Tag: Jesus

December 4, 2023

December 4th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 24

Highlight Verses:

““Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As I was praying for guidance as to what verse(s) to pick for today’s study, the idea popped into my head that I should choose the verse that causes me the most pain.

Don’t worry, that won’t be my main criteria going forward.

But today, verse 24 stood out immediately.

The idea that even faithful followers of Jesus could be deceived is not just alarming, but saddening.

That’s especially true when I think of those I know who have walked away from faith in Jesus.

Some have followed other religions.

Some have followed their own pride.

Some have just let their own sins drag them to a place of unbelief.

I’ve seen it far too often.

In my case, I protect my faith by daily getting into God’s Word and by staying in connection with fellow believers in a strong local church.

Have you ever been tempted to believe the lies of false religion?
How have you maintained the strength of your faith?
November 20, 2023

November 20th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 22

Highlight Verse:

“Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus made this bold statement to a group of people, the Sadducee’s, who studied the Hebrew Bible religiously, literally.

And yet, they didn’t get it because they didn’t know the power of God.

They read the Bible with an eye toward reinforcing their long-held beliefs rather than being open to what God would teach them of it.

How often do we do that now?

I’ll admit, I’ve done that myself and am still sometimes guilty of reading only to reinforce my own biases. I need to remind myself even tonight to pray before I read and to keep an open attitude toward what God would teach me.

It’s not easy.

And sometimes it hard to know what God wants us to learn from a specific passage. In fact, sometimes God uses the same passage to teach us different lessons that apply to our lives in different ways at different times.

With the Holy Spirit’s help, the guidance of those who have studied before us, and our own increasing knowledge of Scripture, our study of the Bible will help us live a richer, more fulfilling, and God pleasing life.

How do you know when you are hearing from God through His Word?
How has your understanding of the Bible changed as you have grown to know it better?
November 13, 2023

November 13th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 21

Highlight Verse:

“They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?” “Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I had the privilege of teaching the 1st through 3rd graders at church yesterday morning.

When I tried to explain to them what worship was all about, most of them didn’t really get it.

But when it came time to worship, most of them dove into it wholeheartedly.

They were willing to act on what God said even when they didn’t fully understand it.

Let’s face it, there’s a lot that most of us don’t understand about God.

We tend to shy away from things we don’t get.

We fear failure or judgement when we act on a command of God that we don’t fully grasp.

If we come at it from a child’s perspective, we would act on the command even if we didn’t know why.

Why as adults need to get past our stubbornness and regain a childlike faith.

Like children, we need to simply trust God even when we don’t understand him.

Do you have a hard time trusting that which you don’t understand?
In what areas do you struggle with trusting God’s commands?
October 26, 2023

October 26th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Thessalonians 3-5

Highlight Verses:

“Finally, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens, and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith,”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I love how Paul and his associates care enough to follow up with the people whose lives their ministry has affected.

The Thessalonians were going through some pretty serious persecution.

Paul was concerned.

He turned that concern into action by sending his apprentice Timothy to check on them and encourage them.

How well do we do at follow up?

Speaking for myself, not very well.

I have a tough time remembering to contact the people I am supposed to be leading.

I let life get in the way and procrastinate far too much.

That’s not to say that I don’t follow up at all. But certainly not enough.

What people do you affect through your ministry, be it professional or informal?
Do you follow up and express care to those you affect for Christ?
October 24, 2023

October 24th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 19-20

Highlight Verse:

““You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭20‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I was tempted to point out that this verse does not say “Thou shalt not lie.” (Which I just did). Then I realized that I was nitpicking at Old Testament Law the same way that the Pharisees did.

Jesus’ reply to the Pharisees was that all the law and prophets were based on two commandments.
• Love the Lord.
• Love your neighbor.

That is reflected in the Ten Commandments themselves. The first four are all about loving God. Commandments five through ten are all about loving your neighbor.

If you truly love your neighbor (which Jesus defined in the parable of the Good Samaritan), you won’t say anything malicious about them or to them.

If we look at all the commandments in the light of Jesus’ summation of them, it brings new life to them.

We no longer look for the loopholes but seek ways to obey them with love in mind.

It may not make the commandments easier to obey. After all, not every neighbor is easy to love. But it should make the spirit behind the commandments more obvious to better guide our words and actions.

Does knowing the intention behind the commandments make it easier or harder for you to obey them?
Do you have those neighbors you would rather not have to love?
How do you get past the reluctance to love certain neighbors?
October 16, 2023

October 16th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 14

Highlight Verses:

“But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.” “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered. “Bring them here,” he said.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

They’re just three very short verses but they pack a punch.

Verse 16 – Jesus gives his disciples a task.

Verse 17 – His disciples state what they have.

Verse 18 – Jesus tells them to trust Him with the outcome.

We are those disciples.

We are entrusted with bringing the Gospel to our community.

We see it as impossible but bring what we have to Jesus anyway.

Jesus will take what we bring and multiply it to reach all those He has called.

As long as we are willing to bring what we have to Jesus, He will use us to reach the world.

What do you have to offer?
Are you willing to bring it to Jesus?
Do you believe that he will multiply it?
October 6, 2023

October 6th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 51-52

Highlight Verse:

“The whole human race is foolish and has no knowledge! The craftsmen are disgraced by the idols they make, for their carefully shaped works are a fraud. These idols have no breath or power.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭51‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Where I went to college, there was a student newspaper called “The Jeremiad.” They claimed that name because the said they only reported bad news.

