Today’s Reading:  Isa 17:1–19:25, Luke 7:1–35, Job 5:1–7

Today’s Theme: God’s Global Mission

Today’s theme is about God’s global mission to save the nations, to bring healing and glorify His name.

Isaiah 17:1–19:25

God of all nations

In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.” Isaiah 19:24–25 (ESV)

Today we read a lengthy passage where God declares His victory over the idols, His judgement of the nations and the salvation of the nations.

When God called Abraham and made covenant with him, it was so that all families and nations of the earth would be blessed, he was blessed to be a blessing. Genesis 12:3

God’s global purpose has always been the salvation of the nations. God is not a racist.

God declares that Egypt are His people, Assyria the work of His hands and Israel His inheritance. This reminds us that all mankind has been created in the image of God and God desires to save people from all nations.

This should have served as encouragement for Israel, to be the light of the world, pointing the nations to God and not compromising by trusting in the nations.

The great commission is global in its scope, Jesus told us to go to all nations in Matthew 28:19-20.  We must continue to work and pray that the mission will be finished because Jesus also told us that this Gospel must be preached to all nations (ethnic groups), and then the end will come, in Matthew 24:14.

Keep an eye on the Joshua Project where you can find out about unreached people groups and how you can work and pray, to see them receive the gospel.

Luke 7:1–35

Faith from all peoples

When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” Luke 7:9 (ESV)

Here we see Jesus express genuine human emotion, He marvelled or was amazed by this Gentile’s faith. The faith He was amazed by, was the centurion’s recognition of Jesus’ authority and the power of His words, to bring healing without the need to physically be there.

Jesus’ response to the man’s faith and His action of turning and addressing the crowd, should be taken in the context that Jesus is saying; learn from this man’s faith, I am pleased with it and it is the kind of faith that I want you to have.

We should trust in God’s ability to speak a word for our healing and to meet our needs, knowing that God has angels under His authority that go and do His will.

This passage is one of the key scriptures in the narratives, about the life and ministry of Jesus, that points to our theme which is, God’s desire is that all nations (people groups) would be saved.

Many of us reading this today are Gentiles like the centurion, thank God for His magnanimity and mercy in saving us for His glory.

Job 5:1–7

Turn to God

“Call now; is there anyone who will answer you? To which of the holy ones will you turn? Job 5:1 (ESV)

Yes, God will answer. We do not turn to saints, angels or Mary, the only one we turn to is God.

All nations can today turn to God in response to the Gospel, and cry out to God who answers our prayers, in the name of Jesus.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Luke 7

Today’s Reading:  Isa 14:24–16:14, Luke 6:1–49, Job 4:12–21

Today’s Theme: God’s Decrees and Commands

Today’s theme looks at God’s decreed will and his commanded will. Each of these are quite different, the decreed will of God is that which absolutely will come to pass and no one can stop it. On the other hand, the commanded will of God are the things God desires but does not force, with this will our compliance is required.

Isaiah 14:24–16:14

The unstoppable God

For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back? Isaiah 14:27 (ESV)

When God decides to do something no one can stop Him. God is unstoppable.

When God decrees something it cannot be undone, He is the King and when he makes an official decree it stands forever.

One of the things that God has decreed is His choice of you as one of His elect. He decreed it before the creation of the world, with this mind you can be encouraged to persevere.

Thank God for his unstoppable decrees over your life today. 1 Corinthians 2:6.

Luke 6:1–49

The call to ministry

And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: Luke 6:13 (ESV)

Jesus spent all night praying and then chose twelve from His company of disciples to have a special ministry as Apostles.

These Apostles were unique in that they were the only ones to be closely discipled by Jesus as an incarnated man. They were commissioned to be witnesses and authors of the writings of the New Testament, no apostle today is an apostle like this as Jesus is not here physically and the Bible has already been written.

God’s call to the ministry is not a decree but a command that we need to respond to. Judas was chosen to be a minister but he turned his back on his office and was replaced.

