Category: Gospels
Awe at the death of The Son of God
Scripture reading for February 6th: Matthew 27, Psalm 27, Proverbs 27
Key Scriptures: Matthew 27:51-54 “And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!””
Matthew described the events that took place immediately after Jesus cried out for the last time and gave up His Spirit. First, the temple veil was torn, from top to bottom revealing the Holy of Holies. Then there was a great earthquake, shaking rocks to pieces and opening sealed tombs, as well as a resurrection of saints from those tombs who showed themselves to many in the city. The centurion and troops overseeing the crucifixion saw these events and made a faith confession: “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Faith’s confession: I believe that the death of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, opened the way for me to experience the presence of God. I have a down payment now with the Holy Spirit in me but will fully experience Jesus at the resurrection and rapture.
Proverbs 27:12 “The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.”
Avoid temptation through prayer!
Scripture reading for February 5th: Matthew 26, Psalm 26, Proverbs 26
Key Scriptures: Matthew 26:39-43 “And going a little farther He fell on His face and prayed, saying “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And He said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again for the second time He prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, Your will be done.” And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.”
Jesus was preparing for the most difficult part of His mission here on earth. He faced the time when He must lay down His own life for those He loved as well as for sinners in all the world. He drew aside with His trusted disciples to pray; Judas had already left to betray Him for a bribe. He asked them to watch and pray with Him, but their eyes were heavy and they fell asleep. It would be prayer that kept Jesus from temptation and His followers must learn from Him.
Faith confession: Jesus, I am weak in my flesh and need Your faithful example and the sacrifice of Your life to cover my weakness. Empower me through the Holy Spirit and to watch and pray and avoid temptation.
Psalm 26:9-11 “Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, in whose hands are evil devices and whose right hands are full of bribes. But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me.”
Entering the Master’s Joy!
Scripture reading for February 4th: Matthew 25, Psalm 25, Proverbs 25
Key Scriptures: Matthew 25:22-23 “And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master.'”
One of the last stories Jesus told His disciples was this parable of the talents. A master gathered his faithful servants and entrusted them with funds according to their ability. He then left and told them to do his business until he returned. Upon return, the servants were gathered for an accounting. Two of the servants brought in an increase and one failed to produce any increase. Those who were faithful were commended and rewarded. The one who because of fear failed to produce lost everything he had plus his relationship with the master.
Faith’s Confession: Lord, thank You for entrusting me with gifts and talents to be used for Your business of winning souls. Help me to remember that there will be an accounting of my stewardship. I want to hear: “Well done!” from Jesus Christ!
Proverbs 25:13 “Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.”
The King is Coming!
Scripture reading for February 1st: Matthew 24, Psalm 24, Proverbs 24
Key Scriptures: Matthew 24:29-31 “”Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.””
Jesus was answering the question: “When will these things be and what will be the sign of Your coming and the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3) When is “immediately after the tribulation of those days?” A period of intense tribulation would come upon the whole earth and even the heavens would be affected with a darkening of the sun and the stars falling. The falling stars and darkening sun would be two of the signs. The greatest sign would be the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory!
Faith Confession: I believe that my King Jesus Christ will return to earth and come on clouds of power and glory. This will follow a great tribulation on earth and signs proclaimed before hand.
Psalm 24:7-8 “Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle!”
Please God Alone!
Scripture reading for January 31st: Matthew 23, Psalm 23, Proverbs 23
Key Scriptures: Matthew 23:1-5 “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to His disciples, “The scribes and Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but do not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others.””
Jesus never taught rebellion against God’s established authority, but humble submission. He called out leaders who were not submissive to God’s authority and Word. Here He called out those who preached but did not practice what God’s Word instructed. These leaders were play actors, putting on a performance for others to see while forgetting that God knew their hearts! Those who are called to leadership and those under leadership must listen to God and apply His Word.
Faith Confession: Lord, I believe Your Word and ask for Your help to apply it to my life, attitudes and actions. May I perform for an audience of One because I love You with all my heart.
