The more that crowds gathered around Jesus, the more often He would “withdraw” to pray. Jesus modeled an important rhythm between doing ministry and personal devotion. We recognize the need for food and rest for our physical bodies after exerting work, but we often overlook the need for our souls to be replenished after doing ministry. Do you ever withdraw to pray?
Moses kept a journal of their journey and all that the Lord had done for them. In this, their story was preserved for the generations. Keeping a spiritual journal is faith-building because we can see what God has done in our lives over time.
Jesus answered all three of Satan’s temptations with Scripture. Luke gives a shortened version of the Deuteronomy 8:3 passage, which Matthew’s gospel quotes fully: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt.4:4). Ironic that both the Luke and Matthew passages should have the same reference. Jesus overcame Satan with the power of God’s Word. We have this same Word available to us.
David knew how to get alone with God and find hope and encouragement from Him. He was careful to silence his own self-talk and listen for the voice of the Lord. When we allow the voice of worry (anxious self-talk) to fill our heads, discouragement abounds. At times like this we can say to ourselves, “Be quiet soul, wait and listen for God to speak.”
The continuity of leadership is an often overlooked step by the senior leader. But Moses prayed that the Lord would not leave the Israelites without a shepherd after his passing. The Lord answered Moses’ prayer and instructed him to lay hands on Joshua, setting him apart and investing him with authority. In this way, the people learned to follow Joshua as they had Moses and there was no breakdown in leadership nor unity. A great leader not only leads well himself, he also trains up and lays hands on the next generation of leaders.
The 84 year old widow, Anna was looking for the redemption of her people. She fasted, prayed, and spoke of this daily at the temple. Seeing the infant Jesus, she worshiped and gave thanks to God. Where are the modern day people like Anna who are looking for Christ’s return? If the Lord delays, I plan to still be preaching at 84 too.
Singing praises to God puts our hearts and heads in alignment with His. Even when (or especially when) we are weak, recognizing God as our Strength and Fortress in song, strengthens us to face what the day holds. Singing praises to God, we actually climb to the top of His fortress and see life from above.
Against family tradition, but in accordance with the Lord’s instruction, Zechariah named his son John. The boy grew and became known as John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Christ. When Zechariah wrote the name, no doubt he wrote it in Hebrew: יוֹחָנָן (Yôḥanan), which means “Graced by Yahweh.” Since the New Testament is written in Greek, his name appeared as: Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs) in Luke’s text. In English, the name “John” is derived from this Hebrew/Greek lineage and has become the most common masculine name in the Western world. According to Jesus, John was the greatest ever born up until that time. He truly lived up to his name, as the angel Gabriel had predicted. He was great before the Lord.
God calls us to be a blessing to the city in which we live. We are to bless and not curse. We are tempted to curse the darkness we see in the culture around us. But isn’t it better to light a candle, than to curse the dark? After all, aren’t we called to be salt and light? Where can you speak a word of blessing over your city today?
David probably wrote this psalm while hiding in the cave of Adullam. This after fleeing from Saul to the Philistine King Achish of Gath, then fleeing from him as well when the reception turned dangerous. While every circumstance around David turned negative, he still didn’t blame it on God. He still believed that God was for him. David decided to place his trust in God rather than man. A broken and scared David went into that cave, but a man who believed that if God was for him, no one could stand against him emerged. Have you ever met with God in a cave?