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Post by Poet Maybe on Sept 18, 2023 14:22:40 GMT
Day 262 (John 7-8)
In today’s reading there is so much to think on. Chapter 7:6-7 {6 Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you anytime will do. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil.} Jesus is letting us know how the world will react when we stand and speak the truth. He is preparing us, so it will not surprise us. Verses 16-18 {16 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. 17 Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18 Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.} Jesus tells us how to discern between godly men and false teachers. There are many people who claim to be of God, but only seek profit and fame. (they seek to elevate themselves.) Whoever speaks the truth will point to God and give Him the glory.
Chapter 8… has some powerful teaching such as the woman caught in adultery, Jesus testifying as to who He is and much much more. Chapter 8:31-32 {31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”}
How many times have we read this and thought about it? Some people say there are many truths or they say who’s truth. BUT… Jesus says, I am the Truth. So if we know The truth, we know Jesus and He will set us free.
9/18/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Sept 19, 2023 13:53:49 GMT
Day 263 (John 9-10) Chapter 9 .. the blind man can now see.. Verses 15-16 {15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided.}
Even when the truth is before their eyes they could not see. Who was the one who was blind? The Pharisees were so intent on tradition and keeping the letter of the law, they rejected the spirit of the law.
Verse 25 {25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”} Verse 39 {39 Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”}
Chapter 10 the Good Shepherd Verses 1, 6 {1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.} Verses 11, 14-15 {11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.} Verses 25-27 {25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.}
9/19/2023
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Post by pastor on Sept 19, 2023 14:30:32 GMT
September 19, 2023 John 9-10
Two great chapters today. The story of the blind man is one of my favorites. It shows that the struggles that we have are not God punishing us, nor is it the result of some sin. (Though if I am sinning it may be), but even in them, I know that God is working in me to show His glory. What is that glory? That Jesus Christ died for my sins, and in Christ I am forgiven, and I have been given a new life, the life of Jesus. The second great lesson from this same story is the amazing fact that the Pharisees has a walking miracle right in front of them. As the blind man said never in history had been there an instance of a man born blind who was healed. There was a miracle right in front of them and yet they would not believe. It is a powerful lesson for us, especially when we say “If only I could see a miracle then I would know”. Faith is not built upon miracles, but upon the living and abiding Word of God.
Chapter 10 Jesus reminds us again that He is the good shepherd. He cares for us more than His own life. What a wonderful God we have.
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Post by pastor on Sept 20, 2023 18:01:36 GMT
September 20, 2023 John 11-12
Every time I read the story of Lasarus I am amazed at the response. Many believed in Jesus but many did not and ran to tell the Pharisees about what Jesus had did. He called somebody out of the tomb who has been buried 4 days. What other kind of proof do you need? Yet they refused to believe in Him. In truth though this was the plan of God all along that they would reject Him and kill Him, for if they had not there would be no forgiveness of sins. But today as I read I was struck by Jesus calling forth Lazarus from the grave. “Lazarus come out” simple words, but exciting ones for me for one day Jesus will say “come out” and I will be the one rising from the grave, up out of the dirt like a flower ready to bloom. What a day that will be, how I long for that day, when I hear those words and rise again to live not for a short time like Lazarus did, but for eternity with my Lord.
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Post by Poet Maybe on Sept 20, 2023 18:53:19 GMT
Day 264 (John 11-12)
Chapter 11 …. The story of Lazarus.. To believe or not to believe is that a question? Verses 14-15 {14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”} Why was Jesus glad that He had waited? So that when He raised Lazarus they may see and believe. Verse 39 {39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”} Now I'm not sure what the temperature was at that time, but after four days the dead body will be pretty ripe. Verses 43-44 {43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”} Jesus spoke and a man that had been in the tomb for four days came out. Verses 45-46 {45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.} Notice it says “many” believed. I don’t know about you but if someone just brought someone out of the grave I think I’d believe. And yet some did not.
Chapter 12 … Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King Verses 13-15 {13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: 15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”} People can be so fickle … one day they are acknowledging Jesus as King and Lord … the next you are yelling “Crucify, Crucify!!!”
