May 3, 2009—Simultaneously Saint and Sinner
Because of Jesus’ shed blood, we are forgiven sinners, saved by grace. Read and meditate on 1 John 1:5-2:2. We are to walk in the light, and yet we know we falter and fall. We must not choose to dwell in darkness, but rather confess our sins and live with our eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-3). Ponder our high calling as you read 1 Peter 2:9-10. Consider that we are justified (declared righteous because of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice) in a moment and that sanctification is an ongoing process. Hebrews 10:14 (NCV) reads, “With one sacrifice he made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Reflect on this and on Hebrews 13:20-21 and pray.
May 4, 2009—What Do We Pursue?
Ponder our archeology theme and consider the legendary quest for the Holy Grail. Archeology is important; it reveals treasures that point to things greater than what is unearthed. In our faith journeys, Do we seek after the temporal treasures or the eternal truths and ultimate gift? As you read Acts 4:5-12, look for temporal treasures that are cherished and/or point to the eternal and also for eternal truths and gifts that are far superior to the temporal. The leaders’ desire to silence Peter and John is based on selfish motives and leads to denial of the truth. The healing heralds a greater truth. What is it? Read Matthew 16:15-16; tell Jesus how you answer his question.
May 5, 2009—“What’s in a Name?”
Juliet, in Shakespeare’s play, asks, “What’s in a name…?” (Romeo and Juliet, II, ii, 1). Names have much to do with one’s identity, and in Bible times, names often revealed one’s nature, character, mission, values, and more. The names of Jesus help us understand who he is and what he does, and we learn that there is power and authority in Jesus’ name. As you read Acts 3:1-4:12, notice (and consider underlining or recording) the names by which Jesus is called and the use of the term “the name,” referring to Jesus’ name. What names/titles did you find in addition to “the Holy and Righteous One,” “Author of life,” and “Messiah”? Ponder Jesus’ names and worship him.
May 6, 2009—The Name of Jesus
Read and meditate on Philippians 2:5-11. What do these verses reveal about the name of Jesus? How precious, strong, and authoritative is Jesus’ name? What do you learn about Jesus as you consider how his nature is made manifest in the names used for him in Matthew 1:20-23; John 1:14, 29; 10:14-18; 11:25-26; 14:6; Acts 4:10-12; 1 John 5:13-15; and Revelation 1:17-18; 19:11-16. These are a few of many references to Jesus’ names/titles and to the name of Jesus. Jesus is the Greek translation of the Hebrew name Yeshua. Do you say Jesus’ name in a way that ushers you into his presence? Read Hebrews 7:25 and 13:15. Kneel, if possible, and worship the Lord.
May 7, 2009—A Closer Look
How many names or titles for Jesus have you pondered these past days? Does doing so enlarge your view of who Jesus is? Last week we talked about trusting the Word as truth. Do you believe Jesus is who he says he is (John 8:58; 11:25-26; 13:19-20; 14:6; 17:1-5) and who Peter proclaims he is (Acts 2:22-36; 3:11-26)? Prayerfully consider who Jesus (Greek)/Yeshua (Hebrew) is. Jesus’ name means “the Lord saves” (Matthew 1:21); the title Christ (Greek)/Messiah (Hebrew) means “Anointed One” (Acts 4:25-27) [prophets, priests, and kings were anointed; Jesus is all these: Acts 3:22; Hebrews 9:11-14; Revelation 19:16]. Spend time with Jesus, let him teach you.
May 8, 2009—Jesus, the Messiah, True God, True Man, Is Lord!
Sometimes we focus on Jesus’ eternal glory; at other times we exalt in his humanity. Jesus is God, yet he became man. And he is Lord! Consider that Jesus is truly God as you read John 1:1-4, 14-18; Colossians 1:15-17, 19; and Hebrews 1:3. Consider that Jesus was truly human as you read Matthew 4:1-2; 26:36-39; 27:50; Philippians 2:6-8; and Hebrews 2:14-15. What does it mean that Jesus is Lord (verses given in Day 7)? Do you see yourself as his servant, bound to him by love? How does his Lordship affect your life? Pray you will yield to Jesus as Lord.
May 9, 2009—Jesus’ Life, Death, Resurrection, Ascension
Read John 20:19; contrast this picture with the one in Acts 3:11-4:20. What happened that turned the disciples’ fear of reprisal into fearless witness, regardless of the consequences? They are absolutely sure that Jesus rose from the dead, ascended, and would come again (do you see this in Acts 3:15b-21?); they are confident that they too will live (4:2); and they are empowered by the indwelling Spirit (4:8). Listen again to Peter and John’s words (4:19-20); hear the believers’ prayers (4:24, 27-30); notice what happens (4:31).Pray you will live out 1 Peter 3:15.
