“Thus, says the Lord God of the Hebrews: ‘Let My people go, that they may serve Me.’” [1]
The Lord kept telling Pharaoh through His servant Moses to let His people go.
Stop enslaving people for your purposes and let them serve My purposes!
The Pharaoh was hardhearted. He thought he could keep God’s people for his own purposes. The Lord had to bring terrible plagues on Egypt before the Pharaoh let His people go.
The Lord God asked Pharaoh, “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, that they may serve Me.” [2]
“Pharaoh’s servants said to him, ‘How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the Lord their God. Do you not yet know that Egypt is destroyed?’” [3]
Finally, Pharaoh offered Moses a partial deal, “Go, serve the Lord; only let your flocks and your herds be kept back. Let your little ones also go with you.” [4]
Moses stuck with the God’s plan… a full release. After a few more plagues, Pharaoh let them go.
It just goes to show how the devil tries to hinder people from serving the Lord.
We should never settle for less than a life that is free to serve the Lord.
Once, while Jesus was ministering in synagogue a man with unclean spirit cried out, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”
The unclean spirit convulsed him, cried aloud, and came out of him.
The people of that synagogue were amazed, and the fame of Jesus spread throughout all the region around Galilee. [5]
Jesus set that man free from his personal demon. He does the same for people today.
“Lord Jesus, thank You for releasing people from their enslavement to the evil. Thank You for the freedom to serve and honor You with our lives.”
[1] Exodus 9:1
[2] Exodus 10:3
[3] Exodus 10:7
[4] Exodus 10:24
[5] Mark 1:23-38
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
A Tender Heart
“For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.’ For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses?” [1]
The Pharaoh’s heart was hard. The Lord did miracles throughout his kingdom, but he refused to admit that he was wrong about God. He refused to believe no matter what God did. [2]
Surprisingly, after God freed the Jewish slaves from Pharaoh by use of mighty miracles, many of them hardened their hearts against God and began to worship idols and engage in ungodly living. They did not retain their confidence steadfast to the end.
Moses, on the other hand, never stopped believing. “By faith he [Moses] forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” [3] Moses kept his eyes on the Lord not on evil. God gave him the victory.
“Dear Lord Jesus, help us to fight the good fight of faith. Help us to hold tight to what we know and believe of You. A tender heart is all You need to take Your love where love is in need.”
[1] Hebrews 3:14-16
[2] Exodus 7-8
[3] Hebrews 11:27
The Pharaoh’s heart was hard. The Lord did miracles throughout his kingdom, but he refused to admit that he was wrong about God. He refused to believe no matter what God did. [2]
Surprisingly, after God freed the Jewish slaves from Pharaoh by use of mighty miracles, many of them hardened their hearts against God and began to worship idols and engage in ungodly living. They did not retain their confidence steadfast to the end.
Moses, on the other hand, never stopped believing. “By faith he [Moses] forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” [3] Moses kept his eyes on the Lord not on evil. God gave him the victory.
“Dear Lord Jesus, help us to fight the good fight of faith. Help us to hold tight to what we know and believe of You. A tender heart is all You need to take Your love where love is in need.”
[1] Hebrews 3:14-16
[2] Exodus 7-8
[3] Hebrews 11:27
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Christ's Suffering For Our Salvation
The religious leaders gathered at the palace of the high priest to plot by trickery the death of Jesus. The high priest was in a palace. [1]
When a woman anointed Jesus with very costly fragrant oil, His disciples were angry. They asked, “Why this waste?” Jesus explained to them that she did it to prepare for His burial. [2]
Judas Iscariot went to the high priest and betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. [3]
Jesus explained to His disciples that He was making a new covenant in which His blood [not the blood of bulls and goats], would be the source of their forgiveness. [4]
Later that evening, Jesus said to Peter, James, and John, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death.” He moved away from them and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” [5]
The disciples fell asleep.
Jesus prayed three times to His Father with the hope that He might not have to drink the cup that He was destined to drink, but each time, He concluded, “Your will be done.” [6]
Judas Iscariot arrived with a great mob of people carrying swords and clubs to arrest Jesus. The disciples of Jesus forsook Him and fled. [7]
The religious leaders brought forth many false witnesses to falsely accuse Jesus. Jesus kept silent. Finally, the high priest commanded Jesus, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Jesus replied, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” [8]
The high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! He asked the jurors, “What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.” Then, they spat in His face and beat Him. Others struck Him with the palms of their hands. [9]
“Thank You Lord Jesus for suffering for us and for our salvation. We love You. We praise You.”