9/20/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Sept 21, 2023 15:29:14 GMT
Day 265 (John 13-15) Chapter 13:1,5 {It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.} I don’t know about you but if I knew I only had a few days left to live, I’m not sure I would be washing someone's feet. But then Jesus was leaving us an example. He even washed the feet of His betrayer Judas Iscariot. Serving others; thinking of others first. The world has an “all about me” attitude. Verses 15-16 {15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.} In Verses 34-35 we see the Love command. {34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”} Love is the essence of Jesus’ teachings, the love of God, the love for God and the love for others.
Chapter 14:3-4,6 {3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.}
Yes, Jesus IS the way. And that truth is for our life. In this chapter Jesus promises the gift of the Holy Spirit. Verses 26-27 {26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.}
9/21/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Sept 22, 2023 14:27:40 GMT
Day 266 (John 16-18) Chapter 16… in this chapter Jesus is preparing the disciples for His death. He gives a warning and a promise. Verses 1-2 bears a warning {1 “All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.} In verses 7-8 Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit { 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:} Verse 20 {20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.} Such a beautiful promise.
Chapter 17 … a chapter of prayer, a prayer for glory, a prayer for the disciples and a prayer for us. Verses 1-3 {1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.}
Verses 7-10 {7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.}
Verses 20-22 {20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one.}
Chapter 18 …. Filled with much. The arrest of Jesus, Peter’s denial, the high priest questions Jesus, and Jesus stands before Pilate.
8/22/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Sept 23, 2023 13:49:38 GMT
Day 267 (John 19-21) In chapter 19 we can see the sentencing of Jesus, the crucifixion and death and the burial of Jesus. Verses 6,12 {6 As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.” 12 From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.”} Pilate feared the crowd and it would look if he freed Jesus. It may even cause a riot.
Verses 16-18 {16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.} In my mind I can see Christ hanging there on that cross. Bloody and beaten His body trembling from the stress. Pain upon His face, His body covered in His undergarment hanging in shame between the other two. He bore my shame, my guilt, my sin.
Verse 30 {30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.} Verses 40-41 {40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.} Chapter 20 … Beautiful to me, The empty tomb. Verses 2, 6-7 {2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.} Verse 9 {9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) }
Verses 15-16 {15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).} Verse 18 {18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.} And Jesus revealed Himself to many.
Chapter 21 … the end is filled with many great teachings. So read and feed His sheep.
9/23/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Sept 25, 2023 12:59:13 GMT
Day 268 (Luke 1)
Luke, Luke, where do I start? You have given so much to read and think about in chapter one.
In the introduction of chapter one there is a lesson. Verses 2-4 {2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.} Luke is passing the knowledge of the Lord on to Theophilus. And we too are to pass on what we have come to know. Just as Luke did we are to search and verify that we may pass on the truth of our Lord.
In verses 6-7 we find that Elizabeth is an old lady childless. {6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.} It doesn’t say why God had kept Elizabeth childless for so long. Maybe it was to show that no matter the age God can and will use you. And that the child was truly a gift from God created to serve the Lord.
One thing I found intriguing was the appearance of the Holy Spirit early in this chapter. Verse 15 {15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.}
Many believe that the Holy Spirit first appeared on Pentecost. But The Holy Spirit does not simply appear for the first time at Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus, but is present, according to Luke (in chapters 1 and 2) prior to the birth of Jesus.
9/24/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Sept 25, 2023 13:29:31 GMT
Day 269 (Luke 2-3) In Luke chapter 2 we see the birth of Hope, the birth of Mercy in fact the birth of our salvation. Jesus. Verses 7, 11 {7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.}
On the eighth day after He was born He was taken to be circumcised according to the law. Remember Jesus “fulfilled” the law, all of it.
For some reason Simeon’s words drive home the point for me. Verses 29-32 {29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”}
I’m not sure how long Simeon had been waiting, but it was for some time. He sounds tired and yet jubilant at the sight of Jesus for he knew who Jesus was.
In chapter 3 John speaks out for all to repent. And John proclaimed the coming of Jesus.