May 10, 2009—“Jesus, Name Above All Names”
Ponder again what it means to speak Jesus’ name, to pray in his name, and to understand that his name and his titles reveal his nature, character, identity, and much more. Remember Jesus teaching the Beatitudes, fulfilling prophecy, weeping over Jerusalem, agonizing in Gethsemane, dying on the cross…, remember that Jesus is Lord (Acts 2:21,36; Romans 10:9,13; 13:14; 14:8-9,11; Philippians 2:11; Colossians 2:6-7; Revelation 22:20). Pray and praise using Naida Hearn’s lyrics (1978 Maranatha! Music): “Jesus, name above all names, beautiful Savior, glorious Lord, Emmanuel, God is with us, blessed Redeemer, living Word…Way of salvation, Mighty Creator, Savior and friend.”
Monday, May 11, 2009—A Divine Appointment
Have you ever stood in awe of how the Lord orchestrates events in your life? Have you noticed that sometimes deep pain paves the road for God’s miracles of grace? In the early church, Stephen’s martyrdom was the beginning of a great wave of persecution against believers; all except the apostles scattered from Jerusalem, taking the Gospel with them as they fled. Read about Stephen and Philip in Acts 6:1-9a, 12-15; and 7:54-8:6. Now observe how the Lord continues to use Philip as you read Acts 8:26-40. What does this tell you about God’s limitless love for each individual? Pray you will hear God’s call on your heart and life; pray you will respond, “Yes, Lord!”
Tuesday, May 12, 2009—The Urgency of the Gospel
Philip is ministering in Samaria, but the Lord has an appointment for him on the road that goes from Jerusalem to Gaza (consider checking a map). Notice Philip’s obedient and immediate response to the Lord’s call (Acts 8:26-27a); he doesn’t linger or ask questions; he just obeys. And God’s timing is perfect. Read Acts 8:26-40. The Ethiopian official, a God-fearer, probably had traveled to Jerusalem for a Jewish festival. It’s evident that his heart yearns to know the Lord, but he has no one to instruct him. The Lord sends Philip (Acts 10 recounts another story of God’s provision). Read 2 Peter 3:9. Do you know any who hunger to know Jesus? Pray! Share your faith.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009—Searching the Scriptures
The Ethiopian eunuch traveled to Jerusalem to worship; now on the road home, he is reading the Scriptures. His spiritual hunger is evident (perhaps his cry echoes the Psalmists’: Psalm 42:1-2; 63:1). Jesus says the Scriptures (referring to the Hebrew Scriptures) testify about him (John 5:39), and the Isaiah passage the Ethiopian is reading clearly points to Jesus. But the man needs help understanding the Scripture passage. Read Isaiah 53, noting the passage the Ethiopian is reading (Acts 8:32-33). How would you have explained this to the Ethiopian? Now read Acts 17:11; do you search the Scriptures to seek the Lord and to discern what is true? Thank God for the Bible.
Thursday, May 14, 2009—Anchored in the Word: Jesus Died!
Philip used the Isaiah 53 passage the Ethiopian was reading to begin teaching him about Jesus. Notice Acts 8:35; Philip did not share doctrine or a list of things to do; Philip, first and foremost, shared Jesus! Philip must have used the Isaiah passage to first tell about Jesus’ atoning sacrifice. Compare Isaiah 53:4-12 with some insights and fulfillments of the prophecies as you read John 1:29; 10:11,17-18; 11:49-53; Matthew 27:37-51a; John 19:34-42; and Romans 5:8. What do we learn about Scripture and prophecy as we ponder the realization that Isaiah wrote centuries before Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection? Read 1 Peter 1:18-21 and 2 Peter 1:19-21, and pray.
Friday, May 15, 2009—Anchored in the Word: Jesus Rose!
What does Paul say is of first importance (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)? Do you think it mere coincidence that the Ethiopian was reading prophetic words from Isaiah 53 that pointed to Jesus’ death and resurrection (Acts 8:32-35)? Yesterday we looked at prophecies pointing to Jesus’ atoning death. Notice now how Isaiah 53:10b-11 points to Jesus’ resurrection. And ponder that Jesus not only sees the ‘light of life,’ (Isaiah 53:11), he is the Light and the Life (John 1:1-4, 9; 8:12; 11:25-26). Read John 10:17 and 2 Timothy 1:9-10. Stand in awe and praise the Lord.
Saturday, May 16, 2009—Anchored in the Word: Jesus Ascended
Job looked ahead with eyes of faith and hope and proclaimed a triumphant, living Savior (Job 19:25-27). Jesus told his followers that he would return to the Father (John 14:1-3; 17:13; 20:17), and he did; read the ascension account in Acts 1:1-14. The Isaiah text through which Philip instructs the Ethiopian holds yet another precious picture which looks ahead to the cross and to Jesus’ place at the Father’s right hand (Romans 8:34). Read Isaiah 53:12; Luke 23:34; and Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:24-26. Jesus intercedes for us! And he will return (Revelation 22:20)! Pray!