If God has called you to ministry you need to choose to respond to the calling, do it and bring glory to God.

The manifesto of the kingdom

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Luke 6:20 (ESV)

The beatitudes contain a mixture of decree (statements of fact) and commands (things you need to chose to do).

As an exercise, see if you can read through them today and identity the commands. When you do, form a list and meditate on them asking God to help you obey the commands by His Holy Spirit.

For example this verse is a decree that the kingdom of God belongs to the poor where as verse 27 commands us to love our enemies.

Try to find time to hunt for these treasures today, happy hunting.

Job 4:12–21

Trust the word of God

A spirit glided past my face; the hair of my flesh stood up. Job 4:15 (ESV)

This was a demonic encounter, perhaps the scenario is that a lying spirit was sent out to Job’s friend to feed him false perspectives and information which he would in turn regurgitate to Job. This would cause Job more emotional and spiritual distress and of course disrupt Job’s purer view of God.

We must all recognise that if we have encounters like this they are mostly from demonic spirits that have an agenda to tell us lies. Note the fear Eliphaz said and then the lies and blatant ill content towards both God and man (made from the dust jibe).

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Luke 6

Today’s Reading:  Isa 13:1–14:23, Luke 5:1–39, Job 4:1–11

Today’s Theme: God’s Judgement and Mercy

Today’s theme is about God’s just judgment, focusing on the punishment God will deal out and the mercy He shows to us through Jesus. Without the coming judgement there is no backdrop for the Gospel.

Isaiah 13:1–14:23

God will punish

I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end to the pomp of the arrogant, and lay low the pompous pride of the ruthless. Isaiah 13:11 (ESV)

Punishment is a word that has fallen on hard times. Often if the word is used we tend to think of remedial punishment which is not final and seeks to reform the one punished. However the scriptures clearly teach that God will justly bring final punitive judgement on the wicked leading to their final death and eternal condemnation in hell.

God promises that a day of global punishment is coming where the wicked will be judged. This is actually the backdrop to the Gospel we proclaim. God has made a way of escape from the judgement to come through the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

The word translated as punish here is the Hebrew word pāqad. While pāqad has a wide range of meaning, it basically expresses the action of overseeing an individual for a particular purpose. God who oversees us often “visits” to bring divine judgment in response to human sin. In these instances, pāqad is translated as “to punish.”

The Gospel makes a way for God to pass over us when He visits to bring judgement.

God shows compassion

For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob and will again choose Israel, and will set them in their own land, and sojourners will join them and will attach themselves to the house of Jacob. Isaiah 14:1 (ESV)

God declares that He will show compassion on His chosen people Israel. We can take comfort that God is merciful and compassionate and seeks to show us compassion.

We should not have an image of God as an angry, unapproachable and blood thirsty monarch. He is a compassionate, serving, loving creator who actively seeks to bless and restore His people.

Satan Judged

But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. Isaiah 14:15 (ESV)

Jesus told us in John 16:11 “concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged” when he told us about the coming of the Holy Spirit convicting the word of judgement to come.

The Devil’s judgement has already been declared, he is a defeated enemy.

This passage gives us unique insight into the original sin of Satan which was pride, vanity and rebellion. This insight comes from the spirit behind Babylon in the passage.

Satan was so enamoured with himself that he lost sight of the basic truth that he was only a created being while God is eternal.

Satan is not even close to God in power. It was a lost cause the moment he chose to rebel. Despite his warped desires and proud words he will be brought down to the pit.

Don’t fear the devil, his judgement is set, we win!

Luke 5:1–39

Follow Jesus

And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. Luke 5:11 (ESV)

We like the first disciples must commit to follow Jesus, leaving everything else we were following or dedicated to, to live our lives in allegiance to Him alone.

Jesus is the only escape from judgement, follow Him to find life.

The life of Jesus

And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Luke 5:31 (ESV)

Take time to consider the life of Jesus. In v14 He shows humility, v16 shows the priority of private prayer in His life, v17 shows He spent his days teaching the truth and would be used by the Lord to heal the sick, in v20 He forgives sin.

