Tag: John the Baptist

Daily Word

Matthew 14

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Read Mathew 14 – Pride and compassion. Our chapter begins with Herod in torment of a guilty conscience over his order to behead John the Baptist.

I get quesy, heartbroken and outraged when I read what transpired. I wonder if my emotions are like Jesus’s: “Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place. ” :13

Some things in life just don’t make sense. Herod acted in pride…. Pride can get a person into a world of trouble, and innocent people fall victim all the time.

Yet the people would not be held back from Jesus. They followed on foot. “When he went ashore he saw a great crowd and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. ” :14

That is our Savior, Jesus. He needed a moment of solitude then he was able to shift from those emotions to compassion for the people who sought him…. People like you and me.

Fantastic things happen from there so I won’t take up anymore of your time. As always. Happy reading~

Daily Word

Matthew 11

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Read Matthew 11 – Love is a battlefield – the fight for souls is a battlefield – God Almighty longs for us so much that he sent Jesus into our fallen world to live a sinless life, die on the Cross and be resurrected for our atonement; Jesus is our Salvation. His very life paid the cost of our sin… “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Jesus and John the Baptist have a conversation through John’s disciples, as John was in prison. John wanted to know if Jesus was the long awaited Messiah. Jesus offers the fruit of his ministry as evidence… Anyone could say yes, but the fruit, the healings, restored life even from the dead, and the Good News preached confirm Jesus’s legitimacy. (:1-6) The fruit of one’s life confirms who they are more than their words.

We live in perilous times; evil no longer tries to hide. The battle continues to escalate and verse :12 is a wake-up to the battle at hand. Jesus says, “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.”

Jesus says: “To what can I compare this generation: They are like children sitting in the market-places calling out to others: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ “ :16-17

Beloved, may your faith be strong and wise. May Jesus meet you in your prayers to fiercely protect and snatch those otherwise perishing. Do not be like these people Jesus speaks of who are so blinded by the world’s expectations that they miss the truth of who Jesus is and the Salvation that he freely gives.

Take heart in what Jesus offers when he says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Daily Word

Matthew 3

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Read Matthew 3 – Revival! Meet John the Baptist – he’s an odd duck, hanging out in the wilderness, eating locusts and honey (which I understand to be quite nutritious), wearing strange attire, preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. ” And yet Scripture records that masses were going out to him to be baptized (:5).

Revival is like that, it sweeps through, awakening souls to the deep need to repent and be saved.

Even the religious leaders came out, and John was not about to let them fake it. He called them a brood of vipers and told them there would be no resting on their pedigrees. John’s simple statement is the true sign of a born again life, “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. ” :8

Beloved, does your life stand up to this? Every day is a second chance for a brand new start.

And in the midst of this revival, Jesus shows up! This was an important moment in his rescue mission. Jesus stepped in the place of sinful man, was baptized and rose from that water… it’s so beautiful… you simply must read it from your bible and not merely this encouragement.

Did you identify with John when he felt ill equipped to baptize Jesus (:14)…. Remember, if Jesus calls you to something, he will make you able. And, as God spoke those words over Jesus, did your heart leap for joy(:17)?

Beloved, pray for revival to sweep through your family, friends, workplace, community, our nation and the whole world. Wear your joy like a banner. The kingdom of heaven is near.

Daily Word

Mark 6

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Reflections on Mark 6 – Beloved, there is so much to take in! 

First, the people of Jesus’s hometown amaze him, but in a very bad way.  They scoffed at him and dismissed him as merely a carpenter, one of Mary’s kids, :3.  “And he was amazed at their unbelief.” :6  The ministry was soaring. Jesus was teaching from town to town. The disciples were sent out, telling everyone to repent and turn to God.  And they cast out demons, healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.  Yet the people in his hometown did not honor him.

Then there is a shift from Jesus’s ministry to the death of John the Baptist.  Beloved, this always breaks my heart, but also reminds me that this life is short, we live in a fallen world and terrible things happen, but heaven is our part two.  Before John’s head was in Herod’s presence, he was in paradise.  He did incredible kingdom work on earth, and what Herodia’s meant for evil was simply promotion day for John the Baptist.

Next, Jesus feeds five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish.  After, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back in the boat and cross the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home.  Beloved, do you wonder if they asked questions?  Like if we leave you here, how will you get to Bethsaida?  Maybe they should have asked, because when Jesus came walking by on the turbulent water they thought he was a ghost!  (This is one of my heavenly questions, were ghosts so common that this seemed logical to them?)  Jesus sets them at ease with the words, “Don’t be afraid. Take courage! I am here!”  : 50.  Beloved, may these words echo in your heart anytime fear threatens your peace.  

On to chapter 7!

Daily Word

Mark 1

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Reflections on Mark 1 – Good News! 

Mark gets right to the ministry of Jesus in this account.  He confirms Jesus in the second verse by the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3, saying it began just as Isaiah wrote.  John the Baptist announced His coming, and Jesus is the one John spoke of; Jesus is Messiah.  John baptised Jesus; Jesus saw the heavens open and heard God’s voice as he came up out of the water, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy,” (:11).   John prepared the way, and was arrested as Jesus took the lead. 

