A Rhythm for Life

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Scripture:

Luke 4:14   Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country.  15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
Luke 4:16    When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom.

Observation:

Jesus had just completed his time of fasting out in the wilderness where he had been tempted by Satan. He returned home to the region of the Galilee, “filled with the power of the Spirit.” We read about the ways in which he entered into a rhythm of ministry in which he taught and worshipped in the synagogue on a regular basis.

Application:

If it’s good enough for Jesus, it seems that it ought to be enough for us! Jesus entered into a rhythm for his life and ministry, ones which provide a pattern for his followers.

* Jesus spent time in prayer and fasting. This time in the wilderness was not the only time that Jesus practiced this discipline. This one is well recorded but we know that he often went off by himself to pray and to fast, spending time with the Father.

* Jesus ministered in the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s probably not coincidental that when Jesus returned from his time of prayer and fasting he was empowered by the Holy Spirit. If Jesus needed the power of the Spirit to do his work, how much more do we?! We are not to be engaged in our life work on our own but in the power of the Holy Spirit who leads, guides and directs.

* Jesus placed a priority on teaching and ministering in the synagogue on a weekly basis. Considering all that Jesus was doing and the reaction he often got at the synagogue it seems like he could have easily skipped this part of his work. Why not take the Sabbath off! Watch a few football games and be rested up for the week ahead when he would “really” be ministering! Nope, Jesus made it a priority and a part of his rhythm of life to be in synagogue, ministering to the people of God.

There are always times when I have to step back and evaluate the rhythm of my life. Sometimes it gets out of sync and I have to spend time with the Lord and have a little readjustment. This journey is not one which can be handled on my own, but only in the strength and leading of the Lord. Today my desire is to journey in his rhythm.

Prayer:

Lord, please help me to follow in step with you.  Amen.


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Comments

  1. Auntie MenoSeptember 21, 2015 at 8:06 PM

    Thankyou Carla, I always enjoy reading your blog. May I quote you?
    "There are always times when I have to step back and evaluate the rhythm of my life. Sometimes it gets out of sync and I have to spend time with the Lord and have a little readjustment. This journey is not one which can be handled on my own, but only in the strength and leading of the Lord. Today my desire is to journey in his rhythm."
    This just speaks to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carla SunbergSeptember 22, 2015 at 5:27 AM

      Yes, feel free to quote this. Thank you for reading and growing in your walk with the Lord!

      Delete
  2. Auntie MenoSeptember 21, 2015 at 8:07 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete

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