We step into the week
In the name of the Father, who establishes all truth
and of the Son, whose truth sets us free
and of the Holy Spirit who leads us into the truth,
truths of faith that nourish our souls.

We live this week, Father, knowing the truth that we are your beloved children and nothing can separate us from you;

We live this week, Jesus, celebrating that by knowing you, the Truth, we are set free – from sin, from the law, even from death and the devil;

We live this week, Spirit, looking for you to nourish us in truths of the faith as we let you frame our thoughts, feelings, and experiences around your Word and ways.

Amen.

Matthew 4:12-20

When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan Galilee of the Gentiles—the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

“Come, follow me,”
Jesus said,
“and I will make you
fishers of men.”

At once
they left their nets
and
followed him.

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

More Love More Power

More love, more power,
More of You in my life
I will worship You with all of my heart
I will worship You with all of my mind
I will worship You with all of my strength
For You are my Lord, You are my Lord

Wednesdays will serve as a lyrical reminder to use music to connect with the Lord and worship Him daily. Consider taking ten minutes a day to stop and listen – or even sing along. Since we are at the beginning of the year, stop and consider when during your day (morning, lunchtime, evening, night) you might be able to let the Holy Spirit use music to feed your soul.

Luke 9:23-24

Jesus said to them all: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

“What is a Disciple?” part 1, the Head: Jesus’ Invitation into Relationship with Him

Come Follow Me... To “follow” Jesus means to know him and to come under his authority and direction. We call him Savior and Lord; As Savior, he delivers us from sin, death, and the devil; as Lord, he has ownership of our lives, and we are to submit to his leadership, even denying ourselves to do so (see Luke 9:23). [Hope’s Discipleship Manual, p. 2]

John 12:26

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. ~Jesus

Father God, I pray that I may faithfully follow my Lord Jesus, serving as He serves – wherever, whenever, whoever. Let my soul know the humility of His life and mindset. I would love the honor found in serving Him by serving others. In His name I pray these things, Amen

People in churches - including pastors --have been crushed with guilt over their failure at having a regular quiet time or daily devotions. And then, even when they do, they find it does not actually lead to a healthy soul. Your problem is not the first fifteen minutes of the day. It's the next twenty-three hours and forty-five minutes. You must arrange your days so that you are experiencing total contentment, joy, and confidence in your everyday life with God.
- Soul Keeping, by John Ortberg, p. 89

Jesus, the Ultimate Discipler. There really is no better place to start learning of discipleship than Jesus when looking to those who discipled the next generation. Jesus practiced it 24/7 and prayed to the point of remembering those who would fall under the influence of his discipleship decades and centuries down the road. Check out Matthew 4:18-22, Luke 5:1-11, and John 17 (especially verses 20-23).

John 17:4-9

I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. ~ Jesus

Thank you Father for the blessing of Your Son Jesus Christ, the ultimate blessing himself -- and through whom all blessings flow. I do believe that Jesus came from you, and rejoice over Your word he gave the disciples to share with the world. As one of Jesus’ current disciples, I pray that your Word may dwell richly in me as well, and that I may convey your spirit and love to the world around me. In His name I pray even as he still prays for me.

Amen.