Proverbs 23:22-23 “Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”
The Great Commandment
Scripture reading for January 30th: Matthew 22, Psalm 22, Proverbs 22
Key Scriptures: Matthew 22:35-40 “And one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question to test Him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.””
Jesus answered the Pharisee’s question concerning the most important commandment in the Law. He stated plainly that it was all about love and relationships. Loving God completely and loving one’s neighbor summed up all the Law and Prophets. The Pharisees wanted to trap Jesus, but Jesus gave them truth that stopped their test.
Faith’s confession: Lord, I love You with all my heart, mind and strength and depend on You to help me love my neighbor as myself. Action step: Seek a way to show love to one of your family or close associates that you may be struggling to get along with.
Psalm 22:22-23 “I will tell of Your Name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise You: You who fear the Lord, praise Him! . . .”
You and God’s House!
Scripture reading for January 29th: Matthew 21, Psalm 21, Prov. 21
Key Scriptures: Matthew 21:12-15 “And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, . .”
One of Jesus’ last acts of ministry in the temple was the cleansing of the temple and the healing of the blind and lame. He stated plainly that His house was to be a house of prayer. He demonstrated that by praying over the blind and lame and they were healed. Children were calling out in worship to God. This caused the Pharisees and temple rulers to be indignant! Faith often has opposition.
Faith’s Confession: I believe God’s house is to be a house of prayer for all people. I am a temple of the Holy Spirit, a part of God’s house. Through His presence I can pray for the hurting and see healing. (Action step: Ask God for an opportunity to pray for someone who is in need of healing today and step out in faith.)
Proverbs 21:3 “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable than sacrifice.”
Condemned, Crucified, Raised to Life!
Scripture reading for January 28th: Matthew 20, Psalm 20, Prov. 20
Key Scriptures: Matthew 20:17-19 “And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way He said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and He will be raised on the third day.”
Jesus was going to Jerusalem for the last time. He knew full well what lie ahead and told His disciples plainly what would happen to Him there. As we read this passage, we can note that it is a faith confession from Jesus. He stated what He knew was true, from His condemning, mocking, crucifixion to His resurrection from the dead on the third day! He did this to strengthen His own faith and that of His disciples and ultimately those who would also come to faith through their witness (us).
Faith’s confession: Jesus, I believe that You were condemned, mocked, crucified and laid in a tomb for three days. On the third day You rose from the dead! In Your sacrifice and resurrection I find my life! (Action step: Personally confess with Jesus the truth of His death and resurrection, renewing Your trust in His saving grace.)
Psalm 20:6 “Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.”
Bring those children to Jesus!
Scripture reading for January 25th: Matthew 19, Psalm 19, Prov. 19
Key Scriptures: Matthew 19:13-15 “Then children were brought to Him that He might lay His hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” And He laid His hands on them and went away.”
Jesus’ disciples tried to shield their Master from what they considered trivial ministry. Children were not high on their priorities. But Jesus rebuked them for rebuking the people bringing their children for prayer and blessing. According to Jesus, the kingdom of heaven belonged to children because of their simple faith. He gladly blessed them and prayed over them. Children must learn early to come to Jesus for His blessing.
Faith’s confession: Lord, I thank You that children are those that You want to be brought to You at an early age. I will seek to bring my children and grandchildren to You each day for blessing and guidance. (Action step: Take time today to pray for the children in you life, asking Jesus to bless them and keep them from harm.)
Proverbs 19:23 “The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.”
That none should perish!
Scripture reading for January 24th: Matthew 18, Psalm 18, Prov. 18
Key Scriptures: Matthew 18:10-14 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of My Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”
Jesus was instructing the disciples about the heart of His Father. He told them to be careful how they treated children and new believers. Each person, child or adult, has angels in heaven who behold the Father’s face. The Father cares for each one and like a shepherd will go search for the lost one until He finds him or her. When the lost is found, rejoicing is the rule on earth and in heaven!
Faith’s confession: Lord, I believe that each person is special to You and You watch over all men. I am available to search for the lost and see them restored. (Action step: If you know a lost person or family member, begin to pray for them and offer yourself as a shepherd that will seek restoration.)
Psalm 18:16-17 “He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.”