“The Power of One” (Luke 6:27-36)

 Gandhi and the Boy

There is a well-known story about Mahatma Gandhi. One day, a woman brought her son to him and said, "Sir, my son eats too much sugar. Would you please tell him to stop?" Gandhi paused and then replied, "Please bring your child back in a week." Confused but trusting his wisdom, the mother returned a week later with her son. This time, Gandhi simply looked at the boy and said, "Stop eating sugar, child." To the mother’s surprise, the boy listened and changed his habit. A month later, the mother returned and asked, "My child has done what you asked, but why couldn’t you have told him this the first time we came?" Gandhi gently replied, "A week ago, I was still eating sugar." Gandhi knew he could not ask the boy to do something he himself had not yet done. His words needed to match his actions.

 

Jesus and the Pharisees

This story reminds us of the difference between Jesus and the religious leaders of His time. Matthew tells us how the people responded after Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in this way: “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority - quite unlike their teachers of religious law” (Matthew 7:28-29, NLT). The Pharisees spoke one thing, but their lives often told a different story. Jesus, however, spoke with true authority because His words and His actions were one. There was no gap between what He taught and how He lived. His life was the Word made flesh. When Jesus spoke, people didn’t just hear truth—they saw it in Him.

Is the Sermon Practical?  

Today’s passage is part of the Sermon on the Mount, following the Beatitudes. Here, Jesus expounds on what the Beatitudes look like in everyday life.

 

“Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you” (Luke 6:27-31, NLT).

 

Is Jesus’ sermon practical? Attainable? Jesus lived it - He loved and forgave, even those crucifying him, saying, “Father, forgive them!” But can we do that? Sometimes, we struggle to love even our own families, let alone our enemies.

 

I once read a piece titled, “Father Forgets” in Reader’s Digest. It’s about a young father who regrets how he treated his son throughout the day. After the boy fell asleep, he knelt beside his bed, shamed. A portion of his reflection reads:

 

“Son, I have come to your bed side in the darkness, I have knelt there, ashamed! It is a feeble atonement… tomorrow I will be a real daddy! I will chum with you, suffer when you suffer and laugh when you laugh. I will bite my tongue when impatient words come. I will keep saying as if it were a ritual: “He is nothing but a boy – a little boy.” I am afraid I have visualized you as a man… I have asked too much, too much!”

 

I don’t know about you, but I often feel this kind of remorse at the end of the day. How many times have I resolved to be a better person tomorrow? William Temple illustrated this well: “It is no good giving me a play like Hamlet or King Lear, and telling me to write a new play just like it. Shakespeare could do it; I can’t. And it is no good showing me a life like the life of Jesus and telling me to live a life just like it. Jesus could do it; I can’t. But if the genius of Shakespeare could come and live inside me, I would then be able to write plays like he did. And if the Spirit of Jesus could come and live inside me, I would then be able to live a life like he did.”[1]

This is the open secret of how to live as a Christian. Jesus’ sermon is impossible to live out by sheer effort. But if we allow His Spirit to transform us, everything changes. Christ’s sermon is not about outward behavior, but it’s about an inner change of the heart.

 

Light of the World

As part of his sermon, Jesus tells us, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

 

What does it mean to live as the light? What does it look like? The other day my family and I watched Woodlawn. It tells the true story of Tony Nathan, a talented high school football players in the 1960s and 70s. Though he was an exceptional athlete, he was often benched simply because he was Black. He endured discrimination and humiliation—until something miraculous happened. Revival began—not with a coach or a teacher, but one man who called himself a “sports chaplain.” He prayed for and cared about the school and the football team, and transformation began, one heart at a time. The real change wasn’t external—it was internal. The team began to play, not for their own glory, success, or future, but for something greater—God’s will, His kingdom, and His glory. Even their opponents were transformed.

