Today’s Reading: Matthew 4:1-11

The Lord has been working on me lately, pointing out how often I seek food for comfort and coffee for energy. I have felt him challenging me to start eating to live instead of living to eat. I have cut back on my caffeine intake and started saying no to the sweet temptations of this world. I am inspired by the way Jesus handled temptation and appreciate today’s reminder that it is God’s word that brings lasting satisfaction.

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. – Matthew 4:1

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted. God was not tempting Jesus but He was allowing Jesus to go through a time of temptation, just as He allows us to experience temptation.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. – James 1:13-14

By fasting through this time of temptation, Jesus was showing his intention to depend on God and God only for his strength. He was giving God his full attention, away from the distractions of his daily life and away from the satisfactions of the earth’s nourishments.

Jesus was able to say no to temptation because his focus was on God. Knowing Jesus would be hungry, Satan tried to play on this weakness in order to take advantage of his vulnerability, just as Satan tempts us where we are the most vulnerable or weak.

During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” – Matthew 4:3-4

Jesus’ response to each of the temptations was to quote Scripture, a great model for how we can handle temptation. So if God’s word sustains us through the difficult times, shouldn’t we spend time in His presence soaking in what He says? Shouldn’t we study the word and be prepared by knowing the Scripture in order to be equipped to use them when the moment of temptation arrives?

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” – Matthew 26:41

Father God, we ask that your Spirit would lead us through the times in our lives when we are tempted to find satisfaction in the things of this world. Remind us that the things of this world can only sustain us for a short time. Help us to rest in the knowledge that your living water can quench our thirst so that we never go thirsty again. Give us eyes to see the areas in our life where we are focused too much on the taste of earth’s pleasures. Fill us with the sweet aroma of your presence and satisfy us with the taste of your scriptures. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22

God had a magnificent plan for John the Baptist, yet John remained humble. He was given the role of preparing Israel for the coming of their Messiah, he was given the honor of seeing Jesus revealed as the Son of God and he was given the privilege of introducing the Lamb of God to the very people whose sins Jesus would die for.

John could have thought too much of himself but he knew he was also one who needed a Savior and that knowledge kept him humble. He could have said, “Jesus is my cousin! God has chosen this relative of mine to bring salvation!” But instead he left himself out of the introduction and simply said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

It seems to me that John told half the story of Jesus’ baptism and Matthew told the other half. Therefore, I am going to combine both passages so that we can get an idea of how this took place:

John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.” – John 1:26-27

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.’” – John 1:29-31

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.

After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” – Matthew 3:13-17

Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.’” – John 1:29-34

The study Bible I use points out that the language John the Baptist used when he referred to Jesus as “the Chosen One of God” and the language God used when He said “This is my dearly loved Son” is the same language used in Isaiah 42:1: “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, who pleases me. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will bring justice to the nations.”

Just as God had a plan for John the Baptist who remained humble in carrying out God’s will for his life, we should also remain humble. What God calls us to do, the position He places us in and the things He calls us to, NONE OF IT IS ABOUT US. It’s about Him – the Chosen One of God, the Dearly Loved Son. It was for our sins that Jesus died and we come to Him as a humble servant, ready to be used however He desires for His glory and not ours.

Thank you for dying for my sins.
Thank you for carrying my weaknesses and my sorrows,
for being pierced for my rebellion, crushed for my sins.
I am whole because you were beaten;
I am healed because you were whipped.
There have been so many times I have gone astray and left your path to follow my own, yet you willingly bore my sins and interceded for my rebellious heart. This morning I submit to your path and give you all the praise and glory for where this path takes me. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Matthew 3:6-12, Luke 3:1-18

And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. – Matthew 3:6

John the Baptist was called by God to prepare the way for the Lord by preaching a strong message of repentance. He baptized men and women who confessed their sins and repented of their ways. Baptism wasn’t just to experience a spiritual moment of cleansing, it was to proclaim that this individual was dying to their old way of life and ready to turn to God in submission.

I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am — so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. – Matthew 3:11

John the Baptist preached a message of repentance, calling people to make changes in their lives. He was preparing the way for Jesus, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. With the Spirit’s involvement, life changes do not have to be manufactured by our own human effort. The Spirit comes in and begins to change the desires of our heart. This change in our heart creates a change in our behavior and others begin to notice.

Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. – Luke 3:3

The physical act of baptism is a symbol of the spiritual transformation that takes place when we repent and seek forgiveness. There is nothing about the water that changes us but it is a symbolic way of testifying to the change that has taken place. It is meant to be a genuine reflection of our changing behavior and Christlike attitudes.

