The Essential Jesus, Day 39 God has authority. As we look at day 39 of The Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com, the reading takes us to Luke 4:31-44. Here we see Jesus as he is healing the people around him. The people are amazed, but not just about the healing, but also about the authority. Jesus spoke based on the authority that he had been given by God. He was God. He had all the authority. Do we recognize Jesus’s authority in our lives? Do we accept his authority in our lives? It is through God’s authority that we are able to do anything. When we take a look…

The Essential Jesus, Day 38 Jesus fulfills scripture. As we look at day 38 in the Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com, we are able to see all that Jesus said aboit himself and how he explained that He is the fulfillment of scripture. Read Luke 4:14-35. As we read scripture, we see all the ways that jesus fulfills it. He is the son of God who was prophesied about. As followers of Christ, we believe that he is who he says he is. If that is true, do we share that message with others? Jesus preached that message, even when the people didn’t believe him or agree with him.…

The Essential Jesus, Day 37 Only worship God. Is we look today at day 37 of The Essential Jesus reading pla from YouVersion.com, we see the story of the temptation of Jesus. Read Luke 4:1-13. Jesus goes out into the wilderness and is tempted by Satan. In every instance, here for instance, Jesus responds to Satan with scripture. In this verse, we see that Jesus is reminding Satan that people are to only to only worship God. If we think about it, everything we are tempted to do ultimately boils down to a temptation to not worship God first in our lives. When we are tempted, the temptation truly is…

The Essential Jesus, Day 36 God’s purpose and his purpose for us. As we read day 36 in The Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com, we find John the Baptist fulfilling his God-given purpose. Read Matthew 3:1-17. As John is describing Jesus to the people he is around, we see that John clearly understood his purpose and also Jesus’s purpose. John knew that he was simply there to point other people to Christ. Do we understand the purpose that God has given us? Do we see how our purpose fits in with God’s plan? While we may not completely understand God’s big plan, that doesn’t stop us from fulfilling God’s…

The Essential Jesus, Day 35 Are you amazed by Jesus? As we look at day 35 from the Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com we find ourselves in Luke 2:41-52. The people were amazed by Jesus. They found his teaching and everything about him to be amazing, different, unique and they were captivated by Him. When we think about Jesus, do we respond the same? Are we amazed by who Jesus is and what he does in our lives? Jesus is God and he is truly awe-inspiring. Do we see him that way and do we take time during the day to recognize and celebrate the awesomeness of Christ?

The Essential Jesus, Day 34 Seeking the Lord. As we read day 34 from the Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com, we read Matthew 2:1-23. This is often a passage that we read primarily at Christmas time. The story of the wise men who left everything to seek the king. However, this is not just a Christmas story. What are we willing to leave behind to seek the king of kings? Are we putting ourselves on a path that takes us towards Jesus? These are questions that we must ask every single day as we continue to walk by faith in Jesus Christ. Our path is to take us to…

The Essential Jesus, Day 33 God’s purpose and Jesus’s plan. As we look at the reading today from day 33 of the Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com, we look at the purpose of the life of Jesus Christ. Read Luke 2:1-40. Jesus came to the earth with purpose. He came to live the perfect life that we could not and it started from birth. He grew, just as we grow. He was tempted in the same way that we are tempted. He grew in wisdom, just as we have the opportunity to do. Are we working toward God’s purpose in our lives? How does God’s purpose for our lives…

The Essential Jesus, Day 32 Change in plans. When God begins working and moving in our lives, we often see him rearrange our plans. Read Matthew 1:18-25. As we think about day 32 in the Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com, we see that Joseph had a plan. Joseph thought he knew what his life was going to hold, and he was moving forward with that plan. However, God changed his plans. And Joseph wasn’t initially excited about this change and he struggled against it. God had to intervene and let him in on the plan to help him see that his change was for the best. As we understand…

The Essential Jesus, Day 31 Gratitude. When Mary learned of God’s plan for her, she was filled with gratitude. Read Luke 1:26-56. God sends an angel to reveal his plan for Mary and through Mary. As we read through day 31 of the Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com, we see a woman who was full of gratitude for everything that God shared with her. She wasn’t crippled by fear or anger or anything else. Instead, she became joyful and grateful that God would use her. When we see God’s plan, do we feel gratitude at the direction God moves us? Or are we frustrated at the seeming change of…

The Essential Jesus, Day 30 God’s purpose in us. When we think about why we are here and what God’s purpose is for us, what comes to mind. Read Isaiah 61:1-11. Today, looking at day 30 of the Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com, we see how God’s purpose for Jesus intersects with His purpose for us. Do we look for God’s purpose in our lives and how He desires to glorify Hinself through us? God has annointed all of us through the Holy Spirit to do the work that God has for us. Do we know what that is? Are we looking for it? We have a very skewed…