Romans 5-10 Day 24
“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
Amazing…simply amazing. ALL THINGS…really Lord?! Reflecting on the packed Scriptures I’ve been given in Romans 5-10 I take a deep breath and say, “Wow, Lord, there’s so much here.” Well, God was kind enough to speak to me–God sure is gracious–and I share the following:
What are the “all things” that God has in mind here? I know this: compared to the sacrifice of His One and Only Son Jesus Christ, every other gift available to us pale in comparison. I believe part of the answer is found in Ephesians 1:3 that says we have been given “every spiritual blessing…in Christ”. Many of the blessings available to us in Christ are mentioned in these very chapters–5-10.
First we read that we have peace with God (5:1). Can you believe that?! Peace with the Almighty God that we have hurt & sinned against & grieved with our thoughts and pride and selfish actions?? Amazing! Especially after we’re told by God through the Apostle Paul that “the sinful passions…were at work in our members to bear fruit to death” (7:5). Praise God that Jesus died for us while we were still without strength (5:6)!
Then we read that we have access to the grace of God (5:2)! Grace is receiving something you do not deserve. O’ what wonderful grace God pours out on us! God graciously gives us hope (5:4+5; 8:18), makes us his child (8:15), intercedes for us (8:27), and if this were not enough, He even chooses to live inside us by His Holy Spirit (8:15)!!
If you really want to be sobered (I’m smiling as I say this), just listen again to Romans 9+10 and see how God truly has graciously given to us all things. After pondering these 2 chapters, we as Gentiles really see God’s amazing love for us and the fact that we…I…don’t deserve Jesus Christ or the “all things”.
If you need anything today–encouragement, forgiveness, hope, power, wisdom–anything at all, just ask your Father in Heaven. Surely He will be gracious and give to you, His child, all things.
Mike Sadzinski
Acts 27 – Romans 4, Day 23
As we end our narrative of Acts, before moving into the epistles, we see Paul “safely” reach Rome. Having been promised he would stand before Caesar, he has great calm in the midst of the storm. Unlike the disciples in the Gospels, Paul’s peace had a real impact on all in the boat. He could have easily used the “I told you so” card and have been bitter, but instead looked to encourage the very people who were keeping him a prisoner. Then, upon finally landing, we again see the fickleness of people with Paul. First they judge him to be a murderer getting his due when the serpent bites him, then they quickly swing to assuming he is a god since he did not die. People will be fickle, which is why the need is to follow Jesus and not what the crowd thinks of you.
Moving into Romans, we now start hearing the epistles and I can just imagine those movie scenes of someone writing a letter over candlelight as it is narrated what they are writing. As we work through the epistles we will get heavy doses of teaching I pray our hearts are ready to receive. In the case of Romans, Paul opens the letter showing us that all have sinned, all our guilty, all have seen the attributes of God and works will not save a man. A man is justified in faith alone and he illustrates this in chapter 4 with Abraham. A few thoughts in relation to these chapters in Romans: (1) God gives people over to their debased minds – that is a scary thought to those who continue practicing in sin thinking they are okay. (2) There is no basis for spiritual arrogance – we all have sinned and no matter what class or type of people we come from, we all are guilty. However, (3) it is God’s goodness that leads us to repentance. In Him, we can find safety to fall at His feet asking for forgiveness without worrying that He will cast us aside or come down angry on us. This kindness is meant to draw us to Him, not give us liberty to sin.
Are you struggling with some sort of sin today? Know that there is grace that awaits. You didn’t disappoint God because He already knew so don’t hide from Him, but run to Him. He loves you incredibly and has made the way for you to freely be forgiven.