 

At times, I feel insignificant. I struggle with doubt. I wonder if true revival is possible. Voices whisper, "It’s just temporary," "People don’t really change," "It’s too late," "It’s too hard." But then I remember: God is still at work today. A miracle can happen when God shows up. Here’s a reflection from my journal after watching Woodlawn:

 

“Lord, I am weak. I feel powerless and insignificant. In the complexities of the UMC structure, I struggle to speak truth and navigate the system. I don’t know how to help revitalize aging local churches. But Lord, I will stand. I will follow. I will light my candle. I will keep praying, keep showing up, keep loving and forgiving. I will place my hope and trust in You. Fill me, use me, and send me for Your glory. Amen.”

 

During Explo ‘72, Billy Graham preached on the Sermon on the Mount. He once had the stadium lights turned off. Then, one person lit their candle and passed it on, showing how light spreads in darkness. He said, “You may feel insignificant. But think about a candle—you can see its light from afar. And one candle becomes two; two become four; four become ten; ten become hundreds.”

 

You might be the only Christian in your family, workplace, or school. You may feel insignificant. But one single candle in the dark can be seen from far away. Imagine if hundreds of people each held a light—the entire space would glow. This is how revival begins.

 

At this time, we will light candles as a reminder. Once everyone has received the light, we will sing “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.” May we shine, even when it feels small. May we pass the flame. May we be willing to stand and be different. May this song be our prayer. Amen.

 

I have decided to follow Jesus;

I have decided to follow Jesus;

I have decided to follow Jesus;

No turning back, no turning back.

 

The world behind me, the cross before me;

The world behind me, the cross before me;

The world behind me, the cross before me;

No turning back, no turning back.

 

Though none go with me, still I will follow;

Though none go with me, still I will follow;

Though none go with me, still I will follow;

No turning back, no turning back.

 

                                                                       

 

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[1] John Stott, Basic Christianity (The IVP Signature Collection) (p. 123). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.

“Life of a Disciple” (Luke 6:17-26)

 

*Painted by Joyce Kang, "Psalm 84:5"

Walking in Circles?

Today is a snow day, so let me begin with a story about winter weather. Years ago, a man went missing in the Alps. For 13 days, he desperately searched for a village, walking more than 12 hours a day in terrible weather. He thought he was making progress, but in reality, he had been walking in circles within a 4-mile radius. Scientists tell us that when people walk with their eyes closed, they naturally move in circles without realizing it.

 

But here’s the fascinating part—there is a way to walk straight. If you pause regularly to reorient yourself, even with your eyes closed, you can stay on course. The problem wasn’t that the man was too slow—it was that he never stopped to check his direction. By God’s grace, today’s scripture is given to us as a wake-up call – a chance to stop and reorient ourselves. Today’s passage, Luke version of the Beatitudes, challenges us to ask three essential questions. 

 

Disciples Vs. Crowds

The first question is this: “Am I living as a disciple, or as a part of the crowd?” Right before today’s passage, Luke tells us how Jesus chose his twelve apostles. Then we read:

 

“Jesus came down from the mountain with them and stood on a large area of level ground. A great company of his disciples and a huge crowd of people from all around Judea and Jerusalem and the area around Tyre and Sidon joined him there” (Luke 6:17, CEB).

 

There were always two groups following Jesus: the disciples and the crowds. The crowds in Luke 6 followed Jesus, hoping for blessings, miracles, healings, and quick solutions (v. 19). But Jesus turns to his disciples and teaches them. So the Beatitudes and the entire Sermon on the Mount are not for the curious crowds but for committed disciples.

 

Here, we can see a parallel between Moses and Jesus. God chose the twelve tribes of Israel and made them his special people. God gave them Moses as their leader, who received the law on Mount Sinai and taught them how to live as God’s people. In the same way, Jesus chose the twelve apostles on the Mount as the nucleus of a new Israel. Then he taught them and other disciples what it means to be disciples.

 

If we sum up the entire Old Testament law into one phrase, it is: “Be holy” (Ex 19:6; Lev 21:8). Or, put another way: “Be different,” or “Be peculiar.” If we sum up Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount into one phrase, it would be Matthew 6:8: “Do not be like them.” It’s a call to be different. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God--what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2, NRSV). Be transformed. Be different. Be a disciple. Then, what is a disciple? A disciple is someone who lives out God’s kingdom values – the Beatitudes.

