Category: Gospels
Calling all sinners!
Scripture reading for July 4th: Luke 5, Psalm 132, Proverbs 8
Luke 5: 27-32 “After this He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” And leaving everything, he rose and followed Him. And Levi made Him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at His disciples, saying, “Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.””
No one can come to Christ unless they are called. God, Who is Wisdom, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, Who was made Wisdom from God to call lost sinners and broken ‘children of men’ to follow Him. Those humble enough to listen and respond find joy and rejoicing in God’s House and look forward to table fellowship with Jesus. He blesses the poor with salvation and takes care of their needs. He brings beauty for ashes and the oil of joy instead of mourning and death. But in Jesus’ time on earth, religious folks stood in judgment of His call to sinners. They refused to listen to the fact that all have sinned and need a physician! Are you listening today? What is your response to Jesus’ call?
Psalm 132:13-16 “For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place; “This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread. Her priests I will clothe with salvation, and her saints will shout for joy.””
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your call to me in my life as a young child to follow Jesus and to preach Your Good News. My heart is grieved because of many who judge instead of listen and respond. Help me to model Your love and patience and mercy towards the lost. Anoint my life with power and purity to clearly present Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior. May heaven rejoice with each new saint born of God!
Proverbs 8:4-5 “”To you, O men, I call, and My cry is to the children of man. O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. Hear, for I will speak noble things and from My lips will come what is right.””
Are you listening?
Scripture reading for July 3rd: Luke 4, Psalm 131, Proverbs 7
Luke 4: 16-21 “And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as was His custom, He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and He stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim Good News to the poor, He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And He rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.””
After forty days in the wilderness, enduring temptation from the devil, Jesus returned to begin His ministry in His home town of Nazareth. He went in the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit to the synagogue that He regularly attended each Sabbath in his early years. It was His custom to read Scripture, and those in charge granted Him that honor. Jesus quoted from the scroll of Isaiah a passage that would be spoken by Messiah alone. This brought all eyes on Him and Jesus then proclaimed that as He read the passage out loud, it had been fulfilled in their hearing. This caused quite a stir, first of wonder, and then anger that lead to a spirit of murder among some present. How do you hear Jesus’ words?
Psalm 131:2-3 “But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for anointing Your Son with the Holy Spirit to bring forgiveness of sins, healing, and deliverance to Your people. Thank You that He fulfilled Your Word completely, bringing salvation to us. Help me to hear Your voice each day and walk in the guidance, wisdom and anointing of the Holy Spirit. May I announce Your Good News through my life, testimony and ministry to others.
Proverbs 7:24 “And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth.”
Good news: mercy and justice!
Scripture reading for June 30th: Luke 3, Psalm 130, Proverbs 6
Luke 3:15-18 “As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, John answered them all saying, “I baptize you with water, but He Who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of Whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand, to clear the threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn, but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.” So with many other exhortations he preached Good News to the people.”
John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin, created a stir among the people and religious authorities. His preaching called people to repentance and to baptism or washing of filth in expectation of the coming Messiah. This Messiah, according to John, would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. He would come to bring in the harvest of souls from the earth, symbolized by a winnowing fork, a tool that was used to harvest the wheat. The wheat would then be beaten on the threshing floor to remove the chaff. The Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, cleansing all sin and creating a new life. Sins would not only be forgiven, but consumed completely because Christ paid our penalty for sin. This message was “Good News” for sinners who were humble enough to repent!
Psalm 130:3-4 “If You, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, that You may be feared.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your great mercy in sending Your Son to take the fire of judgment for broken law on our behalf on Calvary’s cross. Thank You for Jesus Christ, our Messiah, providing us with an inner baptism of the Holy Spirit and cleansing us with Holy Fire from Your altar of mercy. But for Your mercy, we would be consumed in the fire of judgment as chaff instead of gathered into Your Barn!
Proverbs 6:27-29 “Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; none who touches her will go unpunished.”
Simeon speaks prophetically!
Scripture reading for June 29th: Luke 2, Psalm 129, Proverbs 5
Luke 2:28-35 “. .he (Simeon) took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.” And His father and His mother marveled at what was said about Him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.””
