Category: Gospels
Faith, love, and authority!
Scripture reading for January 12th: Matthew 8
Key Scripture: Matthew 8:13 “Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go, It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.”
Rome had placed units of their army in Judea and Galilee to keep peace and protect the land from insurrection. A Roman centurion was a commander of a hundred men and was under direction of military officers. The centurion in this story came to Jesus out of deep concern for a servant of his that was paralyzed. He had evidently heard about Jesus’ ability to heal and came believing in Him. After Jesus agreed to go and heal the servant, the centurion told Him not to bother coming but to just speak the word! Jesus was amazed at this Gentile’s faith! He simply told him to go and it would be done as he believed! The results were immediate!
As we walk through this year, we will face many difficult situations and attacks of the enemy against us and our loved ones. Jesus is honored as we call on Him and believe in the authority of His powerful Word! Let’s make Jesus marvel at our faith each day as we ask and believe for the miraculous!
Observations for over-comers: Let your compassion for hurting people move you to ask Jesus to heal and to claim His Word as authority over the attacks of Satan! “. . .and call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.” (Psalm 50:15)
Building your life on the Rock!
Scripture reading for January 11th: Matthew 7
Key Scriptures: Matthew 7:24-25 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who build his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”
To have a home that stands the tests of water, storms, and wind, it must have a strong foundation. To have a life that stands the tests of the world, flesh, and the Devil, that life must be anchored to the Rock of Jesus Christ. According to Scripture, Jesus Christ is our Wisdom from God! (1st Corinthians 1:30) These verses promise everyone a guarantee of a life-foundation that will stand up to any test! Hearing God’s Word and putting it into daily practice will never fail to anchor our lives to the One who spoke the word in the first place. His words are true in floods, storms and winds! This foundation will stand up to anything coming against it.
Contrasting this was the man who built his house on the sand as a foundation. To have a sand foundation was to hear the word of God and ignore obedience. When the storms came, this fool’s house fell with a great crash! Jesus was warning against any foundation other than the applied word of God!
Observation for over-comers: Check the foundation of your life–are you hearing and applying the word of God to all areas of your life? “By Wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” (Proverbs 24:3-4)
The disciple’s prayer!
Scripture reading for January 8th: Matthew 6
Key Scriptures: Matthew 6:9-13 “This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. This prayer was not intended to be just some words prayed by rote memory. Jesus wanted the disciples to know God as their Father and have a relationship with others and the Father. He was to be addressed corporately as “Our Father”! We stand in relationship with others also praying to the same Father in heaven.
This Father is holy and His Name is to be reverenced. His disciples remind themselves of God’s holiness and their need of humility and reverence every time they approach God’s throne. The Father is also a King and has a kingdom. His children pray that Kingdom will come upon the earth and His will will be done here as it is done perfectly in heaven.
The disciples are also dependent on God for daily provision. We recognize God as our provider as well as the only One who can forgive us our sins. Forgiveness can only be granted to us as we release those who have offended us! God alone can protect us from our enemy, “the Evil One”, or Satan. We need this protection each day as well as provision and forgiveness.
Observations for over-comers: Prayer is the lifeline of disciples of Jesus. “But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice. He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me. .” (Psalm 55:16-18)
Blessed are the persecuted!
Scripture reading for January 7th: Matthew 5
Key Scriptures: Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Jesus warned and taught His disciples that they would be persecuted. He, Himself, suffered persecution because of His stand for God’s truth. Our attitude in times of persecution should not be “woe is me!” Jesus taught that His followers should rejoice and be glad because of a great reward in heaven! This takes faith and an understanding of God’s word and His precious promises. He promised great reward and that is enough! We are not the first to experience this persecution and Jesus wasn’t either. The prophets of old also suffered! It is said that Isaiah was cut in half with a saw. Jeremiah was cast into the mud of a cistern and eventually stoned in Egypt where he had warned God’s people not to go! The people wanted to kill Moses and return to Egypt. We stand in good company with God’s prophets when we are persecuted for righteousness!
Observation for over-comers: Our attitude reflects the faith and rest we have in God’s promises in times of persecution that are already here! “The Lord is my Light and my Salvation–whom shall I fear? The Lord is the Stronghold of my life–of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)
“Follow Me!”
Scripture reading for January 6th: Matthew 4
Key Scriptures: Matthew 4:18-20
“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed Him.”
Jesus walked where people were at work! He, Himself, was a worker! He was a carpenter who helped His father to shape wood for various purposes. He was walking here among fishermen who were busy at their trade. He called out to Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew. When they heard Him, they immediately left their trade and daily work and followed Jesus. He called them to a new type of fishing–fishing for men!
When Jesus calls us to come after Him, we often make excuses. How will we make a living? Aren’t we supposed to be loyal to our family business? How will others and our families eat if we don’t have fish to eat and sell? The word of God is calling us to humbly trust Jesus and obey Him. The new calling to fish for men requires an apprenticeship with the Master Fisherman! Why not obey His call and let the great adventure begin? Trust Him to provide all you need.
