Page 45 - Living Light Spring 2024

Friday April 19 - Jesus changes everything!
“...offer the sacrifices Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Luke 5:14
Jesus said, “God has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour” (Luke 4:18-19). This week we’ve seen Jesus heal and free a man who had been stigmatised by disease and cast out of society. Jesus commanded the man to go first to his local priest, who would witness the healing in accordance with Mosaic law and officially allow him to re-enter society. The healing is also to be ‘a testimony to them’ (the religious authorities) of Jesus’ supreme authority.
Every Christian has a unique testimony of God’s incredible mercy, grace and power at work in their life; each knows personally how Jesus has changed them and brought them from spiritual death to life!
When we remember what Jesus has done for us we want to bear witness to his supreme authority and saving love! Yet many of us feel naturally shy and reticent in speaking to non-Christians about faith matters. However, the Holy Spirit will help us to witness to the good news of Jesus, perhaps in some quiet and gentle way.
Let’s follow Jesus’ ‘prayer example’ and ask him to show us when to speak and to whom... and to provide the courage we need!
Lord Jesus, you have brought me into your glorious kingdom of grace. As you grow me in Christ-likeness, please help me to live and speak out my ‘witness’ to your saving love and amazing grace! Amen.
Saturday April 20 - Feeding on Christ
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16
What comes to mind when you think of ‘lonely places’? A majestic mountain range, a deserted coastline... or, perhaps, just a quiet room? In the Bible ‘lonely places’ are places away from life’s busyness, and from people!
One of the everyday ways that God grows, feeds and nourishes us, is through prayer – with other Christians, or alone. Prayer with others happens easily, in church services and small groups – but praying alone, and staying praying, can be hard!
It’s particularly difficult for young parents, who are up at night with babies, and working all day. As a young mum, my Bible lived on a kitchen chair, so the moment my arms were free of children and washing, I’d drop gratefully into the chair, and God’s word and prayer! Charles Wesley’s mother – a Victorian mother of 19 – famously pulled her apron over her head to pray!
Jesus’ ministry began with 40 days in one of the loneliest, most desolate places in the world – the Judean wilderness. Speaking and listening with his Father, away from all other distractions, was vital for all the action that followed, and something he clearly loved, and needed. The location of our ‘lonely place’ will change over the years, but we will come to love and treasure the fellowship we enjoy there with our precious Saviour!
“When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen” (Matthew 6:6).
Precious Lord Jesus, thank you for your wonderful friendship and love. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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