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Read Revelation 22:6-7

Jacob forecasts that the Naphtalites will be like a doe that’s let loose and will bear beautiful fawns. Finding an accurate translation for this verse can be challenging for scholars.

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Read Revelation 22:6-7

The Last several times, we considered Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, and Issachar. Today, we will pick up with Dan. If you are a blood-bought believer, Jesus has brought you into the family of God. You are adopted daughters and sons of the sovereign of the universe. In the same way, Jacob affirms Dan, Jesus affirmed your full citizenship.

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As Jesus approaches the end of the Sermon on the Mount, He describes a series of choices His listeners need to make: “Which Gate?” “What tree, what fruit?”  “Which Lord?” “Where do you build?” Today, we will consider the question: “Which Lord?” This is the second part of Jesus twofold warning. The first was to be aware of wolves in sheep’s clothing. Be watchful of people who profess to be followers of God but inwardly seek whom they may devour. Today, we will consider the second half: Be aware not to fool yourself.   

Key points

1. The second part of a twofold warning. Jesus made it clear that some people can pretend to have faith and trick themselves into believing they are born again, without truly being born of the Spirit.

2. We will all stand before God. It is possible to declare one’s allegiance to Jesus, to serve others in His Name, but to do so without legitimately trusting Him for salvation.

3. Depart From Me. Jesus’ words may sound harsh to us, but they also contain great truth. Great works will not earn a person entrance into the kingdom. Jesus is also making an enormous claim in this verse about His role in the kingdom of heaven: He is the One Who will declare whether someone can enter.

Main Text Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV)

Read Revelation 22:6-7

A ‘futurist’ is a person who researches and makes forecasts. People have yearned for a sneak peek into the future since the beginning. If you want to understand why life is, look at the book of Genesis, the book of beginnings. We quickly understand that Solomon was correct when he said there is nothing new under the sun. Jacob convened his sons to impart a concluding message before his death. Commencing his speech, he announced his intention to divulge his sons’ upcoming experiences. In his address, he outlined the future lineages of Israel and highlighted specific characteristics of each. Jacob was among the first ‘futurists’ as we find his narrative in the book of beginnings. The difference between Jacob’s forecast and the modern ‘futurist’ is that Jacob received his forecast directly from God, not from gathered data.  

We publish on Medium at 5:43 pm (CST)

Read Revelation 22:6-7

A ‘futurist’ is a person who researches and makes forecasts. People have yearned for a sneak peek into the future since the beginning. If you want to understand why life is, look at the book of Genesis, the book of beginnings. We quickly understand that Solomon was correct when he said there is nothing new under the sun. Jacob convened his sons to impart a concluding message before his death. Commencing his speech, he announced his intention to divulge his sons’ upcoming experiences. In his address, he outlined the future lineages of Israel and highlighted specific characteristics of each. Jacob was among the first ‘futurists’ as we find his narrative in the book of beginnings. The difference between Jacob’s forecast and the modern ‘futurist’ is that Jacob received his forecast directly from God, not from gathered data.   

We publish on Medium at 5:43 pm (CST)

Read Ephesians 4:25-32

Remember, forgiveness is a choice. It’s a way to serve God and an essential part of our healing. God desires us to release our anger and bitterness against those who have caused us great pain. By choosing forgiveness, we take control of our lives and empower ourselves for His service.

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Read 2 Timothy 1:4-7

Sometimes, our fervency ebbs, so the Holy Spirit might fan it into a more robust devotion. Often, all we can do is ask the Holy Spirit to fan the flame again. Why? Because God wants us to depend on His power to kindle the fire into what He desires it to be. Often, superficial passion is cooled so it can be fanned into genuine love. Remember, the zeal of genuine love attracts the unbelieving world.   

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Read 1 Timothy 1:1-10

Scripture states that we have not because we ask not. If you ask for the passion to be rekindled, God’s Holy Spirit will provide the correct conditions for that fervor to be rekindled.  

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Could you imagine living near a cemetery where a man lived among the tombs? Could you imagine him crying out all day and all night in torment? Could you imagine nothing being strong enough to bind him? His only hope was God’s unmerited grace.  

Key points

1. Grace made the enslaved free. In many of Jesus’ miracles, we see faith, belief, or both in operation.

2. Grace brought deliverance. Our biggest problems are no match for God’s grace. 

3. Grace responds unexpectedly. The man from the tombs begins spreading the gospel throughout the Decapolis. This man becomes a forerunner of Jesus in the Decapolis (Mark 7:31–37). By the time of the apostles, Christianity would have spread. 2 Corinthians 4:15: For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 

Main Text 

Mark 5:1-20 (ESV)

Read 1 Timothy 4:13-16

May each believer embody the imagery presented by Jesus, being the “city on a hill” and a “lamp on a light stand.” Just as a person with average vision can perceive a single candle flame from a distance of about 1.6 miles at night, imagine the visibility of a large, radiant fire. Let us aspire to be like those large, glowing fires, drawing in the weary traveler who longs to step out of the darkness. 

We publish on Medium at 5:43 pm (CST)