Devoted to Scripture

https://netbible.org/bible/Luke+10-11/

This is day 294 of our journey.

As Jesus' ministry grows, he sends out his disciples to the surrounding villages to continue to spread the good news.  They return, rejoicing at the power of God working through them.  But Jesus reminds them that, even more than the miracles they have seen, the greatest blessing is that their names are written in heaven.  Later, Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary.  While there, Martha is fretting and worrying about entertaining her guests while Mary is sitting at Jesus' feet listening to him.  Martha complains to Jesus, but Jesus praises Mary for focusing on what is truly important.

Join me in Luke 10-11 and place your focus on Jesus!

Key verses:

Luke 10:20

Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names stand written in heaven.”  

Luke 11:10

For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Luke+8-9/

This is day 293 of our journey.

Jesus continues to teach the people, showing compassion to them by healing their diseases and providing for their needs.  At the same time, he reveals his power more and more for his disciples.  He also makes it clear to his disciples that following him will not be easy.  Jesus will be rejected and caused to suffer and die.  Following Jesus requires putting everything else behind and focusing solely on him.  A follower must be willing to suffer persecution for Jesus' sake.

Join me in Luke 8-9 and take confidence in the power of Christ in the face of your suffering!

Key verses:

Luke 8:15

But as for the seed that landed on good soil, these are the ones who, after hearing the word, cling to it with an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with steadfast endurance.  

Luke 9:11

But when the crowds found out, they followed him. He welcomed them, spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and cured those who needed healing.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Luke+6-7/

This is day 292 of our journey.

As Jesus gains popularity, he also gains the attention of the religious leaders of the day.  Jesus does not try to avoid or appease them, but rather, he confronts their corruption.  One of the main issues that the leaders enforced most vigorously on the people was the keeping of the Sabbath.  Jesus confronts their beliefs by healing on the Sabbath and teaching that the Sabbath, while an established day of rest, is more importantly a day to glorify God and faithfully do his will.  After confronting them, Jesus goes out to a private place to pray throughout the night.  His ministry continues as he heals the sick, raises the dead, and teaches the people.  All of these are signs to justify that he truly is the Christ.

Join me in Luke 6-7 and acknowledge the Lordship of Christ.

Key verses:

Luke 6:12

Now it was during this time that Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and he spent all night in prayer to God.  

Luke 7:22

So he answered them, “Go tell John what you have seen and heard: The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news proclaimed to them.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Luke+4-5/

This is day 291 of our journey.

As Jesus begins his ministry, he spends forty days in the wilderness with the Holy Spirit.  While there, he endures temptations from the devil.  As we read the account, we learn the power and importance of knowing Scripture and being able to apply it well.  After his temptation, Jesus begins to travel throughout the region teaching the people and healing the sick.  The people are astonished at the power he possesses and the authority with which he teaches.

Join me in Luke 4-5 and be swept away by the account of Jesus' power and compassion.

Key verses:

Luke 4:43

But Jesus said to them, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, for that is what I was sent to do.”

Luke 5:26

Then astonishment seized them all, and they glorified God. They were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen incredible things today.”  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Luke+2-3/

This is day 290 of our journey.

The account of Jesus' birth continues as Joseph takes Mary to Bethlehem to be counted in the census.  While there, Jesus is born!  His birth is announced to shepherds by a host of angels!  The shepherds find him and worship him.  At the proper time, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to present him to the Lord.  While at the temple, they are approached by Simeon and Anna who had both lived long lives waiting patiently for the coming Messiah.  As an act of love, God allowed them to live long enough to rejoice at the sight of God's Son.  The account then jumps forward many years to tell of Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist.  The Holy Spirit comes down and rests on Jesus, making it clear that Jesus IS God's Son.  We conclude our reading today with the genealogy of Jesus through Joseph all the way back to Adam.

Join me in Luke 2-3 and rejoice in the coming of God's Son!

Key verses:

Luke 2:30-32

For my eyes have seen your salvation  31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples:  32 a light, for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”  

Luke 3:22

and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my one dear Son; in you I take great delight.”  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Luke+1/

This is day 289 of our journey.

Luke begins his Gospel with a clear description of his audience and reasons for writing the account of Jesus' life.  He then jumps into the narrative, beginning with the announcements of the births of John the Baptist and Jesus.  These accounts are full of the thoughts and emotions of Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary as God stepped into their lives and changed their directions.

