Today's Bible reading is the 6th chapter of the Book of Luke. You can read it here at Bible Gateway: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+6&version=NASB
By no means is this meant to give them praise or thanks, but God, who I will thank, uses the Pharisees and Scribes to help teach us lessons we can learn from. The chapter begins with Jesus and some of His disciples passing through some grain fields on the Sabbath and as they travel along they are "picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating the grain". Some of the Pharisees then wish to question the lawfulness of this behavior on the Sabbath. On "another Sabbath" we read that Jesus had entered the synagogue and was teaching. We see that there is a man present who has a "withered hand". The passage goes on to say that "the scribes and Pharisees were watching Him closely to see if He healed on the Sabbath". Again, their interest is only in finding reasons to bring accusations against Him.They have no concern for the man with the withered hand. It is unfortunate that they were "watching" Him instead of listening to Him. It is unfortunate that their religiosity made it quite common to be those who would be content being those "who commend themselves", "measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves". As it says in 2 Corinthians 10:12, those who do such things "are without understanding". May we never be counted amongst those who practice such things and may we always be more concerned with hearing the word of God and growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ than being those who "watch" others. Quite simply, may we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Monday, March 10, 2014
Today's Bible reading is the 5th chapter of the Book of Luke. You can read it here at Bible Gateway:http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+5&version=NASB
This is one of those chapters of scripture that one could spend much time pondering the various things that are recorded for us. There is the calling of Peter, James and John to be "fishers of men".
There is the cleansing of the leper and Jesus both healing the paralytic man and forgiving his sins. There is the calling of Matthew, the tax gatherer. And we read about prayer, fasting and the parable of the wineskins.
But there is one verse that seemed to catch my attention as I read the chapter today that I would like to share a couple of thoughts on. It is verse 16 and it simply says, "But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray." There is so much that we can learn when we consider the life that Jesus lived and the manner in which He conducted Himself. By example, He speaks of our need to "slip away to the wilderness and pray". No, we need not necessarily go to a wilderness characterized by mountains, trees, lakes, rivers or even deserts. But we do need to slip away to a quiet place in our heart and mind to pray. There are times when an actual quite place is quite helpful although sometimes that opportunity is not readily available. Whatever the case, we must slip away to for this purpose of prayer and like Jesus, we must slip away often. May we consider this wonderful example that Jesus has given us in today's passage and "slip away to the wilderness and pray".
This is one of those chapters of scripture that one could spend much time pondering the various things that are recorded for us. There is the calling of Peter, James and John to be "fishers of men".
There is the cleansing of the leper and Jesus both healing the paralytic man and forgiving his sins. There is the calling of Matthew, the tax gatherer. And we read about prayer, fasting and the parable of the wineskins.
But there is one verse that seemed to catch my attention as I read the chapter today that I would like to share a couple of thoughts on. It is verse 16 and it simply says, "But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray." There is so much that we can learn when we consider the life that Jesus lived and the manner in which He conducted Himself. By example, He speaks of our need to "slip away to the wilderness and pray". No, we need not necessarily go to a wilderness characterized by mountains, trees, lakes, rivers or even deserts. But we do need to slip away to a quiet place in our heart and mind to pray. There are times when an actual quite place is quite helpful although sometimes that opportunity is not readily available. Whatever the case, we must slip away to for this purpose of prayer and like Jesus, we must slip away often. May we consider this wonderful example that Jesus has given us in today's passage and "slip away to the wilderness and pray".
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Today's Bible reading is the 4th chapter of the Book of Luke. You can read it here at Bible Gateway: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+4&version=NASB
In 2nd Corinthians 12:10, the Apostle Paul spoke of that which he had come to know in Christ when he wrote, "Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." Of course, such thinking is contrary to human intellect but it is nonetheless God's Christ honoring way. Paul also wrote, in 1st Corinthians 1:25, "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men". Let me conclude that the weakness of God is stronger than all of His creation, including that of the angelic realm.
In today's passage of scripture we find a great example of power and triumph in weakness.. The beginning of the chapter contains the account of Jesus being tempted in the desert by the devil. Jesus is in the wilderness for forty years and it appears that the devil is tempting His periodically throughout that time. We read that Jesus ate nothing during this forty day period. One can only imagine the physical and mental weakness that would be the result of going forty days without food. Yes, He was God incarnate but in His humanity He had physical needs for food, drink and rest. At the end of these forty days, when He would have been at His weakest point, He faithfully relies on the strength that is found in the truth of God's word to combat the devil's temptations. Oh, what a lesson He has given us! That we might live by faith and trust wholly in God and the truth of His word through the temptations that come are way each and every day. The flesh is weak but may we find great strength in the truth of God's word and the Spirit's victorious work in our lives.
