Read through the Bible in 2 years: Matthew 5
Today, I hope you’ll read something I wrote a few years ago called “Blessed are the meek.”
Lord Jesus, I pray that we would humble ourselves before You, recognizing our need and our poverty, and acknowledging Your strength and goodness. It is indeed good to be afflicted, that we might know You and Your power in our suffering. In the good and gracious name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Read through the Bible in 2 years: Matthew 4
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit
Matthew 4:1
into the wilderness
to be tempted by the devil.
It struck me that it was the Spirit that led Jesus to go into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Why? Why would God want Jesus to be tempted? I found the answer in the Word, in Hebrews.
"Therefore [Jesus] had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Hebrews 2:17-18 ESV
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:15-16 ESV
Jesus experienced the very human experience of temptation, yet He resisted the devil by His will and by the Word, and so can we. Like 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
James 1:13-15 ESV
So … What should we do when we face temptation?
Let’s pray.
Heavenly Father, Each and every day the temptations that come our way are many. Some temptations are stronger than others, but all of them can be overcome by Your Spirit and Your Word. He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world. Your Word is my sword by which I can resist the devil’s schemes. Please help me to resist the devil and submit to you. You are my commanding officer. I am no longer a slave to sin. I am no longer a slave to my flash. I am no longer a child of Satan and the world. I am a child of God, by the blood of Jesus. I am a soldier in the army of the Lord. I have been bought with a price and now I want to serve You with my body. I am a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to You, my Lord and Captain and King. In the holy and almighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Read through the Bible in 2 years: Matthew 3
“His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:12 ESV
John the Baptizer was calling the people to repent, and so does Jesus. A time is coming when each of us will stand before the throne of God and be judged. Are you ready?
If God asked you why He should let you into heaven, what would you say?
Only one of these is the correct answer. Are you ready to meet God? Have you turned away from your sins and trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation? Have you publicly professed your faith in Him and followed Him in being baptized? If the answer to any of these questions is no, please let today be the day. Don’t delay.
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus, your son, in the flesh, to be my atoning sacrifice, paying the debt that I could never pay. I pray that you would use me to share this good news with others. I pray that those reading this would trust in your finished work on the cross, repenting of their sins and turning to you for salvation. And the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Matthew 2
In reading Matthew 2, I was struck by how often Matthew said that these events fulfilled the words spoken by the prophets. For Matthew, as a Jewish man, this confirmed for him that Jesus truly was the long-awaited messiah.
For me, as a former atheist, I have a different reaction. My reaction is that God’s word must be true! God must know what will happen in the future if he can send profits to foretell it. And God must be all powerful and sovereign over the events of Earth, if he is able to achieve His perfect will.
I hope this excerpt from Answers in Genesis’s article Fulfilled Prophecies of Jesus’s Birth blesses you.
“There are no prophecies foretelling details about the birth of other religious leaders. No prophecies alerted the world to the coming of Muhammad (Islam), Joseph Smith (Mormonism), David Koresh (Branch Davidians), Charles Taze Russell (Jehovah’s Witnesses), Siddhartha Gautama (Buddhism), or any other founder of the world’s religions. Yet the Old Testament pinpointed numerous details about the life of the Son of God and Savior of the world.
So what do these prophecies tell us about Jesus? In just the first two chapters of Matthew, we see that God foretold the virginal conception of the Messiah, who would be born in Bethlehem, yet in some way would come out of Egypt and be called a Nazarene. We also see that bitter agony would grip the mothers in that area.”
Read the full article here
Please pray with me.
Heavenly Father, grow our faith in your Word. Help us to trust that You know what is coming and that You are the sovereign ruler of heaven and earth. No purpose of Yours can be thwarted. You are working all things together to accomplish Your purposes and to glorify Your name. I pray that we would especially remember that when times look dark like when tornadoes devastate whole communities and it seems the world is “going to hell in a hand basket.” You are still on Your throne. I pray that we, as your children, will seek Your face and be honorable vessels for Your good use. It is in the name of Jesus Christ, the long-awaited messiah, that we pray, Amen.
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Matthew 1
The Book of Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ. The first verse is a brief genealogy. Jesus descended from David who descended from Abraham, but then we get a father to son heritage from Abraham all the way to Jesus’s earthly father, Joseph. You might feel tempted to skip this, but I hope you won’t. I want to point out a few things.
