Devoted to Scripture

https://netbible.org/bible/Matthew+11-12/

This is day 274 of our journey.

In Matthew 11, Jesus reassures John the Baptist that he is the Messiah by reminding him of the things that Jesus is doing and how they fulfill prophecy; he calls out the cities of Israel that have refused to listen to his message and repent; and he issues an invitation to all who are weak and weary by promising that he will provide rest for them!  In Matthew 12, Jesus confronts the teachers of the Law.  These men are single-mindedly focused on adhering to the very letter of the law but they have little understanding as to the actual meaning and intent of God's Word.  They accuse Jesus of profaning the Sabbath by doing the work of healing, but Jesus makes it clear that doing good for others overrides the law of the Sabbath rest.  When Jesus casts out a demon, the teachers of the Law accuse him of being an agent of Satan, but how can an agent of Satan attack his own house?  Jesus emphasizes to all, that a person will be judged by his fruit; a good person will do good things, an evil person will do evil things.

Join me in Matthew 11-12 take Jesus' yoke and learn from him!

Key verses:

Matthew 11:5

The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news proclaimed to them

Matthew 11:29

Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  

Matthew 12:40

For just as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Matthew+8-10/

This is day 273 of our journey.

In Matthew 8 & 9, we read of Jesus healing many different people of many different ailments.  He begins to have a crowd of people that are following him, but Jesus makes it clear to them that his path is not an easy one.  In Matthew 10, Jesus sends his disciples out into the countryside to preach and to heal the sick.  He warns them, that the journey will not be easy and that they will be persecuted.  But, they can trust that he is with them and will care for them and provide them the words to say when they are placed on trial.

As we read today, we get a picture of a new order.  The Messiah is not here to live up to our expectations, but rather he is here to show us a new way.  A way where we rely on the power of God and his Spirit completely.  A way that doesn't make sense in the eyes of those who don't believe.  But, a way that brings life and healing and forgiveness!

Join me in Matthew 8-10 to see God's power flowing through the Son of Man!

Key verses:

Matthew 8:17

In this way what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah was fulfilled: “He took our weaknesses and carried our diseases.”  

Matthew 9:6

But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – then he said to the paralytic – “Stand up, take your stretcher, and go home.”  

Matthew 10:19

Whenever they hand you over for trial, do not worry about how to speak or what to say, for what you should say will be given to you at that time.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Matthew+5-7/

This is day 272 of our journey.

Today we read the famous Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus preaches to a crowd of people explaining and expounding on the Old Testament law.  He talks about the type of people who will be blessed (those who are humble). He talks about our role as followers of God (we are to be light and salt to a broken world).  He emphasizes the internal position of the heart over the external actions that we take.  We know that it is wrong to do evil things, but Jesus tells us not to even contemplate these evil things.  We love for people to see us doing good deeds and praying, but Jesus calls for us to do those things in secret, in humility.  He tells us to judge fairly and not be hypocritical.  But, most importantly, he tells us that if we seek him, he will reveal himself to us.  If we listen to his commands and follow them, we will be blessed.  

Join me in Matthew 5-7 and let the true Spirit of God's Law light your way!

Key verses:

Matthew 5:2

Then he began to teach them by saying:  

Matthew 6:6

But whenever you pray, go into your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.  

Matthew 7:28-29

When Jesus finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed by his teaching,  because he taught them like one who had authority, not like their experts in the law.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Matthew+1-4/

This is day 271 of our journey.

400 years after the final prophecies of the Old Testament, Jesus, the Messiah, finally arrives.  Matthew writes his gospel with an emphasis on the many prophecies that are fulfilled by the life of Jesus.  In Matthew 1, we see the genealogy of Jesus, from Abraham to Joseph.  As we read through these names, we are reminded of the accounts we have read in the Old Testament and the ways that God has been faithful to preserve his people.  Chapter 1 ends with the birth of Jesus to the virgin Mary.  Matthew 2 tells of the visit of Eastern wise men who had come to worship this new King and of Joseph's flight to Egypt to escape Herod as he attempts to kill the young Messiah.  In Matthew 3, we hear God proclaim Jesus to be his beloved Son.  And in Matthew 4, Jesus overcomes temptation in the wilderness, calls his first disciples, and begins to travel around preaching the good news and healing the sick.

Join me in Matthew 1-4 for the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah!

