BibleTrekToday.com

Year: 2018

  • God’s Amazing Plans

    Scripture reading for May 22nd:  1st Chronicles 21-23, Acts 13

    Key Scriptures:  Acts 13:36-39 “For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, but He (Jesus) whom God raised up did not see corruption.  Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by Him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.”  

    As Paul preached to the Jews in Antioch, he carefully led them through the history of God dealing with their ancestors and how King David had served Israel in his generation but had died and was buried.  Now a Son of David, Jesus Christ, had been raised from death and now offers forgiveness of sins to all who will believe.  King David actually bought the site of the temple as the place where Jesus Christ would offer Himself for the sins of the world.

    1st Chronicles 22:1  “Then David said, “Here shall be the house of the Lord God and here the altar of burnt offering for Israel.” 

     

     

  • Blessed by God’s Faithfulness

    Scripture reading for May 21st:  1st Chronicles 17-20, Acts 12

    Key Scriptures: Acts 12:6-8  “Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell.  He struck peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.”  And the chains fell off his hands.  And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.”  

    God sent an angel to rescue Peter from execution by Herod.  Peter was secured in the jail by being chained between two guards and others watched outside the cell.  But none of this was a problem for the angel who rescued Peter.  Peter though he was dreaming or seeing a vision, but to his astonishment, the doors opened and he was free!  God blessed His servant with His faithfulness.

    1st Chronicles 17:26-27  “And now, O Lord, You are God, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant.  Now You have been pleased to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You, for it is You, O Lord, who have blessed, and it is blessed forever.”  

    Prayer:  Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to those who serve You.  You are able to save and rescue and bless.  Amen.

  • Rejoicing at God’s Works!

    Scripture reading for May 18th:  1st Chronicles 14-16, Acts 11

    Key Scriptures:  Acts 11:21-24  “And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.  The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.  When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.”  

    God granted the early church a harvest of souls from among the Gentiles.  The Gospel had power to bring faith and repentance.  Barnabas, a man full of the Holy Spirit, was sent to encourage these new believers in faithfulness and grace.

    1st Chronicles 16:8-9 “Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His Name; make known His deeds among the peoples!  Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wondrous works!”  

    Prayer:  Lord, we thank You for the harvest of souls from Jew and Gentile!  Your works are wonderful!  Amen!

  • God is impartial!

    Scripture reading for May 17th:  1st Chronicles 10-13, Acts 10

    Key Scriptures: Acts 10:34-39  “So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him.  As for the word that He sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ(He is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.  He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”  

    Peter preached Jesus Christ as Lord of all to Cornelius, the Roman Centurion and his family.  God graciously saved them and filled them with the Holy Spirit.  God shows no partiality to those who will surrender to Him!  He makes them mighty warriors for Christ, the Son of God, Son of David.

    1st Chronicles 12:38 “All these, men of war, arrayed in battle order, came to Hebron with a whole heart to make David king over all Israel.”  

  • Chosen instruments!

    Scripture reading for May 16th:  1st Chronicles 7-9, Acts 9

    Key Scriptures:  Acts 9:15-17  “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My Name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.  For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of My Name.”  So Ananias departed and entered the house.  And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain you sight and receive the Holy Spirit.”  

    Saul, the Pharisee of the tribe of Benjamin, was zealous for the law and set out to get rid of followers of Jesus.  On the way to Damascus, Jesus appeared to him and he lost his physical sight.  God sent Ananias to lay hands on Saul to receive back his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.  Saul the Pharisee became Paul, Christ’s apostle!

    1st Chronicles 8:40  “The sons of Ulam were men who were mighty warriors, bowmen, having many sons and grandsons, 150.  All these were Benjaminites.”  

    Prayer:  Lord, thank You for making me a ‘chosen instrument’ for Your purposes.  Fill me with the Holy Spirit anew today.  Amen.

    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Birthed through persecution!
    
			
    Scripture reading for May 15th:  1st Chronicles 3-6, Acts 8
    

    Key Scriptures:  Acts 8:4-7 “Those who had been scattered preached the Word wherever they went.  Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there.  When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said.  With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed.  So there was great joy in that city.”
    

