Get ready to start a journey…a journey through the pages of the Bible and the pages of your life.
Big decisions call for big times of conversation with God. Many disciples were following Jesus, but he needed to reduce the number. He desired to pour into those who would pour into others and pour themselves out with lives of sacrifice. He chose twelve to teach, train, and mentor.
Every believer needs a time of refreshment. The journey is long with many uphill climbs. Like the psalmist says, our soul thirsts for God “as in a dry and weary land where there is no water” (Psalm 63:1). There are days when we need renewal.
Why don’t people spend more time talking with God? Why don’t I spend more time talking with God? We can all give our excuses, but at the end of the day, we must make time to speak and listen to our heavenly Father. Jesus made this his priority early in the morning.
Years ago, I spoke at a Missions Conference and a missionary there gave me a guide for prayer that ended with—listening. For years I kept that guide in my Bible. So simple, yet such a great reminder that meaningful conversation is both speaking and listening. We are taught that in the Old Testament.
Have you ever heard someone pray and pray and pray, and you wondered to yourself if the prayer would ever end? Yeah, me too. That’s not to say all long prayers are bad. There are plenty of inspired drawn-out prayers in Scripture. The problem occurs when we think that length equals quality. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminded us that a simple conversation with God can be powerful.
As we begin a new year, let’s focus on learning how to talk with God. That’s what prayer is—simply talking with God. So, for the next thirty days let’s work together to develop a more powerful prayer life. I know that’s one thing I really need.
The religious leaders were offended that Jesus was having a meal with hated tax collectors. But they were not the only ones upset. The disciples of John the Baptist wondered why they had to fast while Jesus feasted. Jesus answered their question by likening himself to a bridegroom at a wedding celebration.
Hebrews 13:20-21(NIV)
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
If you are searching and hungry, if you have unsuccessfully tried to fill your life with all the things of the world, today I ask you to trust in Jesus, the Bread of Life.
We are sinners and cannot pay our debt. Our best efforts fall short, so God did for us what we could not do for ourselves. He is our Ga-al, our Redeemer. He sent his son to release us.
Before Jesus comes again, the world will experience chaos like never before. The Bible describes this time as the great tribulation, and this will be the beginning of the end. Those living in that terrible time will need a Deliverer.
In the New Testament, Jesus came to be the Passover lamb. When John the Baptist saw Jesus walking down the road, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).