August 25: Riddle Me This
#Devotional
Isaiah 50:1–51:23; Luke 20:1–40; Job 11:12–20
Jesus’ enemies regularly attempted to make Him look foolish or to disprove His authority. The absurd questions they concocted to discredit Him are rather amusing. The Sadducees posed one of the most preposterous questions about the resurrection of the dead and its relevance to divorce (Luke 20:27–33): If a woman has been married seven times, whose wife will she be when the dead are resurrected?
This scene is especially humorous in light of rabbis’ habit of playing mind games to outsmart (or “outwise”) one another and the Sadducees’ belief that resurrection does not exist. Jesus’ opponents thought they had rigged the game: Any answer to their riddle would be incorrect. It was an attempt to trap Jesus into agreeing that the resurrection of the dead is a myth. Jesus, however, offered an answer that put them in their place (Luke 20:34–40). His response made the Sadducees look even more foolish in light of larger biblical theology about marriage and divorce.
More than 500 years before this conversation, Isaiah remarked, “Thus says Yahweh: ‘Where is this divorce document of your mother’s divorce, with which I dismissed her? or to whom of my creditors did I sell you? Look! you were sold because of your sin, and your mother was dismissed because of your transgressions’ ” (Isa 50:1). The Sadducees—along with the entire nation of Israel—had already been condemned for not honoring marriage in life.
So often we are concerned with logistics or details when our energy should be spent on discerning God’s will for our lives and whether we are in that will. Like the Sadducees, we tell ourselves witty lies to get around doing the will of God. We somehow believe that if we can reason our way forward, we can justify our inactions. But as Jesus taught the Sadducees, in any game of riddles or reason, faith will always win.
What are you wrongly justifying or “witting” yourself out of doing?
#Devotional
Isaiah 50:1–51:23; Luke 20:1–40; Job 11:12–20
Jesus’ enemies regularly attempted to make Him look foolish or to disprove His authority. The absurd questions they concocted to discredit Him are rather amusing. The Sadducees posed one of the most preposterous questions about the resurrection of the dead and its relevance to divorce (Luke 20:27–33): If a woman has been married seven times, whose wife will she be when the dead are resurrected?
This scene is especially humorous in light of rabbis’ habit of playing mind games to outsmart (or “outwise”) one another and the Sadducees’ belief that resurrection does not exist. Jesus’ opponents thought they had rigged the game: Any answer to their riddle would be incorrect. It was an attempt to trap Jesus into agreeing that the resurrection of the dead is a myth. Jesus, however, offered an answer that put them in their place (Luke 20:34–40). His response made the Sadducees look even more foolish in light of larger biblical theology about marriage and divorce.
More than 500 years before this conversation, Isaiah remarked, “Thus says Yahweh: ‘Where is this divorce document of your mother’s divorce, with which I dismissed her? or to whom of my creditors did I sell you? Look! you were sold because of your sin, and your mother was dismissed because of your transgressions’ ” (Isa 50:1). The Sadducees—along with the entire nation of Israel—had already been condemned for not honoring marriage in life.
So often we are concerned with logistics or details when our energy should be spent on discerning God’s will for our lives and whether we are in that will. Like the Sadducees, we tell ourselves witty lies to get around doing the will of God. We somehow believe that if we can reason our way forward, we can justify our inactions. But as Jesus taught the Sadducees, in any game of riddles or reason, faith will always win.
What are you wrongly justifying or “witting” yourself out of doing?
August 25 - Christ’s Ultimate Power over Death
#LifeOfChrist
“When Jesus came into the official’s house, and saw the flute-players and the crowd in noisy disorder, He said, ‘Leave; for the girl has not died, but is asleep.’ And they began laughing at Him. But when the crowd had been sent out, He entered and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. This news spread throughout all that land” (Matthew 9:23–26).
Unlike those in the contemporary Western world, funerals in most ancient cultures, including the Jewish one of Jesus’ time, were not events with reverent music and quiet whispers. Instead funerals featured much loud wailing by professional mourners and dissonant music played by hired musicians. Because Jairus was the top leader of the local synagogue and a wealthy man, he probably hired a large number of mourners and musicians for his daughter’s funeral.