    As the early church suffered Jesus’ promised persecution, the disciples were scattered.  This was like spreading fire because they preached everywhere they went and proclaimed Jesus as the Christ.  Jesus worked with them showing great signs and miracles.  People were freed from pain as the church enlarged the kingdom!
    

    1 Chronicles 4:10  “Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my territory!  Let Your hand be with m, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.”  And God granted his request.”
    

    Prayer:  Lord, use me to free people from the pain of sin and sickness through the Gospel and gifts of Your Spirit.  Enlarge our territory!  Amen.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Speaking Truth to Rebels!
    
			
    Scripture reading for May 14th:  2nd Kings 24-25, 1st Chronicles 1-2, Acts 7
    

    Key Scriptures:  Acts 7:51-53  “”You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears!  You are just like your fathers:  You always resist the Holy Spirit!  Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute?  They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One.  And now you have betrayed and murdered Him–you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.””
    

    Stephen, the new deacon, was taken before the Jewish council to be tried for preaching the Gospel.  He carefully laid out Scriptures for them about their history of rebellion before confronting them with their own law-breaking in the death of Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.  This was God’s act of mercy to His own people who rejected His Son.
    

    2nd Kings 24:3  “Surely these things happened to Judah according to the Lord’s command, in order to remove them from His presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all he had done, including the shedding of innocent blood.  For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the Lord was not willing to forgive.”
    

      
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Choosing Godly leaders
    
			
    Scripture reading for May 11th:  2nd Kings 20-23, Acts 6
    

    Key Scriptures: Acts 6:2-4  “So the Twelve gathered the disciples together and said,”It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the Word of God  in order to wait on tables.  Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.  We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word.”
    

    The Twelve apostles recognized the need to prioritize the use of their time.  Their main responsibility was prayer  and ministry of God’s Word.  Other godly men could and should be raised up to be servant leaders.  This would prepare them to step up in ministry later.
    

    2nd Kings 22:1-2  “Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. . . .He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.”
    

    Prayer: Lord, Your church needs godly leaders, who are full of the Spirit and wisdom.  Fill me with Your Spirit and wisdom to pray and minister Your Word.  Amen.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Worthy of suffering!
    
			
    Scripture reading for May 10th:  2nd Kings 17-19, Acts 5
    

    Key Scriptures:  Acts 5:40-42  “. . .They called the apostles in and had them flogged.  Then they ordered them not to speak in the Name of Jesus, and let them go.  The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.  Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”  
    

    The disciples were threatened with death and flogged by the Jewish leaders for preaching and healing in the Name of Jesus.  They were ordered not to preach in Christ’s Name again.  However, the disciples were not afraid of men but feared God.  They counted the suffering for Christ as a badge of honor!
    

    2nd Kings 19:19  “Now O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that You alone, O Lord, are God.” (King Hezekiah’s prayer at the threats of the King of Assyria.)
    

    Prayer: Lord, thank You for these examples of the boldness and zeal of the early disciples and godly kings of Israel.  May we honor You with boldness in the face of suffering.  Amen.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Opposition within!
    
			
    Scripture reading for May 9th:  2nd Kings 13-16, Acts 4
    

    Key Scriptures:  Acts 4:27-29 “. . for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your plan had predestined to take place.  And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to Your servants to continue to speak Your Word with all boldness. . .”
    

    The disciples had been threatened by the Jewish council after the great miracle of healing for the lame beggar.  They joined together and prayed a powerful prayer, recognizing the opposition that Jesus Christ had Himself endured from those He appointed to authority.  They asked to speak boldly God’s Word!
    

    2nd Kings 16:2-3 “Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.  And he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord his God, as his father David had done, but he walked in the way of the kings of Israel.  He even burned his son as an offering, according to the despicable practices of the nations. . .”
    

    Prayer:  Lord, reveal any compromise in my life.  Help me to do right in Your eyes and speak boldly Your Word to Your people as well as the lost.  Amen.