Tag: Matthew 24:35
Scripture’s Divine Origin
Scripture reading for November 14: 2 Peter 1
“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice born from heaven, for we were with Him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic Word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the Morning Star rises in your hearts, knowing that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will or man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:16-21
As Peter wrote his second and final letter to the church before his execution by Rome, he reminded the believers to hold Scripture in high regard. He wrote as an “eyewitness” of Christ’s Majesty. Peter was speaking of the transfiguration where Moses and Elijah met with Jesus on the mountain and Jesus was transfigured in the sight of Peter, James and John who were there at Jesus request. (Matthew 17:1-8) He and the others heard the voice of God the Father declaring His beloved Son. This glorious experience was wonderful, but Peter wanted the believers to recognize that Scripture that was written down and passed down from the fathers and prophets was just as true and to be trusted.
Scripture does not come from man’s ideas or thoughts. Peter told how he and holy men and women of old, like Moses, were moved on by the Holy Spirit to write down God’s revealed truth. Scripture does not have its origin in man’s will or imagination. Scripture is God’s eternal Word spoken through men and women who were willing to yield to God. Scripture is full of the Spirit and Life of God the Father. Scripture is eternally true. Heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s Word will never pass away. (Matthew 24:35) It is critical for our world view to hold the highest regard for God’s eternal Word and Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. (John 1:14)
Have you taken time to consider the origin of the holy Scriptures? Do you believe in the eternal truth of God’s Word? If all we have in the Bible are just the opinions of men, how does this change our world view?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your Word and the solid foundation of truth that I have come to know and depend on. Thank You for moving on men and women throughout our history and inspiring them to write down Your thoughts for us to know You. I will preach and teach Your Word with confidence! Amen.
Everything we need for godliness
Scripture reading for December 18: 2nd Peter 1-3
Does the sin and degradation of this world ever get to you? Do you become so tired of the constant bombardment of sex, lies, materialism, war, pollution, and lusts that you long for an escape? Peter offers some advice to those who have the righteousness of Christ by faith. We are to live in grace and peace in abundance through our knowledge of God and Christ Jesus, our Lord! (2nd Peter 1:1-2)
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2nd Peter 1:3-4)
What do we know about Jesus Christ and God our Father that helps us to escape this corruption? We know Jesus was good! He went about doing good and healed all those oppressed by the devil, because God the Father was with Him. (Acts 10:38) We know that Jesus promises to be with us always! (Matthew 28:20) We know that God the Father spoke from heaven and confirmed Jesus as His Son. (Matthew 17:2-5) We also know that Jesus is coming back the same way He left–in a cloud of glory! (Acts 1:9-11) Peter was there and an eyewitness to Christ’s glory when He was transfigured and when He ascended! (2nd Peter 1:18)
We have Peter’s eyewitness account, but God’s Word is even more certain according to Peter. (2nd Peter 1:19-21) It came not from man, but holy men spoke from God under the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit! God’s Word is Spirit and Life–impregnated with the life of God and enables us to be born again. (1st Peter 2:23) The earth and heavens will pass away with a roar and intense heat, but God’s Word will never pass away! (Matthew 24:35) (2nd Peter 3:10)
We are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth where righteousness will be complete! Peter concludes his second letter with encouragement. “So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation…” But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2nd Peter 3:14-15, 18)
Thankful for Promises!
Scripture reading for April 3rd: 1st Kings 7-10
Key Scriptures: 1st Kings 8:55-57 “He (Solomon) stood and blessed the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice saying: “Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel just as He promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through His servant Moses. May the Lord our God be with us as He was with our fathers; may He never leave us or forsake us.”
Solomon dedicated the temple with a prayer for God’s presence and blessing to remain with His people in a continuing manner for all time to come. He praised God for the rest given Israel and for the faithful promises that proved true–down to the last word! By faith we lay hold of these sure words!
Rejoicing in true promises: Jesus Christ, Solomon’s son and God’s Son, also stated the truth of God’s promises and promised to be with His people always! “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) ” “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
“I AM THE LORD”
Scripture reading for January 18th: Exodus 5-8
Key Scriptures: Exodus 6:6-9 “Therefore, say to the Israelites: I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.”
God is The Lord! He will do as He says! Nothing will deter His word and will. He desires to be our Lord and us to be His people. He has promised His people a land as an everlasting possession. He will deliver us from our enemies. He will bring it to pass!
Cause for thankfulness and joy: God is faithful and true to His promises, what He says, He will do. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)
Every promise is true!
Scripture reading for March 7th: Joshua 18-21
“So the Lord gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as He had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them, the Lord handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” (Joshua 21:43-45)
God has been faithful to us! Our family has been through a number of trials during our journey. When farming, we experienced a severe drought in 1974 and harvested very little. We had been farming only a few years and really could not stand a crop failure. We had a fire in 1975 that destroyed a large hog building and a large number of animals. It was the only building that was not listed on the insurance policy! In 1976 we had a tornado strike our farm. It destroyed barns, cattle sheds, machine sheds and trees on both sides of our house, but spared us! In 1981 a severe economic crisis hit agriculture as a result of government policies and high interest rates. Many farmers lost their farms and we were deeply in debt, too. In 2001, we were 2 miles from the center of a 6.9 earthquake that shook our house, church and city in Olympia, Washington. God brought us through again and again!
Joshua divided the land because the war in Canaan to possess the land was essentially over. (Joshua 18:2) It took seven years of fighting and following God’s instructions. Not one enemy could stand up against them when they were obedient! Not one promise made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ever failed!
When everything else in the world is shaking and the worst appears to have happened, God is faithful and His Word is true! “Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as He has promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises He gave through his servant Moses.” (1st Kings 8:56) “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35)