lease begin by reading the Shema out loud and continue trying to memorize it.

“Hear, O Israel. The LORD is our God. The LORD alone. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Amen.”

On Day 10 we learned about Jesus’ time of temptation in the desert where he demonstrated what was in His heart and His desire to keep the commandments.

Read Matthew 4:12-16 (out loud).

On the map, find the areas occupied by the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun. The tribe of Naphtali settled in the eastern and central part of Galilee. Its territory included the upper Jordan and part of the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. The tribe of Zebulun was given a portion of southern Galilee. An important trade route passed through this territory and the land was fertile. This tribe gained great wealth.

A promise was given to these two tribes in Isaiah 9. Read verses 1-7 out loud.

These two areas were “humbled” in 732 B.C. when Israel was invaded by the Assyrians. The Assyrians devastated the territory of Zebulun, and the land was added to the Assyrian Empire. But a promise was given that in the future God would honor Galilee with a child who would be called, “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Compare the area of these two tribes to the area now called Galilee. This is the same region. When Jesus returned to Galilee and chose to live in Capernaum, He fulfilled this prophecy. Include this on your prophecy page.

Read Matthew 4:17 (out loud).

Jesus started His preaching ministry in Galilee. His message was clear and simple. “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.” As we read through the gospels, we will try to uncover exactly what Jesus meant by this phrase “the kingdom of heaven.” It was a phrase misunderstood by many. But today we don’t want to miss the first part of His basic message, “repent.” Too many people focused on what was near and missed their part – repent. Turn away from your sin. Be set apart. Be different.

Have you lost focus on your part of this simple message? Do you truly repent of your sins or do you say the blanket “forgive me of my sins” phrase? Talk to God specifically about where you have fallen short in the last 24 hours. Have this be part of your daily prayer time with Him. Focus specifically on the sins that are your individual areas of struggle. Repent of those sins. Turn away from them. Be different – for the kingdom of heaven is near.

Source:
Ray Vander Laan – That the World May Know
Revell Bible Dictionary
Bible-History.com
The Interactive Bible