14 posts tagged “jesus”

Read:  Acts 4:1–22

            "This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone." Acts 4:11 NKJV

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            The religious leaders were in a dilemma: A man had been healed and Peter and John insisted that the healing was in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the One they had crucified.  Jesus was, they said, a fulfillment of Isaiah's prophesy: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed." (Isaiah 28:16 NIV)  But this same Jesus had become to them "…A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense." (Isaiah 8:14 NKJV)

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            They stumbled because they refused to receive the Lord as Savior, in spite of His miracles and fulfillment of prophesy.  But God has something better in mind for those of us who have received Him: "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy," (Jude 24 NKJV) to Him be the glory! Thank You Lord Jesus!

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            'Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."  Acts 4:12 NKJV

Today I joined Community Bible Study where we are studying the book of Acts. I just got through reading the introduction to the study and this is what stood out to me:

Luke wrote the gospel of Luke followed by the Acts of the Apostles. He writes to a man named Theophilus, "In my former book, Theophilus I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day He was taken up to heaven..." Acts 1:1

"It is doubtful Luke ever thought of himself as writing for Christans hundreds of years in the future. but God used Luke's original purpose in writing to Theophilus to carry out His greater purpose - that of blessing and instructing believers of all generations. We are part of that long line of believers who will either pass our faith on to others, or add nothing to the record of church history. How we live has eternal consequences, not only for ourselves, but for the whole body of believers."
p. 5 Volume 1 Acts of the Apostles, Community Bible Study

Pretty challenging I think. :)

 [51]

[50]

PETER WALKS ON WATER

Read: Matthew 14:22–33

            But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"  Matthew 14:30 NKJV

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            Peter was always quick to speak and quick to act; but sometimes he was slow to carry through on his actions. When the disciples realized that the shadowy figure walking on water was Jesus, Peter's first response was, "Lord, if it's you,…tell me to come to you on the water." (14:28 NIV)

           But as quickly as he jumped overboard and began to walk to Jesus, he realized how strong the wind was, and how large the waves, and he lost his courage. The Lord knew beforehand what Peter would do, and immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (14:31)

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            For some of us, it is easy to take on more than we can handle. Then when the difficulties come, we are overwhelmed by the "wind and waves."  But if the Lord is the One calling us to come, as He called Peter to Him on the water, then He is the One who is going to get us back in the boat. Lord, sometimes I deserve to hear the words you said to Peter, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" (14:31)

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            Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."  Matthew 14:33 NKJV

[44]

EQUAL WITH GOD

Read John 5:1–23

Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. John 5:18 NKJV

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[41]

A TRICK QUESTION

Read:  Luke 20:20–26

            So the spies questioned him:… Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" Luke 20:21-22 NIV

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            Jesus had just told a parable which implicated the religious leaders in the plot to kill Him. Not only that, but he referred to prophesies from Psalms and Isaiah: “Jesus looked directly at them and asked, "Then what is the meaning of that which is written: "'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone'? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed."  (20:17-18 NIV)

          They knew He spoke the parable about them. So in order to trick Him into saying something against Rome they asked, "Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" He saw through their duplicity and said to them, "Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?"  "Caesar's," they replied…” (20:22-25a)

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            Lord, those leaders thought they could trick You into a capitol offense. But what they didn't realize was that no one could take Your life from You. They must not have been listening when You said, "My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.  No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again." (John 10:17-18 NKJV)

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            …He said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." (20:25b NIV)

When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." Luke 19:5 NKJV

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THE PHARISEE AND TAX COLLECTOR

Read:  Luke 18:9-14

            The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself,'God, I thank You that I am not like other men -- extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.  Luke 18:11 NKJV

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            This religious leader may have had much to be proud of in avoiding gross sin, but he missed the fact that he was still a sinner. Salvation comes through repentance, and Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  The tax collector, so despised for his sin, had it right.  He, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'  (18:13)

            The Pharisee was like the rich young ruler who thought he could gain eternal life by doing good works. We must all come by way of repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ.  Only then can we do genuinely good works, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

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            Lord, forgive me when I am guilty of looking down on someone I judge to be more sinful than I. As You have extended mercy to me, I must desire mercy for others. You look beyond the outward appearance and see our hearts. Help me to discern the heart attitudes of my children and teach them humility by example.

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            ". . . everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:14 NKJV

[37]

TEN LEPERS CLEANSED

Read Luke 17:11-19

            …There met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off.  And they lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"  Luke 17:12-13 NKJV

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            There were many in Israel willing to be healed of their diseases, to be fed with free bread and be part of an adoring crowd. But there were few who were willing to accept Jesus as Messiah, the Son of God, and commit their lives to Him. In the case of these ten very sick men, only one came back to give glory to God for his healing. In spite of the fact that ten were cleansed of leprosy, to only one he said, "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well." (17:19)

            There is a sickness of the soul that is far worse than leprosy and that is sin. Only faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, can heal us of that disease.

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            Thank You Lord, that You were willing to cleanse me from sin, just as You cleansed those men from their leprosy. Forgive me when I go day after day without remembering to stop and say thank You.  Help me to teach my children to be thankful as well.

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            So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" Luke 17:17-18 NKJV

[36]

THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS

Read:  Luke 16:19-31

            "I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment."  Luke 16:27-28 NKJV

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            Jesus taught in this powerful story of life after death, that the circumstances of this life–wealth or poverty–are of little consequence in comparison to our eternal destiny. The rich man in Hell was concerned that someone would tell his brothers how to avoid this "place of torment." Abraham's answer that the man's brothers would not be convinced, "though one rise from the dead" was prophetic of what was about to happen. Jesus did rise from the dead and the Pharisees still did not believe.

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            It is not pleasant to consider the reality of eternal punishment. When people are still alive there is always the potential that they will hear the message and believe. But after death, there is no more hope. Lord, help us to remember this and realize the urgency of getting the message out to unbelievers. Bless our efforts in supporting our church and missions and telling others about the gospel.

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            He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.'"   Luke 16:31 NKJV