Week One – Verse by Verse Devotional Series – The Gospel of John – John 1: 17, 18

Note: Beginning this week we will look at the Gospel of John for our lessons and devotions. Readers are encouraged to read the first chapter of John this week.  Starting next week readers are encouraged to read John chapters 2 and 3.

Adult PM Bible Study – D – W – E – L – T – John 1: 9 – 18

D – Delegate vs. 6 -8 God had promised to send a prophet to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord.  That prophet was John the Baptist.  We need such prophets today, lest we be unprepared for the Lord’s coming.

W – Wreckage vs. 9 – 11 John would preach into a generation that was spiritually wrecked.  When we become so confused and hard hearted that we cannot recognize the works of God, we are spiritually lost.  We need rescue.

E – Empowered vs. 12 – 13 There is hope.  God has provided a way to restore life, if we will believe in the only begotten Son, Jesus.

L – Life v. 14 In the person of Jesus God came to live among us and to show us the upright way.  Jesus walked among us, and he lived with our pains and sorrows.

T – Testimony vs. 15 – 18 John was not confused about his message.  He knew he was the herald for the coming Son of God.  Jesus was clear about his identity.  He was God among us, Emmanuel.  Those who study the life of Christ find him to be a just and loving Lord.

Exemplary story: When Spring arrives, I must be alert to observe nesting birds or rabbits that live nearby.  One can watch them from afar with marvel.  One who has the privilege of observing nesting birds or rabbits up close receives an education in love and care for the young.  Jesus lived up close, and he taught us about the love and care of God.

Sunday

John 1: 6, 7 there was a man who was sent from God, his name was John.  He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.

Prayer:  Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, may we heed the words of your prophets to prepare for your coming.

Thought for the day: Unread instructions rarely help the assembly process.

Monday

John 1: 8,9 He himself was not the light, he came only as a witness to the light.  The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, Son of God, for all those who have pointed us to you we give thanks.

Thought for the day:  A compass gives direction to those who know how to orient it.

Tuesday

John 1: 10, 11 He was in the world, and through the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 

Prayer:  Jesus, we ask your forgiveness for all the times we have ignored you and your teachings.

Thought for the day:  Those who receive a diploma are those willing to receive an education.

Wednesday

John 1: 12, 13 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Prayer:  Almighty God, we are so grateful that one and all can be your child.

Thought for the day: God practiced inclusivity before it became “a thing.”

Thursday

John 1: 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Prayer:  Jesus, we are so grateful that you showed us how a man of God lives.

Thought for the day:  Sincere obedience is a glorious thing to behold.

Friday

John 1: 15-16 John testifies concerning him.  He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’” From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.

Prayer:  Lord God, we give thanks for all who know their humble role in service to your Son.

Thought for the day: Those who suffer from a bad attitude about church should consider whose church it is.

Saturday

John 1: 17-18 For the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.  No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only who is at God’s side, has made him known.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, we are so grateful to learn from you of the grace and truth of God.

Thought for the day:  A study of the life of Christ is a study of the goodness of God.

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Week Fifty-one – Verse by Verse Devotional Series – Old Testament Prophesies of the Messiah – Micah 5: 2, 3

Note:  Last week we focused upon the humanity of Jesus.  Many are the prophetic verses that refer to the divinity of the Messiah.  We study one today, when we look at the Bethlehem prophesy. Jesus was flesh, and Jesus was divine.  This prophesy speaks of his eternity that is evidence of his divinity.

Adult PM Bible Study – E – Q – U – A – L – Micah 5: 1-9

See: Job 11: 7; Psalm 90:2; Deuteronomy 33: 27; John 5: 17, 18; Philippians 2: 6, 7; Colossians 1: 15

E – Eternal in Ephrath v. 2 God would send the Eternal Son to Bethlehem in Ephrath.

Q – Qualification v. 3, 4 This was one of the house of David.  This was one whose strength superior.  This was the Christ.

U – Unmatched greatness – None could match the greatness of the one to come from Bethlehem. There is only one that fits that description.  Jesus.

A – Armament against Assyria – In Micah’s day the great power to be feared was Assyria.  In every generation there is some fearsome power that threatens society.  This was no match for the one who was to come.  As the prophet looks forward, he sees one who conquers all at the end of time.

L – Lionized leader v. 8, 9 The prophesied leader would be like the lion who was king of the jungle.  Those who challenged him would fall. This is the message of Revelation that Jesus shall at the end of times triumph as Lord of all.

