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 Job 29:2 Oh that I were as in months past.Numbers of Christians can view the past with pleasure, but regard the present with dissatisfaction; they look back upon the days which they have passed in communing with the Lord as being the sweetest and the best they have ever known, but as to the present, it is clad in a sable garb of gloom and dreariness. Once they lived near to Jesus, but now they feel that they have wandered from him, and they say, "O that I were as in months past!" They complain that they have lost their evidences, or that they have not present peace of mind, or that they have no enjoyment in the means of grace, or that conscience is not so tender, or that they have not so much zeal for God's glory. The causes of this mournful state of things are manifold. It may arise through a comparative neglect of prayer, for a neglected closet is the beginning of all spiritual decline. Or it may be the result of idolatry. The heart has been occupied with something else, more than with God; the affections have been set on the things of earth, instead of the things of heaven. A jealous God will not be content with a divided heart; he must be loved first and best. He will withdraw the sunshine of his presence from a cold, wandering heart. Or the cause may be found in self-confidence and self-righteousness. Pride is busy in the heart, and self is exalted instead of lying low at the foot of the cross. Christian, if you are not now as you "were in months past," do not rest satisfied with wishing for a return of former happiness, but go at once to seek your Master, and tell him your sad state. Ask his grace and strength to help you to walk more closely with him; humble yourself before him, and he will lift you up, and give you yet again to enjoy the light of his countenance. Do not sit down to sigh and lament; while the beloved Physician lives there is hope, nay there is a certainty of recovery for the worst cases. Daily Light on the Daily Path Hebrews 2:14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,2 Timothy 1:10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death for all time, And the Lord GOD will wipe tears away from all faces, And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. • "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" • The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; • but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 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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