Key verses:

Matthew 1:21

She will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”  

Matthew 2:15

He stayed there until Herod died. In this way what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet was fulfilled: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”  

Matthew 3:17

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my one dear Son; in him I take great delight.”  

Matthew 4:23

Jesus went throughout all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and sickness among the people.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/Matthew/

https://netbible.org/bible/Malachi+1-4/

This is day 270 of our journey.

Malachi was sent to the people after the rebuilding of the temple.  The temple was supposed to bring about a new day where Israel would serve as a beacon...pointing the world to the True God.  But, instead, the people continue to move further and further away from this calling.  A century later, their worship was corrupt and their society was full of injustice.  Malachi brings a challenge to the people to honor God properly in both their worship and their actions.  Each challenge takes the form of an abrupt charge, the anticipated objections, and an answer for those objections.  In the end we see that some people repent and are given the promise that they will be spared in the day of judgement.  Malachi ends with a promise of the coming Messiah who will be preceded by Elijah!

Join me in Malachi 1-4 for God's final message to his people before his appearance as a baby.

Key verses:

Malachi 1:5

Your eyes will see it, and then you will say, ‘May the Lord be magnified even beyond the border of Israel!’”  

Malachi 2:2

If you do not listen and take seriously the need to honor my name,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will send judgment on you and turn your blessings into curses – indeed, I have already done so because you are not taking it to heart.  

Malachi 3:18

Then once more you will see that I make a distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between the one who serves God and the one who does not.  

Malachi 4:2

But for you who respect my name, the sun of vindication will rise with healing wings, and you will skip about like calves released from the stall.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/Malachi/

https://netbible.org/bible/Zechariah+9-14/

This is day 269 of our journey.

Zechariah's prophecy ends with a look toward the coming Messiah.  Many of the prophecies we will read today have direct and obvious connections to the things that we will see happen in the life of the Messiah.  Zechariah tells of coming opposition, but ultimately he tells of the defeat of Israel's enemies.  Not only will those enemies be defeated, but the survivors from among them will turn to serve the Lord!

Join me in Zechariah 9-14 and look forward to the coming Messiah!

Key verses:

Zechariah 9:9

Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Look! Your king is coming to you: he is legitimate and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey – on a young donkey, the foal of a female donkey.  

Zechariah 10:12

Thus I will strengthen them by my power, and they will walk about in my name,” says the Lord.  

Zechariah 11:17

Woe to the worthless shepherd who abandons the flock!May a sword fall on his arm and his right eye! May his arm wither completely away, and his right eye become completely blind!”  

Zechariah 12:10

 “I will pour out on the kingship of David and the population of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication so that they will look to me, the one they have pierced. They will lament for him as one laments for an only son, and there will be a bitter cry for him like the bitter cry for a firstborn.  

Zechariah 13:9

Then I will bring the remaining third into the fire;I will refine them like silver is refined and will test them like gold is tested. They will call on my name and I will answer; I will say, ‘These are my people,’and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”  

Zechariah 14:16

Then all who survive from all the nations that came to attack Jerusalem will go up annually to worship the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, and to observe the Feast of Shelters.

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Zechariah+1-8/

This is day 268 of our journey.

Zechariah was sent to the exiles in Judah during the reign of Darius of Persia.  Today we will read of a series of 8 visions that Zechariah received.  These visions are preceded by a general call to repentance.  These eight visions are meant to be an encouragement to the people in rebuilding the temple.  They speak of the removal of the sins of the people and of the protection of the Lord from neighboring nations.  God has prepared everything for the rebuilding project!  After these visions we read a question about fasting.  The people have been fasting at certain times throughout the exile, but God desires that they would practice justice as a true form of fasting.  Their fasts will become feasts!

Join me in Zechariah 1-8 to prepare for the rebuilding of the temple!

Key verses:

Zechariah 1:3

Therefore say to the people: The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “Turn to me,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and I will turn to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.  

Zechariah 2:12

The Lord will take possession of Judah as his portion in the holy land and he will choose Jerusalem once again.  

Zechariah 3:4

The angel spoke up to those standing all around, “Remove his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “I have freely forgiven your iniquity and will dress you in fine clothing.”  

Zechariah 4:6

Therefore he told me, “This is the Lord’s message to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by strength and not by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”  

Zechariah 5:4

“I will send it out,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and it will enter the house of the thief and of the person who swears falsely in my name. It will land in the middle of his house and destroy both timber and stones.”  

