John the Baptist Begins His Ministry; The Holy Spirit Inside Us

Today's Reading:

• Luke 3:1 - 22
• Psalm 61:1 - 8

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Luke 3:1 - 22
These few verses in Luke tells us the story of John the Baptist, starting with when he was called by God to begin his ministry and mission to baptize the people.  The baptism is to signify one's new life as they turn away from sin and towards the salvation of God. 

Verses 7 - 9 were very interesting to me.  John called some of descendants of Abraham a "brood of snakes" (3:7).  He warns them not to just say to each other that they are safe because they are descendants of Abraham.  Instead, John says one must "prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God" (3:8).  He finishes by saying: "Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire" (3:9).

I am 100% aware that without Jesus Christ, not a single person, no matter how righteous, can gain salvation.  But I also feel that more is expected of us than just believing in Jesus Christ.  We need to produce good fruit and good works for the Lord, and live as though we have turned towards God, instead of continuing to live in sin. 

On the other hand, I think that the person who has accepted Jesus Christ as their savior goes through a transformation, and in that transformation our lives naturally evolve to be more righteous, to produce good works, to walk in love, and to turn from sin.  When Jesus Christ enters our heart, it changes us from the inside out. 

If you know Jesus is in your heart, yet you keep Him locked away into a small space inside of you, let Him out!  Allow Him to take over ALL of you.  Allow Him to shine through you.  Show your love for Lord both by your faith and by your actions.  If you allow Jesus to shine through you, the good fruit is produced effortlessly. 

Psalm 61:1 - 8

4  Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!

 This is another psalm of David.  Verse four sticks out to me because of the stark differences between our lives now, and the lives of those in the Old Testament.  David had to flee his home and no longer had access to the Tabernacle.  Without the Tabernacle, David was unable to have to close relationship with God that he once had.  These psalms are filled with the longing of David to be near the Lord again.

Today we take for granted the close relationship we have with the Lord because the Holy Spirit is within us whenever we decide first let it in.  But that was not the case then -- then you had to go inside the Tabernacle to converse with the Lord, but only a choice few were allowed. 

All of that changed with the death of Jesus Christ.  That closeness with the Lord is attainable to all of us.  And if you've lost it, if you can't seem to figure out where it's gone or why you don't feel close to the Lord anymore, then just sit down and start studying your bible again.  Then you will feel the Holy Spirit rise up inside you again. 

Jesus Christ was an incredible gift to the world.  Not only do we have this amazing thing called salvation, we also have the ability to feel the Holy Spirit living within us.  To study the bible and to feel it stir within us.  To transform us, to make us into new people with more fulfilling lives.  To rule us and to shine through us.  Thank you, Lord for the allowing us this awesome gift so that we can forever be near you.

The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus are Foretold by Gabriel

Today's Reading:

• Luke 1:1 - 25
  
• Luke 1:25 - 56

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Luke 1:1 - 56
I started reading Luke with the expectation that the reading would begin with an account of Jesus (his birth, his baptism, etc) but instead, Luke opens up with the story of how John the Baptist was conceived. 

The parents of John the Baptist were Zechariah, a priest, and Elizabeth -- a relative of Mary, mother of Jesus.  Both Zechariah and Elizabeth were getting old, and the couple had been unable to have children, yet continued to serve the Lord. 

Zechariah was serving the Lord in the temple when Gabriel, the Lord's angel, appeared to him.  Gabriel told Zechariah that his wife would soon give him a son.  This son would be named John, and would be filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth.  John would be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah.  John would turn people towards the Lord and prepare people for the coming of the Lord. 

After Gabriel told Zechariah all of this, Zechariah's response was one of doubt.  He asked Gabriel how he could be sure of this -- after all, him and his wife were old.  Gabriel rebuked Zechariah for his lack of faith, and as punishment, Zechariah would be mute until John was born.

My reading for today technically stopped here, but I didn't want to stop, so I kept on.  Next, we told how Mary received Gabriel and was told of the pregnancy.  She was to name the baby Jesus, and the Lord would give Jesus the throne of his ancestor David and would be called the Son of the Most High. 

