All posts by JT

Christian. Husband. Dad. Preacher. Baseball fan. Music nerd. Bookworm.
Daily Devotional

Read the New Testament in a year, one chapter a day, five days a week

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Day 4/260: Read Luke 4

Why was Jesus sent to earth? In the prophecy of Isaiah that Jesus read, we see an outline of His ministry here.

“To preach the gospel to the poor.” People who are caught up in the physical treasures of this life are often spiritually bankrupt. Jesus encourages us to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-21) because if our treasure is there, our focus will be there.

“To heal the brokenhearted.” Jesus offers comfort and rest to those who are weary (Matthew 11:28-30).

“To proclaim liberty to the captives.” The opportunity to be freed from slavery to sin is found in Christ (Romans 6:16-23).

“And recovery of sight to the blind.” Those who reject God and ignore Jesus are in darkness; those who accept the truth found in Scriptures see that Jesus is the light that drives away darkness (John 8:12).

“To set at liberty those who are oppressed.” No longer do we have to be held down by Satan; no longer do we have to be under his control. Jesus gives us the liberty to live in righteousness through faithful obedience to His Word (James 1:21-25).

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Luke 5:31-32: Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no ______________ of a ______________, but those who are sick. I have not come to ______________ the righteous, but sinners, to ______________.”

Pray

Pray for your spiritual life, that you may seek the riches of the Scripture, in which you may discover the healing from sin and liberty from evil. Pray for the sight offered by Christ.

Daily Devotional

Read the New Testament in a year, one chapter a day, five days a week

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Day 3/260: Read Luke 3

John the Baptist’s public ministry began before Jesus’; he was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, sent to “Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight.” John preached “a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”

In his preaching on repentance, he gave some specific instructions to his audience. He told the general population to share with those in need; he told the tax collectors to treat others fairly; he told the soldiers to stop being bullies and be content with their financial state. Are these not needed reminders for us today?

Everyone has committed sin, but because of God’s grace and mercy, we can be forgiven. We need to repent and obey and commit ourselves to a life of faithfulness. While Jesus did not need baptism for the remission of His sins (since He had no sins), He still needed to obey the command of God.

What commands of God have you disobeyed? Are you greedy with your possessions? Do you cheat others out of what is theirs? Do you bully those around you? Have you repented and been baptized to have those sins washed away? Are you now living righteously in God’s sight?

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Luke 5:31-32: Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are ______________ have no need of a physician, but those who are ______________. I have not come to call the _______________, but ______________, to repentance.”

Pray

Pray for forgiveness, recognizing the need for repentance and faithfulness. Pray for strength to be a good example to others. 

Daily Devotional

Read the New Testament in a year, one chapter a day, five days a week

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Day 2/260: Read Luke 2

We have very little information about Jesus’ life before His public ministry. Luke relates one incident that occurred when Jesus was just twelve years old.

Joseph and Mary were faithful in their attendance of the Passover Feast in Jerusalem, traveling there each year. They journeyed with a large group of family and friends, and when they began their trip home after the feast, they did not realize that the pre-teen Jesus had been left behind in the city.

It isn’t difficult to imagine Joseph and Mary’s fear. They had been entrusted with the Son of God, and they lost Him! It took them three days to find Him; He was in the temple, “in the midst of the teachers.” At just twelve years of age, Jesus’ priorities were in order. He asked Mary, “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

Do we ever lose sight of our Father’s business? We develop a routine of going to school or work, but do we lose sight of what is truly important? Where are our priorities? Do we go about our daily activities without any thought to how those activities can be used to accomplish God’s will in our life and the lives of those around us?

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

Luke 5:31-32: Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Pray

Pray for opportunities to be about the Father’s business. Pray that He may use you to accomplish His will. Pray for those around you that you can influence in a positive way.

Daily Devotional

Read the New Testament in a year, one chapter a day, five days a week

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Day 1/260: Read Luke 1

For the first time in hundreds of years, God spoke to one of His children. The person who received the message was Zacharias, a priest. While many priests were denounced throughout the Scriptures for various sins, Zacharias is called “righteous” and “blameless.” This does not mean he was perfect or sinless, but that he sought to serve God in his life.

If you died tomorrow, how would your obituary read? Could the preacher at your funeral say, with all sincerity, that you were “righteous” and “blameless” in your life? What changes do you need to make in your life to make those adjectives fit your description?

It is never too late to make a commitment to serve the Lord. We read of many servants throughout both the Old and New Testaments who overcame their weaknesses and by the grace of God were used for His purpose.

Paul reminded the saints in Corinth of what they “were” before coming to know Christ: unrighteous sinners who could not inherit the kingdom of God. Because of Christ, though, they changed their lives and “are washed…sanctified…justified.” (1 Cor. 6:9-11)

Memory (Read aloud 5-10 times)

Luke 5:31-32: Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Pray

Pray for the wisdom to recognize your weaknesses and seek guidance in the Scriptures on how to become righteous and blameless in God’s sight.

