our aimless striving and endless pursuits; The Eternal One laid on him, this silent sufferer, the sins of us all. And in the face of such oppression and suffering — silence. Not a word of protest, not a finger raised to stop it. Like a sheep to a shearing, like a lamb to be slaughtered, he went — oh so quietly, oh so willingly. Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away. From this generation, who was there to complain? Who was there to cry “Foul”? He was, after all, cut off from the land of the living, Smacked and struck, not on his account, because of how my people (my people!) Disregarded the lines between right and wrong. They snuffed out his life. And when he was dead, he was buried with the disgraced in borrowed space (among the rich), Even though he did no wrong by word or deed. Yet the Eternal One planned to crush him all along, to bring him to grief, this innocent servant of God. When he puts his life in sin’s dark place, in the pit of wrongdoing, this servant of God will see his children and have his days prolonged. For in His servant’s hand, the Eternal’s deepest desire will come to pass and flourish. As a result of the trials and troubles that wrack his soul, God’s servant will see light and be content Because He knows, really understands, what it’s about; as God says, “My just servant will justify countless others by taking on their punishment and bearing it away. Because he exposed his very self — laid bare his soul to the vicious grasping of death — And was counted among the worst, I will count him among the best. I will allot this one, My servant, a share in all that is of any value, Because
Today’s Verse – Nehemiah 9:30
For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you admonished them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you handed them over to the neighboring peoples. —Nehemiah 9:30 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Nehemiah recognized that the LORD had spoken repeatedly to his people. The faithful prophets spoke as the Holy Spirit of God inspired them. God loved, blessed, and protected his people, yet they often ignored his will revealed through his servants, the prophets. The people abandoned the LORD their God to their destruction! We must not let the same thing be said of us. Let’s pay attention to our God and to his Son, Jesus, whom the Father sent. Let’s listen and obey the Holy Spirit whom the LORD Jesus poured out upon us and who is alive in us to guide us. The Spirit speaks to our hearts and through the Holy Scriptures. The Holy Spirit longs to guide us in the ways of our God. My Prayer… Sovereign LORD and Abba Father, we praise you! Please never let us outlive our love for you or our hearts’ desire to be obedient and pleasing to you! Lead us and speak to our hearts through your Holy Spirit and your holy Scriptures. We offer our hearts to you and are ready to obey you and follow Jesus as our LORD and Savior. In his name, we pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Mustard Seed Effect
Note from Jesus Dear Child of the King of Glory, The kingdom of heaven is powerful. You are a part of that kingdom. You are a child of the King. Great power is at work in you. Not sure about this? Don’t really believe this? Remember My parable about the mustard seed? You can find it in the verses below along with Doctor Luke’s ending to the book of Acts. I have put these together for you because I want you to realize something amazing: My mustard seed parable proved true! You are an example of just how far this mustard seed effect has spread both geographically and through time. As we read from the book of Acts in the coming days — after I have shared several key passages reminding you of the power at work in you — you will see the mustard seed effect produced through the power of the Holy Spirit! What began as a small movement in the backwaters of Galilee with Me and a few disciples reaches all over the world bringing people from all different races, cultures, nations, religions, and backgrounds into My family. Yes, there are some who reject the message and refuse to believe. However, an amazing number come to faith and that faith has kept growing and providing a family, a real home, for other people of different languages and cultures. By the time we finish the book of Acts, the apostle Paul will have reached his goal of going to Rome (Romans 1:9-13), the capital of the empire. He didn’t arrive there in the way he anticipated or under the circumstances he would have planned. However, he arrived in Rome and effectively shared My good news there. This sharing is the final message Luke wanted you to hear: In Rome, Paul proclaimed My good news of the kingdom of God and taught about My grace “with great confidence and with no hindrance.” Christianity went from such small beginnings to such powerful influence in such a short time period — in just three decades. All of this was done without the benefits and conveniences of your era in time. The disciples had no superhighways, automobiles, planes, high-speed trains, internet, telephones, text messaging, social media, or email. So imagine what I can do today through you if you keep sharing My message using all your modern tools and trusting that I will support your efforts with My power! Verses to Live Notice how the ending to the book of Acts complements My parable about the mustard seed. My movement really is the mustard seed effect: people doing normal things with extraordinary faith in the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus told them another parable. Jesus: The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a sower took and planted in his field. Mustard seeds are minute, tiny — but the seeds grow into trees. Flocks of birds can come and build their nests in the branches. (Matthew 13:31-32) Some [of the Jewish leaders in Rome] were convinced, but others refused to believe. Paul (adding as they left in disagreement): The Holy Spirit rightly spoke to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah: Go to this people and say, “You certainly do hear, but you will never understand; you certainly do see, but you will never have insight. “Make their hearts hard, their ears deaf, and their eyes blind. “Otherwise, they would look and see, listen and hear, understand and repent, and be healed.” So let it be known to you that God’s liberation, God’s healing, has been sent to the outsiders, and they will listen. Then the local Jewish leaders left Paul to discuss all he had told them. For two full years, he lived there in Rome, paying all his own expenses, receiving all who came to him. With great confidence and with no hindrance, he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the ultimate authority — the Lord Jesus, God’s Anointed, the Liberating King. (Acts 28:24-31) Response in Prayer Father, I stand in amazement at how the message of Jesus has reached out and impacted such a significant part of the world. I believe that behind the incredible spread of Your gospel is the work of the Holy Spirit. I believe that behind the advances of the kingdom are the prayers of Jesus’ followers who have invested their lives in His cause and who have kept on asking Him to release the power of the Holy Spirit through them. So I pray, dear Father, that you will use me to further Your mustard seed effect and that I can be a part of seeing people from all over the world come to faith in Your Son. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2024, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today’s Verse – Exodus 9:29
“When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD’s.” —Exodus 9:29 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… These words of Moses to Pharaoh remind us that when Moses confronted Pharaoh and was met only by the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart, God sent the plagues. Why? Because God wanted Pharaoh to know that Israel’s God wasn’t just another petty god of another nation, but that the LORD was the Only True and Living God. The nations, the seasons, and the earth are his. All people must come to revere his name and receive his grace or be lost forever. My Prayer… God of all the universe and LORD of more than all that we can imagine, experience, or see, we praise you and proclaim you to be God, the only true and living God, and the earth and its future are in your hands. Please use us, your people, to help more of earth’s inhabitants “from every nation, tribe, people and language” (Revelation 7:9), acknowledge you as God indeed! In Jesus’ name, we praise you and thank you for being LORD of our hearts, our world, and our future. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.