QT 12/31/2021 , Gen 11:31-12:1, What is our calling?

 

UPDATE: This quiet time is an update of 27 Dec 2007.

 

Genesis 11:31–12:1 (ESV) —

31 Terah took Abram his son and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife, and they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan, but when they came to Haran, they settled there. 32 The days of Terah were 205 years, and Terah died in Haran.

1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.

 

NOTE:  This is an especially puzzling set of verses, primarily because of what is not said.  Why did Terah choose to go to Canaan?  Why did they stop?  Why does God call Abram to go to Canaan in the very next verses?

 

One possible implication is that Terah was called by God but he failed to follow through.  God then repeats the call to his son Abram.  His son chooses to walk by faith, his father walked by sight.  He stopped in Haran. (Note: in the NT, the writers attribute the original call to Abram, but that doesn't exclude the fact that Terah was also called, but failed to finish).

 

You don't have to be a Pastor to receive a calling from God. Personally, I think God calls all of us. At the very least he calls us to make disciples, to love God wholly, and to love our neighbor. And most of us receive an even more specific calling--how God can use us to bring glory to him.

 

PONDER:

1. What has God called me to do and where have I stopped? 
2. Have I stopped in Haran? Or am I still moving forward? This new year is a chance to get moving again.

 

PRAYER: Father, what are you calling me to do in this new year? Maybe it is to continue a venture that you started years earlier. Don't let us stop in Haran. We want to be men and women who walk by faith and not by sight. We want to be used by you for your glory. We want to be obedient.

 

FURTHER NOTE (12/31/2021): The "but" in verse 31, "… but when they came to Haran, they settled there …, and Teran died in Haran." It is followed by God's call to Abram to "go … to the land." I can't help but think that the two statements are meant to contrast each other. One doesn't finish what he started, and the other finishes the task -- one is sidetracked; one does not give up. It is easy to give up, but I don't think that is ever the right choice. In fact, Sarah (one of the traveling group) is a story of never giving up, as she who was barren, finally has a child in her old age.

 

PRAYER: What am I in danger of giving up on? What do I need to recommit myself to finishing? Father, help me to continue and to finish the race with a full commitment. I want to be an Abraham, not a Terah.

QT 12/30/2021 1 Kings 14:1-13, What is our impact?

 

UPDATE: This is a repeat of a QT on 29 Dec 2010.

 

1 Kings 14:1–13 (ESV) —

1 At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick. 2 And Jeroboam said to his wife, “Arise, and disguise yourself, that it not be known that you are the wife of Jeroboam, and go to Shiloh. Behold, Ahijah the prophet is there, who said of me that I should be king over this people. 3 Take with you ten loaves, some cakes, and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what shall happen to the child.”

4 Jeroboam’s wife did so. She arose and went to Shiloh and came to the house of Ahijah. Now Ahijah could not see, for his eyes were dim because of his age. 5 And the Lord said to Ahijah, “Behold, the wife of Jeroboam is coming to inquire of you concerning her son, for he is sick. Thus and thus shall you say to her.”

When she came, she pretended to be another woman. 6 But when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why do you pretend to be another? For I am charged with unbearable news for you. 7 Go, tell Jeroboam, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: “Because I exalted you from among the people and made you leader over my people Israel 8 and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you, and yet you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commandments and followed me with all his heart, doing only that which was right in my eyes, 9 but you have done evil above all who were before you and have gone and made for yourself other gods and metal images, provoking me to anger, and have cast me behind your back, 10 therefore behold, I will bring harm upon the house of Jeroboam and will cut off from Jeroboam every male, both bond and free in Israel, and will burn up the house of Jeroboam, as a man burns up dung until it is all gone. 11 Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city the dogs shall eat, and anyone who dies in the open country the birds of the heavens shall eat, for the Lord has spoken it.” ’ 12 Arise therefore, go to your house. When your feet enter the city, the child shall die. 13 And all Israel shall mourn for him and bury him, for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found something pleasing to the Lord, the God of Israel, in the house of Jeroboam.

