‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

In today’s key verse, Jesus asks His disciples who they say He is. Simon Peter, who questioned Jesus on the water and who will eventually deny Jesus, responded in ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭16‬ NIV — Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus knows this, yet He still gives us the keys to heaven. In the song shared Sunday, Found A Love by 7 Hills Worship, the lyrics sing how God loves us so hopelessly. Thankfully we live on this side of the cross, where Jesus has already died for our sins. It is up to us how we respond to Jesus’ ministry. Will you share the good news so that others will know that love of God? Will you profess that Jesus is the Messiah?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for loving me so hopelessly. I desire to share Your love so that everyone will know You as their personal savior. Equip me to respond to Your call. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV — But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.””

Jesus’ ministry started with His disciples. Jesus spoke parables to them. He performed miracles in front of them. Just before Peter walked on the water to Jesus, they witnessed Jesus feeding the 5,000, a miracle where He fed a large crowd (estimated at 5,000 men, plus women and children) with a few loaves of bread and two fish, leaving many baskets of leftovers. In reading today’s key verse, Peter still needed proof. 

Our ministry here on Earth starts with those closest to us, our children, extended family, and friends. Just like Jesus’ ministry is an example to follow, we can show others through our words and actions. Like Peter needed proof it was Jesus, people today want something tangible. Often it is those whoare closest to us that we have the hardest time ministering to. 

Our relationship with Jesus is uncomplicated. It is our Earthly relationships we tend to complicate. It is never too late to be a witness to others. What ministries are you involved in? Will you take a step of faith and walk on water?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for my family and friends. Help me to be a witness for Your glory even when it is difficult. Equip me to walk on water toward the ministry You have for me to do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli.

Several weeks ago, Deborah asked some challenging questions: Did your revelation of Jesus Christ spark a new beginning for you? Reflect on your journey and your responses. Is it time for a new beginning? Have you met Jesus Christ?

Let’s take a moment to look at Jesus’ new beginning. When Jesus was about 12, He traveled to Jerusalem for the Festival of Passover. Jesus went missing for three days. When Mary and Joseph found Jesus, He acknowledged God as His father. Jesus responded to Mary and Joseph in ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭49‬ ‭NIV‬‬ by saying — Why were you searching for me? he asked. Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?

In reading today’s key verse, Jesus’ actual ministry didn’t begin until after age 30. His ministry would last just three short years. Take a moment to think about all that Jesus accomplished with His time on Earth. Now think about your ministry. Just like Jesus knew where to find His Heavenly Father, we should desire the same for everyone. We are never too old to start a new ministry. 

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your son, who walked this Earth. Thank You for teaching us about ministry through the life of Jesus. Help me to walk in the ministry You have called me to do. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Take a moment to meditate on this week’s scripture verses. 

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭49‬ ‭NIV‬‬ by saying — Why were you searching for me? he asked. Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?

‭‭Luke‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV — But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬ — Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”

@biblegateway @youversion

This week we will be sharing Jesus’ ministry. Take a moment to worship with Found A Love by 7 Hills Worship.

Some of the lyrics sing, “I found a love that would make me believe that beauty is found even in broken things. And every praise is a song I can sing, How you love me.”

@7hillworship

Read the various versions of today’s scripture.

Psalm 91 KJV

Psalms 91 NIV

Psalm 91 MSG

What do you and I need to be nourished so we will flourish in Christ? As we finish our week on being nourished so we can flourish in Christ, I encourage you to stay dusty. Yes, you read that correctly. I realize that sounds strange so let me explain. In Mark Batterson’s book Draw the Circle he states, “The complete devotion of discipleship is sometimes described as being ‘covered in the dust of your rabbi.’ It was an allusion to the fact that disciples followed their rabbi so closely that the dust of the rabbi kicked up with his heels would literally cover the disciples who followed him.” What a beautiful reason to be dusty. Being covered in His dust is the ultimate goal to being nourished so we can flourish in Christ.

Let’s pray. Dear Father, may I follow You so closely that I am covered in the dust of Your feet. May I always be so dusty that I am nourished and flourish for You! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

#biblegateway

#youversion

John 15:4-5 NIV — Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

How can you and I be nourished so we may flourish in Christ? Today’s scripture instructs us to remain in Christ. Some versions of this scripture use the word abide in place of remain. 

Abiding in Christ is not just praying during our devotion time, but approaching every aspect with prayer and discussing it with Christ as our friend. We must use the lens of Christ to see EACH person. We must work EVERY task with the hands and feet of Christ. Then as a result of abiding in Christ we can better display His image and bear fruit. Abiding in Christ will nourish us so we may flourish.

Let’s pray. Dear God, may I draw close and remain in You. May I be nourished by abiding in You, flourish in Christ, and bear Your fruit. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

#biblegateway

#youversion