Why I Was Sent – January 4, 2009

Why I Was Sent

Luke 4:42-43

Jim Stephens

01-04-09

 

Scripture:

 

42 Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them. 43 But he replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.”  (Luke 4:42-43 NLT)

 

Observation and Application:

 

When the people saw Jesus’ miracles and heard his teaching, they wanted him to stay with them forever.  In this same chapter, Satan himself confronted Jesus and tempted him to abandon his mission and 1) use his power for his own benefit, 2) put someone other than God at the center of his life, 3) make himself great by showing off publicly.

 

Jesus was clear on his mission:  18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19 and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”  (Luke 4:18-19 NLT)

 

Jesus was clear on his mission and committed to his calling.  I want to be both clear on and committed to God’s purpose for my life.  How about you?

 

Prayer:

 

Father, Jesus’ responses to temptation and distraction both inspire me and challenge me.  Please help me to be clear on your purpose for my life and committed to fulfill that purpose without giving up or giving in.  Amen.

Good Things – December 4, 2008

Good Things

Ephesians 2:10

Jim Stephens

12-04-08

 

Scripture:

 

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

 

1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.  (Ephesians 4:1-3 NLT)

 

Observation and Application:

 

I know this isn’t exactly how S.O.A.P. journaling is supposed to work, but I just couldn’t limit my focus to only one thing this morning.  So here’s my thoughts:

 

First, for some reason I simply cannot understand, God chose to make each of us a new person in Christ and he considers us his masterpiece of all creation.  You and me – we’re his greatest creation.  And there’s purpose, eternal purpose in this.  He has some long-planned good things for us to do!

 

Second is that we’re all and each called by God.  He has made us part of his cabinet to bring his government to our world, he has knighted us and given us a quest, he has enlisted us and assigned us a mission to accomplish.  In order to be worthy of our calling we must be humble and gentle and patient with each other.  Love and peace bind us together and we can only sustain the close relationships that love creates if we make allowances for each other’s faults – you make allowances for my faults and I make allowances for yours!  I’ve got the easier assignment!

 

Prayer:

 

Father, I want so much to fulfill the purpose for which you created me – to do the good things you intend for me to do.  You created me specifically for these good works.  Please help me to be able to get them done.  And I so want to live worthy of the calling you have given me.  Help me love others better and give them room – make allowances – for them to just be who they are.  Amen.