Crucifixion

Ex. 6-8; Luke 23

Scripture: Then he turned to Jesus and said, “Lord, I believe in you! Please, remember me when you set up your kingdom.” Jesus turned His head toward him and said, “I promise you today, when I return with the glory of my Father, I will take you home with me to paradise.” Luke 22: 42, 43

Observation: What a glorious promise the Lord has given to this man to be in heaven with Jesus when the Lord soon returns to get all His people.

Application: That promise holds true today for all people. We need to cling to the cross daily and ask for forgiveness even for those things which we do not know we do. Believe in the Lord and have faith. That kind of power will draw you nearer to Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord please help me to hang my sins on the cross daily and to draw close to you so that I may not sin against you, but have faith in you to cleanse me from all my sins. Amen

Denial

Ex. 3-5; Luke: 22


Scripture: At that moment, just as Peter looked into the hall where Jesus was being tried, Jesus turned. Their eyes met, and Peter remembered what Jesus had told him earlier that evening: “Before the rooster finishes crowing in the morning, you will have denied knowing me three times.” Luke 22: 61

Observation: Can you imagine the anguish Peter must have felt when the rooster crowed and he knew he had denied his Lord. I can only imagine the pain he was going through knowing what Jesus had said about denying Him three times. What a horrible time for Peter!

Application: Peter loved Jesus so much he would die for him, but in a weak moment he yet still denied Him. We can apply that to ourselves today. We love the Lord, but in our weak moments we constantly put Him on that cross daily. When this earth comes to its end will we stand up for Jesus or will we deny Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord hear my prayer and have mercy on me. Help me to be strong for I am so weak. I do not know in my weakest hour before your arrival will I be the one who denies you? Help me to find a love for you that’s so unconditional like your Father who loves us, so I may not deny you before God. Amen

Being Watchful

Ex. 1, 2; Ps. 88; Luke 21

Scripture: “So be careful not to be caught up in constant feasting and drinking and in the problems of life so that you don’t think about anything else. If you do, the end will sneak up on you like a thief. Luke 21: 34

Observation: People will be eating, drinking, marrying, etc. Going about their daily lives as if nothing is about to happen. Then all of a sudden Jesus will appear in the sky and those who haven’t accepted Him as their personal savior will be over taken by surprise.

Application: People need to know the sign of the times, so they may not be taken by surprise by Jesus soon return. Keep an eye on the current events of the world and how it coincides with the bible.

Prayer: Dear Lord may we all know the signs of the times and draw closer to you before the day of your coming. Do come soon Lord to take us to our true home in heaven. Amen

The Saving Stone

Gen 49, 50; Ps. 8; Luke 20

Scripture: Jesus looked at them and said, “Tell me, what does the Scripture mean when it says, ‘The stone that the builders rejected as worthless was the very one needed to hold up the Temple’? That stone represents the Messiah. Whoever falls on this Stone will have his heart broken. But those who reject this Stone will someday see it coming, and it will fall on them, and crush them.” Luke 20: 17, 18

Observation: People, the builders, who reject the Stone, which is considered worthless and to represent Jesus, will never have salvation. Those who reject Him will see Him coming in all His glory and those Stones will fall on them and break them.

Application: We need to build up our Stones in our lives. We need to continually read our bibles to know what God wants for us and how we should act towards one another. To know God and for God to know us, so one day when He comes to gather us all up He won’t be saying to you, “I know you not, but come into the great supper I have prepared for you.”

Prayer: Dear Lord please help me to build up my life on the rock of your salvation. Help me to stop sinning and be more like You. Amen

Investing in God

Gen 47, 48; Ps. 10; Luke 19

Scripture: “The king answered, ‘It’s my responsibility to see that I get the best returns from my investments. Those who make good use of what I give them will be given even more. And those who do nothing with what I give them will lose what they have, and it will be given to those who know how to use it. As for those who didn’t want me to be their king, bring them in. The law of the land demands that they be put to death for their rebellion in the sight of the king.’ ” Luke 19: 26, 27

Observation: It’s God’s responsibility to see He gets the best return that He invests in human beings. By this investment He gives us talents or gifts, which we use to bring others to believe and have faith in Him. If we misuse our talents or gifts then He will give them to another. For those who never come to believe or have faith in Him the law demands their death.

