Category: Daily Word

Let’s read the Bible!

Daily Word

Luke 2

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Read Luke 2 – Merry Christmas in October – we are walking with Jesus from birth to age 12!  

Joseph and Mary journey to Bethlehem late in her pregnancy because of a census on one hand, and because this fulfilled the prophecy of Micah 5:2, that one who would rule Israel would come from little Bethlehem, one whose origins are from old, from ancient times. (My paraphrase) Beloved, we never know what the Lord is fulfilling through our day to day. 

The glory of verses :9-:15 is spectacular.   Try to visualize it as you read and be astonished as the shepherds were(:18).

When Jesus was 8 days old, Mary and Joseph took him to the temple for dedication and circumcision. Simeon (who was known as righteous and devout) and prophetess Anna knew Jesus was Messiah immediately and their encounter (:25-:38) is beautiful. 

Our chapter takes us through Jesus’s childhood up to age 12, when he stayed in the temple, amazing everyone who heard him. Beloved, carry the joy and wonder of Christ’s birth with you today.   What other gems did you notice as you read?

Daily Word

Luke 1:46-80

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Read Luke 1:46-80 – God looks at the heart.   He fully knew Mary, Elizabeth and Zechariah inside and out. Their faith was true.  Their integrity and strength of character were trustworthy for the task God appointed them.  Look at what Mary says in verse :48, “He took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed.”  Beloved, there’s only one mother of Jesus, but there’s also only one YOU. By recognizing who God is and how special you are to him, you are making yourself ready to be used for purposes of eternal value. Set your heart on our wonderful Savior.  And consider Zechariah’s Prophecy in verse :76, “And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord.”  His faith that baby John would grow into a great prophet, just as Gabriel pronounced, was resolute.  Beloved, chose to believe God and speak His promises over your life and family. 🗨😃🙏💖🙏😃💬

Daily Word

Luke 1:26-45

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Read Luke 1:26-45 – The cousins are in the house!  I love my cousins; our ties are strong even though we don’t see each other in the day to day.  Mary and Elizabeth have a strong bond too.  Just as Gabriel said, Elizabeth, Zechariah’s wife, is pregnant.  His next angelic visit is to Mary, a descendant of King David and betrothed to Joseph (I just like that word, BETROTHED, you might prefer, ENGAGED).  She gets news that no other woman has ever – nor will ever get – she will conceive baby Jesus, by God’s own design.  And her response is just perfect, “I am the Lord’s servant.  May everything you have said about me come true.”(:38)  Then she visits cousin Elizabeth and Zechariah.  Baby John lept in the womb at the sound of Mary’s voice, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit (this was a unique experience then, believers now receive the Holy Spirit as soon as they ask Jesus for Salvation).  Elizabeth calls Mary blessed and the mother of her Lord (:43).  Beloved, sit with these short and amazing verses.  Why wasn’t Mary terrified to be an unwed mother – the penalty of which was stoning?  How does your faith compare?  Are you open to the divine possibilities Jesus may bring your way?  Pray that your faith is strengthened, that you declare as Mary did, “I am the Lord’s servant.” 🤰💖🤰🙌🙋‍♀️💖🙋‍♂️

Daily Word

Luke 1:1-25

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Read Luke 1:1-25 – The stage is being set; we shouldn’t rush through.  Luke establishes himself as a person of great discernment.  He carefully investigated the eyewitness accounts of Jesus and the events surrounding him (:2).  He did this so the truth would be a certainty, strengthening all that Theophilus had been taught (:4)…. And we, are also blessed to have and examine this truth!  

The time is set, Herod was king.  The priestly line was established for Zechariah and Elizabeth. 

Zechariah was doing his priestly duties, burning incense in the sanctuary of the Lord, while a great crowd stood outside praying.  The angel, Gabriel, appeared before Zechariah with amazing news.   His barren, older wife would have a son; he will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah(:17).  What other notable things caught your eye as Gabriel was speaking about this child?

Zechariah questions how this will happen due to his and Elizabeth’s age – and Gabriel pronounces silence over Zechariah for questioning him!  The way Gabriel speaks, the certainty and authority, makes me think of the very one he is announcing – but I don’t want to get ahead of things.

Beloved, humility is so important in God’s economy.  Surrender your pride when seeking the Lord; pray and read His Word with a humble heart.😇🧎‍🤰

Daily Word

Luke

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Today is a transition day.   We will move into the Gospel of Luke tomorrow.   It is in the New Testament, right before John.  The first 4 books of the New Testament are written by Apostles Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, making them eyewitness accounts.  Each one has a slightly different flavor, much like the eyewitness accounts police officers sift through when trying to learn what happened.  People much wiser than I am have  categorized the books – revealing Jesus as Messiah, Servant, Son of God, and Son of Man.  They tell what Jesus said, did, felt and was. (I’m sending a chart)  I was going to head back into the Old Testament,  but sometimes the Lord changes my plans.  Beloved, my desire is for you to fall deeper in love and awe of our Savior, Jesus Christ, with every chapter. 💖 🤟🙏👑🙏🙌💝

Eyewitness Testimony

Daily Word

John 20

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Read John 20 – Early on Sunday morning… Of all the inconceivable hallelujahs, this takes the cake!  Mary Magdalene found the stone had been rolled away fromJesus’s tomb, and RAN to tell Peter and John.  They go to check things out.  It is all still a mystery, but when John saw the wrappings and the neatly folded head covering, he believed.

  Beloved, that is faith.  Jesus told them he would rise from the dead, but to see the tomb empty and trust that is what it meant is faith. 