 

Life Vs. Death

That leads to the second question: “Am I choosing life or death?” In Deuteronomy, Moses gives his farewell sermon. He knows he will not enter the Promised Land, so he gives his final words to Israel’s second generation. And the key message is this: “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your children may live” (Deut 30:19).

 

In the same way, Jesus sets before us two paths – life and death, 4 blessings and 4 woes. Jesus teaches a paradoxical truth:

 

Blessed are the poor, the hungry, the weeping, the persecuted – not because suffering is good, but because they know their need for God.

 

Woe to the rich, the satisfied, the laughing, the applauded – not because these things are bad, but because they can blind us from seeing our true need.

 

Richard Rohr, in his book Falling Upward, tells the story of a man who spent his life building his reputation and career, thriving in the "first half" of life. He had success, financial stability, and a strong sense of identity in his achievements. But then, everything collapsed – his business failed, his marriage ended, and he lost what he thought defined him. At first, he saw this as a curse. But over time, this crisis stripped away his illusions of control. Through this painful process, he moved from being part of the crowd—trying harder to chase security and approval—to becoming a disciple—learning to trust in God’s grace.

 

When we realize that we are poor, we are hungry, we are not enough, we need help – then we are blessed, because that’s when God becomes our help, our life.

 

Eternity Vs. Now

Finally, we must ask: “Am I living for eternity, or just for now?” Many people today are like the lost man in the Alps. They were moving, searching, wanting more, but never stopping to ask: “Where is my life actually heading?” But without stopping to listen to Jesus, we may just be walking in circles. We may be just living for now.

 

A wild duck was flying north with his flock in the spring when he stopped in a Danish barnyard. There, he found tame ducks and plenty of food. He thought, I’ll rest for a while. But one hour became a day, then a week, then a month. Eventually, he decided to stay all summer, enjoying the safety and easy life of the barnyard. Then autumn came. One day, he heard the call of his old flock flying south. His heart leapt with excitement, and he flapped his wings to join them. But he had grown soft and heavy from his easy life. He could only lift himself to the barn’s roof before falling back down. So he told himself, Well, at least I’m safe here, and the food is good. Year after year, the wild ducks flew overhead, calling to him. At first, he would feel a stirring inside and try to flap his wings. But over time, he stopped noticing them at all.[1]

 

May we never be domesticated! May we never grow so comfortable and well-fed that we lose our hunger for “the things that are above” (Colossians 3: 1, 2).

 

Falling Upward Journey

It may surprise you to know that professional mountain climbers begin their ascent around midnight. This seems counterintuitive—after all, midnight is when our bodies are at their weakest, when exhaustion is greatest. Yet, for high-altitude climbs, midnight is the safest time. The snow is frozen solid, reducing the risk of avalanches. What feels like the darkest and hardest moment is often the best time to move forward.

 

Perhaps today, you feel like you are in a valley of disappointment. Maybe you’re weary, struggling to endure. But in God’s eyes, this difficult season might be a golden opportunity—a time when your heart is most open to encountering Christ in a deeper, more powerful way. When the night feels longest, let us remember—this may be the very moment God is leading us deeper and higher.

 

Before we leave today, let’s ask ourselves:

·       Am I living as a disciple, or just part of the crowd?

·       Am I choosing life, or settling for what is easy?

·       Am I living for eternity, or just for now?

 

Jesus' words still ring true: “Blessed are you who are poor, hungry, weeping, and persecuted because of the Son of Man… Rejoice when that happens! Leap for joy because you have a great reward in heaven.” Amen.

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[1] R. Kent Hughes, Luke (2 volumes in 1 / ESV Edition) (Preaching the Word) (p. 224). Crossway. Kindle Edition.

“Call Again” (Luke 5:1-11)

Surprised by Grace

Many people go through life wearing masks – masks of degrees, titles, and achievements—convincing the world they have it all together. But behind those masks, many are carrying unhealed wounds and silent insecurities, wondering if all their striving will ever be enough.