Application: People need to try and find out what their gifts are and use those gifts wisely. Not everyone’s gift is a big one. It may be something as small as talking to little children about Jesus, your own children for example. Be prayerful about this and Jesus will guide you to as little or as much of a gift He thinks you will need. But remember never stop believing and having faith in Him because when you do you have as good as signed your own death warrant.

Prayer: Dear Lord help me to see what gifts I have that would glorify your name. Help me not to be afraid to use those gifts wisely. Amen

Answers

Gen 44-46; Luke 18

Scripture: I want to tell you that even though God sometimes seems to wait before He answers, He is eager to answer as quickly as possible. He will see that justice is done. But the real question is this: When God comes to set up His earthly kingdom, how many people will He find who still have faith in Him?” Luke 18: 8

Observation: God does answer all prayers, but in His own time. Sometimes the prayers are delayed for reasons that God only knows. Usually it’s for our own good. Unfortunately, we are a people of the here and now kind of prayers. We want them answered immediately. This is where faith comes in…..we need to wait for the answers. So when God comes back to set up His earthly kingdom who will have the faith to be there with Him. Do you lose your faith because prayers were not answered immediately or not in the way you wanting them to be answered? God forbid! You wait!

Application: I know personally in my life I’ve definitely had to wait for my prayers to be answered, but I’m glad I did wait because things weren’t right for me when I thought I needed those prayers answered right then and there. God knew when I needed them answered and how it would be taken care of wasn’t always the way I thought it would be taken care of. God had a better plan! Bottom line is don’t lose your faith in God just because your prayers haven’t been answered yet.

Prayer: Dear Lord may I have faith in you to take care of all my needs in this life and not to lose my faith in you when things go wrong and prayers are not answered immediately. Amen

The Coming of Jesus

Gen 42, 43; Ps. 5; Luke 17

Scripture: The disciples asked, “When will all this take place?” Jesus answered, “When people see vultures sitting in the trees, they know that a life is about to end. And when God’s people see all these things happening around them, they will know that my coming is near.” Luke 17: 37

Observation: Just like a vulture lurking around in the air, on the ground, or in a tree, we know when we see this type of thing taking place it’s because a life is ending. These birds are waiting to get at the dead carcasses, so they may eat their remains. The same analogy takes place to know the sign of the times of Jesus’ return. We read our bibles to know what signs will take place and know we are living in them. Look at all the strife in the world that is going on: Wars, rumor of wars, pestilent, famines, high crime rate, etc. If this isn’t what God was talking about being the end of time then what are we all going through this for if not to prepare us for his soon return?

Application: We need to be prepared for Jesus’ return. We need to study our bibles, tell people about Him, and work in preparation for Him. To prepare for His coming can be a big thing like evangelism or it can be as small as talking to one person about Jesus.

Prayer: Dear Lord please helps me to be strong and to have a wisdom of knowledge of You so I can prepare not only myself for the day of Your coming, but also others. Amen

The Law

Gen 39-41; Luke 16

Scripture: It is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than it is for one stroke of a pen to be taken from the law of God. Luke 16: 17

Observation: God is eternal. He is the beginning and the end, so is His law. If God does not change why should His laws change or be taken away? Heaven and earth could pass away, but not His laws.

