90 Day Challenge- Day 81, April 1st

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.

Today's Reading: I Corinthians 1- I Corinthians 16

Paul wrote to the church at Corinth to address divisions and immorality that had arisen. He also clarifies practices of worship and set forth correct doctrine. The letter concludes with the significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

1    Divisions at Corinth, Christ is the wisdom and power of God, Boasting only in the Lord

2    Paul preached Christ and Him crucified, God's wisdom revealed

3    Problems of Immaturity, God's servants

4    A manager should be found faithful, Humility by example

5    Immorality in the Church, Church discipline

6    No lawsuits among believers, Glorify God in body and spirit

7    Christian marriage, Singles and widows

8    Refusing food offered to idols, Do not be a stumbling block

9    Woe to me if I preach not the Gospel

10    Israel's past, Dangers of idolatry, Christian liberty

11    The Lord's Supper

12    Spiritual gifts, Unity in diversity

13    The Greatest is Love

14    Prophecy, Order in Church meetings

15    Resurrection power

16    Concluding Exhortation

Prayer Focus (I Corinthians 15)

Almighty God, thank you for sending Christ to die for my sins. I praise You that though He was buried, He was raised in power on the third day. Your Word bears witness to the power of the resurrection. The resurrection of my Savior guarantees my own resurrection. I look forward to the day when I will be clothed with incorruptibility, and clothed with immortality. Thanks be to You, God. You give us the victory through the Lord Jesus Christ. All of the glory is Yours.

90 Day Challenge- Day 80, March 31st

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.

Today's Reading: Romans 4- Romans 16

  

4    Abraham Justified By Faith, The Promised Granted through Faith

5    Faith Triumphs, Reconciliation With God, Death through Adam and Life Through Christ

6    New Life in Christ, Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God

7    A Marriage Illustration, Sin's Use of the Law, Sin in Us

8    The Life Giving Spirit, The Ministry of the Holy Spirit, From Groaning to Glory, Nothing Can Separate Us From God's Love

9    Israel's Rejection of Christ, God's Choice of Israel, Israel's Present Condition

10    Righteousness By Faith Alone, Israel's Rejection of the Message

11    Israel's Rejection Not Final, A Hymn of Praise

12    A Living Sacrifice, Spiritual Gifts in the Body of Christ

13    A Christian's Duties to the Government, Love Our Primary Responsibility, Put on Jesus

14    Christian Liberty, The Law of Love

15    Serving Others, Glorifying God Together, Paul's Travel Plans

16    Paul Commended Phoebe, Greeting to the Christians, Warning Against Division, Glory to God

Prayer Focus (Romans 11 A Hymn of Praise, 16 Closing Benediction)

Almighty God, Oh the depth of the riches both of Your wisdom and knowledge. Your judgments are unsearchable and untraceable. Who has known Your mind, Lord? Who has been Your counselor? Who has ever given first to You? From You, and through You, and to You are all things. To You be the glory forever. To You who has power to strengthen us according to the Gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the sacred secret kept silent for long ages. You have now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures, according to Your eternal command, to advance the obedience of faith among all nations. You are the only wise God, through Jesus Christ- to Him be glory forever! Amen.

90 Day Challenge- Day 79, March 30th

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.

Today's Reading:  Acts 21- Romans 3

Acts 

21    Warnings on the Journey to Jerusalem, Conflict Over the Gentile Mission, The Temple Complex Riot, Paul's Defense

22    Paul's Testimony, Paul's Protection, Paul Before the Sanhedrin

23    The Plot Against Paul, To Caesarea By Night

24    The Accusation Against Paul, Paul's Defense Before Felix, The Postponement of the Verdict

25    Paul's Appeal to Caesar, King Agrippa and Bernice, Paul Before Agrippa

26    Paul's Defense Before Agrippa, Paul's Testimony and Commission

27    Paul Sailing For Rome, The Storm Tossed Vessel, Shipwreck

28    Ministry in Malta, Arrival in Rome, Paul's Message and Ministry in Chains in Rome

Romans is a Pauline Epistle that provides an overall framework for what Paul believed and taught. The heart of it is that justification comes by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. It is a work of God from the beginning to the end, and He gets the glory for it. Chapters 1-8 include the fundamentals and foundations of the Gospel. Chapters 9-11 outline salvation to both the Gentiles and Jews and clearly state that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Chapters 12-16 relate to how we are to live the Gospel.

1   God's Good News, The Righteous Live By Faith, The Guilt of the Gentile World, Idolatry and Depravity

2   The Righteous Judgment of God, Violation of the Law, Genuine Circumcision

3    The Whole World is Guilty Before a Holy God, God's Righteousness Comes Through Faith, All Boasting is Excluded

Prayer Focus (The righteousness of God is received by faith.)

Almighty God, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Author of salvation, we praise You. As we go through the Passion Week approaching Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, remind us in a powerful way of the blood of Jesus. God, our hearts are prone to pride and achievement, and self righteousness. Remove any vestige of this from our hearts. Let us look to the cross and see Jesus, crucified, suffering, for our sins. Remind us that it is only by His precious blood and righteousness that we can be saved. Thank you for moving by the power of Your Holy Spirit to show us our lost condition and desperate need for Christ. Be glorified in our lives as we make much of Jesus.

90 Day Challenge- Day 78, March 29th

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain. 

Today's Reading:  Acts 11- Acts 20

11    Gentile Salvation, The Church in Antioch, Famine Relief

12    James Matryred and Peter Imprisoned, Peter Rescued, Herod Stole the Glory from God and Died

13    Preparing for the Mission Field, the Mission to Cyprus, Paul's Sermon at Antioch of Pisidia, Paul and Barnabas in Antioch

14    Growth and Persecution in Inconium, Mistaken for Gods in Lystra, Church Expansion

15    Dispute in Antioch, The Jerusalem Council, The Letter to the Gentiles, Paul and Barnabas Part Company

16    Paul Selected Timothy, the Gospel Spreads in Europe, Lydia Converted, Paul and Silas Imprisoned, A Midnight Deliverance

17    Ministry in Thessalonica, the Beroeans, Paul in Athens, Paul at Mars Hill

18    Founding of the Church at Corinth, The Return to Antioch, Apollos

19    Disciples of John the Baptist, At Tyrannus, Defeated at Ephesus, The Riot at Ephesus

20    Paul in Macedonia, at Troas, to Miletus, Farewell to the Ephesian Elders

Prayer Focus (The Gospel to the Gentiles)

Almighty God, I praise You that You saw fit to bless the nations and send the message of the Gospel. Were it not for Your Sovereign grace, we would not know about the blessed news of Jesus. We received it gladly. As we receive it Lord, we also realize the great responsibility we have to continue to take it to our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and all the way to the ends of the earth. Empower us Lord to do this. Fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we will be faithful witnesses for You and glorify and lift up the name of Jesus in all that we do.

Blessed is the King

Scripture Focus: Luke 19:28-44

Listen to Sermon Here

According to historians, it is estimated that as many as 7000 civilizations have existed. All of the civilizations that have ever existed have something in common. They have all had rulers over them. Rulers of civilizations establish themselves as the authority, and all of their time is spent in building up their domain, building up their authority and power and position. Yet all eventually lose their hold on power either through defeat or death. All kingdoms of the earth are physical, and they are temporary in nature.

This passage focuses on a different kind of king, whose kingdom is everlasting. Jesus went ahead of His disciples as He made the ascent to Jerusalem. He came to Bethpage and Bethany, at the place called the Mt. of Olives. Approaching Jerusalem from the east, Jesus would have come to Bethpage about two miles out. Messianic expectations were high.

The crowd would cry out words of praise when He came into the city.

Who is the King who made His way to the Holy City of Jerusalem?

How you answer this question, makes an eternal difference.

• The King is the Promised Messiah

 Jesus sent two of the disciples and told them to go into the village ahead. As they entered they would find a young donkey tied there, on which no one had ever sat. This simple act was in fulfillment of prophecy.

Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your King is coming to you, He is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 

Zechariah wrote this after the Babylonian Exile, some 500 years before the time of Jesus. The King, the Promised Messiah, came in fulfillment of prophecy. This speaks to. . .

