Re: Verse reading–Proverbs 3:5-6; Galatians 2:15-21; Ephesians 2:8-10 (day seven)
“The life that I now live I live by faith in the Son of God.” (Galatians 2:20) We are saved by faith. Sola Fides. “Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15) “Not by works so that no one can boast”, says Ephesians 2:9. This must never suggest, however, that work is permanently be out of the equation. Jesus is the door. Narnia-like, we trust Him and walk into a new world. But Jesus is also the Lord. Once in this new world, we, believers, apply ourselves to every assignment, every attitude that requires change. Faith is the comprehensive word that describes both activities. Notice the juxtaposition in Ephesians 2? Salvation is not the WORK of any man. We are God’s WORKmanship. We are, nevertheless, made for good WORKS. The same faith that leads us to the door and through the door teaches us the duty of hard and grateful effort.
Tag: Jesus
Faith IN Jesus Christ
Re: Verse reading–Proverbs 3:5-6; Galatians 2:15-21; Ephesians 2:8-10 (day six)
“We. . .(know) that a man is not justified by observing the Law, but by faith IN Jesus Christ. . and the life that I now live, I live by faith IN the Son of God.” (Galatians 2:15-16, 20) Peculiar language. Very specific. Overlooked at times for its familiarity. Just as some people believe IN the power of positive thinking, we believe IN Jesus. Jesus is the FOCUS of our faith. No argument here. But, Paul may also be pointing to the LOCATION of the believer as he exercises faith. We are IN Christ, supernaturally joined to Him, resting in Him, obeying Him, rejoicing in Him. This union with Christ gives faith its power. Christians are not spectators to the life of God. We are participants. Shareholders. Are you IN Christ today, friend? Have you confessed Him as Lord? If He is IN you, you are IN Him. Trust! Discover the power of your new position!
Leaning
Re: Verse reading–Proverbs 3:5-6; Galatians 2:15-21; Ephesians 2:8-10 (day two)
Lean not in your own understanding; in ALL your ways acknowledge him…Proverbs 3:5-6. Picture yourself leaning against a tree or a wall, something that is seemingly stationary. What position is your body in? Probably some angle to the ground other than a right angle. You are off-balance, right? Imagine if that tree or wall suddenly disappeared, what would happen? You would stumble for sure, and if you had all your weight pressed up against it, you would fall. It’s an interesting picture of faith. God gives us feet to stand, but when we trust our own strength or understanding we deviate, sin, decay. It is only when we get off-balance from our own thoughts and lean totally against the almighty that we can walk straight. Although the tree or wall may fall down, Jesus never will. Lean into that trust.
Godly examples of Bible study
RE Verse reading–Psalm 119:9-16; Acts 17:10-12; 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (day six)
“Continue in what you have learned. . . because you know those from whom you learned it.” (2 Timothy 3:14) One reason I believe the Bible is that God has given me godly examples of people who study and obey it. Jesus is first on the list. Reading the New Testament, it is hard not to notice how often Jesus reflects His own confidence in Scripture. Quoting it in temptation, referring to it in conflict, the Lord’s testimony is clear. Scripture is the reliable voice of the Father. Add to the Lord’s example (as if it were necessary) that of my grandmother and the people who led me to Christ and the godly professors I encountered in college and seminary. With one voice they all declared the same truth, “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable.” (2 Timothy 3:16) The people you respect–what do their lives teach you about the place that God’s word should have in your life?
Prone to Wander
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 20:1-32 (day two)
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy grace, Lord, like a fetter,
Bind my wand’ring heart to Thee:
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
If reading the account of the people of Israel shows anything it is that we have a penchant to sin, and the God continually shows us grace. No matter how often we are set on a path of blessing and fulfillment, when we get comfortable, we become ungrateful. Our hearts wander from the source of all blessings. There is a just answer to our sin, and that is judgement and death, but God through Jesus has provided for us victory. My prayer today is to not become comfortable in our blessing, but refined by the renewing Grace of God.