Sunday, May 17, 2009—On Our Way Rejoicing
The Ethiopian believed the good news about Jesus. And just as Philip had responded without hesitation (Acts 8:26-27), now the Ethiopian responds without delay. Read Acts 8:36-40. With the Ethiopian eunuch, rejoice in what the Lord has done for you! Read Philippians 4:4 and allow the lyrics of “Mighty to Save,” by Fielding and Morgan, to guide your praise: “…Author of Salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave…Shine your light and let the whole world see: we’re singing for the glory of the risen King…Jesus” (2006, Hillsong Pub).
Monday, May 18, 2009—In the Beginning God
Genesis 1:1 begins, “In the beginning God…” and then we read about creation. John 1:1 reads, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” and then John speaks of creation. The Apostles’ Creed begins, “I believe in God…” and the Nicene Creed begins, “We believe in One God…” then both speak of God as Creator. God—God is where we must begin. Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Job 38:1, 4-7; Psalm 90:1-17; and Isaiah 40:28. What do these texts tell us about God, and what do they reveal about us, about humanity? Do we live as if we truly believe that God is preeminent? Spend time worshiping God.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009—Eternal God
Read Psalm 90, noticing God’s eternal nature. Our temporal lives are fleeting; we live in a finite world, and our understanding is limited by our nature, but God is eternal. Yet, wonder of wonders, our eternal God loves us and invites us to live in relationship with God forever. Ponder John 3:16. What is the promise? Savor the truths recorded in John 11:25-26; 17:3-5; Romans 11:33-36; Hebrews 1:8,10-12; Jude 24-25; and Revelation 1:8; 5:13. Spend extra moments meditating on one or more of these passages. Humbly worship our eternal God.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009—Our Dwelling Place
Psalm 90:1 (NIV; NRSV) speaks of the Lord as “our dwelling place.” What does this mean to you? Deuteronomy 33:27a (RSV) reads, “The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Ponder Jesus’ words in John 15:4-5 and Paul’s in 2 Corinthians 5:1-8. Are there now and yet to come aspects to the promise that the eternal God is our dwelling place/our home? Use Isaac Watts’ lyrics to form your prayer: “O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the story blast, and our eternal home.”
Thursday, May 21, 2009—I Believe in God, the Father Almighty
Psalm 90:7-11 speaks of God’s wrath and judgment on sin, and we understand that God cannot be just and yet ignore sin. Bask in the wonder of how God is able to embrace us as God’s own in spite of our sinful nature; read Isaiah 53:4-6; John 1:29; Romans 3:21-26; 5:8; 6:22-23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; and Hebrews 9:27-28. And because of this, we are invited to approach God as Father. Notice the first words of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in God, the Father almighty.” Reflect on the prayer Jesus taught his disciples; how does it begin (Matthew 6:9)? Savor the closeness with our Father God expressed in Romans 8:15-17 and Galatians 4:4-7. Pray to our almighty Father.
Friday, May 22, 2009—Unfailing Love
Glance again at Days 3 and 4; we talked about God as Father and as our dwelling place and home. Do you believe this and live as if you do? Is our Father God trustworthy? Beth Moore speaks about the difference between believing in God and believing God (Believing God, 2002 LifeWay Press). Read James 2:19. Do you believe God; do you believe God’s promises are true; do you believe that God is love? With the pictures of God as Father and dwelling place in your heart and mind, meditate on Psalm 90:1-2,14 and 1 John 4:9-10,16. Pray as you reflect on Augustine’s words: “Thou hast made us for Thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.”
Saturday, May 23, 2009—Teach Us to Number Our Days
We have spoken of God as almighty, eternal Creator, as Father, and as our dwelling place. In light of this, how should we live? Psalm 90 calls us to intentional, relational living; read 90:1-2,12-17. Did you notice references both to God’s eternal, transcendent nature and also to God’s compassion and love—God’s intimate relationship with us? Do you pray you will have eyes of faith to see God’s activity in the world and in your life (90:16)? Are you able to rejoice in the Lord, even when life is difficult (90:14-15)? Does the brevity of life (90:5-6) encourage you to live your life in the light of eternity? Read Matthew 10:38-39; John 16:33; and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. Pray.
Sunday, May 24, 2009—Created, Redeemed, Called, Sent
Have you heard the expression “twice owned” in reference to God’s right to be Lord of your life? God created and redeemed us, and our lives belong to God. Ponder your relationship with God as you read Psalm 90:17; Isaiah 43:7; Matthew 5:16; Ephesians 2:8-10; 4:1-6; and 1 Peter 2:9-10. Are you living as a called and redeemed child of God, who was bought with the precious blood of Jesus? Is your greatest delight to bring glory to God’s holy name? In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus tells us to take the Gospel to the world. In John 21:15-17, Jesus speaks to Peter, and to all of us, about how we best express our love for him and share him with others. Worship your Savior and Lord.