- Mike Massey
Acts 21-26, Day 22
We all want to believe that, in ministry, people want us to succeed. We tend to think that if we have the right messages, motives and intentions, people can see that and they will respond positively. Many have been frustrated by the reactions of others when they have “given their all” to the work of the ministry only to find that they face strong opposition. That opposition comes from many sides. In these passages, the opposition came from Jewish leaders and the people that they stirred up. In fact, the pattern in Acts is that the oppressors deliberately followed Paul in a devious pattern. Like those who wanted Jesus crucified, Paul’s oppressors would not rest until he was silenced. Yet that silence has never happened. People have to want to know the truth in order to be reached. Only God can draw someone to want to know that truth. In all of this oppression, we find that the Holy Spirit is working in a major way. People are coming to Christ. People are listening to the Holy Spirit. The spiritual war is being won in the birth and development of the church, while the physical battles rage on. It is important to remember that, even Paul was not given (or did not accept) the supernatural insight to know whether he was “reviling the high priest”. We are shown that even Paul is not a supernatural figure, but a reflection of the God he serves. God used many tools in these passages for his purposes. He used fellowship, support, political division, doctrinal division, Roman citizenship, beatings, prayer, testimonies, lies about leaders, baseless accusations, legal appeal, and Paul’s background as a Pharisee. The circumstances would not have made sense when viewed in the flesh. It is only through the eyes of the Holy Spirit that we can see the plan. One of the most notable spiritual traits of Paul is tenacity. He did not give up. He had every reason to be discouraged. Yet, at every turn, the scripture says that the Holy Spirit led them or that the Holy Spirit forbid them. So, God’s plan is directed by the Holy Spirit. Thus, there was no reason for Paul to give up. He (and we) are never promised that we will see the fruit of the ministries that we are called to. If we are encouraged only by our perception of success, we will fail when we do not “achieve” the success we seek. Our eyes must be on Jesus and we must do what the Spirit says, regardless of what we see. We must have our spiritual eyes open and our physical eyes blinded to our own achievements or failures. This was the only way that Paul could have kept pressing on. Be encouraged that God is using you, if you remain faithful to his will and his Word.
Rob Branch
Acts 16-20, Day 21
The importance of being led by the Spirit cannot be overstated. God has made it so easy for us to do the work He has called us to do, easy, that is, as long as we walk in the Spirit. This is what we see Paul and his companions doing as they travel on their missionary journeys. While on their journey they are told by the Spirit to not go some places and are instead called to another place. Why is it so important to be led by the Spirit? For one one thing I want to walk in the works that God has prepared in advance for me to do. (Ephesians 2:10) His works and plans are far better than anything I could ever think of. Secondly, it is much better to suffer in the will of God. That is what we see Paul and Silas doing in chapter sixteen. They have been led to Philippi and while there they are beaten with rods and imprisoned. We see them being able to face this persecution with joy. How were they able to do this? It was, I think in large part do due to the fact that they knew they were in God’s will. Not only were they able to face the persecution with joy, but they were able to see the good works accomplished that God had prepared in advance for them to do. I have no doubt that this story would have been much different had they not followed the Spirit’s direction and had instead gone to Asia. May we walk do as they did and walk in the Spirit so we can see all that God has for us to do.
Acts 10-15 Day 20
These chapters chronicle for us how the church journeyed down the road of reaching out to the Gentile nations. It began with one man, Peter, obediently following the Lord’s command to go and share his faith with the house of Cornelius. Sounds easy enough but as we saw Peter was challenged by others for daring to enter the house of a Gentile. The Lord wanted the gospel to go out to all men everywhere and this was confirmed by the promise of the Father pouring out the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles just as He had done with the Jews. The Lord continued to push this issue of reaching out to the Gentiles by establishing a Church at the center of the Gentile world in the East, Antioch. This Church became the launching pad for missions to the Gentile nations. So again we are thankful to God today that He sent His Son to be the Savior of the world not Israel only. How does the Lord want to use you to break down cultural walls that would keep the Gospel silent among those who are perishing? May the Lord continue to thrust us out into this world to be a light to the lost even if others around us would question our actions.
Pastor Troy
Acts 5-9, day 19
Clunky or not, I like Mike’s proposal yesterday for renaming the book of Acts. And it is no more evident than in this section of scripture. Ananias and Saphira “test the Spirit of the Lord” and drop dead. Stephen, full of the Spirit, is delivered through death after speaking the Truth amidst great diversity. Even Simon the sorcerer, being an opportunist, realizes the Spirit’s power. Phillip is directed by the Spirit to run down the chariot of an Ethiopian eunuch. Then Phillip is taken by the Spirit many miles away. Saul, an enemy of the church, encounters Jesus and is converted to becoming a believer. And, the church, “walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, were multiplied.” That is just some of the highlights of this section of scripture.
