SHARING BREAD⁴⁰ When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Luke 4:40 (NIV)Do you know of anyone who the “sun is setting” in their lives and they are beset with all kinds of various troubles?  Out of love and compassion, take them to Jesus.  The sun could be setting both in years or in “an opportune time” – the clock is ticking for both. The people in Jesus’ day brought all those who were struggling with all sorts of maladies – physical, emotional, mental, etc, etc. and He healed each one.  Jesus is in the business of making “all things new”.  He desires to heal spiritually each person approaching Him with a willing heart and mind.   I love the word used in the above verse translated “brought”.  It is the Greek word “Ago” meaning to lead, to lead along, to carry, to guide toward repentance, to influence.  Because of their belief in Jesus’ achieving power and authority, these people were guiding, dragging along, if you will, those they loved so that they too may be touched by the Master.  I love what Jesus’ half brother wrote in Jude 22:²² Be merciful to those who doubt; ²³ snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear–hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.  Jude 1:22-23 (NIV) When we know for certain Whom it is that heals, out of love for Christ and for others, we respond.  I love a quote from Edmond Burke in reference to our responding in actions:“All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.”As Romans 12 Christians, we are to serve out of love our fellow sojourners, helping them by leading them or pointing them to the One that does have the power to help! One reason I can think of for not sharing this very good news is that we perhaps have not experienced it ourselves.  We are unsure of how to express our faith and how to point others to Christ through our words and deeds.  This should serve as a reminder to all of us our call as believers!  We are to “grow up” in Him to be able to share and point Truth to others. The word translated “sickness” in the above verse are two Greek words:  “Astheneo” meaning without strength, sick, weak spiritually, weak in riches, poor; destitute of authority and the Greek word “Nosos” meaning disease, sickness; metaphorically refers to pain, sorrow.  The world is certainly filled with hurting people such as these.  Our spheres of influence are likewise.  We must take heed lest we miss our windows of opportunities.  We must remind our hurting world of Jesus.  Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, in 1983, spoke on the great disasters that had befallen Russia stating:“More than half a century ago, while I was still a child, I recall hearing a number of older people offer the following explanation for the great disasters that had befallen Russia:  ‘Men have forgotten God; that’s why all this has happened.’Since then I have spent will-nigh fifty years working on the history of our Revolution; in the process I have read hundreds of books, collected hundreds of personal testimonies, and have already contributed eight volumes of my own toward the effort of clearing away the rubble left by that upheaval.  But if I were asked today to formulate as concisely as possible the main cause of the ruinous Revolution that swallowed up some sixty million or our people, I could not put it more accurately than to repeat:  ‘Men have forgotten God; that’s why all this has happened.’”        What I glean from this:

• I must lead others to Jesus through my words.
• I must point others to the Healer through my actions.
• I must serve out of love for Jesus and love for others.

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SHARING BREAD  ³³ In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, ³⁴ ”Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!”

     ³⁵ “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.

     ³⁶ All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!” ³⁷ And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area. Luke 4:33-37 (NIV)I don’t know about you, but I find it very interesting that the first people who confirmed Jesus’ identity on earth were the demons!  The gospel of Matthew gives us yet another example of this:  ²⁸ When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. ²⁹ ”What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”  Matt 8:28-29 (NIV) Demonic possession, as you probably already know, is the worst form of human suffering produced by Satan’s agency. This poor guy has it rough! Using the vehicle of the man’s voice, screaming at the top of his lungs, the demons cry out three things in a taunting fashion to Jesus.  First, they proclaim who Jesus is; secondly they ask if Jesus is going to utterly destroy, decimate or obliterate them – giving assent to their knowledge of His achieving power; and third, they state very clearly that they know in an absolute sense that Jesus is the Son of God. Yes, the demons know full well who Jesus is and the achieving power that He commands! Jesus himself tells us in Luke’s gospel: ¹⁸ He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.  Luke 10:18 (NIV) Satan did not fall alone – the fallen angels (demons) accompanied him in his free fall from heaven.  They mistakenly chose to be allies with Satan – doomed and sentenced to eternal separation from God.  It always amazes me that after being in the very presence of God they could choose to turn their backs on their Creator. Jude tells us:   And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home–these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. Jude 1:6 (NIV)Peter tells us that this is also true of those who “follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority” here on earth adding:²⁰ If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. ²¹ It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. ²² Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”  2 Peter 2:20-22 (NIV) Jesus rebukes and chides the demonic presence to be silent – to muzzle that noise!  Throwing the man down before them all, he departs and in no respect – in any way – is the man injured.  Jesus always heals completely and totally, without a trace of injury.  Amazed, they begin to ask each other, “What is this teaching with such ability and power – giving orders with absolute authority making evil spirits flee?”  Certainly, the news would have spread like wildfire – it permeated the entire surrounding area! I love a line from Ruth Haley Barton in an Invitation to Solitude and Silence:  “The silence that comes after the chaos is pregnant with the presence of God.”  Yes indeed, the silence after the demonic departure had God’s signature all over it leaving a powerful taste of His presence!  Ah, the sweet aroma of Jesus! What I glean from this:·           Jesus has authority over all.·           Jesus heals completely.·           When Jesus moves the news spreads!

