Today’s scripture: Matthew 4:12-17 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Steve Adams):
These verses reveal the first recorded word of Jesus’ ministry: “repent.” After thinking about this for the last week, I believe God has (lovingly) confronted me with a critical, pivotal question: what specific attitude and behavior do I need to repent of?
I remember watching a Billy Graham crusade when I was in high school, where he defined repent as to turn around — to turn from doing things one way to doing them another way. I think this is great, because, if we’re learning and growing, then we’re regularly identifying established attitudes and actions we need to discard for something better. We are not complacent.
If I’m not open to discovering areas in my life that need improvement (things I may be oblivious to), then I’m going to miss golden opportunities to become more effective. The alternative is to learn solely by consequences — the school of hard knocks — and that’s not much fun. Jesus has a better way!
To get rid of any bad habit, it takes focus and perseverance. A good friend of mine tried lots of “repentance programs” to quit smoking, and — after many different plans — was finally successful on his thirteenth attempt! He had to go far beyond merely acknowledging smoking was bad for him: he had to take the necessary and painful steps to maximize his chances of being successful.
Or maybe it’s a bad a bad mindset I need to change. Say, for example, it’s anxiety: first, I need to face the fact that I’m extremely attached to it! It’s something that I surrender to, time after time! It’s often as natural as breathing. Realizing this, I know it will require God’s help to get rid of it.
Pastor Jeff has preached how evil forces are active, strategic, and intelligent. When I’m going up against a habit that could hurt or destroy me, then I’ve got to be more proactive, strategic, and intelligent than my spiritual adversary! And that, of course, requires God’s help. I learn to replace it with something superior to the old anxiety — the peace of God.
Thought for the day: And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13, KJV)
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.