Application: If God commands us to keep his laws then we should do it. No if, ands, or buts. He does this for our own good because He loves us and always wants us to be with Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord help me to keep your commandments not because I have to but because I want to out of love for you. Amen

The Lost Sheep

Gen 37, 38; Ps. 7; Luke 15

Scripture: That’s the way things are in heaven. When one sinner sees that he’s doing wrong, confesses his sins, and decides to change his life, the joy in heaven over this one person is something you can’t imagine. The rejoicing is over the one who repents, not over the ninety-nine who are at home and don’t need to repent. Luke 15: 7

Observation: God and the entire heavenly angels rejoice when even one person decides to repent and follow Jesus. They’re glad this one lost person has decided to become a disciple for Jesus.

Application: Confess your sins to your Heavenly Father and change your ways. Do not put the Lord onto the cross again. Daily He wants you to come to Him……so come to Him!

Prayer: Dear Lord we are a sinful people and in need of direction. Guide us into heavenly things and lead us away from temptations, so you may be glad of who we are. Amen

Following the Lord

Gen 34-36; Luke 14

Scripture: “If any of you want to follow me but you care more about what your father and mother, your wife and children or your brothers and sisters think about me, you can’t possible be my disciple. If you’re not willing to carry that kind of a cross for me, you’re not really my disciple, no matter what you say. Luke 14: 26, 27

Observation: Jesus wants us to take up the cross, but if you love your family and friends more than Him than you can not be his disciple.

Application: Bottom line is follow the Lord and all things will be added unto you. Put Him first and everything else second because if you don’t you may lose your life. What on this earth is so precious that it would make a person give up God? All these things on earth will soon be in a fire, so again put God first.

Prayer: Dear Lord we know as a people the cross is hard to bare at times, but you can lighten our burdens in this if you would help us to put you first in all that we have and all that we do. Amen

Forgiveness

Gen 31-33; Luke 13

Scripture: When Esau saw his brother, he ran to meet him, threw his arms around him and kissed him, and soon they were both crying. Gen 33: 4

Observation: Can you imagine seeing your brother coming towards you thinking he was totally angry with you for all you had done to him. Yet, Esau forgave Jacob for everything that had been done to him. Talk about total forgiveness!

Application: We, as the human race, need to first come humble before our God and ask for forgiveness. We need to ask God to help us to forgive those who trespass against us and to forgive those who come before us in all humbleness asking to be forgiven.

Prayer: Dear Lord may we come humbly before you to ask your favor upon us in which we need forgiveness and to be able to forgive others whether they ask to be forgiven or not. Amen

Not to Worry

Gen 29, 30; Luke 12

Scriptures: Jesus turned to His disciples and said, “Don’t worry so much about your body—what to eat or what to wear. That’s what unbelievers worry about.” You have a Father who loves you and knows what you need. Make His kingdom your first priority, and He will provide what you need. Luke 12: 22, 30, 31

Observation: Jesus was trying to tell His disciples there was no need to worry how they would get feed or clothed because their heavenly Father would always provide all they ever needed. He wanted them to first seek His kingdom and then all needs would be taken care of.

Application: We should always try to seek God first and then all other things will be given unto us. Trust in God to provide for all your needs. Some encouragement to those who may be on the brink of destruction: There’s a person I know whose health insurance was going up considerably last year. There was no raise or promotion in sight to provide for this rise in cost of the insurance. This person prayed for months for the Lord to provide for this need and some how He did. The same thing is happening again to this person’s insurance this year. There’s no pay raise or promotion again and yet another hike in the insurance. This person has no idea how it will get paid, but he or she knows God will provide away even when there looks like there’s no way, so their not giving up the faith in God to help. We as human beings tend to worry. It’s our human nature to do so, but Jesus will never let you down, so do not be afraid to seek Jesus first and then all other things will fall into place.

Prayer: Dear Lord I pray for your guidance to know you better. Help me not to worry about the little things in life, but seek ye first your kingdom and then all other things will be added unto me. Amen

Promises

Gen 27, 28; Ps. 4; Luke 11

Scripture: Then Jacob vowed, “Lord God, if you will be with me wherever I go and watch over me as you have promised, and if you will see that I don’t go hungry or become a beggar, and if you will help me return home and find peace, then I’ll know that you have accepted my confession and forgiven me. I will know that you care about me, and I will serve you forever. Gen 28: 20, 21

Observation: Jacob made a promise between him and the Lord to watch over him and be with him, so as to make sure he didn’t go hungry or become a beggar and to help him to be able to go home one day in peace. By this promise Jacob would know the Lord cared for him and had forgiven him, so Jacob’s house would continually serve the Lord.

