Audio Study Bible: 004 - Jonah 4

Listen to "004 - Jonah 4" on Spreaker.

A read through of Jonah chapter four with comment.

CLICK HERE to Watch on YouTube

Below is a list of the sources I referenced in the making of this video: JewishCommentary.com Article on "The Book of Jonah" by Emil G. Hirsch, and Karl Budde Commentary on the Old Testament by Keil and Delitzsch, Volume X, published by Eerdmans (Grand Rapids, Michigan) The ESV Study Bible ™️, English Standard Version ®️ (ESV®️) Copyright ©️ 2008 by Crossway Zondervan Handbook to the Bible, Copyright ©️ 1999, Pat and David Alexander NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Copyright © 2016 by Zondervan KJV Ryrie Study Bible, ©️1986, 1994 by The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago NASB Life Application Study Bible, Updated Edition, Copyright ©️ 2000 by Zondervan NET Bible First Edition, Copyright ©️1997-2007, Version 7.0321, by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. The “Read Scripture: Jonah” YouTube video produced by The Bible Project, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLIab... Scripture quotations are from the ESV®️Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®️), copyright©️ 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Audio Study Bible: Episode 003 - Jonah 3

Listen to "003 - Jonah 3" on Spreaker.

CLICK HERE to Watch on YouTube

A read through of Jonah chapter three with comment. Below is a list of the sources I referenced in the making of this video: Commentary on the Old Testament by Keil and Delitzsch, Volume X, published by Eerdmans (Grand Rapids, Michigan) The ESV Study Bible ™️, English Standard Version ®️ (ESV®️) Copyright ©️ 2008 by Crossway Zondervan Handbook to the Bible, Copyright ©️ 1999, Pat and David Alexander NIV Cultural Background Study Bible, Copyright © 2016 by Zondervan KJV Ryrie Study Bible, ©️1986, 1994 by The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago NASB Life Application Study Bible, Updated Edition, Copyright ©️ 2000 by Zondervan NET Bible First Edition, Copyright ©️1997-2007, Version 7.0321, by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. The “Read Scripture: Jonah” YouTube video produced by The Bible Project, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLIab... Scripture quotations are from the ESV®️Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®️), copyright©️ 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Audio Study Bible: Episode 002 - Jonah 2

Listen to "002 - Jonah 2" on Spreaker.

CLICK HERE to Watch on YouTube

A read through of Jonah chapter two with comment. Below is a list of the sources I referenced in the making of this video: Commentary on the Old Testament by Keil and Delitzsch, Volume X, published by Eerdmans (Grand Rapids, Michigan) The ESV Study Bible ™️, English Standard Version ®️ (ESV®️) Copyright ©️ 2008 by Crossway Zondervan Handbook to the Bible, Copyright ©️ 1999, Pat and David Alexander KJV Ryrie Study Bible, ©️1986, 1994 by The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago NASB Life Application Study Bible, Updated Edition, Copyright ©️ 2000 by Zondervan NET Bible First Edition, Copyright ©️1997-2007, Version 7.0321, by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. The “Read Scripture: Jonah” YouTube video produced by The Bible Project Scripture quotations are from the ESV®️Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®️), copyright©️ 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Audio Study Bible: Episode 001 - Jonah 1

Listen to "001 - Jonah 1" on Spreaker.

CLICK HERE to Watch on YouTube

A read through of Jonah chapter one with comment. 

Below is a list of the sources I referenced in the making of this video:

Commentary on the Old Testament by Keil and Delitzsch, Volume X, published by Eerdmans (Grand Rapids, Michigan)

The ESV Study Bible ™️, English Standard Version ®️ (ESV®️) Copyright ©️ 2008 by Crossway

Zondervan Handbook to the Bible, Copyright ©️ 1999, Pat and David Alexander

KJV Ryrie Study Bible, ©️1986, 1994 by The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago 

NASB Life Application Study Bible, Updated Edition, Copyright ©️ 2000 by Zondervan

NET Bible First Edition, Copyright ©️1997-2007, Version 7.0321, by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.

The “Read Scripture: Jonah” YouTube video produced by The Bible Project 

Verses 1-3; and 10-13 are taken from the Christian Standard Bible®️. Copyright ©️2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®️, and CSB®️are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 

Verses 4-9; and 14-17 are quoted from The ESV®️Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®️), copyright©️ 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Birth: A Man's Guide

Men,

I'm going to be honest, being a man during childbirth is...awkward.  Luckily for you, I've been a man during someone else's pain in childbearing TWICE - which by all accounts makes me an expert in the matter.  So, I figured I would do all the husbands out there a favor and give them the top seven things they'll need to remember in order to survive the birth of their children. 

