Abram, whose name means father, was called to leave his family and go to a land that God would show him. This is the story of the man of faith, whose name became Abraham, father of nations. He trusted God’s promises before seeing their proof. He obeyed God’s call. What has God called you to do?
After Jesus overcame Satan and returned from His wilderness fast, He began His public ministry. News of Him soon reached other lands, including Syria. In the book of Acts we read that Christians were in Damascus in such number that the persecutor, Saul, headed there to bring them to trial. Of course, His mission was changed when the Lord struck him blind along the way. Instead of persecuting them, he ended up preaching the gospel there. A large Christian fellowship of believers has lived in Syria since the 1st century. Yet, today they are experiencing terrible persecution once again. Pray for the Christians in Syria. Before the civil war, they made up over 10% of the population. Untold numbers have been persecuted and killed. Pray that the Lord once again directs help to a street called “Straight” (Acts 9:11).
After Jesus was baptized, He fasted 40 days and nights in the wilderness, where He was tempted by Satan. Adam and Eve were tempted too, but in the garden. They were well fed and satisfied. Jesus was hungry, thirsty and tired. Satan used the same bag of tricks on both. The first Adam sinned after the devil caused them to doubt God’s Word asking, “Did God really say?” (Gen. 3:1). The “last Adam” (1 Cor. 15:22; 45) overcame by His righteousness, answering every temptation with the Word of God. We have this same Word available to us to overcome temptation.
The one who reads and studies Proverbs is promised wisdom. What is the foundation of this understanding? The fear of the Lord. In Matthew 10:28, Jesus said not to fear those who can only kill the body, but instead to fear the One who can send both body and soul to hell. For those who have received Jesus, the fear of judgment and hell is removed. Yet, the fear of God’s holy displeasure is not. As His children we want to please the Father. We “fear” (respect, honor) Him so much that we do not want to leave any sin unconfessed. The fool however, has not learned this healthy fear.
It’s a new year and it can be a new “beginning” too. Because the God that “created the heavens and the earth” is the same God today as He was yesterday. He can make us a new creation in Christ. He is the Creator God. He stands outside of time, space and matter. He is wholly Other. But He is also the God that took on human flesh and died for us. He is both transcendent and immanent. He can change your life. He is the Author, not only of this Book, but of our salvation.
Welcome aboard another journey on the Bible Bus. All aboard for a new beginning! (This year I am following the NLT – New Living Translation)
“‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).
As the year 2013 ends and so our readings from the OYB, it seems appropriate to quote verses from the last books of both Testaments. In the OT reading from Malachi we read of a coming “Day of the Lord” (Hebrew: Yom Yahweh) that will be preceded by a preparer of the way, Elijah. In the gospels, Jesus taught that John the Baptist was the fulfillment of this prophecy, coming in the spirit of Elijah. This was the first “coming.” In the last book of the NT, the apostle John closes the Revelation with another “coming,” this one has yet to occur. I’m sure the contemporaries of Malachi wondered what year, what day would be the DAY. Perhaps they even doubted it would ever arrive. But it did. I wonder what 2014 holds for us?
It is getting harder and harder to find one, but I did. How? I prayed like crazy and decided to look for a woman based on the “3 Ms.” What are the “3 Ms?” First, “Master” – make Christ your master and look for a woman that has done the same. Second, “Mission” – decide to know and follow the quest that God has given you (a godly woman soon tires of a man who makes her his mission rather than a God-sized dream). And finally, “Mate” – now that you have made Christ your Master and have answered His call to Mission, you are ready to find a mate. Just make sure she has the same Master and is excited to join you on His mission before you make her your Mate.
Following this strategy (Pray like crazy and Follow the “3Ms”) I found a little girl up in the hills of Virginia named Robin. I don’t know if they have any more up there. I may have gotten the last one.
The psalmist wrote to call all of creation to worship. He began with the inhabitants of heaven (angels, hosts, sun, moon, stars) and ended with the earth (sea creatures, the deep, snow, rain, fire, mountains, hills, trees, beasts, creeping things, birds, kings, princes, old men, young men, maidens and children). He calls them to praise the Lord because of two reasons: 1) Who God is, and 2) What God has done. Unfortunately, the inhabitants of earth have not answered this call to join the heavenly host in praise. The earth has become what CS Lewis called the “silent planet.” Our mission is to join the psalmist in calling all nations and tribes to worship the Lord, to proclaim the Name and Salvation of our Lord until every knee bows and every tongue confesses. To call the inhabitants of earth to join the heavenly chorus and to be silent no more.
The prophet Zechariah was a contemporary of Haggai. He wrote during the 5th century BC when the Jews had returned to Israel from Babylonian captivity. His book is filled with Messianic prophecies (30 pieces of silver, riding a donkey…). In this verse, he speaks of the Messiah being “pierced” by his own and how they will mourn for him as for “an only child,” as for a “firstborn.”
Those who put their trust in governments should recognize that they are only made up of men. These “princes” cannot save. Only God can save. Put your trust in God alone. Less politics. More prayer.