 

NOTE: A blind prophet recognizes the footsteps of a disguised women he had never met as the King's wife (although possibly being blind was an advantage).  And while his words are harsh, the act of identifying his wife should have confirmed God's control of life to Jeroboam.  Jeroboam received a prophecy that he would be king, but somehow he justified it as a lucky guess, because he makes no attempt to please the God who gave him the kingship.  Now, when his son is near death, he needs God.  He doesn't go (that we know) to the high places he set up or to any of the people who wanted to be his priests.  He goes back to the original prophet who had told him he would be King.  Why is it that even unbelievers turn to God in their pain?  The prophet's words are harsh and fitting.  Jeroboam had failed in the role God gave to him.  He had led a nation into a sin, that would continue until its very destruction.

 

I think the Lord gives each person who believes in Him a ministry and a role.  We can follow God, or we can live life for ourselves.  But God will call us to account for how we have used the gifts and calling he has given to us.

 

Jeroboam's actions gave him the infamous tagline in scripture, "the sins of Jeroboam, son of Nebat." None of the kings of the northern kingdom ever did differently. They all followed the sins of Jeroboam, son of Nebat. He could have had so much good influence, and instead his name is repeatedly recognized for his bad influence.

 

PONDER:

1. What will be my tagline to my heritage? It is not too late to create new tagline.
2. We all influence at least one person and more likely many, even if we do not notice. Is my influence good or bad or indifferently? God will call me to account.
3. Am I doing what God has called me to do? Do I even care?

 

PRAYER: Father, each of us has a role and place in the body, but too many of the members stand by idly watching the 20 percent do the work for the whole. What is our place of service? In this new year, show us where you want us to serve and how you want to use our life.

QT 12/29/2021 Gen 42:35-38; 45:26-28, Moving on with life

 UPDATE: This quiet time was originally written 3 Jan 2013 and has been updated with some new thoughts.

 

Genesis 42:35–38 (ESV) —

35 As they emptied their sacks, behold, every man’s bundle of money was in his sack. And when they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were afraid. 36 And Jacob their father said to them, “You have bereaved me of my children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and now you would take Benjamin. All this has come against me.” 37 Then Reuben said to his father, “Kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you. Put him in my hands, and I will bring him back to you.” 38 But he said, “My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is the only one left. If harm should happen to him on the journey that you are to make, you would bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.”

 

NOTE: Jacob shows very little courage. He has already given up on ever seeing Simeon again. Reuben's argument is both ridiculous and strong. Jacob is not going to kill his grandchildren, no matter what happens, but the argument does seem to get his father's attention. Jacob is in a major pity party. His statement "everything is against me" is a good picture of the last 17 years of his life. For a man who once had everything going for him, even when Laban was against him, he is now in a funk and has completely forgotten God's previous protection. This is no longer the man who struggle with God and prevailed, the man God renamed Israel (meaning God's warrior). This is a shell of that previous man whom the scriptures now call Jacob. What is it with Jacob that it takes 20 years to learn a lesson. It took 20 years of conniving with Laban to learn that God is the real provider. It takes almost 20 years without Joseph to realize that God is in control.

This highlights a failure of most believers, when times are hard, we quickly forget the miracles of the past and allow our emotions to dictate our response to circumstances. In one sense, this is good--we do need to let our emotions out and to recognize how we feel. But when it continues for years, then we are living in a pity party and are not seeking God. One could argue that Jacob's response is a very short term emotional outburst, but I wonder. In Gen 45:26-28, when Jacob learns Joseph is alive, he is stunned ("… his heart became numb"), and his spirit "revives." For 17 years, Jacob let his pain rule his life, at the end of chapter 45, he lets God rule again. Coincidentally , in the next verse after his revival, the scripture uses the name God gave him (vs 28, "And Israel said ….).

 

PONDER:

1. Is there something that has happened in the past that I can't let go of, and is it affecting my walk and spirit today?
2. Am I struggling because I can't let go of bitterness toward an individual?
3. Do I need to repent and heal a relationship?

 

PRAYER: Father, reveal to me areas of my life I have hidden from myself. Show me where I need to takes steps to heal a relationship. Show me where I need to let go of past hurts. Help me to move on. Revive my spirit Lord, revive my spirit.

QT 12/28/2021 Gen 42:4,21-24, How can I make this year different?

UPDATE: This is a repeat of a QT on 2 Jan 2013. The story of Joseph's interactions with his brothers and his disguised self (they did not recognize him), reveal a mess that had consumed not only Joseph but also his family since the time of his brother's evil deed.

