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\ / WHAT JESUS DID! -- http://www.heartlight.org/
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Friday, January 30, 2009
Starting Signals
Jesus heard that John was put in prison. So Jesus went back
to Galilee. Jesus did not stay in Nazareth. He went and lived
in Capernaum, a town near the lake (Lake Galilee). Capernaum
is in the area near Zebulun and Naphtali.
-- Matthew 4:12-13 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
"Runners take your mark ... get set ... BANG!" At the firing of the
starter's pistol, the runners burst out of their blocks and the race
begins. Lying behind the start of the race are years of training,
qualification races, hours of practice and conditioning, and
preliminary heats that brought the runners to the starting line. Once
there, they are ready to hear the signal for the race to begin. As
Matthew tells us the story of the Good News of Jesus, he spends the
first four chapters helping us see how Jesus prepared for his ministry.
Then suddenly, Jesus hears the signal: "John has been put into prison."
He then moves from the obscure hamlet of Nazareth into Capernaum, the
bustling commerce city of the northern Sea of Galilee. It is now his
time to start. Jesus goes where he is needed -- where there are many
people. He identifies himself with people seeking God's great work of
deliverance through the Jews -- as a Jew he takes part in John's
baptism of expectation and preparation. He is ready to faithfully serve
both his Father and those who need him, no matter the cost. His
ministry begins.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Almighty and patient Father, I confess that at times I grow anxious and
frustrated with how long things take that are holy and righteous and
needed. Yet I see in your greatest servants, an incredible investment
in preparation and testing before they were equipped to serve. Please
give me patience to wait for your timing and courageous wisdom to know
when the time has come to move with your grace and then to act
decisively. In Jesus' name I ask for this grace. Amen.
>> NEW: Phil's What Jesus Did devotional is now
>> available as a book. Click below to order!
http://images.ultracart.com/aff/ACU9/1414/108/185/575/0/index.html
>> The WJD! web page has related scriptures and the
>> full text of today's key passage. Read it at:
http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/matthew/0130-wjd.html
>> For further study of today's passage, use our
>> online Bible study site: SearchGodsWord.org!
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Matthew+4:12-13&sr=1&t=erv
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