30 for 30
Day Eleven
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.
Revelation 1:17-18 says: 17 When I saw [Jesus], I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
This risen resurrection Jesus is who we worship. Take some time to worship Him as He is today!
Look
Read Matthew 11. 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 11:2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?
This question seems innocuous on first reading. I recently heard a preacher state this was the most disturbing question in the New Testament. Why would that be?
Consider who is asking the question. If this was Peter, it would make sense. If this was Thomas we would definitely understand! However, this is John the Baptist. The man who came to announce the coming of the Messiah into the world!
Just a short time before this, we see this prophet hailing the coming of the Son of God. In the Gospel of John, John the Baptist says: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
Now, he finds himself doubting whether that is true. Here we find John the Baptist asking this question. Jesus – are you really the one? Should we keep searching for another?
How does this happen? Well, notice where John finds himself in the text. He’s in prison. He’s under persecution. He is soon to be murdered for speaking the truth. He’s in a dark place.
Trial, crisis and persecution can so often cause us to doubt God’s goodness and purposes. I wonder if you have experienced this over the last 8 months.
American minister Victor Raymond Edman once said: ‘Don’t doubt in the dark what God promised in the light.’
In seasons of difficulty and trial, it can be easy to forget God’s love and sovereignty. It’s easy to be distracted from His kindness, or God’s faithfulness. It’s easy to focus on the mountain before us instead the God who moves mountains with a word.
In this season – despite what we’re facing – may we be a community who hold fast to the promises of God, and cling to the Cross of Christ. Who endure to the end, not because of our will power, or our might, but by keeping our gaze fixed on the founder and the finisher of our faith – who is forever faithful.
Pray
‘Your Kingdom Come.’ Spend the next few moments praying for God’s Kingdom to come through our church. Pray for our compassion ministries and our Big Christmas Giveaway. Pray for our Food Bank, Growbaby, CMA and all the other outreach we’re doing. Pray for Alpha, for Sundays, for our online presence. In Hull as it is in Heaven!
Live
This week tell someone about Jesus. Share about Him. Maybe on the street or over WhatsApp, or Facebook or to a neighbour. Be bold and name-drop Jesus. You never know what conversation it may start – and what encounter it may lead to…