 

Genesis 42:4 (ESV) —

4 But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with his brothers, for he feared that harm might happen to him.

. . .

Genesis 42:21–24 (ESV) —

21 Then they said to one another, “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” 22 And Reuben answered them, “Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy? But you did not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood.” 23 They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them. 24 Then he turned away from them and wept. And he returned to them and spoke to them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.

 

NOTE: It has always been a question in my mind why Joseph plays the game that he does. His weeping gives a hint. He loves his family and so he is not engaged in a cruel joke. He weeps as he hears them recount their sin (Reuben calls it sin) against him (not knowing that he, Joseph, stood before them). At that point, he realizes that at least some of them are also suffering for what they have done to him. But he is apparently not completely convinced of the change in their lives and so he continues the game. His father's response is also interesting in keeping Benjamin home. While he might be playing favorites, it could be that in some way he does not trust the other sons to protect the youngest. He has no qualms about sending ten sons to get grain, but will not chance his youngest. It may be nothing, or distrust, or just not wanting to lose all his children at once. Either way, a game begins that is actually a test. Joseph adds other elements to the test, like secretly returning their money. All of it is to determine what the 17 years have done to his brothers and Father.

 

As another year passes by, so we too need to take stock. We don't have a Joseph to test us (or maybe we do), but we can ask hard questions.

 

PONDER:

1. Is my life any different this year than last year or five years ago or ten years ago?
2. Am I stuck in some valley because I choose not to take steps to move out?

 

A new year is a chance for new beginnings. But we can't do it on our own, nor will God do it for us. We must ask God for spiritual growth; we must confess sins; and we must choose to take the first step by laying out a plan of change. The simplest and most powerful is to meet with God for a daily 5-10 minute devotional each morning. Make it a new habit and your life will be revitalized beyond your wildest dreams.

 

PRAYER: Father, the sin of Joseph's brothers took nearly 20 years to solve. In that time, many were hurt and many carried deep guilt and pain. It is so sad to see almost two decades wasted because of lingering sin. I pray for you to open our eyes to our sin and our failures. We need to repent. Then we need you. We need to seek you and your power to overcome our failures and sin. And then we need to grow deeper in our relationship with you. I pray we would not let another year go by wasted because we did not get right with you.

 

UPDATE: Once again, the conditions regarding the loss of a son are recreated. Would the brothers tell their Father the truth? Would the Father trust them to get his son returned? For the most part, the sons are changing, but not so the Father. His pain is still deep. He needs to let go of the pain.

 

PRAYER: Father, new years are moments to change. In you, we can change each day and be transformed into a new creature. But new year's carry the idea of new beginnings -- a chance to start over, a chance to be different. The key is not trying to do too much, but choosing to do one life-changing thing and to do it well.

 

QT 12/27/2021 Judges 9, Doing things in our own strength

 

UPDATE: This is a repeat of a QT on 1 Jan 2013. The passage is long and I added a paragraph to the context. It is a story much like Esther (little mention of God except verses 23, 56-57), except no one is trusting God in this story.

 

Judges 9:1–6 (ESV) —

1 Now Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother’s relatives and said to them and to the whole clan of his mother’s family, 2 “Say in the ears of all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Which is better for you, that all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal rule over you, or that one rule over you?’ Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.”

3 And his mother’s relatives spoke all these words on his behalf in the ears of all the leaders of Shechem, and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our brother.” 4 And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless fellows, who followed him. 5 And he went to his father’s house at Ophrah and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself. 6 And all the leaders of Shechem came together, and all Beth-millo, and they went and made Abimelech king, by the oak of the pillar at Shechem.

Judges 9:26–29 (ESV) —

26 And Gaal the son of Ebed moved into Shechem with his relatives, and the leaders of Shechem put confidence in him. 27 And they went out into the field and gathered the grapes from their vineyards and trod them and held a festival; and they went into the house of their god and ate and drank and reviled Abimelech. 28 And Gaal the son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who are we of Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is not Zebul his officer? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem; but why should we serve him? 29 Would that this people were under my hand! Then I would remove Abimelech. I would say to Abimelech, ‘Increase your army, and come out.’ ”

Judges 9:38–40 (ESV) —

38 Then Zebul said to him, “Where is your mouth now, you who said, ‘Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him?’ Are not these the people whom you despised? Go out now and fight with them.” 39 And Gaal went out at the head of the leaders of Shechem and fought with Abimelech. 40 And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him. And many fell wounded, up to the entrance of the gate.