1. When Helping Hurts

During labor, lots of things, almost all of which you've never experienced before, will be happening at once, and you will have many emotions as you struggle to process it all.  You will have no control over the situation, and you'll often be not quite sure what is going on - or what's supposed to happen next.  

At some point, you will almost certainly feel completely and utterly helpless. 

Your wife will try to assure you otherwise, but deep down you'll know the truth.  My wife has always been a master of subtlety.  Her labor was no exception.   Thankfully, she let me know that I was needed by saying things like, "Do not touch me." and "Stop talking."  Or, my personal favorite - "Leave me alone."  Somehow in the heat of the moment, her words of comfort went straight over my head.

2. Do NOT Complain...Ever

Repeat after me, "I have no reason to complain."  If you're wondering under what circumstance you could be so bold as to clear your throat and ask for something - there are none.  Food, water, bathroom breaks, sleep, privacy - these are all just words during and after your wife's labor.  More like jokes really.

Now that I think about it, there is one scenario in which you might want to ask for help.  If you realize that there is a live human being inside of you who suddenly wants to come out, then you're safe to say something.  Otherwise, keep it to yourself.

3. Compartmentalize Your Memories

Unless you are completely aloof and uncaring - you are going to see things that will make your stomach turn.  A birth is a very messy thing.  It will be hard to see the woman you love experiencing so much pain and nastiness - it will be hard to unsee it as well.  You will need to tuck all these memories away in a compartment in your brain labeled "Hospital".  You'll also want to toss any peanut gallery comments to your wife about how "gross" anything is into the incinerator - just write a public blog instead.

Up until this point, you have memories of her as a wife.  

Now, you will also have memories of her as a mother.  

Memories of wedding gowns and night gowns will be joined by memories of hospital gowns.

Memories of undressing her will be joined by memories of dressing her.

Memories of showering with her will be joined by memories of showering her.

Private, intimate memories of one kind will be joined by private, intimate memories of an entirely different kind.

This is where the "or worse" part comes into play from your wedding vows.  Remember that this is a small, isolated period of time.  Remember too that this is something you already agreed to support her through - and cheerfully.

Soon you'll be back to a "normal" routine, and all of these memories will need to be put away in that "Hospital" file.  Don't leave this file open on your desktop for constant referral, but don't delete it either - it's a strong glue that holds the two of you together.  

4. Love them Both

I'll never forget the moments I first saw Silas and Judah.  With Silas, love spontaneously erupted inside of me - and it was such an incredibly new, wonderful feeling.  With Judah, the moment I saw him it was like I had loved him forever.  Like I'd already been his Dad for a long time, and he was just a little late joining the family.

With both children, I felt a tug-of-war during the first fifteen minutes after their birth.  Should I stay beside Emily, or should I walk across the room and be with my son?  In both cases I kind of ended up pacing back and forth between the two.  With Silas, I had been excusively focused on Emily's welfare for six years - and so it was weird to suddenly have another vying for my attention.  With Judah, I was worried about leaving Emily because she was completely isolated behind the giant blue curtain of doom during the c-section.

It was a very uncomfortable feeling.

Two had become one.  Then all of the sudden, one became three - and now four!  

5. Scared? Keep it to Yourself

Worrying isn't a part of my DNA, so for this one I'll have to rely on the hypothetical.  Hypothetically, I might have might looked up a Wikipedia article on c-sections and seen some disturbing pictures.  And hypothetically, those images are still burned in my memory.  And hypothetically, I might have been terrified at the thought of being in an operating room while total strangers cut my wife open.  And hypothetically, I might have been royally FREAKING OUT!!!!

And hypothetically, my wife might have kept asking me in the weeks leading up to the end of her term if I was scared at the possibility of a c-section.  And hypothetically, I wanted to break down crying and pour out my heart like an episode of Dr. Phil.

Fellas, the answer to the "Are you scared?" question, is "No."  She is about to go through major surgery, on her own body, and she is going to be afraid.  She is going to look to you for stability and strength - and you've got to come through.  Pray for the ability to keep it together, and do so.

Besides, you can always freak out in the privacy of a bathroom or closet when no one is around.  Hypothetically.