Matthew didn’t try to hide the thread of sin which is woven through the background of the ancestors of Jesus, son of David. Rather, these words help to prepare the reader for the words of the angel —
Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son and
Matthew 1:20-21
you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.
Joseph, too, is a son of David, a good man but not a perfect man. God has chosen Mary, a good woman but not a perfect woman to bear His son, a perfect Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. This Son will save His people from their sins.
Joseph and Mary needed saving and so do we. Let’s pray.
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your only begotten Son to save me from my sins. I am Your child and You are my Father. Thank you for showing us that we don’t have to have a sinless lineage to be children of Your Perfect Son. Thank You for my earthly father and mother who did their best to raise me right. I pray that You would bless them with everything that they need for life and godliness by the power of Your Holy Spirit and Your Word. I pray that You would make me a woman after your own heart, treasuring Your word in my heart that I would not sin against you. In the Holy, Blessed name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Read Through the Bible in 2 Years: Job 40-42
“And the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning.
Job 42:12-13 ESV
And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. He had also seven sons and three daughters.”
In Job 1, we read that Job had 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen and 500 female donkeys. Here at the end of his life, Job has twice as many of these animals. Yet in Job 1, we read that Job had seven sons and three daughters and now at the end of his life, he once again is given seven sons and three daughters. Why was the number of his children not doubled?
Let me share with you my thoughts: When Job’s first animals were wiped out and he got new animals, he no longer counted the ones he had earlier in his life … but children, they are different. Our children are made in God’s image and are given eternal souls. Our children are irreplaceable. If your child passes away, they remain your child. I have two children who have gone to heaven before me and I have four children here on earth, therefore I have six children.
Job began his life with ten children and he ended his life with twenty. The Lord had indeed given him a double portion.
The pain of losing all of your animals is great, but the pain of losing all of your children is immeasurably greater. But may I encourage you with this word: the pain is great because your love is great.
Job was a righteous man with a deep love for God, but Job grew to know and love God more intimately and personally as a result of his great pain – and so can we. Earlier we read the words of Job, “Behold, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.” (Job 13:1 ESV) But now at the end of this book, Job says, “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you;” (Job 42:5 ESV)
I remember all too well how much the Lord grew and transformed me through the pain of losing a baby. I pray that whatever trial you are going through now or have gone through in the past, that you will keep your eyes wide open to see God as He walks with you through this dark valley.
Heavenly Father, please grow our faith. Help us to see Your hand guiding us and blessing us every step of the way as we walk through this valley. You are always good and always right. You are all-knowing and all-powerful. We need You every hour. We pray that we will know how deep and high and long and wide is Your love toward us as Your children. We pray that we will see You in our lives and see You in Your living and active Word because we know that You are there. In the Name of Christ Jesus our Lord we pray, Amen.
Read Through the Bible in 2 Years: Job 38-39
"Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding." - Job 38:1-4 ESV
“Were you there?” is a question that young earth creation scientist Ken Ham encourages people to ask when discussing the theory of evolution. The reality is that no man has witnessed the evolution of molecules to man, because it didn’t happen.
Yet, no man witnessed God creating the earth, sun, moon, and stars. I wasn’t there and neither were you. But there was someone who was there: God. And God has given us an account of the events of creation in the Holy Scriptures.
God’s Word is true and it is trustworthy. I hope you will put your faith in God and in every word that He has preserved for us. Take some time to study the science behind the creationist worldview. The Christian young earth creationist worldview is scientifically reasonable and defendable. Studying it will strengthen your faith and help you to be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is in you!
For those of you who are parents, please invest the efforts necessary to teach your children about creation science. Young minds are impressionable. They will either be shaped by a godless culture or a god-centered one. If you’re afraid to indoctrinate your children into the Christian faith, just know that the world is busy indoctrinating them for you. I know. I was there.
Will you pray with me?
Heavenly Father, You were there when the foundations of the earth were laid by the power of Your Word. You were there when the sea burst forth for the first time. You were there when the sun, moon, and stars were hung in the vast space of our universe. Before the beginning of time, You were there. Thank You, Father, for preserving Your Word for all of these years, so that we could know You. Thank You for speaking to Job and for speaking to us. You know all things and by Your will they have come into being. Help us to trust You in all things – in the daily stresses of life and in training up our children in the way they should go. In the powerful name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
Suggested Creation Science Resources:
Creatures that Defy Evolution video – This is just the first video of a series.
