"Therefore the Lord himself..."

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14 ESV)

This is a verse we often hear around Christmas time. We usually focus on the latter half of this verse and speak of Immanuel—“God with us”. But let’s explore the first half of Isaiah 7:14—“the Lord himself” and find another place in Scripture where God and “himself” are closely associated.

Back in the Old Testament, Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice His own son Isaac as a test of Abraham’s faith in Him. Abraham obeyed. 

While things were getting prepared, unknowing his father’s intention, Isaac saw the wood, he saw the fire, but saw something missing. He asked his father, “Where’s the lamb?”

Abraham replied, “God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt-offering, my son.” (Genesis 22:8 ASV)

These were prophetic words. 

Seeing his faith, God held Abraham back from sacrificing Isaac. Instead God provided a ram, caught by its horns in the thicket, to sacrifice.

Seeing us, our sinful state, our hopeless-on-our-own selves, God had a plan. He would provide Himself to save us. He. Himself. Jesus. Eventually caught in the thicket of a crown of thorns. Immanuel. God with us.

What does this mean to you? How does our belief in God sending Himself distinguish itself from all other faiths in the world? What good news do you find in “God will provide Himself the Lamb”? How may you share why Christmas is so merry to those who do not yet know Jesus?

Ready...Set...GO!

Ready?

As we wait for something we hope for (remembering Jesus’ coming to the world as a baby)…

We prepare.

We ready ourselves.

We remind ourselves of that in which we hope for and why we hope for it.

Peter wrote, “Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have.” 1 Peter 3:15 (ERV)

ARE YOU READY?

Are you prepared to explain the hope you have in Jesus?

We have a simple tool for you—The Bridge!

Read through it multiple times to become familiar with it.

Practice sharing this with a friend.

Take turns with it in your small group.

Memorize the Bible verses.

Then share it with that friend of yours who does not know Jesus but who needs the same hope you have and need.

Ready…

Set…

“Go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 (ERV)

The following is also featured in http://twentydaysofchristmas.weebly.com/. 

What Are You Waiting For?

Below is my writing contribution to the December 7 devotion of 20 Days of Christmas. 

What are you waiting for?

In the season of Advent, we await the birth of Jesus, or rather we await the remembrance of Jesus’ birth.

Why wait? Why not skip Advent and jump right to Christmas? What’s the point in waiting?

Waiting makes the heart grow fonder.

Waiting prepares us for what we hope for.

Waiting forces us to examine ourselves (our motives, our wants, our desires).

Waiting grows our patience.

Waiting builds our trust in God.

(What else would you add?)

What does the Bible say on waiting?

• "As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me."  Micah 7:7 (NLT)

• "but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31(ESV)

• "I truly believe I will live to see the Lord’s goodness. Wait for the Lord’s help. Be strong and brave, and wait for the Lord’s help." Psalm 27:13-14 (NCV)

• "Meanwhile, the Eternal One yearns to give you grace and boundless compassion; that’s why He waits. For the Eternal is a God of justice. Those inclined toward Him, waiting for His help, will find happiness." Isaiah 30:18 (VOICE)

• "The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him." Lamentations 3:25 (ESV)

What are you waiting for?

How does waiting grow your heart for Jesus?

Beyond Advent, as we await Jesus’ 2^nd coming, how does waiting prepare how you live your life for Him every day?

How does waiting on Jesus force you to examine yourself?

How does waiting grow your patience?

How does waiting build your trust in God?

Which of your responses reveal where you have the most room to grow in the area of waiting? In what ways do you believe God is growing you spiritually through this waiting period? Discuss these questions with a friend. Pray for one another as you both wait on Jesus.

Me in Jesus - Day 4 of 10

Impossible (right?!) for a butterfly to revert back to a caterpillar? So are we to understand who we are in Jesus.

That person who you were, your regretful past, your sins, ALL gone in Jesus! You can want to not forgive yourself. You can want to hold onto and dwell on the past. But that would be of your own doing and choosing. 

In God's eyes, because of what Jesus did on the cross for you, your old self is gone. Gone. Gone. Gone!

