Number One

Scripture: Mar 12:28-30 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments [is], Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment.


Observation: Often the scribes and Pharisee liked to try to trick Jesus. Lesson for us, Never try to trick God! It is almost humorous to think about that. However in this instance, Jesus received and honest question from an honest scribe. What is the Number One commandment? Jesus' answer was straight forward. He quoted from Deuteronomy 6:4-6. However, his quote was slightly different than the Hebrew text we have today. Deuteronomy says " Love the Lord God with all of your Heart, Soul, and Might. Jesus said, " Love the Lord your God with all of your Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength". In Deuteronomy the word "Might" could be translated "everything you have", so perhaps "Mind and Strength" is simply a translation of "Might". Or perhaps something in the language of the day made that a clearer explanation of the Hebrew used Deuteronomy.

Application: Many argue that today's amplified and paraphrased translations are not the Word of God. In this verse, I see Jesus amplifying the Hebrew into the language of his day. He clearly articulates that God wants everything from us. He wants to be Number One in our life. If God is not Number One in our lives, we need to make some adjustments.

Prayer: Thank you Jesus that you have made your Word clear to us. Thank you for making it plain, so that we can understand it. Thank you for giving your life, so that we can live eternally in heaven with you. Help us dear Lord, to keep you first in your lives. Let us make Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith, Number One in our lives this day and ever day here to come. Amen

A New World

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Observation: Just as Peter had prophesied, many religious "experts" have determined that the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ and the destruction of this world are not really going to happen. Peter wrote this letter especially to make this point, that we do not listen to them. It will happen, it may be tomorrow or thousands of years from now, but it will happen. We can count on it.

Application: So how would you act if you knew tomorrow was your last day on earth? that is how we should live each day. Loving others, and loving our Lord.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you that you are not willing that any of us should go to eternal fire and damnation. Thank you for delaying the destruction of the earth until everyone has had a chance to give their lives to you and seal their eternity in heaven.

God's Word

Scripture: Ezekiel 13:⁹And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.

Observation: God specifically directed the "writings of the house of Israel". God directed what would be in and not in those writings, which now make up our Bible.

Application: The Bible is not only trustworthy, it is directed by God. Only the prophets who were prophesying from God were included in the Bible. The Bible is God's word, powerful, and full of God himself.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for your Word. Thank you for preserving your Word. Thank you that you will preserve it forever. Open our spiritual eyes to the power that is in your Word. Make it alive in our hearts and souls. Thank You.

1/1/10 - God is true to his Word

Scripture: Jeremiah 51:8 - Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.

Observation: This prophecy of Jeremiah did indeed come to pass, and the prophecy is repeated again in the book of Revelations 14:8 "And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."

Application: God's Word is true. You can count on it. If he says it is going to happen, it will happen. If he says it is going to happen again, you can count on it happening again! We all need to be ready for the second coming of the Lord, because just as it happened, it will happen again. The promises of God are throughout his word, and when you read one, you can take it to the bank!

Prayer: Thank you Jesus that you are the Word, and that You are the Truth, and that Your Word is Truth! Thank you that you promised that no weapon formed against us shall prosper. Thank you that you have given us all blessings in heavenly places. Thank you that you have promised eternal life with you for those who trust in you!