The Sovereignty of God

The Humility of the Messiah

The Peace only Christ could bring

The Obedience of Christ to do the will of the Father

•  The King is the Glorified Lord

As He came near the path down the Mt of Olives, the whole crowd began to praise god joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen.

As the Messianic Hope reached a fevered pitch, the whole crowd began to cry out.

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven!

The praise would soon turn to a cry of crucify Him! Crucify Him!

The people thought He was about to throw off the shackles of Rome and establish the Jewish people once again. It was not to be triumph that would bring in the kingdom, but the tragedy of the cross. God's ways are not man's ways.

Had it been up to us, we would have brought about the kingdom in any number of ways, but would never have conceived of a cross. The people envisioned a Messiah of their own making.

They recognized Jesus as a deliverer, but He was not in the way they thought.

Jesus received the praise, because He is worthy! The enemy is always lurking, and the Pharisees told Jesus to rebuke the disciples. They wanted to take control of the situation.

Jesus answered them- v40 I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out!

All creation is subject to the king- Philippians 2:8-11

We can either receive Him as Savior and Lord of our lives now, and give Him the honor due Him, or we can stand before Him in judgment. Either way, He will be praised. If we  fail to praise Him, even the rocks will cry out!

• The King is the Sorrowful Savior

As Jesus began the descent down the Palm Sunday Road, into the Kidron Valley to approach the Eastern Gates of the City of Jerusalem, He had one week to live. He could see the panoramic view of the city. It would have been a grand scene.

But there was no joy for Jesus. According to v41 He wept as He approached the city. I think this is a holy moment as we catch a glimpse into the heart of God.

I believe these were loud tears of deep lamentation. The Lord knew what was coming for the unrepentant city. At one time Jerusalem had been the joy of the whole earth. Jesus could see the city as it was before Him, but he also knew what was coming not many years after this.

In 70 AD the entire city was burned and leveled at the hands of the Roman. According to the Jewish Historian, Josephus Flavius, the destruction of the city was complete, the Temple was burned, it was a complete disaster.

The Jews who had been anticipating the Messiah, missed Him, and rejected Him and crucified Him.

Though literally fulfilled, the words of Jesus have profound spiritual and implications. The tears of Jesus measure the value of your soul to God!

2 Peter 3:9 God is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but all should come to repentance.

Mercy moved the Master! He felt the sorrow of the situation. I believe it grieves the heart of God every time one of His created, steps out into a Christless eternity.

When Jesus descended on the Mt of Olives on that Palm Sunday it was as the suffering servant on a borrowed donkey. When He descends again on the Mt of Olives it will be as the conquering king on a white horse. He will be called Faithful and True!

Place your faith in Jesus the Blessed King!

Lay down your self righteousness, lay down your self sufficiency, admit your defeat, accept your pardon and place your faith in Jesus.

90 Day Challenge- Day 77, March 28th

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.

Today's Reading:  Acts 1- Acts 10

Luke wrote Acts. He was a Gentile and a physician. He wrote it to tell about the beginning of the church age, and to demonstrate how believers empowered by the Holy Spirit spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is about the power of God, and serves as a model for the New Testament Church to follow. Luke records the birth of the church, the establishment of the church, and the spread of the church from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. It is transitional in nature, and marks the shift from Jewish to Gentile and the Gospel going to all nations of the earth.

1    The Promise of the Holy Spirit, the Ascension of Jesus Back to Heaven, a Powerful Prayer Meeting, Matthias Chosen

2    Pentecost, Peter's Sermon, Forgiveness Through the Messiah, A Generous and Growing Church

3    Healing of a Lame Man, Preaching in Solomon's Colonnade

4    Peter and John Arrested, Peter and John Before the Authorities, Prayer for Boldness, Believer's Sharing

5    Lying to God, Apostolic Signs and Wonders, On Trial Again

6    The First Deacons, Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

7    Stephen's Sermon, Stephen Martyred for his Faith

8    Saul Persecuted the Church, Phillip in Samaria, The Response of Simon, The Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch

9    The Damascus Road Conversion, Saul's Baptism, Saul Proclaiming Jesus, Saul in Jerusalem, Healing of Aeneas, Dorcas Restored to Life

10    Cornelius' Vision, Peter's Vision, Peter's Visit to Cornelius, Good News

Prayer Focus:

Where did the power of the early church come from? God obviously, but it came to them as they committed themselves to meet with God. The church was born out of a prayer meeting in the upper room. From early on, they were a praying people. Look again at the prayer recorded in Acts 4.

You are the One who made the heaven, the earth, and the sea, and everything in them. You said through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David Your servant, Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot futile things? The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers assembled together against the Lord and against His Messiah. For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, assembled together against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, to do whatever Your hand and Your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that Your slaves may speak Your message with complete boldness, while You stretch out Your hand for healing, signs, and wonders to be performed through the name of Your Holy Servant Jesus.

When they had prayed, the place where they assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak God's message with boldness.

90 Day Challenge- Day 76, March 27th

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain. 

Today's Reading: John 11- John 21

11    Lazarus Died at Bethany, Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, Jesus Sorrowed Over Lazarus, The Seventh Sign: Raising Lazarus From the Dead, The Plot to Kill Jesus

12    Jesus Anointed at Bethany, The Triumphal Entry, Jesus Predicts His Death by Crucifixion, The Prophecy of Isaiah Fulfilled, Jesus' Mission

13    Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet, Judas' Betrayal Predicted, The New Commandment of Love, Peter's Denial Predicted

14    Only One Way to the Father, Jesus Reveals the Father, Praying in Jesus' Name, The Holy Spirit Promised, The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Jesus' Gift of Peace

15    Jesus is the Vine and We are the Branches, Loving Like Jesus, Persecutions Predicted

16    The Ministry of the Holy Spirit, Sorrow Turned to Joy, Jesus the Victor

17    The High Priestly Prayer of Jesus

18    Jesus Was Betrayed, Jesus Arrested, Peter Denied Jesus, Jesus Before Annas, Peter Denied Jesus Twice More, Jesus Before Pilate, Jesus or Barabbas

19    Jesus Flogged and Mocked, Pilate Sentenced Jesus to Death, Jesus' Concern For His Mother, The Finished Work, Jesus Death and Burial

20    The Empty Tomb, Post Resurrection Appearance, Commissioning of the Disciples, Thomas Believed, The Purpose of the Gospel

21    Jesus' Third Appearance to the Disciples, Conclusion

Prayer Focus (John 17, v20ff)

Father, we pray as Jesus prayed, that your children would be one. Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are One. We pray that because of Your work in our lives that the world may believe in Jesus. You have given us glory and Jesus is with us. We want to be in Heaven with You some day Almighty God. You have made Your name known to us so that Your love would be in us. Thank You God for grace!

90 Day Challenge- Day 75, March 26th

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.

Today's Reading:  John 1- John 10

The Gospel of John was written so that people would believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the only one who gives eternal life. The word "believe" is used ninety-eight times and the word "life" is used 36 times. Jesus is the Word, the One who tabernacled among men, and willingly gave His life as the sacrifice for sins.

1    Jesus is the Eternal Word, The Testimony of John the Baptist, Jesus is the Lamb of God, Phillip and Nathanael

2    The First Sign:Turning Water Into Wine, Cleansing the Temple

3    You Must Be Born Again, Jesus Came From Heaven

4    The Samaritan Woman, The Harvest is Ready, Jesus is the Savior of the World, The Second Sign: Healing an Official's Son

5    The Third Sign: Healing the Sick, Honoring the Father and the Son, Life and Judgment, Four Witnesses to Jesus

6    The Fourth Sign: Feeding of the 5000, The Fifth Sign: Walking on Water, Many Disciples Desert Jesus

7    The Unbelief of Jesus' Brothers, Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles, The Messiah, The Promise of the Spirit, Debate Over Jesus

8    The Adulteress Woman Forgiven, Jesus' Self Witness, Jesus Predicts His Death, The Truth Will Set You Free, Jesus is the I Am

9    The Sixth Sign: Healing a Man Born Blind, The Healed Man Testified, The Blind Man's Sight and the Pharisees' Blindness

10    Jesus is the Good Shepherd, Jesus at the Festival of Dedication, The Jews Tried to Seize Jesus, Many Believe

Prayer Focus: 

There is a brief verse in the third chapter of John that has always intrigued and convicted me. John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus said, "He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease." John "got it." He understood that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah, the promised One from God, and he understood that for his life to be what God intended, Jesus had to increase, and he had to decrease. Let's make this our prayer for today.