When Mary asked how this was to happen, she was told that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and therefore the baby would be holy and called the Son of God.  Gabriel then tells Mary that her relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son.  That surprised me, because until then I was unaware that Mary and the mother of John the Baptist were related.  I tried to find out what their exact relationship was, but my version only says relative.  My study bible notes that the KJV says "cousin", but that the Greek term actually written was more general, so the word "relative" was chosen instead for this translation.  Regardless, they were related.

Mary then visited Elizabeth,  We are told that as soon as Mary arrived to greet Elizabeth, the baby inside Elizabeth jumped and filled her with the Holy Spirit, causing her to prophecy.  She told Mary that she had been blessed above all other women, and the child inside her would be blessed.  The reading then ends with Mary praising the Lord, in Psalm-like fashion.

I learned a lot today in 56 short verses -- less than a chapter in the Gospel of Luke.  It still amazes me that the bible can continually teach me so many things in such a short time frame.  When I started Luke, my thoughts were that I'd pretty much have a rehash of what I've read so far in Matthew and Mark.  Right off the bat I saw that I was wrong.  And I'm thankful for that.  It's exciting to learn all the little things that I otherwise wouldn't know, like Mary and Elizabeth being related, or Zechariah being struck mute for not believing the angel.  I can't wait to learn more!

Come be a Fisher of Men

Today’s Reading:
• Mark 1:1 - 28
• Psalm 35:1 - 16

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Mark 1:1 - 28
The opening of Mark jumps right into the life of Jesus.  It begins with the brief introduction of John the Baptist, followed by the baptism of Jesus Christ and gives a brief mention to the temptation of Christ in the wilderness for 40 days.

We then meet Simon, Andrew, James and John as they drop all to become fisher of men, instead of fishermen.  Immediately after that we jump into a story where Jesus was teaching at a synagogue in Capernaum.  There we are told he was confronted by an evil spirit inside a man.  Jesus drew the evil spirit and everyone was amazed by this man called Jesus, who taught with authority.  This apparently was something new for the people, they weren't used to teachers who could speak out evil spirits and taught the word of God with such authority.

I immediately like how Mark is setup.  In Matthew, we are given the very important details -- the holy conception of Jesus and his early teachings and life.  We are then introduced to the idea that he is actually the son of God.  But in Mark, I immediately see the hints that this man, Jesus of Nazareth, is indeed the Messiah.  I can't wait to keep studying this book!

Psalm 35:1 - 16
Here David tells of how people he has grieved and prayed for -- his family, his friends, as well as everyone else -- have viciously turned against him.  He talks of how people are testifying falsely against him, spreading lies and deceit.  He is at the end of his rope, and is calling to the Lord to vindicate him.

 It's so depressing to think that people can be so malicious as to spread lies against people.  I know there are people who love to gossip.  And of course it's hard not to want to hear (and spread) the latest news against people.  That is bad enough and truly hurts people.  But who are these people who make up these lies, who agree to testify against someone out of spite?  It's a sad state that some people live in. 

It's discouraging knowing that the world has more than its fair share of these types of people.  But at least the Lord has our backs.  As long as we are righteous and not the ones doing the evil, the Lord is there for us.  We are told time and time again how the Lord is there for us.  So thank you Lord for being there for me!

Joseph's Brothers Return to Egypt with Benjamin

Today's Reading:
• Genesis 42:18 - 43:34
• Proverbs 4:7 - 10

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Genesis 42:18 - 43:34

Joseph imprisoned Simeon and sent the rest of his brothers back to their home with instructions to bring back their youngest brother when they return.  Only then would Simeon be allowed to go free.  Joseph had the brothers' sacks filled with grain, and returned the payment for the grain on top of the bag. The brothers then went on their way.

The brothers returned home and told Jacob what had happened.  Jacob was devastated -- he had already lost Joseph, the son he loved so well, and now he had lost Simeon to prison.  And if the brothers had their way, Jacob would also lose Benjamin.  The thought was surely unbearable for Jacob and he stalled sending them off as long as possible.  The brothers remained until they were almost out of grain then once again begged Jacob to send Benjamin with them.  Jacob reluctantly agreed and the brothers returned to Egypt.  When they returned Joseph called for them to dine at his home.  There is where the story ends for today.

