Feasting on God's Word (One Year Bible)

'King of the Jews' (Matthew 2:2). Jesus came from the Jews. He came for 'all nations' (Matthew 28:19). He is the 'King of kings' (Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16). Here on earth, we are learning 'to worship Him' (Matthew 2:2). We are being prepared for heavenly worship (Revelation 7:9-12): 'Kings and queens and beggarmen, presidents and servants, the people of all nations, will gather on that day. We will kneel before the King. None will be observers. We will lift our voices. Together, we will say, "He is the King and He will reign forever. He is the King and we will sing His praise. The King of kings and Lord of lords forever, Jesus, He is the King. Hallelujah to the King, He is our salvation. Master of the universe, King of all creation"!' Let 'Jesus...take the highest honour'. Let us 'glorify the King of kings' ( Songs of Fellowship , 302, 590).

“Every man did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). This sad situation is with us still. May God give us grace to pray, “Not my will, but Thine be done” (Matthew 26:42).

"Come, let us kill him" (Matthew 21:38). This is the human story of Christ's crucifixion. He was "put to death by wicked men." There is also the divine story - "the deliberate plan and foreknowledge of God"(Acts 2:23). The wicked men thought that this was the end of Jesus. They were wrong! - "God raised Him from the dead." Could it have been any other way? Could the evil scheming of men have prevailed over God's plan of salvation? - No! "I t was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him" (Acts 2:24).

We have read about two times of blessing in Jacob’s life ( Genesis 28:10-22 ; Genesis 32:22-32 ). Here’s a third time when the Lord blessed him ( Genesis 35:9-12 ). The Lord’s blessing doesn’t come only once. He blesses His people again and again. He leads us on to a closer walk with Himself. The blessing of God doesn’t pass automatically from one generation to another. Isaac had been blessed by God. Esau turned away from God. He missed out on God’s blessing. The blessing of God is not to be taken for granted.   One Year Bible - Day 17: Genesis 34:1-35:29; Matthew 12:46-13:17; Psalm 10:1-11

We read, in Matthew 9:2, of the forgiveness of sins. This is followed, in Matthew 9:6, by the words that brought healing to the paralyzed man. When we read about Jesus' healing miracles, we must also remember the healing that comes to us through the forgiveness of our sins. The healing of our lives begins here. From this beginning - the forgiveness of our sins, we move on to the healing of our lives, which takes place when we look to the Lord to take the brokenness of our lives and put everything back together again. This is followed by Matthew's own story. He receives the forgiveness of his sins. From the conversion of Matthew, the message that comes to us is this: Jesus "came to call sinners" (Matthew 9:13).  We come to Jesus - with our sins. We receive from Him - our salvation. At the heart of our salvation is this great message: God does more for us than forgiving our sins. He gives us new life - described here as "new wine" (Matthew 9:17)....

"Don't go among people who are not Jewish ..." (Matthew 10:5). The time for reaching out to the Gentiles had not yet come. After Jesus' resurrection, the Good News of His love and His salvation were to be taken to "the ends of the earth" (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). This ministry was to be carried out in the power of the Holy Spirit - "The Spirit of your Father will be speaking through you" (Matthew 10:20). This was to continue after Jesus' ascension (Acts 1:8; Acts 2:3). If we are to speak for the Lord, He must be our "Teacher" (Matthew 10:24). The Lord teaches us, and we are to teach others - "Teach and make disciples" (Matthew 28:18-20). In Matthew 11, we learn, from Jesus the Saviour, about John the Baptist. From the warnings given by Jesus to Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum, we learn of the urgency of the Word of the Lord. The highlight of Matthew 11 is found in verse 28 - "Come to Me...

When the tempter comes, we must stand on God’s Word: ‘every Word that comes from…God’ (Matthew 4: 4).

Matthew 25:1-13 Will we be ready, when the Lord returns? This is the question the Lord is putting to us here. It’s the most important question. It’s the question that we cannot evade. It’s the question that won’t go away. It’s the question of our life. What is our life all about? What is most important to us? Who is most important to us – Jesus or ourselves?