Out of an earthenware jar
Re: Verse reading–Jeremiah 31:27-34; 32:1-15 (day seven)
“Take these deeds. . .and put them in an earthenware jar, in order that they may last a long time. For thus says the Lord, ‘Houses and fields . . .shall again by bought in this land.’ ” (32:14-15) Was it intentional? When the curriculum writers scheduled this reading for Easter Sunday, did they see the comparison? Jeremiah placed deeds of purchase into an earthenware jar. The disciples buried Jesus in a earthen tomb. Both resurrections (of Christ and of the nation of Israel) required a miracle. “Ah Lord God! Behold, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power! Nothing is too difficult for Thee.” (Jeremiah’s prayer after making the deal–32:17) No one can shout “He is risen!” who does not believe in the miraculous power of God. Only God brings life out of dry ground. May the Lord do this same miracle in the cold clay of our hearts! Happy Easter, dear friends!
New Covenant
Re: Verse reading–Jeremiah 31:27-34; 32:1-15 (day six)
” The days are surely coming”, says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the House of Israel.” (31:31) At the Last Supper, Jesus spoke about “a new covenant in my blood” (1 Corinthians 11:25) It was not the first time the disciples had heard these words. Jeremiah predicted the same thing. He described a new, blessed relationship that would be made possible by the death of the Christ. This new chapter, new arrangement would be marked by 3 things. 1) an inner desire to obey the commands of God-v 33; 2) a personal knowledge of God-v 34; and 3) the forgiveness of sins-v 34 (the basis for the first two). Most of us do not appreciate how fortunate we are to live in this remarkable chapter of salvation history! The Lamb of God has paid the price for sin. Guilt is gone. He is risen. The Spirit has come and gives us a desire to obey. It is the new covenant!
Lessons from Babylon to Holy Week
Re: Verse reading – Jeremiah 21:1-10, 38:1-6 (day five)
We see a couple of similarities as we compare the narrative in Jeremiah and the recounts of Holy Week in the Gospels. Absence of Leadership (A leader who cowers down to the wishes/demands of the passionate crowd people instead of standing strong and making an unpopular decision (Zedikiah/Pilate). True Picture of Following God (The Lord’s provision and plan calls for submission and surrender (Chaldeans/Cross).
The call to live a life that evidences grace, truth, strength, integrity, and love (2 Timothy 2:22-25) is still what the Lord would desire of all His followers. It also is worth remembering Jesus always believed the Christian life would involve to some degree: pain, difficulty, and humility (Luke 9:23).
With All Your Heart
Re: Verse reading – Jeremiah 29:1-14 (day four)
Verse 29:13 says, “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” The key word in this verse is ‘when’…when you search for Me with all your heart. God will not accept halfhearted attempts at prayer. He will not accept less than our all. Often, people are told that all they have to do to be saved is to accept Jesus…one prayer and we are saved for life and eternity. Not so. Jesus expects not only our repentance from sin, but He wants our life! Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Our life is not our own…when Christ comes into our heart, we are completely His!
The Word
Re: Verse reading – Jeremiah 36 (Day Four)
Even in today’s world, the thought is often the same…if we just take away the Bible, the people will not hear about Jesus. Jeremiah was obedient to write down every word that God had told him concerning Judah. He dictated the Word to Baruch who faithfully wrote them on the scroll. The hope was that when the people of Judah heard the words, they would repent and turn from their sinful ways. When the words were read, there were some that were moved by them…they were in fear (v. 16). It was the leader, the King, who must respond in repentance in order to lead the nation. King Jehoiakim thought he could eliminate the message of the scroll by just destroying the scroll. What he would learn was that the Word of God is not dependent upon the paper it is written on. The power is in the Word itself. The places in today’s world where the Word is spreading quickest are the places where it is illegal to own a Bible. The power is in the Word!