Archive for July 2021

2 Chronicles 10-12, Psalm 142, Luke 11:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Luke 11:1-13: We come now to the famous “Lord’s Prayer” that Jesus taught his disciples. Note that Jesus was himself praying. It is well to record the number of times that Jesus is mentioned as praying. If he must pray, how much more must we! Note, also, that…

2 Chronicles 8-9, Psalm 141, Luke 10:38-42, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-18 Luke 10:38-42: We come to the famous story of “Martha and Mary.” It is a story that has been interpreted on many different levels, but, in the words of Jesus, “one thing is necessary,” and there is one controlling aspect of the message which we are to take…

2 Chronicles 6-7, Psalm 140, Luke 10:25-37, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-10 Luke 10:25-37: A religious lawyer comes up to Jesus and asks him a question to test him. These experts in the Mosaic law had by and large not bought into the message of Jesus, nor the preparatory message of John the Baptist (Luke 7:30). Evidently, this lawyer is…

2 Chronicles 3-5, Psalm 139, Luke 10:17-24, 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13 Luke 10:17-24: They come back rejoicing (10:17)! It has been an amazing season of ministry. They are in particular rejoicing at the spiritual victories they have seen: even the demons submit to them in Jesus’ name. This is no small thing. Note the power of the name of…

2 Chronicles 1-2, Psalm 138, Luke 10:1-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:1-6  Luke 10:1-16: This passage is worth studying closely for important and relevant principles related to Christian ministry. 1.  The importance of teamwork. Jesus did not send them out alone, but in pairs: “two by two” (10:1). Rarely we will be called to some work without God also providing…

1 Chronicles 29, Psalm 137, Luke 9:51-62, 1 Thessalonians 2:10-21 Luke 9:51-62: Jesus “set his face to go to Jerusalem” (9:51, 53). This is his purpose and goal, and the time has come for him to go in that direction. It is good to have a goal, for without a goal you cannot accomplish much. But while it…

1 Chronicles 26-28, Psalm 136, Luke 9:37-50, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-9 Luke 9:37-50: Jesus comes down from the mountain and is immediately met by needs. We go to the mountain not to stay there but to come down again and minister to human needs all around us. But that does not prevent the shock of returning to earth with…

1 Chronicles 23-25, Psalm 135, Luke 9:28-36, 1 Thessalonians 1 Luke 9:28-36: The transfiguration was one of the most extraordinary events yet to have occurred, and it prefigured and previewed the coming glory of Christ at the cross, in the resurrection, and in his return in glory. Peter was influenced by this vision throughout his life (2 Peter…

1 Chronicles 20-22, Psalm 133-134, Luke 9:18-27, Colossians 4:10-18 Luke 9:18-27: (v18-20). Peter’s great confession. Peter certainly had his faults—we will read of his denial of Jesus a little later in this story. He was no paragon of virtue, perfect, or without the tendency to open mouth and insert foot. But Peter did, by God’s inspiration, see the…

1 Chronicles 17-19, Psalm 132, Luke 9:1-17, Colossians 4:1-9 Luke 9:1-17: (v.1-6) Jesus’ instructions to the twelve are particular and specific because they are instructions to the apostles, previous to Jesus’ death and resurrection, for a specific mission. But nonetheless they hold important principles for our witness and mission today. They are not to go with so many…