Genesis 32:1-33:20; Matthew 12:22-45; Proverbs 2:1-11  In Genesis 28:10-22 , we read about a turning-point in Jacob’s life. Here, in Genesis 32:22-32 , we have another turning-point. It’s summed up in Genesis 32:28 – “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Jacob may “have overcome”, but there is no-one who has overcome so mightily as our Lord Jesus Christ. He “drove out demons by the Spirit of God” and, in Him, we are overcomers –  ”They triumphed over him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” ( Revelation 12:11 ). Victory comes from the Lord – “He holds victory in store for the upright” ( Proverbs 2:7 ). He is our “shield”; He “guards” and “protects” us in the heat of the battle ( Proverbs 2:7-8 ). As we walk in the pathway of victory, we are led in “every good path” ( Proverbs 2:9 ). We are led in a way which, the Lord says, “will be pleas...

Genesis 36:1-37:36; Matthew 13:18-35; Psalm 10:12-18  When Joseph spoke of his dream, “his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind” ( Genesis 37:11 ). Jacob was becoming aware that Joseph was the man whom God had chosen to carry the purpose of God forward into the next generation. Joseph’s dreams had been given to him by the Lord. God was indicating to him the “new thing” ( Isaiah 43:19 ) that He was about to do. God spoke to Joseph through dreams. God spoke through Jesus in parables (Matthew 13). Whether we’re reading about Joseph’s dream concerning God’s continuing purpose or Jesus’ parables of the Kingdom, we must remember this: “The Lord is King for ever and ever” ( Psalm 10:16 ). Jacob “struggled with God” before he was “blessed” by God ( Genesis 32:28-29 ). The blessing of God comes to us as we live in obedience to Him – “whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother” ( Matthew 12:50 ). When the Word of ...

"It is right to do good on the day of worship" (Matthew 12:12). Why did Jesus have authority over the day of worship? It was because of who He is. He is worshipped. Jesus fulfils prophecy (Mathew 12:17-21). He has authority over Satan (Matthew 12:28). The victory of Jesus over Satan becomes ours when we receive God's Word, with humble faith, as "the sword of the Spirit." This speaks of the work of the Spirit in and through the Word. The Spirit leads us to Jesus. He leads us out for Jesus. Jesus is risen from the dead (Matthew 12:40), Let us serve Him and be His true family (Matthew 12:50).

Genesis 38:1-39:23; Matthew 13:36-58; Psalm 11:1-7  What a contrast there is between the unrestrained lust of Judah (Genesis 38) and the sexual restraint of Joseph  – “How then can I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” ( Genesis 39:9 ). Joseph was unjustly treated, and put in prison. Nevertheless, God’s purpose was not hindered – “the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did” ( Genesis 39:23 ). When we read of Joseph, being thrown into slavery and, later on, into prison, we see the similarity to Jesus – “Only in his home town and in his own house is a prophet without honour” ( Matthew 13:57 ). Whenever things are going badly (Joseph in prison, Jesus – “a prophet without honour”), we must remember – “The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord is on His heavenly throne” ( Psalm 11:4 ). We must learn to say, “In the Lord, I take refuge” ( Psalm 11:1 ). We must rest in this assurance: “upright men will see His face” ( Psalm 11:7 ...

Joseph was the forgotten man. He asked the chief cup bearer to remember him ( Genesis 40:14 ). The chief cup bearer forgot Joseph ( Genesis 40:23 ). He wasn’t remembered until “two full years had passed” ( Genesis 41:1 ). As he languished in prison, these two years must have seemed a very long time. Nevertheless, Joseph kept close to God, and when the time came for him to speak for God, he was ready. Joseph didn’t seek glory for himself – “I cannot do it.” He gave all the glory to God – “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires” ( Genesis 41:16 ). John the Baptist was also imprisoned ( Matthew 14:3 ). For John, unlike Joseph, there was to be no release. Whatever our circumstances, we must seek to honour God. The important thing is not the outcome of our adverse circumstances. It’s our faithfulness in these difficult times. Whatever is happening to us, we must remain in “the straight paths” and must not “walk in dark ways” ( Proverbs 2:13 ).   One Year Bible...

The purpose of God moves on with the birth of Jacob and Esau. We are told that “the older (Esau) will serve the younger (Jacob)” ( Genesis 25:23 ). The purpose of God reaches its fulfilment in the coming of Jesus Christ. In Christ, God’s purpose is fulfilled. The work of God continues as Christ’s apostles carry forward the Gospel’s advance in the world. Matthew 10 tells of the disciples being trained for their later work of being Christ’s witnesses in the world ( Acts 1:8 ). Proverbs 1:20-21 – “Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech.” The Gospel is not to be kept to ourselves. Christ is to be proclaimed. Proverbs 1:33 – “whoever listens to me will live in safety.” Romans 10:13 – ”Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”   One Year Bible - Day 12: Genesis 25:1-26:35; Matthew 10:1-31; Proverbs...