Meanwhile, Mary is crying.  She sees two angels, one at the head and the other at the foot of where Jesus had been lying.(20:12)*  Then Jesus appears and asks her why she was crying, but she doesn’t recognize him and thinks he is the gardener.  Perhaps she is so grieved, and this is utterly beyond her comprehension, or perhaps he looks different, yet when he speaks her name, she KNOWS! 

That night, Jesus suddenly appeared to the disciples, except Thomas who came in later.  They tried to tell him, but he needed to see for himself.  Eight days later, Jesus joins them again(despite the locked doors), and invites Thomas to touch his wounds.  Beloved, notice Jesus does not shame Thomas for this, and trust he will also meet you right where your heart is and equip you to believe too. 

Our chapter closes with a promise :30.  May your day be filled with thoughts of it and may you make this a Hallelujah day!🙌

*John 20:12 – a bonus round!  “She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying.” (:12)  My bible study teacher just drew something spectacular out of this verse and I have to share it! 

First, notice that Mary was not overwhelmed by the presence of these angels.  Most biblical angelic encounters are met with fear, but Mary’s heart was only set on Jesus. 

Next, see the parallels between this and the cherubim placed at each end of the mercy seat, Exodus 25.  Now the cherubim covered the mercy seat which was on top of the Arc of the Covenant.  The Arc of the Covenant held the tablets of Law which Moses was given on Mount Sinai (the law we all fall short of), a jar of manna divinely preserved (God’s provision for Israel’s complaint), and the staff of Aaron (God’s sign against rebellion). These items all represent our human inability to honor the Lord who is holy, and His provisions (Hebrews 9:4). Jesus is our perfect atonement, and the actual angels stood over him like the cherubim stood over the Arc of the Covenant.  Wow, right? 😇

Daily Word

John 19

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Read John 19 – You are going to want to look away, but don’t.  You are going to want to read this lightly the way one does when the characters seem foreign, read it twice, maybe three times.  Read it until you are able to see your own need for a Savior.  Read it until you see how far you are from worthy to be in the presence of our Holy God. 

Are you a “good person”?  Read it again.  Pilate tried to be a “good person”.  He knew Jesus was innocent so he thought maybe a scourging would satisfy the angry, blood thirsty crowd…. It was his weak and deranged compromise. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, surrendered his life to the cruelest abuses man can conceive.  Why were they so cruel – a crown of thorns, slapping Jesus, who swung the whip that tore his flesh?  When one person is cruel, it is very bad, yet when a frenzy of cruelty erupts, it is inhumane.

Jesus was innocent.  He bore my sins on that cross.  He bore your sins on that cross.  Feel the magnitude of it.  “It is finished.”  :30  Jesus paid our atoning sacrifice.  It was more than we can afford – our sin deems us unworthy.  It was more than we deserve.  “Yet while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8

Daily Word

John 17

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Read John 17 – My heart is overflowing with gratitude!  Sweet Jesus!  Mighty Jesus!  John 17 is his prayer to our Holy Father. 

Think about it, without Jesus, humans would try really hard.  They would define god for themselves and decide what was “good” and “bad”.  In Proverbs 16:25 we are told, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”  Yet, praise God for Jesus!  He fulfilled his earthly mission and plainly says: “And this is the way to have eternal life – to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.” 

Verse :6 rang especially sweet in my ears, “I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world.  They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word.” 

THEY WERE ALWAYS YOURS…. Beloved, you were always Gods.  You just had to realize it!  This wonderful truth comes with the joyful responsibility to reflect Jesus every day.  Jesus’s prayer for you is that you experience such perfect unity that the world will know that God sent Jesus and that He loves you as much as He loves Jesus(:23).  Now, go, shine brightly, Beloved.💖💝💖😍💖💝💖

Daily Word, Uncategorized

John 16

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Read John 16 – It’s going to get bad with good reason; keep the faith. 

Jesus front-loads his disciples, “I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith.” 16:1.  You will get kicked out of church.  You may be killed. I am leaving you.  The Holy Spirit is coming… Those are some BIG details! 

Jesus gives a bottom line on sin too in vs :9.  Sin is not believing in Jesus.  Think about it, every lie, every indulgence (fornication, food, drugs, alcohol, shopping, pride or self-depreciation, ect.), every pursuit of malice, and any other sin boils down to not believing in Jesus, and putting the things of this world ahead of worshipping Him.  Jesus says, “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.” :12…. Oh my! 

Beloved, we also know as much as we can handle.  Jesus did die and was resurrected.  Jesus is coming back in judgement and only those clothed in Him will enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Keep the faith; keep your peace.  Jesus says:  “I have told you all of this so that you may have peace in me.  Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” :33✌🌎☝❤☝🌏✌

Daily Word

John 15

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Read John 15 – My Grandpa was a master pruner.  When he was finished, I would actually feel sorry for the poor trees.  They looked so naked with exposed stumps for limbs.  Yet come spring, vibrant fruit, apricots, peaches, plums, would appear. 

When the Lord prunes ones life, it can feel like amputation; it can hurt.  Yet there is redemptive purpose to every cut the Lord allows.  Jesus tells us to remain in him and we will bear much fruit(:5).  Jesus tells us these things so we will be filled with HIS joy, JOY that overflows(:11)! 

Beloved, will you trust Jesus when the painful trials come?  Will you lean into his love and look for this overflowing joy?  The world will come against you because it hated Jesus first(:18).  Don’t be surprised, hold fast to Jesus and lead your life with love.💞🌳🍇📖🍉🌳💕