BibleTrekToday.com

Year: 2009

  • The Anointing!

    Scripture reading for October 22: Luke 3-6

    “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”  “Then He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down.  The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on Him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:18-21

    Not much  is recorded about the life of Jesus from the time He was twelve until He was baptized by John at the age of thirty.  We know that He worked with Joseph for part of that time in their carpenter shop.  He took part in normal family life and community life in the town of Nazareth.  Can you imagine eating off of a table that Jesus had made?  Or using an ox yoke that He had crafted?  Just think of the Son of God doing such menial labor for ordinary people!  This was all part of His preparation for the ministry of preaching the Good News to the lost of the world!

    At the proper time, Jesus went down to the Jordan River to where John the Baptist was baptizing those who would repent.  John had spoken of one who would come after him whose sandals he was not worthy to untie.  When John saw Jesus, he immediately knew that He was this One!  (John 1:29)  Jesus was baptized and the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove.  A voice from heaven declared: “You are My Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21-22)  This beautiful anointing following the baptism of Jesus is something to savor and meditate on!  God loved His Son and let Him know that very plainly.  He was pleased with His Son and told Him so!  How much these thoughts should speak to each of us who are adopted into God’s household!

    Jesus was then led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil.  For forty days, Jesus fasted all food.  Satan came to tempt Him and each time, Jesus quoted Scripture to defeat him.  The anointing led Jesus and empowered Him with the Word of God!  He was successful against the temptations of Satan because of following the anointing.

    When he arrived back in Nazareth at His home synagogue, He was invited to read from the scroll of Isaiah61:1-2.  He read the words quoted to begin this devotion.  The Spirit had anointed Him to preach the Good News and proclaim freedom to all who needed it and would hear.  He was anointed to heal and deliver the blind and oppressed.  He was to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.  This Scripture was fulfilled in the hearing of those present that day in Nazareth! (Luke 4:21)

    The anointing of the Holy Spirit indwelling Jesus Christ is for us today!  The Holy Spirit will do in our lives the same things and greater things because Jesus has gone to the Father!  (John 14:12-13)  Think on these things!

  • Mary, the Mother of Jesus!

    Scripture reading for October 21st: Luke 1-2

    Godly mothers are a gift from the Lord to their children and to the world.  I have a godly mother and am so thankful and blessed!  My mother has a close walk with the Lord.  She was saved when she was young and sought to live out that faith every day.  She was faithful to read her Bible and teach her children.  She was the Sunday School superintendent in our church as I grew up.  Now  86 years young, she still joyfully serves her family and others by cooking and encouraging.  She faithfully calls each of her many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren on their birthdays and sings to them!  What a blessing now and to future generations!

    In our reading today, Luke tells the story of two godly women who are key players in God’s work of salvation.  Elizabeth is older and beyond the time of having children when God breaks into her life with a word from an Angel.  This angel came to Zechariah, her husband, as he was offering incense before the Lord.  He was told that his wife would have a son and his name was to be “John”.  (A great name!)  This son would go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah. He would turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and prepare the people for the Lord.  (Luke 1:13-17)  As the angel predicted, Elizabeth became pregnant and remained in seclusion for five months.  Her husband was unable to speak because he had doubted the angel’s prediction.

    The second mother-to-be was Mary.  She was a virgin, engaged to be married.   Gabriel, an angel sent to her by God, announced her favor with God and told her that she would bear a child who would be called the “Son of the Most High.”  Mary humbly asked how this could be since she was a virgin.  The angel told her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and she would conceive the child who would be the “Son of God”.  Mary’s response was a picture of faith for all of us. “I am the Lord’s servant,”  Mary answered.  “May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38)

    This new mother had the joy of carrying Jesus Christ from conception to birth and then raising Him in her home.  I can imagine her joy and excitement, mixed with holy fear at all that had transpired.  These women had the privilege of working with God to bring about His plan of salvation.  Their faith and obedience was a blessing to their children and families, I am sure.  But now that faith has impacted each of us and countless millions around the world!  If we could get a grasp of the significance of our faith, it would motivate us to serve with joy in the small things the Lord asks of us.  Let’s say with Mary, the mother of Jesus, “I am the Lord’s servant.”