Proverbs 4:7 - 10

Wisdom and good judgement are two of the most important traits you can seek for yourself.  I have seen "Wisdom" referred to over and over again in Proverbs.  Referred to as a "she", she should be embraced and shared with others.  What makes a person wise, aside from life experience? 

Conclusion
I enjoy reading many different parts of the Bible each day.  It certainly helps me to not get bored or discouraged.  I don't have to "get through" all of the Old Testament to get to the accounts of Jesus.  But sometimes I wish that the stories weren't broken up so because I really want to read what happens next.  Yes, I know what happens next, and yes, I've read this far before in the Old Testament -- but I still want to see what happens next all over again.  Oh well, gives me something to look forward to!

The Least Righteous Person in Heaven

Today's Reading:
• Matthew 11:7-30
• Psalm 14:1-7

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Matthew 11:7-30
Here Jesus introduces us to John the Baptist and tells us that John is the one foretold of in the prophecy as Elijah.  My bible references the scriptures Jesus referred to as Malachi 3:1 and 4:5.  We are told that John the Baptist is the messenger and right after he arrives so will the Savior.  Jesus also says that out of those who lived and all who have died, none are better than John the Baptist.  But then Jesus says that John is not even as great as the least person who is in the Kingdom of Heaven.  So I guess that means that even the best man to ever have lived just cannot compare with even the least righteous person in Heaven.  I guess it just goes to show that no matter how good of a person you are, you are still nothing without the blood of Jesus.

Jesus then warns of the judgement coming to those who don't believe.  He says the judgement is even worse than judgment that awaits the people of Sodom, because these people have seen the miracles, still turned away after seeing them.  How does someone turn away once they've seen such great miracles?!

Psalm 14:1-7
David tells us that those who say there is no God are corrupt and but those who trust and obey the Lord are with God.  To those who refuse God, terror will come.  Once again, the message is reinforced that it doesn't matter how good a person is; that person is not and will not be with God without going through Jesus Christ.

Conclusion
I really am pleased that I chose this plan to follow for reading the bible in a year.  Many other plans simply cut the bible into straight slices so that you still read through it end to end.  Until now, I've never tried anything other than reading the bible straight through.  With this plan I get to sample parts from all over the bible and watch as different stories unfold.  It truly is a much better plan for newbies like myself!  The link to the plan I'm following was in the introductory post, but here is the link again in case you missed it.

Love Jesus Before All Others

Today's Reading:
• Matthew 10:24-11:6
• Psalm 13:1-6

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Matthew 10:24-11:6
The story continues of the words Jesus spoke to the apostles before sending them out.  Jesus warns that we must love him beyond anyone in our lives -- our mothers and fathers, our very own children.  That's really hard to do isn't it?  I love Jesus, I love him greatly.  If I had to choose between him and my children, I would choose him, but I hope that day never comes. 

Jesus continues to say he came to set us all against each other, and in the end it's him we are to follow.  If we follow him above all others we will be rewarded.  Our lives are just our bodies, but our souls belong to the Lord.  Jesus also says that he did not come to bring peace on earth, but rather a sword (10:34).  That to me is profound.  I always thought of Jesus coming to reign in peace on earth.  Of course I expect the tribulation and judgements, horrors and terrors and deaths galore.  But then the peace, right?  I'm interested to get to the parts where I read about what his reign on earth will be like.

The reading finishes with a look in at John the Baptist.  John sends out a messenger to find out if Jesus is the promised Messiah.  The messenger returns with news of all the miracles being performed.  And here the reading stops until next time.

Psalm 13:1-6
David seems at this point to feel very defeated and afraid that God is not with him to help him defeat his enemies.  He seems to want an answer as to when the Lord is going to pull him out and raise him above his enemies.  Though it seems he is despairing, David ends this psalm on a note of faith, saying that he trusts in the Lord to save him and he will rejoice when the Lord rescues him. 

Notice there is no IF there, simply faith that there can be no other option but for God to rescue him.  I never have any questions that God will come through with His will for me, but therein lies the problem.  I know that God's will does not always align with my own, so in my own prayers I pray that our wills align, and if they don't, then please be with me to handle it and see the inevitable good in the situation in the end.  And in the end I know the outcome will be good, even if we can't see the good in it at that moment in time.