Join me in Luke 1 and rejoice that God interacts with his people!

Key verses:

Luke 1:3

So it seemed good to me as well, because I have followed all things carefully from the beginning, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,  

Luke 1:35

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of God.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/Luke/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh_o9Oc8yug

https://netbible.org/bible/Mark+14-16/

This is day 288 of our journey.

Today we will finish the Gospel of Mark.  In Mark 14, we see Jesus' last evening with his disciples.  He shares a meal with them, then tells them the things that they are going to see later that evening.  He will be betrayed, condemned, and abandoned.  Jesus takes them to a garden to spend time in prayer, he prays that God would find another way, but he commits himself to the Lord's will over his own desires.  Then, Judas arrives and his predictions for the evening come to pass, including Peter's denial of Jesus.  Mark 15 tells of Jesus trial, crucifixion, death and burial.  When Jesus dies, Mark tells us that the Temple curtain is torn in two; a physical sign proclaiming the miracle that we now have direct access to God!  Mark 16 tells of Jesus final victory over death as he rose again to give us new life!

Join me in Mark 14-16 for Jesus' great gift to us!

Key verses:

Mark 14:36

He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”  

Mark 15:37-38

But Jesus cried out with a loud voice and breathed his last.  38 And the temple curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom.  

Mark 16:6

But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has been raised! He is not here. Look, there is the place where they laid him.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Mark+12-13/

This is day 287 of our journey.

Mark 12 relates another sequence of conversations with the religious leaders of his day.  Jesus begins with a parable speaking against the leaders for rejecting God's prophets, and now rejecting God's Son.  Then, the leaders ask him three different questions to trap him, but each time he is able to turn the tables and show their lack of knowledge and understanding.  After this, Jesus highlights the stark contrast between the experts in the law who seek to be noticed for their religious acts and a poor widow who meekly gives everything that she has in worship.

Then, in Mark 13, Jesus tells his disciples about the signs of the end of the age.  He speaks of wars and earthquakes and famines, but these are just the beginnings of the end.  The disciples will be persecuted throughout this age, but the final sign will be when the abomination of desolation is set up in the temple.  Then, the end is very near, the Son of Man will return!  He ends his words with a call to be watchful and ready for the return!

Join me in Mark 12-13 and wait patiently for the return of the Son of Man!

Key verses:

Mark 12:30

Love  the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’  

Mark 13:31

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Mark+10-11/

This is day 286 of our journey.

In Mark 10, Jesus begins his final journey into Jerusalem.  He is again tested by the teachers of the law, this time with a question about divorce.  Jesus responds, not by quoting from the tradition of the elders, but rather by returning to the book of Genesis and the very first marriage.  Later, people were bringing their children to Jesus and he welcomed them, telling the crowds that the kingdom of God belongs to those that receive it as a little child.  Jesus continues to preach this "upside-down kingdom" when James and John request a position of honor in his kingdom; Jesus tells the disciples that the one that wants to be great in the kingdom must be a servant.

In Mark 11, Jesus enters Jerusalem.  He is welcomed and praised by crowds who are excited to see the son of David entering the city.  After entering the city, Jesus enters the temple and drives out the merchants who are buying and selling; the temple is to be a house of prayer!  Jesus is again questioned by the experts in the law, and again, Jesus answers in a way that avoids the responses that they expect and silences them.

Join me in Mark 10-11 worship Jesus as the true Messiah!

Key verses:

Mark 10:14

But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  

Mark 11:17

Then he began to teach them and said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have turned it into a den  of robbers!”  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Mark+8-9/

This is day 285 of our journey.

As Jesus continues his mission on earth, he asks his disciples who they think that he is.  When Peter rightly confesses that Jesus is the Christ, Jesus begins to be more direct about the things that he will suffer.  Twice in today's reading we hear Jesus predict his death and resurrection, but the disciples do not understand what he means.  Soon after this, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on a mountain where he is transfigured before them, revealing his glory.

Join me in Mark 8-9 and recognize that Jesus Christ is Lord!

Key verses:

Mark 8:29

He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”  

Mark 9:31

for he was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.”  

All Scriptures are from the NET.