When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ that means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.” – Luke 3:7-8

Authentic life transformation is evident by the fruit produced in our lives by the Spirit. We then become useful for building God’s Kingdom and responding to what is calling us to do, just as John the Baptist lived out his call in obedience.

Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.” – Luke 3:9

WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

The people responded to the message of John the Baptist with hearts willing to change. What should we do? How can we show that our hearts are open to whatever God has for us. John responded by describing the physical actions that would reflect the heart transformation:

If you have more than you need, give your excess to the poor.
If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.
Stop taking more than you need.
Be content with what you have instead of craving more.

Lord, we thank you so much for the changes your Spirit made in our lives when we made the decision to repent of our sinful ways and turn fully to you. We rejoice over the transformation you have made and give you the glory for the fruit produced by our relationship with you. Lord, we give you this day and we invite you to continue to make changes in us. We love you! Amen.

Today’s Reading: Matthew 3:1-5; John 1:19-28

God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. – John 1:6-8

GOD HAD A PLAN FOR JOHN – A VERY SPECIFIC PURPOSE FOR HIS LIFE.

John’s obedience and decision to walk in God’s plan for his life made a difference in the lives of many people and in the acceptance of Jesus when He arrived. John knew God’s purpose, knew what God had called him to do. He didn’t know every detail or the timing of God’s plan but he knew there was a plan. John accepted this calling on his life with great humility, even when those around him desired for him to be more than who he was.

This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.”
“Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?”
“No,” he replied.
“Are you the Prophet we are expecting?”
“No.”
“Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”
John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am the voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’” – John 1:19-23

In those days, when a King or man of great importance was going to visit an area of the kingdom, they would send men out before him to prepare the way. There were not nice paved roads like we have now, so they would take time to travel the path and clear the road of any rocks or fallen trees, perhaps trimming back branches that would hinder a chariot or horse. Their purpose was to make sure there was nothing blocking the way of this man of great importance.

John the Baptist had a similar role – to clear the way for the Lord’s coming or make straight the way of the Lord; to make sure there was nothing blocking the way of this man of great importance.

We do a similar “clearing” here at our house when we know that company is coming. It is that moment when we look around and see through the eyes of someone else what our home looks like. When it is just us, we become comfortable. When company is coming, we notice the pair of shoes in the living room; that the couch cushions need straightened, chairs have not been pushed back under the table, shower curtains need closed and blinds need opened. We scramble around the house, clearing and preparing for our special guests.

God challenges us to take a look at our life through His eyes — to honestly look and see if there is some clearing we need to do. Are there things in my life that are blocking the way of what God wants to accomplish? Are there attitudes I need Jesus to shine His light on and expose? Is there anything that is not clearly a sin but hindering someone else’s walk? Is there a possibility that the conditions of my life will cause someone else to stumble? Perhaps what I need to give up is more than just chocolate or coffee but something bigger that is cluttering my walk with Jesus.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. – Hebrews 12:1-2a

LIKE JOHN, GOD HAS A PLAN FOR MY LIFE AND HE HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE.

I want to obediently and humbly walk in that plan. Lord, shine your light on my life and show me what I need to clear away. I do not want to hold tightly to anything that might block your way or hinder someone else’s walk. Strengthen my hands to take a new grip on you instead of holding onto something I need to let go of. Strengthen my weak knees and mark out a straight path for my feet. Amen.

So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. – Hebrews 12:12-13

Today’s Reading: Luke 2:39-52

The writers of the gospels seem to fast forward through Jesus’ childhood. Not much is written about the time between the visit with the wisemen and the journey to Jerusalem when Jesus was twelve years old. Out of curiosity, we wonder what it would have been like to raise the Son of God. We imagine Jesus playing with his brothers, watching his father build things with wood or cuddling up beside the fire with his mother after a long day. Most likely, Jesus had a pretty normal childhood.

Luke describes Jesus as a healthy and strong child, filled with wisdom and favored by God. Each year he would go to Jerusalem with his parents for the Passover festival. When he was twelve years old, Mary and Joseph realized that he was not with the rest of their group as they traveled back home from the city.

When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”

“But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they didn’t understand what he meant. – Luke 2:45-50

Have you ever lost your child, even for just a minute? The feeling that surges through you is far beyond what the word “panic” describes. I get that same feeling when I am at a store and I hear a mother looking for her child. I stop what I’m doing and immediately try to help her. My heart goes out to her as she frantically searches.

This must have been how Mary was feeling that day as she looked for her son – the son she knew belonged to God and yet was very much her child. I know the fear of a few seconds of being unable to find my daughter but I cannot imagine what it must have been like for Mary to go through THREE DAYS of searching for her son. Did she sleep at night? How many “what if” scenarios played through her mind from the time she confirmed Jesus was missing until the moment they found him in the Temple. How relieved she must have been when she found him!

