September 2: Only the Very Beginning
#Devotional
Hosea 3:1–5:15; Acts 2:1–41; Job 15:10–20
Beginnings are exciting. The freshness of a new project or a new relationship sharpens our senses. When that novelty diminishes, though, it’s difficult to maintain the same level of excitement.
Acts 2 is all about beginnings. In this passage we get an inside view of how God worked to gather a new community of believers to Himself. Pentecost and the arrival of the Holy Spirit signaled a new era and produced a new community, as both Jews and “devout men from every nation under heaven” converted to the Christian faith (Acts 2:5).
From where we stand, it’s easy for us to see Pentecost as the pivotal moment in the history of the Church—an unparalleled event that changed the world forever. Magnificent things happened. Peter gave a moving testimony. Three thousand people came to faith.
When we celebrate the holiday of Pentecost, however, we are remembering the firstfruits of the harvest—the coming of the Holy Spirit and the original community of believers under Jesus Christ. Firstfruits are only the start of a harvest; they hint at future abundance. The wonders that began at Pentecost are still happening today. God is active and present in our lives, just as He was gathering His Church then.
We need a fresh perspective. We need the motivation and the boldness of Peter. We need to rekindle our original excitement when announcing that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, because He is at work, in us and around us.
How are you sharing this hope?
#Devotional
Hosea 3:1–5:15; Acts 2:1–41; Job 15:10–20
Beginnings are exciting. The freshness of a new project or a new relationship sharpens our senses. When that novelty diminishes, though, it’s difficult to maintain the same level of excitement.
Acts 2 is all about beginnings. In this passage we get an inside view of how God worked to gather a new community of believers to Himself. Pentecost and the arrival of the Holy Spirit signaled a new era and produced a new community, as both Jews and “devout men from every nation under heaven” converted to the Christian faith (Acts 2:5).
From where we stand, it’s easy for us to see Pentecost as the pivotal moment in the history of the Church—an unparalleled event that changed the world forever. Magnificent things happened. Peter gave a moving testimony. Three thousand people came to faith.
When we celebrate the holiday of Pentecost, however, we are remembering the firstfruits of the harvest—the coming of the Holy Spirit and the original community of believers under Jesus Christ. Firstfruits are only the start of a harvest; they hint at future abundance. The wonders that began at Pentecost are still happening today. God is active and present in our lives, just as He was gathering His Church then.
We need a fresh perspective. We need the motivation and the boldness of Peter. We need to rekindle our original excitement when announcing that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, because He is at work, in us and around us.
How are you sharing this hope?
September 2 - The Religious Leaders’ False Solution
#LifeOfChrist
“They were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).
The scribes and Pharisees offered a religion that only added burdens instead of lifting them. For them, the common people were the object of disdain, not compassion; individuals to be exploited, not served. In that sense the scribes and Pharisees were true descendents of the false shepherds against whom the Lord railed centuries earlier through Ezekiel (34:2–4).
Many religious leaders today are still endeavoring to keep people out of the kingdom by distorting and contradicting God’s Word and perverting the way of salvation. By telling people they are already saved because “a good God would never condemn anyone to hell,” they lead people to be content with themselves and to see no need for repentance and salvation—thereby shutting tight the gracious door God has provided. Similarly, when people are told they can work their way into God’s favor by avoiding certain sins or by performing certain good deeds or participating in some prescribed ritual, they are likewise deceived and left in their lost condition.
How wonderfully refreshing it must have been to hear Jesus say, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:28–30). What a contrast those words were from the teaching of the scribes and Pharisees.
Ask Yourself
You may not mean to do it, but does the gospel you present to others involve more requirements than Jesus Himself placed on it? Make sure the gospel you proclaim is all about lifting their burden of sin, not loading them with more than they’re carrying already.
#LifeOfChrist
“They were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).
The scribes and Pharisees offered a religion that only added burdens instead of lifting them. For them, the common people were the object of disdain, not compassion; individuals to be exploited, not served. In that sense the scribes and Pharisees were true descendents of the false shepherds against whom the Lord railed centuries earlier through Ezekiel (34:2–4).
Many religious leaders today are still endeavoring to keep people out of the kingdom by distorting and contradicting God’s Word and perverting the way of salvation. By telling people they are already saved because “a good God would never condemn anyone to hell,” they lead people to be content with themselves and to see no need for repentance and salvation—thereby shutting tight the gracious door God has provided. Similarly, when people are told they can work their way into God’s favor by avoiding certain sins or by performing certain good deeds or participating in some prescribed ritual, they are likewise deceived and left in their lost condition.
How wonderfully refreshing it must have been to hear Jesus say, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:28–30). What a contrast those words were from the teaching of the scribes and Pharisees.