In Jesus you ARE a new creation. So what does this mean for your life moving forward? What are the implications? How are you encouraged? Who in your life needs this reminder as well?

Watch the following for a fun way to remember the good news of 2 Corinthians 5:17:

Me in Jesus - Day 3 of 10

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39 ESV)

Plans will go awry.

People will disappoint.

Misfortune will come.

But one thing...the only thing we can always count on is the love of Jesus!

His plan for you is perfect.

He will always be in your corner.

In Him is found true joy.

What does this assurance, the love of God known in Christ Jesus, mean to you? What could this assurance mean to another?

Be comforted by Citzen Way's Nothing Ever (Could Separate Us):

Me in Jesus - Day 2 of 10

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1 ESV)

Familiar with "junk files"?

Every time you use your computer, junk files are made. They are created when you open a document. They are created when you browse the internet. Just powering your computer up and shutting it down creates junk files. 

There are 2 main problems with junk files: 1) They take up a lot of disk space; 2) They slow down your computer. For these reasons junk files should be deleted from your computer on a regular basis. I'll let you google yourself on how to delete junk files, but it is an easy process--only takes a few click. 

Now what about the junk, the times we blew it, the past sins, in our lives? They can take up space inside us--filling us with guilt, regret, etc. They also slow us down from being whom God created us to be. 

Thankfully, Jesus did something about this! He died on the cross for our sins. He rose from the dead defeating sin and death. Because of Jesus' work, our sins, our past, is wiped clean. "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Even though this is a truth about who we are as followers of Jesus, I think we need the reminder. I need the reminder. The church in Rome to whom Paul wrote needed the reminder.

How has your past taken up too much residence in your life? How has your past slowed your life down and kept you from being whom God created you to be?

Read Romans 8:1 over and over again. Hold on to this truth. Let this truth take prominent space in your heart and mind. Let this truth free you to move forward in life, to live your life for Jesus, to share this good news with all you encounter.

Sit back, be refreshed, be reminded and soak in Andrea Hamilton's song No Condemnation:

Me in Jesus - Day 1 of 10

"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:3-4 ESV)

Most of this 10-day devotional is about assurances--assurances of the truth as to who we are in Jesus. These assurances knock down the lies we tell ourselves and/or the deceptions we allow the evil one to whisper in our ears. 

Your baptism into Jesus was more than a "thing" you did. It was more than a symbolic ritual that happened to your life. It was more than a proclamation of faith. Your baptism into Jesus was transformational! Your baptism was God changing your life--all His work--100% credit goes to Him. The power of this life change, what made it all possible, flowed out of Jesus dying for your sins and being raised from the dead. Jesus did this so that we would walk in newness of life.

If you were baptized into Jesus, you have a new life--the old is gone! That is the truth as to who you are! There was something in the water which changed your life forever. 

Watch Carrie Underwood's music video Something in the Water. Listen to the lyrics carefully. In the song, where do you find God's work in baptism? What hope does Carrie reflect upon regarding her being baptized into Christ? What encouragement do you find in Carrie's testimony? How may you walk in newness of life with the hope and promise God gifted you through baptism? (And if you believe in Jesus, have faith in Him, but have not been baptized, what's stopping you from receiving this amazing grace gift?)

new 10 day devotional coming tomorrow....ME IN JESUS

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1 ESV)

I believe all followers of Jesus need those regular reminders as to who we are in Jesus. For whatever reason we allow lies to pervade our mind and forget the truth of our existence in Jesus. Those lies do no good...for ourselves...for the loved ones in our lives. Thankfully in God's Word, especially from the apostle Paul, we have many reminders of the truth as to who we are in Jesus. 

You are invited to join me tomorrow for the 10-day journey - Me In Jesus. I could easily have titled this Us In Jesus, but I desire for you, the reader, to really understand who YOU are in Jesus so that you may be encouraged, equipped and hear/know/believe the truth about yourself. Of course you are invited to pass this devo on to others so that they may be encouraged as well.