Judges 9:45–46 (ESV) —

45 And Abimelech fought against the city all that day. He captured the city and killed the people who were in it, and he razed the city and sowed it with salt.

46 When all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the stronghold of the house of El-berith.

Judges 9:49–57 (ESV) —

49 So every one of the people cut down his bundle and following Abimelech put it against the stronghold, and they set the stronghold on fire over them, so that all the people of the Tower of Shechem also died, about 1,000 men and women.

50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez and captured it. 51 But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and women and all the leaders of the city fled to it and shut themselves in, and they went up to the roof of the tower. 52 And Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it and drew near to the door of the tower to burn it with fire. 53 And a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull. 54 Then he called quickly to the young man his armor-bearer and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” And his young man thrust him through, and he died. 55 And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, everyone departed to his home. 56 Thus God returned the evil of Abimelech, which he committed against his father in killing his seventy brothers. 57 And God also made all the evil of the men of Shechem return on their heads, and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.

 

NOTE:  Jotham's parable (Judges 9:7-20), the first in the bible, becomes a prophecy. Those who supported Abimelech are burned and Abimelech is judged at the hand of a woman. The story of Israel's first self-proclaimed king is an ugly story of sin, treachery, and cruelty. God's involvement in the story is in repaying the wickedness (Judges 9:56), but beyond that it is a story of men solving their own problems without the help of God. In fact, the people of Shechem hold a festival in the temple of their god, completely ignoring God who gave them the land. These are the same people who cry out to God when life is painful but completely forget him when life is good. And this is the message for us. When life is good, our response is to live in the world, forgetting what God has graciously given to us. And then, when tragedy or pain befalls us, we scream out or cry out to God for relief, as if it was his fault and not ours. Oh, when will we wake up from our delusions and recognize that we were bought with a price--our life is not our own (1 Cor 6:20).

 

PONDER:

1. When do I call upon God? Is it only when life goes bad or the situation is beyond my ability?
2. Do I every spend the good times in gratitude or do I wait for tragedy to begin seeking God?

 

PRAYER: Father, forgive me for a selfish narcissistic attitude toward life. I need seek you in the good times as well as the bad. I need to be grateful for the work that you are doing all the time. But most of all, I just need to seek you.

QT 12/24/2021 John 1:14-18, The miracle of God dwelling in human form

 

John 1:14–18 (ESV) —

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

 

NOTE: The "Word," in Greek the Logos, was first introduced in verse 1: as existing in the beginning, as God and with God, as creator, as life, and as the light. Now John concludes his description of the Logos as the Logos becomes flesh (the incarnation) and dwells (tabernacles) with us. The tabernacle was the first symbol of God's presence to Israel. It went with them through the Exodus. Moses would speak to God, "face-to-face," as a man might speak to another. Now God tabernacles in the form of a human, a fully human in flesh. Verse 18 tells us that no one has ever seen God (because God is spirit), but Jesus has made him known. We see God when we see Jesus. We cannot see the eternal, holy, omnipresent God, but somehow God stepped out of eternity to live among us and show us himself. That is why the celebration of Christmas is so important. The miracle of God dwelling in human form to save us from our sins is only eclipsed by his carrying our sins, dying, and rising again. Today, be thankful that God did the impossible to make our salvations possible.

 

PONDER:

1. My mind is overwhelmed trying to put into the words the idea of God tabernacling among us. It is not a simple thing to take the infinite and present him as finite.

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the impossible and unbelievable incarnation. The proof is in Jesus' life and the careful documentation of all he said. It is in all the eyewitnesses. It is in the people who knew him very well, and gave up their life rather than deny him. Anyone can believe an idea and be a martyr, but people who were eyewitnesses to everything, they do not give up their lives for a lie. Thank you!

QT 12/23/2021 Isa 9:6-7, Two most important events in history (incarnation and resurrection)

Isaiah 9:6–7 (ESV) —

6 For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and of peace

there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

 

NOTE: This is a great verse prophesying the incarnation. This child or son is "born." And this same child is called "Mighty God" and "Everlasting Father. In other words, since it is a prophecy, God will be born upon the earth. He will somehow be God and yet a descendant of David. And this child fulfills the promise of a kingdom without end. The words of this prophecy are too specific to write-off as a metaphor or luck guess -- God will be born. And he was, in the most humblest of places because there was no room for him. He was hated by the elite, he was ignored by the religious, but he was worshipped by the needy and low.