In the movie Surprised by Oxford, Caro is one of those people. A brilliant scholar with a sharp mind, she arrives at one of the most prestigious universities in the world, confident on the outside, but inside, she carries deep wounds from her past—wounds that no amount of success can truly heal. It’s only when she encounters grace, both through the kindness of others and the relentless love of God. And she begins to realize: life is not about proving oneself but receiving the grace that has been there all along.

Peter’s story in Luke 5 is not so different. He was an expert fisherman—hardworking, persistent, and skilled. He had spent an entire night doing everything he knew to do, yet his nets remained empty. He was exhausted, frustrated, and perhaps even questioning his own identity as a fisherman. Then Jesus stepped into his boat. This wasn’t Peter’s first encounter with Jesus. He had met Him before, through his brother Andrew.  But this time Jesus stepped into Peter’s personal universe – his boat, his sea, his nets. And with one simple instruction—"Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." (v. 4, NRSV)—Jesus invited Peter into something bigger than he could imagine. At that moment, Peter had a choice: keep striving his own way or surrender to the way of Jesus.

 

Prosperity Gospel?

Peter chose to surrender. He said, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and caught nothing. But because you say so, I’ll drop the nets.” (v. 5, CEB) Think about it—a professional fisherman taking advice from a carpenter? That took faith. And what happened? The catch was so great, the nets started breaking. He called for help, and soon, both boats were sinking.

Now, some “prosperity gospel” preachers might say, "See? Peter had faith, so he prospered!" But that’s not the point. This miracle wasn’t about wealth or success. It was a sign—pointing to who Jesus is and what He came to do. Just like when Jesus fed the 5,000, and the crowd followed Him—not because they understood, but because they wanted more food. Jesus told them, "You are looking for Me not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the food you wanted." (John 6:26) They missed the real point—Jesus is the true Bread of Life.

But Peter got it. When Jesus stepped into his life and showed him the “sign,” Peter was willing to stop striving and start trusting. He left everything – his success, his security, even his prosperity – and followed Jesus. Today, Jesus steps into our boats. The question is: Are we willing to listen to His voice and follow His way?

 

Into the Deep

Jesus’ call can be terrifying. It’s out of our comfort zone. It’s uncharted waters. It’s the end of me and the beginning of Jesus. When Simon Peter saw the miracle, he was amazed. He was overwhelmed. He was afraid. He fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Leave me, Lord, for I’m a sinner!” (Luke 5:8) Jesus said to him, “Don’t be afraid. From now on, you will be fishing for people.”

It reminds me of Isaiah’s call story. When Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up, he cried, "Woe to me! I am ruined! I am a man of unclean lips!" Before God’s presence, Isaiah felt unworthy. But God didn’t leave him there. He cleansed Isaiah and then called him: "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?" Isaiah responded, "Here I am, Lord. Send me!"

When God calls us, we often feel unworthy, unqualified, unprepared. I don’t know about you, but for me, I was very afraid. I remember when I first sensed God calling me to ministry. I was in college, serving as a youth teacher. Some of the students came from broken families. They had no desire to learn or grow. I started a small study group with them—Bible study, academics, vision-building. Over time, I watched God transform their lives. That gave me strong desire to devote my entire life for ministry. But still, I was hesitant and afraid. Why? Two reasons. First, I was afraid of public speaking. I was never a dynamic, charismatic speaker. Second, I was not a people person. I was always a quite person. I thought, How could someone like me be a pastor? Then, in the summer of 2005, during a youth camp, as I was praying for my students, I heard that still, small voice: “My son, I want you.” And I said, “Yes Lord. I am willing.” That yes changed everything.

 

Call Again

God’s grace is relentless. So is God’s call. Even when we say yes, we drift. We backslide. We lose our way. But God never stops calling. Peter experienced this too. He left everything behind to follow Jesus, but later, after denying Jesus three times, he went back to fishing. He didn’t know what else to do. But Jesus met him again. On the shore, after the resurrection, Jesus called him again: "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Three times, Peter answered, "Yes, Lord, You know I love You." And Jesus said, "Feed My sheep." Jesus restored Peter’s call. Rekindled his fire. And Peter never looked back.