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SHARING BREAD ³² They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority. Luke 4:32 (NIV)I wonder if we ever stop to consider what or who has ultimate authority in our life?  Perhaps a mate or a friend or a boss comes to mind.  Maybe we believe we are our own authority – whatever we deem correct guides us through this life.  What about a job or a house or our bodies or our possessions taking authority over us?  These things have a tendency to start ruling us rather than us ruling them.  How about status or pride?  We should not be deluded in this; we do have a choice over what is the authority in our lives. The answers could be as varied as the people who are reading this yet only one answer should remain true for believers in Christ – God’s Word.  It should be our ultimate authority.Jesus being the very Word of God (John 1:1) came teaching His message.  The word rendered “message” is the Greek word “Logos” meaning intelligence or word – especially of God, the word of God, divine revelation and declaration – no wonder the crowds were amazed at Jesus’ teaching!  The Word came teaching the Word – now that’s authority indeed!   The word translated “authority” is the Greek word “Exousia” meaning it is permissible, allowed; it denotes not only the physical capability to do something, but also the right and authority to carry out the action.  How totally God!  He gives us His Word and then through the power of the Holy Spirit, He empowers us to accomplish it.  Any other authority chosen over a life lacks this achieving power. God always equips His children to do whatever He has commanded – always!  Scripture is replete with examples. I love some of the following verses that deal with exactly just that: ¹³ Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. ¹⁴ The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”  Ex 14:13-14 (NIV) ²² Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.”  Deut 3:22 (NIV) ¹⁷ ”Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.  Jer 32:17 (NIV) ¹³ I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Phil 4:13 (NIV) He calls, He equips.  I don’t know about you, but that is very reassuring to me!  This sister knows her flawed flesh is lacking!  Things done in my own power are just that – flawed!  It amazes me that I fall back into that pattern of working in my own strength rather than waiting on the perfect power of the Lord to do in and through me what I could NEVER accomplish in my own might – which of course is “His good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2). Waiting, sometimes for me, can be very difficult yet oftentimes God’s timing is not my timing!  I love this quote by Carlo Caretto from The God Who Comes: “God comes like the sun in the morning – when it is time.  We must assume an attitude of waiting, accepting the fact that we are creatures and not creator. We must do this because it is not our right to do anything else; the initiative is God’s, not ours.  We are able to initiate nothing; we are only able to accept.” Isn’t that great?  God comes to us in the fullness of time – we must wait on the Lord – for His perfect hour – in due time, He will lift us up! ³⁴ Wait for the LORD
     and keep his way.
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
     when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.  Psalms 37:34 (NIV) What I glean from this:

• God’s word should be the authority of my life: ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  2 Tim 3:16-17 (NIV)
• God gives me the power to do what He commands.
• I am to wait on the Lord for His perfect timing.