Zechariah 6:15

Then those who are far away will come and build the temple of the Lord so that you may know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me to you. This will all come to pass if you completely obey the voice of the Lord your God.”’”  

Zechariah 7:9

“The Lord of Heaven’s Armies said, ‘Exercise true judgment and show brotherhood and compassion to each other.  

Zechariah 8:8

And I will bring them to settle within Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and righteousness.’  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/Zechariah/

https://netbible.org/bible/Zephaniah+1-3+Haggai/

This is day 267 of our journey.

Zephaniah prophesied near the end of the southern kingdom.  His oracles speak of the coming day of the Lord where God will wipe everything from the face of the earth.  He speaks first against the surrounding nations, but then against Jerusalem herself.  He cries out for the people to seek God, that perhaps they will, through repentance and obedience, be spared from the destruction.  Then, he brings a message of hope that this destruction will ultimately bring about good for the people.  God's wrath will be appeased, and all men will seek God and worship him.

Haggai is written during the reign of Darius, after Israel has been allowed to return to their land.  It is an oracle against the exiles because they have not yet rebuilt the temple (instead focusing on rebuilding their own homes).  As a result of this self-centered mentality, they have not received God's blessing.  Haggai calls on them to rebuild the temple so that God's blessing and glory may return to the land.

Join me in Zephaniah for the coming cleansing and in Haggai for the call to rebuild God's temple.

Key verses:

Zephaniah 1:2

 “I will destroy everything from the face of the earth,” says the Lord.  

Zephaniah 2:3

Seek the Lord’s favor, all you humble people of the land who have obeyed his commands! Strive to do what is right! Strive to be humble! Maybe you will be protected on the day of the Lord’s angry judgment.

Zephaniah 3:9

Know for sure that I will then enable the nations to give me acceptable praise. All of them will invoke the Lord’s name when they pray, and will worship him in unison.  

Haggai 1:4

“Is it right for you to live in richly paneled houses while my temple is in ruins?  

Haggai 2:9

“The future splendor of this temple will be greater than that of former times,” the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared. “And in this place I will give peace,” decrees the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/Zephaniah/

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/Haggai/

https://netbible.org/bible/Habakkuk+1-3/

This is day 266 of our journey.

Habakkuk is a dialogue between the prophet and God. He begins by complaining at the continual triumph of the wicked. God responds by telling Habakkuk that he is raising up the ruthless Babylonians to bring judgement. But, how can God allow the wicked to devour those more righteous than they are? Because Babylon will also be judged, their rule will only be temporary. Habakkuk closes with a song of praise to God and reliance upon His power.

Join me in Habakkuk 1-3 for God's promise of justice on the righteous and the wicked.

Key verses:

Habakkuk 1:5

 “Look at the nations and pay attention! You will be shocked and amazed! For I will do something in your lifetime that you will not believe even though you are forewarned.  

Habakkuk 2:4

Look,  the one whose desires are not upright will faint from exhaustion, but the person of integrity will live because of his faithfulness.

Habakkuk 3:19

The sovereign Lord is my source of strength. He gives me the agility of a deer; he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain. (This prayer is for the song leader. It is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.)  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/Habakkuk/

https://netbible.org/bible/Nahum+1-3/

This is day 265 of our journey.

Nahum speaks a prophecy against the Assyrian Empire and reveals that they would soon fall to the Babylonians.  The neighboring nations felt no sympathy for Assyria.  This destruction was long overdue for their wickedness and for the generations of oppression they had heaped upon the region.  Nahum's oracle talks of God's power and character.  He interweaves contrasting images of comfort for Judah with destruction for Ninevah.

Join me in Nahum 1-3 for Assyria's well deserved punishment.

Key verses:

Nahum 1:7-8

The Lord is good – indeed, he is a fortress in time of distress, and he protects those who seek refuge in him. 8 But with an overwhelming flood he will make a complete end of Nineveh; he will drive his enemies into darkness.  

Nahum 2:8

Nineveh was  like a pool of water throughout her days, but now her people are running away; she cries out: “Stop! Stop!” – but no one turns back.

Nahum 3:19

Your destruction is like an incurable wound; your demise is like a fatal injury! All who hear what has happened to you will clap their hands for joy, for no one ever escaped your endless cruelty!  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/Nahum/