God’s call is not a one-time event. He continues to shape and refine His call in our lives. The other day, I met a Christian man who is pushing 90. We used to serve together in an ecumenical group, working side by side for years. He was so dedicated—working hard, faithfully serving God’s kingdom and our community. Now, he has stepped away from official roles, resigned from committees, and slowed down a bit. But he is still so active. People look at him and say, "What’s your secret? You look so happy. You don’t even look your age—you look 60!" And every time, he smiles and sees it as an opportunity. He tells them, "The secret? It’s my deep faith and connection with Jesus." And then—he invites them to church. He said to me, "Victor, now this is my calling. One-on-one evangelism." God is still using him. His calling didn’t end—it just changed.

As I look back on my own life, I see defining moments where God shaped my calling. When I entered seminary, I realized my school wasn’t affiliated with the Methodist Church. I had a tough decision—stay in school or stay in the denomination. It took six months of wrestling, praying, surrendering, and trusting God. And in the end, God made a way—I was able to finish my degree and pursue ordination in the UMC. Later, when I was appointed to The County, I hit a wall. I felt stuck. I was discouraged. I was ready to throw in the towel. But God met me there at the bottom. He showed me something powerful: Jesus abided with His people. He wasn’t in a rush. He wasn’t about performance. He was present. That changed everything for me. My calling shifted—from effective ministry to the ministry of presence. And now? I sense God calling me again—this time, to be a proactive “last responder”—someone who walks alongside God’s people, helping them review their lives, preparing them for death, and pointing them toward the life to come. God’s call keeps shaping us. The question is—are we listening?

 

Paradox of Life

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, "When Christ calls a person, He bids them come and die." He talked about cheap grace versus costly grace. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ. Costly grace calls us to follow Jesus, no matter the cost. Bonhoeffer lived this out. He could have stayed safe in America, away from Nazi Germany. But he chose to return, to share in the suffering of his people. He stood for truth—and it cost him his life.

Jesus is still calling today. He calls us, like Peter, to "catch people for life." Wherever we are in our journey, God is not finished with us yet. So let me ask you: Is Jesus stepping into your boat today? Maybe you’ve been trying so hard, working all night, and your nets are still empty. Maybe you feel like Peter—exhausted, unsure, and wondering if there is something more. Jesus is calling you. Right now. Maybe you’ve said yes before, but you’ve drifted. You’re not where you used to be, and you wonder if God still has a plan for you. He does. Just like He called Peter again, He’s calling you again. Or maybe you’ve never really said yes to Jesus. Maybe you’ve been standing on the shore – like one of the crowds, watching, hesitant. But today, you hear His voice: "Come. Follow Me." Whatever your story, Jesus is here. His grace is relentless. His call is personal. And He is waiting for your yes. So today, if you sense God calling, don’t wait. Step forward. Come to the altar. Say yes to Jesus. He’s stepping into your boat. Will you follow?

“Word and Power” (Luke 4:31-44)

 

Clean Power

Imagine walking into a place and instantly feeling something powerful—something beyond yourself. That’s exactly what happened to a well-known spiritist in London. She was used to supernatural experiences in her spiritist meetings, but one day, she stepped into Westminster Chapel, where Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones was preaching. 

 

As she sat down, she felt a power in the room—just like in her spiritist gatherings. But there was something different. She later said, “I was conscious of a supernatural power, but this time, it was a clean power.”[1]  That one moment changed her life. She realized that the power she had known before was nothing compared to the holiness and purity of God's presence. This raises an important question for us today: What kind of power shapes our lives? Let’s explore what it means to live under the true power of Christ.

 

Power of Christ and His Word

While on earth, Jesus focused on three things – teaching, preaching, and healing. “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.” (Matt 4:23, NIV) Jesus brought God’s kingdom among the people as he taught, preached, and healed them.

 

Today’s passage was one of the examples. Jesus went to Capernaum. There he taught the people each Sabbath. On one Sabbath as he was teaching, demons were exposed. Christ’s word has power to expose darkness and transform lives. “The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to diving soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart… Everything is uncovered and laid bare before his eyes.” (Hebrews 4:12-13).

