Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Advent 2020, Wed., 12/2 - Matthew 4

 Let's continue reading, reflecting upon, and responding to God's Word.

PRAY and ask the Holy Spirit to move in you and speak to you! God is a person and the relationship we have with Him is personal, real, and interactive! All throughout Scripture there is a pattern and promise that God will speak to us through His Spirit working in us. Pray for a listening spirit!
READ Matthew 4.
REFLECT
Jesus' temptation was an amazing showdown. The calling of the first disciples was monumental and the ministry of healing was dramatic! When reading this again, the verse that the Spirit draws to my attention the most is 17: "From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" He did not start with the miracles. He did not start with a launch team. He started with a message. And it wasn't a message of promises of prosperity. It wasn't a message to scratch people's itching ears. It was a message that cut to the heart: "Guys, we gotta deal with sin." Everything else hinged on this message of reconciliation with God, of turning, the literal meaning of repentance, and getting right with God. This is the heart of getting our lives on the right track. Everything else falls in line after this.

RESPOND
This Christmas season, as with the rest of our lives, has gotten so cluttered with other goals, ideas, and dreams. Let's cut to the heart of the matter: how important is it for you to have your life right with God? How important is it that your entire life gives honor and glory to God? How does your life convey worship and praise of God, in His very real and powerful presence? What clutters your mind and heart and spirit? Remember, Jesus said the most important commandment, basically the distillation of what life is all about, is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). We find our life has meaning, purpose, joy, and alignment when we repent, turning from false pursuits, and hear God calling us to live as part of His Kingdom people, according to His Kingdom purpose. Worship the King today. Sing a praise song. Bow before Him. And follow His lead!

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