Jesus invites Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew to, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their fishing nets to follow Him (:16-18).  Soon thereafter Jesus calls James and John (sons of Zebedee).  They went to Carpernaum and Jesus amazed people by teaching with authority, casting out evil spirits, healing many including the mother-in-law of Simon (Peter). 

Jesus preached and healed people, restricting the demons from speaking – they were well aware of who Jesus was and what He was setting out to accomplish. 

Beloved, take hold of verse :35 “Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.”  Jesus is LORD, and He takes time to get quiet with God and pray.  How is your prayer life?  Do you have a habit of seeking a quiet place to pray?  Let Jesus be your example.  

Now read and meditate on Mark 2.

Daily Word

Mark

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Read Mark 1

Beloved, I was praying about where to go next in God’s Word, and the book of Mark impressed upon my heart.  I find myself longing for Jesus… Yes, yes, it is true, He can be found on every page of the Bible, prophetically, symbolically and the like, but I am longing for Him in the plain and simple way.  Perhaps you are too?

You will find the book of Mark in the New Testament, right after Matthew.  Mark wrote this second Gospel account and was deeply involved in the early church, although he was not one of Jesus’s twelve disciples/apostles.  Mark, whose full name was John Mark, was the son of Mary – a woman whose home was used for prayer by the early church (the New Testament records 6 different women with the name of Mary… that’s a whole different study, but suffice to mention that this Mary was not Jesus’s mother.  This Mary is found in Acts 12:12).  He was also the nephew of Barnabas (see Colossians 4:10), who is known as “son of encouragement”; both  men accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey.

It has been said of the four gospel accounts that Matthew presents Jesus as Messiah; Luke presents Him as Son of Man; John presents Him as Son of God; and Mark presents Jesus as Servant.  Mark focuses on what Jesus did, His actions on earth.  And what perfect refreshment for us all to walk alongside our Savior and Lord, through Mark’s account.

I woke up this morning to a glorious rainbow in the sky.  It seemed to be resting upon my city!  What a wonderful way to start this new beginning.  May today be a day of prayerful gratitude for us all.  

Read Mark 1 and let it speak to your heart.  Moving forward in our reading together, we will stay this course – today read, tomorrow reflect and read the next chapter.  In this way, you will be developing your ability to hear what the Holy Spirit has for you personally.  Jesus loves us all so completely and uniquely.  

Daily Word

Luke 4

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Read Luke 4 – The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life… every temptation known to us can be categorized in one of these three areas.  Ponder that for a second.  We have a Lord and Savior who knows every temptation we may be presented with… Jesus is not some holier than thou entity – he faced temptation, in every area we may come up against and he fought it off with the Word. 

Notice too that the devil knows his fair share of Scripture, yet uses it to try to corrupt.  Beware of those who do this.  In :13 we see that the devil was finished tempting Jesus until next time.  Beloved, the devil is a prowling lion.  He is always on the lookout for the next time. 

Next, Jesus goes to his hometown.  In :22 the people were amazed by his teaching and in :28 they were furious.  The truth is convicting.  The people were going to push Jesus off a cliff, but he passed through the crowd and went on his way, :29-30.  That is one of those little miracles that often go unnoticed; keep your eye out for miracles. 

Jesus continues to teach and perform miracles throughout our chapter.  In Capernaum, Galilee, he healed Simon’s mother-in-law, and her immediate response was to prepare a meal for them :39.  Beloved, live in gratitude like this, always caring for those around you as long as you are able. 

Our chapter ends with Jesus on the move… just as he calls us to.  Do not keep the Good News in a box to be let out on Sunday mornings… take it everywhere you go, and be ready to share.🤗

Daily Word

Luke 3

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Read Luke 3 – This ain’t no ‘once upon a time’ – Luke is an educated man, a physician, and his account in our chapter gives historical details that are established.  :1 gives us the political timeline.  :2 gives us the religious timeline. 

John’s ministry is revealed in verses 3:3-:22.  John was resolute, and bold; he was not afraid to be offensive.  He was both weird and wise, and commanded the listeners ear.  He pointed to Jesus, and did not seek his own fame.  His ministry was prophesied way back in Isaiah 40:3-5.  John the Baptist baptized Jesus.  Luke’s account gives a slightly different view than the one we just read in John 1:29-34.  Luke records the Holy Spirits descent from heaven, like a dove, upon Jesus, and the Father’s response:  You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy(:22). 

Jesus’s earthly ministry begins when he is about 30 years old (:23) and then Luke presents Jesus’s lineage.  This is very special to me, because Jesus is known as Joseph’s son even though we know he was not his biological father.  Adoption is legitimized by the Lord himself.  When one is adopted by a human father and when one is adopted into God’s family, it is as strong and real as blood to God. 

Beloved, do you need reassurance that you belong?  Trust that when God calls you his own, his treasured possession, he means it eternally.💖👆💖🙏💖🕊💖

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 1:1-25

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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.😇🧎‍🤰