  • These Signs Will Follow!

    Scripture reading for October 20th:  Mark 14-16

    Mark’s Gospel tells of Jesus Christ serving, healing, casting out demons, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom to His own people.  Jesus particularly sought out those who were lost and willing to listen.  He gathered disciples who would be willing to leave all,  follow Him and learn His character and His ways. He is shown teaching them and then sending them out to practice what He had taught.  He would evaluate their work and encourage them as well as rebuking them when necessary.  It is a Gospel of action:  God in Jesus Christ acting to bring salvation to those who would receive it.

    “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.  And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”  …”Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His word by the signs that accompanied it.” Mark 16:15-18, 20.

    This Gospel’s closing words are a call to Jesus’ followers to continue the action of God.  Jesus Christ had taught His followers all that was needed.  They were to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit who would give them the power that was needed to be His witnesses. (Acts 1:8)  Then they were to go and preach.  No one can hear and have faith for salvation without someone preaching the Word to them!  As they preached, they were to act under the authority of the name of Jesus Christ.  In His name supernatural signs would accompany the going and the preaching of the Word.  Demons would be cast out, sick people would be healed.  People would be baptized in the Holy Spirit and would speak with new tongues.  The disciples would have supernatural protection as well from attacks of venomous snakes or people trying to poison them.  These promises were made to all who would obey the Word of God!

    It is interesting to note that these first disciples obeyed and went their way, preaching the Gospel and praying for the sick and demon possessed.  Jesus Christ worked with them and signs followed their ministry.  The truth highlighted here is that if you are seeking miracles, signs and wonders, the best place to find them is when you obey God’s command to go and preach!  Are you willing to act in faith and experience the supernatural following your preaching and prayer?  What is holding you back?  Are they able to follow you?


  • Mountain-moving Faith!

    Scripture reading for October 19th: Mark 11-13

    In 1995 my son Marshal and I went on a study trip to Israel.  We visited about 70 sites around Israel and also went to Mt. Sinai in Saudi Arabia where we traced the route of the exodus ending in Egypt.  While in Israel, we visited Bethany and walked up the road and over the Mt. of Olives that went to Jerusalem.  It was a walk of 2-3 miles but had some very interesting history that made this portion of scripture come alive in a different way!

    In our reading today, Jesus and his disciples were staying in Bethany.  Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived in Bethany and Jesus often stayed with them.  They had come to Jerusalem to prepare for Passover week when all Jewish men were required to appear before the Lord.  Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey as Zechariah had predicted.  He was actually the final sacrifice for the last Passover ever needed! He arrived at the temple but simply looked around and left.  This would have been on Sunday, the first day of the week, what we know as “Palm Sunday”.

    He returned to Bethany and stayed there another night. The next morning as He walked back over the Mt. of Olives, he was hungry.  Seeing a fig tree, He went to find early fruit.  He found none on the tree and spoke a curse over the tree,  stating that no one would ever eat fruit from that tree again.  He then went on to the temple and did a cleansing job there that caused quite a stir.  He went back to his friends’ house for another evening.  The next morning they went by the fig tree and it had withered from the roots!  Peter called Jesus’ attention to the tree! (Mark 11:20-21)

    Mark 11:22-25 “Have faith in God,”  Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.  Therefore I tell you, that whatever you ask  for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

    Here is what we learned by walking where Jesus walked:  There was a fig grove on the Mt. of Olives in 1995.  From that location one could look and see Bethlehem and a place called the “Herodium” where King Herod, in the years just before Jesus walked that path, had moved a mountain!  He took one hill and put it on top of another using thousands of slave laborers.  In the distance you could also see the Dead Sea glistening in the valley below.  When Jesus spoke that parable, He had an object lesson for his disciples!  With faith in God, moving mountains is easy!  But watch your heart, forgiveness is imperative!

    Today, take time to meditate on these verses from Mark’s Gospel and put them into practice!  Use prayer to move the mountains you face in your life! What a blessing it is to walk by faith in Jesus!


  • Sunday Rest and Reflection: “He Is Risen!”

