January 14th, 2023 - Adventure Awaits
Adventure Awaits
PAUSE
Today we conclude our first week of devotions, written to accompany our new sermon series, “Adventure Awaits.” The purpose of this series is to draw you closer to Almighty God, and closer to our church family. We begin this closer walk with God by peering intently into the Word of God and prayerfully considering how He is revealing Himself to us through His Word. As we open the Gospel of Matthew, take a moment to reflect on the week so far. Meditate on the devotions that have been shared this week, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand the application of this truth in your life.
Father, teach me to listen for your still, small voice. Help me to have the faith and innocence of a child as I approach Your throne, and receive Your Holy Word into my life and heart.
REFLECT
Let’s begin by reading Matthew 11:28-30, which reads:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (ESV)
These 3 verses include an invitation to everyone who is worn out and exhausted from trying to be good and live up to the expectations of others, especially those within the church. Jesus promises us rest if we place our faith in Him and live according to the example He provided by his life. He uses the yoke as a tool to describe the relationship He desires with those who choose to follow His Way.
Why a yoke? The first century audience understood the agrarian method of teaching a young animal to perform work around the farm. The young ox was paired with an older one by attaching a wooden implement over both of their necks and affixing it to the plow. This way, the stronger, more mature animal would train the young, inexperienced one how to plow the field properly. For those who choose to believe in Jesus, this offer is for them to come and learn from Him how to navigate the pressures of our daily life.
The week’s devotions began with God telling Abram to go, and that He would show Abram the way. The week ends with Jesus inviting all of us to come, and to imitate His Way of life. If your life is burdened by the cares of this world, then won’t you consider placing yourself under the yoke of Jesus? If we immerse ourselves in His Word, in order that we might learn His ways, then we will begin to understand His wisdom. Only then can we experience the lightened load, and the easy yoke.
Jesus fulfilled the promise of God that was prophesied by the prophet Jeremiah,
“Thus says the Lord:
“Stand by the roads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”
Jeremiah 6:16 (ESV)
The more we study the Word of God, the more we learn about the nature of God, and love of God. From a heart of love, you are invited to join Jesus in His work. This may mean you spend time learning from others, and it may mean you spend time teaching others. So today, what is the Lord saying to you and what are you going to do about it?
ASK
Will you begin to follow the Way of Jesus by studying the Word of God daily? Will you consider joining other followers of Jesus and learning from them about how God is speaking in to their lives through His Word? One way to begin this practice is by joining a community group and meeting regularly with other believers. How about becoming part of a smaller huddle, where 2 or 3 meet to discuss what each of us is learning, what we are struggling with, and what we are praying about each day. There may be a couple of others in your community group that would willingly huddle with you to gain understanding of the Way of Jesus.
YIELD
If the Lord is leading you into a next step, why not commit yourself to taking that step by writing it down? If God is leading you into a more committed relationship, why not ask a friend to pray with you about that commitment? We believe the best is yet to come, and this year could witness the Body of Christ growing in new and miraculous ways.
Pray: Jesus, thank you for the invitation to yoke myself to You. I will begin to daily study your Word, to submit myself to You in prayer, seeking to discover the wisdom offered in Your Word. I ask you to fill me with your Spirit, that I might understand and obey the truth discovered in your Word. May all I do glorify You, Amen.
Today we conclude our first week of devotions, written to accompany our new sermon series, “Adventure Awaits.” The purpose of this series is to draw you closer to Almighty God, and closer to our church family. We begin this closer walk with God by peering intently into the Word of God and prayerfully considering how He is revealing Himself to us through His Word. As we open the Gospel of Matthew, take a moment to reflect on the week so far. Meditate on the devotions that have been shared this week, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand the application of this truth in your life.
Father, teach me to listen for your still, small voice. Help me to have the faith and innocence of a child as I approach Your throne, and receive Your Holy Word into my life and heart.
REFLECT
Let’s begin by reading Matthew 11:28-30, which reads:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (ESV)
These 3 verses include an invitation to everyone who is worn out and exhausted from trying to be good and live up to the expectations of others, especially those within the church. Jesus promises us rest if we place our faith in Him and live according to the example He provided by his life. He uses the yoke as a tool to describe the relationship He desires with those who choose to follow His Way.
Why a yoke? The first century audience understood the agrarian method of teaching a young animal to perform work around the farm. The young ox was paired with an older one by attaching a wooden implement over both of their necks and affixing it to the plow. This way, the stronger, more mature animal would train the young, inexperienced one how to plow the field properly. For those who choose to believe in Jesus, this offer is for them to come and learn from Him how to navigate the pressures of our daily life.
The week’s devotions began with God telling Abram to go, and that He would show Abram the way. The week ends with Jesus inviting all of us to come, and to imitate His Way of life. If your life is burdened by the cares of this world, then won’t you consider placing yourself under the yoke of Jesus? If we immerse ourselves in His Word, in order that we might learn His ways, then we will begin to understand His wisdom. Only then can we experience the lightened load, and the easy yoke.