On the lighter side of life, have a laugh over the lies Brick Tamland believed about himself and the joy he received from the truth. :)

Meet Jesus - Day 40 of 40 - Divider

Read Luke 12:49-59. 

"Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other!" (Luke 12:51 NLT)

Wow, that doesn't sound like Jesus. Not the Jesus we hear generally hear about in our congregations. I could have easily skipped this section of Luke onto an aspect of Jesus that would sound more "favorable" to people....more "nice" Jesus. But if we are to meet Jesus, we need to meet the real Jesus--that includes Jesus: Divider. 

And go back to read the real Jesus in verses 49-50, "I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished." This is about as human and raw as we are going to see. This is 100% Jesus. This is 100% Jesus: Son of God. He was sent for a most difficult mission--to give up His life, in the worst way, so that we may be saved. It was serious. Jesus was (is) that serious about us. He loved (loves) us that much. 

So how would you introduce Jesus: Divider to a friend? What words would you use to explain Jesus' serious, committed, sacrificial love for a world, for a people, steeped in sin and rebellion against Him? How would you explain the good news of Jesus: Divider? I won't give you the answers on that. Something to truly wrestle with on your own, with your small group. Take the time to grapple through it. 


And so ends our 40 days of Meet Jesus. Thanks for sticking through this journey! You may be thinking, "Hey Craig, we haven't even finished Luke. Why did you stop in the middle? There are 12 more chapters to discuss!" Well, therein lies the challenge for you. 

In 40 days, we've only begun meeting Jesus and learning all of the nuances and complexities of Him. I invite you to keep reading Luke on your own. Read only the header sections and look closely as to who you find Jesus to be in each section. There is a lot more to say about Jesus than 40 characteristics. Keep going. Keep meeting Him yourself. Keep learning how to introduce who you are meeting to others, especially those who are far from Him. This 40-day journey is over. But your journey in meeting Jesus continues! Many blessings!

Meet Jesus - Day 39 of 40 - Returner

Read Luke 12:35-48. 

[Jesus shared with His disciples,] "Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready."

2,000 years before Arnold coined "I'll be back" (sorry, couldn't help myself), Jesus declared His return. 

As we meet Jesus: Returner, let's look at the good news for us.

First, even after Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension, He never left His people. He shared this promise in Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT), "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. AND BE SURE OF THIS: I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN TO THE END OF THE AGE [my caps]." 

Second, He promised that when He went away, He would send the Holy Spirit to be with us. (John 16:7).

Third, He offered these words of encouragement, hope and love to His followers, "Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am." (John 14:1-3 NLT)

With this good news come questions for our lives.

What does it mean to...

• be dressed for service?
• be ready?
• carry out His instructions?
• be prepared?
• be entrusted with what we've been given?

And considering Jesus' return...

• Where is there the urgency to introduce people to Jesus--the one who saves those who believe in Him from sin and death?
• How does this impact your call from Jesus to "go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you"?

Take time to ponder these questions. Discuss them with your small group. 

Meet Jesus - Day 38 of 40 - Provider

Read Luke 12:22-32.

"And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need." (Luke 12:29-31 NLT)

Worry. Dread. Anxiety. How many of us are plague by such things? What does it profit us but more of the same?

Lately I've been thinking about how much I need Jesus and what He means to me. In the big scheme of things, what do we need more than Him? He is by our side. He is in our corner. Always and forever. 

What does Jesus mean to you? How does He provide for you? How has He provided for you? 




As they reached the Red Sea, the Israelites worried as the Egyptians were closing in on them. And then Moses shared these words, "Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” (Exodus 14:13-14 NLT)

The Lord Jesus does fight for us. He does provide. He fought and provided with His very own life on the cross and came out victorious! 

When we are stressed, in need, worried, freaked out, what does Jesus say to us but the same words He shared with Paul, "My grace is all you need." (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT)

When I think about all of the ways in which Jesus provides for me, I think, "How does a person live their life without Jesus?" I just can't fathom it. And this is why we do what we do. This is why we introduce people to Jesus. This is why we live our lives per His mission to seek and save the lost, those far from knowing Him. 

What is your response to all of this?