I would like to emphasis that last point, of the church “being in the comfort of the Spirit.” How great it is that the Holy Spirit is given to us as our Comforter. When we walk in the will of the Lord, we have no reason for fear of anything in this world. The Holy Spirit will comfort us. Whether we face life threatening situations like Stephen, or our task seems impossible like Phillip running down a chariot, God will be with us and will give us peace through His Spirit. And on that fact, we can rest assured.
- Gene Jackson
John 20 – Acts 4, Day 18
God’s work doesn’t divide up neatly into chapters and verses. His work is continuous, ongoing, eternal. I’ve been thinking of this today as we transition from the Gospels into Acts. We see a transition here. We see a break from one division of the New Testament to another. But God sees only continuity. He sees only the unfolding of an eternal agenda.
The very first verse of Acts reminds me of this. “The former treatise,” Luke writes, “have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.” We traditionally call this book “the Acts of the Apostles.” Many Bible teachers have suggested that it’s better described as “the Acts of the Holy Spirit.” But there’s another way of looking at this. Luke is saying that Jesus “began to do and teach” certain things. Luke tells us about these things in his first treatise, the Gospel of Luke. The implication is clear: What Jesus began to do in the Gospel of Luke, He is going to continue to do in the book of Acts. It’s best to think of Acts, then, as “the Acts of Jesus Christ done through the church in the power of the Holy Spirit.” That’s kind of a clunky title, I know – but it captures the crucial link between the ministry of Jesus on earth with the ongoing work of the church today.
Luke said that Jesus “began to do and teach.” In Acts, we see Him continuing this work of “doing” and “teaching” great things through the church. How? By the power and indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit — just as Jesus had promised (John 16:7-14).
When we grasp this crucial link between the Gospels and Acts, then we realize how we fit into the story. We’re part of the ongoing work of Jesus Christ on earth. We are part of God’s unfolding plan of salvation. We have the promise and the fulfullment of the Holy Spirit both to “do” and to “teach” in the name of Christ. So, let’s continue His work, as we are enabled by His grace and the power of the Holy Spirit!
Mike Babcock
John 15 -19, Day 17
I am amazed at the blindness of those that refuse to see Jesus for who He really is.
In John 18 :4-6, Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom do you seek? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am [he]. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am [he], they went backward, and fell to the ground.
Here the group coming to capture Jesus, upon hearing the words “I am He” fall to the ground. They are knocked to the ground by the power of Jesus’ words, yet they get up and continue to take Him into custody. Not very rational. I just fell down at His words, maybe He will do something else to me?
Their irrational actions are almost as foolish as the chief priests in John 12:10, who plotted to kill Lazarus. Jesus just brought him back from the dead, and instead of being astonished at the miracle, they plot to cover it up!
We need to constantly pray for God to open the eyes and hearts of those we witness to, so that they can see, hear and be saved.
Joe Pamer
John 10-14 Day 16
What a glorious portion of scripture! Even at the most difficult time of His life – days before His crucifixion, Jesus is spending His time ministering to others. Wow. He teaches them, raises Lazarus from the dead, explains what is going to happen and why, and tries to prepare His disciples for what is coming, all the while defending Himself to men who were plotting to kill Him. This example of being others-centered is such a powerful one. How many times do we think of others instead of ourselves? Especially when we’re in difficulty, so often we’re looking for people to minister to us. But not our Lord Jesus…He spent the last days of His earthly life caring for the needs of others. He didn’t just give up His life on the cross, but every day of His life before it. And He left us with instructions to do the same. Loving others requires laying aside our desires and looking to someone meet else’s needs. I don’t know about you, but I can’t do it on my own. Glory to God, He also left us with the power to do so – His glorious Holy Spirit who He sends to empower us! May we spend our day serving and loving and thinking of others by the power of the Spirit, thus imitating our Lord and pointing others to Him.
Rebecca Warner
John 1-5 Day 14
It is amazing how we have already listened through the first three gospels and today we are beginning the last one, The Gospel of John.
John brings a unique perspective on the life of Jesus. Very different I think from the first three gospels. One of the key themes is “Jesus is God” and you see that right away from the first chapter, first verse on.
