calling – Judy in the Sky

Read Matthew 4 – It’s go time! Jesus’s ministry is launched in a big way. First he prepares by fasting in the desert and the devil comes along and tempts him. There is a verse in 1 John 2:16 that says every sin can be summed up as ‘the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.’ Satan hits Jesus with every one of these and Jesus stands on the Word to overcome every temptation.

Remember, Scripture is the sword of truth (Ephesians 6); it is what we fight with! Would you give some thought to the sins you have faced, whether you overcame them or fell. Use your hindsight and the way Jesus overcame temptation to prepare yourself for the next time.

Jesus begins preaching in Galilee, fulfilling another prophecy. His message is clear, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” :18 And it hasn’t changed all these years later.

Jesus calls his first disciples, Simon Peter and his brother, Andrew. Scripture records that Jesus said, “Follow me,” and they left their fishing nets on the spot! (my paraphrase :19-20) Next he calls James and John and they also left everything and came immediately.

As Believers we are called to a brand new life. Would you say you left everything to follow Jesus? What are you holding on to?

Jesus begins healing the sick and preaching the good news. As I read through :23-25 the enormity of all he was doing really grabbed me, yet our humble Savior simply summarizes it in 3 little verses. Jesus was teaching, preaching and healing, news spread, and large crowds followed.

Beloved, life with Jesus is never boring.

Read Psalm 8 – Who is God? Do I matter to him? Beloved, sit with Psalm 8 for a while.

Look around at the skies, look into the eyes of a baby, look around and see the fingerprint of God. Look at the veins within a leaf that has fallen to the ground, then look at the mighty tree from which it fell, and consider our amazing God who designed it all as you read David’s observations in :1-4.

Now, look at your own fingerprint; it is the only one God made just like that. Inhale and feel your body respond… processing the air, bringing it to your lungs, blood, cells… David asks, “what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” :4-5 Not only are you fearfully and wonderfully made, but God created you to rule over His creations! (:7-8) Do you matter to God? Why just look at how carefully he designed you and all the good work he ordained just for you!

Psalm 8 speaks of God’s holiness. It speaks of our unique design and our calling to rule over the works of God’s hands. And it lands with the only response possible – PRAISE.

“O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” :9

Beloved, be more, do more, love more, laugh more because God created you for greatness – live differently today because of who God is.