Meet Jesus - Day 37 of 40 - Warner

Read Luke 12:1-12. 

Before we get into the account of Jesus in Luke, what do you find to be the benefits of one who warns, namely for the person who would perchance heed the warning? Have you ever warned someone about something? Why did you do so? What was the outcome of your warning?



"Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, 'Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy.'" (Luke 12:1b NLT)

"Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!" (Luke 12:3 NLT)

"Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear." (Luke 12:4-5 NLT)

"...anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven." (Luke 12:10b NLT)

There seems to be some question about the word "warner." A difficult word to find in the dictionary. I read one thread on-line where a person wanted to use the word "warner" (one who warns) but kept getting suggestions from people to instead use "admonisher" or "watchdog." There was also the suggestion of "forewarner". But none of those alternatives convey what I'm trying to get after with Jesus: Warner. 

It is just that simple...Jesus was one who warned people on what to watch out for, what to truly fear, and what not to do. He was a warner! 

Where in our world do we need Jesus' warnings? Why do we need them? How would Jesus' warnings benefit those in your life who are far from Him? 



To whom is God calling you to warn, to introduce Jesus: Warner to? What will be your next step with this?

Meet Jesus - Day 36 of 40 - Sacrilegious

Read Luke 11:37-54. 

"As Jesus was speaking, one of the Pharisees invited him home for a meal. So he went in and took his place at the table. His host was amazed to see that he sat down to eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony required by Jewish custom. Then the Lord said to him, 'You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness! Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside? So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over.'" (Luke 11:37-41 NLT)

sac - ri - leg - ious - intentional ignorance of a sacred (seemingly holy, traditional) person, place, thing, custom, etc.

Does it seem surprising that Jesus, Son of the Most High God, Holy, God Himself was sacrilegious?

If it wasn't already challenging (impossible without Jesus) for man to live by the 10 Commandments God gave to Moses, Jewish leaders went on to add another 600 plus. Great! (sarcasm implied)

So here comes Jesus in Luke 11 to once again set things right, show people what is truly important in life. Did the required hand-washing ceremony required by Jewish custom account at all for one's salvation? Nope. The custom in and of itself didn't mean a hill of beans. Whereas the custom likely began in reverence to God, ultimately became just another thing to do and check off on one's good-works-to-get-a-gold-star list. 

Jesus continued, "What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things." (Luke 11:42 NLT)

Jesus is about the important things in life. He is about people, about people knowing His incredible love and grace, about saving people from sin and death. Jesus isn't about handcuffing people to man-made, burden-filled laws, traditions, and customs that truly do no one any good. 

How may we introduce people to Jesus: Sacrilegious by our words (i.e. communications) and actions? Do some thinking on this. What are things in your life, in the life of your congregation, that may add burden or confusion on those new to the faith or those who are far from God; things which mean nothing for one's salvation? 

Meet Jesus - Day 35 of 40 - Prayer-answerer

Read Luke 11:1-13. 

Jesus said, "And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." (Luke 11:9-10 NLT)

I don't know about you, but when I read, "keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for", I am incredibly encouraged; I am given hope. This is hope that only God can grant. The answer may come soon. The answer may come slower than I wish. But as Paul instructed the Thessalonians, "Never stop praying." (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT). Jesus is our hope when we lift our prayers to Him.

How has God answered your prayers in the past? Did the answers come quick or take some time? What did God's answers mean to your faith in Him?


How may you share the hope of Jesus: Prayer-answerer with another--especially one going through a difficult, trying time? In what ways could you share your story and experience?


"So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” (Luke 11:13 NLT)

Meet Jesus - Day 34 of 40 - One With Whom To Waste Time

Read Luke 10:38-42. 

"Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, 'Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.'” (Luke 10:38-42 NLT)

Busyness for the sake of busyness...the great distraction, the great excuse, the great relationship stunter.

How do you relate--whether being the one sucked into busyness or the casualty of another's busyness? Why is it so easy for busyness to take over life?


Now Jesus did call us to live a life for Him. He commissioned us in Matthew 28:19 (NLT) to "go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." There is some "doing" involved in this. It does take work. It will take our time to go and make disciples. 

