Tag: bible study

December 12, 2024

December 12th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Revelation 20

Highlight Verse:

“The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished. Afterward he must be released for a little while.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭20‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s easy to focus on the defeat of Satan in this chapter.

It’s awesome news, worthy of great celebration.

But this chapter tells us something important about today –

Satan is lying to us.

Constantly.

Imagine if we could see clearly from God’s perspective all the time.

For now, have those constant subtle lies appealing to our selfish desires and tickling our minds with promises of the good feelings that come from compromise.

And when we listen to them, they pull us away from the fullness of joy that a life lived well can supply.

Once Satan is out of the picture, what a joyous life it will be.

For now, Satan’s lies are still all around us.

We would do well to recognize them for what they are and quit listening to them.

In the meantime, when we blow it, we need to get back on the right track and trust in the mercy of Jesus for forgiveness.

What would your life be like if you never heard any of Satan’s lies?
How do you imagine it will be once Satan is out of the picture?
December 10, 2024

December 11th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – Esther 5-6

Highlight Verse:

“Then the king asked her, “What do you want, Queen Esther? What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!””
‭‭Esther‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Oxford defines “hyperbole” as exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

Esther apparently knew the “half the kingdom” statement was just such an exaggeration.

Instead of accepting the insincere gift, she humbly invited the king and Haman to a dinner she would host.

Despite being the declared queen, even that request was bold as Xerxes was the most powerful man in the world and she was likely still a teenager.

But he listened to her, and saved the people of Israel.

Which brings me to today’s points.

In many years of working with young people, I’ve known a few who were humbly bold.

While they may not have had the far-reaching impact of Esther, but they made a difference in their worlds.

So, my two simple points are this:
If you are young, be bold while being humble. If you’re not sure how to do both, read Esther’s story again.

If you are older, listen to young people. Their dreams are still big. If given the chance to act on them, their dream will stay big, and they will change the world.

What is your big dream?
What big dreams have you heard from others?
Have you helped make those dreams happen?
December 10, 2024

December 10th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Deuteronomy 29-30

Highlight Verse:

““Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭30‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We just watched a clip from the 1970 movie Scrooge where the people sang a heartfelt song of gratitude to Ebenezer Scrooge.

Scrooge merrily sang along with them until he realized what they were thankful for –

His death.

I want my funeral to be full of people thankful what I chose to do for them when I was alive, and for the eternal life I would be just beginning.

And then, you know, it’d be kinda fun if the procession included dancing and the singing of Thank You Very Much too.

What kind of choices do you want to make that people will be thankful for at your funeral?
How many of those choices do you have left to make?
December 9, 2024

December 9th, 2024

Monday – Gospels and Acts

Reading – Acts 26

Highlight Verse:

“Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?””
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭26‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Why did he say, “so quickly?” Was Agrippa leaning toward believing?

I don’t know the answer to that, but I do know that Paul stays on task here.

God called him to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Paul stays consistent in working on that task whether it be with the average Joe or King Agrippa.

And he is rewarded with a trip to Rome so he can complete his calling.

I wish I could stay on task that consistently.

Maybe I can.

How consistently have you stayed on task with what God has called you to?
What would help you to stay on target?
December 8, 2024

December 8th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Job 37

Highlight Verses:

““My heart pounds as I think of this. It trembles within me. Listen carefully to the thunder of God’s voice as it rolls from his mouth.”
‭‭Job‬ ‭37‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I love thunderstorms!

There’s something about the the massive power unleashed in each lightning bolt.

But that’s not the part of nature that really stirs my heart.

When I lived in the Santa Cruz area, I would go down to West Cliff Drive and sit by the edge of the cliffs watching the waves pound the walls.

If there was a storm offshore, the waves would make the ground vibrate and would send water high above the edge of the cliff.

There are 390,000 miles of ocean shoreline in the world holding 352,670,000,000,000,000,000 gallons of water.

Imagine if you could hear the symphony of all the waves crashing around the world.

God can.

If your heart needs stirring at the grandeur of God’s power, I highly recommend a trip to the ocean.

Then remember that God made all that with the sound of His voice.

What stirs your heart in regards to the grandeur of God?
When is the last time you experienced that?
December 7, 2024

December 7th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Luke 1:26-38

Highlight Verse:

“Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The morning of December 7th, 1941 was a very confusing time for Americans, especially those on the island of Oahu.

When the forces of Japan attacked, they must have felt desperate and alone.

But they answered the call with many more of the Allies to fight and to support the fight for freedom.

They rallied and over the course of the next four years accomplished the victory that was so desperately needed.

The day that Gabriel appeared to Mary, she must have felt confused and alone.

Her world was crashing around her at the news that she would bear a child that didn’t belong to her fiancé.

But she humbly submitted to God’s challenge for her.

She and Joseph rallied and accomplished the task of parenting the most important child of all time.

We would be wise to bravely face the challenges God has set before us and rally for the heavenly victory He has promised.

