Author: dgould77

“But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.” v. 24

The awesome thing about Jesus is when someone commits their life to him, He can take that mess and make it a masterpiece.  However, sometimes people that know you, don’t necessarily look at the person you are today, they remember the person you used to be.  It’s the old saying, “Your Reputation Precedes You.”  Even Jesus, who was God, was rejected by his home town.  People didn’t believe he could be the Messiah because of his social status.  But Jesus didn’t let that stop him.  He knew what His purpose was and He wasn’t going to let some unbelief keep him from fulfilling it.

I remember when I was 18 and God started moving in my life.  I knew that God was speaking to me and calling me to work specifically with teenagers, but I was scared to death.  One day as I was talking with my Youth Pastor, I don’t know what we were talking about, but I remember the words that he said.  At the time, God was doing so much in my life simply because it was so different than the way I used to be.  But the words were hard to hear.  Another staff person at the church said, “Dan doesn’t have the leadership to be in youth ministry.”  I was at a loss, maybe at the time, i was just wanting to prove him wrong.  However, the enemy has tried to use these words over and over in my head to keep me from fulfilling what God wants to do in my life and sadly, he will do the same to you.  But we can be encouraged by Jesus words when he says, “But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.”

Don’t let other people, who may not understand all that God is doing in you keep you from living and doing what God has called you to do.  Even when you feel beat up, pray and ask God to remind you of your calling, and to give you the strength you need to faithfully do the things that He has called you and prepared you to do.  That’s when He will get all the Glory and you will see Him move in mighty ways in you, and others.

“Jesus asked, ‘Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?’” v.48

What does it take for us to believe in Jesus?  Do we believe what He says, not just some of it, but all of it?  If Jesus says it will happen, it will happen.  The father in this story knew that Jesus could heal his son.  He walked several miles in hopes to bring Jesus to his son.  When Jesus tells him to go home, your son is healed, he goes home.  He took Jesus at his word and had faith in what he said.  I’m sure all of would say that if we talked to Jesus face to face like that and he told us to go home we would do it.  But would you really?  Are you sure you wouldn’t say something like, “I have walked 20 miles to talk to you, I want to make sure my son is well before you leave.”

Jesus words are powerful.  The reason this boy was healed is the fact that Jesus said so, but also that the father believed what Jesus said.  Jesus has said many things for that apply to us today.  However, our faithlessness limits what we see God do.  Today will you join with me in praying for stronger faith?  Lord will you help us have stronger faith, so we can expereince the fulness of your glory!

“‘But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.’” v.23-24

One of my favorite passages describing authentic, true and humble worship.  Where we worship isn’t as important as who and how we worship.  I admit, sometimes it’s easy to participate in worship but never worship.  It’s easy to sing the songs but not focus on the words and Who we are singing about and for .  My prayer for myself is that I could be an authentic worshiper, who doesn’t go through the motions, but one who is authentic and near the heart of God!