John the Baptist was sent by God to bear witness that Jesus was the “true light” of the world and all those who believed in Jesus would come out of darkness. And all those who believed in His name, would receive the right to become the children of God.
Imagine what strange, but comforting words those must have been for the people who were striving in the their own strength to follow the law.
Verse 17- For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ!
These are still very welcoming and comforting words. Through these chapters Jesus begins His ministry of calling those that hear His words to believe them.
In chapter two it states that His disciples believe on Him and in chapter three we have probably the best known and most memorized scripture in the bible, John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.
Those words are as comforting today as they were many years ago when I first heard them, and believed on Jesus as the only way to heaven.
In chapter 4 in the story of the woman at the well, Jesus tells us that not only will be have eternal life, but those who believe on Him will receive living water to quench our spiritual thirst.
May we go on our way, like the woman at the well and tell others about Jesus, so that they might believe for themselves. May we also remember that as we came to Him in the beginning, so we must come to Him now, to receive from Him continued living water as we live in this world.
Isaiah 55:1 Come everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money come, buy and eat!
Jeanne Pamer
Luke 20-24 Day 13
Well sorry there wasn’t a post earlier. Actually did post but a bad internet connection lost the thought. So here is an abbreviated version. The crucifixion of Jesus speaks to us of the price God was willing to pay for our salvation. The price paid speaks to us of the great love God has for us. May we allow the love of God nourish our souls as we ponder what manner of love God has for us.
Pastor Troy
Luke 14-19 Day 12
The “cares of the world” choke the Word of God in our lives. Jesus said that explicitly a few chapters back in the parable of the sower. Until hearing the section today about the banquet I had never connected the reasons offered to be excused from the event with that parable, but those excuses were related to the cares of the world, everyday activities. All that we have comes from God, and everything God has provided is good, and yet as Oswald Chambers said “the good is the enemy of the best”. God’s blessings often keep us from Him, or at the least, put some distance between us. When we are at ease, we can forget God. The cares of the world could also be expanded, I suppose, to include sinful influence; the point is that nothing should create distance between God and us. What is putting distance between God and me today?
Another idea that came to me today is one that occurred to me some time ago which today’s section reinforced; God is an extremist. We tout moderation as a worthy character trait, and it is in some areas of life, but God is not moderate, really. God offers heaven, something so good that it is beyond comprehension, or hell, something so terrifying that it, too, is unthinkable. Nothing so-so here; Jesus said “get on board or get out of the way” basically, when He said we are to love nothing more than He. Hearing Jesus say “you must hate even your own life to be my disciple” challenges me; actually much of today’s Scripture challenges me. Most of today was “red ink” and like most of the red ink, some of it is cryptic but there’s plenty that’s as plain as day. It was D.L. Moody, I think, who is given credit for saying something like “it’s not the parts of the Bible I don’t understand that bother me but rather the parts I do understand.” Philippians 3:16 says “…only let us live up to what we have already attained” (NIV). Quite some time ago the Lord underscored that line for me, with the paraphrase “do what you know”. That’s still challenge enough for me today so I must pray, again, Lord help me to do what I know.
How blessed we are to have God’s Word so handy to us. May this time of listening help us all to do what we know, and to want to know, and do more for the One Who conceived us, created us, recreated us and loves us. May the love of God fill our hearts afresh today as we hear His Word.
Scott Paulette
Luke 10-13 Day 11
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” -Romans 11:33
As I listened to the dramatization of Luke 10-13, I was reminded of the mighty love and power of God and how Jesus Christ has given us access to this love and power through prayer. We are born into the Christian life by a prayer for help, “Lord, save me–a sinner!” As little baby Christians we offer up the best prayers we can muster and hopefully, over the years, we grow in our depth of prayer to God and intimacy with Him.
Jesus tells us in Chapter 10:3 that He is sending us out as lambs among wolves–that’s not really fair odds! Come on Lord! Well, God gives us a key to winning the battle in the previous verse: “pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” We are to pray. We are to pray for others; we are also to pray for ourselves. It was Jesus who said to the disciples, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
We can all relate to the weakness of our flesh. How I loathe this body of mine sometimes! I crave for sinless Heaven and perfect unity with God! What is Jesus’ solution to our weak flesh? We are to watch…and PRAY. Is prayer not the easiest most difficult of all godly disciplines? It is the easiest thing we can possibly do–it’s just talking–and yet one of the most neglected disciplines in the average Christian’s life.