[1] Matthew 26:3-4
[2] Matthew 26:7-12
[3] Matthew 26:15-16
[4] Matthew 26:26-28
[5] Matthew 26:38-39
[6] Matthew 26:44-45
[7] Matthew 26:47, 56
[8] Matthew 26:60-64
[9] Matthew 26:65-67
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Preparing for the Lord's Return
Jesus connected His return to oil, talents, and charity.
In regards to oil, Jesus spoke of five virgins who are locked out of the kingdom of God because they had no oil in their lamps. They had time to get oil, but they chose to sleep instead. Jesus concluded this parable by saying, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” [1]
In regards to talents, Jesus spoke of three servants who received talents to invest from their master. A talent weighed between 57 to 80 pounds. A talent of silver was about 6,000 days’ wages of a common laborer and a talent of gold was about 180,000 day’s wages, Two of the master’s servants yielded a profit back to their master, while the third servant did not. The master said to the productive servants, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter the joy of your Lord.” But He called the third servant wicked and lazy and had him cast into the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. [2]
In regards to charity, Jesus spoke of His return in glory. He will return with all His holy angels and then sit on a throne of glory. All nations will be gathered before Him. He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides sheep from goats. He will say to the sheep on His right hand, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
The sheep on His right hand fed the hungry, quenched the thirst of the thirsty, welcomed foreigners, clothed the naked and visited prisoners. When they served the least of Jesus’ brothers, they served Him. [3] The goats on His left hand did not do charitable deeds. Jesus said to them, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” [4] The world praises the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) people. They do well for themselves, but the Lord sees nothing of Himself in them. Jesus concludes Matthew 25 by saying, “These will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” [5]
These three parables form a metaphor for healthy spirit growth. We begin with oil in our lamps. The oil represents the Holy Spirit. He is Christ in us. The Holy Spirit leads us to make good investments with our time and resources. Finally, with time and resources on hand, we are to be charitable towards others.
The Lord urges us in the Bible: “Do not receive the grace of God in vain.” [6] God gives us grace us to be more like Christ! When Jesus returns, it will be to gather Christians to Himself. The meaning of the word Christian is "little christ." This is what God’s grace does. His grace empowers us to be more like Jesus.
[1] Matthew 25:13
[2] Matthew 25:26, 30
[3] Matthew 25:35-40
[4] Matthew 25:41-45
[5] Matthew 25:46
[6] 2 Corinthians 6:1
In regards to oil, Jesus spoke of five virgins who are locked out of the kingdom of God because they had no oil in their lamps. They had time to get oil, but they chose to sleep instead. Jesus concluded this parable by saying, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” [1]
In regards to talents, Jesus spoke of three servants who received talents to invest from their master. A talent weighed between 57 to 80 pounds. A talent of silver was about 6,000 days’ wages of a common laborer and a talent of gold was about 180,000 day’s wages, Two of the master’s servants yielded a profit back to their master, while the third servant did not. The master said to the productive servants, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter the joy of your Lord.” But He called the third servant wicked and lazy and had him cast into the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. [2]
In regards to charity, Jesus spoke of His return in glory. He will return with all His holy angels and then sit on a throne of glory. All nations will be gathered before Him. He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides sheep from goats. He will say to the sheep on His right hand, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
The sheep on His right hand fed the hungry, quenched the thirst of the thirsty, welcomed foreigners, clothed the naked and visited prisoners. When they served the least of Jesus’ brothers, they served Him. [3] The goats on His left hand did not do charitable deeds. Jesus said to them, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” [4] The world praises the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) people. They do well for themselves, but the Lord sees nothing of Himself in them. Jesus concludes Matthew 25 by saying, “These will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” [5]
These three parables form a metaphor for healthy spirit growth. We begin with oil in our lamps. The oil represents the Holy Spirit. He is Christ in us. The Holy Spirit leads us to make good investments with our time and resources. Finally, with time and resources on hand, we are to be charitable towards others.
The Lord urges us in the Bible: “Do not receive the grace of God in vain.” [6] God gives us grace us to be more like Christ! When Jesus returns, it will be to gather Christians to Himself. The meaning of the word Christian is "little christ." This is what God’s grace does. His grace empowers us to be more like Jesus.
