Victory in Christ

Here we read about some of Jesus’ miracles. Casting out demons, healing sick, raising the dead to life, feeding thousands of people, and walking on water are just a few of the miraculous things that Christ did in His short time here on earth. What was the purpose of miracles during the time of Jesus and His Apostles? It was not for notoriety because at times Jesus told those involved to not tell anyone what He had done. (Mark 5:43, etc.) We are told one purpose had to do with confirming that what was being taught was truly from God. “And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.” (Mark 16:20) Another purpose had to do with the Great Salvation being attested. “how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” (Hebrews 2:3-4) A third purpose is for us who have the preserved written Word, but were not alive during the time of those miraculous powers. “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31)

Today’s reading: Mark 4-5

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The parable of the sower was one of the many parables taught by Jesus. (Matthew 13) In that parable were four types of results from the seed that was sown. First was one who heard the word but did not understand what he heard. (13:19) The seed sown on rocky ground was one who was excited when he first heard, but once a little trouble came along, he went back to his old ways. (13:20-21) The seed sown among thorns is one so involved in the riches and cares of the world that he lets these cares choke out the word. (13:22) The only good result comes from the seed sown in good soil. That good soil is one that hears and understands God’s word. He goes on to bear fruit many times over. (13:23) There are numerous lessons to be learned from this parable. We can place ourselves as one of these four types of ground where the seed was sown. Which one would you say is the best match for your life? We could also look at the ground as others that we share the word with at some point in our life. The results depend on many factors. Was the seed sown with love and care or just tossed out like the first example? Just like planting a garden, it takes time and effort to properly prepare the ground, plant the seed and then continued work to keep the weeds out. The seed sown on good ground is the only one that we should desire. It takes a never-ending zeal, but it’s rewards are everlasting life.

Today’s reading: Matthew 13; Luke 8

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When a Pharisee named Simon questioned in his mind why Jesus would allow a sinful woman to wash his feet or even come close to him, Jesus answered him with a parable. “And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.” (Luke 7:40-43) If each of us were to honestly count our sins, we should have love for our Lord like the debtor who owed the most.

Today’s reading: Matthew 9; Luke 7

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It has been said that you can look at a man’s checkbook and tell where his heart is. It seems the idea for those words probably originated from part of what was spoken by Jesus in His sermon on the mount. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21) Where is your treasure today?

Today’s reading: Matthew 5-7

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Do you remember the children’s song about the wise and foolish men each building a house? The basis for that song comes from the mouth of our Savior. “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.” (Luke 6:46-49) We can also read a similar passage in Matthew 7:24-27. In the song it is fun to sing how that foolish man’s house went ‘splat’. In real life, it is not fun to be that foolish man who Jesus is talking about not following His word.

Today’s reading: Matthew 12; Mark 3; Luke 6

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When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well, He explained to her how we are to worship God. “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24) To worship in truth we must follow the examples found in Scripture. To worship in spirit we must to do so with a heart and mind focused on the purpose of glorifying and honoring our Heavenly Father.

Today’s reading: John 5

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Jesus was questioned about why he was having a meal with publicans and sinners. His response: “When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Mark 2:17) It is comforting to know that every day we have a great physician that we can call on for help when we are struggling. He has promised to be with us until the end. (Matthew 28:20)

Today’s reading: Matthew 8; Mark 2

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Nicodemus was confused and questioned Jesus on what he meant by the phrase “be born again”.  “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)  Paul explained this concept of a new life in his letter to the Colossians (2:12-13) and also in his letter to the Romans. “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.” (Romans 6:3-7)

Today’s reading: John 2-4

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