Meet Jesus: Nazarene Matthew 2:23

March 18, 2013 by Phil Larson

Matthew 2: 23: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Later in life when brother told brother about Jesus, one replied, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”. Nazareth was just simple and probably had a more than ample share of troubles. There was nothing good or outstanding about being from Nazareth.

Jesus wasn’t who He was because of where He was raised or a tremendous good family name. He gives us the same opportunity to be the best of the best according to our calling and destiny. Hometown, family, community standing, and other accolades of men mean nothing when we meet Jesus. All of us can succeed.

ACT! Erase out of your mind the idea that some status to men makes the difference in succeeding in Jesus. If you take pride in it, put it out and stand tall in Him alone. If you take shame in it, stand tall in Him alone.

PRAY! Father of Birthright, you placed me in the time and circumstance of my upbringing. You will bring it to good in Jesus. You will bring me to success in Jesus, the Nazarene.

Meet Jesus: Escape From Trouble Matthew 2:13

March 18, 2013 by Phil Larson

Matthew 2:13: And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14: When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

When trouble arises, Jesus is an escape artist. He is totally able to get us to a place of escape and safety. That’s necessary sometimes. Sometimes facing the issue won’t help. Sometimes trying to bring the trouble under rule won’t help. Sometimes we need a place of escape. Sometimes we need Jesus to take us to a place to let trouble blow over. Then we can go back.

ACT! Trouble comes in many forms. Do you need escape from one form or another? Take time to listen to God. Where is Egypt for your trouble? Where can you wait it out until it passes?

PRAY! Father, troubles surround us every day. You know all my troubles. You know the ones I can face and conquer. You know the ones I can give over to the governance of Jesus. You know the ones that need a place of escape. Show me the difference. Guide me.

Meet Jesus: Joy Initiator Matthew 2:9

March 16, 2013 by Phil Larson

Matthew 2:9: When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.10: When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

Exceeding great joy is a powerful expression. Meeting Jesus is indeed life changing to the point of exceeding great joy. Connecting with Jesus means all the hopes of your life being activated. Connecting with Jesus means all the dreams of a life being put into motion. When He comes on the scene. He is a bright light shining on the greatest dreams you have.

ACT! Take a dream out of the shadows. Let His light shine on it, and bring it back to light and life.

PRAY! Father of Gifts, Father of Love, Father of the Light-Giver, cause the exceeding great joy of meeting Jesus to birth in me. Light up my dreams with the star of Bethlehem.

Meet Jesus: Receiver of Gifts Matthew 2:11

March 16, 2013 by Phil Larson

Matthew 2:11: And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Abundant living is a promise of Jesus. He comes to give us life and life more abundantly. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus brings abundance. In that abundance is our capacity to respond in giving to Him. He is never embarrassed in receiving. He is a receiver of gifts as well as a giver of abundance. Abundance is the capacity to give.

ACT! Give to Jesus. You may not have gold or frankincense, but you have something. It may be finances for the kingdom. It may be an ability that will bless the kingdom. Give out of your abundance.

PRAY! Father of Giving, You have enabled me with more than I need. Jesus told me that when I give to the least, I have given to him. Show me where to give of myself of Your abundance.

Meet Jesus: Simple Governor Matthew 2:6

March 15, 2013 by Phil Larson

Meet Jesus: Simple Governor

Matthew 2:6: And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Life deals us situations that need governance beyond our human capabilities. While they may be simple situations, they nonetheless need a Governor, who can rule and reign over them. Tough stuff gets out of control and needs to be brought back. Thoughts, emotions, actions, mindsets, addictions can get out of hand in us. Jesus is a Governor, who can help us get rule over them.

ACT! Think of a tough situation that needs governing in your life. How did it get there? Can it be that someone who can rule over it can solve it? Let Him start on it.

PRAY! Holy Father, You know the areas of life that are out of control for me. You provided Jesus to be a Governor. He came from a simple place to apply simple principles in my life. I give You my out of control life in need of a Governor. Embrace me in Your peace and solution.