Jesus surprised and annoyed the mourners by telling them to leave, claiming that the girl was not dead but asleep (cf. John 11:11). That the people’s weeping turned so quickly to harsh, derisive laughter—the kind by those feeling superior to another—showed that their mourning was indeed an insincere, paid action devoid of genuine sorrow or any real faith that the Lord could raise Jairus’s daughter.
Mark’s account of this episode adds these details: Jesus “entered the room where the child was. Taking the child by the hand, He said to her, ‘Talitha kum!’ (which translated means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!’). Immediately the girl got up and began to walk” (Mark 5:40c–42a). Christ easily could have resuscitated her by a mere word, but His intimate interaction displayed a healing compassion far more than what was minimally necessary. And it convincingly showed His power over every enemy of mankind, including “the final enemy” of death and hades (cf. Rev. 1:18).
Ask Yourself
We can always expect faith to be met by doubters and revilers, even among those in the church—sometimes especially by those in the church. What kind of an impact does this have on your willingness to believe? Are you ever the cold water on anyone else’s spiritual passion?
#LifeOfChrist
“When Jesus came into the official’s house, and saw the flute-players and the crowd in noisy disorder, He said, ‘Leave; for the girl has not died, but is asleep.’ And they began laughing at Him. But when the crowd had been sent out, He entered and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. This news spread throughout all that land” (Matthew 9:23–26).
Unlike those in the contemporary Western world, funerals in most ancient cultures, including the Jewish one of Jesus’ time, were not events with reverent music and quiet whispers. Instead funerals featured much loud wailing by professional mourners and dissonant music played by hired musicians. Because Jairus was the top leader of the local synagogue and a wealthy man, he probably hired a large number of mourners and musicians for his daughter’s funeral.
Jesus surprised and annoyed the mourners by telling them to leave, claiming that the girl was not dead but asleep (cf. John 11:11). That the people’s weeping turned so quickly to harsh, derisive laughter—the kind by those feeling superior to another—showed that their mourning was indeed an insincere, paid action devoid of genuine sorrow or any real faith that the Lord could raise Jairus’s daughter.
Mark’s account of this episode adds these details: Jesus “entered the room where the child was. Taking the child by the hand, He said to her, ‘Talitha kum!’ (which translated means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!’). Immediately the girl got up and began to walk” (Mark 5:40c–42a). Christ easily could have resuscitated her by a mere word, but His intimate interaction displayed a healing compassion far more than what was minimally necessary. And it convincingly showed His power over every enemy of mankind, including “the final enemy” of death and hades (cf. Rev. 1:18).
Ask Yourself
We can always expect faith to be met by doubters and revilers, even among those in the church—sometimes especially by those in the church. What kind of an impact does this have on your willingness to believe? Are you ever the cold water on anyone else’s spiritual passion?
❤3
DAY 25: How does Paul address the issue of divorce for the Corinthian church?
https://telegra.ph/DAILY-BIBLE-08-25
https://telegra.ph/DAILY-BIBLE-08-25
Telegraph
DAILY BIBLE
Reading for Today: Job 41:1–42:17 Psalm 101:5-8 Proverbs 23:31-35 1 Corinthians 7:1-19 Notes: Job 41:1 Leviathan. This term appears in 4 other Old Testament texts (Job 3:8; Pss. 74:14; 104:26; Is. 27:1). In each case Leviathan refers to some mighty creature…
Five quick ways to strengthen your marriage:
1. Pray together.
2. Listen without preparing your defense.
3. Speak well of your spouse in public.
4. Deal with conflict before bitterness grows.
5. Serve each other when you do not feel like it.
A strong marriage is built through daily faithfulness, humility, forgiveness, and love.
1. Pray together.
2. Listen without preparing your defense.
3. Speak well of your spouse in public.
4. Deal with conflict before bitterness grows.
5. Serve each other when you do not feel like it.
A strong marriage is built through daily faithfulness, humility, forgiveness, and love.
🥰5
A man can build a career, grow a bank account, earn respect, and still fail at what matters most if he neglects his wife, his children, his church, and his walk with Christ.
🕊5👍2
You cannot cherish your favorite sin and cherish Christ with the same heart. One will eventually push out the other.
❤4👍2
Good morning,
1.) God is still on His throne.
2.) Jesus Christ is still saving sinners.
3.) Light is still shining in the darkness.
1.) God is still on His throne.
2.) Jesus Christ is still saving sinners.
3.) Light is still shining in the darkness.