Jesus, you are the eternally existing and living Word of God. You were in the beginning with God. All things were created through You and apart from You nothing was created. Life is in You and that life is the light of men. The world did not recognize You when you came. Your own people did not receive You. But to all who will receive You, You have given them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in Your name. We are born not of blood, or of our own will, but of God. You left the glory of Heaven and took up residence among us. Grace after grace has come from Your fullness. Grace and truth came through You. You have revealed God to us. My prayer today is that the Holy Spirit would conform me to Your image and that there would be less of me and more of You. Be glorified in my life today.

90 Day Challenge- Day 74, March 25th

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain. 

Today's Reading:  Luke 15- Luke 24

15    Parable of the Lost Sheep, Parable of the Lost Coin, Parable of the Lost Son

16    Parable of the Dishonest Manager, Kingdom Values, Rich Man and Lazarus

17    Warnings from Jesus, Faith and Obedience, 10 Lepers a Lesson of Gratitude, Coming of the Kingdom

18    Parable of the Persistent Widow, Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector, Jesus Blesses the Children, The Rich Young Ruler, Possessions and the Kingdom, Prediction of Jesus' Death, The Blind Man Sees

19    Account of Zaccheus, Parable of the 10 Minas, The Triumphal Entry, Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem, Cleansing of the Temple

20    Jesus' Authority is Challenged, The Sadducees and the Resurrection, Question About Messiah, Warning Against the Scribes

21    The Widow's Sacrifice, Signs of the End of the Age, Destruction of Jerusalem, Coming of the Son of Man, Parable of the Fig Tree, Watch and Be Ready

22    The Plot to Kill Jesus, Preparations for Passover, First Lord's Supper, Who is the Greatest?, Peter's Denial Predicted, Prayer in the Garden, Judas Betrays the Lord, Peter Denies the Lord, Jesus is Mocked and Beaten, Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

23    Jesus Faces Pilate, Jesus Faces Herod Antipas, Jesus or Barabbas, The Way to the Cross, Crucified Between Criminals, The Crucifixion of Jesus, The Burial of Jesus

24    Then Came the Morning, Jesus' Appearance on the Road to Emmaus, The Risen Jesus, The Ascension of Jesus

Prayer Focus (Luke 22- Jesus' Prayer in the Garden)

Jesus told His disciples, pray that you not enter into temptation. He went a bit further from them, knelt down, and began to pray. He repeats the same request again, pray that you won't enter into temptation.

Holy God, help us to follow the admonition of Jesus, to pray so we won't enter into temptation. We want to honor you with our lives and avoid the temptation of the world. Give us the heart of Jesus, that we would desire above anything else to do not our will, but your will. Search our hearts and show us where our will is contrary to yours and conform it to your will. Jesus had His eyes on the cross and on the mission He came to complete. Lord, give us a heart for the lost like Jesus has. Fill us with the power of your Holy Spirit.

90 Day Challenge- Day 73, March 24th

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.

Today's Reading:  Luke 5-Luke 14

5    The First Disciples, Cleansing a Leper, The Son of Man Forgives and Heals, The Call of Levi, Dining With Sinners, A Question About Fasting, Lord of the Sabbath

6    Lord of the Sabbath, The Man With the Paralyzed Hand, The 12 Apostles, Teaching and Healing, The Beatitudes, Woe to the Self Satisfied, Love Your Enemies, Do Not Judge, A Tree and Its Fruit, The Two Foundations

7    A Centurion's Faith, A Widow's Son Raised to Life, In Praise of John the Baptist, An Unresponsive Generation, Much Forgiveness Much Love

8    Many Women Support Christ's Work, The Parable of the Sower, Why Jesus Used Parables, The Parable of the Sower Explained, Let Your Light Shine, Obedience to Follow the Call, Even the Wind and Wave Obey, Demons Driven Out by Jesus, The Girl Restored and Woman Healed

9    The Twelve Commissioned, Herod Wanted to See Jesus, The Feeding of the 5000, Peter Confesses the Christ, Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection, Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus, The Transfiguration of Jesus, Power Over a Demon, Jesus Predicts His Death Again, The Least is the Greatest, Put Your Hand to the Plow and Don't Look Back

10   Sending Out the Seventy, Unrepentant Towns, The Seventy Return, Jesus Reveals the Father, The Good Samaritan, Mary and Martha

11    The Lord's Prayer, Keep Asking Searching Knocking, A House Divided Cannot Stand, The Unclean Spirit Returns, True Blessedness, The Sign of Jonah, The Lamp of the Body, Jesus Denounces Religious Hypocrisy 

12  Watch Out for Religious Hypocrisy, Fear God, Acknowledge the Christ, The Rich Fool, The Cure For Worry, Get Ready for the Return of Jesus, Rewards and Judgment, Division Not Peace, The Settling of Accounts

13    Repent or Perish, The Barren Fig Tree, Healing of the Girl, The Mustard Seed and Yeast, The Narrow Way, Jesus and Herod Antipas, Jesus' Mourns for Jerusalem

14    A Sabbath Dispute, Humility, The Large Banquet, Following Jesus is Costly

Prayer Focused:

We are blessed to have a loving Heavenly Father. Jesus said we are not to worry about our lives, about what we will eat, about the body, about what we will wear. Jesus said life is more than food and the body more than clothing. Jesus pointed to the example of the ravens. They don't sow or reap, they don't have a storeroom or a barn, yet God feeds them and takes care of them. According to Jesus we are worth more than the birds and worrying won't add anything in our lives. Jesus said look at how the wildflowers grow without laboring yet God has adorned them with splendor. God clothes the grass of the field. So we are not to strive for what we should eat or what we should drink. We are not to worry. Instead we are to seek His kingdom, and all we need will be provided for us. Jesus said, where you treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Jesus gave the disciples a model for prayer in Luke 11. Let us personalize this prayer as we focus on God.

Father, Your name is to be honored as holy. Your kingdom come in my life, here and now. Grant my needs each day Lord, my daily bread. Forgive my sins Lord, as I forgive others. Keep me from temptation Lord. You are to be treasured in my life, Father, above anything else. Help me not to be distracted by the entanglements of this life and to focus on You and Your glory. Because of Jesus.

90 Day Challenge- Day 72, March 23rd

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain. 

Today's Reading: Mark 11- Luke 4

Mark 

11    The Triumphal Entry, the Barren Fig Tree is Cursed, Cleansing the Temple Complex, the Barren Fig Tree is Withered, Messiah's Authority is Challenged

12    The Parable of the Vineyard Owner, God and Caesar, the Sadducees and the Resurrection, the Primary Commandments, the Question About Messiah, Warning Against the Scribes, the Widow's Gift

13    Destruction of the Temple Predicted, Signs of the End of the Age, Persecutions Predicted, the Great Tribulation, the Coming of the Son of Man, the Parable of the Fig Tree, No One Knows the Day or Hour

14    The Plot to Kill Jesus, Preparation for the Passover, Betrayal at the Passover, the First Lord's Supper, Peter's Denial Predicted, the Judas Kiss, Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin, Peter Denies the Lord

15    Jesus Faces Pilate, Jesus or Barabbas, Mocked by the Military, Crucified Between Two Criminals, the Death of Jesus, the Burial of Jesus

16    Resurrection Morning, Appearances of the Risen Lord, the Great Commission, the Ascension

Luke was written by Luke the physician, a Greek Christian. He accompanied Paul on mission journeys as described in Acts, which was also written by Luke. He wrote to present an accurate account of the life of Jesus the Savior. Luke 1:4 "So that you may know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed." He presents Christ as the "Son of Man," the Savior of all men.

