Daily Bible Blog

Two people stood out to me today in Luke 18.  The tax collector and the blind beggar.  Both had a completely clear and realistic picture and awareness of their need.  Both recognized that the answer to their need was JESUS.  Both cried out to Jesus for mercy.  Both were compared to the righteous who thought too much of themselves to cry out.  BOTH received everything they needed from Jesus.  Both were given to us as examples of how we ought to live our lives; crying out to God for mercy, strength, healing, provision and grace.  I want to cry out to God every day for He most definitely is the only answer to every one of my needs!

I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God.  For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.  Luke 18:14 (NLT)

And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight!  Your faith has healed you.” Luke 18:42 (NLT)

Prayer:

Father, I am so grateful for the reminders that ring so clearly from Your Word.  In your grace, let me be the one crying out, “Son of David, have mercy on me”!  I live this day in dependence on You.  I ask for a fresh anointing of Your Spirit, and for a continual awareness of my state of dependence.  I want You to be glorified as I live this day for You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

When the disciples asked Jesus what they could do to increase their faith, his response was essentially to stay in touch with the reality of who we are in relationship to God.  We are his servants, and we must remain humble and grateful for what He has done for us.  Immediately following that exchange Jesus heals 10 lepers … just heals them … pours out grace and power and the Supernatural and touches their lives.  The Bible tells us that only one came back to give glory to God.  It becomes a very clear picture of how too many of us live our lives.  We receive the grace of God, and immediately go on about our lives without giving Him glory.  As I read those passages I felt in my Spirit, “I want to be that one …”.  The one that returns glory to God for every grace he extends to me day in and day out.

In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’

Luke 17:10 (NLT)

Prayer:

Father, remind us today of the grace we have in Jesus!  Everything we have, everything we do comes from YOU.  May our lives bring continual glory to YOU, and may we express our gratefulness to anyone who will hear.  I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reading in Genesis today about Joseph and his journey from favorite son, to slave, to prisoner, to favored leader … I was impressed with the phrase that is repeated several times concerning Joseph, “The Lord was with Joseph …”.  After he has interpreted the dream and given counsel, Pharaoh asks, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?”

Joseph’s story is an amazing story to be sure.  But what intrigues me today is that God was WITH him throughout.  And as Joseph continued WITH God through every season, he grew in his awareness of, and fellowship with God so that in the moment of need, even the Pharaoh could recognize the Spirit of God within him!

I want my life to be known by that one truth.  I want others to see the excellence, the wisdom, the power, the glory that is found not in me, but in the SPIRIT OF GOD who so obviously has reign in my life.

So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the Spirit of God?

Genesis 41;38 (NLT)

Prayer:

Father, my prayer today is that Your Spirit have full reign in my life.  Fill me, anoint me, empower me so that YOU will be seen, and others will be drawn to YOUR glory through my life today.  And as I live my life and tend to want to take glory and credit, I pray for conviction and passion for YOUR NAME to rise up so that YOU remain the only one to receive glory through my life.  I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.

I am so grateful today for the grace of God in Jesus Christ that assures forgiveness for “lawless deeds”.  Romans lays out the reality that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”, but it doesn’t leave us there!  We hold fast to the hope that is found in the forgiveness that comes by Grace through Jesus Christ.  Today, if you have accepted the grace in Jesus Christ, take some moments to thank God for the BLESSING of FORGIVENESS.  Revel in the freedom that has come in Christ, and ask the Father to show you who else needs to receive it.  So thankful for God’s grace and forgiveness!!

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

Romans 4:7 (ESV)

Prayer:

Father in Heaven, thank you for the extreme grace found in the forgiveness that comes to us in Jesus, Your Son!  Thank you for the blood of Jesus that covers my sin and the sin of all who receive You.  Thank you for the blessing that we walk in as you refuse to count our sin against us.  Thank You for the BLESSING of FORGIVENESS!  We receive and revel in it again today!  For your sake, make our lives a testimony, and lead us to others who need to know the blessing of the forgiveness found in Jesus Christ!  I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen!

Today’s Bible Reading: Romans 1-4

Knowing that you and I are going to face troubles, and knowing that we will need help at some point, isn’t it the greatest comfort to know that God is always available, always willing to hear, and always ready to come alongside in every difficult scrape we find ourselves?  In the book of Job we read;

As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number

Job 5:8-9 (ESV)

Where will we place our hope today?  My prayer is that we will always turn and seek God in every circumstance.  He does indeed do great and unsearchable, marvelous things.  Whatever you’re experiencing in your life today, I encourage you to never give up on turning to God.  He is Faithful!

Prayer:

Father in heaven, we turn to You today.  Even when we have had difficulties seeing prayers answered.  Even when the world does all it can to convince us that you are not listening.  Even when we are weary and worn out from trials and temptations.  We turn to YOU!  Hear our prayer oh God, and enable us to hear YOUR voice today.  We need you more than ever, and we long to know what you are doing, what you are saying, and where you are going so that we can be right alongside your plans for our lives.  We turn to You in Jesus’ name, amen.