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SHARING BREAD¹⁷ The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
¹⁸ “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
     because he has anointed me
     to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
     and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
     ¹⁹ to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

     ²⁰ Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, ²¹ and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:17-21 (NIV)Returning to Galilee, full of the Holy Spirit, Jesus taught in the synagogues.  News spread about Him throughout the whole countryside and Scripture tells us, “Everyone praised Him”. Praise precedes revelation.  These people were ready to receive truth and Truth is exactly what was received (even though eventually not accepted)! He entered Nazareth, the town He was raised in, and on the Sabbath went into the synagogue.  Our Scripture today is what follows.Being handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, Jesus begins to read His job description.  He starts out by stating that He had been anointed.  The Greek word translated “anointed” was only used five times in the New Testament four times referring to Christ and once referring to Christians.  The anointing – always done by God.  The reference to Christians is found in II Corinthians:²¹ Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, ²² set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.    2 Cor 1:21-22 (NIV) Believers in Christ are owned by God (I Corinthians 6:19-20).  His Spirit resides within us to equip us and as our deposit for what is yet to come – our taste of heaven in the here and now. Our job descriptions are the words read by Jesus. We are to preach the good news; to evangelize the poor – those that have not yet received the Truth. We are to herald the remission of sins to those in bondage so that eyes will be opened to the gospel of Christ. We are to be an ambassador for the forgiveness of sins – proclaiming God’s favor. Jesus has given us the authority to go forth in His Name so that we can make disciples to disciple.  We were never meant to hoard Truth. Sit, soak and sour is not God’s intention for His children! As Jesus rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down, all eyes were fastened on Him – they were stretching their heads to look steadfastly at Him.  Can you even imagine their response to His statement?  They were definitely paying attention to His words when He tells them: “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”   Luke 4:21 (NIV)That had to blow them out of the water!  The Jews knew that Isaiah was referring to their Messiah – they understood precisely what Jesus was telling them yet they refused to believe:  ²⁸ All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. ²⁹ They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. ³⁰ But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.       Luke 4:28-30 (NIV) As believers, we must not be surprised when others don’t embrace the Truth espoused.  The servant is certainly not greater than the Master.  We are told in Matthew:   ²⁴ ”A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. ²⁵ It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!  ²⁶ ”So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. ²⁷ What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. ²⁸ Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matt 10:24-28 (NIV)Acceptance or lack of acceptance of Truth of the hearer does not negate our call to obedience in proclaiming the Good News to others. We are responsible to proclaim, God is responsible for the results.  Persevere Christian in this good work!What I glean from this:

• Praise precedes revelation of Truth.
• As Christians, we are anointed by God as it is written:  ¹⁰ For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Eph 2:10 (NIV)
• We must not be concerned with results; rather we must be faithful to the call.

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SHARING BREAD¹ Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, ² where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. Luke 4:1-2 (NIV)Jesus had just received a glorious confirmation from God at His baptism and was full of the Holy Spirit when led to the desert to be tempted by the devil.  From the mountaintop to the valley to the mountaintop to the valley – such is the way life goes!  Isn’t it sweet and comforting to know that our Savior walked the same path yet was without sin?  He understands and feels our pain as it is written: ¹⁸ Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.  Heb 2:18 (NIV)¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin.  Heb 4:15 (NIV)  Thinking that perhaps he had a shot, Satan picks an opportune time as Jesus was tired and hungry. I will have to hand it to Satan here; he knows how to read the times. Yet, it was ignorant and blind of him to think that he could deceive the One who had created him! I really believed that he was smarter than that unless, of course, he was just trying to make Jesus’ life miserable.  Don’t be deceived – Satan is NOT out for our good! Nor is he our friend. He delights to see us in bondage to sin.  It makes his day for us not to receive the gift of salvation. He loves to see us fall by his temptations and then shout “You are such a LOSER”! Make no mistake; he cares nothing for our well-being. Jesus, on the other hand, lived and died for all of us!  What a Savior, what a Friend! Satan offers Jesus three things – food, the world with all its authority and glory, and for Jesus to prove that He actually was the Son of God.  All three came with GREAT price tags! All three deal with fleshly appetites: physical hunger, power and materialism and lastly, pride.  Satan doesn’t fight fair.  Where we are weak, Jesus is strong; when we are weak, Satan strikes.  He still uses the exact same tactics as he did in the garden with Adam and Eve.  He gets us to question God’s plan and love for us and then appeals to our pride and lusts. The tricky thing about Satan is that he mixes the truth with lies.  If he would just come to us with a red cape and a pitchfork, I doubt any of us would succumb to his enticements.  Yet, he appears good and right and all about what is best for us!  Nothing could be further from the truth. We should take note of how Jesus dealt with Satan’s allurements.  He did not argue, He merely quoted God’s word.  That is exactly what we are called to do too.  It foils Satan’s attempts to bring us down.  We must be proactive in this.  We must take it upon ourselves to have a rich storehouse of truth within our hearts for WHEN the day of evil comes as Paul states in Ephesians:    ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Eph 6:10-17 (NIV)Satan is powerful BUT God is more powerful.  I love the verse in Colossians which states what our Jesus did for us in this regard:¹⁵ And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.  Col 2:15 (NIV) Yes indeed, Satan has NO rights over the child of God – only what we allow him to have.  Therefore, dear brothers and sisters let us not give him an inch! We must always remember in our hearts and minds the contrast between what Satan has done for us and what Jesus has done and continues to do for us.  “Stand firm then!”  What I glean from this:

