March 26, 2015
In Deuteronomy, Moses restated the wilderness stories and God’s law to encourage the Israelites to remember and keep their covenant with the Lord. He encouraged them to make God’s Word a daily part of their lives, so that they knew it in their hearts. The above verse is known as the “Shema” (Pronounced “shee-mah,” it means “listen, hear”). It became the centerpiece of the the Jewish morning and evening prayers. Today, you can still hear it sung by the cantor in the synagogue every Sabbath and taught to every Jewish child as a bedtime prayer. “Shema, Yisrael Adonai eloheinu Adonai echad.” The cantor sings in a lilting baritone, sounding like a cross between singing and chanting. Of course, they substitute the word “Adonai” (Lord) for the actual name of God (“YHWH – Yahweh”) as found in Deuteronomy, because they consider the Name too holy to say. Singing, repeating daily, praying, and memorizing God’s Word can help us know it by heart. Yet, if we want the Word “written” on our hearts, only faith in Christ will move it from stone tablets to circumcised hearts.
March 25, 2015
My mother used to pray this Psalm of David, reminding God of our plight after my father died. She was a widow with four children to raise alone, yet not alone. For she called on God to keep His promise.
“Be a father to my children and a husband to me.” I would hear her praying in the early morning before the rest of us awoke.
My mother was a wonderful praying example to her children. She understood the power of praying the psalms, letting them give expression to her deepest longings. Have you tried making the book of Psalms your prayer book?
March 24, 2015
The psalmist prayed that God would show them mercy, blessing and favor, so that they might display the way of salvation to the nations. This prayer aligned with God’s promise to Abraham that through his “offspring all nations would be blessed” (Gen. 22:18). It also borrowed words from the benediction of Aaron, “The Lord bless and keep you, the Lord make His face shine upon you…” (Num. 6:22-27). Quoting God’s Word and purpose back to Him in prayer is a great basis for bringing your heart into alignment with His. Asking Him to supply your need and show you favor, so that you might fulfill His purpose to bring salvation to the nations, is gospel-centered praying. It is a Great Commission prayer. Do you pray that you and your church will be blessed, so that it may carry the gospel to the nations?
March 23, 2015
The book of Deuteronomy is a recap of the Israelites’ wilderness journey. It is the fifth and final book of the Torah (“Torah” – Hebrew for “law.” Also referred to as the Books of Moses or the Pentateuch). It’s title comes from the Greek translation, the Septuagint, and literally means “Second Law” (“deutero” – two or second; “nomos” – law). The Hebrews call the book “Devarim,” which means “words,” taken from the opening verse, “These are the words…” Deuteronomy is made up of three sermons that Moses gave to the Israelites to prepare them to finally enter the Promised Land. In these sermons, he reminded them of all that they had learned together in their wilderness wanderings, of God’s laws and God’s promises. For the modern reader, Deuteronomy is a helpful “Cliff’s Notes” version of the previous three books. It also gives insight into how Moses viewed the events recorded previously.
March 22, 2015
The more that crowds gathered around Jesus, the more often He “withdrew” to pray. Jesus modeled an important rhythm between doing ministry and personal devotion. We recognize the need for food and rest for our physical bodies after exerting work, but we often overlook the need for our souls to be replenished after doing ministry. Do you ever withdraw to pray?
March 21, 2015
Moses kept a journal of their journey and all that the Lord had done for them. In this, their story was preserved for the generations. Keeping a spiritual journal is faith-building because we can see what God has done in our lives over time. A simple prayer journal that records our requests and God’s responses is an encouragement too. I keep a journal of all of my OYB meditations. Keep a journal and a pen near your Bible. They go well together.
March 20, 2015
The devil departed from tempting Jesus after three failed attempts. These are the same three temptations to which Adam succumbed. Yet, Jesus overcame them all. The temptation of Adam and Eve began with Satan’s question, “Did God really say?” (Gen.3:1). And so, he introduced the doubt of God’s Word into their minds, making them susceptible to his wiles. So Eve was deceived, deciding that the forbidden fruit “was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and desirable to make one wise” (Gen.3:6). The apostle John described these three temptations as targeting “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16). Satan tempted Jesus and Adam with the same three tests: 1) The flesh (Adam: fruit; Jesus: bread), 2) the eyes (Adam: pleasant; Jesus: glory), 3) the pride (Adam: wisdom like God’s; Jesus: prove you’re the Son of God). While Adam doubted God’s Word, Jesus answered all three of Satan’s tests with quotations from God’s Word. Satan still uses the same bag of tricks today, but we can learn from Christ’s example and depend on His power to overcome temptation as He did. As the psalmist said, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against Thee” (Psalm 119:11). In Christ, we are overcomers.
March 19, 2015
the son of Joseph, the son of Heli…” (Luke 3:23 NKJV).
Some point to the differences between the two genealogies found in Matthew and Luke as evidence of error in the Bible. However, the better explanation is that Matthew and Luke were writing from different perspectives. Matthew’s gospel presented Christ as King, while Luke’s presented him as Son of Man. Matthew followed the line of Joseph (Jesus’ legal father), through David’s son Solomon, while Luke followed the line of Mary (Jesus’ blood relative), though David’s son Nathan. Since there was no Greek word for “son-in-law,” Joseph was called the “son of Heli” by marriage to Mary, Heli’s daughter. Through either Mary’s or Joseph’s line, Jesus is a descendant of David. Tracing a genealogy through the mother’s side is unusual, but so was the virgin birth. Luke’s explanation is that Jesus was the son of Joseph, “as was supposed.” Matthew’s genealogy started with Abraham and ended with Jesus, showing his legal right to the Davidic throne, while Luke began with Jesus and traced his humanity all the way back to Adam and to God.
March 18, 2015
A Davidic psalm. A prayer asking God for His higher perspective and protection. Lead me to the higher rock. Set my feet, which are sinking in mud, on something firm. Put my mind above the daily distractions to see things from your heavenly heights. Raise my soul to a place of shelter from life’s storms. Lord, I am overwhelmed, protect me from my enemies. Show me how to get to “the rock.” Not “a rock,” but “the rock.” For there is only One who is “the” Rock and He is Jesus, the Christ (1 Cor. 10:4). Show me how to get to Jesus today!
March 17, 2015
Luke is the only gospel that described how Jesus grew up. The story of twelve year old Jesus talking with the teachers in the Temple, while His family was looking for Him, is a very interesting glimpse into His youth. And it begs the question, “What did it look like for the Son of God to grow up?” Luke summarized Christ’s growing years in a four part description. This description is helpful for those who want to grow to maturity as Jesus did.
The four areas of growth are:
1) Mental “wisdom”
2) Physical “stature”
3) Spiritual “favor with God”
4) Social “favor with men”
I use this verse to help set goals in my life each year, praying that Jesus will help me to grow more like Him. What are your “Luke 2:52” goals?