    Dear Friends of Jesus,

    Greetings again in His Wonderful Name!  Jesus Christ is alive!  He is risen from the dead!  What a glorious theme from the Gospels.  That is the best of the good news for all who believe in Jesus.  Our Savior is not dead, but is living now and alive forever more.

    Matthew record this event in the last chapter of his Gospel.  At dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.  While they were there, a violent earthquake shook the garden where the tomb was.  The guards sent by Pilate to guard the body and secure the tomb shook and fell to the ground as dead men!  A shining angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled away the stone to reveal an empty tomb.

    “The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here, He has risen, just as He said.  Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell His disciples, “He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.  There you will see Him.” Matthew 28:5-7

    Jesus was seen and handled by all the disciples on various occasions over 40 days.  He was seen by over 500 people at one time. (1st Corinthians 15:6-8) His resurrection so moved the disciples that they were willing to die, rather than deny Him!  His resurrection is celebrated each Sunday by Christians who know and love Him and gather to remember, learn, and prepare for His coming again!

    Have a great day of worship, prayer, and preparation with God’s family, the Church!  He is risen!  He is risen indeed!

    In His Love,  Pastor John

  • “If You Believe. .”

    Scripture reading for October 17th: Mark 8-10

    As a Christian, have you ever faced a situation that was beyond your spiritual ability to know what to do? In today’s reading, we have the story of a man with a son who has an evil spirit that was always trying to kill the boy.  This boy was often thrown to the ground, into the fire, and foamed at the mouth and became rigid.  The father had brought his son to Jesus’ disciples for deliverance, but they could do nothing.  This problem was not responding to what they knew and where they were spiritually.  They needed help from their Master!

    “O, unbelieving generation,”  Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you?  How long shall I put up with you?  Bring the boy to me.” Mark 9:19   Jesus cried out from the depths of His being!  He had spent many hours with these men and showed them the power of faith and of words.  They were being ruled by sight!  As the boy was brought before Him, the spirit caused another seizure to occur.  Jesus asked the boy’s father how long he had been like this and he replied that his son had been that way from childhood.  The man asked Jesus to help, if He could do anything at all.  “If you can?” said Jesus.  “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Mark 9:23  “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”” Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, it left the boy and he was healed!

    The disciples were perplexed as to why they had failed.  Jesus explained to them that this kind of demonic activity can only be defeated by prayer. (Mark 9:29)  At this point, we should stop and think about what has happened and look at our lives as disciples.  Jesus called His followers to take up their cross and follow Him.  He lived a life of prayer and of complete submission to God as Father.  He left these records for us to know that by faith, all things are possible.  When we are faced with an impossible situation, prayer (and fasting) often is the only way to victory.  God has answers if we won’t give up or quit too soon!  If we lack faith, we need to get into God’s word and seek to find His word on whatever obstacle we face.

    A scriptural prayer is found on the lips of the boy’s father!  Jesus’ answer to him had brought faith but he needed to drive out the unbelief!  He saw the salvation of God because of his faith and Jesus’ mercy.  May we enjoy growing in faith and experience His mercy in our lives today!

  • “Jesus, Please Leave!”

    Scripture reading for October 16th: Mark 4-7

    We who love Jesus can’t envision asking Him to depart from us or leave our town.  We would invite Him to stay with us as long as possible to enjoy His companionship.  Jesus wants to come and be with us as well.  He came to earth to seek out and save lost people.  (Luke 19:10)  In our reading today, Jesus was on a mission that required crossing the Sea of Galilee with His disciples to find a very lost person.

    After ministering to a crowd all day, Jesus told His disciples that they should go to the other side of the lake.  They got in boats and Jesus got in the stern, found a cushion and went to sleep.  It had been a hard day and He was tired!  As they crossed the lake in the night, a furious wind arose that threatened to swamp the boat.  The disciples excitedly woke Jesus, pleading for help.  Jesus rebuked the wind and waves and a calm suddenly fell upon them.  They were terrified and marveled about how the wind and waves obeyed Jesus!  He chastened them for their fear and lack of faith.  (Mark 4:35-41)

    When they got across the lake, a man with an evil spirit came from among some tombs to meet Jesus.  He had chains on his hands and feet and looked like a madman because of where he lived and the shape he was in.  As He saw Jesus, he ran to Him and fell on his knees begging not to be tortured.  The man’s name was “Legion” because of the large number of demons in him.  Jesus rebuked the evil spirits and sent them into a herd of pigs as they requested.  The swine ran over a steep bank, tumbled into the lake and drowned.  Nearly two thousand pigs died!

