11˝Blessed are you when peopl...

11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

- P107

13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. - P107

When we are discouraged, mourning, and in need of God, we are blessed because we know that we have access to the kingdom of heaven and can find comfort in Him. When we seek God’s righteousness, we have assurance that we will receive it. - P108

When we extend mercy to those around us, we can also expect to see mercy in our own lives, and as we keep our hearts pure before God, we will see and experience Him. - P108

When we act as peacemakers, we demonstrate that we are children of God. Even in times of persecution, we can rejoice when we hold on to God’s promises and trust in His faithfulness. We can rejoice because we know that we are His blessed people with the assurance of the kingdom of heaven. - P108

As the blessed people of the kingdom of heaven, our role is to be like Christin this world. Jesus declares that we are the salt of the earth and the light ofthe world. Just as salt preserves and adds flavor, we are called to bring God‘sholiness and truth where He has placed us. We must continually guard oursaltiness the new nature God has given us-for if we lose it, then we canno longer benefit the people around us.  - P108

Just as Jesus also came as a lightinto the world, we are called to shine with good deeds that reflect God‘scharacter. As we faithfully live out our calling in Christ Jesus, we will bringglory to our heavenly Father. - P108

Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing me into the blessings of Your kingdom through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me to live out my identity as one who is blessed, and to be a Christ-like influence as salt and light in the world. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P109

12When Jesus heard that John ...

12When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee.

13Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—

14to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

15"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—

16the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."

17From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

- P102

23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

24News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. - P103

When Jesus hears that John the Baptist has been imprisoned, He withdraws from Judea back to the region of Galilee. However, Jesus moves from His hometown of Nazareth to Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee, fulfilling the prophecy spoken through the prophet Isaiah. Then, Jesus begins His preaching ministry, continuing on from what John the Baptist proclaimed: a message of repentance and announcing that the kingdom of heaven has come near. - P104

Jesus is not introducing something new but calling people back to the central message of Scripture. Centuries later, even as believers reap the blessings of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, the central message of His Word remains: We are to call hearts to turn toward God because His kingdom has come near. - P104

Jesus calls four fishermen to be His first disciples, and they follow Himthroughout the region of Galilee as He teaches, preaches, and heals. Hispopularity grows quickly, and large crowds from every region begin to fol-low Him, bringing along their suffering, sick, and demon-possessed.  - P104

Peopleare drawn to Jesus for different reasons, but He is not prideful or concernedabout becoming more popular. He is focused on proclaiming the truth.
Ministry today should likewise reflect this kingdom-centered approach.
- P104

As we proclaim the good news of God‘s kingdom and minister to others,
may we model Jesus, letting go of pride and earthly concerns and using ourGod-given gifts to bless people and speak the truth with love and grace. - P104

Dear God, thank You for calling me to serve others and proclaim Your word. Help me to recognize the opportunities You place before me to love my neighbors and share Your truth. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P105

1Then Jesus was led by the Sp...

1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

3The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."

4Jesus answered, "It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’"

- P98

Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Afterfasting forty days, He is hungry. The devil tempts Him three times: to turn stonesinto bread, to throw Himself from the temple, and to worship Satan in exchangefor the world‘s kingdoms. Jesus resists each temptation with Scripture. The devilleaves and angels come and serve Jesus. - P99

The Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness to go through a period of testingbefore beginning His public ministry. The devil tries to convince Jesus tosatisfy His fleshly desires, seek His own glory and splendor, and worship thedevil rather than God, but Jesus overcomes every temptation. Because Hewas tempted, Jesus understands the temptations we face. There is no challenge, great or small, that He does not comprehend. And He gives us Hisstrength and wisdom so we, too, can triumph over every temptation.  - P100

Wecan be like Jesus, who is not concerned with seeking attention or living forHis own glory. We can reject the temptations of this broken world, know-ing that God can and wants to satisfy our needs, our desire for acceptance,
and our longing for justice.com - P100

Dear Jesus, thank You for showing us how to trust and submit to God. Helpus follow Your example and know Scripture well so that when temptationcomes, we may stand firm and resist. In Your name, amen. - P101

11˝I baptize you with water f...

