In 2001 it impressed me to spend some time every day answering this question, “What would be my impression if I met Jesus doing what Matthew recorded?” Well, there are over 400 devotions that came from that adventure. You will be able to access them over time on this site. Thank, Brandon. He is a new friend, who asked me about the series. So I am putting them here for him and others who really want to Meet Jesus .
Monthly Archives: March 2013
Meet Jesus: Interrupter Matthew 1:16
Matthew 1:16 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother, Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Jesus has a certain knack for interrupting the status quo. Our expectations of life can easily be shifted when He enters. Joseph and Mary had an arrangement, an understanding, and an expectation. Their families surely were looking forward to a certain joyous celebration and joining of their lives. Then enters Jesus.
ACT! Where has being involved with Jesus challenged and changed your life? Move with the changes. Let the Holy Ghost have control.
PRAY! Father, Creator, and Interruptor. You speak and all changes. You desire and my life is at Your command. Spirit of Life, move me with the Father’s plan. Interrupt where You will.
copyright 2001 Phil Larson
Meet Jesus: Interventionist Matthew 1:20
Matthew 1:20: But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Meeting Jesus means submitting to God’s intervention. He is not interested in your failing. He is not interested in your making the wrong decision. He will intervene. Though Joseph had a good plan for protecting Mary, God had a great plan for placing Joseph in the key position of caretaker and raiser of His son.
Joseph took time to contemplate, and God intervened. Being around Jesus is like that. God wants to help the situation turn out for good.
ACT! Let God intervene in your situation. Lay it out. Contemplate. Think about where He might step in and act.
PRAY! You, Father, are full of power. I open my situation to Your intervention. Take a step in, Father of Jesus, and make my life different.
Meet Jesus- Son of David, Son of Abraham Matt. 1:1
Matthew 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham
Meeting Jesus means meeting the final, eternal King of Life. Jesus is the son of David, the favored king of Israel. David received the promise of a kingdom without end. Jesus is the last king in the line. Jesus is the king that never loses the throne.
Meeting Jesus starts with embracing faith. Faith gives substance to life. Faith brings to reality our dreams. Jesus is the son of Abraham, the father of faith. No more important aspect could begin a journey with Him.
ACT! Get busy turning over a dream to Jesus. Take hold of the faith of Abraham and submit the request to the King of Kings.
PRAY! Holy Father, Jesus gave me the heritage of David and Abraham. Jesus gave me connection to great faith and authority. I submit my dreams to His ability to see it come to pass.
copyright 2001 Phil Larson
Meet Jesus-In the Father’s Heart Matthew 1:19
Matthew 1:19: Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
Joseph was both honorable and compassionate. Who else would the Father choose for His Son’s training and upbringing? What better choice than a flawed human with a heart of compassion?
Joseph, with no knowledge of the power of the situation, with no knowledge that the Son of God was involved, took the route of best treatment for Mary. He was taking measures to keep her protected in the embarrassment of the situation. He had the heart of the Father to cover and protect. Who else would God chose but one with His own heart?
ACT! What in your life needs silent treatment? Give it to the Father. He will secret it away in forgiveness.
PRAY! Compassionate Father, release me from my past. In Jesus, I find forgiveness and covering. Thank You for being You.
copyright 2001 Phil Larson
Meet Jesus : Receiver of Gifts Matthew 2:11
Matthew 2:11: And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped 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.
copyright 2001 Phil Larson
Meet Jesus: Escape From Trouble Matthew 2:13
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.
copyright Phil Larson 2001
Energy For Your Life and Health 