Exemplary story:  King Herod and the Jewish leaders had a puzzle before them.  Where would the king be born?  The prophesies said Bethlehem.  They did not say he lived there.  Indeed, it was a census that brought the holy family to Bethlehem at the time Mary was to give birth.  All the pieces of the prophetic puzzle fit for those who were wise enough to believe as did the wise men from the East.  Are we wise enough to believe in the Christmas child who became the savior of humanity?

Sunday

Mican 5: 1, 2 Marshal your troops, O city of troops, for a siege is laid against us.  They will strike Israel’s ruler on the cheek with a rod. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out f you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Prayer:  Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we give thanks that you chose a humble stable to be the place for Jesus’ birth.

Thought for the day:  Jesus was born and lived where the common folk were born and lived.

Monday

Micah 5: 3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may we always be mindful of the fact that you have never abandoned us.

Thought for the day:  Finding our place in God’s plan is a great and spiritual undertaking.

 Tuesday

Micah 5:4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God.  And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, you are our shepherd, and you lead us to green pastures and beside still waters.

Thought for the day:  The better the shepherd, the more the sheep can live at ease.

Wednesday

Micah 5:5 And he will be their peace.  When the Assyrians invades our land and marches through our fortresses, we will raise against him seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men.

Prayer:  Lord God, we give humble thanks that you offer a peace the world didn’t give and cannot take away.

Thought for the day:  A heavenly cease-fire is a permanent cease-fire.

Thursday

Micah 5: 6 they will rule the land of Assyria with the sword, the land of Nimrod with drawn sword.  He will deliver us from the Assyrian when he invades our land and marches into our borders.

Prayer: Lord God, your prophets foresaw a day when the powers of the world would cease to trouble God’s children.

Thought for the day:  There is only one kingdom that will last forever, God’s kingdom.

Friday

Micah 5: 7, 8 The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the Lord, like showers on the grass, which do not wait for man or linger for mankind.  The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which mauls and mangles as it goes, and no one can rescue.

Prayer:  Merciful God, even our imagination fails to see all the blessings you have prepared for our children.

Thought for the day:  The wise heed the warnings to respect high voltage lines.

Saturday

Micah 5: 9 Your had will be lifted up in triumph over your enemies and all your foes will be destroyed.

Prayer:  Almighty God, in worship of you all creatures find their identity.

Thought for the day:  As it was in the beginning, it shall ever be that God is Lord of all.

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Studies in Mark — Mark 6: 30-43

Studies in Mark – Mark 6:30-43

A – R – D – O – R

See also: Luke 7:30; Exodus 16:16-18; I Kings 17: 13-14; I John 4:7-9

Arrival – v. 32 – Jesus has been seeking time for himself in prayer and time with his disciples. When he does arrive at a spot where he intends to have that quiet time, he is greeted by the multitude.

Responsiveness – v. 33 – Jesus does not turn away those who hunger for a word of instruction. With loving patience he teaches the multitude through the day.

Desolation around the disciples – v. 35 – It is late, and the disciples are charged with the task of feeding the disciples. They are Jesus’ disciples, they are in the presence of the giver of life. Yet, they are blind. In their eyes there is desolation. They must learn that Jesus is the source of all. Their faith must increase.

Offering – v. 38-41 – Jesus receives an offering, and from that offering he provides all that is needed. Oh that we would give to Jesus what we can and should and let him work with it a miracle. The hungry are fed. No one goes without.

Remainder – v 42-43 – The disciples are instructed not to waste the food that is now available. They will need it for the journey. In Moses’ day instructions were given to the people to collect the manna. God wants us to collect our blessings, and God gives in abundance.

Exemplary story: The author, Robert Fulgum, writes about his joy in eating leftovers. I am not sure I could enjoy his late night snack of meatloaf, potatoes, and pie thrown into one dish. The man does enjoy his leftovers. Jesus disciples were able to dine on leftovers for some days I suppose. Every leftover for them was a lesson in faith and God’s abundant love.

Studies in Daniel — Chapter 1

Studies in Daniel — Chapter 1

Daniel 1:8-14

See also Heb. 11:6; Prove 8:5-6; Deut. 6:24-25; Luke 9:62; Isaiah 55:8-9; James 2:18

FAVOR

Faith as a foundation – Faith is a base to build upon.

Attuning to God’s will – Daniel asked and found what the will of God is.

Venture that validates – Daniel acted on his faith by making a decision, a commitment

Obedience – Once he decided he had to act on that decision to be faithful.

Reliance of righteousness – Once begun Daniel continued until there was a positive outcome.

Exemplary story – In 1936 Jesse Owens, the grandson of a slave, won an Olympic gold medal in Munich, Germany.  Adolph Hitler was noticeably absent from the ceremony.  This intentional slight did not discourage Jesse Owens from being a winner with favor.