[1] Matthew 25:13
[2] Matthew 25:26, 30
[3] Matthew 25:35-40
[4] Matthew 25:41-45
[5] Matthew 25:46
[6] 2 Corinthians 6:1
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Pride Not People Are Expendable
The prophets, apostles, and Jesus Christ urged us to be humble.
Peter wrote, “Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” [1]
He was speaking to Christians who were being mistreated for their faith in Christ. Rather than rise-up against the powerful, he urged them to lower themselves before God. Let go and let God! Or has Beth Moore once said, “Duck, and let God take care of it.”
Jesus warned the multitudes and His disciples against those who want to be the center of everyone’s attention. He assured them that proud people will be humbled, and that humble people will be cared for by God.
As to spiritual leaders who wanted to be the center of everyone’s praise, Jesus taught…
“Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore, whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. [See * below] They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi;’ for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’” [2]
Sometimes the disciples of Jesus argued over who was the greatest. Jesus urged them not to argue over greatness, but to seek to be humble like little children.
“Heavenly Father, please grant us grace to shun pride and embrace humility. To You be the glory!”
[1] 1 Peter 5:6
[2] Matthew 23:1-12
* Phylacteries were Scripture boxes tied to one’s body. The hems of the Pharisees had 613 threads in them to represent the 613 laws of the Old Testament. They enlarged their Scripture boxes and hems to make a statement, namely, we are more like God than others.
Peter wrote, “Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” [1]
He was speaking to Christians who were being mistreated for their faith in Christ. Rather than rise-up against the powerful, he urged them to lower themselves before God. Let go and let God! Or has Beth Moore once said, “Duck, and let God take care of it.”
Jesus warned the multitudes and His disciples against those who want to be the center of everyone’s attention. He assured them that proud people will be humbled, and that humble people will be cared for by God.
As to spiritual leaders who wanted to be the center of everyone’s praise, Jesus taught…
“Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore, whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. [See * below] They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi;’ for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’” [2]
Sometimes the disciples of Jesus argued over who was the greatest. Jesus urged them not to argue over greatness, but to seek to be humble like little children.
“Heavenly Father, please grant us grace to shun pride and embrace humility. To You be the glory!”
[1] 1 Peter 5:6
[2] Matthew 23:1-12
* Phylacteries were Scripture boxes tied to one’s body. The hems of the Pharisees had 613 threads in them to represent the 613 laws of the Old Testament. They enlarged their Scripture boxes and hems to make a statement, namely, we are more like God than others.
Friday, January 18, 2019
God’s Beloved Son
“He [Jesus] was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’” [1]
Peter, James, and John saw Jesus with His face aglow, and with His clothing shining like light! They saw Moses and Elijah talking with Him. How did Peter know that the two men with Jesus were Moses and Elijah? They did not have name tags. Their names were not announced. Peter knew their names the way people in heaven knew each other; by divine revelation.
Moses represents the five books of Old Testament Law. Elijah represents the books of Old Testament Prophets – two divisions in the Hebrew Bible. Jesus is glowing brightly amidst these two men. Their writings point to Him. Jesus is about to make a new covenant with humankind. Moses and Elijah are talking with Jesus Christ about His coming death in Jerusalem. [2]
While he [Peter] was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” [3]
The voice of the Heavenly Father from a bright cloud confirmed that Jesus is God's Son, and that people should listen to Him. That Jesus pleases the Heavenly Father well, punctuates the fact we should place Jesus in the highest place. We are to worship Him, learn from Him and follow Him.
The disciples of Jesus asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus replied, “I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise, the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.” [4]
The Prophet Malachi had prophesied that Elijah would return before Messiah came. The disciples had just seen Elijah with Jesus. So, they asked about this. Jesus told them that John the Baptist was Elijah in a metaphoric sense. The Old Testament Elijah opposed the idolatry of Ahab and Jezebel. John the Baptist opposed the adultery and corruption of King Herod and his mistress. John lost his head for opposing his king’s sin. More importantly, John pointed people to Christ. He said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” [5]
God the Father spoke from heaven to point the disciples to the Messiah, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
[1] Matthew 17:2-4
[2] Luke 9:31
[3] Matthew 17:5
[4] Matthew 17:12-13
[5] John 1:29
Sunday, January 13, 2019
Overcoming Opposition
“Look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.” [1]
Jesus overcame opposition. Some went so far as to call Jesus Beelzebub, the prince of demons. [2] Jesus countered their accusations with teaching moments and continued His mission of spreading GOOD NEWS to the poor and healing those who were physically hurting.