1    The Dedication to Theophilus, Gabriel Predicts John's Birth, Gabriel Predicts Jesus' Birth, Mary's Visit to Elizabeth, Mary's Praise, the Birth and Naming of John, Zechariah's Prophecy

2    The Birth of Jesus, The Shepherds and the Angels, The Circumcision and Presentation of Jesus, Simeon's Prophetic Praise, Anna's Testimony, the Family's Return to Nazareth, In His Father's House, In Favor With God and With People

3    The Messiah's Herald, the Baptism of Jesus, the Genealogy of Jesus Christ

4    The Temptation of Jesus, Ministry in Galilee, Rejection at Nazareth, Driving Out an Unclean Spirit, Healings at Capernaum, Preaching in Galilee

I came across this on another blog and it is directly applicable our journey through the Bible, a statement from Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Life Together, Chapter 2):

“Consecutive reading of Biblical books forces everyone who wants to hear to put himself, or to allow himself to be found, where God has acted once and for all for the salvation of men.  We become a part of what once took place for our salvation.  Forgetting and losing ourselves, we, too, pass through the Red Sea, through the desert, across the Jordan into the promised land.  With Israel we fall into doubt and unbelief and through punishment and repentance [we] experience again God’s help and faithfulness.  All this is not mere reverie but holy, godly reality.  We are torn out of our own existence and set down in the midst of the holy history of God on earth.  There God dealt with us, and there He still deals with us, our needs and our sins, in judgment and grace.  It is not that God is the spectator and sharer of our present life, howsoever important that is; but rather that we are the reverent listeners and participants in God’s action in the sacred story, the history of the Christ on earth.  And only in so far as we are there, is God with us today also.

 A complete reversal occurs.  It is not in our life that God’s help and presence must still be proved, but rather God’s presence and help have been demonstrated for us in the life of Jesus Christ.  It is in fact more important for us to know what God is to Israel, to His Son Jesus Christ, than to seek what God intends for us today.  The fact that Jesus Christ died is more important than the fact that I shall die, and the fact that Jesus Christ  rose from the dead is the sole ground of my hope that I, too, shall be raised on the last day.  Our salvation is “external to ourselves.”  I find no salvation in my life history, but only in the history of Jesus Christ.  Only he who allows himself to be found in Jesus Christ, in his incarnation, his Cross, and his resurrection, is with God and God with him.”
  
Prayer Focus: (The Prophecy of Zechariah in Luke 1)

Praise you Lord, the God of Israel, you have visited and provided redemption for your people. You raised up a horn of salvation for us, in the house of David. You told of Him through your holy prophets in ancient times. You have dealt mercifully with your people, and remembered your holy covenant. We have been rescued from our enemies to serve You without fear in holiness and righteousness in your presence all our days. Because of your merciful compassion you will shine on all who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

When God Settles Your Account

 Scripture Focus: Luke 19:11-27
 
Listen to Sermon Here

Jesus moved from Galilee passing through the borders of Samaria on His way to Jerusalem. He set His face on Jerusalem to accomplish the mission for which He came to earth. He knew it would be a difficult path. In Jericho Jesus encountered Zaccheus, the Chief Tax Collector in the region. He was radically saved through faith in Christ. Jesus stated the purpose for which He had come- v10 The Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.

They continued on toward Jerusalem, and as they did, Jesus continued to teach. As they made the 17 miles journey from Jericho to Jerusalem, with the kingdom in mind.

v11 Kingdom of God- The Kingdom of God is the rule and reign of God over all things.

Is the Kingdom of God present or future? Yes!

Psalm 103:19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.

The Old Testament Prophets hoped for a day when God would not only be the Sovereign King in Heaven but would set up a throne on earth to rule in an immediate and personal way.

Zechariah 14:8-9 On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem . . . On that day Yahweh will become king over all the earth- Yahweh alone.

John the Baptist came preaching as a forerunner of Jesus- Matthew 3:2 Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!

Jesus preached the kingdom- Matthew 4:23 Jesus was going all over Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom.

As Jesus made His way toward Jerusalem, expectation was at a fevered pitch. They thought Jesus was about to set up an earthly kingdom, destroying Israel's enemies and establishing a reign of peace and righteousness in the world.

Jesus said it's not coming like you think, there is a mystery about the coming of the kingdom. Jesus was saying, I am the arrival of the kingdom even though I won't set up an earthly kingdom yet. My kingdom is eternal and is established in the hearts of men.

The church is not the kingdom. The church bears witness to the kingdom, and is the instrument of god in the kingdom, there is a close connection.

Jesus told this parable to make it clear there would be an interval, a delay between the arrival of the Messiah, and the establishment of His eternal reign. The Messiah would first have to suffer, die, rise again, and ascend back into heaven before He returns to establish the kingdom in power and glory.

Symbols in the parable:

Nobleman= Jesus
Far Country= Heaven
Obedient Slaves= Christians
Disobedient Slave= Non-Christian
Subjects/Citizens= Unbelievers in the World
Mina= The Gospel of the Kingdom

• Recognize what has been entrusted to you.

 A nobleman was preparing to travel to a far country to receive for himself authority to be king and then return. The nobleman had position and power, but was about to be placed in a position of greater authority. In preparation for his journey to a distant land to receive the kingdom he had left behind, he called some of his slaves to give instructions on what to do in his absence. He called ten of them and gave ten minas, one each. A mina represented 100 days wages. The nobleman retained ownership of the minas
  
Mina= The Gospel of the Kingdom. Each were give the same amount. They all received the same thing.

Matthew 13:44 The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure.

The Good News of the Kingdom is that even the worst of sinners can be reconciled to God. Salvation comes to those who respond to God in faith.

Recognize what has been entrusted to you.

• Realize your responsibility to be a good manager.

The nobleman told the slaves to engage in business while he was away. They were expected to invest the treasure so the nobleman would have more when he returned.

Every follower of Jesus is a steward/manager of the Gospel of the Kingdom. God calls you to invest what has been entrusted to you, while you await the return of Jesus. We are to increase the yield of the good news of salvation.

The Gospel of the Kingdom has time value- the Master, King Jesus, will return and our opportunity to make the most of the Gospel is limited.

How are you investing your life? Time, Talents, Treasures

There are enemies to the mission- v14 

Realize your responsibility to be a good manager.

•  Ready yourself to answer to the Master.

Only three of the slaves are referenced upon the return of the Master. What about the other seven? There is an ominous silence. Only three are singled out as representative. Whether they were successful, or did nothing, we are not told.

First- v16  He multiplied what was given to him tenfold.

The King's response? Well done. He gave him responsibility for ten towns.

Second- v18 He multiplied what was given to him fivefold.

The King's response? Well done. He gave him responsibility for five towns.

Third- v20 He kept it hidden away, did nothing with it.

The King's response? v22 I will judge you.

A day of judgment is coming. The first and second slaves reflected the genuine nature of their faith, and were rewarded accordingly. They heard the words, well done! The third slave is called an evil slave reflecting that his faith was not genuine at all. The wicked citizens were judged by the king.

Each one of our accounts will be settled by the Lord upon His return.

Pleasing the Lord should be the desire of our hearts.

Pleasing the Lord should encompass all of life.


The ability to please the Lord comes through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

What will God say to you when He settles your account?

90 Day Challenge- Day 71, March 22nd

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.

Today's Reading: Mark 1- Mark 10

I believe Mark was written by John Mark one of the missionaries who accompanied Paul and Barnabas on mission trips. It is the shortest of the Gospels. It was written to show Jesus as Messiah, who came to suffer and serve. In contrast to Matthew's Jewish audience, Mark seems to have been directed originally toward the Gentiles.

