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…

The Essential Jesus, Day 29 The suffering servant. As we read through the day 29 plan of The Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com, we are brought to the chapters in Isaiah that are often referred to as The Suffering Servant. Read Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12. God sent his Son Jesus to die for our sins and as a result, Jesus suffered. He shouldn’t have and didn’t deserve to, but he still suffered all the same. All these verses depict a great and powerful God who was willing to humble hinself to serve us. As we think about all that Christ has done for us, do we remember that he…

The Essential Jesus, Day 28 The power of Jesus. As we look at day 28 of the Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com, we read about the delicacy and the awesome power of Christ. Read Isaiah 42:1-8. Jesus was being promised here in these verses and we read about the character of who he is. He had amazing power and awesome abilities, yet he was bruised and crushed on our behalf and for our sins. Jesus was faithful and as a result, it brought about true justice. As we think about Jesus, how do we experience his amazing power? Are we mindful of all that he does and brings about…

The Essential Jesus, Day 27 The great light. As we read day 27 of the Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com, we read Isaiah 9:1-8 and another prophecy about the coming Jesus. Jesus Christ is the light. As Isaiah prophesied here, we see that there is a great light that is coming to set right all things. Jesus is that light. He came to bring us out of darkness and give us the option to choose the light. Are we walking through our day-by-day in darkness? Do we recognize the light and seek the light in our life? Jesus Christ is all those things for us and we are to…

The Essential Jesus, Day 26 What’s in a name? As we look at day 26 of The Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com, I am reminded of that quote from Shakespeare. As it turns out, there us a lot in a name. Read Isaiah 25:1-25. God gave us the name of his son Jesus and as he prophesied about him, shared that his name Immanuel, would mean God with us. God know our name and he calls us by our name. God loves us and we can remember that no matter what happens, God loves us and cares for us. He knows each and every one of us by name.…