{16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.}
The Baptism of Jesus Verses 21-22 {21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”}
As we can see God considered baptism very important. Jesus was baptized and a voice from heaven said; “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
9/25/23
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Post by pastor on Sept 25, 2023 14:45:33 GMT
September 25, 2023 Luke 2-3
Today we read of the Birth of Jesus what a time that must have been for Mary and Joseph. To travel to Bethlehem, to be relegated to a stable where you have your first child. To the star appearing, the shepherds coming, then 8 days later when you take Him to the temple to redeem Him (Exodus 13: 2,12 also read Leviticus 12 2-8)to understand why they had to take Jesus to the temple), and there they meet Simeon who proclaimed Jesus to be the Christ and the salvation of both Jews and Gentiles. (Note even at the beginning of His life it was made clear that Jesus had come for all people not just the Jews). Then it was Anna who told everyone who would listing that this baby was the redemption of Israel. Can you imagine what that must have been like? How do you settle down after that, how do you expect to live a normal life. For soon (about 9 month – 18 months) the Wise man would appear, and then Herod would seek to kill their son. No life would not be normal for them, and even after they had moved back from Egypt, and settled in Nazareth, when it seemed that life would be normal, Jesus reminds them of who He is, and He goes to the temple to question the (His) priest. Mary had a lot to ponder in her heart.
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Post by Poet Maybe on Sept 26, 2023 12:59:11 GMT
Day 270 (Luke 4-5) Chapter 4:1-2 {1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.}
Jesus was tempted for forty days; it doesn’t say how Jesus was tempted each of those days. But after the devil thought he had Jesus worn down, that's when he turned up the pressure. The devil attacks the human side in verse 3 {3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”} The devil probably said something like, “I know your body must be hungry now. Go ahead turn this stone to bread, no one will know. But… Jesus fought with scripture in every case, He said “It is written.” Verse 4,8 {4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’ 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only. } The devil then tried to use scripture against Jesus. (foolish devil) Verse 10-11 {10 For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’} Jesus answers in Verse 12 {12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’}
The devil will use scripture out of context or bits and pieces of scripture to try to trap us. This is why we need to know scripture well to discern how to use it properly. Verse 13 {13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.} The devil will flee for a time, but he will return when we are at our weakest. So we are to strengthen ourselves in the word and trust solely in Christ.
Chapter 5:4-5 {4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”}
In verse four the request Jesus made sounds strange because they had been fishing all night and caught nothing. But Simon said “Because you say so”. Remember Simon was an experienced fisherman and yet because Jesus said so Simon put his nets out again. And because Simon was faithful… Verse 6 {6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. }
9/26/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Sept 27, 2023 17:30:54 GMT
Day 271 (Luke 6-7) Chapter 6 holds many great thoughts and teachings. One that I find that holds a dear teaching is in verses 37-38 {37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”}
We are sometimes quick to judge another's actions without knowing the heart.
Chapter 7 .. shows faith
Verses 8-9 {8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” }
9/27/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Sept 28, 2023 13:50:15 GMT
Day 272 (Luke 8-9) Chapter 6 starts with the parable of the sower. Verses 5-8 {5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seeds fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”} Notice some were trampled, some withered and some were choked; but there were other seeds that thrived. The one thing they all have in common… they were sowed. If you are not sowing there is no hope for a yield. Jesus explains the meaning of this parable that we may all understand.
There is one verse I will not overlook in this chapter. Verse 21 {21 He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”}
In the section where Jesus freed the demon possessed man, at the end the people ask Jesus to leave. This has made me wonder why. Verses 36-37 {36 Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. 37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.} I have wondered, after Jesus had done away with the demons, why would the people of the area ask Him to leave. I mean here was a man of great power to heal and cast out demons, why not ask Him to stay and cast out more? Hmmm… maybe they had grown comfortable with their demons? They enjoyed their sin so much they did not want Jesus to free them?
Chapter 9 holds much. The sending out of the twelve, the feeding of the five thousand, Peter’s proclamation and the transfiguration are just a few.
9/28/23
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Post by Poet Maybe on Sept 29, 2023 12:11:58 GMT
Day 273 (Luke 10-11) Chapter 10 Jesus sends out the 72, and they do many great works in His name. Verse 17 {17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”} But Jesus tells them not to get a swelled head. Verse 20 {20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”}
The story of the good Samaritan, here in chapter 10 has made for many sermons I have heard. It’s a story many of us have heard since childhood. Remember who stopped for the man. Verses 31-33 {31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came to where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.} The ones who you would think would give aid did not. And the one who had no obligation to help was the one who took pity on him. He showed love and compassion on his “neighbor”.
In chapter 11 you can read about how Jesus taught to pray, Jesus and Beelzebul, the sign of Jonah, the lamp of the body and much much more. 9/29/23
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