1    The Messiah's Herald, The Baptism of Jesus, The Temptation of Jesus, Ministry in Galilee, The First Disciples, Driving Out an Unclean Spirit, Healings at Capernaum, Preaching in Galilee, Cleansing a Leper

2    The Son of Man Forgives and Heals, The Call of Matthew, Dining with Sinners, A Question About Fasting, Lord of the Sabbath

3    The Man with the Paralyzed Hand, Ministering to the Multitude, The 12 Apostles, A House Divided, True Relationships

4    The Parable of the Sower, Why Jesus Used Parables, The Parable of the Sower Explained, Using Your Light, The Parable of the Growing Seed, The Parable of the Mustard Seed, Using Parables, Wind and Wave Obey

5    Demons Driven Out, A Girl Restored and a Woman Healed

6    Rejection at Nazareth, Commissioning the Twelve, John the Baptist Beheaded, Feeding the 5000, Walking on Water, Miraculous Healings

7    Tradition of the Elders, A Mother's Faith, Jesus Heals a Man

8    Feeding 4000, The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod, Healing a Blind Man, Peter's Confession of Messiah, His Death and Resurrection Predicted, Take Up Your Cross

9    The Transfiguration, Power of Faith Over a Demon, The Second Prediction of His Death, Who is the Greatest?, Warnings from Jesus

10    The Question of Divorce, Blessing the Children, The Rich Young Ruler, Possessions and the Kingdom, The Third Prediction of His Death, Suffering and Service, A Blind Man Healed

Prayer Focus:

Lord Jesus, as you moved among the people, you did so with grace and compassion. You looked at people and saw their needs, both physical and spiritual, and you met them. Lord, help us to follow your example, to see people with spiritual eyes and a heart that cares with compassion. Jesus, you transform lives. I want to point people to you, to your glory, to your transforming power and eternal hope.

90 Day Challenge- Day 70, March 21st

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.

Today's Reading: Matthew 19- Matthew 28

19    The Question of Divorce, Blessing the Children, The Rich Young Ruler, Possessions and the Kingdom

20    The Parable of the Vineyard Workers, The Third Prediction of His Death, Suffering and Service, Two Blind Men Healed

21    The Triumphal Entry, Cleansing the Temple, Children Cheer Jesus, The Barren Fig Tree, The Parable of the Two Sons, The Parable of the Vineyard Owner

22    The Parable of the Wedding Banquet, God and Caesar, The Sadducees and the Resurrection, The Great Commandments

23    Religious Hypocrisy Denounced, Lamentation Over Jerusalem

24    Destruction of the Temple Predicted, Signs of the End of the Age, The Great Tribulation, The Coming of the Son of Man, No One Knows the Day or Hour

25    The Parable of the Ten Virgins, The Parable of the Talents, The Sheep and the Goats

26    The Plot to Kill Jesus, Betrayal at the Passover, The First Lord's Supper, Peter's Denial Predicted, The Prayer in the Garden, The Judas Kiss, Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin, Peter Denies the Lord

27    Jesus Handed Over to Pilate, Judas Hangs Himself, Jesus Faces the Governor, Jesus or Barabbas, Mocked by the Soldiers, Crucified Between Two Criminals, The Death of Jesus, The Burial of Jesus, The Guarded Tomb

28    Resurrection Morning, The Great Commission

Prayer Focus:

Lord, you said in your Word that the kingdom of heaven would be made up of people with childlike faith who come to you. We seek to know you with a heart of faith and you gently receive us into your presence. Thank you for grace and mercy. Thank you for calling us your children. Help us to live the Great Commandment and the Great Commission with urgency and passion for your glory!

90 Day Challenge- Day 69, March 20th

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.

Today's Reading: Matthew 9-Matthew 18

9    The Son of Man Forgives and Heals, The Call of Matthew, A Question About Fasting, A Girl Restored and a Woman Healed, Healing the Blind, Driving Out a Demon

10    Commissioning the Twelve Disciples, Persecutions Predicted, Fearing God, Acknowledging Christ, A Cup of Cold Water in Jesus' Name

11    In Praise of John the Baptist, An Unresponsive Generation, The Son Gives Knowledge and Rest

12    The Lord of the Sabbath, The Man with the Paralyzed Hand, The Servant of the Lord, A House Divided, A Tree and Its Fruit, The Sign of Jonah, An Unclean Spirit's Return, True Relationships

13    The Parable of the Sower, Jesus' Use of Parables, The Parable of the Sower Explained, The Parable of the Wheat and Tares, The Parable of the Mustard Seed and Yeast, Jesus Interprets the Wheat and Tares, The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and Priceless Pearl, The Parable of the Net, Rejection at Nazareth

14    John the Baptist Beheaded, Walking on the Water, Miraculous Healings

15    The Tradition of the Elders, Defilement from Within, A Gentile Mother's Faith, Feeding 4000

16    The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees, Death and Resurrection Predicted, Take Up Your Cross

17    The Transfiguration, The Power of Faith Over a Demon, The Second Prediction of Death, Paying the Temple Tax

18    Who is the Greatest?, The Parable of the Lost Sheep, Restoring a Brother, The Parable of the Unforgiving Slave

Prayer Focus:
  
Lord, you said if anyone wants to come after You, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow You. Help me to learn to do this and follow You with all my heart. I lose my life for Yours. I know that You, the Son of Man are coming again with Your angels in the glory of the Father, and You will reward each of us according to what we have done for You. Help us to be ready to meet You Lord with confidence and joy.

90 Day Challenge- Day 68, March 19th

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.

Today's Reading: Malachi 1- Matthew 8

  
Malachi is post exilic, written after the return from captivity in Babylon. Malachi identified the sins of the people including their priests. He prophesied that God would send a messenger to prepare the way. He addressed the topic of tithes and offerings and the importance of obedience. Malachi also addressed the great and terrible day of the Lord, the coming judgment of God. He gave hope to those who would follow the will of God and be spared.
  
1    The Lord's Love for Israel
 
2    Warning to the Priests

3    Judgment at the Lord's Coming

4    The Day of the Lord
 
The Old Testament begins and ends very differently. 

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Malachi 4:6 He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse. 
  
Sin made the difference.
 
Matthew's Gospel contains narrative history, genealogy, parables, sermons and prophecy. It is the first of the synoptic gospels and it was written to reveal the Lord Jesus as the Messiah, the King of the Jews, from the line of David. Christ was the long awaited Messiah.

1    The Genealogy of Jesus Christ- From Abraham to David, From David to the Babylonian Exile, From the Exile to the Messiah, the Nativity of the Messiah

2    Wise Men Seek the King, the Flight into Egypt, the Massacre of the Innocents, the Family in Nazareth 

3    Heralding the Messiah, the Baptism of Jesus

4    The Temptation of Jesus, Ministry in Galilee, the First Disciples

5    The Sermon on the Mount- Believers are Salt and Light, Murder Begins in the Heart, Adultery in the Heart, Divorce Practices Censored, Tell the Truth, Go the Second Mile

6    How to Give, How to Pray, How to Fast, God and Money, the Cure for Anxiety

7    Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking, Entering the Kingdom, Two Foundations

8    Cleansing a Leper, a Centurion's Faith, Healing at Capernaum, Demons Driven Out 

Prayer (The Model Prayer)

Our Father in heaven, Your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

90 Day Challenge- Day 67, March 18th

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain. 

Today's Reading: Habakkuk 1:1-Zechariah14

  
Habakkuk wrote prior to the fall of Judah in the Southern Kingdom. He carried God's message to His people announcing a familiar message of judgment on the wickedness of Judah. Habakkuk asks why evil is prevailing. God responded. Habakkuk praised God for His faithfulness.

1   Habakkuk's First Prayer, God's First Answer, Habakkuk's Second Prayer

2    Habakkuk Waits For God's Response, God's Second Answer, The 5 Woe Oracle

3    Habakkuk's Third Prayer, Confidence in God Expressed

Zephaniah also wrote prior to the fall of Judah in the Southern Kingdom. Twenty years prior to their captivity, Zephaniah foretold the coming judgment if they did not turn back to God. He also predicted the desolation of Ninevah in the capital of Assyria. God demonstrated how he gives the sinner what they don't deserve, mercy. Zephaniah wrote of a day of hope when the remnant would come out captivity.

1    The Great Day of the Lord

2    A Call to Repentance

3    Woe to Oppressive Jerusalem, Final Restoration Promised

Haggai wrote to post exilic Israel. He wrote to encourage the returning exiles to finish the construction of the Temple. It had stopped due to external opposition. Work began twenty four days after Haggai's message. The building was finished.

1    Command to Rebuild the Temple

2    Encouragement and Promise

Zechariah also wrote after the return from Babylonia Captivity. He calls to the people for repentance and encouraged the people to return to the Law. There are also visions that are future oriented in Zechariah's prophecy.

