Luke 2:51-52

And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. (ESV)

Luke was careful to point out that Jesus was obedient to Joseph and Mary in case his readers would think otherwise from the previous paragraph. Mary treasured all these things in her heart, reflecting on and remembering her 12-year-old’s words, even though she did not understand them. Perhaps Luke received these details about the early years of Jesus from Mary herself or from someone in whom she had confided. Jesus continued to grow (proekopten, lit., “cut one’s way forward,” i.e., “increased”) in every way (spiritually, mentally, and physically) and had favor with God and men.

Credits:

Christ In You - Oracles Of A Worshipper by Keifer R. Bradshaw

Hallelujah Track as performed by Marvin Sapp

Some music is provided by the Whoop Triggerz Plus App (http://www.whooptriggerz.com)

Hosea 6:6

For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. (ESV

The reason for such severe discipline is reiterated: God’s people had failed to understand His true desire. He longed for devotion and loyalty expressed through allegiance to the covenant demands. Sacrifices were meaningless and even offensive unless offered in the context of obedience.

(cf. 1 Sam. 15:22; Isa. 1:11–20; Amos 5:21–24; Micah 6:6–8).

Credits:

Christ In You - Oracles Of A Worshipper by Keifer R. Bradshaw

Falling In Love With Jesus Track as performed by Johnathan Butler

Some music is provided by the Whoop Triggerz Plus App (http://www.whooptriggerz.com)

John 5 1:9

1 After these things there was aa feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by athe sheep gate a pool, which is called bin 1Hebrew 2Bethesda, having five porticoes. 3 In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [1waiting for the moving of the waters; 4 for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.] 5 A man was there who had been 1ill for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He *said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” 7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when athe water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus *said to him, “aGet up, pick up your pallet and walk.” 9 Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk. (NASB)

Jesus didn’t choose the ones who were pushing forward; rather, he went directly to the person who had almost given up hope. He went to a desperate person who didn’t have to be convinced he needed help. The paralyzed man had reached the end of his rope and was ready to respond. Does God have to wait until we are desperate before he hears from us?

Credits:

Christ In You - Oracles Of A Worshipper by Keifer R. Bradshaw

My Testimony Track as performed by Marvin Sapp

Some music is provided by the Whoop Triggerz Plus App (http://www.whooptriggerz.com)