Day 6: February 2

Matthew 4:12-25

SCRIPTURE HIGHLIGHTS
19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

OBSERVATION
⬆️ Despite ongoing interference and trials from Satan, God remains faithful in fulfilling His promises (14).

⬆️ Jesus is the expected Messiah-King who brings the light and the power of the Kingdom reversing the effects of sin and death (15-17).

⬆️ Jesus calls his people to follow Him and advance His mission. he promised “he will make them his disciples.”
 (18,19,21)

⬆️ In Jesus’ ministry of proclaiming the gospel, he shares the message and shows the power of God’s kingdom (23-25).

⬇️ When Jesus calls his disciples to follow Him, “Immediately” they left their own things and followed him (20, 22).

APPLICATION
➡️ We can see that Jesus calls ordinary people like me to follow Him and advance His mission. As he promised “he will make”, I trust that he will make me his true disciple to follow and fulfill God’s mission for his people and kingdom.

The call to follow Jesus is a call to help others to follow Jesus. His calling interrupts my sinful life and desire, and changes my priorities (20, 22). In history, countless people, when they heard the Gospel, turned from living for the kingdoms of this world to living for God’s Kingdom. What have been my priorities shifting after following Jesus? What things from my past should I stop doing today “Immediately” to contribute to God's kingdom and share the gospel? Also, what should I do “Immediately” today to follow God's specific commands?

Now I decide I will “Immediately” stop doing my … behavior, and start …

PRAYER
🙏 Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the wisdom and guidance we find in your Word. As I reflect on the scripture highlighting the immediate response of the disciples to Jesus' call, I am reminded of your faithfulness in the midst of trials and interference from the enemy. Lord, I acknowledge that, like the disciples, you call ordinary people to follow you and advance your mission. I trust in your promise that you will make me a true disciple, helping me fulfill your mission for your people and your kingdom.

As I consider the immediacy with which the disciples left their old ways to follow you, I pray for the strength to let go of habits from my past that hinder my contribution to your kingdom and the spreading of the gospel. Help me to prioritize your Kingdom over the things of this world. I recognize that following you is not just a personal journey but a call to help others follow you as well.

Lord, today I choose to "Immediately" stop my sinful habit of … and start ….  Grant me the courage and perseverance to follow your words without hesitation. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.