Observation for overcomers: The call of Jesus goes deep into the heart and spirit of each person when they open their hearts to listen. When we want what He wants, we will joyfully follow Him and overcome all fears and arguments! “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart!” (Psalm 37:4)
Repent!
Scripture reading for January 5th: Matthew 3
Key Scriptures: Matthew 3:1-2, 8 “In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” . . .”Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves ‘We have Abraham as our father.'”
Overcomers in the last days must understand repentance. Repentance is more than just being sorry for you sins or sorry that you were found out. Our God knows everything! He is not a God that is far away and aloof from His people. He is near! And His kingdom is near as well! This kingdom is not visible to the human eye, but His people know the King Himself and He knows them. True repentance is a change of mind that leads to a changed life! When we repent of sexual immorality, for example, we turn from all forms of immorality and no longer live in rebellion to God’s commands and our conscience.
The human mind is always devising ways to justify our sinful actions or to find an alternative to repentance! We often speak to ourselves about our own righteousness and justify ourselves. God knows exactly where we are! If we are to overcome, we must speak honestly to ourselves, accept responsibility and change!
Observations for over-comers: True repentance brings forgiveness of sin and life! Overcomers are quick to repent and walk in victory over sin by the power of the Holy Spirit and the victory of Christ through the cross! “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10
Warned by a dream!
Scripture reading for January 4th: Matthew 2
(For 2016, we can read through the entire New Testament one chapter a day, five days each week. We will complete Revelation on December 31st. Each day I will choose a short passage and give an over-comer’s exhortation!)
Key Scriptures: Matthew 2:12-13 “And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, “Get up,” he said, “take the Child and His mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”
In dangerous times of religious persecution, God knows how to take care of His people. He can use many methods to move them to protect them from danger, but here He chose to use dreams. By a dream, he warned the wise men not to go back to Herod. They listened and understood and obeyed. These were Gentiles that feared God and searched for the One that the star would lead them to. Joseph also listened and through prompt obedience spared his Son’s life and the family much sorrow! After the danger passed, Joseph was told to return with his family. Providentially, he ended up in Nazareth!
Observation for over-comers: Humble people are always open to God speaking to them, even in dreams or visions. They humbly listen and take prompt action after discerning God’s voice. God will protect us through faith and obedience! “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
Daily Scriptures for Overcomers in 2016!
Scripture reading for January 1: Matthew 1
As we begin 2016, I have chosen, after prayer, to go through the New Testament again this year. I will do one chapter each day for five days each week and chose one scripture or short portion from each chapter and apply the verses to help believers overcome the world, flesh, and Devil. Let me encourage you to read with me through the New Testament or even the whole Bible this year. Ask the Lord each day for fresh manna to feed your soul and give you overcoming power and the joy of victory! It is the Lord who always leads us in triumph in Christ Jesus!
Key Scriptures: Matthew 1:20-23 “But after he had considered this, (divorcing Mary because she was pregnant) an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,”Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel”–which means, “God is with us.”
Joseph was a righteous man who encountered a difficult situation. His fiancee’ Mary was found to be pregnant and they had not yet come together! His natural thinking was to divorce her quietly and move on. But God broke in with amazing instructions that were hard to understand and would require great humility and faith. He was to take Mary as his wife and name the Son to be born “Jesus”. This angel also told Joseph that the child was from the Holy Spirit and would save His people from their sins. Joseph believed the angel and by faith, obeyed!
Observations for over-comers: If we are to overcome our fears and walk in victory, we must hear God’s Word and obey! In doing so, we, like Joseph, help our Lord bring His Word to fulfillment and hasten the day of His coming! “Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6)
Good Tidings of Great Joy!
Scripture reading for December 25th: Luke 2:8-14
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified! But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you; You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.”” (Luke 2:8-14)
To the humble shepherds, an angel of the Lord appeared in radiant and blinding glory. They were tending their flocks, protecting them from the predators of the night and the sight was terrifying! The angel reassured them with one of the 365 “fear not’s” of the Scriptures. His message was “good news of great joy” for all people of the earth, Jew and Gentile! (Luke 2:29-32) This “Good News” was that a Savior, Christ the Lord, had been born in the town of David–Bethlehem! This fulfilled what was spoken by Micah the prophet! (Micah 5:2) These shepherds were told they would find this child wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
A great company of heavenly hosts (angelic beings) appeared with the angel of the Lord to these shepherds. They were praising God and giving glory to God in the highest heaven and proclaiming peace on earth to all men who would believe and receive the “Good News”! Today is still a time of God’s favor and His peace is available to all who will repent of their sins and receive Jesus Christ as Lord! This Good News is for you and all men today!
“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!