Ask Yourself
You may not mean to do it, but does the gospel you present to others involve more requirements than Jesus Himself placed on it? Make sure the gospel you proclaim is all about lifting their burden of sin, not loading them with more than they’re carrying already.
DAY 2: How does Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians help resolve the controversy over the sign gifts discussed in chapters 12–14?
https://telegra.ph/DAILY-BIBLE-09-02
https://telegra.ph/DAILY-BIBLE-09-02
Telegraph
DAILY BIBLE
Reading for Today: Song of Solomon 3:1–4:16 Psalm 104:10-23 Proverbs 24:17-18 1 Corinthians 12:1-31 Notes: Song of Solomon 3:5 As in 2:7, the beloved knows that the intensity of her love for Solomon cannot yet be experienced until the wedding, so she invites…
🙏3
Everyday my goal is to know Christ, to love Christ and to be more like Him.
❤7
The Gospel is offensive to human pride because it leaves us with nothing to boast about. We are not rescued because we were wise enough, moral enough, or religious enough. We are rescued by grace.
❤5
I hope your September is full of changing leaves and changing priorities with more focus on Jesus.
❤4
What can wash away our sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
❤3
September 2 (Wednesday)
Dear Daughter,
A seed underground looks like nothing is happening. Underground is where everything happens.
Don't measure your marriage's growth only by what's visible this week. Roots work in the dark before branches work in the light.
Trust the unseen labor.
'First the blade, then the ear, then the full grain' (Mark 4:28).
What unseen work is happening in your marriage right now that you can't measure yet?
#DearDaughter #UnseenGrowth #StrongMarriage
Dear Daughter,
A seed underground looks like nothing is happening. Underground is where everything happens.
Don't measure your marriage's growth only by what's visible this week. Roots work in the dark before branches work in the light.
Trust the unseen labor.
'First the blade, then the ear, then the full grain' (Mark 4:28).
What unseen work is happening in your marriage right now that you can't measure yet?
#DearDaughter #UnseenGrowth #StrongMarriage
❤2
The local church is where:
- Saints are equipped.
- Christ is worshiped.
- Children are taught.
- Marriages are strengthened.
- Sinners are confronted.
- God is glorified.
Don't treat it like an optional weekend activity.
- Saints are equipped.
- Christ is worshiped.
- Children are taught.
- Marriages are strengthened.
- Sinners are confronted.
- God is glorified.
Don't treat it like an optional weekend activity.
❤7
Sep 2 (Wed)
Small words, mighty power! 🗣️🌱 Bless your spouse before the day gets loud! Prov 18:21 ❤️
What blessing will you speak this morning? #StrongMarriage #September
Small words, mighty power! 🗣️🌱 Bless your spouse before the day gets loud! Prov 18:21 ❤️
What blessing will you speak this morning? #StrongMarriage #September
❤3
The awful importance of this life, is that it determines eternity.
William Barclay
William Barclay
❤3
Brothers and sisters, we get to go to church tomorrow!
May Christ be preached and exalted from every pulpit!
May Christ be preached and exalted from every pulpit!
If you don't like how the Bible says that these are sins:
- Homosexuality (Rom. 1:26-27)
- Transgenderism (Gen. 1:27)
- Abortion (Psalm 139:13–16)
Your problem isn't with Christians. It's with God. He's the one who wrote the book (2 Pet. 1:20–21).
- Homosexuality (Rom. 1:26-27)
- Transgenderism (Gen. 1:27)
- Abortion (Psalm 139:13–16)
Your problem isn't with Christians. It's with God. He's the one who wrote the book (2 Pet. 1:20–21).
❤2
Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.
Revelation 4:8
Revelation 4:8
❤2
“The gate of heaven, though it is so wide that the greatest sinner may enter, is nevertheless so low that pride can never pass through it.” —Charles Spurgeon
❤4
The "secret" to living a blessed life:
- Study the Bible
- Memorize Scripture
- Meditate on the Word
- Apply what you learn
Delight in God's Word constantly, and you will be "like a tree planted beside flowing streams" (Psalm 1:3).
- Study the Bible
- Memorize Scripture
- Meditate on the Word
- Apply what you learn
Delight in God's Word constantly, and you will be "like a tree planted beside flowing streams" (Psalm 1:3).
❤5
September 3: The Discomfort of Scripture
#Devotional
Hosea 6:1–7:16; Acts 2:42–3:26; Job 15:21–35
Most of the Western world operates in the spirit of individualism. Christianity does not, though we often attempt to adapt it and make it more comfortable. It’s much easier to think about “God’s role in my life” than to reflect on “my role in God’s plan” to help others and share the gospel.
When we attempt to shape our faith to fit our needs, we’re bound to run into Scripture that makes us squirm. Some people perform interpretive backflips to wriggle out of passages such as Acts 2:42–47. Verse 44 says, “And all who believed were in the same place, and had everything in common.” A fear of socialism serves as a convenient excuse to sidestep this verse, but it doesn’t speak to socialism. It speaks to voluntarily joining a movement of people who care more about the betterment of the group than they do about their individual gain.