The closer we get to Jesus the farther away those who oppose Him become to us. The more we love Him, the less they love us. But in the end, being close to Jesus is what matters. He is the One who grants us eternity with God in New Jerusalem where there are innumerable angels, and with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
“Lord Jesus, thank You for enduring the hostility of sinners and not compromising the truth that they needed to hear. Please help us to be like You. Make us strong. Make us compassionate. In our lives be glorified! For it is Your Name we pray. Amen.”
[1] Hebrews 12:2-4
[2] Matthew 12:24
Jesus overcame opposition. Some went so far as to call Jesus Beelzebub, the prince of demons. [2] Jesus countered their accusations with teaching moments and continued His mission of spreading GOOD NEWS to the poor and healing those who were physically hurting.
The closer we get to Jesus the farther away those who oppose Him become to us. The more we love Him, the less they love us. But in the end, being close to Jesus is what matters. He is the One who grants us eternity with God in New Jerusalem where there are innumerable angels, and with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
“Lord Jesus, thank You for enduring the hostility of sinners and not compromising the truth that they needed to hear. Please help us to be like You. Make us strong. Make us compassionate. In our lives be glorified! For it is Your Name we pray. Amen.”
[1] Hebrews 12:2-4
[2] Matthew 12:24
Thursday, January 10, 2019
A Tale of Two Cities
“Abraham returned to the place…
where he had stood before the Lord.
[where he had prayed for Sodom and Gomorrah]
[where he had asked for the cities to be spared…]
[if just five righteous people could be found.]
The land was smoking like a furnace.
When God destroyed these cities…
God remembered Abraham
He sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow...
It had happened on the day of judgment that…
The angels urged Lot to hurry, saying,
‘Arise, take your wife…
your two daughters…
lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.’
And while he hesitated,
the men took hold of his hand,
his wife’s hand,
and the hands of his two daughters,
the Lord being merciful to him,
And they brought him out...” [1]
I’m thankful that the Lord interceded for me when I was in Sodom and Gomorrah. Not in these cities geographically, but there spiritually! What a terrible place to be! Lot and his family had a hard time pulling out even though they knew they were living in a place destined for destruction. Abraham is a metaphor for God in this story. He interceded for his nephew Lot.
“Thank you, Lord. for getting me out Sodom and Gomorrah. You have been very merciful to me. Please keep me from ever looking back as Lot’s wife did… to her own destruction.”
“As Jesus sat at the table in the house…
many tax collectors and sinners came and…
Sat down with Him and His disciples.
When the Pharisees saw it,
They said to His disciples,
‘Why does your Teacher…
Eat with tax collectors and sinners?’
“Jesus… said to them,
‘Those who are well need not a physician,
but those who are sick do.
Go and learn what this means:
‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’
For I did not come to call the righteous,
I came to call sinners, to repentance.”
“Jesus went about… cities and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
preaching the gospel of the kingdom,
healing every sickness and every disease...
When He saw the multitudes,
He was moved with compassion for them,
Because they were weary and scattered,
like sheep having no shepherd.
Then He said to His disciples,
‘The harvest truly is plentiful,
but the laborers are few.
Pray, therefore, the Lord of the harvest…
To send out laborers into His harvest.’” [2]
“Lord of the Harvest, Jesus Christ, please do move us to pray for lost souls and to go out everywhere to harvest them for an eternity with You in Your Heavenly City.”
[1] Genesis 19:27-29, 15-16
[2] Matthew 9:10-13, 35-38
where he had stood before the Lord.
[where he had prayed for Sodom and Gomorrah]
[where he had asked for the cities to be spared…]
[if just five righteous people could be found.]
The land was smoking like a furnace.
When God destroyed these cities…
God remembered Abraham
He sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow...
It had happened on the day of judgment that…
The angels urged Lot to hurry, saying,
‘Arise, take your wife…
your two daughters…
lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.’
And while he hesitated,
the men took hold of his hand,
his wife’s hand,
and the hands of his two daughters,
the Lord being merciful to him,
And they brought him out...” [1]
I’m thankful that the Lord interceded for me when I was in Sodom and Gomorrah. Not in these cities geographically, but there spiritually! What a terrible place to be! Lot and his family had a hard time pulling out even though they knew they were living in a place destined for destruction. Abraham is a metaphor for God in this story. He interceded for his nephew Lot.