Jesus fulfilled the promise of God that was prophesied by the prophet Jeremiah,
“Thus says the Lord:
“Stand by the roads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”
Jeremiah 6:16 (ESV)
The more we study the Word of God, the more we learn about the nature of God, and love of God. From a heart of love, you are invited to join Jesus in His work. This may mean you spend time learning from others, and it may mean you spend time teaching others. So today, what is the Lord saying to you and what are you going to do about it?
ASK
Will you begin to follow the Way of Jesus by studying the Word of God daily? Will you consider joining other followers of Jesus and learning from them about how God is speaking in to their lives through His Word? One way to begin this practice is by joining a community group and meeting regularly with other believers. How about becoming part of a smaller huddle, where 2 or 3 meet to discuss what each of us is learning, what we are struggling with, and what we are praying about each day. There may be a couple of others in your community group that would willingly huddle with you to gain understanding of the Way of Jesus.
YIELD
If the Lord is leading you into a next step, why not commit yourself to taking that step by writing it down? If God is leading you into a more committed relationship, why not ask a friend to pray with you about that commitment? We believe the best is yet to come, and this year could witness the Body of Christ growing in new and miraculous ways.
Pray: Jesus, thank you for the invitation to yoke myself to You. I will begin to daily study your Word, to submit myself to You in prayer, seeking to discover the wisdom offered in Your Word. I ask you to fill me with your Spirit, that I might understand and obey the truth discovered in your Word. May all I do glorify You, Amen.
Posted in 2023 Prayer and Fasting
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2023
January
January 9th, 2023 - Adventure AwaitsJanuary 10th, 2023 - The Burning BushJanuary 11th, 2023 - Strong and Courageous January 12th, 2023 - Obediently Set ApartJanuary 13th, 2023 - Faithful Among Enemy NationsJanuary 14th, 2023 - Adventure AwaitsJanuary 16th, 2023 - Be StillJanuary 17th, 2023 - God Inhabits His PraisesJanuary 18th, 2023 - Enjoying God's PresenceJanuary 19th, 2023 - Broken & Contrite HeartJanuary 20th, 2023 - Asking for OthersJanuary 21st, 2023 - Petition and ProvisionJanuary 23rd, 2023 - One Body, Many PartsJanuary 24th, 2023 - Love One AnotherJanuary 25th, 2023 - Unity in the BodyJanuary 26th, 2023 - Consider Others BetterJanuary 27th, 2023 - Living in the LightJanuary 28th, 2023 - Don't Let Anger Control YouJanuary 30, 2023 - The Power of FastingJanuary 31st, 2023 - Pray as You Can
February
February 1st, 2023 - ScriptureFebruary 2nd, 2023 - Sabbath Day, Best DayFebruary 3rd, 2023 - SimplicityFebruary 4th, 2023 - WorshipFebruary 6th, 2023 - Love Your NeighborFebruary 7th, 2023 - Come and See, Go and TellFebruary 8th, 2023 - GenerosityFebruary 9th, 2023 - Caring for the VulnerableFebruary 10, 2023 - HospitalityFebruary 11th, 2023 - Build
2022
January
Covid UpdateDay 1 - Is It Worth It?Day 2 - God Promises His PresenceDay 3 - Aligning Ourselves With GodDay 4 - The Voice of the ShepherdVision 2022 - Begins this Sunday!Day 5 - Rushing or Resting?Day 6 - "By the Grace of God"Day 7 - A Day for Rest and WorshipDay 8 - Ask Boldly and Surrender CompletelyDay 9 - Our Deliverance for His GloryDay 10 - Ask for the ImpossibleDay 11 - Adversity Meets Unwavering FaithWhat an incredible start to 2022!!Day 12 - Focus Reveals FaithDay 13 - Impossible Mission!Day 15 - Followers of JesusDay 16 - The Good News of God’s LoveDay 17 - Radical Love Leads People to JesusLet's Try this Again...Day 18 - Relentless CommitmentDay 19 - Unending Power SourceDay 20 - Come and See, Go and TellDay 22 - Many Parts, One BodyDay 23 - A New Command - Love One AnotherDay 24 - One Body and One LordDay 25 - Be Angry, But Do Not SinDo you Belong?Day 26 - The Commandment of LoveDay 27 - The Attitude and Obedience of Christ
March
Day 1 - Seeking the Lord TogetherDay 2 - Ash WednesdayDay 3 - The Baptism of JesusDay 4 - The Word as a WeaponDay 5 - Freedom in ConfessionDay 6 - Love Your EnemiesDay 7 - Anxious for NothingDay 8 - Effective PrayerDay 9 - Amazing FaithDay 10 - The Bleeding WomanDay 11 - Confidence in GodDay 12 - Fear Not!Day 13 - Come and RestDay 14 - Kingdom Minded CommunityDay 15 - The TreasureDay 16 - Peace in His PresenceDay 17 - Raise the RoofDay 18 - A Parent's CommitmentDay 19 - Too Good to be TrueDay 20 - Only JesusDay 21 - The Ninety-Nine and the OneDay 22 - Salvation Through SurrenderDay 23 - Good Rest from a Good ShepherdDay 24 - Read the RoomDay 25 - A Fruitful FaithDay 26 - The Wedding FeastDay 27 - Serve Like Jesus