 

PONDER:

1. Where do I fit in the range of responses?
2. There was no room for him when he arrived. Is there room for him in my life?

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray we would not ignore the greatest gift of all time. The world went on, not knowing what had happened. The signs were in abundance throughout his life. I want to remember his birth (the incarnation) and his resurrection from the dead -- most especially this Christmas season.

QT 12/22/2021 Gal 4:4-7, The gift of sonship

 

Galatians 4:4–7 (ESV) —

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

 

NOTE: It was the right time, why? I don't know. I'm sure when the plan is fully revealed we will marvel at the intricacies of God's detail. But it was the time, and Jesus came from the Father, born of a woman to redeem those under the law, so that we MIGHT receive adoption as sons. "Might" is a very important word because, in this context, it means you have to believe and receive. And for the person who truly believes (not an intellectual assent, or simply an emotional response, and definitely not a good work or works), the Holy Spirit of God enters our hearts and we become the most glorious of earthly creations, sons of the most high. What an honor! What an amazing gift!

 

PONDER:

1. Do we really appreciate this Christmas season what the birth brought us?
2. Do we ever spend specific time thanking God for this indescribable birthright (which was never a right until we believed)?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you that I am a son. I believed, I was born again, and I've seen incredible changes in the person I was to the person I am now. Thank you for the new birth. Thank you for the new creation. Thank you for the new relationship. Thank you for the future as one of you sons.

QT 12/21/2021 Matt 2:9-12, Don't lose out on the specialness of the season

Matthew 2:9–12 (Matthew (NAC)): 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

NOTE: The star appears to move. It does not say if it had move earlier. Maybe it hung over Israel or Jerusalem (which is near Bethlehem), which explains why the Magi go to the capital. But now the star moves, possibly lowering itself in a supernatural way, to highlight where the child was. I prefer to see this supernaturally as opposed to a comet or a supernova. I wonder why they stayed in Bethlehem as opposed to returning to Nazareth. I wonder if there was still family pain due to the supposed illegitimate birth. Life was not easy to for the parents of the King of Kings.

PONDER: 

1) Do I struggle with pain in life, not realizing that pain can be part of the will of God?

PRAYER: Father, open our eyes to see the miracle of the Savior's birth. Help us not to let the season pass us in a ho-hum manner. 

QT 12/20/2021 Matt 2:7-8, What is my response to Jesus

 Matthew 2:7–8 (ESV) —

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”

 

NOTE: Herod had already inquired as to the location of the Messiah's birth from the chief priests and scribes. That was public. Now he secretly summons the wise men, obviously not wanting anyone to know, and asks when the star appeared. In verse 16, after realizing that he had been tricked by the wise men, he kills all the male children in Bethlehem two years and younger. My guess is that the wise men saw the star a little over a year ago (possibly two). The parents were probably living in a house by this time (verse 11 confirms). And to be safe, Herod kills all the boys two years and under.

 

There are many responses to Jesus. Some seek him (the wise men). Some came to see him and celebrate him (the shepherds). Some didn't really care (the chief priests and scribes). Finally, some were enraged by him and sought to eliminate any reference to him (Herod -- one of the elites of society). There are many responses to Jesus, what is mine?

 

PONDER:

1. Am I indifferent or enraged by stories of Jesus?
2. Or am I a seeker of Jesus?

 

PRAYER: Father, the world clearly falls into the group that is largely indifferent or openly hostile. They do not understand the significance. And they are blinded by their sin. We, believers in Jesus, need to show them a reason to seek the savior. We need transformed lives such that others cannot ignore the claims of the gospel.