“Thank you, Lord. for getting me out Sodom and Gomorrah. You have been very merciful to me. Please keep me from ever looking back as Lot’s wife did… to her own destruction.”
“As Jesus sat at the table in the house…
many tax collectors and sinners came and…
Sat down with Him and His disciples.
When the Pharisees saw it,
They said to His disciples,
‘Why does your Teacher…
Eat with tax collectors and sinners?’
“Jesus… said to them,
‘Those who are well need not a physician,
but those who are sick do.
Go and learn what this means:
‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’
For I did not come to call the righteous,
I came to call sinners, to repentance.”
“Jesus went about… cities and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
preaching the gospel of the kingdom,
healing every sickness and every disease...
When He saw the multitudes,
He was moved with compassion for them,
Because they were weary and scattered,
like sheep having no shepherd.
Then He said to His disciples,
‘The harvest truly is plentiful,
but the laborers are few.
Pray, therefore, the Lord of the harvest…
To send out laborers into His harvest.’” [2]
“Lord of the Harvest, Jesus Christ, please do move us to pray for lost souls and to go out everywhere to harvest them for an eternity with You in Your Heavenly City.”
[1] Genesis 19:27-29, 15-16
[2] Matthew 9:10-13, 35-38
Sunday, January 6, 2019
I Want To Be Like You
Yesterday, I watched Disney’s Jungle Book movie with my grandchildren. One of the songs had the following lines:
“Ooh, I wanna be like you
I wanna walk like you
Talk like you, too
You'll see it's true.”
I want to be like Jesus. Which character traits did Jesus commend? The traits that He commended in His sermon the mount include being poor in spirit, being one who mourns, being meek, being hungry and thirsty for righteousness, being merciful, being pure in heart, being peacemakers, being one who is persecuted for righteousness’ sake, being one who is persecuted for the sake of Christ, being one who is like the salt of the earth, being one who is like the light of the world, and, being one who is like a city built on hill that cannot be hidden. [1]
Jesus taught us to let our light shine before others, that they see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.” [2] He warned against continuing in anger towards a brother or sister. [3] He warned against looking at a woman lustful look at a woman lustfully. [4]
Jesus encouraged us to make sacrifices for the sake of being a Christ-like witness to others. He taught, “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” He said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven [because] He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” [5]
“Dear Lord Jesus, please help us to walk and talk like You.”
[1] Matthew 5:1-14
[2] Matthew 5:16
[3] Matthew 5:21-22
[4] Matthew 5:28-29
[5] Matthew 5:40-45
“Ooh, I wanna be like you
I wanna walk like you
Talk like you, too
You'll see it's true.”
I want to be like Jesus. Which character traits did Jesus commend? The traits that He commended in His sermon the mount include being poor in spirit, being one who mourns, being meek, being hungry and thirsty for righteousness, being merciful, being pure in heart, being peacemakers, being one who is persecuted for righteousness’ sake, being one who is persecuted for the sake of Christ, being one who is like the salt of the earth, being one who is like the light of the world, and, being one who is like a city built on hill that cannot be hidden. [1]
Jesus taught us to let our light shine before others, that they see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.” [2] He warned against continuing in anger towards a brother or sister. [3] He warned against looking at a woman lustful look at a woman lustfully. [4]
Jesus encouraged us to make sacrifices for the sake of being a Christ-like witness to others. He taught, “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” He said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven [because] He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” [5]
“Dear Lord Jesus, please help us to walk and talk like You.”
[1] Matthew 5:1-14
[2] Matthew 5:16
[3] Matthew 5:21-22
[4] Matthew 5:28-29
[5] Matthew 5:40-45
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Sin & Salvation
“Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?’ The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree, which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ Then, the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ So, when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave it to her husband with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.” [1]
The devil got our first parents to compromise their relationship with God. He wanted enmity between humankind and God. When he succeeded, Adam and Eve hid from God. Thankfully, God came looking for Adam and Eve after they sinned. They heard the Lord God walking in the garden. The Lord called them out and asked them to explain what happened. And they did. [2]
The Lord God said to the serpent, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” [3]
The above passage is the first prophecy of Christ in the Bible. Jesus is the Seed that God was referring to. Jesus bruised the serpent’s head when He paid for humanity’s sin on the cross and when He conquered death by rising from the dead on the third day. The heel of Christ was bruised by Satan in the sense that He paid a terrible price to stomp on him. He was whipped and nailed to a tree. Jesus took the punishment that humanity deserved for our sin against God and God’s Word.
