Today’s Reading: Isa 30:18–32:20, Luke 11:1–36, Job 7:11–21

Today’s Theme: God, Our Gracious Deliverer

Today’s theme is about God our great and gracious deliverer. God is so gracious to His people. If it were not for His grace, we would be without hope. God seeks to deliver us from evil and bondage, for His glory and our joy.

Isaiah 30:18–32:20

God waits

Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. Isaiah 30:18 (ESV)

God declares to Judah, in light of their faithlessness in running to Egypt for deliverance, and in response to their cry of how long oh Lord – “I am waiting right here where you left me, whenever you are ready receive the grace and deliverance I’m holding out to you”.

Like Judah, we need to realise that God stands and offers grace to us but He will not follow us and so compromise His holy stand. He stands in His place and offers grace on His terms, we need to put ourselves in the place to receive His grace.

We should wait for the God who waits for us. The sense, when the verse says ‘wait’, is “to tarry, delaying an action, longing or hoping for something to happen”.

So, long and hope for God’s grace and mercy and you will receive it because He longs to show it to you but holds it back until you are in a place to receive it.

God’s guidance

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21 (ESV)

God’s guidance will gently lead us from bondage to deliverance, but we must have soft hearts, sensitive to the voice of the Spirit, to hear God say this is the way to go.

Ask God to help you to be quiet and hear His voice guide you. God will guide our feet to freedom in Christ.

Jesus told us in John 16:13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.”

Light and healing

Moreover, the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day when the LORD binds up the brokenness of his people, and heals the wounds inflicted by his blow. Isaiah 30:26 (ESV)

If this verse were taken literally, a sun seven times brighter than normal would blind and scorch the people, so there is something deeper being pointed at here.

God is light, in Him is no darkness at all. The light of the sun speaks of God Himself, He is the one who brings healing to His people. 1 John 1:5

Light and healing are associated in the natural world and in the spiritual world, as darkness and disease are. We can literally draw health and strength from the sun.

Enter the warmth and brightness of God today and be healed from the brokenness and wounds you have, even if they were inflicted by the Lord in discipline.

God’s light is seen practically in the truth of His word. Soak in the scriptures today, to bring healing and deliverance to your soul.

Like the bright moon, allow the light of God to be reflected from your life today, to bring healing to others.

Who are you going to trust in?

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the LORD! Isaiah 31:1 (ESV)

What is Egypt for you? Do not trust in anyone or thing other than God, for your deliverance. Take this as a personal prayer point today.

We can sometimes drift into depending on our jobs, money, certain people etc. Realign your trust in the Lord today, as your help and deliverer.

God, The Restorer

Then the eyes of those who see will not be closed, and the ears of those who hear will give attention. The heart of the hasty will understand and know, and the tongue of the stammerers will hasten to speak distinctly. The fool will no more be called noble, nor the scoundrel said to be honorable. Isaiah 32:3–5 (ESV)

In these verses we read about the restoration of Israel and see a glimpse of the kingdom Jesus will rule over in the end, when fools will no longer rule.

We also see God’s heart to reverse the slumber on those who hear and see, but do not understand.

God seeks to restore and heal His people, the deaf, blind, hasty and stammerers will know the truth.

All of this gives us prayer fuel for Israel and our own lives and nations today.

Don’t be complacent

Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice; you complacent daughters, give ear to my speech. Isaiah 32:9 (ESV)

Complacency will lead to bondage, so don’t be complacent, stay alert and keep moving, listen to God and live, live as He has called you to and be led by His Spirit.

Peace and quiet

And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. Isaiah 32:17 (ESV)

God brings us to a place of peace and blessed quiet, when we walk in righteousness before Him.

Our soul can be still, we can experience peace in the middle of storms and adversity and quiet in the middle of busyness and stress.

Our world has so many voices competing for our attention, it seems hard to find a time of quiet, but with God we can find the quietness our souls need.

Make it a practise to find quiet times each day (for me the morning is always best), when you can just listen to God and be still, find times of quiet before God.

Luke 11:1–36

Just ask

For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Luke 11:10 (ESV)

Jesus taught us to be bold, because our God is a good father. We address Him as Father when we pray, He gives us our needs and delivers us from evil.

We should ask, seek and knock (Pastor Dennis has a great teaching on the three levels of prayer in regard to this), in prayer before God, tell Him your need today, He rejoices over you to do you good.