QT 12/17/2021 Matt 2:3-6, Missing out on the greatest gift

Matthew 2:3–6 (ESV) —

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

 

NOTE: Herod shows an unusual lack of knowledge for a "King" of Israel since God had commanded each King to read through the scriptures. Additionally, other versions translate the word for "troubled" as deeply disturbed (HCSB, CSB, NLT), frightened (NSRV), disturbed and troubled (AMP). Herod died in 4BC, so these events did not proceed his death by much. And I doubt he cared for his progeny since the saying at the time was that Herod's pig was safer than Herod's sons. But this is a classic response of a person without hope and without knowledge of God. Life is insecure. The things we put our hope in do not fill our deepest needs. Power is no substitute for true love. Wealth only covers over the pain--it does not remove it. Herod's actions throughout his life show a man always worried about losing life or power to the person closest to him or some unseen event taking power away. In one sense, he was right, he died probably later that year, never realizing that the newborn king was not a threat but a savior. And still today, people see Jesus as a threat to their lifestyle and not as the savior they desperately need.

 

PONDER:

1. How do I really see Jesus--threat, a nice person, or my Lord and Savior? Only one response is correct.

 

PRAYER: Father, this world does not understand what is before it. The greatest gift in history was given and humanity prefers to wallow in its sin. Open our eyes to see our deepest need.

QT 12/16/2021 Matt 2:1-2, Is Jesus really first?

Matthew 2:1–2 (ESV) —

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

 

NOTE: Not everyone was blind to the events 2000 years ago. It is possible that these men are also Jews (proselytes) and may have been influenced by a remnant originally started by Daniel in Babylon. We don't know. They were unlikely to be kings, but rather wise men and priests. What everyone else but these strangers, a few shepherds, a young couple, and a couple of old people realize, is that the Savior of the world has been born. An event of enormous significance and consequence! God himself has entered human existence, somehow in a human frame. No event will ever compare; no time period in human history matches the significance. And yet, the people who should have known and should have cared, don't. What would happen today? Would the religious of people today recognize him? Would we worship when he calls out our selfishness, sin, and meaningless rituals? Would we crucify him all over again? I think we do when we do not take his call upon our life seriously. He doesn't want second best. He wants our first love.

 

PONDER:

1. Is Jesus first in my life? Is Jesus first in my words but not in my actions?
2. What would it mean for Jesus to truly be first?

 

PRAYER: Father, we are so foolish. And I include myself in that assessment. We claim Jesus is first, but few meet with him each morning, few ever pray, few ever share their faith, few ever sacrifice for others, few truly give anything but what is extra. Open our eyes to what it means for you to be first in our lives.

QT 12/15/2021 Luke 2:15-18, He is coming again, and we have the good news

 

Luke 2:15–18 (ESV) —

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

 

NOTE: God had revealed the most important event in history to a nameless group of shepherds. He had revealed to them a glimpse of heaven with a host of angels filling the night sky and singing. And they responded immediately by going to Bethlehem to see their savior, the long-awaited Messiah. And like all true believers in God, they shared their joy with all who would listen. In sharp contrast will be the religious leaders of Jerusalem, who will correctly predict the Messiah's birth location, but will make no attempt to visit and confirm, despite the visit of the wise men from the East.

 

I think this is still true today. The gospel is revealed to the humble and needy, and obscured to the arrogant and self-indulged. Likewise, Christ will return again. First, he will come back to rapture his saints from the wrath to come (meeting us in the air), and then, at the end of the tribulation, he will return to earth for the second time, finishing the long promised wrath to the arrogant and unbelieving.

 

PONDER:

1. Are we ready for Christ's return?
2. Are we doing all that we can to make his name known to those around us, just like the shepherds who were given a special gift of seeing the truth?

 

PRAYER: Father, help us to be a great witness to those around us. Help us to live in such a way that we draw people to the savior. Give us the words, the love, and the display of hope that others will see and ask about our savior.

QT 12/14/2021 Luke 2:13-14, Living in peace

 

QT 12/13/2021 Luke 2:8-11, No one was truly worthy of that good news 2000 years ago

 

QT 12/10/2021 Luke 2:6-7, What is God's place in my life?

 

QT 12/9/2021 Luke 2:1-5, He is working HIS WILL always

 

QT 12/8/2021 Luke 1:46-53, Depending upon God

 

QT 12/7/2021 Luke 1:35-39, Trusting in the good times and bad times

 

QT 12/6/2021 Isa 7:14, The infinite meets the finite

 

QT 12/3/2021 Matt 1:18-21, Understanding the importance of truth (of what really happened 2000 years ago)

 

QT 12/2/2021 Luke 1:31-33, Jesus is coming again--it is future fact

QT 12/1/2021 John 1:11-17, Deceived by religion