Category: Gospels
“Do you love Me?”
Scripture reading for November 19: Ezra 1-2; John 21
Key Scriptures: John 21: 17-19 “He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” and he said to Him, “Lord, You know everything: You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This He said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.” And after this He said to him, “Follow Me.””
The first and greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Jesus persistently asked Peter if he loved Him. Peter had denied Jesus three times and now Jesus was restoring him by asking him to affirm his love. Love is the basis for all ministry. Love for Jesus is the foundation of His Church and disciples would be known by their love for Jesus and one another. It would be for love of Jesus that Peter would die a martyr’s death, choosing to be crucified upside down. Jesus spoke prophetically about this and emphasized to Peter his need to lovingly follow the Master, even unto death.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord, You alone know what is ahead in my life and I ask You to help me each day to follow You, even if it leads to persecution or death. Your unrelenting love draws me to love You more each day and love people into Your eternal kingdom.
Ezra 1:1-2 “In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the Word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has charged me to build Him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.”“
Breathe on me!
Scripture reading for November 18th: Daniel 10-12; John 20
Key Scriptures: John 20:19-23 “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
In the evening after Jesus arose from the tomb, He appeared to His disciples who were waiting behind locked doors and were fearful of the Jews who had crucified their Lord. Jesus simply appeared, a locked door was not able to keep Him out. He spoke peace to the troubled disciples and showed them His hands, scared with the nails and His side, opened with the spear. This was to reassure them that it was really Him. He spoke peace again and then breathed on them, inviting them to receive the Holy Spirit. As they believed on their Resurrected Lord, the breath of God entered them and they were born again. This mirrored God breathing life into Adam, the man He had formed from the dust and clay.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your peace and for walking into my life in spite of my locked door of fear and pride. Thank You for the Father’s gift of the Holy Spirit, God’s breath in me, imparting fresh ability to lead others to Your righteousness that I might shine with Your glory.
Daniel 12:2-3 “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forevermore.”
“It is finished”
Scripture reading for November 17th: Daniel 7-9; Psalm 91; John 19
Key Scriptures: John 19:25-30 “So the soldiers did these things, but standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to His mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished,” and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”
Jesus was alert and in command, even from the cross. He was aware of Scripture being fulfilled as the soldiers gambled for His garment and as He called out, “I thirst.” He was aware of His mother and honored her by assigning the disciple He loved, John, to care for His mother as if she were his mother. As He drank the sour wine, He knew that in this bitter cup all had been completed to purchase mankind’s salvation from sin and death. He cried out, “It is finished” and gave up His spirit as His final sacrifice, tasting death for all. What a beloved Savior we have!
Psalm 91:14-15 “”Because he holds fast to Me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows My Name. When he calls to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.””
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your faithfulness to fulfill Scripture and fully finish the work necessary for my salvation and that of the world. I will hold fast to You in love, trusting You to be with me and protect me and bring me into Your everlasting kingdom.
Daniel 7:13-14 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came One like a Son of Man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall never pass away and His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”
“Let these men go.”
Scripture reading for November 16th: Daniel 4-6; John 18
Key Scriptures: John 18:4-9 “Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to Him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” Judas, who betrayed Him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. So He asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He. So, if you seek Me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the Word that He had spoke: “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost not one.””
Jesus had promised His disciples His peace in the Upper Room. He prayed for their protection to the Father, stating that He had kept all whom the Father had given Him, except for Judas. Now, after a night of agonizing prayer, the betrayal was accomplished. Jesus was confronted by armed soldiers and representatives of the Jews coming to arrest Him. He identified Himself after the kiss of Judas. This brought a wave of power that knocked down Judas and the armed band. When they got back up, Jesus told the men that He was the One they sought and commanded them to let His disciples go. The ‘Prisoner’ was in total command!
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I am thankful that You have total understanding of each trial and circumstance in my life. Thank You for protecting Your people by Your Word and Presence! O King Jesus, live forever!
Daniel 6:20-21 “As he (King Darius) came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, Whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before Him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.””
Fullness of Jesus’ Joy!
Scripture reading for November 13th: Daniel 1-3; John 17
Key Scriptures: John 17:12-15 “While I was with them, I kept them in Your Name, which You have given Me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to You, and these thing I speak in the world that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your Word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one.”
Jesus prayed for Himself and then for His disciples before leaving the upper room for the Garden of Gethsemane. He proclaimed His protective love for the disciples in the giving of His Father’s Words to them. He stated that none had been lost, except Judas, the son of destruction, and that also fulfilled the prophetic Word of Scripture. As Jesus was very soon to leave His disciples, His desire was that His joy would be fulfilled in them. Jesus’ joy was seeing people saved and kept for His eternal kingdom! (Hebrews 12:2) He prayed that they be kept from the evil one, Satan. How powerful are His prayers!
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your protective prayers for us who follow You and believe. Fill me again with Your joy of seeking and saving the lost! I believe You are able to keep me in this world look forward to fullness of joy in Your presence forever and ever! May I never bow to idols!
Daniel 3:17-18 “If this be so, our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
An encouraging Word!