In Genesis 24, we see the progress of the promise given to Abraham. From generation to generation, God is fulfilling His purpose. Once Rebekkah had agreed to marry Isaac, she received this blessing: “Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands; may your offspring possess the cities of their enemies” ( Genesis 24:60 ). This is clearly referring to the long-term fulfilment of God’s promise to Abraham. It was fitting that God’s purpose should be carried forward through Isaac. He was a godly man – “He went out to the field one evening to meditate” ( Genesis 24:63 ). If we want to live a godly life, we must learn to spend time with God.  Following on from the love story of Isaac and Rebekkah, we find Jesus, in Matthew 9:15 , speaking of Himself as “the bridegroom” who has come to find a bride for Himself. From a story of human love to the Story of “love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven to earth come down”, we turn o...

As we read of the testing of Abraham in regard to God's call for Isaac to be sacrificed, we have a hint of God's provision of Jesus Christ as the Saviour who was sacrificed for the sins of the world. By faith, Abraham says, "God himself will provide the lamb ... " (Genesis 2:8). "Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided" (Genesis 22:14). The events on Mount Moriah point forward to the greater Event on  Mount Calvary - the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our Saviour, who died not for the sins of Abraham only "but for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2). As Matthew speaks of Jesus Christ, he gives his personal testimony. He doesn't draw attention to himself. He simply tells us that Jesus said, "Follow Me ... and Matthew got up and followed Him" (Matthew 9:9). As we consider the Saviour whom God has given to us, our Lord Jesus Christ who...

Genesis 19 is a chapter that's full of the darkness of sin. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is followed by the sordid episode with Lot and his daughters. Sin leads to judgment. That's the lesson of Sodom and Gomorrah. sin leads to judgment. we see this in the birth of these two illicitly conceived children - "the father of the Moabites" and "the father of the Ammonites" (Genesis 19:37-38). To follow the pathway of sin is to walk in the way of the fool. It's to build on sand. It's better to build on the Rock, which is Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:24-27). As we read of Jesus' teaching along with the stories of Genesis, we see the continuity of God's work of salvation. This is summed up in the words of Jesus: "many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 8:11). In Genesis, there's a message of judgment. We see thi...

Following Abram's rash action of fathering a child, Ishmael, by his maidservant, Hagar, we see, in Genesis 17, God's determination to bless him and to make him a blessing to many people. God will not be put off by our objections (Genesis 17:15-19). To such objections, He gives this answer: "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14). Despite God's plan to send blessing, there are still many hindrances: the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were such hindrances to God's purpose: "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous" (Genesis 18:20). Time and again, God held back His judgment. Still, the sin continued, and the judgment was coming. Even in the face of judgment, we must take great encouragement from the patience of God - "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it" (Genesis 18:32). God is looking for the remnant of faith. Out of such small beginnings, great blessing can come. Only a few ...

In Genesis 14:18-20, we read about the remarkable appearance of the mysterious figure, Melchizedek. Here, we have the first suggestion of tithing - "Then Abram gave Him a tenth of everything" (Genesis 14:20). This is not a legalistic practice. It is set in the context of grace and worship. Abram's tithing follows on from this: "Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine" (Genesis 14:18). In view of what we read, in Hebrews 7, about Melchizedek and our Lord Jesus Christ, it is appropriate that we should think about tithing in the context of our response to the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose body was broken for us and blood was shed for us. Tithing is set within the context of worship. It is a part of our worship. In this act of worship, we are saying, "blessed be God Most High" (Genesis 14:20). Within this context of worship, there is blessing - "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth" (Ge...

God is doing a work of grace. This becomes clear in the promise given to Abram (Genesis 12:1-3). Satan is still very active in the world - "Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord" (Genesis 13:13). This is a situation which causes great distress to the people of God - "Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to You I pray" (Psalm 5:1-2). When the Bible speaks about sin, we're not to point the finger at other people. This is about us. We're all sinners (Romans 3:23). The standards of God's holiness are beyond us - "You are not a God who is pleased with wickedness: evil shall not dwell with You" (Psalm 5:4). When we read the deeply challenging analysis of God's law, given by Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount, we become deeply conscious of our sin. Thank God - His Word does not only speak of His perfect holiness. It also speaks of His great l...