Class Studies

Songs of Praise and Triumph (Isaiah 25:1-12)

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Isaiah A Study of Selected Texts

Songs of Praise and Triumph (Isaiah 25:1-12)

  • 25:1-5 – “Praise of God for the great things He has done”
    • Yahweh/Jehovah – God’s faithfulness
    • Elohim/Lord – Lordship/Almightiness
    • Divine destruction causes glorification and fear
    • Christ’s church offers strength and protection (Matthew 11:28-32)
  • 25:6-8 – “The Marriage Supper of the Lamb and the prophecy of the end of death”
    • Symbolism of the “feast” (Luke 14:1ff; Matthew 22:1-14; 25:1-13)
    • Removing the veil (Ephesians 4:18; 2 Corinthians 3:14-16)
    • Assurance that death would cease
    • Wipe away tears (Revelation 7:17; 21:4)
  • 25:9-12 – “The ultimate triumph of God over all His enemies”
    • Discouragement overcome by faithful focus
    • Character of Moab (Genesis 19:30-38; Numbers 22:3-6; 25:1-2; Isaiah 16:6; Jeremiah 48:29-30; 48:27,42; Amos 2:1; Zephaniah 2:8,10)
    • Motivation in promises and warnings
    • “The faithful Covenant-God has protected and sustained and fed His kingdom upon the earth and it is alive and flourishing today. In contrast, those enemies who have threatened and warred against God’s kingdom have come and gone and dissolved into dust, one after another. So shall it ever be.” (Butler)

Discussion Questions

1. How important is singing to the people of God? What are some of the Scriptural purposes for singing? Consider James 5:13 as well as Colossians 3:16 in your answer.

2. What are the different meanings of the Hebrew names of God used in verse 1?

3. What is the literal mountain of verses 6 and 10? What does it symbolically represent?

4. What is the “feast of choice pieces”?

5. Is fear (terror) a proper motivation for serving God?

Class Studies

The Prophecy of the Coming Messiah (Isaiah 7:14-16; 9:1-7; 11:1-10)

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Isaiah A Study of Selected Texts

The Prophecy of the Coming Messiah (Isaiah 7:14-16; 9:1-7; 11:1-10)

  • 7:14-16 – Prophecy of the virgin birth
    • Opposition from Rezin (Syria) and Pekah (Israel)
    • Fulfillment in Christ (Matthew 1:22-23)
  • 9:1-3 – Light in darkness
    • Prophecy of doom (Isaiah 8) vs. promise of joy (Isaiah 9)
    • Fulfillment in Christ (Matthew 4:12-17)
    • Jesus was the light (John 8:12; 1:9; 1:4; Malachi 4:2)
  • 9:4-7 – The basis of joy
    • Wonderful, Counselor (Col. 2:3; Isaiah 28:29), Mighty God (John 1:1; Isaiah 10:21), Everlasting Father (John 8:58; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 12:2), Prince of Peace (Romans 5:1; Hebrews 12:14; Philippians 4:7)
    • Reign of the Messiah will be forever (Zechariah 9:10)
  • 11:1-5 – The character of Christ
    • Fulfillment in Christ (Romans 15:12)
    • Wisdom and understanding (intellectual faculties)
    • Counsel and might (practical qualities)
    • Knowledge and fear of Jehovah (moral life)
  • 11:6-9 – The character of His subjects
    • Representative of how citizens of Christ’s kingdom should relate to each other
  • 11:10 – The extent of His kingdom
    • Gentiles included in the promise
    • No more separation of Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:11-22; Zechariah 9:9-10; Galatians 3:28)

Discussion Questions

1. Do you believe Isaiah 7:14 to be a “dual fulfillment” prophecy? Why or why not?

2. Which of the descriptive names of Isaiah 9:6 is your favorite?

3. Who was Jesse?

4. What is represented in Isaiah 11:6-8?

5. Who is eligible to be a part of Christ’s kingdom?

Class Studies

“Here Am I! Send Me!” (Isaiah 6:1-13)

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Isaiah A Study of Selected Texts

“Here Am I! Send Me!” (Isaiah 6:1-13)