1    A Plea for Repentance
      First Vision: Horsemen
      Second Vision: Four Horns and Craftsmen

2    Third Vision: Surveyor

3    Fourth Vision: High Priest and Branch

4    Fifth Vision: Gold Lampstand

5    Sixth Vision: Flying Scroll
      Seventh Vision: Woman in a Basket

6    Eighth Vision: Four Chariots
      Crowning of the Branch

7    Disobedience and Fasting

8    Obedience and Fasting

9    Judgment of Zion's Enemies
      The Coming of Zion's King

10    The Lord Restores His People

11    Israel's Shepherds: Good and Bad

12    Judah's Security

13    God's People Cleansed

14    The Lord's Triumph and Reign

Prayer Focus:  (From Habakkuk 3)

Lord, I have heard the report about You; Lord I stand in awe of Your deeds. Revive Your work in these years; make it known in these years. In Your wrath remember mercy! God, Your splendor covers the heavens, and the earth is full of  Your praise. Your brilliance is like light; rays are flashing from Your hand. This is where Your power is hidden. You stand and shake the earth, Your look and the nations are startled. The age old mountains break apart, and the ancient hills sink down. Your pathways are ancient. The mountains see You and shudder. Sun and moon stand still. You come out to save Your people, to save Your anointed. I have heard You, and tremble within. Now I sit quietly and wait on you. I will rejoice in You oh God, the God of my salvation. You are my strength and make my feet like a deer, and enable me to walk on mountain heights.

90 Day Challenge- Day 66, March 17th

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.

Today's Reading: Obadiah 1- Nahum 3

Obadiah is only one chapter. It is the shortest book in the Old Testament. Obadiah announces God's powerful and authoritative judgment on the nation of Edom. This is a prophecy of the end of the nation of Edom. They had been in conflict with Israel since ancient times. The people of Edom were descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother.

vv1-9 Edom's Certain Judgment

vv10-14  Edom's Sins Against Judah

vv15-18 Judgment of the Nations

vv19-21 Future Blessing for Israel

Jonah was written before Assyria conquered Israel's Northern Kingdom. It shows that God is merciful and gracious. The wicked city of Ninevah deserved to be destroyed, yet God was patient toward them. Jonah was the reluctant prophet, and initially ran from God before delivering the message of repentance to the nation of Ninevah. Jonah was told to go to Ninevah, but he boarded a ship and headed for Tarshish. A great storm arose and Jonah recognized that it was the judgment of God. The sailors threw him into the sea where he was swallowed by the great fish. Three days later after the fish spit him out, Jonah went and preached to Ninevah, and to his surprise, the sinful city repented. God dealt with Jonah and taught him about His love and compassion.

1    Jonah's Flight

2    Jonah's Prayer

3    Jonah's Preaching

4    Jonah's Anger

Micah wrote shortly before the fall of the Northern Kingdom in 722 BC. Micah proclaimed a message of warning and judgment to both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. Isaiah wrote about the same time. Micah described the impending judgment that would eventually exile the nation. Micah prophesied of the Messiah's birth in Bethlehem in Ch 5:2.

1    Coming Judgment on Israel

2    Oppressors Judged 

3    Unjust Leaders Judged

4    The Lord's Rule from Restored Zion

5    From Defeated Ruler to Conquering King

6    God's Lawsuit Against Judah

7    Israel's Moral Decline

Nahum was raised up to preach for a second time to Ninevah, as Jonah had done 120 years earlier. He prophesied of the final judgment on Ninevah, and also addressed the rest of the Assyrian Empire. Within 50 years, Ninevah would be completely decimated and utterly wiped from the face of the earth.

1    God's Vengeance

2    Attack Against Ninevah

3    Ninevah's Downfall

Prayer Focus:

Jonah prayed a crisis prayer to God in the belly of the fish.

I called to the Lord in my distress, and He answered me. I cried out for help in the belly of Sheol; You heard my voice. You threw me into the depths into the heart of the seas, and the current overcame me. All your breakers and your billows swept over me. But I said: I have been banished from Your sight, yet I will look once more toward your holy temple. The waters engulfed me up to the neck; the watery depths overcame me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. I sank to the foundations of the mountains; the earth with its prison bars closed behind me forever! But you raised my life from the pit Lord my God! As my life was fading away, I remembered the Lord. My prayer came to you, to your holy temple. Those who cling to worthless idols forsake faithful love, but as for me, I will sacrifice to you with a voice of thanksgiving. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation is from the Lord.

90 Day Challenge- Day 65, March 16th

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain. 

Today's Reading: Joel 1- Amos 9

Joel was written sometime before the fall and exiles of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. He told the Southern Kingdom to repent or prepare for the coming judgment. Joel described the locust that inflicted serious damage and warned it was only the beginning of what would come.

1    A Plague of Locusts, the Day of the Lord 

2    God's Call for Repentance 

3    Judgment of the Nations, Blessing from God

Amos wrote soon before the fall of the Northern Kingdom to Assyria in 722 BC. Amos announced God's judgment on the Kingdom of Israel and called them to turn from self righteousness and idolatry.

1    Judgment on Israel's Neighbors

2    Judgment on Judah, Judgment on Israel

3    God's Reasons for Punishing Israel

4    Social and Spiritual Corruption

5    Lamentation for Israel

6    Woe to the Complacent, Israel's Pride Judged

7    First Vision: Locusts

      Second Vision: Fire

      Third Vision: A Plumb Line

8    Fourth Vision: A Basket of Summer Fruit

9    Fifth Vision: The Lord Beside the Altar

Announcement of Restoration

Prayer Focus: 

Lord, in your Word in Joel you point to a coming Day of the Lord. It is yet future and only you in your wisdom know when it will come to pass. I look forward to when You will pour out Your Spirit on all humanity and will display wonders in the heavens and on the earth. Thank you for grace that you have given us in Christ. Your delay is a sign of grace, and your desire for people to come to Christ by faith. Father, glorify yourself in us as we make your name known. Because of Jesus.

90 Day Challenge- Day 64, March 15th

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain. 

Today's Reading: Daniel 9- Hosea 14

Daniel 9    Daniel's Prayer

10    Vision of a Glorious One

11-12    Prophecies About Persia and Greece and the Future

Hosea is the first book in the section of Minor Prophets. They are called Minor Prophets not because of the significance of their message, but the brevity of their message. Hosea illustrates the spiritual adultery of Israel and God's endless love for His people.

Hosea brought God's message to the wicked Northern Kingdom. They were oppressing the poor in slavery and worshipping idols. God gave Israel the opportunity to repent and turn to Him. Not long after, Israel went into captivity for her unfaithfulness.

God gives Hosea instructions to marry an unfaithful woman and he did. Gomer, his wife, was promiscuous reflecting the unfaithfulness of Israel. She left him and found another man. Hosea remained faithful, redeemed her, and brought her back home. Hosea described how Israel was unfaithful to God. God wanted Israel to repent and return to Him. But they continued to disobey and go their own way.

Hosea 1    Hosea's Marriage and Children

2    Israel's Adultery Rebuked

3    Waiting for Restoration

4    God's Case Against Israel

5    Warnings for Israel and Judah

6    A Call to Repentance

7    Israel's Corruption

8    Israel's False Hopes

9    The Coming Exile

10    The Vine and the Calf  

11    The Lord's Love for Israel

12    God's Case Against Jacob's Heirs, Judgment Against Israel

13    Further Indictment

14    A Plea to Repent and Promise for Restoration

Prayer Focus (Daniel's Prayer in Daniel 9)

Lord, you are the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps His gracious covenant with those who love You and keep Your commandments. We have sinned, done wrong, acted wickedly, rebelled, and turned away from Your commandments and ordinances. Lord, righteousness belongs to You. Compassion and forgiveness belongs to You, Lord. Lord, You have delivered us from sin. Hear our prayer and petitions. Show Your favor to us, Your people. We ask this, not based on our righteous acts, but on Your abundant compassion. Lord, hear us! Forgive us! Listen and act on our behalf. Do not delay, we are Your people called by Your name. In Jesus' name.