💯6🥰3❤2
WEEK 4 — Legacy
Dear Daughter,
Noah built for a flood no one else believed was coming. His obedience outlasted the mockery.
Keep building your marriage on convictions others don't understand yet — prayer, purity, patience. The rain always comes eventually.
What you build in private becomes what survives in public.
'By faith Noah… built an ark to save his household' (Heb 11:7).
What are you building now that only future storms will justify?
#DearDaughter #BuildAheadOfTheFlood #StrongMarriage
Dear Daughter,
Noah built for a flood no one else believed was coming. His obedience outlasted the mockery.
Keep building your marriage on convictions others don't understand yet — prayer, purity, patience. The rain always comes eventually.
What you build in private becomes what survives in public.
'By faith Noah… built an ark to save his household' (Heb 11:7).
What are you building now that only future storms will justify?
#DearDaughter #BuildAheadOfTheFlood #StrongMarriage
❤5
It is easy to love people who agree with you.
Jesus calls us to love people who don't.
Anyone can love a friend. But Christ commands us to love our enemies.
Jesus calls us to love people who don't.
Anyone can love a friend. But Christ commands us to love our enemies.
❤6
Humility keeps a marriage strong! 🙇❤️ Value your spouse above yourself today! Phil 2:3 💞
Where can you put them first today? #StrongMarriage #August
Where can you put them first today? #StrongMarriage #August
❤1
Good morning, brothers and sisters. It's the Lord's Day.
Gather with the saints.
Open your Bible.
Sing with joy.
Pray with faith.
Hear the Word preached.
Encourage one another.
Fix your eyes on Christ.
"This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." - Psalm 118:24
Gather with the saints.
Open your Bible.
Sing with joy.
Pray with faith.
Hear the Word preached.
Encourage one another.
Fix your eyes on Christ.
"This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." - Psalm 118:24
❤6
The Bible does not need to be updated for modern times.
Everything God has spoken is still true. His commands are still authoritative. His promises are still trustworthy. His warnings still matter. His Gospel still saves.
Times change, cultures change, and man-made rules change.
The Word of God stands forever.
Everything God has spoken is still true. His commands are still authoritative. His promises are still trustworthy. His warnings still matter. His Gospel still saves.
Times change, cultures change, and man-made rules change.
The Word of God stands forever.
❤9💯2
Jesus is not just a great teacher or a good moral example for us to follow. Jesus is the eternal God who created all things and reigns over Heaven and earth (Col. 1:16).
Bow your knee to the King before he returns in judgment.
Bow your knee to the King before he returns in judgment.
🙏5💯5
He is the Creator of the universe; all things exist because He made them, and all things are sustained because He sustains them.
🥰4
Believers, do not let bitterness take root in your heart when others hurt you.
"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" (Eph. 4:32).
"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" (Eph. 4:32).
❤7
Jesus is not just a great teacher or a good moral example for us to follow. Jesus is the eternal God who created all things and reigns over Heaven and earth (Col. 1:16).
Bow your knee to the King before he returns in judgment.
Bow your knee to the King before he returns in judgment.
❤4💯2
August 26: Lives of Spiritual Opulence
#Devotional
Isaiah 52:1–54:17; Luke 20:41–21:24; Job 12:1–12
The Pharisees upheld a faulty religious system. They were supposed to be the Jews’ spiritual leaders, but they were more interested in making themselves the religious elite. They loved “greetings in the marketplace and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets” (Luke 20:46). Their ministry was built on the backs of the poor.
In contrast, the widow depicted in Luke 21 chose to give all she had. Because she had so little, her generosity was sacrificial. Those who gave out of abundance didn’t feel the loss of income like she did. But the contrast between the widow and the Pharisees shows us much more. Luke says that spiritual wealth can be present where we least expect it—that things aren’t always as they appear.
Although Jesus is the long-anticipated Messiah, following Him is never going to bring a life of glory and fame. Jesus is ushering in a kingdom like a mustard seed (Luke 13:18–19) or yeast (Luke 13:20–21). It will grow and swell through perseverance rather than praise. It requires a life of sacrifice like the widow’s, not the glory-seeking of the Pharisees.
Through these examples, Jesus warned his disciples to look beneath the shiny veneer for something more valuable. It would have been tempting simply to follow those in charge—in some ways it would have been much easier. But piety that pleases God isn’t found in striving after position or place. Following Jesus means sacrifice and service.