The Lord God made tunics of skin and clothed Adam and Eve. This was God’s first sacrifice of life (animal skins) for people. [4]
The Lord also placed cherubim (winged creatures - angels) at the garden of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life. He did not want them to eat of the tree of life and live forever in a state of sinfulness. [5] Cherubim is plural. Most likely, there were two angels. There were two angels facing the Mercy Seat on the cover of the Ark of the Covenant. [6] There were two angels that met Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb when Jesus resurrected from the dead. [7] The Lord Jesus made a way back to paradise for humanity by dying for our sins and resurrecting from the dead for our resurrection. Now, the angels rejoice when sinners repent and believe in Jesus. [8]
God’s plan for us after death is to give to us heavenly bodies so that we can live in communion with Him forever. “As we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.” [9] Praise the Lord for salvation!
[1] Genesis 3:1-7
[2] Genesis 3:8-13
[3] Genesis 3:14-15
[4] Genesis 3:21
[5] Genesis 3:22-24
[6] Exodus 25:18-22
[7] John 20:12
[8] Luke 15:10
[9] 1 Corinthians 15:49
The devil got our first parents to compromise their relationship with God. He wanted enmity between humankind and God. When he succeeded, Adam and Eve hid from God. Thankfully, God came looking for Adam and Eve after they sinned. They heard the Lord God walking in the garden. The Lord called them out and asked them to explain what happened. And they did. [2]
The Lord God said to the serpent, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” [3]
The above passage is the first prophecy of Christ in the Bible. Jesus is the Seed that God was referring to. Jesus bruised the serpent’s head when He paid for humanity’s sin on the cross and when He conquered death by rising from the dead on the third day. The heel of Christ was bruised by Satan in the sense that He paid a terrible price to stomp on him. He was whipped and nailed to a tree. Jesus took the punishment that humanity deserved for our sin against God and God’s Word.
The Lord God made tunics of skin and clothed Adam and Eve. This was God’s first sacrifice of life (animal skins) for people. [4]
The Lord also placed cherubim (winged creatures - angels) at the garden of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life. He did not want them to eat of the tree of life and live forever in a state of sinfulness. [5] Cherubim is plural. Most likely, there were two angels. There were two angels facing the Mercy Seat on the cover of the Ark of the Covenant. [6] There were two angels that met Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb when Jesus resurrected from the dead. [7] The Lord Jesus made a way back to paradise for humanity by dying for our sins and resurrecting from the dead for our resurrection. Now, the angels rejoice when sinners repent and believe in Jesus. [8]
God’s plan for us after death is to give to us heavenly bodies so that we can live in communion with Him forever. “As we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.” [9] Praise the Lord for salvation!
[1] Genesis 3:1-7
[2] Genesis 3:8-13
[3] Genesis 3:14-15
[4] Genesis 3:21
[5] Genesis 3:22-24
[6] Exodus 25:18-22
[7] John 20:12
[8] Luke 15:10
[9] 1 Corinthians 15:49
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Genesis 1-2 Blessings on New Year's Day
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
"The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the SPIRIT of GOD was hovering over the face of the waters."
God spoke WORDS, ‘Let there be light;’ and there was light.”
The Spirit of God and the Word of God give light.
“God said, ‘Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear;’ and it was so.”
When God shows up, chaos is replaced with order.
“God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself on the earth;’ and it was so.”
When God is at work, there is fruit.
“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”
God is our Creator. Our very life breath is from Him.
“And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh in its place. Then, the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.”
God is the original matchmaker. He is the original originator of love and friendship.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation.
Genesis 1:1, 3, 9, 11, 27, 2:7, 21-22
"The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the SPIRIT of GOD was hovering over the face of the waters."
God spoke WORDS, ‘Let there be light;’ and there was light.”
The Spirit of God and the Word of God give light.
“God said, ‘Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear;’ and it was so.”
When God shows up, chaos is replaced with order.
“God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself on the earth;’ and it was so.”
When God is at work, there is fruit.
“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”
God is our Creator. Our very life breath is from Him.
“And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh in its place. Then, the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.”
God is the original matchmaker. He is the original originator of love and friendship.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation.
Genesis 1:1, 3, 9, 11, 27, 2:7, 21-22
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