Today’s Bible Reading: (Job 5, Psalm 108, Acts 10-11)

When Herod got to see Jesus for the first time, he hoped at long last to “see a sign done by him”.  It is as if he had finally made it to the “magic show” his friends had been telling him about.  He wasn’t interested in the salvation Jesus offered, nor the message Jesus preached.  He wasn’t interested in getting to know the God of creation through the Jesus the Son.  And he certainly wasn’t interested in losing his own life and laying down all that he was so that Jesus could give him new life.  Is it possible that we are guilty of treating Jesus the same way, as a dispenser of what we want to see, or need to have?  In our needs and in our struggles, have we been tempted to focus more on the “signs he might do” to help us than on the life He has already offered by his death and resurrection?  Is it possible we’re still too focused on what “else” we might get from Jesus?  Not that it is wrong to ask God for help, but perhaps today we can just come to Jesus for who he is and bask in the love, grace, freedom, hope, and eternal life that He has given?

When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him.

Luke 23:8 (ESV)

Prayer:

Father in heaven, would you show us Your glory today.  Remind us of the amazing gift of life we have in Jesus and fill our hearts with gratefulness for all that you have already done.  Surround us with your love and renew our passion for being one with you through faith in Jesus.  Forgive us for seeking “signs” more than living in the grace You’ve given.  Remind us of how great a salvation we have received.  For the glory of Your Son Jesus, Amen.

Today’s Bible Reading (Nehemiah 3-4, Luke 23)

Today we will be faced with plenty of opportunities to choose something less than the “better portion”.  Even first thing in the morning, we’ll be tempted to set our hearts and minds on all that must be done today.  The question is, will we take the better portion from Jesus before heading into all of the rest?  When Mary chose to sit and listen to JESUS, to meditate on what HE was offering, to worship at HIS feet, she chose and she received what what could not be taken away from her.  Peace, Assurance, Blessings, Perspective, Hope, Rest, …. the list is endless.  Why not take a few moments today and experience the better portion at Jesus’ feet?

But the Lord answered her, ”Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,42 but one thing is necessary.t Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:41-42 (ESV)

Prayer:

Father, fill us up today with all of the goodness that comes from knowing You, and from hearing Your voice.  Draw us to the feet of Jesus where we can be filled with the good things that are in YOUR house.  Empower us to walk with sight that has been focused by You and by Your word.  I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s Bible Reading: (Haggai 1-2, Psalm 129, Luke 10)

Speaking of the “man who fears the Lord”, Psalm 112:7 tells us:

He is not afraid of bad news;
his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.

I don’t know about you, but I am sure I’m guilty of a little “over-reaction” from time to time.  The promises of God, and the faithfulness of God are meant to put us in a place of perpetual “non-fear”.  Why fear “bad news” when we have the God of all creation as our Father?  Why fear what could happen, when we know the one who makes “all things work together for the good of those who love Him”?  Why fear what people think about us when we have been promised that we are true sons in the Father’s house.  Nothing more to be gained, nothing more to be grasped … just the amazing truth that the Lord, our God is our Father and our protector and our provider.  When we are tempted to over-react in fear, our sure place of peace is to go back to the promises of God and to rest in them.  He surely has us covered!

Prayer:

Father, remind us today of your promises, of your faithful actions, and of your never-ending provision.  Draw us to Your truth and empower us by Your grace to walk in peace and comfort that comes from knowing You and fearing You as our God, our Father, our Friend!  I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s Bible Reading: (Ezra 4, Psalm 112-113, Luke 9)

In heaven, the worship of God is very simple in it’s foundation.  It’s not about what God can and will do for us … it’s not about how good we feel when we’re around God’s presence … it’s not about how much God has provided for us … In heaven the worship of God is all about God.  Why is God worthy to receive glory, honor and power??  Because he “created all things” and by His will “they existed and were created.”  That’s it … without God, there would be no world, there would be no heaven, there would be no hell, there would be no “things” to acquire … without God … NOTHING.  That’s why we worship God.  It truly is ALL ABOUT GOD!  Worship Him today.

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”

Revelation 4:9-11 (ESV)

Prayer

Father, you are worthy of all glory, honor and praise!  I acknowledge and worship You today because without YOU … NOTHING … Be the center of my life today and be the focus of my desires!  You are EVERYTHING and I worship You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s Bible Reading: Ezekiel 8-11, Revelation 4

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.

John 21:7 (ESV)

What a yearning, a desire, to BE WITH JESUS!  Peter was a man who desired many things.  Remember, he wanted to walk on water with Jesus.  He wanted to understand the parables, he wanted to protect Jesus from the harm that was coming … Peter had incredible desires when it came to Jesus.  As I read these words this morning it seemed that the Lord asked, “Would you throw yourself into the sea out of desire to be with me?”  May Jesus become our highest desire, and may we be the type of people who “throw ourselves in” to be With Him!

Prayer

Oh Father, thank you for the passion and desire of Peter.  Lord, plant that same desire within us so that being with Jesus and knowing You will become and remain our highest desire, and so that everything else takes second place … In Jesus’ name, Amen.