    The man was delivered, set free from the bondage, and in his right mind!  (Mark 4:14-17)   The people of the region, who depended on the pigs for their sustenance, were terrified and angry.  They came to Jesus and asked Him to leave their region.  Mark records that Jesus got into the boat to leave, and the delivered man asked to come along.  Jesus sent him back to tell his family of what the Lord had done for him and then departed.  This man became an evangelist, telling others throughout the area of what Jesus had done for him.

    As we reflect on this story, we are first reminded of how Jesus loves and cares for His own disciples.  He’s always with us, even when we think He might be sleeping or unaware!  He has given us authority by and through faith in Him to do what He has asked of us.  Nothing is too hard, dangerous, or difficult!  Second, Jesus loves to go out of His way to find someone who needs help.  He came to seek and save the lost!  He will go through water, storm, and forces of hell to reach a needy soul.  Last, those who are only into themselves are threatened by Jesus’ presence.  They asked Him to leave!  May the Lord give us more insight into His marvelous grace!

  • Who Can Forgive Sins?

    Scripture reading for October 15th:  Mark 1-3

    Mark’s Gospel is concise and active.  It is alive with the Good News of God here with us and in love with us.  This revelation is found in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Son of Man!  Mark wastes little time with preliminaries of the Jewish history of the Christ and prophesies of His birth.  He gets right down to the action of Jesus living among His people and loving and serving them by teaching, healing, and casting out devils.  He ate with the people and told them stories that opened up for them the kingdom of heaven and their own need for a relationship with the Father.  One story of a healing is the subject of our study today.

    As a result of a spectacular healing of a man with leprosy, people were coming from everywhere to find the man who could bring these miraculous results.  Crowds gathered wherever Jesus went.  He returned to Capernaum where he had done miracles and a crowd quickly gathered.  There were so many that people were crowded around the house to hear Him preach the word.  A group of men brought a friend who was paralyzed to Jesus for healing.  Because of the crowd, there was no way to get him inside, so they carried him up on the roof.  They opened a hole big enough to let the man down and lowered him into the room.

    When Jesus saw the faith of the friends, He immediately responded to the man by saying: “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5)  This caused some religious leaders who were present to begin to think about how wrong this statement was to come from a mere man.  After all, only God could forgive sins!  (Mark 2:7)

    Jesus had immediate understanding of their thoughts and sought to help them believe.  He asked them why they were thinking these things and asked them which was easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven” or  “Get up, take up your bed and walk”?  In order to remove their objection, he told the man to get up, take up his bed, and walk.  This the man did to the amazement of the crowd!

    This story should help us to see how faith should motivate us to seek Jesus for answers to whatever problems we face.  Jesus honors faith and no problem is too hard for Him.  We may not have faith ourselves, but believing friends can also be a great blessing by taking us to Jesus.  The obstacles must be pushed or broken through so we are not discouraged or denied!  What friend do you know that needs help today to get to Jesus?  Take a few minutes of your day to pray for him.  As the Lord leads, get another friend or two and go and lift him to Jesus together!  What a joy to delight Jesus with your faith!  What a blessing faith-filled friends are!  Miracles are waiting for those who break through!  He truly is God!

  • Let His Blood Be On Us!

    Scripture reading for October 14th: Matthew 26-28

    Those who have grown up in the church have heard the story of Jesus’ betrayal, trial, and crucifixion many times.    This story is a key to our redemption from the ravages of sin because it tells of a Savior who willingly took our sin and loved us so much that He gave His life for us.  No one really took His life from Him; He offered it on our behalf as a part of God’s plan to bring us back to Himself.  Today, as we look at this story, I want us to focus on Jesus and His sacrifice for us.

    Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot for a mere thirty pieces of silver.  (Matthew 26:14-15) Why Judas sold his Master, we are not actually told, except that he belonged to the evil one and was not one of the true disciples.  He fulfilled Scripture in Zechariah 11:12-13 that was written about him several hundred years in advance. The Jews sent temple guards to follow Judas to the place where Jesus was praying with His disciples.  Judas betrayed his master with a kiss.  Jesus told Judas and his followers to do what they came for and offered no resistance.

    He was taken to Caiaphas, the High Priest, and the Sanhedrin, who met early in the morning, to try to find a way to put Jesus to death.  (Matthew 27:1)  Caiaphas asked Jesus directly if He was the Christ, Son of the living God.  Jesus answered “yes”  and told him that in the future he would see Jesus seated at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.  (Matthew 26:63-64)  The council pronounced a death sentence, spit on Him, and struck Him with their fists.  His trusted disciples deserted Him and Peter denied Him three times as Jesus had predicted.

    Jesus then stood before Pilate, the Roman governor, the only one with authority to put Him to death.  Pilate listened to the Jews’ charges and then asked Jesus if He was the king of the Jews.  Jesus again answered “yes”.  Jesus made no other defense against the charges, to Pilate’s amazement!  Pilate had been warned by his wife not to have anything to do with Jesus because of a troubling dream that she had.  He tried to get the crowd to release Jesus, but they insisted on having a criminal released and demanded Jesus be crucified.

    Pilate symbolically washed his hands of the innocent Jesus’ blood and placed the responsibility on the people.  They willingly stated: “Let His blood be on us and on our children.” (Matthew 27:25)  Ironically, it is the blood of Jesus alone that can cleanse us all from our sin.  We all have done that which caused God to take this drastic measure to save us.  It is a wonderful act of grace for Jesus to give His blood for the redemption of those who would crucify Him.  We who are saved have willingly confessed our sins and asked that “Jesus blood cover us”.  May it cover our children too!

  • Beware! Be Ready!

    Scripture reading for October 13th: Matthew 24-25

    These chapters of Matthew contain the last major teaching of Jesus to his disciples as recorded by this Gospel writer.  Jesus remarked to His disciples about how not one stone would be left upon another at the temple. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” (Matthew 24:2-5)

    It appears that deception will be a mark of the last days before the return of Jesus Christ.  The world we live in today is full of counterfeit religions and numerous cults that claim that they are the only way to God.  Even in the church, there are numerous false teachers who are deceptive and seductive.  In addition, there are other signs of the end of the age mentioned by Jesus.  He pointed to wars and rumors of wars among the nations.  There will also be famines and earthquakes in numerous places and the world will be in great distress.  Persecution of Christians will result in the death of the saints and betrayal and hatred toward God’s people will be common.  Many will turn away from following Jesus and their love for God will grow cold.  (Matthew 24:6-13)

    As far as when this will take place, Jesus had a different warning.  There will surely be much deception and false teachers will abound, but Jesus emphatically taught that no one will know the day or hour of His return.  (Matthew 24:36)  It will be like the days of Noah when the flood came suddenly and swept the world of that time away.  It will be like a thief coming to a house suddenly at night.  It will be like a master coming back to find his servant neglecting his duties and doing evil.  The point of these illustrations is that each person must be in a state of readiness at all times.  Jesus is coming back at a time when we least expect it.

    To illustrate this point, Jesus then told two parables.  The first, which we will discuss, was about the ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom.  The virgins consisted of five who were foolish and five others who were wise.  The foolish ones took their lamps, but did not take any oil for them.  The wise took oil along for their lamps and were ready.  The bridegroom was delayed and they all fell asleep.  The midnight cry woke them up to prepare for his arrival.  Only the wise were prepared and got to go with the bridegroom to the wedding feast.  The foolish were late and missed the party!

    Our Lord just emphasized the need to be read and prepared for the immanent coming of our Bridegroom, Jesus  Christ.  He could come at any time.  Are you prepared?  Is your lamp burning bright and have you purchased plenty of oil?  May the truth of this message cause faith to arise to get ready!