God's Word, His Plan & Spirit - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) December 12, 2025

Toward the end, Jesus was mocked and called 'King of the Jews.' However, did you know that before that, some Jews actually wanted to make Him their king? After Jesus fed over 5000 through the display of God's multiplication power, the people in that region desired to make Him their king. However, we are told in John 6:15 - Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

Jesus's response reveals the need to know God's word. Jesus knew that God's original plan had always been for Him alone to be king over the Israelites. However, when they insisted on being like the nations around them, He obliged them and named Saul as their first king. We learn more in 1 Samuel 8:7 - And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.

Knowing the word, Jesus didn't dare accept the people's desire to grant Him a title He knew belonged to God. He knew His role was to please the Lord and in no way take any of His glory. So, with that in mind, He removed Himself before the issue could escalate. He fled the very appearance of evil as the word instructs all of us to do in 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Jesus also knew God's purpose for His life and didn't let applause or fame from people derail Him. He remained humble before the Lord and rejected pride at all points. No matter what was thrown at Him, He focused on God's plan for His life and humanity. Besides, He knew the true heart of men and how fickle it is. He knew these people were ruled by their stomachs, not genuine appreciation for the God whose raw power was on display in their presence.

The Savior relied on the Holy Spirit to know what was coming and thus move wherever God sent. The Spirit of the Lord descended upon Him at His water baptism, and that commenced His ministry. The Holy Spirit never left Him guessing, so He knew the people's plans and could avoid them. Jesus didn't struggle against God's Spirit but yielded completely to instruction. So much so that He didn't resist the terror and trauma that the cross brought.

Each of us is equipped to do as Jesus did and avoid the traps the devil seeks to ensnare us with. 2 Corinthians 2:11 - to keep Satan from taking advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his schemes. The key is to rely on God's word, know His purpose for us, and trust His Holy Spirit to bring forth victory over the enemy. We must be intentional in applying these strategies and weapons that God freely gave to us.

Intentionality requires that we study our Bibles, asking the Holy Spirit for understanding. If not, the Bible will be like any other book, and we'll miss the deep mysteries it contains. We also need to prayerfully ask God to reveal His purpose for our lives. Many of us are focused on what we want to do, ignoring that God's concerns must be prioritized. However, failing to know our heavenly 'calling' can lead to wasted time and struggles we were never meant to experience.

And finally, we must not fail to take advantage of the gift Jesus promised to all who would believe in Him - the Holy Spirit of God. He came into our hearts when we gave our lives to Jesus, but we must make it a habit of listening to Him. The Bible says only those led by God's Spirit can be called God's children. We must therefore desire to give the Spirit of the Lord freedom to move in and around us. This requires intentionality and faith that God will train us to recognize the Holy Spirit despite the noise of life.

I pray that as 2025 comes to an end, we will realize that John 6:15 provides an equation that can ensure we please God and walk in victory in the new year. By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by the sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit, we will not be in error because we will know God's word, His purpose for our lives, and submit to His Spirit, Amen. God bless you, and be sure to fellowship with us at Noon EST today.

As you await fellowship, consider reading the Altar Call below and the following previous P&P messages:

1. Praise instead of pray

2. Get Scrappy

3. How do you love?

4. Stay in God's Plan and Timing

5. Give Generously

6. Predestined To Win

7. The Mockers of Jesus

8. Reject Pride

9. Jesus Didn’t Trust Them

10. Topic: God's Children

11. Topic: Faith, Trust, Belief in God

12. Topic: Faith At Work Series

13. Topic: Don't Break Faith with God