The truth is that God’s Word should make us uncomfortable because we are the ones who need to conform. None of us wants to accept Acts 2:44 unless the Spirit has worked within us. Acting out our faith means we must be willing to donate what we have to help others: time, material goods, money—whatever God calls us to give. Self-sacrifice is not easy for anyone, but it becomes easier when the Spirit prompts our hearts to see the needs of others as more important than our wants.
Most people in the Western world choose the sin of selfishness over selfless service to others. Do we need to buy a coffee every morning, or could we make a cup at home? Do we need to live in a larger house, or could we downsize? Nearly all of us can find ways to give more by living with less. And we might find the motive we need when the Spirit speaks to us through the discomfort of Scripture.
How can you give what you have to help others? What sacrifice can you make today, this week, or this month? Who do you know who’s in need?
#Devotional
Hosea 6:1–7:16; Acts 2:42–3:26; Job 15:21–35
Most of the Western world operates in the spirit of individualism. Christianity does not, though we often attempt to adapt it and make it more comfortable. It’s much easier to think about “God’s role in my life” than to reflect on “my role in God’s plan” to help others and share the gospel.
When we attempt to shape our faith to fit our needs, we’re bound to run into Scripture that makes us squirm. Some people perform interpretive backflips to wriggle out of passages such as Acts 2:42–47. Verse 44 says, “And all who believed were in the same place, and had everything in common.” A fear of socialism serves as a convenient excuse to sidestep this verse, but it doesn’t speak to socialism. It speaks to voluntarily joining a movement of people who care more about the betterment of the group than they do about their individual gain.
The truth is that God’s Word should make us uncomfortable because we are the ones who need to conform. None of us wants to accept Acts 2:44 unless the Spirit has worked within us. Acting out our faith means we must be willing to donate what we have to help others: time, material goods, money—whatever God calls us to give. Self-sacrifice is not easy for anyone, but it becomes easier when the Spirit prompts our hearts to see the needs of others as more important than our wants.
Most people in the Western world choose the sin of selfishness over selfless service to others. Do we need to buy a coffee every morning, or could we make a cup at home? Do we need to live in a larger house, or could we downsize? Nearly all of us can find ways to give more by living with less. And we might find the motive we need when the Spirit speaks to us through the discomfort of Scripture.
How can you give what you have to help others? What sacrifice can you make today, this week, or this month? Who do you know who’s in need?
❤3
September 3 - Coming Harvest Includes Impending Judgment
#LifeOfChrist
“‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few’” (Matthew 9:37).
As Jesus changes the metaphor from shepherding to harvesting, He gives another motive for His ministry. He ministered because people face God’s final judgment.
Jesus ministered compassionately and tirelessly because He could see the ultimate consummation of divine judgment toward which every person was headed—every one in the multitudes who did not trust in Him. Paul said, “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Cor. 5:11).
In 2 Thessalonians, Paul paints a vivid picture of God’s judgment: “The Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (1:7–9).
It is easy to lose awareness of the imminence and the inevitability of God’s judgment, but the Christian who loses sight of that judgment loses a major portion of his motive for witnessing.
When Jesus saw the crowds, He taught them, preached to them, and healed them—all for the ultimate purpose that they might come to Him and escape the harvest of judgment they could not otherwise avoid.
Ask Yourself
Think of the cost that sin has already extracted from you, here where God’s mercy is still available and the promise of His restorative forgiveness is actively in force. Imagine its cost on those who will be paying its price forever. Be sure that as you witness, you don’t minimize the cost sin brings.
#LifeOfChrist
“‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few’” (Matthew 9:37).
As Jesus changes the metaphor from shepherding to harvesting, He gives another motive for His ministry. He ministered because people face God’s final judgment.
Jesus ministered compassionately and tirelessly because He could see the ultimate consummation of divine judgment toward which every person was headed—every one in the multitudes who did not trust in Him. Paul said, “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Cor. 5:11).
In 2 Thessalonians, Paul paints a vivid picture of God’s judgment: “The Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (1:7–9).
It is easy to lose awareness of the imminence and the inevitability of God’s judgment, but the Christian who loses sight of that judgment loses a major portion of his motive for witnessing.
When Jesus saw the crowds, He taught them, preached to them, and healed them—all for the ultimate purpose that they might come to Him and escape the harvest of judgment they could not otherwise avoid.
Ask Yourself
Think of the cost that sin has already extracted from you, here where God’s mercy is still available and the promise of His restorative forgiveness is actively in force. Imagine its cost on those who will be paying its price forever. Be sure that as you witness, you don’t minimize the cost sin brings.
❤2