But we'll never be most effective in our "doing" if we are never just sitting, resting, reclining with Jesus. In these times, we are renewed, refreshed, re-energized, and reminded of His great love for us. 

Where is the busyness in Psalm 23:1-3 (NLT)?

"The Lord is my shepherd;

    I have all that I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows;

    he leads me beside peaceful streams.

He renews my strength.

He guides me along right paths,

    bringing honor to his name."

There isn't any. In these times we are the recipients of His action where "He lets", "He leads", "He renews" and "He guides".

So as we are introducing Jesus to another, do we unintentionally introduce Jesus: Taskmaster? Are we over busy in our Christian lives to not spend time with people? Are we in fifty-million church meetings, functions, etc. during the week, where people outside of us would think, "Who needs that? I already have enough stress in life?"

Or can we show others Jesus: One With Whom To Waste Our Time? One with whom to sit at His feet. One with home to slow the pace of life down. One with whom to remember the truly important aspects of life. 



"But the Lord said to her, 'My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.'” (Luke 10:41-42 NLT)

After that time spent with Jesus, I think Mary could have sung the refrain from Brad Paisley's Time Well Wasted:

"It was time well wasted

And there's no way I trade a few more things that I could've crossed off my list

For a day I'll never forget

No, I didn't get a thing done

But I sure soaked up every minute of the memory we were makin'

And I count it all as time well wasted"

In what ways could you begin to waste more time with Jesus?

In closing, here is lyric video of Brad's song:

Meet Jesus - Day 33 of 40 - Teacher

Read Luke 10:25-37. 

Day 33 of Meet Jesus and I'm just getting into Jesus: Teacher. Shows how multi-faceted Jesus our Lord and Savior is. 

"One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: 'Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?'" (Luke 10:25 NLT)

It is interesting enough to note that an expert in religious law acknowledges Jesus as "Teacher". And, at least from the context in Luke, we are not seeing a snarky Pharisee attempting to trip Jesus up (as if that could ever happen). Instead we have a genuine scene of teacher and pupil. 

A good teacher helps his/her student to think and grapple with the challenging questions in life, not just spoon feed answers. Notice how many questions Jesus asked in the dialogue. What did the expert in religious law learn through Jesus' teaching and questions? What did you learn?

AN ASSIGNMENT. Go through one of the other gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark or John) and look for questions Jesus asked. From those questions, 1) what do you find Jesus teaching the person/people being asked and 2) what is He teaching you? 

How may you connect one in need of answers to Jesus: Teacher who has all of the crucial answers and all of the right questions we need to guide our lives? 

Meet Jesus - Day 32 of 40 - Multiplier

Read Luke 9:10-17. 

"Jesus said, 'You feed them.'

'But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,' they answered. 'Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?' For there were about 5,000 men there.

Jesus replied, 'Tell them to sit down in groups of about fifty each.' So the people all sat down. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers!" (Luke 9:10-17 NLT)

What we see as limitations, Jesus sees as possibilities. Later in the book of Luke, Jesus said, "What is impossible for people is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27 NLT)

A number of years ago I launched a Friday morning men's group in the fall. It started with me and 2 other guys. We had a vision of multiplying so that we could connect more men into Christian community. The hope was to multiply into 2 groups within one year. A good vision. 

But Jesus thought bigger. 

The group met weekly but started slowly. This may not be exactly how it turned out, but it was something like...first week it was me and Gary; Rocky forgot or slept in. Second week it was me and Rocky; Gary forgot or slept in. Third week, I missed and it was just Rocky and Gary. This went on for weeks. Our vision of multiplying into 2 groups in one year wasn't looking to good.

And then Jesus did His thing.

The group grew and grew. By late spring we had 18 guys showing up every Friday and we multiplied (the original group still meeting on Friday and the new group meeting on Thursday). This happened 6 months earlier than we had originally visioned. Then just a couple of months later one thing led to another and a second Thursday group multiplied off of the fairly new Thursday group. Later in the summer a couple of the guys felt the call to launch a Saturday morning group. And they did.