6. Find Humor in the Chaos

During the first 24 hours of your child's birth - your hospital room will feel like a speed dating nightmare.  A round-robin of doctors, nurses, orderlies, housekeepers, anesthesiologists, lactation consultants, record keepers, photographers, pediatricians, and busboys will come in to perform their various duties.  Our first night, Judah woke us up about four times.  The hospital staff woke us up about fourteen.  Something about "checking his vitals" and "inspecting her incision" - likely story.

My personal favorite was the lactation consultant who, when I walked in the room after making a fountain drink run, introduced herself by saying "Hi, I'm the breast lady."

You'll also need to get your priorities in order.  Priority 1: Mom and Baby. Priority 2: Find a Public Restroom.  For reasons not fit for a blog, you really won't want to use the toilet in your hospital room.  Furthermore, the chances are 100% that the chili dogs you ate the day before will catch up to you around the same time the photographer is trying to capture a magical moment with mommy and baby.  Use this opportunity to grab a book and excuse yourself to your private apartment down the hall.

7. Do Not Adjust Your Television Set

At least once during your hospital stay, you'll wonder if you are in an episode of the Twilight Zone.  Concepts like privacy, dignity, time, and sleep will take on a whole new dimension.  Random people will come into your room in the middle of the night, some of them men, all of them strangers.

Two hours of sleep will no longer be thought of as a nap, but a decent night's rest.  Sleep will no longer revolve around something rational like, say, when you are tired and want to sleep.  Instead, it will revolve around every other conceivable person or event known to man.

And everything - everything - will take more time.  Helping your wife to the bathroom, changing a diaper, and adjusting a few pillows should only take fifteen minutes in a normal world.   But in crazy sideways LOST world, it takes an hour and a half.  And when you're done, it's time to feed the baby - who by the way, needs another diaper change.   And then here comes the vitals-checking, incision-inspecting turbo nurse wondering if it's a bad time.

What, this?  A bad time?  Surely you jest.

So, to all you husbands out there, the next time you just happen to find yourself in the same room as a laboring woman - just pull up a chair, and my blog.

You'll thank me later.

-Jason

Fate

"Fate"

by Jason Hart

Once there lived a great and mighty prince who ruled over a vast kingdom.  At the height of his power, God visited the prince one night in a dream.  In the dream, God explained that a horrible tragedy was fast approaching which would utterly destroy the prince's kingdom, family, and wealth.  However, God explained, there was another option.  If the prince could choose which of the three he wanted God to destroy - either his kingdom, his family, or his wealth - God would only destroy that one, and would leave the other two unharmed.

Terrified, the prince awoke from his dream, trembling in fear.  The prince could not imagine a world in which God could be so cruel.  As he considered what God had said, he wondered if God would really fulfill his promise.  After a few minutes of staring at the ceiling, the prince got on his knees beside his bed and begged God to not allow this great tragedy to strike him and his kingdom.  He pleaded with God to allow the devastation to pass by, asking that his kingdom, family, and wealth remain untouched.

The next day however, a huge army invaded the prince's kingdom.  The prince's army was vastly outnumbered, and one by one the cities within the prince's kingdom fell to the enemy. Knowing that the capital would soon be surrounded, the prince fled from his kingdom during the middle of the night.  He loaded up his family, servants, and possessions and they went as a caravan deep into the wilderness just east of his kingdom.

Again one day, God came to the prince in a dream.  This time, God explained that the devastation He had promised was underway, and that next it would move to his family and wealth.  Once again however, God offered the prince the chance to choose just one of the two to absorb God's destruction.  The prince was furious at God's latest proposal.  He thought of his beautiful wife and son, and he thought of his many servants, livestock and piles of gold.  The prince knew that losing either would be too great a burden to bear.  The prince cried out to God, begging Him to turn from the disaster He had promised.

The next day, a band of men from within the prince's own camp betrayed him.  They stole his gold, took his livestock, slaughtered his servants and plundered his possessions.  They left the prince and his family alone and destitute in the wilderness with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

As a steady rain began to fall, the prince huddled together with his family, trying to stay warm as they fell to sleep.  That night, more terrifying and terrible than ever, God came to the prince in a dream. God announced that the full weight of the devastating hammer had yet to fall upon the prince.  His family, after falling deathly ill, God explained, would soon be stripped from him.

The prince startled awake and cried out to God.   "Why can't you just leave me alone?!"  he shouted, shaking his fist at the heavens.  "What kind of a God are you?  How could you have asked one man to bear the burden of such impossible choices?"

Desperate, the prince pleaded with God to give him another choice.  "Please don't take away my family!  I will give you anything you want - even my own life - but please, leave my wife and son alone."

