Mark 15:15
“And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.” In politics there is always an ulterior motive. We have learned from experience that there are very few people you can trust to do what they say they will do. Pilate marvelled over the silence of Jesus as He was accused of many things by the chief priests. Pilate himself even asked Him why He was silent. He knew there was something different about Jesus. Luke 23:14 “Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:” So, Pilate devised a plan to save his career by giving the people a choice of who he should release at the feast. He found Barabbas, who was guilty of insurrection and murder. Surely the people would choose to free Jesus instead of such a wicked man. Yet, his plan backfired. The chief priests moved the people to choose to release Barabbas. Mark 15:12-13 “And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify him.” Pilate was dumbfounded. Mark 15:14 “Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.” He had to choose. The ball was in his court. It was up to him to decide the fate of Jesus. Pilate was willing to content the people, so he compromised what he knew in his heart was right. He chose popularity and politics over the Truth. How many times in our lives have we been presented with the same decision? Choosing to stand for the Truth is never popular or easy. Choosing right over wrong seems to be a rarity today. Are we willing to content the people around us rather than stand on the Lord’s side? Oftentimes, we are no better than Pilate. Day after day we are left with the same choice… Him or people. Choose Jesus. Bible Reading: Job 3-4 | 1 Peter 2
0 Comments
Mark 14:72
“And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.” Peter had heard Christ Himself tell him what would happen that evening. Even though he vehemently denied that it would. Mark 14:30 “And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.” The cock crew immediately after Peter had denied Him the third time. Just as Jesus had said. As soon as Peter heard the cock crow the second time, he remembered. Matthew 26:75 “And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.” The Word of the Lord was called to his mind. How many times in our lives do we find ourselves in the middle of something we should not be doing and suddenly a verse of Scripture comes to mind? That is the reason we are to hide His Word within our hearts. Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Hide His Word within your heart, then ask the Lord to call His Word to your mind. For every situation that you face… For every trial you endure… For every temptation you experience… For every thought… For every word… For every action… For every inaction…there is a verse. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Allow His Word to pierce through you today, so that you can recall the Scriptures to your mind just when you need to be reminded of the Truth. Bible Reading: Job 1-2 | 1 Peter 1 Mark 11:13
“And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.” The figs come before the leaves, yet this fig tree stood afar off from Jesus with many leaves…seemly promising fruit, yet leaving Jesus empty handed. The fig tree gave the appearance that it bore fruit, yet it was fruitless. Jesus then declared the tree unfruitful forever. There are many today whose lives bear leaves which portrays themselves as fruit-bearing, yet they are fruitless. Their leaves indicate there is fruit hanging from the branches, yet they are empty. Imagine yourself as that fig tree which Jesus saw afar off. Would He find nothing but leaves? Will you be left empty handed at the Judgment Seat of Christ? What a solemn and convicting reminder of our need to be fruitful for His glory! God’s first blessing upon Adam and Eve was for them to be fruitful. Genesis 1:28 “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply…” It is His desire that we be fruitful, not fruitless. John 15:4 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” There is fruit to bear, if only we will abide in Him. He has left us here for the purpose of bringing forth fruit for His glory. John 15:16 “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” Ask Him to enable you to be fruitful for His glory. Bible Reading: Esther 9-10 | James 5 Mark 10:52
“And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” Bartimaeus was a blind beggar. He was desperate both for help and for a drastic change in his life. He could not see, but he could hear. When he heard that Jesus was nearby, he cried out for Jesus to have mercy on him. Jesus stood still when He heard him cry. Mark 10:51 “And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.” He is asking today. What would be your answer to that same question…“What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?” What do you desire for Him to do in your life? He is Able, yet so often we neglect to have the faith that He can and will. Doubt is the thief of faith. If Bartimaeus would have doubted the Lord could heal him, he would have never received his sight. “And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way…And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” Bartimaeus’ way became following the Way. The drastic change he had longed for was more than just an immediate physical healing, his direction was changed when he decided to followed Jesus. Tell the Lord the answer to the question today, then choose to immediately follow His direction. Bible Reading: Esther 7-8 | James 4 Hebrews 7:19
“For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.” The law could not and cannot bring salvation or justify our guilt. It is simply a schoolmaster to show us that we come short of God’s glory. Galatians 3:24-25 “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” It took the precious blood of Jesus Christ to make justification possible. When we have faith in Him, we are no longer under the law. He is that “better hope”, and the only way we can draw nigh unto God. Hebrews 7:22 “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.” He is the Anchor of our salvation. Hebrews 6:19 “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;” When we are unsure and drifting without hope, He is stedfast. He never changes. Hebrews 7:24-25 “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” He is Able, willing and ready to save anyone who comes to Him. Do you need a “better hope” today? Look to Him. Bible Reading: Esther 5-6 | James 3 Hebrews 10:24