Meet Jesus: Troubler of Souls Matthew 2:3

March 15, 2013 by Phil Larson

Matthew 2: 3: When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

When you encounter Jesus, expect to be troubled. He will confront your inner fears. He will force you to face issues you would like to forget. The presence of Jesus will trouble your life.

Good news is that this trouble can end in peace. He only troubles us to get us to change to the good. Internal imbalances in our life will be troubled so they can be healed when we meet Jesus.

ACT! What troubles your soul when you meet with Jesus? Bring it up and deal with it. He means to bring you to a place of resolution and peace. Let Him.

PRAY! Father, there are days when I am troubled. Realizing some of that is just being confronted with Jesus, I ask You to untrouble me. Help me resolve the hard stuff in my life with Your life and Your solutions

Meet Jesus: Worshipped Matthew 2:1

March 13, 2013 by Phil Larson

Matthew 2: 1: Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2: Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

When we meet Jesus, we are moved to worship Him. He is so good. His presence challenges the good that is in our heart to be spoken out to Him. His appearance in our life eliminates confusion and allows light to come forth. While our lives had been on hold, waiting for purpose, He now gives purpose and expression to our dreams of good in this land of the living. Worship comes naturally when you meet Jesus in the course of life. You just can’t help yourself.

ACT! Take a few moments to think of what great happening is in your life right now because of Jesus. Think of how wonderful it feels just to know He is there.

PRAY! Merciful Father, I worship You. You are eternal God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Three in one, You come and set up residence in my life. You have met me in my need and brought life and comfort. I am awed. I am thankful. I worship You above all. There is no one on earth or in heaven with whom I would rather spend my hours than You.

Meet Jesus: Named Matthew 1:21

March 13, 2013 by Phil Larson

Matthew 1:21: And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

The savior, what a name! Jesus’ very name means savior. His name is His destiny. He saved and saves. He saves from sin. He saves us from our mistakes. He saves us from whatever is our situation.

Being saved from sin means being rescued. Jesus is our rescuer. He moves in and brings us to a safe place, a place of conquest over sin, and a place of victory over mistakes.

ACT! Get honest. Take your mistakes and hand them over for salvation. Let Jesus rescue you to a place of victorious living.

PRAY! Father of Forgiveness, give me victory over my sin. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, my Strength and my Redeemer.

Meet Jesus: God With Us Matthew 1:23

March 10, 2013 by Phil Larson

Matthew 1:23: Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

For us today, what greater part of Jesus could there be? He is God with us. Later in one of his letters, Paul, tells us He is the fulness of the Godhead in bodily form. Then Paul tells us in Jesus we are complete. He is God. He is God with us. He is all that God is, living inside of us, who have believed and received.

ACT! Eliminate doubt. It is an incredible thought that God could be readily available and actually living inside of my circumstances. Talk yourself into believing that. Read the above verse outload to yourself about ten times.

PRAY! Wow, Father! This is too much. When I think of the goodness and mercy that You dispense in this single sentence, I am awed. Thank You for coming to live in me. Thank You for coming to stay with me every moment of the day. Thank You for being the God that You are in my daily living.

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Meet Jesus: Fulfillment Matthew 1:22

March 10, 2013 by Phil Larson

Matthew 1:22: Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

Jesus is the fulfillment of promises in the Father. To Abraham, the Father had promised much blessing. To us, the Father promises all the promises of Abraham fulfilled. In Jesus is a confident, “Yes”, spoken from the throne of God for each request to the promise.

Now that is incredible. Jesus is the fulfillment of promises. That is His nature and assignment in our lives.

ACT! Go ahead, make God’s day. Appeal to a specific promise given that is waiting fulfillment in your life.

PRAY! Holy Father of Grace and Light, show Yourself to me today. You promise new mercies every morning. I appeal today to Your mercies of healing and strength and financial provision and protection for my household from destruction. I appeal to Your abundant mercies of deliverance from evils that have already happened.