God spoke to the prince in his despair, "Oh prince, mighty among men.  What right do you have to be angry?  It was your choice that sealed their fate - not mine.  I gave you the chance to choose your family over your kingdom and your possessions - but you wouldn't take it.  And now, no such choice exists."

Responding to Jesus: My Thoughts on the Second Reading of the Gospels

At the beginning of the year, I made the rather hasty declaration that I intended to read through the life of Jesus sixteen times during 2013.  Believe me, I'm as shocked as you are that I've actually stuck with it, having just completed my eighth time through the life of Christ yesterday.  So far, it has been a tremendously enjoyable, if not somewhat tedious, experience.

Each quarter, reading at the pace of one chapter per day, I've read through the four canonical gospels once.  Each time through, I'm focusing on a different aspect of Christ's life.  My first reading focused on the teachings of and about Jesus.

This quarter's reading focused on positive and negative responses to Jesus.

One prominent response to Jesus is what I'd call "interested, but not committed"  This response predominately came from the crowds.  (Although certain individuals responded this way too, for example, the Rich Young Ruler [Mark 10:17-22] came to Jesus seeking advice, but ultimately lacked the resolve to truly follow Him.)  The crowds were a self-serving, miracle-seeking mob that seemed to pursue Jesus at every turn.  Yet, Jesus didn't view the crowd with cynicism or naivety - rather, he saw them with compassion. (Matthew 9:35-38)  And, it should be noted, He responded accordingly.

Some, primarily religious leaders, made no secret of their hatred for Jesus.  In fact, and don't miss this, Jesus' main opposition during his earthly ministry came from religious leaders.  While perhaps actual Pharisees were unique to Jesus' day - their spirit lives on, and their opposition to the work of God continues today.

If I were to paraphrase the driving attitude behind the religious leaders' response, it would be this - We will condemn, criticize, humiliate, persecute, and eventually kill ANYONE who challenges our rules.  The pharisees had monopolized the religious market, and they were going to crush any competition that threatened their self-aggrandizing control of the masses. (see John 9 and Mark 7:1-13)

Another intriguing response was one that tried to remain neutral to Jesus Christ.  I'm thinking of the parents of the man born blind, who, for fear of the Jews decided to avoid making a definitive decision about Jesus' identity as the Christ (see John 9:18-23)  And of course, I'm thinking of the infamous washing of the hands incident in which Pilate tried to cleanse himself of any moral culpability regarding Jesus' crucifixion. (Matthew 27:24-26)

And finally, there were those who responded positively to the person and work of Christ.  The mere writing of the gospels themselves, as Luke intimates in his preface, shows that there were at least some who cherished the earthly ministry of Christ.  Eleven men dedicated their lives to Jesus, choosing to sit under Him as a disciple. Simon the Cyrene, under compulsion, carried His cross. Joseph of Arimathea buried His body.  Women brought spices to the tomb.  And hope, crushed during the dark three days Jesus spent in the tomb, sprang eternal in the hearts of those who encountered the risen Lord.

On the whole, however, the response to Jesus was overwhelmingly negative.  The inn wouldn't accommodate Him, and Herod tried to kill Him.  A disciple betrayed Him, and the rest really didn't understand Him.  The crowds endlessly used Him, and a place to lay his head, evaded Him.  His own brothers didn't believe in Him, and his hometown refused to honor Him.  The Pharisees constantly opposed Him, and the demons cried out against Him.  A mob arrested Him, and then Pilate released Him.  The two condemned thieves mocked Him, and in the wilderness, Satan tested Him.  Soldiers beat Him, and, theologically speaking, everyone killed Him.

And perhaps, this is where our theology is most informed.

Most people do not respond positively to Jesus Christ.

In fact, Jesus made this statement in John 3

"and this is the judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil."

Doesn't this find application in the reality that there are millions and millions who will die without ever hearing of Christ?  I don't want to trivialize a very somber and humbling reality.  Nor do I want to make a blanket statement regarding their fate.  However, isn't it more telling, not that there are millions of people who have never heard of Christ, but that there are millions who have heard and still choose to reject Him?

Don't most reject Christ?  Isn't this the picture we see in scripture over and over?  Not that God hasn't made Himself known, but that He has made Himself known, and we've ignored Him.

Haven't I rejected Christ?  Perhaps explicitly before I was a Christian, and now implicitly in my behavior after I've become a Christian?

Isn't it easier to reject Christ?