Now in this verse we see that the purpose of His life was to bring sinners to repentance. This is the great mercy of God and should be our purpose as well, to the glory of God.

Live like Jesus

Job 4:1–11

God is merciful

As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same. Job 4:8 (ESV)

This may be true but the absolute blanket application takes the principle out of context, making it a central controlling principle with no room for love, mercy or the active personality of God. Thankfully God is merciful and offers grace through Jesus.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Luke 5

Today’s Reading:  Isa 10:20–12:6, Luke 4:1–44, Job 3:17–26

Today’s Theme: God’s Anointed

Today’s reading is all about The Anointing that comes from God. God’s anointing comes upon us and is inside us through the word of God and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the Anointed One and has anointed us for service.

Isaiah 10:20–12:6

Breaking the yoke with fatness

And in that day his burden will depart from your shoulder, and his yoke from your neck; and the yoke will be broken because of the fat.” Isaiah 10:27 (ESV)

The word translated as fat is the Hebrew word šemen which is the same word used for olive oil, olive tree, oil, fat, rich food and fertile.

The original picture given here is of Israel as an ox, which is a beast that would be used to work hard in the fields with a yoke fastened around it’s neck to plough the fields of its master (The Assyrians). The word burden gives us the impression that the ox has been ordered to work under obligation and not freely.

The text tells us that the neck of the ox will become so fat that the burden of the yoke will snap off and fall away setting the animal free.

God liberates us in Christ setting us free from the burden and slave master of sin. However this picture shows us that deliverance comes from within as well as from outside. Romans 6:16.

The anointing God has given is inside us and makes us healthy from within. This growth and strength mean that the bondage that once held us cannot hold us anymore because we are bigger and stronger than the enemies yoke. 1 John 2:27.

Greater is He who is in you than he in the world. The anointing you have is in you and teaches you all things. Continue to take in God’s word which gives you the fatness of the anointing to break the burden and bondage of sin. 1 John 4:4.

The Spirit Resting

And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:2 (ESV)

The prophecy of Jesus the coming Messiah, as a branch from the root of David is one of the clearest messianic prophecies. So much so that Jesus quotes it Himself in our New Testament reading today.

Jesus was the anointed one prophesied about in this verse. This helps us understand the anointing in a practical way. For us the anointing of God comes through God’s Holy Spirit resting upon us and empowering us for service.

So we have seen so far today that the anointing is inside us through God’s Spirit and word and also comes upon us externally by God’s Holy Spirit to equip us for work in the kingdom.

Don’t attempt to do anything without God’s anointing. Anointing in he Old Testament was used to set aside priests, kings and prophets. Now in the New Testament the anointing of the Holy Spirit sets us apart for God to be used as His priests, kings, ambassadors and prophets in the earth.

Affirm the truth in your heart today that the Holy Spirit is resting on you. Do not grieve or quench Him, live with the reality of God’s anointing and calling in mind.

The victory of the Anointed

In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious. Isaiah 11:10 (ESV)

The root of Jesse is Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God. This passage is estacalogical in meaning, it speaks of the glorious end when the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord. The king will be on His throne ruling with justice and mercy and Israel will be finally gathered as promised.

We look forward to the victory of The Anointed One, The Christ, Jesus. (Christ means the anointed one).

Luke 4:1–44

Full of the Holy Spirit

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness Luke 4:1 (ESV)

Like Jesus, we have been filled with God the Holy Spirit. We are filled for a purpose, we are at war and need to be fat with the Spirit so the yoke the enemy tries to catch us with cannot get a hold of us.

Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and was led into the wildernesses by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan.When the temptation began, the fullness, the fatness of the anointing came out in the form of the written word.

Jesus shows us how to defeat the enemy through the anointing. It is by using the written word of God in the Bible while filled with the Holy Spirit, this will defeat the enemy EVERY time.

Be filled with the Spirit and be filled with the word.