Application: When we read God’s words of promises or make a pack between the Lord and ourselves we should believe God will keep his end of the bargain, so we should keep ours also.

Prayer: Dear Lord help me to cling to all your promises in the bible. Let me daily be renewed by them. Help me to know things will be better for me if I only give my self totally and completely to you. Amen

Repenting

Gen 25, 26; Ps. 6; Luke 10

Scripture: I really feel for such cities and towns especially Chorazin and Bethsaida. They’ve had the opportunity to know who I am because of the many miracles I worked there. If these same miracles had been done in Gentile cities like Tyre and Sidon, those people would have repented long ago and turned to God. In fact, people in Tyre and Sidon have a greater possibility of being saved than those who reject the good news of the kingdom. And many in Capernaum are even worse off. Their pride stands in their way, and they don’t even care whether they’re saved or not. Luke 10: 13-15

Observation: Certain cities and towns had an opportunity to hear the good news and apparently rejected it. Yet the gentiles were more receptive to Gods’ words. The Gentiles were more out to being saved than the Jewish Nation.

Application: If we hear God’s words we should run towards them and not away from them. God knows what is good for us and if we would just repent and listen to what He wants us to do than we can be saved. Don’t think because you’re a Seventh-Day Adventist that that saves you and you will be found in Heaven one day. Some one who is of another faith may be found there in your place because you were too stubborn to heed God’s words.

Prayer: Dear Lord help me to repent from my sinful nature and to resemble more of a likeness of You. Help me not to be proud, but humble me into your submission to glorify your Name. Amen

Believing

Gen 23, 24; Luke 9

Scripture: Finally, late in the afternoon, the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Master, these people are hungry. You need to send them on their way so they can get to a nearby town to buy some food before it gets dark, because it’s a long way back.” Jesus looked at His disciples and said, “If the people are hungry, why don’t you feed them?” They said to Him, “We have only five small loaves of bread and two small fish. Do you expect us to go to town to buy enough food to feed all these people?” There were about five thousand men there that day, not counting women and children. Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Tell the people to sit down in groups of fifty.” They did what Jesus requested, and soon all the people were seated. Then Jesus took the five loaves of bread and the two small fish, looked up to heaven, asked the blessing and started passing bread and fish to the disciples who, in turn, passed them out to the people. Luke 9: 12-16

Observation: A lot of people apparently came to see Jesus to hear His preaching even though they had no food to feed themselves they were there to hear God’s words. There was little to feed them being only five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus called upon the Lord to feed His people and God blessed in this instant with all the food in which no one went hungry.

Application: Do not be afraid even if your shelves are bare. Do not worry, but believe God will feed you even if you have no money to buy food, clothing, etc. Have faith and believe God will provide for your needs!

Prayer: Dear Lord help us to believe in you for all our needs and trust you know what we need when we need it. Amen

Loyalty

Gen 20-22; Luke 8

Scripture: God said, “Take your son, the only one you have, the one you love so much, and go with him three days’ travel to Mount Moriah. There at the top of the mountain I want you to offer up Isaac to me as a human sacrifice. Confused and pained over such a command, Abraham nevertheless obeyed…..Then the Lord said to Abraham, “I swear by My own name that I will bless you because you listened to me and in your heart offered up your only son as a sacrifice, no matter how painful it was to you. I promise to multiply your descendants until they are as numerous as the stars of heaven or the sand along the seashore. They will conquer the cities of their enemies, and from your offspring will come the Seed who will conquer death. Through Him all the nations on earth will be blessed. The Seed will come from your lineage because you have trusted and obeyed me.” Gen 22: 2, 3, 15, 16, 17, 18

Observation: Abraham had so much faith and loyalty towards God he was willing to give up his only son to him. He believed God would fulfill His promise to him and that was his seed would be as the stars in the night sky.