 

Many of us tend to think the heart of the Gospel is the forgiveness of sin – and it is. But remember, Jesus also came to destroy the powers of evil and set us free. In Luke 4:18-19 Jesus announced His mission: to bring good news to the poor, free prisoners, restore sight to the blind, and liberate the oppressed. Hebrews 2:14-15 also proclaims that through his death Jesus conquered the powers of evil and freed all who were in bondage.

 

Word and Power

Jesus is sovereign over all things. His word has authority and power. No demon can disobey. In today’s passage, Jesus rebuked the demon, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” The demon threw the man down before the people, then came out of him without harming him. And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” (Luke 4:35–36)

 

Luke also wants us to see that the power of Jesus’ word extends not only to the world of demons, but also to the world of nature. Jesus went home with Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law was sick with a high fever. Luke uses the same word for how Jesus spoke to the fever that he did for how Jesus spoke to the demon. Verse 35 says, “Jesus rebuked the demon.” Verse 39 says, “He stood over her and rebuked the fever.” Jesus is talking to a fever, and the fever obeys. Luke wants us to see – Jesus is sovereign over all things. All demons. All nature.

 

Power through Suffering

In today’s passage when the demons saw Jesus, they screamed, “I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" (4:34) Again, in verse 41, the demons recognized Jesus and shrieked, “You are the Son of God!” But Jesus rebuked them and would not allow them to speak. Why? Because the people expected a “warrior” Messiah (distorted image of the Messiah). But Jesus came to destroy the powers of evil, not through military might, but through suffering. In Luke 9:22 Jesus says, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” Colossians 2:15 also proclaims the same truth – the victory through suffering: “[Jesus] disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.” (NLT)

 

Today, we face similar temptations: the lure of glory without the cross, or the promise of health, wealth, and prosperity without sacrifice or suffering. The enemy whispers, “If God is good, why do you suffer?” But we know the truth—our suffering has a purpose when it draws us close to Christ.

 

Power through Prayer

Let me bring this home with a modern illustration from the movie Rango. Rango is a quirky character who looks like a chameleon. He stumbles into the town of Dirt, a place desperate for a hero. At first, he just tries to fit in, pretending to be brave, and talking big. By good luck he becomes a hero – a new sheriff. But when a real challenge comes, his true identity is exposed. He isn’t a hero—he’s a fraud, a nobody. So, he runs away. But then, something happens. While wandering in the desert, he encounters the Spirit of the West, a God-like figure. After this, instead of pretending to be somebody, Rango figures out and embraces who he really is. As an ordinary, flawed, and uncertain “nobody,” he returns to face the enemy, risking everything for the town. And in doing so, he becomes a true hero.

This story resonates with us because we, too, wrestle with identity, weakness, and fear. The world (the enemy) tells us to pretend until we become “somebody” (distorted image of God’s children). But the Gospel tells us something greater: Jesus, the true Hero, defeated the enemy, not with force, but through suffering and the cross. Because of Him, we don’t have to pretend—we are already loved, chosen, and called. So, like Rango, we step forward in faith and face the giant. But unlike Rango, we don’t rely on ourselves. We follow Jesus who has already won the victory through his suffering on the cross.

How did Jesus overcome ongoing temptation and discouraging voices to stay the course? There answer is found in Luke 4:42: “At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place.” (NIV) Mark 1:35 gives even more detail: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (NIV) Every morning, before anything else, Jesus listened to the Father’s voice.

 

How can we overcome the enemy’s voice and live a victorious life? By listening to God’s word first – daily. From the very beginning, God knew what he was doing. He chose us to become like his Son. He called us, gave us right standing, and gave us his glory. By God’s grace we are “predestined, called, justified, and glorified” – a divine chain of grace that no one can break. “Who will separate us from the love of Christ?” (Rom 8:35) And the answer? “Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (v. 39)

 

Jesus, sovereign over all things, is for us, not against us. May we listen to God’s truth every morning. May we trust Jesus fully, finding our identity, calling, and purpose in His word. Amen.

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[1] Douglas Banister, The Word and Power Church: What Happens When a Church Seeks All God Has to Offer? (p. 147). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.