How are you serving God with everything you have?
#Devotional
Isaiah 52:1–54:17; Luke 20:41–21:24; Job 12:1–12
The Pharisees upheld a faulty religious system. They were supposed to be the Jews’ spiritual leaders, but they were more interested in making themselves the religious elite. They loved “greetings in the marketplace and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets” (Luke 20:46). Their ministry was built on the backs of the poor.
In contrast, the widow depicted in Luke 21 chose to give all she had. Because she had so little, her generosity was sacrificial. Those who gave out of abundance didn’t feel the loss of income like she did. But the contrast between the widow and the Pharisees shows us much more. Luke says that spiritual wealth can be present where we least expect it—that things aren’t always as they appear.
Although Jesus is the long-anticipated Messiah, following Him is never going to bring a life of glory and fame. Jesus is ushering in a kingdom like a mustard seed (Luke 13:18–19) or yeast (Luke 13:20–21). It will grow and swell through perseverance rather than praise. It requires a life of sacrifice like the widow’s, not the glory-seeking of the Pharisees.
Through these examples, Jesus warned his disciples to look beneath the shiny veneer for something more valuable. It would have been tempting simply to follow those in charge—in some ways it would have been much easier. But piety that pleases God isn’t found in striving after position or place. Following Jesus means sacrifice and service.
How are you serving God with everything you have?
❤2
August 26 - Right Knowledge of Jesus
#LifeOfChrist
“Two blind men followed Him, crying out, ‘Have mercy on us, Son of David!’” (Matthew 9:27).
That the blind men called Jesus the “Son of David” means they recognized Him as the Christ. Son of David was one of the most common Jewish titles for Messiah. It was also a royal title indicating that Messiah would come from the family of King David and have a right to rule over the promised divine kingdom.
God first promised that the Deliverer for His people would be a man, the seed of a woman (cf. Gen. 3:15). Later in the Old Testament, the prophet Nathan firmly establishes the extraordinary person and work of the Son of David (2 Sam. 12–14a, 16; cf. Gen. 12:3; 21:12; 49:10). The New Testament reaffirms this great truth at the angel’s Nativity announcement: “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end” (Luke 1:32–33; cf. vv. 68–69; 2:4).
The reality and knowledge of Jesus’ true identity stands out most vividly during His triumphal entry when the people laid branches and garments before Him and shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (Matt. 21:9).
Thus all the onlookers who heard the blind men call Jesus “Son of David” knew it was a clear confession of His messiahship. And the men’s affirmation accompanied their desire for personal deliverance. Genuine salvation is available to all who have a similar right knowledge of Him.
Ask Yourself
Think of the names you use to refer to Christ—Lord, Savior, Redeemer, Friend. Spend a few minutes thinking through what these terms actually mean. When you speak of Him by these names in prayer, let the weight of their glory fill your words with depth and texture.
#LifeOfChrist
“Two blind men followed Him, crying out, ‘Have mercy on us, Son of David!’” (Matthew 9:27).
That the blind men called Jesus the “Son of David” means they recognized Him as the Christ. Son of David was one of the most common Jewish titles for Messiah. It was also a royal title indicating that Messiah would come from the family of King David and have a right to rule over the promised divine kingdom.
God first promised that the Deliverer for His people would be a man, the seed of a woman (cf. Gen. 3:15). Later in the Old Testament, the prophet Nathan firmly establishes the extraordinary person and work of the Son of David (2 Sam. 12–14a, 16; cf. Gen. 12:3; 21:12; 49:10). The New Testament reaffirms this great truth at the angel’s Nativity announcement: “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end” (Luke 1:32–33; cf. vv. 68–69; 2:4).
The reality and knowledge of Jesus’ true identity stands out most vividly during His triumphal entry when the people laid branches and garments before Him and shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (Matt. 21:9).
Thus all the onlookers who heard the blind men call Jesus “Son of David” knew it was a clear confession of His messiahship. And the men’s affirmation accompanied their desire for personal deliverance. Genuine salvation is available to all who have a similar right knowledge of Him.
Ask Yourself
Think of the names you use to refer to Christ—Lord, Savior, Redeemer, Friend. Spend a few minutes thinking through what these terms actually mean. When you speak of Him by these names in prayer, let the weight of their glory fill your words with depth and texture.
❤1