It Couldn’t Just Happen book – Aimed at ages 10-14, but I found it so profitable for me, too.
Answers in Genesis – A website full of great creation information.
Creation – This link is especially for Answers in Genesis’ Creation specific info.
Jonathan Park Audio Dramas – My kids grew up on these!
Creation Museum – A great place to visit and learn in person! Our family went over ten years ago – I think it’s time to go again!
Noah’s Ark Replica – This is located near the creation museum. It wasn’t built yet when we went to the creation museum. Like I said, we need to go again!
Creation Website in Chinese – For all my Chinese speaking friends!
The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel – For me as an atheist, faith in an invisible God was harder than faith in Jesus as God’s Son. The Case for Faith was instrumental in growing my faith. I also love More than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell, but it isn’t so focused on creation.
Ken Ham – Bill Nye Debate – Sometimes how you speak is almost as important as what you say. The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but patient and kind. Pay attention not only to what is spoken, but how. The ultimate goal isn’t to win the debate. The ultimate goal is to win the soul and ultimately this is in God’s hands. Trust Him.
Read through the Bible in 2 years: Job 36-37
“And now no one looks on the light when it is bright in the skies, when the wind has passed and cleared them. Out of the north comes golden splendor; God is clothed with awesome majesty. The Almighty—we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate. Therefore men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.” Job 37:21-24 ESV
God is God and we are not.
Read Through the Bible in 2 Years: Job 34-35
This morning I woke up singing “Good and Gracious King” by City Alight. It begins like this, “I approach the throne of glory, nothing in my hands I bring, but the promise of acceptance, from a good and gracious king.” Such incredible beauty and depth in those few words.
So, reading Job 34 and 35 these words jumped out at me –
“If you have sinned,
Job 35:6-7 ESV
what do you accomplish against him?
And if your transgressions are multiplied,
what do you do to him?
If you are righteous, what do you give to him?
Or what does he receive from your hand?”
It’s like this quote from Jonathan Edwards, “You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary.”
Heavenly Father, We have sinned so much in thought, word, and deed. We have sinned against You and sinned against the men and women that You have created in Your own image and yet You remain immoveable and unchanging. You don’t need us and yet You love us. You own the cattle on a thousand hills and yet You bring us into Your family and Your kingdom. What is man that You are mindful of us? How can we ever repay You for all that You have so graciously given to us? We give You our praise and we give You our lives. It’s all we have to give and we give it with hearts full of gratitude. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
Read through the Bible in 2 years: Job 33
The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life…. Behold, I am toward God as you are;
Job 33:4, 6 ESV
I too was pinched off from
a piece of clay.
Have you ever tried making a “pinch pot” out of a little lump of sticky brown clay or have you ever attempted to mold a little clay pot on a potter’s wheel?
I actually grew up with two aunts and one uncle who are professional potters. I spent many hours admiring their work and attempting to make my own. Then a few years ago my oldest daughter and I went to a local pottery shop to try our hand at throwing coffee mugs on a wheel. Let me just say that these experiences have taught me to appreciate the skill involved with making incredible beauty out of a few handfuls of wet dirt.
In this passage of Job, two things jumped out at me.
1. God is the potter. God is who made us and He is who gives us life. He creates and shapes and molds us into what He desires. Friends, none of us are mere accidents. We didn’t just evolve from apes through a random series of accidents. Our lives have purpose. As Ephesians 2:10 explains, “We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
2. All mankind is level before God. Though you and I each have a unique, intentional purpose, we are all equally pinched off from a piece of clay. (Job 33:6) God has fashioned us each to look different so that we might each accomplish the works which He has designed for us, but may we never boast as though we’re better than anyone else for we’re all just jars of clay made by the perfect potter. May this truth keep us humble before God and before our fellow man.
Let’s pray.
Oh, Heavenly Father, what is man that You are mindful of us? You know that we are dust. We are but clay in our potter’s hands. You have a divine purpose for each of us. May that truth empower us to go and do the works that You have designed us for. Keep us humble as we remember that we are equally Your creation, and give us courage as we remember that You have works prepared for us to do. In the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.
Teach What is Good 
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