Luke 12:11-12
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Remember the message Jesus is giving his disciples before he addresses the teeming crowd of admirers (Luke 12:1-10) and then read Luke 12:11-12.
If we are living in a consistent relationship with Jesus and allowing him to shape and transform our lives, we are clearing the way for the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Jesus) to guide us. This kind of preparation is not something we do but something we receive as we come to know and depend on Jesus more and more.
Jesus knows that many of his first disciples will face real persecution and even death because of their acknowledgement of him, and he is intent on preparing them for the day the crowds of admirers become either apathetic or antagonistic. When facing serious hostility, Jesus’ followers cannot be concerned about what others think or even what others can do to them. They must be focused solely on Jesus.
Take a moment to honestly assess how much you value the approval of people compared to how much you value the approval of Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in this assessment; then talk openly with Jesus as thoughts come to mind.
Read Luke 12:11-12 again.
Now take some time to meditate on Jesus’ words to his disciples as recorded in John’s Gospel:
“And when [the Advocate (Holy Spirit)] comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
… When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’” – John 16:8-15
What might Jesus be inviting you to recognize or change today?
How will you respond?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