The Devils anointing

When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. Luke 4:28 (ESV)

The enemy has a negative anointing as well. In this case the people are filled with anger rather than being filled with the Spirit.

What will you allow yourself to be filled with and taken over by today?

We are all like the ox we read about. We will take a yoke and have a master, but which one, Jesus said in Matthew 11:30 “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Anger is a hard task master causing you stress, don’t submit to that anointing, instead be filled with the Spirit.

The authority of God’s anointing

And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” Luke 4:36 (ESV)

The anointing God gives comes from the highest authority in the universe, God. God’s anointing gives us authority and power over the enemy. We don’t need to get into a long prayer or discussion towards the enemy, we just stand in the authority of the anointing / calling we have from God and command the enemy to bow to God.

The anointing makes you an ambassador for God’s kingdom in a dark world. Use the power of the anointing inside and on you today to defeat the enemy.

Job 3:17–26

Delivered from fear

For the thing that I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me. I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, but trouble comes.” Job 3:25–26 (ESV)

Jesus the Anointed One delivers us from our fears, Hallelujah!!

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Luke 4

Today’s Reading:  Isa 9:1–10:19, Luke 3:1–38, Job 3:1–16

Today’s Theme: God’s Instruments (Tools)

Today’ theme is all about the instruments or tools God intends us to be in His hands to accomplish His purposes in the earth. The greatest instrument in the hands of God the Father is His own Son, Jesus.

We have a choice, either we are joyful, submissive, humble and obedient instruments like Jesus or we are either of two negative extremes, which would see us walk in pride like the king of Assyria or self loathing like Job.

We should live in a way to sharpen each other as God’s tools and not grow rusty through lack of use.

Isaiah 9:1–10:19

Jesus, the light in darkness

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. Isaiah 9:2 (ESV)

Matthew was very clear that when Jesus decided to go and live in Capernaum at the start of His ministry He did so in fulfilment of this prophecy, as we read in Matthew 4:13-17.

Jesus is supremely useful. He is not the light standing aloof from the world far up in the clouds needing special mediation, rituals and insight to receive the benefits of His light, no, Jesus is a light IN darkness.

Jesus came into the world and from there shines the light to those who sit in darkness, Jesus brings the light to us.

Jesus is not a useless instrument He is extremely useful in the Father’s hand because He gets down into the dust and darkness of humanity through the incarnation and shines the light of God’s truth and presence.

As Christians we are called to be incarnational missionaries like Jesus in the hand of God to shine the light right in the middle of darkness and death rather than shining upon it from a distance.

Engage with the dark world around you by shining the light of the truth found in the gospel message and life.

Jesus, The God-Man King

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. Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

This is such a clear prophecy of the coming of the Messiah Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

Jewish commentators say that this is just a prophecy about king Hezekiah while some commentators claim the amazing titles given to this king are akin to titles given to kings in Egypt. So titles like mighty God just mean a great warrior.

All the attempts to rationalise this are foolish. The text is quite straight to the point and has clear implications for those who reject the doctrine of the incarnation of the son of God.

We must continue to pray for Jewish people who reject this as a prophecy about Jesus and for the unbeliever who also tries to rationalise it away.

It is clear from this verse that the Messiah will be human because he will be born, however His birth will not be normal because He will be born to a virgin which points to the other point, the Messiah King’s origin will be divine.

The divine attributes of Jesus are seen clearly in the four titles given to Him.
(1) As wonderful counsellor Jesus would teach with the sort of wisdom the world had never heard before.
(2) As Mighty God Jesus would remain divine while a man.
(3) Jesus is a father to those who follow Him, taking care of them as a loving king and not like the kings of earth, He is eternal.
(4) Jesus as the prince of peace has brought peace between God and man and will bring ultimate peace in the end.

Jesus, the God-Man, God’s greatest instrument.

Jesus, King, Now and Not Yet

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. Isaiah 9:7 (ESV)

One of the areas that cause frustration for Jewish and secular commentators is that they have not been enlightend by the Holy Spirit and so miss the dual nature of the prophecies about the Messiah. These show that He will come as a suffering servant and then return as an eternal conquering king.