What resulted? Jesus took our original vision of multiplying in one year and QUADRUPLED IT! 

Epilogue: Two weeks after the Saturday group launched, I was at our church campus for a morning leadership meeting. A random fella, not from our church, walked in the building around 7:30 am. He had noticed our church for awhile and was looking for information about who we were and how he could get connected. (Why at 7:30 am...I don't know!) I gave him a little tour and then asked, "You know, we have a men's group that just began meeting a few minutes ago. Would you like to check it out?" He replied, "Sure." I walked him into the room and the guys welcomed him in with open arms! The man became an active, weekly member of the group.

How could have things been different for the man if I didn't have this almost instant way of connecting him? Not sure. But it seemed the timing of this Saturday morning group launching was just right...just as Jesus had planned, through His multiplication efforts.

How have you seen Jesus: Multiplier active in your life? How has He flipped what seemed impossible to being possible and more so? What does Jesus: Multiplier mean for our lives? 

What could Jesus: Multiplier mean for those in your life, who only see what is before them and not what is possible with Jesus' hand in it (especially when the dream/vision is about Jesus' mission to reach more people with His love)?

Meet Jesus - Day 31 of 40 - Chain-breaker

"So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free." (John 8:36 NLT)

Because of what Jesus did on the cross, died and rose again, we are free from the chains of sin and death. We have this assurance!

We have this assurance even in the times we stumble and fall. Paul wrote of this to the church in Rome, "I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 7:21-25a NLT)

Again, be assured. Jesus is our Chain-breaker!

How do you live today in the presence of Jesus: Chain-breaker? How do you experience the freedom found in Christ and in Him alone? How does Jesus equip you for your day and the challenges/temptations/trials you face?



Some words to encourage you from Lauren Daigle's song How Can It Be:

I am guilty

Ashamed of what I've done, what I've become

These hands are dirty

I dare not lift them up to the Holy One

You plead my cause, you right my wrongs

You break my chains, you overcome

You gave your life, to give me mine

You say that I am free

How may we encourage and introduce others to the good news found in Jesus: Chain-breaker?



In closing, enjoy the lyric video of How Can It Be:

Meet Jesus - Day 30 of 40 - Son of God

Read Luke 8:26-39.

"What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?" (Luke 8:28 NLT). Yep, even demons knew who Jesus was.

On day 27, we met Jesus: God. This is true. And He is also the Son of God. This may seem like a confusing concept. The Christian Church believes in the Holy Trinity--Father, Son and Holy Spirit. One God, but three in one. On the simpler side of things you can think of the different hats in life you may wear. For me, I'm Craig: Husband. Craig: Dad. Craig: Son. But I'm still simply...Craig. 

You won't find the specific word "Trinity" in the Bible but you will find the teachings of the Trinity in God's Word. Just one example is Matthew 28:19 (NLT), "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

Below is a creed accepted by all Christian churches, all denominations (Lutheran, Catholic, Methodist, Assembly of God, etc.) that explain what we believe of God, which includes Jesus: Son of God:

Nicene Creed

I
 believe 
in 
one
 God,
 the 
Father
 Almighty,
 maker 
of 
heaven
 and
 earth
 and
 of 
all 
things
 visible
 and 
invisible.

And
 in 
one 
Lord
 Jesus
 Christ, 
the
 only‐begotten
 Son
 of 
God,
 begotten
 of
 His 
Father
 before
all
 worlds, 
God
 of 
God, 
Light 
of 
Light,
 very
 God
 of 
very
 God,
 begotten, 
not 
made,
 being
 of
one
 substance 
with
 the
 Father, 
by
 whom
 all 
things
 were 
made; 
who
 for 
us 
men
 and
 for our salvation
 came
 down
 from 
heaven 
and 
was 
incarnate
 by
 the 
Holy 
Spirit 
of 
the
 virgin
 Mary
 and
 was 
made 
man; 
and
 was
 crucified
 also
 for 
us 
under
 Pontius 
Pilate. 
He 
suffered and 
was
 buried. 
And 
the
 third
 day 
He 
rose 
again 
according
 to
 the 
Scriptures 
and
 ascended into
 heaven
 and 
sits 
at
 the
 right 
hand
 of
 the 
Father. 
And 
He
 will
 come 
again
 with
 glory
 to
judge
 both 
the
 living 
and 
the 
dead, 
whose 
kingdom
 will 
have 
no 
end. 