Scripture reading for November 12th: Ezekiel 46-48; Psalm 88; John 16
Key Scriptures: John 16:30-33 “Now we know that You know all things and do not need anyone to question You; this is why we believe that You came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with Me. I have said these thing to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Jesus was giving His disciples a last Word of encouragement and prophetic truth before going to the Garden of Gethsemane and His crucifixion, death, and resurrection. They had confessed faith that He was from God and that they trusted in Him. Jesus plainly told them they would all desert Him and be scattered in a coming hour. Jesus assured them that He would not be alone, but the Father would be with Him. He told them this that they might have peace in trusting in Him. In the world they would experience tribulation and trial, but as they held fast to Him, they would overcome as He overcame! Perseverance was mandatory. Amen!
Psalm 88:18 “You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, You alone know all things. Continue to speak prophetic truth to my soul concerning coming trials and bring peace to my soul, even though others may abandon me. Let the water of Your Word bring life and freshness in my life and everywhere I share it.
Ezekiel 47:9 “And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes.”
The world hates Jesus!
Scripture reading for November 11th: Ezekiel 43-45; Psalm 135; John 15
Key Scriptures: John 15:18-21 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the Word that I said to you: “A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My Word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of My Name, because they do not know Him who sent Me.”
The world as it is used here refers to the mass of unredeemed humanity under the darkness of sin and the world system of Babylon. Those who are still a captive of sin and Satan have a hatred for Jesus and those who follow Him. The world loves its own but despises disciples of Jesus and the Lord Himself. Disciples have been chosen by Jesus to come out of the world and join the kingdom of heaven. They are grafted into Jesus Christ, the true Vine of Life. Disciples remember the Word of Jesus concerning the world’s hatred and live by faith, loving each other and those still caught in the trap of the devil. They want to see all men saved and know Jesus Christ.
Psalm 135:14 “For the Lord will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your precious Word and Your patient endurance of suffering and persecution by those still under this world system. Your goodness has lead me and others to repentance and my eternal inheritance, Jesus Christ forever and ever.
Ezekiel 44:28 “This shall be their inheritance: I am their inheritance: and you shall give them no possession in Israel; I am their possession.”
The Peace of Christ!
Scripture reading for November 10th: Ezekiel 39-42; John 14
Key Scriptures: John 14:25-27 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My Name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Peace is not easy to come by in the troubled world we all live in. There are many ‘peace-robbers’ that can cause fear, troubled hearts and shattered lives. The disciples of Jesus lived in such a world as well and Jesus knew that they were about to have their world turned upside down. He prepared them for the coming events by reminding them of His teaching and Words of wisdom. He promised them a “Helper” in the Holy Spirit Who would be sent to them by the Father. The Holy Spirit would continue to teach them and bring everything Jesus taught to their remembrance. The peace of Christ is ours! Now and forever!
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, Your Word brought to my remembrance by the Holy Spirit brings me peace that passes my understanding. You are the “Prince of Peace”!
Ezekiel 39:29 “And I will not hide My face anymore from them, when I pour out My Spirit upon the house of Israel, declares the Lord God.”
Love one another!
Scripture reading for November 9th: Ezekiel 37-39; Psalm 87; John 13
Key Scriptures: John 13:31-35 “When he (Judas) had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek Me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Judas had just left the upper room to betray Jesus. Jesus announced His soon coming glory: His crucifixion death, burial and resurrection. By this, the Father would receive glory and the Father would glorify His Son–at once! Jesus told His disciples that where He was going they could not come. No other man could go through the experience that Jesus would go through for all mankind. He demonstrated the greatest love mankind would ever know and commanded His disciples to love one another. Love would be the most genuine proof to the world and the Church of discipleship.
Psalm 87:3 “Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God.” Selah (pause and think about that)
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I give You glory for Your great sacrifice for me, a sinner and for all sinners. Out of thankfulness and the infilling of Your Holy Spirit, I will love my brothers and sisters and share Your glorious Gospel.
Ezekiel 37:24 “”My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one Shepherd. They shall walk in My rules and be careful to obey My statutes.””
Receive Jesus’ Words!
Scripture reading for November 6th: Ezekiel 34-36; Psalm 86; John 12
Key Scriptures: John 12:44-48 “And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him Who sent Me. And whoever sees Me sees Him Who sent Me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in Me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears My Words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects Me and does not receive My Words has a judge; the Word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.”
As Jesus approached the end of His ministry, He plainly called out to whoever would listen, encouraging them to believe in Him and receive His Words. He again proclaimed that He was the Light of the world and His Words would bring light as well. His Word would bring salvation which was His main purpose. Those rejecting His Word and Him would be judged by the Word they rejected. There is a day coming–the ‘last day’, when the judgment will come. Choices determine destiny!
Psalm 86:5 “For You, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon You. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord, I believe in You and the Father Who sent You. Your life and Words bring me eternal light. Help me to share Your Word under the power of the Holy Spirit calling men to choose life and light in Jesus Christ as their eternal destiny.
Ezekiel 36:26 “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”