The Son of Man Has Come

Scripture Focus: Luke 19:1-10

Listen to Sermon Here

Jesus went to Jericho on His way to Jerusalem. Jericho had a commanding position near the Jordan River to the northwest of the Dead Sea and just 20 miles east of Jerusalem. It was a trade crossroads that extended from Damascus in the north to Egypt in the south. It was a bountiful agricultural region. Herod had a winter palace there. It was an important city.

There was a man named Zaccheus, his name meaning pure or righteous. Ironically he was anything but pure or righteous. Perhaps the meaning of His name spoke to what Jesus would do in His life when Zaccheus met Him. He was a Chief Tax Collector. Rome was the occupying government at the time and they had three tax districts- Jericho, Capernaum, Jerusalem. The Romans would set up tax franchises. They would employ local Jews from the population to collect taxes. The tax collectors would have a required amount to turn into the Roman Government, and anything they could manage to collect above and beyond that was their profit.

In our day, nobody particularly likes the Internal Revenue Service, but this was way worse. It was a system full of extortion and thievery, and deceit, and greed. Zaccheus was right in the thick of it. He had people under him doing the dirty work.

As a result of his position, Zaccheus was rich, filthy stinking rich. From the world's perspective, he had it all materially speaking. But something was missing in his life, and he knew it, and his whole life was about to change when Jesus came to town.

Luke gives three accounts in Luke 18 leading up to  the account of Zaccheus, that lay some groundwork for what Jesus did in Zaccheus' life.

-The Pharisee and Tax Collector
- The Rich Young Ruler
-The Healing of the Blind Man

A Pharisee who was self righteous and unable to see his need for God. A tax collector humbled in the presence of God. A rich young ruler unwilling to turn loose of the things of the world to follow Jesus. A poor blind man crying out to Jesus to heal Him in faith. All demonstrate to us how God deals with people, showing our desperate need for the Gospel, our desperate need for the righteousness of God, our desperate need for the hope that only Christ can give.

Many of us are familiar with this story about Zaccheus. In some ways, it has become a story about Zaccheus. But I want to focus you in a different direction because I think this is really about Jesus- about the grace of God- and about God's love and concern for sinners who are lost and without hope.

Notice. . .

• The Son of Man has come.

The Son of Man was Jesus' favorite designation for Himself. It is used 88 times in the Gospels.

 The Bible is a book about redemption, about God reconciling sinners to Himself. From early on God promised a Deliverer and all of the Old Testament is looking forward to the coming of Messiah.

We find the designation "Son of Man" first mentioned in Daniel's prophecy of the coming Messiah- Daniel 7:13-14

Jesus existed from eternity past- in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. There has never been a time when He was not.

Jesus was active in creation- without Him nothing was made that was made.

Jesus as the incarnation, took on a human nature and entered into time as we know it. God became man remaining what He was, He became what He was not. Jesus is fully God and fully man and will remain so for eternity.

The Son of Man designation is used generally, it is used in reference to the authority of Jesus to forgive sins, it is used in reference to His suffering, and also to the future.

The Son of Man has come. . .

• The Son of Man has come to seek the lost.

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. Zaccheus was a Chief Tax Collector and rich and wanted to see Jesus but could not because he was a short man and could not see over the crowd.

What peaked Zaccheus' interest? No way to know for sure. Maybe he had heard about Jesus calling Matthew the Tax Collector. That may have given him a glimmer of hope. Maybe it was simply curiosity of hearing all that Jesus had done, and now, He was in town, in Jericho.

Whatever it was, Zaccheus was determined to get a look at Jesus. But he couldn't see, so he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus pass by. As Jesus passed by, something unexpected happened. He called Zaccheus by name. Zaccheus thought he was the one looking for the Lord and he was soon to find out the Lord was looking for him.

There are several spiritual lessons in this:

God is the primary mover and if it were not for the work of God in our lives, we would not even know of our need for salvation.

As we tell others about Jesus we can be sure that God is always at work in hearts, seeking them out.

When the Son of Man seeks the lost, He does so in a personal way. You can imagine the amazement of Zaccheus when Jesus called him by name. God knows your name. He loves you as though you were the only one to love.

Your name will be important in the final judgment- Revelation 20 the Book of Life

Is God seeking you out today, calling you by name? The Son of Man has come to seek the lost.

• The Son of Man has come to save the lost.

Lost is an accurate description of Zaccheus. He was a Chief Tax Collector, despised by the people, an outcast of society, materially rich but socially poor. It is interesting however that each time Luke mentions a tax collector he does so in a positive light. As far as the religious and self righteous Pharisees were concerned, Zaccheus would have been beyond salvation. When the people saw Jesus calling Zaccheus out, they began to complain, He is going to lodge with a sinful man.

Jesus identified with sinners, loved them, and spoke truth into their lives. Zaccheus came down quickly and welcomed Jesus joyfully. Jesus said, today salvation has come to this house because he too is a son of Abraham. Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness. Jesus was welcoming Zaccheus to the family of faith!

The Son of Man has come to save the lost. . .

Everything changes when you meet Jesus! Zaccheus in his new found faith said to the Lord he would give half of his possessions to the poor and if he had extorted anything from anyone, he would pay back four times as much. Zaccheus was not trying to earn his salvation, he was acting in response to his salvation.

Salvation is radical!


Luke 9:23 If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me!

90 Day Challenge- Day 63, March 14th

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain. 

Today's Reading: Daniel 1- Daniel 8

The prophet Daniel wrote around 530 B.C. His writings record the events of the Babylonian captivity to which Daniel was a servant. He also writes of apocalyptic visions given to him by God regarding events yet in the future.

The Lord protected and provided for His people in captivity and a vision of future hope and redemption. Daniel was chosen to work for the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel or Belteshazzar, his Babylonian name, stood with integrity in a godless culture. He was promoted as chief over all the wise men of Babylon.

1    Daniel's Captivity and Faithfulness in Babylon 

2    Nebuchadnezzar's Dream

3    Nebuchadnezzar's Gold Statue, The Fiery Furnace

4    Nebuchadnezzar's Proclamation

5    Belshazzar's Feast, The Handwriting on the Wall 

6    The Plot Against Daniel, Daniel in the Lions' Den, Darius Honors God

7    Daniel's Vision of the Four Beasts, The Ancient of Days and the Son of Man

8    The Vision of a Ram and a Goat, Interpretation of the Vision

Prayer Focus:

Almighty God, give us strength to be like Daniel. In the midst of a culture that does not know you or honor you, grant us strength to stand firm. Help us make choices that honor you and the courage to follow through on them. Bless us with knowledge and understanding in all things. Lord, you alone are king and are to be honored and glorified.

90 Day Challenge- Day 62, March 13th

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain. 

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 36- Ezekiel 48

36   Restoration of Israel's Mountains

37    The Valley of Dry Bones

38    The Defeat of Gog

39    The Dispoal of Gog

40    The New Temple

41    Inside the New Temple

42    The Priests' Chambers

43    The Return of the Lord's Glory

44    The Prince's Privilege

45    The Sacred Portion of the Land

46    Sacrifices at Appointed Times

47    The Life Giving River

48    The Tribal Allotments

Prayer Focus:

Lord, we need a revival like the one spoken of in Ezekiel. We need your Spirit to bring new life to us and to be reminded that You alone are Lord. All power belongs to You. When I read of the events in Your Word that will unfold in the future, I do not fully understand how it all will come together, but Lord I trust You. I know that You will work all things out according to Your perfect will to bring glory to yourself and bless Your people. Move Lord, and grow our faith as You do.

90 Day Challenge- Day 61, March 12th

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 24- Ezekiel 35

24    Parable of the Boiling Pot

25    Prophecies Against the Nations

26    The Downfall of Tyre

27    The Sinking of Tyre

28    The Fall of Tyre's Ruler

29    A Prophecy of Egypt's Ruin

30    Egypt's Doom

31    Downfall of Egypt and Assyria

32    A Lament for Pharaoh

33    Ezekiel as Israel's Watchman

34    The Shepherds and God's Flock

Prayer Focus:

Lord, may we be your watchmen. Your judgment is certain and just in every way. Grant us a passion to warn people of the coming judgment and stand as your watchmen. Lord, it is not your desire that people perish, and suffer eternal judgment. It is your desire that people hear of your righteousness and follow in it. It is your desire that we follow you and glorify you in all our ways. Thank you for dealing with us patiently and with a consistent love. Thank you for grace.