A polarizing figure, who demanded that we love Him above everything and anyone else?

Isn't that why He died?

And, if we're to successfully continue within the illusion of our own kingdoms on earth... doesn't He have to die again?

Either Him?

Or me?

Some Thoughts on Reading through the Gospels (First Quarter)

At the beginning of this year, I embarked on a journey to read through all four gospels four times during 2013.  Reading at the pace of one chapter per day, I've just finished reading through the gospels looking for teachings of and about Jesus Christ.

I'm not sure how many times I had read through the gospels prior to this year. Maybe 8 or 9 times?  Yet in this most recent reading, I found myself more intrigued by Jesus than ever.  He truly was such a controversial, charismatic, downright offensive person.  And yet he had a gentle, unassuming, almost sneaky personality that was really quite lovely.

Jesus' views about himself were unashamedly lofty.  He really thought He was something special.  Yet not once did he trample over the weak or the outcasts.  In fact, His high view of himself seemed to fuel his love and compassion for others.

Perhaps most troubling was Jesus' teachings about the eventual (and eternal) separation of the righteous and the wicked.  A teaching made even harder to stomach when coupled with His teachings about the inability of some to hear the voice of God due to the hardness of their hearts.  It makes you pause and ask the question, "Do I really know God?" Or, perhaps more importantly, "Does God really know me?"

The most surprising thing to me as I read through the gospels was the focus on Jesus' identity that emerged in all four gospels.  It seemed with every turn of the page, the question kept popping up - Who was Jesus Christ?  The answer to this question was one that Jesus seemed determined to make people discover for themselves.  Perhaps for the same reason you shouldn't explain the punchline of a joke.  If you have to explain it, it's not funny.

I can't wait to read through the gospels again.  I'm starting in Matthew on April 1st.  Join me.

Devotions for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 22, 2013

Fourth Candle Color: Purple

Theme: Peace / Comfort

(Light three purple candles, and one pink candle)

Opening Prayer:

"Lord God, we light this candle to thank you for your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who is the Prince of Peace. We who live in discord and strife have found peace in the promise of eternal life, through Jesus Christ. We give you thanks and praise in Jesus' name, because he lives and reigns with you in your glory, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, Amen."

Scripture Reading:

Luke 1:39-55 (Listen to Luke 1)

"In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."

Mid-Prayer:

"Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen."

Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 9:6-7 (Listen to Isaiah 9)

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this."

Micah 5:2-5a (Listen to Micah 5)

"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace."

Hymn:

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
(Listen to Casting Crowns Version)

(1) I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

(2) I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

(3) And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

(4) Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

(5) Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), 1867)
Lyrics taken from www.oldielyrics.com

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 80:1-7 (Listen to Psalm 80)

"Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might and come to save us! Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved! O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people's prayers? You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in full measure. You make us an object of contention for our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves. Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved!"

Hebrews 10:5-10 (Listen to Hebrews 10)

"Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.'" When he said above, "You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law), then he added, "Behold, I have come to do your will." He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

Closing Prayer:

"Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

2013 Gospel Challenge

I am embarking on a year long journey - and I would like you to join me!

During 2013, I will attempt to read through the four canonical gospels four times.  If I read at a pace of one chapter per day, I will be able to read through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John four times by the end of the year.  

This will not be a passive reading.  This will be a deliberate, intentional reading of the gospels in an attempt to better understand the person and work of Jesus Christ.  Consequently, it is my hope that this will translate into me becoming more like Jesus.  

Each quarter, there will be different points of emphasis I will be looking at as I read through the gospels.  I will also be sending out daily Tweets regarding what I've been learning.  That's right folks - a year long Twitter series.

Here is a breakdown of the different things I'll be focusing on while I read.

January - March
During the first read through, I will be focusing on the teachings of and about Jesus Christ.

Further Points of Emphasis:

-Claims made by or about Jesus

-Jesus' teaching regarding Hell

-Elements of Jesus' teaching that are conspicuously absent

-Hard or difficult teachings of Jesus

April - June
During the second read through, I will be focusing on the positive and negative responses to Jesus Christ.

Further Points of Emphasis::

-How religious leaders responded to Jesus

-How crowds responded to Jesus

-How the disciples responded to Jesus

-The expectations Jesus placed on his followers

July - September
During the third read through, I will be focusing on the activities and daily life of Jesus.

