Happy first Monday of the New Year! 2♡22 is in motion and you are here for such a time as this. May the Lord bless you today. May the Lord keep you in perfect peace. May the Lord who hears your prayers speak clearly to you and respond to your prayers. May your faith be unwavering and your joy overflowing. May our thoughts toward Christ and His love for us be renewed in us.

Today, we will begin our reading in Matthew chapter 11. Enjoy today’s devotion. 

BIBLE VERSE – Matthew 11:1-6 NLT

“¹ After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.

² When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples ³ to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
⁴ Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. ⁶ Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.””

RECAP
As I read today’s verses, I got chills on these specific words in verse five and six:

• The blind receive sight.

• The lame walk.

• Those who have leprosy are cleansed. 

• The deaf hear.

• The dead are raised.

• The good news is proclaimed to the poor.

• Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.

To answer John the Baptist’s question, yes, Jesus is the One who is to come.

REFLECTION
When Jesus came, he fulfilled prophecy. Most notably in Isaiah chapters 35 and 61:1. If you have time to read those two sections in the Bible, please do.

Today, Jesus is still giving the physically and spiritually blind sight. He is still healing the sick and raising those declared dead. The good news is still being proclaimed to the poor. Salvation and forgiveness are here for anyone who believes and receives Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. 

Romans 10:9-13 states:
⁹ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. ¹¹ As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” ¹² For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile [anyone who is non-Jew*] —the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, ¹³ for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Do you believe? _________ If not, may the Lord help you with your unbelief.

PRAYER
Father God, in the name of Jesus we pray for our brothers and sisters in the faith. Lord, strengthen us as we prepare for the day ahead. Lord, give us wisdom and insight as we proceed with the things we must do and decisions that need to be made. Father you are the Almighty God who created heaven and earth and we thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ to save us. Lord we believe. Lord help us to trust you more. Lord, keep us from stumbling. Teach us your ways, heal our hearts and make us whole. Lord, help us to be a good representation of who you are. Help us to love others and care for the lost, the least and the last. Lord renew our love for You daily. Lord, give us courage to share the good news of the gospel with others. Lord, keep us in your perfect peace. In Jesus name, we pray and thank you, amen.

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