90 Day Challenge- Day 60, March 11th

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 13- Ezekiel 23

13   Israel's False Prophets Condemned

14   Idolatry Punished

15   Parable of the Useless Vine

16   Parable of the Adulteress Wife

17   Parable of the Eagles

18   Personal Responsibility for Sin

19   Lament for Israel

20   The Rebellion of Israel

21   The Sword of God's Judgment

22   Indictment on Jerusalem

23   Two Immoral Sisters

The Lord says to His people, repent, and turn away from idols, turn away from abominations. When a person sets up idols of the heart and puts a sinful stumbling block before his face, the Lord will turn against that one and make him a sign and cut him off so that people will know He is the Lord.

Prayer Focus- Lord, help us to see present and potential idols in our lives so that we can turn away from them in repentance and not have a stumbling block before us. Lord, don't turn against us. As the Psalmist David prayed, how happy is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How happy is the man the Lord does not charge with sin, and in whose spirit is no deceit. Let everyone who is faithful pray to You at a time that You may be found. Lord, I am glad in you and rejoice.

CLBC to Israel 3/09/2010

We closed out our tour of Israel starting at the Mt. of Olives. We descended on foot down the Palm Sunday Road (passing by the graves of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi) on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane. We spent some time in prayer in a private area of the garden and then visited the Church of All Nations.

From there we saw the Pools of Bethesda, and sang in St. Ann's Church. We visited Pilate's Judgment Seat on the Via Dolorosa and made our way to the Garden Tomb. At the Garden Tomb we saw Golgotha the Place of the Skull, and the tomb.

A pilgirmage to the Holy Land is well worth the investment of time and finances. The group returned back to the states with an even stronger appreciation for the Word of God and the land of the Bible.

90 Day Challenge- Day 59, March 10th

(My apology for the delay in posting this. I scheduled it for automatic posting as I was in overnight transit from Israel, but it did not come through)

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.

Today's Reading: Lamentations 2- Ezekiel 12

2    God's Anger With Jerusalem

3    Hope and Relief Through God's Mercy

4    Zion Degraded

5    Prayer for Restoration

Ezekiel

1    Ezekiel's Vision of God's Glory

2    Ezekiel Called to Be a Prophet

3    The Responsibility of the Prophet

4    The Siege of Jerusalem Illustrated

5    A Sword Against Jerusalem

6    Judgment on Israel's Idolatry

7    Judgment on Israel is Near

8    A Vision of Evil in the Temple

9    Vision of the Slaughter of the Guilty

10   God's Glory Departs From the Temple

11    God Will Restore Israel

12    Judah's Captivity Illustrated

Prayer for Restoration (From Lamentations 5)- Remember, O Lord, what has come upon us, Look and behold our reproach! Our inheritance has been turned over to aliens, and our houses to foreigners. You oh Lord remain forever, your throne from generation to generation. Turn us back to you, o Lord and we will be restored. Renew our days as of old.

90 Day Challenge- Day 58, March 9th

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.

Today's Reading: Jeremiah 49- Lamentations 1

48   Prophecy Against Moab

49   Prophecies Against Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Elam, Kedar, and Hazor

50   Prophecy Against Babylon and Babylonia

51   The Lord's Judgment on Babylon

52    The Fall of Jerusalem Reviewed

Lamentations 1  The Sorrows of Captive Zion

Lord, your judgment is certain, and all your ways are righteous. You deal with your people mercifully. Help me to learn from those who have strayed from the path of righteousness, and walk in the way that pleases you. Thank you for faithfully shepherding your people and walking with them each step of the way.

CLBC to Israel 3/08/10

The Valley of Elah

We started our day today at the Mt. of Remembrance, the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem. The suffering that the Jewish people went through in losing 6 million of their own, is breathtaking. We must never forget the evil that men are capable of committing and the hope that we have in God.

From there we went to the National Museum of Israel where we saw a significant display on the Dead Sea Scrolls and also a model of the old city. We went by the Israeli Parliament and saw some sites along the way.

We ended our day at the Valley of Elah, the location of David's defeat of Goliath (I Samuel 17).

Tomorrow is our last day and we conclude in Jerusalem.

90 Day Challenge- Day 57, March 8th

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.

Today's Reading: Jeremiah 34- Jeremiah 48

34   Jeremiah's Word to King Zedekiah

35   The Rechabites' Example

36   Jeremiah Dictates a Scroll, Baruch Reads the Scroll, Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll

37   Jerusalem's Last Days

38   Jeremiah Thrown Into a Cistern

39   The Fall of Jerusalem to Babylon, Jeremiah Freed

40   Jeremiah Stays in Jerusalem

41   Gedaliah Assassinated by Ishmael

42   The People Seek Jeremiah's Counsel

43  Jeremiah's Counsel Rejected

44   God's Judgment Against His Peoples in Egypt

45   The Lord's Message to Baruch

46    Prophecies Against the Nations

47   Prophecies Against the Philistines

48    Prophecies Against Moab

God, thank you for your grace. You speak words of warning to us, to direct us in the path of righteousness. When we fail to do so, you correct our ways and straighten our paths. Lord, help us to see the error of our ways and look to you for our strength so we will know the way and walk in it.

CLBC to Israel- 3/07/10

The Shepherd's Field

There are so many sites of biblical significance in this land to see, that one could spend a lifetime studying the history and how it fits with the Bible, and still not have exhausted all of it. We began our day today by going up to the Temle Mount. On the Temple Mount is the Dome of the Rock, built by the Muslims on the site of where the Temple once stood.

We made our way there to the Western Wall, the "Wailing Wall". On from there we skirted the perimeter of the walls, viewing the Pinnacle of Temptation and then the southern wall. The group spent some time in the Jewish Quarter for lunch and then went through the Rabbi's Tunnel after lunch.

Our day concluded with a visit to the Shepherd's Field with a view of Bethlehem.

90 Day Challenge- Day 56, March 7th

Hosea 10:12 Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love, break up your untilled ground. It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.

Today's Reading: Jeremiah 24 - Jeremiah 33

24 The Good and the Bad Figs

25 The Seventy-Year Exile - V14 For many nations and great kings will Enslave them, and I will Repay them according to their deeds and the work of their hands.

26 Jeremiah's Speech in the Temple - V12 The Lord sent me to Prophesy all the words that you have heard against this temple and city.

27 The Yoke of Babylon

28 Hananiah's False Prophecy

29 Jeremiah's Letter to the Exiles

30 Restoration from Captivity

31 God's Relationship With His People

32 Jeremiah's Land Purchase

33 Israel's Restoration

Prayer Focus:

Almighty God, you are the God of grace. You made the earth and established it. I call to You and You answer. I praise You because You are the Lord of Hosts. You are good. Your faithful love Endures Forever. You are the One who gives the sun for light by day, the fixed order of the moon and stars for light by night. You stir up the sea and make its waves Roar. Lord, show me Your way, lead me in the path of righteousness.

CLBC to Israel 3/05/10

The Judean Wilderness

The weather continues to be beautiful and we thank God for that. We began our day early and saw the sunrise on the Dead Sea. This is the lowest point in elevation on earth. We made our way up the coast to Masada. Masada has a tremendous amount of history. It was a palace of Herod the Great, and is connected with a significant amount of Jewish and Roman history.

From there we went to En Gedi. En Gedi is mentioned in Scripture in I Samuel 24 in the context of Saul's pursuit of David and then his recognition that the hand of God was on David. This is a beautiful desert oasis and it is easy to picture the biblical event taking place there.

After lunch we journeyed to Qumran. Qumran is where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947 by a shepherd boy. They are so significant because they contained the Old Testament, and predated any copies we had of the Old Testament by approximately 1000 years. Yet they confirmed the Bible as we have it.

We passed by Jericho on our way to Jerusalem and stopped in the Judean Wilderness where it is likely that young David wrote some of the shepherding Psalms, and where Christ fasted for 40 days and was tempted by the Devil at the outset of his public ministry.

Then we ascended to the Holy City of Jerusalem, making our way to one of the overlooks to the old city. Tomorrow we begin our tour of the city that holds so much of the world's history and future.