• Jesus was tempted in every way that I could possibly be tempted yet was without sin.
• Jesus used Scripture to refute Satan’s attacks – I should use the same weapon.
• Satan has no right over my life – only what I allow.  May I never give him an inch!
• I must always remember what Jesus has done and continues to do for me and what Satan is trying to do to me – his desire is to render me powerless and ineffective for Kingdom work.

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SHARING BREAD²¹ When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened ²² and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22 (NIV)Jesus came to fulfill all righteousness which would include being baptized. I love the way Scripture states that while “all” the people were being baptized Jesus was too.  He came to be in our midst.  He came to make His dwelling among us.  He is a “with us” God!  The text states that He was praying which, of course, Jesus did before many occasions. He is our Supreme example of how we should walk through this life – consistently faithful in prayer. While He was praying, heaven opened up into a glorious high five! This conveys the idea that God was breaking into human history and giving His glorious approval to Jesus. We are told that the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove.  The dove is a symbol of peace or freedom from judgment. How appropriate that the Holy Spirit would appear visually in this manner.  This was a visible expression of the inward character of Christ.  It signified that Jesus would bring salvation (peace) to those who would turn to Him.Can you even imagine the thunderous voice from heaven?  I don’t know how they didn’t shake and drop as dead men from fright! I am reminded of what was said about Moses’ encounter with the living God in Hebrews 12:²¹ The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”  Heb 12:21 (NIV) Whenever flawed flesh comes in contact with pure Holiness there is certainly reason for fear! God states that Jesus is His Son – the Son whom He dearly loves and in whom He is enormously pleased.  What a confirmation!  What a God!  I think it is so interesting that all three parts of the Trinity were present giving assent to the plan – all three were in agreement over the next steps in His-story.  Again, I am reminded of a verse in Isaiah – a prophecy that Jesus fulfilled: ¹⁰ Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.   Isaiah 53:10 (NIV) Jesus Himself tells us in the Gospel of John: ¹⁴ ”I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me– ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father–and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶ I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. ¹⁷ The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life–only    to take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”   John 10:14-18 (NIV) There is unity in the Trinity – exemplary for the body of Christ.  We are called to “bear” with one another; we are called to forgive grievances; we are called to love; we are called to pray for one another; we are called to be a part of one body – the church – of which Christ is the Head.  Basically, we are called to just GET ALONG!  I think the reason we have such difficulty in this area is that we have a tendency towards two year old behavior!  We want what we want when we want it and we get annoyed when someone prevents it.  God has an antidote for this in Scripture – Die to self!  Over and over in Scripture that is the call.  By the way, this is also the ticket for perfect peace in a life!  Sound good?  It is attainable!  God never tells us to do what He has not already done perfectly and of which He also gives us the power to accomplish it.  As Paul tells us in Philippians 4:13: ¹³ I can do everything through him who gives me strength.  Phil 4:13 (NIV) What I glean from this:·         Jesus came to fulfill all righteousness.·         Jesus is a “with us” God!·         Like Jesus, I should be consistent and faithful in prayer.·         I should seek to GET ALONG with my sisters and brothers in Christ! 

