January 1, 2016
“Blessed” (Happy, fulfilled, satisfied) is the one who doesn’t follow the counsel and way of the world, but instead finds direction from God’s Word. The person who follows the “law of the Lord,” which is the Word of God, follows a narrow path that few find, yet is available to all who would delight in it. This blessed life is marked by meditating on the Word, moving it from the head to the heart through reading, studying and internalizing it day and night. This life is like a “tree planted by streams of water,” drawing on the life from the Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, who is revealed by the written Word.
How will you begin this new year 2016? Whose counsel will you follow?
December 31, 2015
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last” (Revelation 22:13 NKJV).
“Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!” (Psalm 150:2 NKJV).
“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised” Proverbs 31:30 NKJV).
On this last day of 2015, it seems appropriate to quote from all four OYB readings. As I do, I am reminded that the Bible is primarily a book about God. Malachi speaks of God’s immutability. Revelation reveals Christ’s prominence, preexistence, and eternality. The Psalmist calls us to give praise for the Lord’s mighty works and excellent greatness. And Proverbs reminds us that real and lasting beauty comes from knowing and fearing the Lord. God has given us the Incarnate Word, Christ Jesus, so that we might be saved and know Him. And He has given us the written Word, so that through the help of the Spirit we might understand His character.
I hope you have been encouraged by this year’s “Bible bus” tour! Get ready. We’re pulling into the station and preparing for another tour in 2016!
December 30, 2015
John saw a city of pure gold “descending out of heaven from God.” This city is the New Jerusalem, a city not made by human hands (2 Cor. 5:1). This city is the Church, the Bride of the Lamb come down from heaven to a new earth. This is the “Father’s house” where Jesus ascended to “prepare a place for us” (John 14:2-3). There will be no “death, sorrow, nor crying” from pain in this city, for God will “wipe away every tear” and “make all things new.” The eternal destiny for those who believe in Jesus is not an existence on some immaterial, ethereal plane, but one where believers with resurrected, glorified bodies may dwell. It is a city prepared for those whose name is written in the “Lamb’s Book of Life.”
December 29, 2015
Both the Old Testament and the New Testament readings today are about the triumph of the true Lord and King. Since the garden, humanity has been in rebellion against God, choosing to follow its own way, rather than the Lord’s. Yet, both Zechariah and John saw a “Day” coming when the Lord would reign “over all the earth” and every human tongue would worship His name alone. We too, are to be heralds of His soon arrival, announcing that everyone should get ready for the coming King.
December 28, 2015
The angel instructed John to write concerning the “blessing” that awaited those who responded to the invitation to attend the Lamb’s wedding supper. This “Lamb” is Christ and the bride is the church (Eph. 5:32). The word translated “called” is a Greek perfect passive participle, which literally means, “having been called/invited.” In other words, the invitations have already gone out and only those who “RSVP’d” their attendance will be present. Not everyone will respond to this invitation in the positive and having sent their “regrets,” they will not “taste” (Luke 14:24) of this blessed banquet. Have you responded to Christ’s wedding invitation yet?
December 27, 2015
John saw a vision of Babylon’s fall. Surely this was symbolic of a future event, since it had fallen to the Persians 500 years before John wrote. The vision described the fall of Babylon as affecting the world’s economic system. The fall was to take place in less than an hour. Cities don’t usually fall in one hour, but the modern economy can crash in minutes. We might take this as a warning to “come out” of dependence on the world’s economy and instead put our dependence on God. Be careful about being caught up in the idolatry of materialism and greed. Instead, “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:20). How do we “come out” of Babylon and “lay up” wealth in heaven? Decide to live on less, so you can give more. It is through giving that we invest in heaven.
December 26, 2015
Many important questions are answered by this verse:
– Where is the Lord? “Near.”
– How can I know Him? “Call upon Him in truth.”
- What is truth? Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
You may feel far from God today, but He is only one call away. Just dial J-E-S-U-S!
December 25, 2015
The psalmist David looks to God and finds in Him everything, but looks to man by comparison and finds next to nothing. He wonders how God can stoop to know and acknowledge lowly humanity. Yet, God not only stoops to know, He humbles Himself to become… “the Son of Man.” God sent His Son to become like us, so that we might become like Him. This is the gift behind every gift. Merry Christmas!!
December 24, 2015
Who is this person that would fulfill Zechariah’s prophecy written in 520 BC? Here are some of the qualifications on his resume:
1) Will build the temple
2) Will receive the glory that belongs to God
3) Will be the king
4) Will be the high priest
5) Will unite the offices of king and priest
Clue: He was born in a Bethlehem stable around 520 years after this prophecy… (More clues: His temple is still being built and He is both the Cornerstone and the Capstone. He receives God’s glory because He is the Word made flesh. The offices of prophet, priest and king have always foreshadowed His fulfillment.) Who is He?
December 23, 2015
Zerubbabel, whose name meant, “seed of Babylon,” was one of the Jews born in Babylon during their 70 years of captivity. Born a prince in the Davidic line, he was appointed governor over Jerusalem by the Persian king, Cyrus, and led the returning exiles to start rebuilding the Temple. Unfortunately, due to conflict with the locals and lack of both physical and financial support, the work had come to a halt after laying the foundation. The unfinished work sat atop the temple mount for over a decade, a constant and discouraging reminder to Zerubbabel, who had lost heart that it would ever be completed. It was during this time of despair that the prophet Zechariah encouraged him to take up the “plumb line” and go back to work because he would surely be able to finish it. And so, the prophecy that the temple that was started by Zerubbabel would be finished by him was fulfilled. Zerubbabel rebuilt the temple, the same one that King Herod later “supersized,” and the same one that Jesus, the true King, taught in during the His earthly ministry. Yet, this prophecy also has a spiritual fulfillment that is still pending. For Zerubbabel, the Davidic prince, is a christological type pointing to Christ’s work of salvation. The book of Hebrews explains saying that Jesus is both “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb.12:2). Jesus has laid the foundation and He will set the “capstone.”