Luke records the prophetic encounter that Jesus and His parents had at the temple when they came to dedicate Him. Simeon was an old man, having waited and watched in prayer for the promised Messiah. Upon seeing Jesus, he took the child in his arms and began thanking God for the answer to his prayers and fulfilment of God’s Word to him. He announced Jesus as the ‘Salvation that You (God) have prepared for all peoples, a light for the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.’ This was a broad view of Christ’s mission and work. He then spoke to Mary, telling her that Jesus, God’s Son and her Child, would bring the fall and rise of many in Israel. He would cause opposition and heartache to His mother. In Him all hearts would be exposed for righteous judgment or mercy by faith. Jesus fulfilled these ‘Words’ and many other Old Testament prophesies.
Psalm 129:1-2 “”Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth”–let Israel now say–“Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me. The plowers plowed upon my back, they made long their furrows.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this prophetic Word from Simeon. You alone know the end from the beginning! You alone declare the things to come! Your Word is Truth and every Word of God comes to pass. You have provided Salvation to all, Jew and Gentile, through revealing the thoughts of many hearts, bringing conviction and repentance to those humble enough to believe and receive! Thank You! Amen!
Proverbs 5:7 “And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth.”
Holy Child–Son of God!
Scripture reading for June 28th: Luke 1, Psalm 128, Proverbs 4
Luke 1: 30-35 “And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His Name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the Child to be born will be called Holy–the Son of God.”
Luke, the Greek physician, wrote this Gospel account so that the Gentile believers might have an account of Jesus’ life. Luke began with the testimony of Mary, concerning her encounter with Gabriel, the angel of God. Gabriel came to her and revealed her favor with God. She would bear a Son and give Him the Name Jesus, and He would rule on the throne of David. His rule would be eternal–without end! Mary questioned how this might take place. Gabriel revealed that the power of the Most High would overshadow her and she would conceive as a virgin. Her Child would be Holy–the Son of God! God’s blessing and the Prince of Peace would come to Zion and Jerusalem would be the city of the great King!
Psalm 128:5-6 “The Lord bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! May you see your children’s children! Peace be upon Israel!”
Prayer: Holy Father, thank You for sending Your Holy Son to be born of a virgin and experience life as a human. Thank You for showing us Your love and Holy heart, saving us from the penalty of our sins. You have blessed us with Your peace through forgiveness of our sins and the gift of eternal life. Today I ponder the path of my feet, that I may walk in Your ways and share the news of Your Holy Son!
Proverbs 4:26-27 “Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.”
“He is risen!”
Scripture reading for May 15th: Matthew 28, Psalm 96, Proverbs 3
Matthew 28: 1-6 “Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus Who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay.””
Early, on the first day of the week following the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ, two women went to the tomb to finish the embalming process and show respect. A great earthquake occurred as they arrived. The stone was rolled back and a shining angel sat on it. The guards assigned by Pilate fell as dead men at the sight and the women stood amazed. The angel spoke comfort to the women and told them that they had come to find the body of Jesus, but He was alive and risen from the dead! They were invited to see the place where His body was laid. Instructions were given for them to tell His disciples He was alive and would meet up with them in Galilee! His instructions to these followers were to go into all the world and share this good news with all peoples! He would work with them! Hallelujah!
Psalm 96:1-3 “”Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless His Name; tell of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!””
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this amazing Truth, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Your Son, from the dead! Because He lives, I can have hope of eternal life! Because He lives, I can share this amazing truth with all nations and peoples! I sing a new song of joy each day as You are with me and use me and all Your followers to share and demonstrate Your love and resurrection power to those still lost. Amen!
Proverbs 3:19-20 “The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; by His knowledge the deeps broke open. and the clouds drop down the dew.”
“What shall I do with Jesus?”
Scripture reading for May 12th: Matthew 27, Psalm 95, Proverbs 2
Matthew 27: 22-26 “Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus Who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let Him be crucified!” And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let Him be crucified!” So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a plot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered Him to be crucified.”
Each person must face the problem of what to do with Jesus. Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor in charge of Jesus’ trial and fate that day. He found nothing Jesus had done or said that warranted death by crucifixion. His wife had warned him earlier to have nothing to do with Him. It was his custom to free one of the condemned prisoners to please the crowd that had gathered. He sought to free Jesus, the Christ, thinking that the crowd might be pleased. When asking them if they wanted Jesus to be free, they responded with “Let Him be crucified.” They even declared that His blood would be charged to them and their children! Each person faces this question at some time in their life here on earth. What will you do with Jesus the Christ? Will you demand His crucifixion and death? Or will you ask for mercy for being responsible for His willing sacrifice of body and blood to free you from your own sins?
