Scripture: Matthew 4.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Matthew 4:23-24 (NLT)

23
Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.

24
News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon-possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

The people saw Jesus in action. They saw ministry at work. They saw the needs of people being met, and they began to evangelize – reach out to the people who needed Jesus, and they brought them in to share in the miracles they had seen and possibly even been the recipient of in their personal lives. Friends, this is very much how it should work today. Often we crawl into our little shell because we are afraid of rejection or repercussion. Don’t you think it was just as bad back in the day talked about here? Remember, all children under two were killed; Jesus was crucified; Many of the disciples were imprisoned and some even beheaded. So did the people have anything to fear? Yes they had lots to fear. I believe that our mission today is to be persistent in preaching and teaching as Jesus taught us in verse 17 – “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near”. When this is done, and as lives are changed, yes even the lives of Christians, we will be anxious to share the good news to our friends and neighbors, especially the unsaved. Friends, repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Lord God, I know that You are so aware of how lax we have become and how satisfied we are in claiming You as Lord, even without the desire to share that Good News with those that we know and love. As You preached and shared with us in verse 17 of this chapter, Your second coming is near. Please forgive me for procrastination in sharing the Good News so that others might be drawn to You. Please forgive me for not emphasizing the urgency of the hour whenever I have opportunity to teach or witness. Please reignite that importance in me and help me to be busy about Your work. Please also create this urgency in Your church today, so that we may see that Christianity is more than just coming to church and being satisfied that we have earned our badge for the week, but that we have a tremendous nugget to share with folk that will have an impact on their eternal destiny.

 

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
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