After Jesus tells them to pray and sends 70 of His followers out to share the Gospel, these excited Christians come back rejoicing that they had awesome power and authority (10:17-19)!! Yet Jesus reminds them to focus on Heaven (10:20) and then, filled with the power of God’s Spirit, Jesus immediately offers prayer and praise to His Father in Heaven! We are reminded, not only of the power of prayer, but the relationship and intimacy we can have with our Father through prayer.
Finally, in chapter 11, Jesus shows us the relational aspect of prayer–the intimacy of prayer to God and also the power of prayer. The Lord begins the model prayer with, “Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your Name”. Immediately we recognize that prayer starts with a relationship. Prayer is communion. Prayer brings us close to God’s heart. How close can I get to someone when locked in a crowd, distracted, and often interrupted? How much sweeter the fellowship when you and a friend are alone on the back porch without distraction? May we not just offer up quick prayers to God amid distractions, but may we find time to get alone with God, and speak to Him privately.
In 11:8-13 we see the power of answered prayer and God’s love for us. Jesus gives an example of how the persistent “pray-er” gets his request because he clings to the one who can help him. God will most certainly grant us our requests simply out of amazing love for us. Let us seek the Lord in prayer. Let us look for this life of power and intimacy with God through prayer. Why do you think it is that prayer is so challenging for us? Do we truly believe there is power in prayer?
– Mike Sadzinski-
Luke 5-9, Day 10
Wow…it has only been 10 days and yet we have already worked 1/4 of the way through the New Testament! Luke has always been my favorite Gospel and I think it has to do with the amount of detail he goes into with his writings. This allows us, who have already heard Matthew and Mark’s accounts, to learn even more on the accounts of Jesus.
What I find fascinating about Jesus is that He isn’t interested in numbers for numbers sake. He easily seperates the true followers from the false ones that would probably make many uneasy should He ever come in the flesh and speak from the pulpit. He isn’t interested in half-hearted Christians simply coming to church faithfully every Sunday – He wants more. How can we say to Him “Lord, Lord” but not do that which He asks? He pronounces woes on those who are rich and full, which is something we need to give heed to because as Americans, all of us, are rich and full easily allowing us to take our eyes off Jesus if we aren’t careful.
He wants us to be that light set on the lampstand for all to see, to be those who love their enemies, to be those who quickly forgive, to be those who hear His sayings and do them, not simply picking and choosing which ones we think are easiest to follow and the others ignoring because “well, I’m not perfect and He knows that.” He isn’t interested in 80% followers – He wants our all! Again, He isn’t afraid to seperate those who are truly following Him in His teachings from those who are in name only.
Perhaps we too need to “take care how [we] hear”. Are we listening/reading God’s Word simply to be entertained or out of “religious obligation”, or coming to this Living Word to hear from the Lord Himself? If we’re not where we need to be today, there is grace and forgiveness readily available as well as the Spirit to fill us to be those who will be world changers. But let us go and shine so brightly that people will either curse us and persecute us or praise our Father who is in Heaven!
Mike Massey
Luke 1-4, Day 9
I am struck by the way God never lets significant future events go unannounced and never fails to confirm His will, if we are really paying attention with our spiritual eyes. There were so many witnesses to Christ’s birth, both before and after the event. Many of these witnesses were close, intimate witnesses. Some appeared to be benign.
In Chapter 1, there is Elizabeth, who was carrying the greatest prophet on earth, officially endorsed by Jesus, Himself. She absolutely knows her child is ordained to be supernaturally special, even before his birth.
In the womb of Elizabeth, we have John the Baptist, acknowledging the Messiah by his leaping. This is a sign many today would dismiss as a coincidence, yet scripture testifies to it. What trivial signs are we ignoring today of God’s plan happening?
Mary is the most famous intimate witness of Christ. What a job she and Joseph have. Parents to the Messiah! “Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Mary, we are concerned about how little Jesus is doing in school. He is always right about everything.”