In 2nd Corinthians 12:10, the Apostle Paul spoke of that which he had come to know in Christ when he wrote, "Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." Of course, such thinking is contrary to human intellect but it is nonetheless God's Christ honoring way. Paul also wrote, in 1st Corinthians 1:25, "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men". Let me conclude that the weakness of God is stronger than all of His creation, including that of the angelic realm.
In today's passage of scripture we find a great example of power and triumph in weakness.. The beginning of the chapter contains the account of Jesus being tempted in the desert by the devil. Jesus is in the wilderness for forty years and it appears that the devil is tempting His periodically throughout that time. We read that Jesus ate nothing during this forty day period. One can only imagine the physical and mental weakness that would be the result of going forty days without food. Yes, He was God incarnate but in His humanity He had physical needs for food, drink and rest. At the end of these forty days, when He would have been at His weakest point, He faithfully relies on the strength that is found in the truth of God's word to combat the devil's temptations. Oh, what a lesson He has given us! That we might live by faith and trust wholly in God and the truth of His word through the temptations that come are way each and every day. The flesh is weak but may we find great strength in the truth of God's word and the Spirit's victorious work in our lives.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Today's Bible reading is the 3rd chapter of the Book of Luke. You can read it here at Bible Gateway: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+3&version=NASB
The day in which Jesus was baptized by John in the wilderness was a most glorious day. The scripture tells us that "heaven was opened" that day. We read that on that day "a voice came out of heaven", saying of Jesus, "You are my beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased." It seems clear that these would be words spoken only by His Father in heaven. It was the voice of God proceeding from heaven above to the earth below. John was indeed, "the voice of one crying in the wilderness" as he fulfilled the prophetic utterances of Isaiah and made ready the way of the Lord.That John the Baptist was a great man is indisputable. But John himself put things into their right perspective when he said of Jesus, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." The Son of God was mightier than John, a chosen servant of God. John was baptizing with water but the Son of God would baptize with the Holy Spirit. The final words of Isaiah's prophecy recorded in today's passage says that "all flesh will see the Salvation of God". This "salvation" has a name. The wonderful name of Jesus.
The day in which Jesus was baptized by John in the wilderness was a most glorious day. The scripture tells us that "heaven was opened" that day. We read that on that day "a voice came out of heaven", saying of Jesus, "You are my beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased." It seems clear that these would be words spoken only by His Father in heaven. It was the voice of God proceeding from heaven above to the earth below. John was indeed, "the voice of one crying in the wilderness" as he fulfilled the prophetic utterances of Isaiah and made ready the way of the Lord.That John the Baptist was a great man is indisputable. But John himself put things into their right perspective when he said of Jesus, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." The Son of God was mightier than John, a chosen servant of God. John was baptizing with water but the Son of God would baptize with the Holy Spirit. The final words of Isaiah's prophecy recorded in today's passage says that "all flesh will see the Salvation of God". This "salvation" has a name. The wonderful name of Jesus.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Today's Bible reading is the 2nd chapter of the Book of Luke. You can read it hear at Bible Gateway: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2&version=NASB
Today's chapter includes Luke's glorious account of the birth of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. It never ceases to be a most wondrous story that brings joy to the heart of those who know its truth. Those who know Him should never tire of its telling, but only rejoice in its sweet refrain. Consider the response to the Saviors birth by the following. For the ears of the shepherds out tending their flock in the field to hear, the angelic host proclaimed, "Glory to God in the highest" regarding the Savior's birth. Returning from having seen the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the shepherds were "glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen". While in the temple, with the Holy Spirit upon him, "righteous and devout" Simeon took the young child Jesus "into his arms and blessed God". The prophetess Anna, well advanced in years, "began giving thanks to God" when she also saw the child Jesus in the temple. Each one, the angels, the shepherds, Simeon and Anna all were moved to do the same thing in response to the news of the Christ child; praise God. We should follow their example.
