Tag: phi2

A Powerful Name!

As the early church grew in the Book of Acts, so did the persecution. The preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ annoyed the religious elite. These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead. (Acts 4:2, NLT) They arrested Peter and John and, at their trial, attempted to prevent them from ever speaking Jesus’ name again. But to keep them from spreading their propaganda any further…they commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:17–18, NLT)

That was a mistake! Persecution is like fuel to fire, and the gospel began to spread with intensity. So, the Apostles were arrested again. And when they had brought them…the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching…” (Acts 5:27–28, ESV) The name of Jesus was the problem! Yes, the Son of God, Jesus, the one who went about doing only good during His life on this earth, the one they crucified, the one who rose from the dead—He and His name are the problem.

As I read about the effort to shut down any mention of Jesus’ name, I was reminded of a scripture: Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9–11, NKJV) The gospel is not going away, and neither is Jesus! What a reassurance of hope we have as believers, though we may be persecuted for His name’s sake. Yes—eventually, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess this powerful name!

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Acts 4-6:15.

The Hype of the Hypocrite!

Matthew chapter 23 records Jesus’ sharpest teaching on hypocrites. Six times, He directly calls the scribes and Pharisees hypocrites and seven times, He pronounces woe on these hypocritical religious leaders. This chapter is a deep dive into the hypocrite. 

Notice the hype of the hypocrite (Matthew 23:1-33). They know everything but won’t practice what they know to do. They hold everyone to a higher standard than themselves. They are extremely demanding, yet they will not offer to help someone meet their demands. They are not sincere in anything they do; it is all for show. They love attention and obsess over positions and titles. Their reasoning is so illogical that it makes normal people wonder if the hypocrite is right and if they are crazy. They work tirelessly to mold others to be like them, though they will never let anyone be better than them. They obsess about the smallest details but ignore the things that matter the most. Yes, the hypocrite is full of hype, and hype is all they have. In a word, they are the walking definition of pride. 

What, then, is the antidote to the hype of the hypocrite? The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Matthew 23:11–12, NLT) We must replace the hype with humility if we don’t want to be hypocrites. Serve. Be last. Say fewer words. Be an example, not an expert. Love God. Love others. Lose this life for Christ; don’t save it. Notice our ultimate example of humility—Jesus: but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:7–8, ESV)

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Matthew 23; Luke 20-21.

Victory in a Crooked Culture!

True to His word, God did just as He said through His prophets and exiled His people for their sins. Taken to Babylon, Daniel and his three friends, all teenagers, find themselves living in a foreign land wherein the culture is anti-Jehovah (Daniel 1:1–2).

These four young men, along with many others, were selected to be indoctrinated in this foreign culture for three years. Their names, whose meanings spoke of Jehovah, were changed to recognize Babylonian gods (Daniel 1:7). They were forced to study this culture’s literature and language (Daniel 1:4). Even their diet was changed (Daniel 1:5). The point was to strip away anything that related to the God of Israel and replace it with Babylonian culture and worship. But Daniel and his friends purposed to honor God despite this situation. 

God blessed their holy purpose. As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams…the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah…And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. (Daniel 1:17–20, ESV)

As I thought about these things, I was reminded of Jesus’ high priestly prayer for us as believers. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. (John 17:14–16, NKJV) 

Believers, we do not have to be overcome by this world and its culture—no matter how bad it gets! Jesus has prayed for us, not that we would be taken out of the world and its culture, but that we would be protected from the evil one and his culture. Let’s purpose in our hearts not to defile ourselves with the culture of this world, for Jesus has prayed for us, and the Father answers Jesus’ prayers! This battle is already won—as Daniel, let’s purpose to walk in victory amidst a crooked and perverse generation! …so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. (Philippians 2:15, NLT)

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Daniel 1-3.

Overcoming Opposition!

Today’s reading in Ezekiel reveals a coming worldwide opposition to God’s people. We also see their ultimate victory by divine and supernatural intervention. This opposition will grow so strong that God will intervene and destroy Israel’s enemies. “In this way, I will demonstrate my glory to the nations. Everyone will see the punishment I have inflicted on them and the power of my fist when I strike. (Ezekiel 39:21, NLT)

While much of today’s reading is yet for a future time, there is a similar spirit of opposition, or anti-Christ, that is alive and well even now against Christians. Why are Christians persecuted across the globe? Why is the name of Jesus Christ so offensive? Why do the wicked attack the church, the body of Christ? Why do the ungodly rage against righteousness, God, and His people? Because the god of this world, the Devil, is in a losing battle against God. Because sin and iniquity abound in the hearts of men. Because the Gospel is foolish and offensive to the unbelieving. 

Yet, despite this opposition, we have assured victory! …despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. (Romans 8:37, NLT) Additionally, there is coming a day when all shall confess that Jesus is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10–11). In light of these things, I am reminded of what Paul said: being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, (Colossians 1:11–13, ESV)

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Ezekiel 38-39.

Light in a dark world!

Amidst the heaviness and darkness of Isaiah’s prophecies of judgment, we see a bright light—a familiar Messianic prophecy of great hope! Isaiah speaks of a coming light that will conquer darkness (Isaiah 9:2-5) and a future government unlike anything before it (Isaiah 9:6–7). What does the Bible say about this light?

In both the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, we see the prophecy of this light being fulfilled. Notice what Matthew says of Jesus. And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, … The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. (Matthew 4:13–16, KJV) According to this, the light Isaiah spoke of is a who, not a what. This light is Jesus! Notice what Jesus says of himself, … I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12, KJV)

The darkness of this world has not only been conquered by Jesus, but every believer carries this light in them, which shines through them, expelling darkness. Ye are the light of the world. … Let your light so shine before men… (Matthew 5:14–16, KJV) … among whom ye shine as lights in the world; (Philippians 2:15, KJV) Of course, this world we live in is under the influence of the evil one and the darkness of sin. But what a thought—Christ in us powerfully expels this darkness around us! Let’s rejoice that light has come to us, and we have this ministry of bringing light to others in darkness!

Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from 2 Chronicles 27; Isaiah 9-12.