Tag: Proverbs 9:10-11
The Baptism of Jesus Christ
Scripture reading for April 10th: Matthew 3, Psalm 71, Proverbs 9
Matthew 3: 13-17 “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me? But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately He went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on Him; and behold, a Voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased.””
Jesus was a truly righteous man, never having sinned. He lived under God’s Law in pure obedience, enabling Him to become the perfect sacrifice for our sins. However, He was directed by the Father to be baptized by John. John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. What was Jesus doing in this baptism? I believe that as our representative, He was identifying with us in our need for cleansing. He was establishing a pattern for His disciples to follow of humility and obedience to the desire of the Father. All followers of Jesus are told to believe and be baptized (immersed) in water in identification with Jesus Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. Have you been obedient and faithful to follow Jesus?
Psalm 71:15-16 “My mouth will tell of Your righteous acts, of Your deeds of salvation all day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of Your righteousness, Yours alone.”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for the humble example of Your Son in His identification of our need of repentance and cleansing from sin. Thank You for the holy ordinance of water baptism that You have called Your people to obey if possible. I am not saved by water baptism, but through obedience and identification with Jesus Christ, I receive grace and forgiveness and His righteousness as a gift! Amen!
Proverbs 9:10-11 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by Me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.”
Come out of Babylon, My People!
Scripture reading for December 24th: Revelation 18, Psalm 139-40, Proverbs 9
Key Scriptures: Revelation 18:4-7 “Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, My people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Pay her back as she herself has paid back other, and repay her double for her deeds; mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed. As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning, . . “
God’s heart is that all made in His image would not be found in the wicked city of Babylon, involved in its false religion and materialism. John heard a voice from heaven calling out to God’s people and giving stern warning of the impending doom of that city and its residents. God remembered their sins and was about to repay. In contrast, the sins of God’s people had been cast away and carried away by their Savior, the Lord Jesus.
Faith Confession: I am thankful that I heard the call from heaven to come out of ‘Babylon’ and look for God’s City–the New Jerusalem. I thank God that He graciously forgave me through the sacrifice of His Son and remembers my sins no more! Hallelujah!
Proverbs 9:10-11 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by Me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.”
Preach with your life!
Scripture reading for September 27th: 1 Timothy 4, Psalm 44, Proverbs 9
Key Scriptures: 1st Timothy 4:11-14 “Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Paul went over with Timothy how to live out Christ’s life in the power of the Holy Spirit. He was to apply the Word of God in faith and practice in his own life and to publicly read Scripture and preach it. He was to use the gifts granted him at his ordination by the elders. Persistence would insure his salvation and those who would listen. A good example preaches a powerful message!
Faith Confession: I seek to apply the Word of God to my own life and to live an example to those around me, either in the church or on the outside. Lord, help me to persevere until You come or I go to be with you. I desire those who “hear” my life to be saved!
Proverbs 9:10-11 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by Me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.”
Avoid divisive people!
Scripture reading for July 4th: Romans 16, Psalm 133, Proverbs 9
Key Scriptures: Romans 16:17-19 “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.”
Paul warned the church to avoid people who were divisive and created controversy that opposed sound doctrine. The dividers were serving their own appetites and not the Lord Jesus. Paul then complimented them for their obedience and encouraged them to be wise about doing good and innocent concerning evil and division. This wisdom can be applied in every area of life and living.
Faith Confession: Thank You for the wisdom given me by the Holy Spirit and God’s Word to be wise for good and innocent concerning evil. Help me to avoid divisive people and stand in sound doctrine.
Proverbs 9:10-11 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by Me your days will be multiplied and years will be added to your life.”
Possessing eternal life!
Scripture reading for April 9th: John 3, Psalm 71, Proverbs 9
Key Scriptures: John 3:33-36 “Whoever receives His testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For He whom God has sent utters the words of God for He gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
John the Baptist was a witness sent by God testifying that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and Lamb of God that would take away the sins of the world. John the Apostle used to be a disciple of John the Baptist but left him to follow Jesus. In writing this Gospel account, John affirms that whoever receives John the Baptist’s testimony affirms that God is true. Jesus Christ was sent by God the Father to make the gift of the Holy Spirit possible. We must actively believe in Jesus and obey Him or the wrath of God will remain on us.
Faith Confession: Lord Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God and my Savior through Your sacrifice on the cross. I actively trust in You and seek to obey. Eternal life is my exciting future!
Proverbs 9:10-11 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by Me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.”
Healthy Self-Talk!
Scripture reading for January 11th: Matthew 9, Psalm 9, Prov. 9
Key Scriptures: Matthew 9:20-22 “And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His garment, for she said to herself, “If I only touch His garment, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her He said, “Take heart, daughter: your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.”
Jesus was on His way to minister to the daughter of a ruler of the synagogue when He encountered this woman who had the long-time issue of blood. This woman had decided by faith that if she could just touch Jesus’ garment, she would be healed. She had confessed this to herself. Healthy self-talk can promote faith–a deep trust in Jesus and His miraculous ability. Jesus stated that her faith had made her well! Healing happened instantly!
Faith’s Confession: Lord I know that I can go to You with any need or health issue and You have the willingness and power to provide and heal. (Faith Action: Reach out to the Lord with a current need for you or a loved one, using a faith confession. Talk to yourself about Jesus!)
Proverbs 9:10-11 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by Me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.”