“Jesus was going about in all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people” (Matthew 4:23).

Jesus’ ministry of healing and His proclamation got the attention of the people, but we know that it would have a different direction after He was resurrected.  Thank the Lord for the healing of the body; but that is temporary.  The resurrecting of the body and soul is forever.  The Gospel is not just about the gift of grace, but more importantly, it points to where all of this life is heading. 

You know, Lord, that I sometimes just think in terms of the moment.  To be sure, I should neither live in the past, nor concentrate on the future, but I am aware of both.  Help me to live in these moments You give me, but also keep in mind the direction I am heading.  You have set me free from sin, death, and the devil for a purpose.  Lead me in Your purpose always that I may live out the Gospel and do the ministry You give me in my time here.

Jesus, the Good News and action go hand in hand.  The Gospel is the Gospel when it is accompanied by the works You give me to do.  You are creating in me a whole new person who is becoming like You.  Guide me step by step as I journey in each moment You give me, knowing that in You I have hope and a future.  Send me where You will, Jesus, and help me to always be faithful.  Amen.

“Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.  Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets; and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him” (Matthew 4:20-22).

It is best when you immediately do what the Lord has asked you to do.  How many times do we waver?  Repent, return, and walk with the Lord.  John and James left what they were doing, and also followed the Lord.  We know from Scripture that this was just the beginning.  For us also, taking these steps to follow Jesus is just the beginning.  He has called each of us and has great purpose for our lives.  Leave behind what needs to be left behind and walk with the Lord.

Almighty God, You have set all things upon their course.  You know me and You have seen all the things I have done in my life.  You have prepared me, and at the right moment, You have called me to walk with You.  It is mystery to me, but not to You.  You know my end from the beginning, for You are the Alpha and Omega.  Help me to leave behind these things to look forward to knowing You for all eternity.

Lord Jesus, God in the flesh.  You have come to earth and led the way for all who would follow You.  Coming in ordinary garb, You walked, and still walk, preaching and teaching so that as many as would see the light, hear Your word of truth, be moved by the Holy Spirit, and walk into Your kingdom.  Continue to be the One who leads me this day in order that I may walk in Your goodness and light.  Amen.

“Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.  And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of people.”

Jesus comes and calls each one of us.  He will make of us what He will make of us.  Remember the words of St. Paul which told us that there are many parts of the body.  Listen to the Lord and humbly walk with Him wherever He leads You.  Be guided in His goodness and mercy.  Repent when You get off the path, get back on the narrow way and see that Jesus is the One who is making of You what He has always intended.

Lord, I see that a large part of the problem is that I want to be the one in the driver’s seat.  You have come calling me to follow You.  Help me to hear and obey.  As You called Simon and Andrew, so You call me.  Andrew and Simon were fishermen, and You changed their focus to gathering for the kingdom those whom You knew and called through them.  Help me to learn my part according to Your will.

Lord, You have already given me the desire to do my part in Your kingdom.  Lead me in Your goodness to see what You would have me do today and then help me to do what You have given me to do.  Through the water of my baptism, You have given me the commission to become a disciple and learn all that You will teach me.  Guide me to become the person You are making me to be.  Amen.

“From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).

It begins with repentance.  Repentance is both turning away and turning to.  Turn from sin, death, and the devil.  Turn from the way of the old Adam.  Turn to the way of living what is right.  If you’ve made the wrong turn, then go back to the place of the wrong turn and take the right one.  But this is only the beginning.  The kingdom of heaven is at hand.  If you turn your eyes upon Jesus and walk with Him, you walk focused on the true life before you, our Lord and Savior.

Lord, I do not know what heaven will be like, but I know that You will be there.  Why do I focus on things, when You, the Creator of all things, have offered Your hand to lead me.  Help me to change my focus to You.  You have called for me to follow You in this relationship that You are offering me. Lead me ever deeper into walking with You so that I may continue on the right way.

Jesus, I am a sinner who has repented.  I need the grace which You give.  I need to have my course corrected.  I thank You that You have provided grace so that I can repent knowing that my life in faith is not dependent upon being perfect but promises to make me perfect because I am walking with You.  Lead me this day to walk humbly with You as You lead me.  Teach me again and again where I need to repent and turn to You, for You are always near.  Amen.

“This happened so that what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet would be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, on the other side of the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles – the people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light, And those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, Upon them a Light dawned” (Matthew 4:14-16).

All of Scripture gives testimony of Christ.  Once you begin to understand this, you begin to gain the wisdom the Lord desires for everyone and know that Scripture interprets Scripture.  It all speaks of Christ, and you and I are called into the life of Christ.  The light is shining in the darkness and as many as see the light are given the power to become children of the Heavenly Father.

Through the water of my baptism, You have brought me to a place where I may know that You, my Lord and Savior, have prepared the way before me to become like You.  In the faith You have given me, Holy Spirit, guide my thoughts, words, and deeds to hear the fullness of Your word and then to act upon what You have given me.  Help me to walk in the light of Your purpose and presence.

Lord Jesus, there are moments when I see.  Like Peter, James, and John, I stand in the light.  But then, there are moments when I doubt and become like those who asked for one more sign.  At all times, help me to remember that You are my Savior.  Lead me today, Lord Jesus, so that I may humbly walk in Your shining light and do all that You ask me to do.  Amen.

“Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali” (Matthew 4:12-13).

Jesus was constantly on the move.  Why?  He knew where He was headed and how things must turn out.  He intentionally went the way He went to bring about the outcome needed in His ministry.  How many times did He say, “It is not yet my time?”  Follow the Lord who is intentional to bring about what the Father intends.  He does not plan for a day, a century, or even a thousand years, but plans for all eternity.

Lord, You are intentional with all that You do.  You are not afraid, nor do You flee, but You do move in mysterious ways to bring about all that needs to happen.  You are good, Lord, and You have poured Your goodness into me.  Help me to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit so that I too will go wherever You would lead me knowing that You will accomplish all that You purpose.

Come Holy Spirit and open my ears to hear so that my feet may go in the light of your word that You shine upon my footsteps (Psalm 119:105).  Help me to follow through with what You command and go where You send me.  In and through all things, lead me, O Lord, so that I may not walk in the fears of this age, but in the boldness of faith even if it means a cross that is before me.  Grant me strength to walk with You always.  Amen. 

“Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to serve Him” (Matthew 4:11).

Our Lord knows that battles in this age wear us down.  We do need to be ministered.  We do need the fellowship and the encouragement that comes when fellowship meets together.  And You have promised to be with us at such times. God does tend to us.  Let us not forget to add to our prayers and ask that the Lord provide what we need that which we have not asked for but know that He needs to provide.  The Lord knows what we need and sends His angels to tend to those in need.

Lord, who are the messengers that You send?  Yet, I know the answer, for there are too many times to count when I have been ministered to both unawares and by strangers.  Help me to understand in faith that You do provide for us at all times, in season and out of season, You are with us, providing all that is needed.  Lead me into the good fight to do what is needed and learn what You will teach me.

Lord God, Father of us all, You have sent Your angels to tend to me when I have been beaten down by this world.  Guide me into the refreshing truth of Your purpose and presence in my life.  You alone are worthy of all the praise I can give.  You know what I need, even before I ask.  Thank You Lord for providing all that I need, even those things for which I fail to ask, for You do know all that I need.  Amen.

“Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only’” (Matthew 4:10).

There is only One who is worthy of all worship and praise.  The Lord has told us we are to have no gods above Him.  This is just a statement of fact.  The devil is proud; the Lord is humble.  The misdirection of the emotions built within us is the problem that both the devil and we have.  Jesus has come to set our priorities straight.  God is the center because He IS.  If you get that right, everything else falls into place.

Lord, I often fall into the trap of trying to reason my way into or out of things.  You are Lord.  That is a fact.  You are the One through whom all things have their being.  Lead me in life such that I simply do what is fitting.  You are worthy of all praise and worship.  Teach me to praise and worship You.  Show me how to tell the devil where to get off when I am not thinking as I ought.  Teach me to think as I should.

Lord Jesus, You were able to see through the sly tricks of the devil.  I fall for them.  But I know these things in my head and heart.  Help me to connect my head with my heart so that I humbly walk with You, my Savior, worshiping Trinity with both.  Grow me so that I may bear fruit befitting the kingdom, living the life of a follower, and rebuking the wicked one when he tempts me otherwise.  Save me, Lord, so that I may worship You alone.  Amen.

“Again, the devil took Him along to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me” (Matthew 4:8-9).

How many times do we bump into preposterous assumptions?  Can the devil give the Lord what God created?  In that moment, the Lord could have re-created all of creation.  Alas, the trick here is that the devil would have us give up what is real for what is an illusion.  Our Savior has already given us everything that we need.  Do not be deceived but be content with the portion the Lord has given you.

This world has been selling the lie that if we have bunches of stuff, we will be happy.  But the rich are not happy.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of true life so that I do not fall for the nonsense of the wicked one.  I have a few years in this age and then I meet You face to face.  Guide me in Your goodness and lead the way into a life that avoids the silly but real temptations of the devil to live the life You give.

Lord Jesus, I cannot overcome the devil, but You already have.  In Your grace and by Your power alone, help me moment by moment so that I will not give into the deceits that would ensnare me.  Lead me in Your goodness to know that in You alone is there all hope and the future which You promise to those who remain faithful.  Guide me in that faith today so that I may learn from You how to be steadfast.  Amen.

“Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written: ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test’” (Matthew 4:7).

The problem with “If” questions, when it comes to the Lord, is that you are asking God to prove Himself.  He created everything and you want Him to prove it.  “Prove there is a God.”  You say that you love some one?  Well, prove it!  If you think this through, you realize that life is experienced, and you can be a witness, but you cannot provide scientific proof.  Be done with the wicked one’s silliness.

Lord, You know how often I fall for the traps set by the clever who are not interested in the truth, but only in putting others down so that they may feel good about themselves.  You have given me faith, and I say I believe.  Help me so that I not fall into the trap of putting You to the test.  Guide me in the upward way so that I honor what You say and do not test You.

Lord Jesus, I am not You and I do fall for these tricks of the devil.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that in You alone is hope for my salvation.  When all is said and done, what do I know?  I hope in You.  In faith, by the grace You have given me, guide me today through whatever tricks the liars of this age will use to try and deceive me.  Help me to be faithful to You now and forever.  Amen