Application: Can people in this day and age give God their sons or daughters even unto death to our Lord? To have loyalty to our Lord and Savior as Abraham did? But saying it is one thing putting it into action is another. We must keep to Gods promises in the bible even unto death and have loyalty to our God.

Prayer: Dear Lord help us to have that kind of loyalty to you even when things are really bad and confusing. We may not understand all your wisdom, but help us to see your light. Amen.

Healing

Gen 18, 19; Ps. 3; Luke 7

Scripture: A Roman officer’s personal slave who was highly respected and like one of the family had become terribly sick and was at the point of death. When the officer heard about Jesus’ power to heal, he asked some of the religious leaders to ask Him to come to his house and heal his servant. That’s the reason I didn’t come to see you but asked others to speak for me. All you have to do is to command the sickness to go away, and it will, and my servant will be healed. When Jesus heard this, He was amazed at the kind of faith this Roman officer had in Him. He turned to the people and said, “I tell you, I haven’t found anyone with this kind of faith anywhere in Israel!” Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Because you have believed in me, it will be done.” The officer returned home, and when he got there, he found his servant well. Luke 7: 2, 3, 7, 9, 10

Observation: What faith was this just in one person? The Roman officer had more faith in Jesus than the entire Jewish nation put together. This officer believed if Jesus just gave the word for his slave to be healed then he would be healed. He didn’t need Jesus to be there by the slave’s side to heal him.

Application: I personally needed to see this scripture today. God really knows just what we need when we need it. With myself I need some personal physical healing. Reading this today has renewed my faith and strength in Jesus that things will be alright if we would just give over to him ourselves and believe and have faith in Him to take care of us. As human nature goes sometimes we want to physically see God in action, but the greatest healing of all is in those things we do not see, but yet we believe.

Prayer: Dear Lord please be with me today and everyday as I take into action believing, receiving, and ultimately healing not only my physically being, but also my faith in you. Amen.

Judging

Gen 15-17; Luke 6

Scripture: “Don’t judge or condemn people for what they’ve done to you; God doesn’t condemn you for the hurts you have caused Him. He forgives you. Treat others the same way. Have a giving attitude in all you do and you’ll get back more than you give. God will return blessings to you abundantly—packed in and flowing over. Whatever you give out to others will be given back to you.” Luke 6: 37, 38

Observation: God wants His people not to be in judgment of each other, but rather having forgiveness for one another and in doing so we will be blessed.

Application: Do not judge your brothers or sisters, but have an understanding of their misconceptions. If someone talks lies behind your back about you do not go behind theirs to get back at them and tell lies about them. Show them great mercy as our Lord would by example of how a Christian should act.

Prayer: Dear Lord give me the wisdom of understanding one another and not to listen to gossip or lies of my fellow Christians. Help me not to judge another person for we know all judgment belongs to you.

Miracles

Gen 12-14; Luke 5


Scripture: When Simon Peter saw this, he fell on his knees in front of Jesus and said, “O Lord, I’m a sinful man! Why do you even come near me? I am unworthy!” He said this because he and all the others in the boat were amazed at this huge catch of fish. They knew it was a miracle. Luke 5: 8, 9

Observation: Can you imagine being there at that time seeing all those fish just pile high up in the boat? What a miracle indeed! The people must have been amazed not only by the miracle in itself, but also by Jesus’ words. His words are mighty and true.

Application: Jesus isn’t bodily on this earth today, but yet we see him every where. Some people need to see a miracle in order to believe in him, but what does Jesus say: those who do not see, but still believe. What great faith is that!