The shepherds, regardless of their faith, or lack of it, cannot deny that they were visited by angels and must obey the command of the visitors from heaven. They were rewarded by seeing with their own eyes what the visiting angels had said and they “made widely known” the news about the Christ. Mass evangelism was going on from the beginning, and without direct mail, radio, television or the internet.
Zacharias did not believe at first. He had things on his mind that he judged impossible for God to do. God did not give up on him, but struck him to get his attention. That did the trick, and after John was born, Zacharias was given a prophecy directly from the Holy Spirit on his son and about the coming Messiah.
The event of the census was an obvious tool by our great God to get Mary and Joseph into geographic position to birth the Christ in the place already prophesied for this. Even in their desparation, they were DESTINED to find a place for Jesus to be born because God had done so much planning for the event.
Joseph, who had already heard from the Lord, got to witness the fulfillment of the prophecy he had received when Jesus was born. Joseph, being the head of Mary, was responsible for making the birthplace arrangements. God had prepared the stable for them. How many times have we been in the middle of what we know to be God’s will, and been rejected and then had someone say, “there might be another way, I do have this stable…” God’s provision for the faithful.
Simeon was a witness before and after Christ’s birth when the Holy Spirit told him that he would not see death until he saw the Messiah. He received the prophecy and saw the fulfillment. Most of us see one without the other.
Anna, who appears to be one of the first evangelists, “spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem”. She was not trying to keep this event quiet.
The temple scholars ignorantly bore witness of Jesus’ wisdom as he went about the Father’s business.
John the Baptist, whose last recorded action in testimony was kicking and leaping within Elizabeth, was now in full form. He was ruthless in his criticism of the Pharisees and hypocrisy in leadership, both within and without the kingdom of God. The most important witness to Jesus on earth and quite the opposite of politically correct.
Satan, who knew very well who Jesus was, was an unwitting witness to Christ as his classic temptation loss is now recorded in the Word of God. Interesting to note that what Satan intended for evil in one moment is now recorded for good for all to see through the ages.
As if that was not enough, the family line of Jesus was another witness as to the surety of his Diety.
In the next few days of reading, Luke records Jesus touching many lives that serve as his witnesses for eternity. Also note that these witnesses often reinforce the truth to each other before His birth and after His resurrection.
All of these events are foolishness to the apathetic or hostile to the Messiah’s coming. To the outsider, who did not really care about truth over rumor, Jesus appeared to be the illegitimate son of Mary and quite insignificant. To Herod and the religious leaders, he was the grand political threat. To those who really cared to know the truth, Jesus was, is and always will be the Christ, the Son of the Living God. This is still the case today as we observe the world trying to marginalize Jesus Christ into one of many “ways” or “voices” in the sea of possible belief. We know the truth. We have the Way, the Truth and the Life.
We have the benefit of the scriptures to see all of this. The people discussed here had to figure it out while it was happening. Life and the events in their lives and their fellowship were the testimony of God’s working. May we constantly pay attention to the scriptures, the Holy Spirit and the witness of daily events that continue to confirm Romans 8:28, as our God continues to work in this present age.
Rob Branch
Mark 12-16, Day 8
With today’s reading we have covered half of the Gospels. What a blessing it is to hear the Word of God. Now more than ever as we live in these last days we need to be listening to His word. For it is only in the Bible that we can gain the wisdom we need to protect ourselves against the ever increasing evil of our day.
I was struck once again by the wisdom that Jesus had as He answered the questions of His enemies in chapter twelve. His wisdom was so great that it silenced the greatest minds of the day. His wisdom caused his enemies to be silent and to resort to hiring false witnesses in order to get rid of Him. We need this wisdom in our lives, because without it we will leave our lives open to the deception of the age.
Jesus’ warning at the end of chapter thirteen reminds us of our need for His wisdom. He warns us to “stay awake”, less we be deceived in these last days. The important thing for us to remember is that as long as we live on this earth we will always need His wisdom. We all lack wisdom apart from God and need to do as James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” God promises to give us His wisdom but we must first recognize that we need it and then we must seek Him for it.
