Categories ArchivesDaily Devotions

Matthew 5:1–3 5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.     One thought: Joy, peace, love, hope, freedom – blessedness is all of these things at once.     Three questions: What does our world say blessedness looks like?   Do you feel blessed in Christ?   Remind yourself of your spiritual bankruptcy   Prayer: Praise God that He is the source of all goodness, joy and peace. Give thanks that we are blessed in Christ now and completely in the next life. ...

Matthew 4:23–25 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.     One thought: A different kind of King who doesn’t go first to London, Paris or New York but to Shellharbour.     Three questions: How should we understand Jesus’ healings?   Do you feel privileged to know Jesus? ...

Matthew 4:20–22 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.   One thought: When the God-King turns up at your workplace – do what He says   Three questions: Is Matthew giving us a picture of repentance here?   What have you given up to follow Jesus?   Reflect on what aspects of your life still require ‘leaving’. Prayer: Praise God that He calls us out of an ordinary life and into ...

Matthew 4:18–19   18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”     One thought: Jesus calls us to a different purpose in life, one bigger than ourselves     Three questions: Why did some of the disciples change their name?   How do you see yourself?   Write a list of unbelievers to pray for   Prayer: Praise God that He cares for His people and pursues us. Give thanks that Jesus comes to save the lost and ...

Matt 4:12–17 12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfil what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”     One thought: Light is life   ...

Matt 4:8–11 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.     One thought: Matthew 4, along with Genesis 3 reminds us that Satan is ultimately a liar – we should question his words instead of God’s.     Three questions: What can’t Satan offer that God can?   Do you long for the ...

Matthew 4:5–7   5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”   One thought: Satan or his people (often in the form of false teachers) are willing and able to twist God’s word out of context.     Three questions: How is Satan misusing the ...

Matthew 4:1–4   4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”   One thought: The Spirit led Jesus to a place of testing, we should expect the same.     Three questions: What does this episode remind you of in the Old Testament?   How might you be being tested?   Schedule a day of ...

Matt 3:15–17   15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”   One thought: Christ is everything that humanity (Adam) and Israel was meant to be   Three questions: What does it mean that Jesus is God’s son (consider Psalm 2)?   Do you long to please God?   How ...

Matt 3:13–14 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”     One thought: Humility is beautiful     Three questions: Why do you think Jesus goes to John to be baptised?   Are you drawn to Jesus’ humility?   What does it look like for you to grow in humility?   Prayer: Praise the Father that He sent the Son to save proud sinners. Give thanks that through Christ and His Spirit, our hard hearts and stiff-knecks have been softened to humble ourself before God’s work in Christ. Ask God to help ...