Today's chapter includes Luke's glorious account of the birth of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. It never ceases to be a most wondrous story that brings joy to the heart of those who know its truth. Those who know Him should never tire of its telling, but only rejoice in its sweet refrain. Consider the response to the Saviors birth by the following. For the ears of the shepherds out tending their flock in the field to hear, the angelic host proclaimed, "Glory to God in the highest" regarding the Savior's birth. Returning from having seen the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the shepherds were "glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen". While in the temple, with the Holy Spirit upon him, "righteous and devout" Simeon took the young child Jesus "into his arms and blessed God". The prophetess Anna, well advanced in years, "began giving thanks to God" when she also saw the child Jesus in the temple. Each one, the angels, the shepherds, Simeon and Anna all were moved to do the same thing in response to the news of the Christ child; praise God. We should follow their example.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Today's Bible reading is the 1st chapter of the Book of Luke. You can read it here at Bible Gateway: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1&version=NASB
This first chapter of the Book of Luke is simply a wonderful passage of scripture. It includes the angel Gabriel's appearance before Zacharias to announce the coming birth of his son, John, even though he was advanced in years and the womb of his wife Elizabeth had been barren. Later, Gabriel appears before Mary, foretelling the virgin's miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and the birth of Jesus, the Son of God. There is the meeting of these two expecting women, relatives of one another, and then the chapter ends with the birth of John the Baptist.
And although there is so much one could write about as indicated above, the short thought that I would like to share is from the introduction that is found in the first four verses. Luke, the writer of the Book, tells his recipient, Theophilus, that his purpose for writing is that he would "know the exact truth about the things" he had been taught. We could only hope and pray for such a desire to permeate the church in our day. Oh, that we would have a desire to know and to teach the "exact truth" regarding all matters of our faith; to those both young and old in the Lord. In this introduction, using Luke's written words, God also gives us instruction on a proper way to prepare for truth telling. Before writing the things included in the letter, Luke first "investigated everything carefully from the beginning". A careful, prayerful and exhaustive examination of "everything carefully" is necessary if we wish to be those who do "not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth." May His "exact truth" about Christ and all matters of Christian faith and practice be what we speak and teach.
This first chapter of the Book of Luke is simply a wonderful passage of scripture. It includes the angel Gabriel's appearance before Zacharias to announce the coming birth of his son, John, even though he was advanced in years and the womb of his wife Elizabeth had been barren. Later, Gabriel appears before Mary, foretelling the virgin's miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and the birth of Jesus, the Son of God. There is the meeting of these two expecting women, relatives of one another, and then the chapter ends with the birth of John the Baptist.
And although there is so much one could write about as indicated above, the short thought that I would like to share is from the introduction that is found in the first four verses. Luke, the writer of the Book, tells his recipient, Theophilus, that his purpose for writing is that he would "know the exact truth about the things" he had been taught. We could only hope and pray for such a desire to permeate the church in our day. Oh, that we would have a desire to know and to teach the "exact truth" regarding all matters of our faith; to those both young and old in the Lord. In this introduction, using Luke's written words, God also gives us instruction on a proper way to prepare for truth telling. Before writing the things included in the letter, Luke first "investigated everything carefully from the beginning". A careful, prayerful and exhaustive examination of "everything carefully" is necessary if we wish to be those who do "not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth." May His "exact truth" about Christ and all matters of Christian faith and practice be what we speak and teach.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Today's Bible reading is the 16th chapter of the Book of Mark. You can read it here at Bible Gateway: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2016&version=NASB
In this final chapter of Mark's Gospel we read Mark's account of Christ's resurrection. We find "Mary, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome" coming to the tomb early in the morning on that first day of the week following Christ's death and burial. We read that they had brought spices to anoint Him and that they were concerned about who would roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb for them. When they arrived, the two women found the stone had already been rolled away. Although not recorded in today's text, in Matthew's gospel account we read that an angel of the Lord had come down from heaven and rolled the stone away. Their entrance into the tomb had been provided for but they would not be anointing the body of Jesus. It would not be necessary. When they entered the tomb they find that Jesus is not there. What they do find is a "young man" sitting and wearing a white robe who tells them, "He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him." Each Gospel writer gives varying accounts and details as to the things that occurred that glorious resurrection morning. The most important detail is consistent. Jesus was no longer in the tomb. He was risen, just as He said. Praise the Lord!
In this final chapter of Mark's Gospel we read Mark's account of Christ's resurrection. We find "Mary, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome" coming to the tomb early in the morning on that first day of the week following Christ's death and burial. We read that they had brought spices to anoint Him and that they were concerned about who would roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb for them. When they arrived, the two women found the stone had already been rolled away. Although not recorded in today's text, in Matthew's gospel account we read that an angel of the Lord had come down from heaven and rolled the stone away. Their entrance into the tomb had been provided for but they would not be anointing the body of Jesus. It would not be necessary. When they entered the tomb they find that Jesus is not there. What they do find is a "young man" sitting and wearing a white robe who tells them, "He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him." Each Gospel writer gives varying accounts and details as to the things that occurred that glorious resurrection morning. The most important detail is consistent. Jesus was no longer in the tomb. He was risen, just as He said. Praise the Lord!
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