One of the ways we seek God’s wisdom is by doing what we are doing now by listening to God’s Word. We must always remember that no matter how many times we have heard God’s Word we will always need to hear it one more time. Peter forgot this in his response to Jesus’ warning that he would deny Him. He wasn’t listening to God’s Word. Instead he was confident that even in the face of death he would not fail the Lord. I have no doubt that Peter was determined to follow through on his commitment. He however was confident in himself instead recognizing the weakness of his flesh and his need for God.
May we as a church grow in our dependence on God as we listen through the rest of the New Testament. May we see that though many of us have heard God’s Word time and time again recognize that we need to hear it again. We are living in evil times and we need the wisdom and strength that can only come form being in the Word of God.
Vernon Merrit
Mark 7-11 Day 7
I love learning about Jesus! Obviously, all Scripture points to Him, but actually reading what He did and said is so exciting to me!
We see how often Jesus is confronted by the Pharisees and scribes. They’re always mad about something, but their anger is never justified. Jesus is always bringing traditions back to truth. Whether it’s washing hands before eating, or selling goods in the temple, it’s always God’s law that’s important. The Pharisees taught their traditions as God’s Word, and the disciples even strayed into the same idea when they rebuked a man for casting out demons in Jesus’ name.
Jesus said that they “made the Word of God of no effect.” How can we avoid this in our own lives? What are the traditions that we hold to that may not be sinful, but are not God’s law? Is it music? Teaching style? Day of worship? The name of the church? Let us examine our own hearts. As Jesus said, “He who is not against us is on our side!” And Paul, in Philippians, “In every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached, and in this I rejoice!”
In an age of post-modern beliefs, it’s hard to hold to this. We try to be careful, and rightly so, not to compromise the truth. But I pray that I may always know the difference between what is truth and what is tradition. For His “yoke is easy and His burden is light!”
Lord, let us never lay a burden on anyone else, and help us to know that our traditions may be innocent, but they are not what you charged us with. May we be loving and steadfast at the same time as we share Your gospel around the world!
Tyler Warner
Mark 1-6, Day 6
I truly enjoy the book of Mark. I really feel like it was written for me, the A.D.D. (short attention span) guy that I am. There are so many things that Mark packs into this, the shortest of the gospels. Listening to chapters 1-6, the works that Jesus did are just flying at you, left and right. Everywhere He goes, He is healing the sick, casting out demons, etc. But, in verse 38 of the 1st chapter, Jesus clearly states that He came to teach. He doesn’t say that He came to heal, He says He came teach. At that point in the history of Israel, the teachings had become so convoluted that the people were confused and overwhelmed with the law (and understandably so).
Jesus gave them a new perspective of it all. But only those who were desperate and hopeless would stop to hear. Many, if not most, of those who came to Him were in desperate physical need. But remember, He said He was there to teach them. He knew that their true needs were spiritual.
Do you see yourself in that same predicament? So often we become so busy with life that we “don’t have time” to rely on God. We are so overwhelmed with doing things that we yield to the misperception of “I just need to work a little harder” or “I just need a little more …” (you fill in the blank). We need to rely on Him. He is ever faithful, meaning that He will take care of us. He knows what we need better than we do.
I am going through a personal struggle with this myself. I continue to fight with my fleshly desire to fix my problems myself. “There must be something I can do to fix this situation.” But, when I take that moment of silence and talk to God, He reminds me that I need to rely on His provision, on His direction. So, join with me, be like Jarius. Cry out to Jesus, because He is the only answer. And let’s all remember that no matter how big of a problem we are facing, we need to just “Let go, and let God…”.
Gene Jackson
Matthew 25-28 Day 5
As we reach the end of Matthew’s Gospel, it’s good to look back at the main theme, the key idea, that Matthew has been presenting. Jesus is shown to be the King, born into David’s family and destined to reign on David’s eternal throne. The theme of the “kingdom of heaven” runs through this Gospel from beginning to end. The kingdom of heaven is God’s rightful and righteous reign. Matthew is the only one of the Gospels that ends with Jesus’ extensive teaching about the end times (chapters 24-25). This is how Matthew brings the theme of the kingdom of heaven to a conclusion by showing us how Christ will return as Judge and King.
