BibleTrekToday.com

Year: 2015

  • The Name of Jesus!

    Scripture reading for May 8th:  Acts 3

    As the new group of believers was empowered on the day of Pentecost, it grew rapidly with the new power to witness indwelling the disciples.  New believers were added on a daily basis to the growing church.  (Acts 2:47)  The church continued to meet in the temple and be a part of the Jewish system.  This was soon to change!

    Peter and John were going to the temple for the time of prayer at 3:00 in the afternoon.  They encountered a crippled man who was begging at the gate.  “When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.  Peter looked straight at him, as did John.  Then Peter said, “Look at us!”  So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.  The Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.  In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”  Taking him by his right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.  He jumped to his feet and began to walk.  Then he went into the temple courts, walking, jumping, and praising God.”  (Acts 3:3-8)

    Many people gathered as a result of the healing of this man.  Peter again addressed the crowd and explained how God had glorified Jesus!  “You killed the author of life, but God raised Him from the dead.  We are witnesses of this.  By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong.  It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.”  (Acts 3:14-16)  Peter confronted the people.  He called them to repentance and faith in the name of Jesus!

     

  • The ‘Last Days’ have come!

    Scripture reading for May 7th:  Acts 2

    The disciples obeyed their ascended Lord Jesus and waited in Jerusalem. “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.  Suddenly a sound like a blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.  They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”  (Acts 2:1-4)   Ten days after the ascension, on Pentecost morning, the promise was fulfilled.  The Holy Spirit came like a rushing wind with tongues of fire and touched each person of the 120 who were waiting there.  The immediate initial effect was speaking in other tongues.

    When the sound came, a crowd gathered.  Many were there in Jerusalem for the celebration from around the known world.  They were perplexed when they heard these disciples speaking in their own languages and declaring the wonders of God!  They asked “What does this mean?”  (Acts 2:12)  Some thought they were drunk!

    “Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd:  “. . .these men are not drunk, as you suppose.  It’s only nine in the morning!  No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:  ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people.   Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.  Even on My servants, both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit in those days and they will prophesy.””  (Acts 2:14-18)   The ‘last days’ had arrived!  Peter boldly declared the fulfillment of Joel’s prophesy!  It was for all Jesus’ followers then and now!

  • Taken up in Glory!

    Scripture reading for May 6th:  Acts 1

    Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke and Acts.  His Gospel ends with Jesus meeting the apostles after His resurrection and opening their minds to the Scriptures.  “He told them, “This is what is written:  The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things.  I am going to send you what My Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”” (Luke 24:46-49)  Jesus gave specific instructions and direction to His followers.  He also promised empowerment to do the job.

    Jesus left them at Bethany;  “. . .he lifted up His hands and blessed them.  While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven.”  (Luke 24:50-51)  Luke begins the Book of Acts with these two accounts.  He emphasized the instruction to wait for the promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit baptism (Acts 1:4-8) and Jesus’ ascension to heaven in a cloud of glory.  (Acts 1:9-11)

    Jesus was taken up into heaven right after He emphasized their need to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit to enable them to be His witnesses.  “After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight.  They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.  “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky:  This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”  (Acts 1:9-11)  Jesus left in a cloud of glory and will return!

     

  • “Feed My Sheep!”

    Scripture reading for May 5th:  John 21

    “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of His disciples which are not recorded in this book.  But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His Name.”  (John 20:30-31)  John’s purpose was to help people know Jesus Christ as the Son of God and find eternal life.  He closes his account with a final story about Jesus restoring Peter and encouraging the disciples before His ascension.

    Peter and James and John plus two other disciples had decided to go out fishing.  They had fished all night and had caught nothing.  Early in the morning, they saw a figure on the shore who called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”  “No!” they answered.  He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”  When they did, they were unable to haul in the net because of the large number of fish.” (John 21:5-6)  John told Peter that it was Jesus, and Peter swam to meet Him.  He asked for some of the fish, although Jesus had a fire with fish already cooking on it!  Jesus was a master fisherman and The Master who fished for men!

    This was the third time Jesus had appeared to these men after His resurrection.  He asked, “Simon, Son of John, do you love Me more than these?”  (John 21:15)  Peter said simply, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.”  Jesus then asked Peter to feed His lambs.  Jesus repeated this question two more times and Peter affirmed his love for Jesus as many times as he had denied Him. Jesus then prophesied how Peter would glorify God in death and invited him to “Follow Me!”  Peter would be a shepherd and a fisher of men!

  • “Peace be with you!”

    Scripture reading for May 4th:  John 20

    On the first day of the week (Sunday) Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and found it open and empty.  She ran and told the disciples and John and Peter ran to check it out for themselves.  They came and saw the grave clothes folded up as well as the linen strips.  John says that he saw and believed that Jesus was alive.  But they left without seeing Him.  Mary stayed at the tomb and when she bent to look inside again, she saw two angels seated where the body had been.  They asked her why she was crying and as she turned away, she saw Jesus standing there but did not recognize Him.  He revealed Himself to her and told her: “Go to My brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to My father and your Father, to My God and your God.’”   (John 20:17)

    Later that Sunday evening, the disciples were together behind locked doors because they were afraid of what might happen.  “Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” (John 20:19)  John says that Jesus showed them His hands and side where He was pierced.  The disciples were overjoyed at seeing Him alive!

    “Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you!  As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you.”  And with that He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.””  (John 20:21-23)  Jesus spoke peace to these men who had denied and deserted Him a few hours earlier.  He commissioned them to go into the world and seek the lost as He had done for the Father.  He gave them the Holy Spirit and authority to proclaim forgiveness!

     

  • “It is Finished!”