The bible says Mary and Joseph did not know what to think (NLT); they were amazed (KJV) or astonished (NIV). I have had a few parent moments like this — moments of astonishment or amazement. I have found myself saying, “What were you thinking?!” Perhaps Jesus’ parents had a similar reaction.

The Greek word used to describe the reaction of Joseph and Mary is very strong – “ekpletto” – to knock someone out of their senses, to strike with astonishment or perhaps terror or admiration. If there had been Twitter in those days, Joseph might have tweeted – I cannot find my son! #ekpletto

After an exhausting three day search for their son, they walk into the temple and find him not just sitting among the Jewish teachers but listening intently to them, asking questions and then responding with his own understanding and answers. Yes, I am guessing that “ekpletto” would be the proper word for the reaction of more than just Joseph and Mary that day.

“Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” – Luke 2:49b

Jesus was drawn to His Father, his heart connected to God. Just as I can relate to Mary in this passage, I can also relate to Jesus. I love those moments when my heart is pulled so strongly toward God that I cannot get enough of Him. I love those moments when I am surrounded by His presence with no desire to ever be separated from Him.

My prayer this morning is that we will all experience a strong pull toward God this week. I pray that our time alone with God draws us like a strong magnet as we run into His presence each day. I pray that as Sunday approaches, we do not anticipate just another Sunday morning worship time but that we rush into His sanctuary with the spirit of I must be in my Father’s house! Let us respond to God’s invitation to spend time with him today without resistance.

Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart. Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. – Luke 2:51-52

Today’s Reading: Matthew 2:13-23

When he learned of Mary’s pregnancy, Joseph planned to divorce Mary quietly. If he did not draw attention to the situation, perhaps he would be spared the embarrassment and she would be saved from the shame. Joseph was a good man and did not desire for Mary to be publicly disgraced.

An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. This child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit and would save his people from their sins. Joseph was to marry her and name the baby Jesus. When he woke up from the dream, Joseph chose to believe and do everything the Lord had commanded him to do. He respectfully cared for her and faithfully obeyed the instructions he had been given (Matthew 1:18-25).

An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream again after the wisemen came to visit Jesus.

“Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” – Matthew 2:13b

Joseph was not just told to move to another home, he was told to flee — to run away from the danger that was headed their direction. There was a sense of urgency and a strong need for Joseph to respond without delay. The same man of God who woke up and did exactly what the Lord had told him to do when he took Mary as his wife was now responding again in obedience.

That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.” – Matthew 2:14-15

At times God calls us to respond without delay. Not tomorrow, not next week, not when you get around to it. Joseph left Egypt that night. He took only the time needed to gather together his family and then quickly moved them to safety, just as the angel had commanded them to do. And then he stayed.

Just as easily as he had responded to God’s command to flee, Joseph obediently stayed where God had told him to stay. To stay is to remain where you are; to stay is to stand firm, to take residence, and to wait. The same strength that equipped Joseph to run to safety also equipped him to rest where God had placed him.

What is God telling you to do right now? Is He telling you that it is time to move on in an area of your life? Or perhaps there is a sense of urgency and you are hearing the Lord tell you to flee — to run away from a situation or to move away from a dangerous environment or a toxic relationship. Will you respond without delay even if it is the hardest thing you have ever done?

Or perhaps God is giving you permission to stay; perhaps God is telling you to remain where He has you and rest in His perfect plan. His timing is always what we need, even when it challenges our patience. So stay…take residence…wait. Be still and wait until you hear Him telling you differently.

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. “Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.” So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother. But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. – Matthew 2:19-22

Lord, we sit before you quietly this morning and wait on you. We pray that you will direct us in the way we should go. Give us a heart that responds in trust with a willingness to go if you call us to go and stay if you ask us to stay. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Matthew 2:1-12

Have you ever set out to do something, but lost track of what you were doing or became distracted by something else before you could accomplish your task? Have you ever made a trip to the grocery store to buy something and came back with ten other items, forgetting the item you set out to purchase? Have you ever walked across your house and then became so entranced in a different thought that you cannot remember what you came into the room to do?

We live such busy lives that it is incredibly easy to become distracted or to lose course. Life becomes routine and we start going through the motions, forgetting what life is really about or what is most important. In fact, Sunday mornings can become so routine that even church becomes about something other than worshipping God.

