God Speaks
Jesus Is Tested by Satan; Calls His First Disciples and Performs Miracles
Verse of the Day: [While reading the scriptures, Jesus declared the purpose of his coming and ministry.] “The Spirit of the LORD is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19 NIV 2011)
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Watch TBR Day 278
We Respond
Matthew 4
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Matthew 4.
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
1. Jesus, as the God-man, provided a real-life example of how people should handle the temptations that Satan, the world system, and our own bodies and human nature throw at us. We must depend on the power of the Holy Spirit and skillfully use the words of scripture that we know well.
2. People from various occupations are called to repent, to turn to God, and to follow Jesus. He will train and equip us to “fish for people.” Like Jesus, the Holy Spirit will enable us to heal people who are ill with all kinds of sickness and disease, those are demonically oppressed, epileptic, or paralyzed. Whatever the problem is, we can bring it to Him.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Matthew 4?
Dear LORD, thank You that Jesus stood up to temptation. He countered every attempt with the Word of God. Please help me to do the same. Please also help me to be aware of the areas in which I am particularly vulnerable so that I can avoid them, if possible. Show me the people who are living in the darkness of sin and under the shadow of death among whom You can use me to shed the light of Christ. Lead me to join with other believers so that we can team with You in teaching about the kingdom of heaven, preaching the good news of Christ, healing people of various diseases and afflictions, dealing with the demonic, and setting people free from all kinds of bondage. I want with all my heart to follow You faithfully, Lord Jesus. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Matthew 4?
- I will study and memorize at least one Bible verse to help me deal with temptation.
- I will, in the strength of the Holy Spirit, look for at least one way to turn my areas of weakness into areas of strength in Christ.
- I will reach out to at least one person on whom I can shine the light of God’s love.
- I will make at least one friend that I can team with to minister to others as You direct and strengthen us.
Luke 4
Reflection: This chapter reports: How Jesus responded to temptation by Satan. How Jesus, while participating in a service at a synagogue, said that Isaiah 61:1-2a was fulfilled in Him that day. How Jesus cast out a demon. How Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law. How Jesus healed many other afflicted people. How Jesus got alone with the Father. What Jesus declared to be His mission and how He stayed on it.
Prayer: Dear God who promises to always be with us. Please help Your children to recognize and resist temptation as Jesus did by correctly applying the Word of God. May we appropriate the promises of scripture to our own lives and situations. Please help us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to preach Good News to the poor; heal the broken hearted; announce freedom to the captives; give sight to the blind; free the downtrodden from their oppressors; and proclaim that You, Lord God are ready to pour out blessings on all who come to You in faith. Please use ordinary people who are trusting You to cast out demons, perform miracles, and heal the sick in such a way that those who witness these events are amazed and give You all the credit and turn to You in faith as well. I acknowledge that before You can use us in these ways, we must spend significant time with You both alone and along with other like-minded people. Lord, help us to stay on mission as You did. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will work out a plan to spend significate time alone interacting with God, then carry it out.
- I will make a concerted effort to gather with fellow believers to praise God, pray, study the Bible, discuss and/or do practical things to please God.
- I will search out examples of where God is carrying out the activities mentioned above and join them if possible.
- I will praise God for all the ways I see Him working in my life and/or the lives of others.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.
Luke 5
Reflection: After borrowing their boat to preach to the crowd, Jesus demonstrated God’s power by performing a miracle for some fishermen. Then He called them to follow Him. He cleansed a leper and gave him an assignment. Despite the crowds Jesus sought and found isolated places to pray. Jesus exercised His power to both forgive and heal a paralytic. Jesus called a despised tax collector, Levi (aka Matthew) to be His follower, then ate at his house and met his family and friends. Jesus taught that He was introducing a new way of serving and loving God while fulfilling the old.
Prayer: Dear Father God, may people (myself included) be overwhelmed by Your blessings causing us to acknowledge Christ’s holiness and our own sinfulness; so much so that we have to ask You to stop. Lord, help us to respond properly and follow You closely as You make us fishers of men. May people (myself included) recognize both Your ability and willingness to cleanse us of our leprosy of sin. Please show us times and places to get alone to dialogue with You and be filled with Your Spirit. As people gather to worship You and hear Your Good News preached, may the power of Your Holy Spirit be present for healing and miracles. May many people turn to Jesus in faith and receive forgiveness for their sins. May everyone be amazed and praise God for both healing and forgiveness through Christ Jesus. Thank You, Jesus, for coming not for the self-righteous but to call sinners to repentance, and we are all sinners apart from You. May people recognize the difference between the old covenant and the new and desire and do what is best. All for Your glory. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will express my amazement at something I see the Lord doing for me or others.
- I will go to a doctor to have him /her verify when the Lord has healed me as a testimony to them and others.
- I will seek the presence of the Holy Spirit for healing, miracles, and salvation whenever I gather with other believers to worship or study the Word of God.
- I will ask the Lord if, how, and when He wants me to fast, then do as He directs.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.