30 for 30
Day Three
Stop
Good morning. Wherever you are, take a deep breath and pause for a few moments. Allow your mind and body to rest and become aware of God’s presence with you.
Lamentations 2: 22-23 says: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Right now, His love and mercy are fresh for you. Ready and waiting for you. Rest for 5 minutes in His love and receive afresh His mercy.
Look
Read Matthew 3. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you. You may want to make notes, underline in your bible or journal all that God is saying.
Thought of the day
Matthew 3:16-17 - "And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love, with whom I am well pleased.”"
As Jesus’ ministry begins, we see a remarkable relational encounter between the three Persons of the Trinity.
The words spoken over Jesus are worth paying particular attention to. This is the one sentence the Father thought most important and most imperative to speak to Jesus.
There was no encouragement to do a good job. No incentive to make a difference. No instruction to do things a certain way. As Jesus began His ministry, in this moment, all the Father wanted Jesus to know – was who He was.
Firstly, the Father declares that Jesus is His son.
Relationship always comes first. It’s what we were born for. We don’t participate in religion – we’re part of a family. Living from relationship changes how we think, and act and live.
This identity as God’s children is our true identity. In a world striving and searching for identity – the Father’s whisper is relentless. Come Home. Discover who you were born to be. We’re not defined by the world, or our feelings or what our friends think of us. Our identity is spoken over us by the God that knitted us together in our mother’s womb.
Secondly The Father declares His love for Jesus.
This is His security. He is loved, and we are loved. The love God has for us is a love so far beyond human love. It is sacrificial, never ending, not prone to manipulation or control. His love is steadfast and kind. It is patient and doesn’t mind waiting. This is the love God has for you.
Thirdly, the Father declares His affirmation over Jesus. I am pleased with you. Not because of what you do – because Jesus hadn’t started His ministry yet. Rather, God is pleased in who we are. He delights in us. Knowing God’s unearned pleasure is the greatest motivation to live right.
Pray
In the light of these incredible verses, spend some time now meditating upon them. Spend 5 minutes pondering each of the words God speaks over you: You are my child, you are loved and you are affirmed. How does this make you feel? What kind of life is worthy of these truths?
Live
It is not just you that are God’s child. The invitation for adoption is to everyone. That means everyone we encounter day by day is made in God’s image, with potential to hear those words. Think about what you could do today to love one or two people practically with the heart of the Father.