Don’t listen to the lies of the enemy, open your mouth and speak to God. Tell God all about it, make clear requests in faith and God will answer. Jesus said those who ask, seek and knock, will receive, find and have the door opened to them.

Stop now and ask God about it in prayer, seek Him about it in His word and intimately knock on the door in the Spirit.

The reality of spirits

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ Luke 11:24 (ESV)

Jesus taught about the reality of unclean spirits and demons, deliverance is always available from God, but to take God’s grace for granted and continually giving place to the enemy, will lead to even deeper bondage.

God wants us to be free from the power of unclean spirits, so as we read earlier, ask God for the Holy Spirit which He will give abundantly, be filled with the Spirit and there will be no room for any other spirit.

Dark light

Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. Luke 11:35 (ESV)

What we let into our souls through our eyes, can bring us into bondage. Be careful what you watch.

There is a lot of the dark light Jesus spoke about, coming through our eyes in the media rich day that we live in. So guard your eyes and your soul from the bondage of darkness.

As Jesus said in verse 27, blessed are those who hear and keep His word. Be filled with the word of God which is pure light.

Job 7:11–21

Because He loves you

What is man, that you make so much of him, and that you set your heart on him, visit him every morning and test him every moment? Job 7:17–18 (ESV)

The reason God takes any concern with man is because of His love. God wants to see us healed and delivered, that is why He makes much of us for His glory and our Joy. Be encouraged that God has your best interest at heart today.

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 11

Today’s Reading: Isa 29:1–30:17, Luke 10:1–42, Job 7:1–10

Today’s Theme: God Our Teacher

Today’s theme is about God as our teacher, revealed most clearly through Jesus, the greatest teacher of all.

Isaiah 29:1–30:17

Empty dreams

As when a hungry man dreams, and behold, he is eating and awakes with his hunger not satisfied, or as when a thirsty man dreams, and behold, he is drinking and awakes faint, with his thirst not quenched, so shall the multitude of all the nations be that fight against Mount Zion. Isaiah 29:8 (ESV)

The thoughts of man are impotent, they posses no creative power, unlike the one and only Creator, God. God alone can bring something to mind and it becomes a reality.

God teaches us a great lesson here, reminding us that dreams are not real and bring no satisfaction in the physical world. We can think about doing or not doing something all day long, but just dreaming or thinking about eating a nice meal will do nothing for our hunger other than make it greater.

Do not waste your life dreaming, fantasising and allowing your thoughts to drift away. Instead think on things that are pure and profitable for God’s pleasure and glory and for your joy.

Paul encourages us in Philippians 4:8 “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.”

The spirit of slumber

For the LORD has poured out upon you a spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes (the prophets), and covered your heads (the seers). Isaiah 29:10 (ESV)

God pours out the spirit of slumber, in judgement, on those who reject Him. This reminds us that even though God is our great teacher, we can only understand and receive the lessons taught by His grace and mercy.

The Prophets should have been in a place to correct the dead religiosity of Judah, but their hearts were not for the Lord and so were put under a spirit of sleep.

Let us not sleep like others, stay alive to God and His purposes, God has called us to be prophets in our generation, bringing a corrective word to a wayward world. 1 Thessalonians 5:6

Lip service

And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, Isaiah 29:13 (ESV)

We should not just pay God lip service or perform religious duties, with no heart or passion for God. God hates dead religiosity and so should we, we are called to a living relationship with God through His Son Jesus.

We should not fear God because of the teaching of any man or church, instead as we submit to God our teacher, we will reverentially fear Him in truth.

Crazy pots

You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”? Isaiah 29:16 (ESV)

The arguments of naturalism and evolution are put in their true perspective here; can we, the pots, really turn to the potter and proceed to teach him? Can we the students turn and teach the teacher? Can we the created turn and instruct the Creator?

None of us can teach God anything, we need to throw away our crazy pride and submit to Him. He was there in the beginning and He has already seen the end, He knows how and why He made us, so turn to Him today for your answers, perspective, opinions, worldview and purpose.

Hope for the wayward

And those who go astray in spirit will come to understanding, and those who murmur will accept instruction.” Isaiah 29:24 (ESV)

God the teacher, declares those who go astray and those who grumble, will one day submit to instruction and have understanding.