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SHARING BREAD⁸ Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.  Luke 3:8 (NIV) These words spoken by John the Baptist to those who were coming to him to be baptized carried quite a punch! Filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb on, John spoke truth to those that heard him.  His desire was for them to know that the act of baptism did not save them – it was only to be symbolic of an inward change.  Repentance that John preached (as well as Jesus and Paul and others) was a changed life – a life that manifested fruit to a hurting world.  Quite frankly, a verbal assent of faith without accompanying fruit (behavior) is dead.  James tells us: ²⁶ As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.   James 2:26 (NIV)    John goes on to say that we are not to convince ourselves that we are God’s children because of what family we were born into.   How much control did we have over that anyway?  He was telling the Jews that even though born into His chosen people, that did not mean they were automatically people of faith.  It is an individual repentance and acceptance of what Christ did for us on the cross – God’s provision for our salvation.  We must not be deluded about this either.  Just because we were born into a Christian home does not make us a Christian anymore than sitting in a garage makes us a car!  It is indeed a blessing to come from a Christian home BUT one must make the decision for his or herself individually.  It is between that person and God.  The Bible states:²² This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.   Romans 3:22-24 (NIV) Paul further states: ¹⁸ You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.  Romans 6:18 (NIV) We are to be slaves of righteousness.  Unfortunately, when we become believers our sin nature still remains.  Like Paul states in Romans 7 – evil is right there with us!  He goes on to say:   ⁵ Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; ⁷ the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.  Romans 8:5-8 (NIV) Indeed it is a battle until we go home to be with the Lord for only then will we be made perfect (one of my favorite words!)  Until that day, we continue to wage war against the sinful nature remaining within us and strive to live in accordance to the Spirit.  What in the world does that mean? A few applications could be: ·         Pray to be filled with the Spirit.  This is not a just a onetime request!  While the Holy Spirit never leaves a true believer, we can shrink the Spirit within us by our own poor choices making us appear carnal.·         Pray for wisdom and clarity of God’s will in our choices!·         Repent quickly when convicted by the Spirit which means turning from the sin to embrace righteousness and truth.·         Set our hearts and minds on things above – not on earthly things.·         Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus – “the author and perfecter of our faith”.     ¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.  Eph 5:15-17 (NIV)  What I glean from this:·         It matters how I live.·         Faith is more than a verbal assent.·         It will be a battle with my sinful nature to live according to the Holy Spirit.·         The reward of a life controlled by the spirit is peace! Billy Graham once said:“I need Jesus Christ for my eternal life and the Holy Spirit of God for my internal life so that I can live my external life to the fullest.”

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SHARING BREAD³ He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  Luke 3:3 (NIV) The word of God had come to John the Baptist in the desert – it was his turn at bat (so to speak)!  His time had fully come!  John had remained in the desert until his public appearance.  He was to go into all the country around the Jordan proclaiming and heralding God’s message.  John was the fulfillment of the following prophecy in Isaiah: ³ A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.  Isaiah 40:3 (NIV) John was to preach a baptism of repentance – this was to be an outward picture of an inward change of heart.  The baptism did not save anyone but pointed to the One who would save them.  It showed them their need.  He was the forerunner of Christ.  Like John the Baptist, we too are called to proclaim repentance and the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Jesus to a hurting world to make ready a people for Christ’s return.  We should ask ourselves if we know anybody experiencing a desert period in their lives; or if we know anyone who has left “the way” and taken “crooked paths”?  If so perhaps this verse is for us.  We should be prepared to herald the truth to a hurting world in preparation for Christ’s second coming. We should consider our sphere of influence.  Pain, disappointment, and heartache are rampant.   As believers, we offer hope to a world that so desperately needs it.  We should not let an opportunity to minister pass us by.   It is interesting to note that in those days when a king traveled the desert, workmen preceded him to clear debris and smooth out the roads to make his trip easier.  In like manner, John went ahead of Jesus smoothing the way so that a large number of people were ready to receive Jesus’ message. This is just as true in our day.  As we go along are we leaving the “sweet aroma” of Jesus behind to all we encounter?  This is our call – we are to be a “planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor” (Isaiah 61:3).   The word rendered baptism is the Greek word “Baptisma” which means to dip; the actual act of baptism.  The word rendered repentance is the Greek word “Metanoia” meaning to change one’s mind.  The act of baptism was a sign that the mind of the person had been changed.  This is the definition of true repentance – a changed mind, – a turning from one direction to another.  John was preparing a people made ready for the Lord.  The forgiveness of sins of course, would be based upon Christ’s substitutionary and sacrificial death on the cross and His subsequent resurrection. John himself was not offering salvation, he was pointing to the One who would bring it. Many verses come to mind to support our going forth proclaiming Christ to a hurting world: ²² Be merciful to those who doubt; ²³ snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear–hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.  Jude 1:22-23 (NIV) Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,   1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) ² Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. ³ For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.   2 Tim 4:2-3 (NIV) ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matt 28:18-20 (NIV) Yes, John serves as a wonderful example for us too!  He was prepared and he went forth.  May those who come behind us find us as faithful! What I glean from this:·         I need to be prepared to herald truth to a hurting world.·         Just as John the Baptist went before Jesus to prepare for His coming, I too have an opportunity to go forth to prepare for Christ’s second coming.·          I am commanded by Jesus to “Go”.      ******************************************************************************