And
 I 
believe
 in
 the
Holy 
Spirit,
 the
 Lord 
and 
giver 
of 
life,
 who 
proceeds
 from
 the
 Father 
and
the
 Son,
 who 
with
the
 Father
 and
 the 
Son 
together 
is 
worshiped
 and 
glorified, 
who 
spoke
 by
the 
prophets.
 And 
I 
believe
 in 
one 
holy 
Christian
 and 
apostolic 
Church 
I
 acknowledge
 one
Baptism 
for
 the remission 
of
 sins, 
and 
I 
look
 for 
the 
resurrection
 of
 the 
dead
 and
 the 
life
 of
the
 world
 to 
come. 
Amen.

Now, back to the account in Luke 8:26-39. What do we see of Jesus: Son of God?

• He has power over demons and can cast them out.
• People feared Jesus.
• Even though most wanted Jesus to leave from them, one man didn't. "The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 'Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.' And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him." (Luke 8:38-39 NLT)

Regardless of the source (when the man was demon-possessed), it is still a good question we can ask of Jesus: Son of God. "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?" What could it mean to ask Jesus of this each day of your life? What would be the impact...on you...on the lives of the people around you?


In what specific ways may we return to our homes, declare how much Jesus has done for us, and proclaim this throughout the community we live in?

Meet Jesus - Day 29 of 40 - Victor

"For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:56-57 NLT)

What else does God's Word say on Jesus: Victor? 

• "If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?" (Romans 8:31b-32 NLT)

• [Jesus said] "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NLT)

• "The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT)

• "Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit." (1 Peter 3:18 NLT)

What does Jesus: Victor mean for those who follow Him?

• "A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." (Ephesians 6:10 NLT)

• "For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith." (1 John 5:4 NLT)

What other verses speak of the victory we have in Jesus? 

How have you experienced Jesus: Victor in your life? 

Who in your life is being trampled upon by sin, addiction, trouble [if responding to this in a small group, it is not necessary to share names.]? How may you encourage this person by introducing them to Jesus: Victor?

If you hadn't already watched it, go to yesterday's post to see Yolanda Adams sing about Jesus: Victor. 

a MEET JESUS musical testimony!

Talk about introducing people to Jesus! And on the stage of The Tonight Show--watched by millions of people who need to know Jesus.

To me the words Yolanda sings include teaching the good news of Jesus ("He died, but He rose on the 3rd day") AND personal testimony on the impact of Jesus' in her life...VICTORY!

ENJOY!

Meet Jesus - Day 28 of 40 - Storm-calmer

Read Luke 8:22-25. 

"But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, 'Master, Master, we’re going to drown!' When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm." (Luke 8:23b-24 NLT)

What storms in life have you faced? How have you reacted to them?

If the disciples had already seen incredible miracles of Jesus, why would they worry of a storm when Jesus was with them? 



Like the disciples, maybe we all need the reminder. The disciples forgot the powerful force that was with them in the boat. We who follow Jesus today, who have Jesus living in us, forget the fact.

Paul needed to remind the early church of this as well. 

He reminded the Corinthians, "Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you." (2 Corinthians 2:5 NLT)

He reminded the Galatians, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." (Galatians 2:20 NLT)

He reminded the Colossians, "And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory." (Colossians 1:27 NLT)

The good news in this reality. When Jesus said to His disciples, "Where is your faith?”, he said this after He calmed the storm. He didn't wait for them to get their "act together." He heard their desperate plea, "Master, Master...", answered it, and did so immediately.

Looking back over those storms you've experienced, how did you see Jesus: Storm-calmer in action? 

In your words how would you explain storms, faith, fear and trust in Jesus to another, especially one going through their own storm of life?