Further Points of Emphasis:

-Jesus' miracles and healings

-Jesus' response to the poor

-Activities of Jesus that seem conspicuously absent

-Activities of Jesus that seem of poor taste and/or timing

-Apparent contradictions or discrepancies between the gospels
-The emotions of Jesus

October - December
During the fourth read through, I will be focusing on Jesus' connection to the Old Testament.

Further Points of Emphasis:

-Messianic prophecies regarding Christ

-Jesus' teaching regarding the future

-Teaching regarding the Kingdom of God

-The accounts of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection

I have tried to keep these categories broad enough to cover a wide variety of topics, but specific enough to prohibit casual reading.  The point of this year-long exercise is to force myself to think critically and carefully about the person and work of Jesus Christ.

As a Christian, I claim to be a devout follower of Jesus of Nazareth.  I am banking my life and eternal destiny that He truly was the Son of God - the Savior of the world.  Wouldn't it logically follow that I shouldn't be content with a mere cursory understanding of Jesus' teachings, life, and ministry?  I want to be fully acquainted with his life, and as a consequence become more like him in my own.

Will you join me?


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Here is a Printable Reading Schedule for those of you joining me on my journey!

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For my Twitter series, I will be using the following abbreviations:

Mt - Matthew
Mk - Mark
Lk - Luke
Jn - John
JC - Jesus Christ 

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-Jason

Devotions for Third Sunday of Advent

Third Sunday of Advent

December 15, 2013

Third Candle Color: Pink

Theme: Joy / Life

(Light two purple candles, and one pink candle)

Opening Prayer:

"Lord God, we light this candle to thank you for your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who brings us great joy. We who have walked in the shadow of the valley of death have found life in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We give you thanks and praise in Jesus' name, because he lives and reigns with you in your glory, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, Amen."

Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 35:1-10 (Listen to Isaiah 35)

"The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.  They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God.  Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Mid-Prayer:

"Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Your only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may be enabled to serve You with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen."

Scripture Reading:

Zephaniah 3:14-20 (Listen to Zephaniah 3)

"Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: "Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach. Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes," says the LORD."

Hymn:

Joy to the World
Recommend Verses 1, 2 and 4
(Link to Instrumental Music on YouTube)

(1) Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

(2) Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

(3) No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

(4) He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 12:2-6 (Listen to Isaiah 12)

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation." With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. "Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."

Philippians 4:4-9 (Listen to Philippians 4)

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."

Closing Prayer:

"O Lord Jesus Christ, who at your first coming sent your messenger to prepare the way before You; Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready your way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen."

Devotions for Second Sunday of Advent

Second Sunday of Advent

December 8, 2013

Second Candle Color: Purple

Theme: Love / Repentance

(Light two purple candles)

Opening Prayer:

"Lord God, we light this candle to thank you for your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who is the way. We who like sheep have gone astray have found the way to you through Jesus Christ. We give you thanks and praise in Jesus' name, because he lives and reigns with you in your glory, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, Amen."

Scripture Reading:

Malachi 3:1-4 (Listen to Malachi 3)

"Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years."

Mark 1:1-8 (Listen to Mark 1)

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Mid-Prayer:

"Merciful God, who sent thy messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."

Scripture Reading:

Luke 1:67-80 (Listen to Luke 1)

"And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

for he has visited and redeemed his people

and has raised up a horn of salvation for us

in the house of his servant David,

as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,

that we should be saved from our enemies

and from the hand of all who hate us;

to show the mercy promised to our fathers

and to remember his holy covenant,

the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us

that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,

might serve him without fear,

in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,

to give knowledge of salvation to his people

in the forgiveness of their sins,

because of the tender mercy of our God,

whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel."

Luke 3:1-6 (Listen to Luke 3)

"In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'"

Hymn:

The First Noel

(Recommended verses 1, and 5)

Link to Instrumental Music on YouTube

1. The first Noel the angel did say

was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Refrain:
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
born is the King of Israel.

2. They looked up and saw a star
shining in the east, beyond them far;
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night.
(Refrain)

3. And by the light of that same star
three Wise Men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went.
(Refrain)

4. This star drew nigh to the northwest,
o'er Bethlehem it took its rest;
and there it did both stop and stay,
right over the place where Jesus lay.
(Refrain)

5. Then entered in those Wise Men three,
full reverently upon the knee,
and offered there, in his presence,
gold and myrrh and frankincense.

(Refrain)

Scripture Reading:

Philippians 1:3-11 (Listen to Philippians 1)

"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

Closing Prayer:

"Almighty God, by whose providence thy servant John Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of thy Son our Savior by preaching repentance; make us so to follow his doctrine and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and after his example constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."