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.

Connect with more: www.CommunityTransformationInitiative.com

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.

Meet Jesus: The Series

March 9, 2013 by Phil Larson

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 .

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Meet Jesus: Interrupter Matthew 1:16

March 9, 2013 by Phil Larson

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.

Meet Jesus- Son of David, Son of Abraham Matt. 1:1

March 8, 2013 by Phil Larson

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.

Meet Jesus-In the Father’s Heart Matthew 1:19

March 7, 2013 by Phil Larson

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.

What does a smile do? Una Sonrisa por ti.

January 15, 2013 by Phil Larson

Mornings are special. Before facebook and twitter, it is my prayer time. With such tools, I get to look from the eyes of friends around the world at what they see. My life is bigger by being involved more intimately in their lives. Sure, there is much time in the day living with those right here. And my life is bigger with those whom I can’t be right there.

The more lives we have in our life, the bigger our health and balance. Maybe you can have too many friends. Maybe. I don’t think so.

The Spanish word for smile is Sonrisa. When a friend of mine smiles, it is as the Son Rising. I can see the Son of God in their smile. The heart is warmed. Life is bigger. Problems are smaller. Hope is encouraged. Strength is stronger.

Someone asked me to smile recently. Seems life is getting too serious. The heart is warmed best with a smile. So I am sharing Janet’s smile this morning from Matamoros.

Oh, and here is smiling idea from Jody, another friend. He lives in OKC, but FB says he was in Columbus, Mississippi when he shared this morning.

Jody Andrews

I read from Mark 2 this morning @ early prayer. I was reminded that I don’t have “faith for” things but rather have “faith in” God. Also my faith is not just for me. Others around me will either be held back from my lack of faith or propelled forward by my increasing faith. My prayer today…

“God, let me be surrounded with friends that trust in You and are full of faith….then God, let our faith bring change to those around us and to our city…God thank you for Columbus, MS. Let me represent You well and trust You enough to step out and do what may seem radical and different to me to help make a difference in someone else’s life.”

My thought for today: My faith is not just for me…someone else may be depending on my faith today for their miracle!
Mark 2:1-12