GIVE GOD YOUR FOCUS

God wants us to purposefully focus on Him every day, to live our lives with our eyes fixed on Him. Every day of our lives can become about how we worshipped our King, how we spent time seeking Him and entering into His presence to give Him praise.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” – Matthew 2:1-2

We have come to worship him. What a great reminder for me this morning to check my intent when I enter into my quiet time or go to a service at Church. I think there are a lot of times when I am going through the motions instead of sincerely entering into God’s presence to worship Him. When I wake up, grab a cup of coffee and open my Bible, it would be helpful to pause and consider that this time is not about me but about Him. When I walk into the Church, it is not about the people I get to see, or whether or not I am going to like the song selection. I am there to worship God and to learn.

DISTRACTED ALONG THE WAY

The wisemen could have easily been distracted on their journey. The wisemen came to Jerusalem intently looking for the King of the Jews. This was not something they were doing halfheartedly. They had spent years studying for this journey and their hearts were committed to this search. But there was one who tried hard to distract them – to make this search about him instead of about the newborn King.

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him…Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I may go and worship him.” – Matthew 2:3-8

This was the moment when the purpose for their search could have changed. This is the person who could have distracted the wisemen from their calling. This is the time in which their quest could have become about earthly success or acclaim, but the wisemen stayed focused on their original purpose – to find and worship the King of all Kings.

After they heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. – Matthew 2:9-11a

The Message says the wisemen were overcome when they saw Jesus; the NLT says they were filled with joy. When we enter into God’s house or enter into His presence during our daily quiet time, if we have truly come to worship Him and if we block out distractions and focus on Him, we can be overcome with joy. We can bow before Jesus, open up our hearts to Him, and sincerely worship Him. Then we can empty ourselves and offer Him everything we have to give.

Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. – Matthew 2:11b

THE GIFT OF YOUR ATTENTION

What gift can you offer to Jesus today? I can tell you what gift He wants. He wants YOU – all of you, focused on Him and entering into His presence sincerely intent on worshiping Him. Oh how I need that this morning! I want to cherish this quiet start to my morning and rest in His Word — to soak in the presence of Jesus and allow God to make today exactly what He wants it to be.

Today’s Reading: Luke 2:8-20

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared among them and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” – Luke 2:8-12

Have you ever wondered why shepherds? Why did God choose this group to be the first visitors to the Messiah? I wonder if they had the same response: Why me? Out of everyone you could have given this opportunity, why did you choose me? I am not the smartest or the funniest or the most attractive, and definitely not the most talented. Why choose me to be a part of this big plan? I am not perfect. I have definitely made my share of bad decisions and spoken words I immediately regretted, yet you love me and have a plan for my life. But even as I acknowledge this, I feel fear creep in.

“They were terrified.”

Do you know what it is to be scared to death of God’s plan? There are moments in our life, like this one the shepherds experienced, when we do not fully understand what is happening or what God’s bigger plan is. Our response is fear. Yet God calls us to trust Him.

“Don’t be afraid!”

Trust me, even when it means not understanding. Trust me, even when you are overwhelmed. Trust me, even when the path ahead is blurry.

“I bring you good news.”

This is a good thing. There is no need to be scared, no need to worry. This new thing, this change in your life, is a good thing. You may not see it now but trust me and do not be afraid.

“And you will recognize him…”

I’m not going to hide from you. Seek me with all your heart and you will find me. Look around, there is evidence of my hands all around you. If you take the time to watch and listen, you will recognize me and you will hear from me.

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others – the armies of heaven – praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heavens,and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” – Luke 2:13-14

Lord, we praise you. You are Almighty and you are wonderful! To you be ALL the glory!!! From the humblest of hearts to the highest heaven, may your glory be seen and recognized. Thank you, King Jesus, for the peace you allow us to experience each day. May you look down on us today and be pleased with our worship! Amen.

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. – Luke 2:16

They did not hesitate, they did not pause. They did not go around asking for advice. They had heard from God and they hurried to do what He had told them to do. Because of this response, they did not miss out on what God had for them. And oh what a wonderful experience God had for them, what a good thing!

Do not be afraid. Trust God and experience all the good things He has for you. When you hear from him, hurry to where He is calling you. Do not hesitate. Do not pause. You will never be the same if you obediently answer His call. Then TELL THE STORY – “This is how I came to experience Jesus…”

After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. – Luke 2:17-20

Today’s Reading: Matthew 1:18-25

Tell me the story of Jesus, Write on my heart every word; / Tell me the story most precious, Sweetest that ever was heard. / Tell how the angels in chorus, Sang as they welcomed His birth, / “Glory to God in the highest! Peace and good tidings to earth.” / Tell me the story of Jesus, Write on my heart every word; / Tell me the story most precious, Sweetest that ever was heard…

Written in 1880 by Frances J. Crosby, these words still speak to me today. Do these song lyrics speak to the desire of your heart? As we read through the story of our Savior, do you want THAT kind of impact on your life? To have God write the story of Jesus on our heart would have a huge impact on the way we respond to His call on our life. Let’s submit to whatever the Spirit wants to do in us as we once more study the life of Jesus.