None of this is an afterthought on God’s part. Jesus says in 25:34: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” It was always God’s plan to save us (Ephesians 1:4) and it was always His plan that we should reign with Christ!
What should our response be? To “watch and pray” (26:41) and to “teach all nations…to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (28:19-20). We are part of the kingdom of heaven right now as Christ reigns in our hearts. But we’re also looking ahead to the great conclusion of God’s cosmic plan — a plan that includes you and me.
Mike Babcock
Matthew 19-24 Day 4
In chapter 19 Jesus talks with the rich young ruler. Jesus tells him to go and sell what he has, give it to the poor, and he will receive treasure in heaven. I have often read and focused on the man, and his earthy wealth, and how he went away grieving.
This morning as I listened, I did hear about selling his possessions and giving the proceeds to the poor, but it was as if I heard the second part of the statement for the first time, the words of Jesus “AND COME, FOLLOW ME”.
Too often, the things of this world are distractions in our relationship with our Lord Jesus. I spend valuable time taking care of STUFF, and I always need NEW stuff.
What a privilege we have, to be offered the opportunity to follow Jesus.
David Livingstone, missionary to Africa, when he was asked if he regretted leaving the civilized world for missions in Africa, said “All these are nothing when compared with the glory which shall be revealed in and for us. I never made a sacrifice.”
I pray that today, I may have a clear focus on the things of my Father’s Kingdom.
Joe Pamer
Matthew 13-18 Day 3
What a wonderful Savior! That’s what kept going through my mind as I read today. Jesus is so busy touching people’s lives through healing and teaching, reaching out. He wants so much for us to see His loving character and His heart for us. From the wisdom of the parables to the power of the Transfiguration, it’s like He’s shouting from the pages…this is who I am -your loving, sovereign God who hears your cries and came to minister help and hope to the hurting! Lord, may we see you as you are today… full of love and power and mercy, and worship you accordingly because you really are wonderful!
Rebecca Warner
Matthew 8-12 Day Two
I find that covering such a large portion of scripture gives me a different perspective of what the ministry of Jesus was like. Did anybody else get annoyed with all of the opposition Jesus experienced? The Pharisees, people from the town who were swine herders, the blind who spread the news of Jesus when asked them to be silent and the people laughing at Him when He came to heal the young girl who had died. The Lord is so patient to continue to minister in the face of opposition and difficulty. May we take that easy yoke Jesus offers us and joyfully and completely follow Him, our wonderful, loving Savior. May we be those disciples and people whom the Lord finds joy in like that centurion that had such great faith.
Pastor Troy
Matthew 1-7 – Day One
Today we begin our 40 day journey through the New Testament and remember You’ve Got The Time. What a great encouragement we had from Acts 17 with the example of the Berean’s who searched the scriptures. May the Lord fill our hearts and minds with His word over these next 6 weeks. In these 7 chapters there is so much to consider but the portion I would like to comment on is the temptation of Jesus. We can all be certain that this week we will face temptation of some kind. Our Savior gives us an example that stands for all time on how to deal with temptation. The most obvious point is that we resist temptation. In a world where there is such a prominent philosophy that says do what you want or what feels good it is necessary for us to be reminded to resist the Devil and the temptation he seeks to lead us into. The next lesson we glean is that we must draw upon the strength found in the Word of God. The Lord has embedded in His word the strength to stand in the face of temptation and so we must be constant in the word drawing upon this wonderful power. The last thing I want to draw your attention to is that Jesus found complete satisfaction in the word of God and not some fleeting pleasure. James told us that God only gives good and perfect gifts and thus we should stand strong in the face of temptation that seeks to offer us some pleasure that will soon pass away. The closer we draw to the Lord and His word the more we will be reminded of the abundant life we have in Christ. If you are struggling with temptation decide today to stand strong, draw upon the word of God for strength and remember that the good stuff is found in Jesus. What are your thoughts about this portion of scripture or any of the chapters found in Matthew 1-7
Pastor Troy
Faith Comes By Hearing
Looking forward to communicating with each other about our daily readings as we journey through the New Testament in 40 days. How are you or your family going to set aside those 28 minutes each day?
Pastor Troy