SHARING BREAD⁵² And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52 (NIV)Oh the great economy of words in Scripture! Wouldn’t you like to know more about the childhood of Jesus than the above verse states?  Why on earth did God not tell us more – unless, of course, this was sufficient?  Scripture tells us that we are to walk as Jesus did:⁶ Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 (NIV) Since God does everything perfectly with purpose and plan it would behoove us to examine this verse a bit deeper.     At first blush these words just appear to let us know that Jesus grew both in wisdom and physically and also in favor with God and men.  While it is perfectly normal and predictable for a child to grow physically, it is neither human nature nor predictable for a child to grow in wisdom and favor with God and men!  Jesus being both totally God and totally man was born an infant (of course!) and in that precious infant body dwelt the “fullness of the God-head” (Colossians 1:19).  He was in the infant stage as was His wisdom and favor.  It was perfection for that stage. As He grew in statue, He also grew in wisdom and favor to perfection for each stage.  While we will never reach perfection on this side of heaven, we are called to pursue wisdom and favor. The Bible is filled with verses to this end:² turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,   Prov 2:2 (NIV) ⁶ For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. ⁷ He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, ⁸ for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Prov 2:6-8 (NIV) ¹³ Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, ¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. ¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her. ¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. ¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. ¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.  Prov 3:13-18 (NIV) ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 (NIV) We are also told in Scripture that in Christ are “hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).  As we grow up in Christ we grow up in wisdom and with this we find favor with God and men. Have you ever noticed in Scripture how many years God takes in readying or growing up His vessels for use?  Abraham waited twenty-five years for Isaac, the promised child of covenant; Joseph spent thirteen years in preparation; Moses was forty years tending sheep for his father in law; David, Paul and on and on the list goes – all waiting for the “time to fully come”.  Even Jesus prepared for thirty years for His three year ministry – are you getting the picture here?  Just as building muscles takes time, growing in wisdom and holiness takes time.  As I heard someone say before:  “we fall into sin but holiness is a pursuit”.  It does not just happen.Since we are commanded in Scripture to grow in wisdom and holiness, how do we go about making application?  While not exhaustive, some suggestions would be:·         We must be in God’s word daily – even if it is just a verse, it is profitable.·         We must apply God’s truth to our life.  What we learn by being in His word, we should apply.  All the head knowledge in the world will not help us grow until it is actually fleshed out. We live what we believe to be true.  And we grow or go backwards (whichever the case may be) as we live our lives. Make no mistake, no one just stands still.·         We must hide God’s word in our hearts – this keeps us from sinning and strengthens our prayer life.·         We must pray, pray, pray.The promise of Scripture is this:¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.^[  Jer 29:13-14 (NIV) If we are not yoked to Jesus we are yoked to something and that something is bondage and captivity.  Just as the Israelites were held in bondage in Egypt until He set them free with His mighty arm, so too, we are in bondage until Christ sets us free:   ¹ It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  Gal 5:1 (NIV) How very easily we go back to captivity!  The only way we can break bondage is to be yoked to Christ – now that is wisdom indeed!  He tells us:  ²⁸ ”Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matt 11:28-30 (NIV) What I glean from this:

• Just as I grow in stature, I must grow in wisdom.
• God desires for me to pursue wisdom – it is not automatic.
• As far as it depends on me, I am to live at peace with everyone.
• I must flesh out what God teaches me.