11"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. - P92

16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.

17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." - P93

Many people come to the Jordan River to be baptized, but John the Baptist explains that his water baptism is for repentance. There is someone much greater and more powerful who will baptize them with the Holy Spirit and fire, empowering and equipping God’s people to serve His kingdom. - P94

Jesus will also execute judgment, separating faithful believers from the wicked and unrepentant. We are reminded that we are empowered to do God’s work, but we are not to be prideful about it. - P94

John the Baptist understood that his impressive ministry was not about his own recognition. Likewise, our ministry is about faithfully directing people to the Savior who both equips and judges His people. - P94

Jesus approaches John to be baptized even though He is sinless and has noneed for repentance. His humility in identifying with sinful humanity soshocks John that he initially tries to deter Him. However, Jesus explainsthat His baptism is part of God‘s will. A powerful moment follows, wherewe see the Triune God: the Holy Spirit descends like a dove, and the Fatherspeaks from heaven, affirming that Jesus is His beloved Son. This affirma-tion marks the beginning of Jesus‘ public ministry.  - P94

His example challengesus to embrace obedience even when it requires us to humble ourselves. Inserving God and His people, we should not be concerned with recognitionfrom others but find security in God‘s affirmation that we are His belovedchildren. - P94

Father, I want to follow Jesus’ example of humility and obedience. May I be sensitive to Your Spirit and secure in Your love, seeking Your approval above all else. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. - P94

1In those days John the Bapti...

1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea

2and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

3This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’" - P88

7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

9And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. - P89

John the Baptist is the prophesied messenger who prepares the way for people to receive Jesus. He preaches a clear message: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near" (v. 2). - P90

Repentance means turning away from sin and turning toward God. Hearing John’s message, people from the entire area of Judea confess their sins and are baptized in the Jordan River as a symbol of their cleansing and forgiveness. - P90

We see the importance of repentance in order to enter God’s kingdom. - P90

We cannot be true citizens of heaven if we indulge in sin. - P90

Not only are we to turn away from sin, but like John, we are also called to proclaim the gospel, pointing others to Jesus, our Savior and King. - P90

The Pharisees and Sadducees also come to the Jordan River, but John theBaptist says that they are like a bunch of snakes that are trying to run awayfrom the coming wrath. They try toclaiming Abraham as their forefather. However, John the Baptist sees thattitles and outward appearances than genu-they care more about reli. ‘Orefand security in following the Law andine repentance.  - P90

True repentance produces good fruit; people can see andexperience God‘s kingdom reflected in our words and actions. The fruit ofrepentance demonstrates that we are God‘s children and live in obedienceleads to a life that not only receives God‘sways.  - P90

 Repentance leads to a life that not only receives God‘s gracebut also radiates His character to the world. - P90

"You‘ll never find refreshing rest apart from a relationship with the Redeemer."
- Brian Bill - P90

In today‘s passage, John the Baptist tells the Pharisees and Sadducees to
"produce fruit in keeping with repentance" (v. 8). We see a similar messagein the letter of James: "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will showyou my faith by my deeds" (James 2:18). These words remain relevant forus today. It is true that we are saved and sanctified by God‘s grace, but itis important to consider whether our actions reflect the inward change inour hearts. This does not mean that we should compare our works with theworks of others to see whether we could be perceived as righteous. Instead,
we should be checking the state of our hearts to ensure that what we do isin line with the faith that we claim to profess.
- P91

Our deeds are a reflection of the state of our hearts. If our heart is in sub-mission to the Lord, then this will show in how we live. We cannot havetrue faith without actions that naturally reflect what we believe.  - P91

Our actionsare an outward expression of our faith. Therefore, as believers, we shouldcontinue to seek God daily, connecting our hearts with His. We shouldcare about what He cares about. As we do so, we will begin to mirror Hischaracter and produce good fruit that reflects the faith, goodness, and lovethat we have received from Him. - P91

Dear Lord, I am grateful for the grace You have shown me in forgiving my sins. I recommit to walking daily in repentance and obedience, turning away from sin and walking forward with You. In Your name I pray, amen. - P91