This is how… – Matthew 1:18

Everyone’s story can be started with these three words. This is how Sherry came to know Christ. This is how Scott and Sherry fell in love and married. This is how Sherry came to work for Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center. This is how the Sherwood family came to live in Pekin.

Jesus’ story in Matthew starts in this same way.
THIS IS HOW Jesus was born.
THIS IS HOW the virgin, Mary, came to be with child.
THIS IS HOW Joseph decided to marry her instead of divorcing her quietly.
THIS IS HOW Mary & Joseph were in Bethlehem when Jesus was born.
THIS IS HOW Jesus was born in a stable instead of an inn.
THIS IS HOW shepherds and wisemen came to visit the baby Jesus.
THIS IS HOW Herod came to know of the birth of King Jesus.
THIS IS HOW the prophecy of Isaiah came to be fulfilled in the birth of Jesus.

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
which means ‘God is with us.’”

When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus. – Matthew 1:18-25

So what is your story? How did you come to know Christ? What circumstances brought you to the place in life you are today? How would you finish this sentence:

THIS IS HOW ______________________________________(fill in the blank)

In a trust exercise, our leadership team went around the table sharing a little about our backstory – Where were you born? How many siblings do you have and where are you in the birth order? What is something about your childhood that speaks loudly into the adult you are today? It was a moment of honesty and vulnerability – a moment when we trusted each other with new information and purposefully began a journey to increase our trust in one another for the sake of our effectiveness in ministry.

Knowing where we have been and how we arrived to where we are at today helps us gain focus on where we are going. As Paul Harvey would ask, what is the rest of the story? We have the opportunity to write the next chapter of our lives – our next “This is how…”

Heavenly Father, we bow before you on this beautiful morning asking that you would see into our hearts. Lord, see the desire of our heart to live a life that pleases you. We thank you for our story, for the way you have been with us through the great times and through the difficult ones. We ask for a special touch this morning as we hear again how you gave your Son to us, to be born in a manger and to die on a cross. May our hearts be open to any new insights you have for us as we read through the gospels – your story! Lord, we bring to you the gift of our lives and we give you where our story goes from here. Father, take the pen out of my hand and write the rest of my story for me. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Mark 1:1-8

Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. Everyone who heard about it reflected on those events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way. – Luke 1:65-67

WHAT WILL THIS CHILD TURN OUT TO BE?

As a mother, my heart is stirred by this question because it is a question I often ponder about my own girls. Don’t we all wonder what will become of our children and grandchildren when they grow up? Will they marry and, if so, who? What career will they have? Will they be successful? Will they be happy? Will they have children? I find myself wondering what God has planned for my girls and pray that today’s experiences will prepare them for tomorrow’s opportunities.

Daily we have the opportunity to speak blessings on our kids – whether they are small enough to crawl into our laps, old enough to ask for the keys to the car, or grown enough to be out of the house. Our children need to hear that we believe in them and in God’s plan for their lives. Our role as parents never ends. We can still be the one to pray over them, asking for God’s blessings and protection.

This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written:

“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’”

This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.

John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!” – Mark 1:1-8

HE ATE WHAT?!!

What happens when we struggle to understand the decisions our children are making or the road they are choosing? I wonder what Zechariah and Elizabeth’s reaction was to John when he was living in the wilderness. Did they worry? Were they surprised at the details of how his ministry was rolling out?

I can easily see how parents could go from being the cheerleader to the voice of doubt. How easily we can get an idea in our head of what our children should do and then end up being a discouragement to them. That’s not who I want to be. I pray that I continually point them back to God with words like, “As long as you are doing what God has asked you to do” or “Just keep listening to God and following Him and I’ll be here no matter what.”

Perhaps we should look for an opportunity to tell our children how much we believe in them and in the plan God has for them. Make sure they know God can use them in a powerful way wherever He places them and whatever He asks them to do. Maybe we should look for opportunities every day to essentially say…

YOU DID IT! GREAT JOB! I’M PROUD OF YOU.

Lord, give me wisdom. Parenting is not always easy but it is such an honor and a blessing. Thank you for the privilege of this responsibility. Heavenly Father, guide me and teach me what to say and when to say it. May I always be a source of encouragement and a positive voice in the heart of each of my daughters.