Psalm 95:8-9 “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, when your fathers put Me to the test and put Me to the proof, though they had seen My work.”
Prayer: Holy Father, I have chosen to trust Jesus Christ, Your Son, as my Savior and Lord. He has freed me from my own evil tendencies and the penalty of sin. My guilty blood would have brought me eternal death and separation from God. Now His sinless blood has cleansed me from sin’s penalty and power and I am free! Praise to the Father, praise to the Son, praise to the Holy Spirit for grace.
Proverbs 2:3-5 “. .yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”
“Is it I, Lord?”
Scripture reading for May 11th: Matthew 26, Psalm 94, Proverbs 1
Matthew 26: 20-25 “When it was evening, He reclined at table with the twelve. And as they were eating, He said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” And they were very sorrowful and began to say to Him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with Me will betray Me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if had not been born.” Judas, who would betray Him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.””
Although I am emphasizing joy and delight in God this year in the devotions, there are some passages in Scripture that show how God’s Truth spoken to those in rebellion made no difference. Truth received and acted upon could have brought joy but when rebelled against brings bitter fruit and eternal loss. Judas, as well as all the disciples were tested by Jesus’ statement that one of them would betray Him. All became sorrowful and questioned if they were the one. Even Judas, the one who had already agreed to betray Jesus for some money, asked the question. He thought that he would not be found out. But God knows all things and desires all to repent and come to knowledge of Truth. Even fools can become wise.
Psalm 94:8-9,11 “Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise? He Who planted the ear, does He not hear? He Who formed the eye, does He not see?”. . .” . . The Lord–knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.”
Prayer: Father God, You are all wise and all-knowing and search the hearts. You want none to perish but all to come to repentance. Help me to hear Your Word of Truth as I read Your Word and listen to Your voice in my spirit. Warn me of hidden motives and besetting sins. Turn my heart to You each time I receive Holy Communion and examine myself. I welcome Your counsel and Your loving reproof.
Proverbs 1:29-31 “Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of My counsel and despised My reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.”
The ‘excellent’ wife!
Scripture reading for May 10th: Matthew 25, Psalm 93, Proverbs 31
Matthew 25:6-11 “But at midnight, there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.; The all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves. And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
Jesus told the parable of the ten virgins in the bridal company after His initial warning to the disciples to watch and be ready. This parable describes a typical Middle East wedding of that time. The betrothal was a time for the bride to ready herself and her attendants. The bridegroom prepared the bridal chamber for his bride and gathered his attendants. At a time that no one knew, the announcement of the bridegroom’s coming would be made. The bride and her company must be ready to travel in the night to the wedding supper. In the story Jesus told, half of the bridal company was not prepared and were shut out. The point again was the need for readiness and watching! An ‘excellent wife’ is diligent to prepare!
Psalm 93:1-2 “The Lord reigns; He is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; He has put on strength as His belt. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this illustration of the wedding and bridal company. I want to be ready and to help others prepare! But I know I can’t supply oil for those not prepared! Have mercy on me and help me keep my lamp trimmed and ready, full of oil! Help me to be about the preparation by sharing the invitation to the wedding supper with those who do not know. I listen for Your announcement!
Proverbs 31:10-11 “An excellent wife who can find; She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.”
Signs of the ‘end’!
Scripture reading for May 9th: Matthew 24, Psalm 92, Proverbs 30
Matthew 24: 6-14 “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See to it that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of birth pains. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death and you will be hated by all nations for My Name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this Gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
As His disciples were marveling at the temple, Jesus told them not one stone would be left upon another. This prompted questions from them. When would this happen? What would be the sign of His coming and the end of the age? Jesus gave them a warning to be wary of deception and then spoke to them plainly about various signs of the end that are really just the beginning of the end–‘birth pains.’ Disciples are to be aware of these pains that are coming, but not fearful of them. Their focus must remain on being steadfast and true to Jesus and the sharing of the Gospel to the ends of the earth!
Psalm 92: 4-5 “For You, O Lord, have made me glad by Your work; at the works of Your hands I sing for joy. How great are Your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep!”
Prayer: Father God, Your thoughts and plans are very deep! I am in awe of Your amazing works to bring salvation to all nations and peoples. Open my eyes each day to those You desire to reach. Protect me from deception from those who are deceived, falling away or cold in their love for You. I want to be faithful to Jesus Christ and proclaim His Gospel to all nations, hastening His return for us! Amen!
Proverbs 30:12 “There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth.”