    Scripture reading for May 1st:  John 19

    After being severely flogged and crowned by the soldiers with a crown of thorns, Jesus was made to carry His cross until He could no longer.  He was mocked as the “King of the Jews”!  Jesus was crucified on Passover morning at 9:00, just as the Passover lambs were being sacrificed.  He was the One John the Baptist had identified prophetically as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

    Over His cross, Pilate had the soldiers fasten this notice: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”  (John 19:19)  The religious leaders pleaded with Pilate to remove the notice, but he refused!  Around the cross, the soldiers gambled for His garments that had been removed.  This fulfilled Scripture written about a thousand years earlier by King David.  (Psalm 22:18)

    Also near the cross was His mother Mary and the two other Mary’s.  “When Jesus saw His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved (John) standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.”  From that time on this disciple took her into his home.”  (John 19:25-27)  Even in agony and near death, Jesus was thoughtful of others and showed His love!

    “Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”  A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.  When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished!”  With that He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”  (John 19:28-30)  Jesus’ last cry was a shout of triumph!  Everything necessary for the salvation of mankind was complete!

     

  • “My Kingdom is not of this world!”

    Scripture reading for April 30th:  John 18

    After Jesus and the disciples had prayed all night, before sunrise Judas Iscariot led a band of soldiers and religious officials to the Garden of Gethsemane to arrest Jesus.  Jesus was expecting them and asked them who they wanted.  When they replied “Jesus of Nazareth”–Jesus answered, “I am He.”  (John 18:4-6)  The power of Jesus’ words caused this group to fall to the ground!  Jesus then commanded them to let the rest go and they obeyed.  Peter tried to defend Jesus by using his sword, but Jesus rebuked him:  “Put your sword away!  Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?”  (John 18:11)  Jesus was in control and obeying the plan of the Father!

    As Jesus was led before the Jewish officials of the synagogue, they could find nothing to charge Him with.  He was then taken before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor.  Pilate’s first question to the Jews was what do you charge Him with?  They had no answer.  Pilate’s first question to Jesus was “Are you the king of the Jews?”  “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about Me?”  “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied.  “It was Your people and Your chief priests who handed You over to me.  What is it that you have done?”  Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.  If it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews.  But now My kingdom is from another place.”  “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.  Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king.”  (John 18:33-37)

    Jesus publicly admitted that He was a king with a kingdom that was not of this world.  His kingdom would rule forever and He would never cease to be King!  Have you acknowledged Jesus as King?

     

     

  • Jesus prayed with His disciples for us!

    Scripture reading for April 29th:  John 17

    What a comfort to know that Jesus talked with His Father about His own life and the lives of His followers!  First, Jesus prayed for Himself as He approached the cross.  This prayer took place in the upper room just before He and the group left for the Garden of Gethsemane.  “Father, the time has come.  Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You.  For You granted Him authority over all people that He might give eternal life to all those You have given Him.  Now this is eternal life:  that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”  (John 17:1-3)  Jesus looked at His obedient death on the cross as a glorification of the Father and Him.  This plan would bring authority to Jesus to grant eternal life to all the Father would give Him.

    Next Jesus prayed for His current faithful disciples.  These would be left behind in the world to do His Father’s work of reaching the lost and confronting the evil one.  “I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to You.  Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your Name–the Name you gave Me–so that they may be one as We are One.”  (John 17:11)  Jesus asked for their protection in the world from the evil one through His Name!

    Finally, Jesus prayed for all future followers: “My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be One.  Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You.  May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”  (John 17:20-21)

  • No one will take away your joy!

    Scripture reading for April 28th:  John 16

    Because He was soon leaving them, Jesus warned the disciples of coming persecution.  They would be put out of the synagogue and some would be killed by people thinking that they were doing God a favor.  People who would do this did not know Jesus or the Father.  This warning would help them to know that what was happening to them was in God’s plan and understanding.

    “But I tell you the truth, it is for your good that I am going away.  Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.  When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment in regard to sin, because men do not believe in Me. . .” (John 16:7-9) “But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.  He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.  He will take of Mine and make it known to you.”  (John 16:13-14)

    Jesus would not leave His followers alone or helpless.  They would have a Counselor who would come to them and live in them. This Spirit of Truth would take the things of Jesus and reveal them to the disciples.  He would guide them into all truth and tell them things to come.  They would be able to ask the Father for anything in Jesus’ Name and He would do it for them!  (John 16:23-24)  What amazing words of encouragement and hope from our Savior! His Spirit will keep us close to Jesus by taking His words and revealing them to us!

     

  • Chosen by Jesus to bear fruit!

    Scripture reading for April 27th:  John 15

    Grapes are one of the most widely cultivated crops in the world.  There are many varieties and all require some care and tending to make them fruitful and keep them healthy.  They provide food, juice, and wine.  The branches are good for little because they are weak and bend easily.  Jesus used this plant as an example for His disciples of how they must stay attached and produce fruit.

    “I am the true vine, and My Father is the Gardener.  He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.  You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.  Remain in Me and I will remain in you.  No branch can bear fruit by itself:  it must remain in the vine.  Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.”  (John 15:1-4)

    Jesus told them that He was the true vine and that they were the branches that were to produce the fruit.  The Father was the gardener that pruned the branches that did not bear fruit.  These branches were good for nothing but burning in the fire. (vs. 6)  The branches that produced would also be pruned to make them even more fruitful.  Branches must not think that they can produce fruit on their own.  They must abide in the vine to draw the needed nutrients.  Even so, disciples must stay attached to Jesus in order to produce fruit.  They must submit to pruning to increase their yield.  Not producing fruit is a bad option that yields being cut off!  “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last.”  (John 15:16)