While the vast majority of Jeremiah was bad news, it does have its bright spots.

Today we leave the book with a decidedly not so bright spot.

But then again, when we take to heart the foolishness of humanity, we can recognize our need for God’s intervention.

My ancestors were violent tribes in Central America, Spanish conquistadors, Viking raiders and Gaelic pagans. Even my own father and grandfather were abusive atheists.

While there were good qualities in them as well, I can fully understand that the human race is foolish.

After all, I’m part of that human race and I know that apart from the grace and mercy of Jesus, I could be every bit as foolish.

But God!

As we go into the weekend, lets celebrate the fact that God loved us so much that He sent his Son to make it possible for us to experience that grace and mercy that allow us fellowship with God.

Even back in Jeremiah’s day, God was setting the wheels in motion to make that happen.

History turned around at the cross and we now have life in Jesus.

Can you relate to the idea of the foolishness of mankind?
Do you know the One who crushed that foolishness and evil at the cross?
Have you accepted His new life of Grace and Mercy?
September 29, 2023

September 29th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 48-50

Highlight Verse:

“In those days,” says the Lord, “no sin will be found in Israel or in Judah, for I will forgive the remnant I preserve.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭50‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Just as yesterday’s reading was full of blessings and wonderful news; today’s reading is full of curses and bad news.

The world in Jeremiah’s time was full of evil and warfare.

God’s people were few.

But those who listened to the Word of God through Jeremiah found their way back to the promised land and lived in forgiveness and restoration.

Sound like today? I thought so to.

The bottom line from the “doom and gloom” prophet is, live for the Lord and there is hope.

It took hundreds of years from this time until Jesus brought the fulfillment of hope.

But Hope came!

Those who believed found Him.

Just as they can today!

Have you found Hope?
Are you living in faith trusting for that Hope?
September 25, 2023

September 25th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 11

Highlight Verses:

““To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends, ‘We played wedding songs, and you didn’t dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn’t mourn.’”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus is talking about how so many people of that generation completely missed the significance of John the Baptist and Jesus.

It’s easy to judge that generation from the vantage point of our knowledgeable times.

But how many times do we miss it?

Most of us reading this are familiar with the Gospel but how many times do we miss opportunities to share it? How many times do we pass by people who need to see a little hope? How often do we miss a chance to share the love of God?

Notice my use of the word “we” in that paragraph. I’m not judging since I would would probably win a prize for the most missed opportunities.

I pray that you and I will have our eyes opened to the possibilities for sharing the love of Jesus to those around us.

Let’s not miss the opportunities to dance and mourn with those who need the hope of Jesus.

Do you have stories of times when you caught the opportunity to share the hope of Jesus? Share them with us.
Can you pray with me that our eyes would be opened to every opportunity and our hearts be opened to leaping at those opportunities?
September 18, 2023

September 18th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 10

Highlight Verse:

“If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I remember this verse being spoken about during a young adult camp message series entitled “The Upside-Down Gospel.”

While that was nearly 40 years ago, the message still rings true.

The good news of Jesus is radically different from what the world would teach us.

“Look out for number one.”
“God helps those who help themselves.”
“Name it and claim it.”

All those work on the surface. Some people have applied the last one to living a life of faith.

The problem is, they are all focused on self when Jesus calls us to focus on others. The irony is in the fact that when we focus on others, our own lives become far richer and satisfying than if we were self-focused.

Living for Jesus is all upside-down and inside-out. And I can’t imagine it any other way.

Does it go against the grain for you to be focused on others rather than yourself?
Do you have stories of when you focused on others, and it became a huge blessing to you?
Would you share those stories to encourage others here?

Tag: Jesus

The idea that even faithful followers of Jesus could be deceived is not just alarming, but saddening.

In my case, I protect my faith by daily getting into God’s Word and by staying in connection with fellow believers in a strong local church.

And yet, they didn’t get it because they didn’t know the power of God.

With the Holy Spirit’s help, the guidance of those who have studied before us, and our own increasing knowledge of Scripture, our study of the Bible will help us live a richer, more fulfilling, and God pleasing life.

They were willing to act on what God said even when they didn’t fully understand it.

Like children, we need to simply trust God even when we don’t understand him.

Paul was concerned.

How well do we do at follow up?

Jesus’ reply to the Pharisees was that all the law and prophets were based on two commandments.• Love the Lord.• Love your neighbor.

We no longer look for the loopholes but seek ways to obey them with love in mind.

They’re just three very short verses but they pack a punch.

As long as we are willing to bring what we have to Jesus, He will use us to reach the world.

Today we leave the book with a decidedly not so bright spot.

But God!

God’s people were few.

Sound like today? I thought so to.

But Hope came!

But how many times do we miss it?

Let’s not miss the opportunities to dance and mourn with those who need the hope of Jesus.

The good news of Jesus is radically different from what the world would teach us.

Living for Jesus is all upside-down and inside-out. And I can’t imagine it any other way.

Jesus’ reply to the Pharisees was that all the law and prophets were based on two commandments.
• Love the Lord.
• Love your neighbor.