  • 6:1-4 – Isaiah’s vision
    • King Uzziah’s death (2 Chronicles 26:4, 16-21); probably around 740 B.C.
    • The seraphim: six-winged beings; different than cherubim (Ezekiel 11:22)
    • “Holy, holy, holy!”
    • The house filled with smoke (cf. Revelation 15:7-8)
  • 6:5 – Isaiah recognizes his unworthiness
    • “All have sinned” (Romans 3:23)
    • Normal reaction – Gideon (Judges 6:22); Manoah (Judges 13:22); Job (Job 42:5,6); Peter (Luke 5:8); John (Revelation 1:17); the thief (Luke 23:40,41)
    • This vision is of the preincarnate Christ (John 12:36-41)
  • 6:6-7 – God’s forgiveness
    • “He who a moment before felt that in the presence of the Holy God sin could not exist, and that therefore he must perish with his sin, now felt that he was separated from his sin so that it alone might perish, and he might live.” (Rowley)
    • We must seek purification (Psalm 51:10-13)
    • Example of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 8:3; 9:1; 26:9-11; 22:16)
  • 6:8-13 – Isaiah’s commission
    • “Who will go for Us?” (cf. Genesis 1:26; John 1:1)
    • “Here am I! Send me!”
    • God warns of the hardening of hearts
    • “Yet a tenth”; “So the holy seed shall be its stump”

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important to recognize the holiness of God in contrast to our sinfulness?

2. What effect did the vision have on Isaiah?

3. What duty did Isaiah have? What is our duty today?

4. Why did God use the word “Us” in verse 8?

5. Reconcile verse 10 with passages such as 2 Peter 3:9.

Class Studies

Isaiah’s Parable of the Vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-12)

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Isaiah A Study of Selected Texts

Isaiah’s Parable of the Vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-12)

  • 5:1-2 – The vineyard as a symbol of Israel (Psalm 80; Jeremiah 12:10; Mark 12:1-10)
    • Isaiah adapts his delivery but not the message
    • “My Well-beloved” = God
    • “The choicest vine” = Abraham, Isaac, Jacob
    • “Wild grapes” are toxic/poisonous
  • 5:3-6 – A song of lament
    • Similar in method to Nathan (2 Samuel 12:1-15) and Jesus (Matthew 21:33-43; Mark 12:1-9)
    • Limits of God’s power: He will not violate man’s free will (Matthew 23:37; 2 Peter 3:9)
  • 5:7 – The meaning of the parable
    • Paronomasia (pun in which the words sound similar but have different meanings)
    • Justice (mishpat) vs. oppression/bloodshed (mispah)
    • Righteousness (sedakah) vs. a cry (seakah)
  • 5:8-10 – The first woe
    • Against land-grabbing (Micah 2:2; Jeremiah 22:13-17; Habakkuk 2:9-12)
    • Drastically reduced harvest (Leviticus 26:20; Deuteronomy 26:15,18; Haggai 1:5-6)
  • 5:11-12 – The second woe
    • Against drunken revelry (1 Peter 4:1-4; Ephesians 5:18; Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:19-21)
    • God was not a priority (Amos 6:1-7; Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:1-2)

Discussion Questions

1. What had God done to ensure the success of the vineyard?

2. How did God respond to the vineyard’s failure?

3. What is wrong with acquiring houses and fields?

4. What are some popular songs that Christians should avoid because of content?

5. Jesus warned against a preoccupation with the “riches and pleasures of life” (Luke 8:14); what is the result of such according to Christ?

Class Studies

Rebellion and Restoration (Isaiah 1:1-20)

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Isaiah A Study of Selected Texts

Rebellion and Restoration (Isaiah 1:1-20)

  • 1:1 – Isaiah = Yesha-Yahu = “Jehovah is salvation”
    • Son of Amoz; married to a prophetess (8:3); 2 sons (7:3; 8:3)
    • Prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah (767-740 BC), Jotham (750-736 BC), Ahaz (736-716 BC), Hezekiah (716-698 BC)
  • 1:2-9 – Judah is a “sinful nation,” “laden with iniquity,” “brood of evildoers,” “corrupters”
    • Their sin caused suffering
    • Is suffering always caused by sin? (Job 1:1; 1 Peter 3:17)
    • The description of desolation consistent with Micah 6:13-16 and corresponds with Lev. 26 and Deut. 28
  • 1:10-15 – God does not want sacrifice without submission
    • Proverbs 15:8; 1 Timothy 2:8; James 5:16
    • “Rite without right is wrong” (Clyde M. Woods)
  • 1:16-17 – Restoration is called for
    • “Repentance is surrender; a change of thinking, willing, acting; a life directed toward the will of God as revealed in His Word” (Butler)
    • Cessation of evil must be accompanied by commencement of right (Ephesians 4:25-32)
  • 1:18-20 – Reason is a big part of righteousness
    • Paul reasoned (Acts 17:2,17; 18:4,19; 19:8-9; 24:25)
    • “The words of truth and reason” (Acts 26:25)
    • Living sacrifice = “reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1)
    • Choice: “willing and obedient” or “refuse and rebel” (Romans 11:22)

Discussion Questions

1. What is the force of the comparison of the people of Judah to the ox and donkey?

2. What sickness did the people have?

3. God commanded sacrifices through Moses; here, He says He takes no pleasure in them. Does He contradict Himself?

4. What positive commands were the people given?

5. Is it reasonable to serve God? Why or why not?