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SHARING BREAD     ³⁶ There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, ³⁷ and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. ³⁸ Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38 (NIV)Have you ever prayed for something specifically for a VERY long time?  Have you ever prayed specifically while serving and worshipping the Lord (not out of compulsion but out of love) and with fasting? (Ouch)   I don’t know about you, but I have a tendency to slack off when the answers do not readily come.  Anna serves, for me, as a wonderful example of persevering in prayer.Prayer is one of the most difficult commands given in Scripture.  To me, that is so sad!  It is the greatest gift given to us.  We, through the blood of Jesus, have access to God’s ear and we take it so lightly.  We are too busy in our minds to pray.  We are too busy in our hearts to pray.  We are too busy in our bodies to pray.  We are too busy, we are just too busy.  We must believe that all of our activity is of greater importance than spending time on our knees (or our faces) with the Creator of the Universe.  We must believe that, because we live what we believe.  Something is indeed wrong with this picture!  Below are just a few of the rich examples Scripture states about prayer:

• The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (NIV)
• ¹⁷ pray continually; 1 Thess 5:17 (NIV)
• ³ ’Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jer 33:3 (NIV)
• ⁴ Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Psalms 105:4 (NIV)
• ¹⁸ The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. ¹⁹ He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.  Psalms 145:18-19 (NIV)

And on and on it goes.  The Bible is replete with examples on prayer.  Abraham was a prayer warrior, David was a prayer warrior, Paul was a prayer warrior and Jesus, our Savior, was a prayer warrior:    ³⁵ Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35 (NIV)Jesus was always going off alone, usually to a mountaintop, to pray.  That in and of itself should give us pause!  If it was important enough for Jesus to do it how much more important it is for us!  His prayer life was so effective that His disciples asked Him to teach them to pray.  There is achieving power in believing prayer. How do we make practical application here?  While I am no expert, I have found the following helpful in my own prayer life: 

• Praise and glorify God for His attributes – omnipotent, omnipresent, all knowing, slow to anger, abounding in love.

• Praise and thank Him for His goodness – God is pleased with my gratitude for all of His blessings.
• Seek to empty myself of any bias so that I may sincerely plead for His will in all circumstances.  This is important.  Whether we realize it or not, to stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured is the place we want to be!
• I pray back Scripture.  I think that floats God’s boat (so to speak).  There are some wonderful prayers by Paul in Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians (as well as many other places in Scripture) that I insert people’s names in and pray this over them.  Guess what?  When you pray God’s word you get what you pray for!
• I persevere.  I have been praying for some things for years.  I continue to pray as long as it burdens my heart!  God does not weary of my voice.  I know He likes for us to call on Him.
• I seek to be totally open – God knows my heart so why should I not share all that burdens me?  He never makes me feel small or silly but bestows on me unbelievable peace, joy and contentment.  And the best part – He doesn’t repeat!  Sometimes it is wise to just let Jesus know!

 These are only a few practical prayer tips.  The main thing is just to pray.  God isn’t as concerned with the words as He is with the heart – the purity and sincerity of one’s heart in God’s presence is of utmost importance. He is not interested in a feigned character!  He already knows our hearts anyway – nothing takes Him by surprise.  Persevere in prayer my friends, and like Anna we will see God’s hand move! What I glean from this:

• I am to persevere in prayer until peace comes.
• God delights in His children praying to Him.
• God desires for His children to unload their heavy hearts to Him – He can take it and He never repeats it!

  “In prayer, it is better to have heart without words, than words without heart.  Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer.  The spirit of prayer is more precious than treasures of gold and silver.  Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan.”   John Bunyan 

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