This cannot be a king among other kings in the middle of the historical royal line like Hezekiah. This is a final king, the ultimate king with a kingdom that never ends, this is David’s greatest son, Jesus the Christ.

The promise of God to David known as the Davidic covenant finds it’s fulfilment in Jesus, as do all the covenants, prophecies and scriptures.

We have an understanding of messianic prophecy in the church which is sometimes called the “now and not yet”. For example the kingdom of God has come but not fully realised in the world as yet. In the same regard, Jesus is king right now but will fully realise and consummate his kingship and kingdom when He returns as the king at the 2nd coming.

God actively and passionately brings prophecy to pass.

Jesus, the now and future king, God’s final instrument.

Humble tools in God’s hand

For he says: “By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding; I remove the boundaries of peoples, and plunder their treasures; like a bull I bring down those who sit on thrones. Isaiah 10:13 (ESV)

The proud talk of the Assyrian king is the opposite to the humble and selfless service of king Jesus.

God is sovereign even over war, governments and peoples. God uses us as instruments in His hands so it is foolish for us to walk in pride when we have been effectively used by God.

Pastor Dennis gives a great analogy of the donkey Jesus rode on taking a bow, that would be absurd.

As vessels, tools and instruments in the masters use we must remain humble and keep perspective like King Jesus and not like the king of Assyria.

After God has used us let’s agree with Jesus’ teaching in Luke 17:10 “So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

The Boasting Axe

Shall the axe boast over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood! Isaiah 10:15 (ESV)

Just drumming our point home that there is no place for pride. We are tools in God’s hand to accomplish His purposes.

Paul makes the point clear in Romans 9:20–23 “But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?…”

Recognise yourself today as an axe, rod and vessel designed to accomplish a task for God’s great purpose and glory, not your own.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to be a sharp, accurate, sturdy, trustworthy tool to get the job done.

Luke 3:1–38

Stay sharp, show your repentance

Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Luke 3:8 (ESV)

If we do not show the clear evidence of repentance it at best means we will dull our edge as God’s tools. As we compromise in sin our effectiveness as tools will erode, at worst we will show evidence that we are not God’s children.

John was being used as a powerful instrument in God’s hands and he did not shirk back from speaking the truth.

Repentance is an active thing, effort and deliberate focus is needed. It is not just an act of the heart but of the mind and will too

We cannot rely on our Christian heritage as the people of Israel in John’s day relied on just being Hebrews.

The people ask the question what then shall we do and John gives them some very practical answers. Ask the Holy Spirit today to also give you practical answers, to help you to be an effective tool for God today.

A day of wrath is coming, so pick up your feet and run from it.

Please God, like Jesus

and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22 (ESV)

God declared from heaven that He was well pleased with Jesus. We want God to say the same of us.

As believers we have been baptised by Jesus with God the Holy Spirit. Now we need to use our faith to be effective tools in God’s hands and bring God pleasure (Hebrews 11:6).

Notice the entire trinity is present here so the modalists are wrong. Modalists, like oneness Pentecostals, say there is no trinity and that the one God just takes on different forms. This is opposed to orthodox doctrine and the testimony of the scriptures which reveals that God is one being with three distinct persons, namely Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

God testifies that Jesus is His Son. Like our Old Testament reading said, Jesus is God the God-Man (100% God while 100% Man, known as the hypostatic union).

Job 3:1–16

Why are you here

Or why was I not as a hidden stillborn child, as infants who never see the light? Job 3:16 (ESV)

God has a purpose for your life. You are one of His instruments, He seeks to use you for His purpose to bring glory to His name.

If you are going through depression like Job, then look up to God. He has a purpose for you in the same way a carpenter has a use for a hammer, drill or screwdriver.

Many children die at birth or in the womb and are with God now. You did not die in the womb, if you are reading this today then God allowed you to live, this means He has a purpose for you even in the middle of difficulty and suffering.

Look up.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Luke 3