Bible League: Living His Word The Father's teaching does not live in you, because you don't believe in the one the Father sent. You carefully study the Scriptures. You think that they give you eternal life. These same Scriptures tell about me! But you refuse to come to me to have that life.A person can diligently study Scripture and not be spiritually touched by Scripture. In point of fact, many scholars have devoted their lives to the study of Scripture and never truly believed what it says. For some, this happens because they approach Scripture from the point of view of the latest liberal perspective. That is, their true commitment is not to Scripture, but to a current liberal perspective they use to interpret Scripture. For others, this happens because they approach Scripture from the point of view of an older, more conservative perspective. That is, their true commitment is not to Scripture, but to an older, more conservative interpretation of Scripture. Either way, the teaching of the Scripture does not live in them. The Sadducees were the liberals of Jesus' day and the Pharisees were the conservatives. Most of the scholars from both groups carefully studied Scripture, but failed to be spiritually affected by it. Instead of Scripture having the place of authority in their lives, the perspective they used to interpret Scripture had the place of authority. Jesus said of them, '"You show great skill in avoiding the commands of God so that you can follow your own teachings!"' (Mark 7:9). Jesus knew that the Jewish leaders did not have the word of God in them because they did not accept Him for who He was. The word of God as Scripture spoke of Jesus. The word of God incarnate, on the other hand, actually was Jesus. Since the source of both words was the same, one would expect that a person who accepted one would accept the other. Since the Jewish leaders failed to do this, since they failed to accept Jesus, then they must have also failed to accept the word of God as Scripture. Jesus' message in our verse for today is a cautionary note for all of us. We should ask ourselves: Where do my faith and my commitment actually lie? Do they lie with the word of God as Scripture and with the word of God incarnate, or do they lie with the words and interpretations of mere human beings? Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingIsaiah 39, 40 Isaiah 39 -- Hezekiah Reveals Treasures to Babylonians NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Isaiah 40 -- Comfort, comfort my people NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Philippians 4 Philippians 4 -- Whatever is true and right, think on these things; I can do all things through Christ NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.” When people commend themselves, it doesn't count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.Insight When we do something well, we want to tell others and be recognized. But recognition is dangerous—it can lead to inflated pride. How much better it is to seek the praise of God rather than the praise of people. Then, when we receive praise, we will be free to give God the credit. Challenge What should you change about the way you live in order to receive God's commendation? Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Luke 5:4 Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.We learn from this narrative, the necessity of human agency. The draught of fishes was miraculous, yet neither the fisherman nor his boat, nor his fishing tackle were ignored; but all were used to take the fishes. So in the saving of souls, God worketh by means; and while the present economy of grace shall stand, God will be pleased by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. When God worketh without instruments, doubtless he is glorified; but he hath himself selected the plan of instrumentality as being that by which he is most magnified in the earth. Means of themselves are utterly unavailing. "Master, we have toiled all the night and have taken nothing." What was the reason of this? Were they not fishermen plying their special calling? Verily, they were no raw hands; they understood the work. Had they gone about the toil unskilfully? No. Had they lacked industry? No, they had toiled. Had they lacked perseverance? No, they had toiled all the night. Was there a deficiency of fish in the sea? Certainly not, for as soon as the Master came, they swam to the net in shoals. What, then, is the reason? Is it because there is no power in the means of themselves apart from the presence of Jesus? "Without him we can do nothing." But with Christ we can do all things. Christ's presence confers success. Jesus sat in Peter's boat, and his will, by a mysterious influence, drew the fish to the net. When Jesus is lifted up in his Church, his presence is the Church's power--the shout of a king is in the midst of her. "I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me." Let us go out this morning on our work of soul fishing, looking up in faith, and around us in solemn anxiety. Let us toil till night comes, and we shall not labor in vain, for he who bids us let down the net, will fill it with fishes. Daily Light on the Daily Path Hebrews 13:6 so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"Romans 8:35,37 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? • But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. Luke 12:4,5 "I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. • "But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! Matthew 5:10-12 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. • "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. • "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Acts 20:24 "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. Psalm 119:46 I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings And shall not be ashamed. 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. |
Click for Video Devotionals     |