Bible League: Living His Word And so, the little boy John grew up and became stronger in spirit. Then he lived in areas away from other people until the time when he came out to tell God's message to the people of Israel.— Luke 1:80 ERV We were all born as children of our mothers. Job 14:1 says, "Man who is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble" (NKJV). Job is taking us to where this fully grown human being originated and affirms what Psalm 139 says. According to 1 Corinthians 13:11, it tells us that a child talks, thinks, and plans as a child. All this progresses to a stage of maturity. John's background has the divine, invisible hand of God all over it. Luke records the life of John as a prophet who prepared a way for Jesus' ministry to flourish in the hearts of people. He preached the well-known message of repentance and baptized Jesus in the Jordan River (Luke 3:21-22). John was born a few months before Jesus by parents that were already advanced in years. John's birth brought joy to Elizabeth and Zachariah and the community of Judea. The facts surrounding this miraculous birth captured the hearts of many, and they wondered what the child would become in the future (Luke 1:59-66). Zachariah answered this wondering community saying, "Now you, little boy, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go first before the Lord to prepare the way for him" (Luke 1:76). The verse of today, tells us that the child John grew up, meaning he matured to be a man who was strong in spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:20 says, "Brothers and sisters, don't think like children. In evil things be like babies, but in your thinking, you should be like full-grown adults." The man John lived away from ordinary life, he lived in the wilderness. David Guzik's commentary says, "The promise of God came to fruition in John's life. John was in the desert until the day of his manifestation because that is where God trains many of His prophets." Whatever assignment a believer must fulfil in the Kingdom of God, he or she must allow the maturity process (training) to take effect and allow the environment to sculpt into the divine purpose and calling. May each of us mature to what God has designed us to be in Christ (Ephesians 2:10) and bear fruits of eternity! Reference: David Guzik, 2018, The Birth of John the Baptist. By Christopher Thetswe, Bible League International staff, South Africa Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 90, 91, 92 Psalm 90 -- BOOK 4: Lord, you have been our dwelling place for all generations. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 91 -- He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 92 -- It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Romans 11:1-21 Romans 11 -- The Remnant Chosen by Grace; Ingrafted Branches; All Israel Will Be Saved NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.Insight Jesus was alluding to an Old Testament view of the Messianic kingdom in which all people are taught directly by God. He was stressing the importance of not merely hearing, but learning. Challenge We are taught by God through the Bible, our experiences, the thoughts the Holy Spirit brings, and relationships with other Christians. Are you open to God's teaching? Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 2 Thessalonians 2:16 Everlasting consolation."Consolation." There is music in the word: like David's harp, it charms away the evil spirit of melancholy. It was a distinguished honor to Barnabas to be called "the son of consolation;" nay, it is one of the illustrious names of a greater than Barnabas, for the Lord Jesus is "the consolation of Israel." "Everlasting consolation"--here is the cream of all, for the eternity of comfort is the crown and glory of it. What is this "everlasting consolation"? It includes a sense of pardoned sin. A Christian man has received in his heart the witness of the Spirit that his iniquities are put away like a cloud, and his transgressions like a thick cloud. If sin be pardoned, is not that an everlasting consolation? Next, the Lord gives his people an abiding sense of acceptance in Christ. The Christian knows that God looks upon him as standing in union with Jesus. Union to the risen Lord is a consolation of the most abiding order; it is, in fact, everlasting. Let sickness prostrate us, have we not seen hundreds of believers as happy in the weakness of disease as they would have been in the strength of hale and blooming health? Let death's arrows pierce us to the heart, our comfort dies not, for have not our ears full often heard the songs of saints as they have rejoiced because the living love of God was shed abroad in their hearts in dying moments? Yes, a sense of acceptance in the Beloved is an everlasting consolation. Moreover, the Christian has a conviction of his security. God has promised to save those who trust in Christ: the Christian does trust in Christ, and he believes that God will be as good as his word, and will save him. He feels that he is safe by virtue of his being bound up with the person and work of Jesus. Daily Light on the Daily Path Job 38:19 "Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And darkness, where is its place,1 John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. John 9:5 "While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world." 1 John 1:6,7 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; • but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. Colossians 1:12-14 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. • For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, • in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; Matthew 5:14,16 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; • "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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