today read:
Acts
chapters 21 – 28
c21, v14 NLT
*Sometimes you want something so much for yourself, a family member, or a friend that you press to make it happen, not realizing that you may be imposing your own will and wisdom on the situation. There comes a time when we realize how willful we really are, and we seek in a fresh way God’s will for ourselves or for those we love. One of our most difficult tasks in this life is to relinquish someone we love to God’s will and care, but this is the most loving act we can offer.
*The Touchpoint Bible copyright 1996 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Notes copyright 1996 by V. Gilbert Beers and Ronald A. Beers. All rights reserved.
today read:
Gospel of John
chapter 20 – 28
Acts
chapters 1 – 9
today read:
Gospel of John
chapters 8 – 19
today read:
Gospel of Luke
chapters 21 – 28
Gospel of John
chapters 1 – 7
Jn c1, v35-41 NLT
It is a simple yet disarming question: “What do you want?” John the Baptist told two of his disciples (Andrew and, most likely, John or Philip) that Jesus was the “Lamb of God,” and suddenly they turned around and followed him! Jesus caught them up short, asking bluntly, “What do you want?” It was a perfectly timed, well-placed question. The two men were obviously seeking something, but what? Were they looking for fame, power, truth, adventure, or just an interesting way to spend an afternoon? Seeking and following Christ first requires a confession of our motivation and desires. How would you respond if Jesus suddenly turned and asked, “What do you want?” *
*The Touchpoint Bible copyright 1996 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Notes copyright 1996 by V. Gilbert Beers and Ronald A. Beers. All rights reserved.
toady read:
Gospel of Luke
chapters 9 – 20
c10, v1-12; 17-20
When Jesus sent the seventy (some ancient manuscripts say seventy-two) disciples ahead of him into the towns and villages he planned to visit, they were sent with no means of providing for themselves; no money, no extra clothing, not even an extra pair of sandals. They were told “Don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.” In other words, “Don’t go begging men to meet your needs! Trust!” He told them “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting God who sent me.” After a period of time, they returned to the Lord and joyfully reported “Lord! Even the demons obey us when we use your name!”
Even the demons! Everything! Every name, even demons! Don’t miss the point here. These disciples followed the Lord’s instructions to trust and every need was met. They were successful in every situation…even demons are subject to his disciples in His Name. Have no fear as you go forward, trusting in the Lord as these disciples did. They had nothing extra – yet even demons were subject to them in His Name. Remember this. Fear not! Trust in Jesus. Trust in the Father.
Psalm 12 NLT
1 Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing!
The faithful have vanished from the earth!
2 Neighbors lie to each other,
speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts.
3 May the Lord cut off their flattering lips
and silence their boastful tongues.
4 They say, “We will lie to our hearts’ content.
Our lips are our own—who can stop us?”
5 The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless,
and I have heard the groans of the poor.
Now I will rise up to rescue them,
as they have longed for me to do.”
6 The Lord’s promises are pure,
like silver refined in a furnace,
purified seven times over.
7 Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed,
preserving them forever from this lying generation,
8 even though the wicked strut about,
and evil is praised throughout the land.
today read:
Gospel of Mark
chapters 14 – 16
Gospel of Luke
chapters 1 – 8
Lk c5, v12-13 NLT
*12 In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. “Lord,” he said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.”
13 Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.
*The leper asked to be healed, and Jesus healed him. Many people since then have asked the Lord for healing yet died from their sickness. Why? We may never know, this side of heaven, why God heals some people miraculously, as he did this leper, and allows others to remain sick or infirm. However, Scripture does give some insight into this puzzle. Often, God’s power is demonstrated through our weakness (2 Cor. 12:8-10). Some wounded people have served God much more effectively than they may have served him had they been made whole. Sometimes our faith is not developed enough, or we refuse to take steps of action toward our own healing. Sometimes we are wounded as a result of sin; although God forgives, the consequences remain. God gives us what is best, but often it is not until we look back that we understand God’s actions.
*The Touchpoint Bible copyright 1996 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Notes copyright 1996 by V. Gilbert Beers and Ronald A. Beers. All rights reserved.