Prayer: Dear Lord may my life reflect more like yours by having more faith in you. May you show me your ways to help me keep the faith I have and to learn to have more. Help me to believe even when I do not see the miracle at hand, but to know you will intervene in our behalf when troubles come.

Temptation

Gen 9-11; Luke 4

Scripture: After Jesus was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit, He left the area of Jordan and was guided by the Spirit to a desolate place some distance from Jerusalem. There He stayed for forty days, and during that whole time He ate nothing. At the end of His fast He was severely tempted by the devil. The devil came to Him in the form of an angel and said, “If you’re really the Son of God, then use your power to turn some of these bread-shaped stones into bread to feed yourself. If you don’t, you’re going to die.” Jesus answered, “It is written, Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from God.” Luke 4: 1-4

Observation: Being hungry could tempt anyone into sinning. Even to the point of wanting stones turned into bread. The devil will tempt you beyond anything anyone could ever imagine, but always remember Jesus was tempted over everything possible. If He could overcome then we can overcome too with His help.

Application: Trust in Jesus to help even when the temptation is so great a thing know that Jesus is the one who knows what is best for you and not yourself.

Prayer: Dear Lord help me to trust you will take care of me even when things are going wrong. Help me not to be tempted in trusting myself to take care of things I know only you are capable of doing.

Wickedness of Man

Gen 6-8; Luke 3

Scripture: God saw the growing wickedness among the people. All day long they thought of nothing but sinning. He was sick at heart over His creation. He has made man in His own image, but now man was becoming even more evil. Then God said, “I have no choice but to destroy the human beings I have made. Man’s wickedness is out of control and needs to be stopped. I will also destroy the animals, including the huge creatures and those that crawl on the ground, as well as birds of the air. Man’s evil cannot be allowed to continue. It breaks my heart to see what they are doing, and in mercy I will bring this wickedness to an end and save those who love me.” Gen 6: 5-7

Observation: We cannot hide our evilness from our all mighty God who sees everything from beginning to end. He will utterly destroy those who continue to do wickedness.

Application: Bottom line is to stop sinning and breaking God’s heart every day and let God take control of my life. Let him lead it and guide me into those things that are spiritually good for me.

Prayer: Dear Lord be with me today and everyday in all that I do my it be honorable to you. What I do in secret may it be able to shine in the light of day and not dishonor you, but praise your name for you are worth.

Redemption

Gen 3-5; Luke 2

Scripture: Then God said to the serpent, “Because you were used as a tool of Satan, I cannot continue to let you be the most beautiful creature in the garden. You will now be lower than any of the animals and will crawl on the ground eating its dust. Also, I will place a hatred of sin in the heart of the woman and her descendants. This hatred of sin will find its ultimate expression in One of her offspring. Satan, like a striking serpent, will try to kill Him, but as a man crushes the head of a poisonous snake with his bare heel to save his children—knowing he will die—so the Savior will sacrifice His own life to save those who love Him, and He will utterly crush the serpent’s head.” Gen 3: 14, 15

Observation: Even though the serpent was one of the most beautiful creatures at that time it was made lower than all other animals because sin had found its way into humanity through the woman being tempted by the serpent. But yet God showed us he has a plan for our Salvation.

Application: This scripture for me is the best scriptures of all because it shows me I have redemption through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That no matter what comes in my life doubt, fear, depression, etc; I can count on Him who saves me in all matters in this life.

Prayer: Dear Lord give me the wisdom and understanding to have the faith I need today and every day to believe in your salvation and my redemption. Do not let me give up, but hold on to me even when I feel like giving up.

Creation

Gen 1, 2; Luke 1

Scripture: In Brief, this is the story of creation when God made the earth and the sky. Gen 2: 4. Observation: Things that God created whether it was man, the earth, or the birth of Jesus. Application: For me to believe and have faith that my Lord is creator of all things. That he created me and all that is on this earth including the birth of Christ. Prayer: Dear Lord: May I have faith in you even when I do not see with my eyes the glorious miracles that you do.