With what has God challenged you?
What is your response to that challenge?
December 6, 2024

December 6th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Zechariah 11-12

Highlight Verse:

“This illustrates how I will give this nation a shepherd who will not care for those who are dying, nor look after the young, nor heal the injured, nor feed the healthy. Instead, this shepherd will eat the meat of the fattest sheep and tear off their hooves.”
‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭11‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I realized after reading this verse that the 30 pieces of silver being thrown to the potter was not the only prophecy in this chapter.

Zechariah predicted the uncaring, politically motivated high priest in power during Jesus’ time in Jerusalem.

As terrible of a person that he was, we can be thankful this prophecy was fulfilled.

Without that terrible high priest, the sacrifice for our sins may have never been made.

But it was – thanks again to God, who sees the big picture.

Are there prophecies from the Bible that amaze you as this one amazes me?
Can you begin to see how God’s ways are far beyond ours?
December 5, 2024

December 5th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Revelation 19

Highlight Verse:

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I just read on enduringword.com (one of my research sources for these commentaries) that in Biblical times,

a wedding began with a procession to the bride’s home to pick up the bride

followed by a procession to the groom’s home where the feast would take place.

This wedding began at Bethlehem 2000 years ago.

The bride is the entirety of the Church over all time.

The bride has been preparing by dressing herself in the mercy and grace of salvation provided by the Groom.

This chapter speaks of the time when the Church will be complete and will proceed to heaven, the home of the Groom.

To sum that up, Advent is not just about the coming of salvation but the gathering of the Church to be the bride of Christ.

When do you think the procession to heaven and the feast to follow will take place?
Do you think it has already taken place for those who have gone on to heaven before us?
December 4, 2024

December 4th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – Esther 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage.”
‭‭Esther‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We’ve all dealt with them.

That person who blows a gasket any time things don’t go exactly as they want.

Haman was an extreme narcissist.

He not only expected things to go his way, but he expected others to bow down to him.

I probably would have given him a piece of my mind I could ill afford to lose.

Probably not the best course of action.

Mordecai and Esther handled the situation much more wisely.

They exercised grace and patience. At the right time, they brought their plight to the King’s attention in such a way that he was disposed to favor them.

In doing so, they saved the nation of Israel.

How do you deal with difficult people?
Do you have enough patience to act as wisely as Mordecai and Esther?
December 3, 2024

December 3rd, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Deuteronomy 27-28

Highlight Verse:
“You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God:”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭28‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God’s mercy takes away the curses in these chapters when you put your trust in Him.

God’s grace will supply the blessings if you trust Him, even if you mess up sometimes.

It could be argued that the more closely you obey God’s commands and principles, the more blessings you will receive.

I can’t say if that’s 100 percent true, since there are faithful followers of Jesus in this world who struggle to make ends meet, even to survive in some cases.

I can say with certainty that the more you follow God’s path for your life, the more joy and contentment you will experience.

What more blessing do we need?

How has God blessed you in your obedience to His call?
Have you ever experienced frustration and pain during times of disobedience to God?

Tag: bible study

Satan is lying to us.

Constantly.

Once Satan is out of the picture, what a joyous life it will be.

In the meantime, when we blow it, we need to get back on the right track and trust in the mercy of Jesus for forgiveness.

Despite being the declared queen, even that request was bold as Xerxes was the most powerful man in the world and she was likely still a teenager.

So, my two simple points are this:If you are young, be bold while being humble. If you’re not sure how to do both, read Esther’s story again.

If you are older, listen to young people. Their dreams are still big. If given the chance to act on them, their dream will stay big, and they will change the world.

Scrooge merrily sang along with them until he realized what they were thankful for –

I want my funeral to be full of people thankful what I chose to do for them when I was alive, and for the eternal life I would be just beginning.

Paul stays consistent in working on that task whether it be with the average Joe or King Agrippa.

Maybe I can.

I love thunderstorms!

Imagine if you could hear the symphony of all the waves crashing around the world.

Then remember that God made all that with the sound of His voice.

The morning of December 7th, 1941 was a very confusing time for Americans, especially those on the island of Oahu.

They rallied and over the course of the next four years accomplished the victory that was so desperately needed.

The day that Gabriel appeared to Mary, she must have felt confused and alone.

She and Joseph rallied and accomplished the task of parenting the most important child of all time.

With what has God challenged you?What is your response to that challenge?

As terrible of a person that he was, we can be thankful this prophecy was fulfilled.

But it was – thanks again to God, who sees the big picture.

a wedding began with a procession to the bride’s home to pick up the bride

This chapter speaks of the time when the Church will be complete and will proceed to heaven, the home of the Groom.

To sum that up, Advent is not just about the coming of salvation but the gathering of the Church to be the bride of Christ.

Haman was an extreme narcissist.

Mordecai and Esther handled the situation much more wisely.

In doing so, they saved the nation of Israel.

God’s mercy takes away the curses in these chapters when you put your trust in Him.

God’s grace will supply the blessings if you trust Him, even if you mess up sometimes.

I can say with certainty that the more you follow God’s path for your life, the more joy and contentment you will experience.

So, my two simple points are this:
If you are young, be bold while being humble. If you’re not sure how to do both, read Esther’s story again.

With what has God challenged you?
What is your response to that challenge?