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” What is your mind attentively fixed upon today? Many people only consider themselves. They are only concerned with what is best for them. As God’s children, we can set an example for the world in how we consider one another. Philippians 2:3 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Romans 12:10 “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;” Open the door for someone. Let the other car go first. In this crazy world we live in, the “little” things that no longer seem so little. Allow the world to see something, or rather Someone, different in you. Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Above all, consider Him. Bible Reading: Esther 3-4 | James 2 Hebrews 10:23
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” Surface deep the words “hold fast” imply to believe strongly in something; and while we should definitely feel that way in regards to our profession of faith, perhaps there is more meaning here. To “hold fast the profession of our faith” here suggests remaining tightly secure despite any raging waters around us. Deep within the ocean, root-like aquatic structures that anchor themselves to substrates are called holdfasts. They vary in shapes and forms, but regardless of their size they all have one thing in common…they are secure because of their anchor. Hebrews 4:14 “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” There is no reason to waver when our faith is anchored in Him. Job realized the Source of his righteousness. Job 27:6 “My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.” His faith never wavered, simply because he never depended upon himself. “…without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” He is Faithful. He has promised, and He always keeps His promises. Titus 1:2 “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” Embrace the Source of your faith today by holding fast to Him. Bible Reading: Esther 1-2 | James 1 Hebrews 10:22
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” We can only “come boldly” when we are covered by the Blood of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 10:19-21 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God;” It is only through Him that we have to privilege to draw near to God. But how do can draw near to Him? A true heart is necessary. “Let us draw near with a true heart…” God is not interested in hypocrisy. James 4:8 “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” A true confidence is essential. “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…” God desires us to come to Him through faith that rests solely in His works and not our own. Psalm 73:28 “But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.” A true relationship is required. “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” Through faith in His blood, our hearts are sprinkled and our bodies are washed. 1 John 1:6-7 “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Draw near unto Him today. Bible Reading: Nehemiah 11-13 | Hebrews 13 Hebrews 4:16
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” There are three types of answers that God gives to our prayers. Sometimes He says “yes”; sometimes He says, “no”, and sometimes His answer is “wait”. The Word of God tells us that He will answer. Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Imagine what we could be given…imagine what we could find…imagine what could be opened unto us…if only we would ask, seek, and knock. Great and mighty things await those who call upon Him. Jeremiah 33:3 “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” God always answers every prayer that we pray. When we see God’s hand in a situation that we have brought to His throne of grace, it should encourage us to pray more often. In Hebrews, we read that not only should we come to God in prayer, but also how we can approach the throne of grace…”boldly”. Boldly is to come with confidence…not in ourselves, but in Who He is. He offers us both mercy and grace, and is waiting to be our Helper just when we need it…which if we are honest, our need for His help is continual. No wonder every time “without ceasing” is mentioned throughout the Scriptures it is directly related to prayer. Let us come boldly today. Bible Reading: Nehemiah 9-10 | Hebrews 12 1 Corinthians 1:9
“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” Many times throughout the Scriptures we find phrases that reiterate the undeniable fact that God is Faithful. Search the Scriptures to find where a few of these phrases are found: “God is faithful” “the faithful God” “thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth” “great is thy faithfulness” “Faithful is he that calleth you” “But the Lord is faithful” “for he is faithful that promised” “she judged him faithful who had promised” “was called Faithful and True” It is a fact that He is Faithful. Applying that fact to our lives makes it personal…He is Faithful to me. It is the application of the facts through belief that makes the difference. Whether or not we believe the truth does not make it any less true. What truth are you having trouble believing today? 1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” Consider what the Word of God says about your circumstance. Psalm 100:5 “For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Ponder over how the Truth applies to your life, then choose to believe that He is Faithful. Bible Reading: Nehemiah 7-8 | Hebrews 11 |
Archives
January 2021
Philippians 4:17Copyright © 2020
Delight Thyself Design Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved. |