This was certainly in context to Judah but we can take hope from it, for those who have fallen away or are in the grip of bitterness, that they will submit to the teaching of God and come to an experiential knowledge of the truth.

Don’t force it through

“Ah, stubborn children,” declares the LORD, “who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin; Isaiah 30:1 (ESV)

In this passage, the plan to flee to Egypt was a plan that the people were forcing through despite God’s instructions, and it would only lead to pain and shame.

We need to be led by the Spirit, not every plan we make should be forced through. Ask God to help you discern which plans are of Him and should be pursued, and which ones will not profit.

Luke 10:1–42

Hear the teacher

“The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” Luke 10:16 (ESV)

Jesus speaks through His disciples today, that’s you and me, but more specifically speaks through appointed leaders, like our Pastors.

Those who reject the teaching of the true church (as these accord with the bible), are actually rejecting the teaching of Jesus and so rejecting God.

Do not be discouraged when you are rejected as you share the truth of the gospel, that the Kingdom has come. They are instead rejecting God, who you have become an ambassador for.

We submit to Jesus our great teacher, we submit to His word and gospel, and like the 72, we go and proclaim His teaching to all the world.

Those who hear the teaching of Jesus and like the cities of unbelief, do not obey the gospel, will be under greater judgement than those who have never heard.

We have authority and security

Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20 (ESV)

Jesus gives us authority over all the power of the enemy, but more importantly, gives us assurance of our salvation before God.

We can rejoice in our authority and security today.

Teaching for children

In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. Luke 10:21 (ESV)

God reveals His truth to those who humble themselves to be taught by Him. If our heads are filled with the so called knowledge of this world and our trust is in that, then how can we receive the revelation of God’s truth?

Be a child in heart today, to receive the teaching of the truth from God, do not be proud or arrogant, but be teachable.

It is God’s will, by His grace, to reveal His truth to simple people like us, for His pleasure and glory.

Revelation is a grace from God

All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Luke 10:22 (ESV)

If you know God, it is not through anything that you did or anything that made you worthy, it is Jesus who decides the ones He will reveal the Father to. Give thanks that you have been chosen.

Learn from the Master

And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” Luke 10:28 (ESV)

Jesus was the best teacher ever, when this man came challenging Him with a question, He turned the man back to the bible of his day and said what do you read, how do you see it? This is such a great way to teach the truth, to let the seeker read it for themselves.

Pastor Dennis has taught us this over the years, that the best thing to do in many situations, is to get someone to actually read the verse from the bible and ask them what they think it means.

The master story teller

He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” Luke 10:37 (ESV)

One of the best methods Jesus used as a teacher was to tell stories or parables, which had a lesson driving them.

Again, after telling the story of the good Samaritan, Jesus asks the man a question, which serves to assess his comprehension of the lesson taught and ensure that he engaged his mind with the message of the story.

We use this technique in training and teaching today and should use it as we share the truth of God too.

One thing is necessary

but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42 (ESV)

We need to sit at Jesus’ feet and learn from Him as He teaches us, everything else is secondary. Don’t be anxious and caught up in your day, stop and listen to Jesus.

Job 7:1–10

There is no specific note from today’s reading in Job, just a reminder that much of Job is discussion and ideas without understanding. Much of the book is useless for theology. This is why we need God as our teacher.

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 10

Today’s Reading: Isa 27:1–28:29, Luke 9:28–62, Job 6:14–30

Today’s Theme: The Good Judge

Today’s theme is about God as our Good Judge, He judges sin and rebellion, but is always good and seeks to do good to His people.

Isaiah 27:1–28:29

God, the dragon slayer

In that day the LORD with his hard and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea. Isaiah 27:1 (ESV)

God, the great Judge, will punish Leviathan in the last days.

The Leviathan was what we today call a Dinosaur, but the bible calls a Dragon. This particular Dragon once lived in the sea and is likely to be the same creature as the Dinosaur that we call Pliosaur (also possibly a Plesiosaur or a Mosasaur). This proves that these great creatures were roaming the earth and oceans just a few thousand years ago.

The great and terrible Leviathan is seen as a type for the Devil, in Revelation 12:9 and Revelation 20:2.

God will slay the Dragon Satan with the mighty sword of His word, which is hard (ferocious and unrelenting), great (large and robust enough to accomplish anything) and Strong (mighty and powerful).

The Devil and his Demons have infested and destroyed the good creation of God, but the twisting Serpent is on the run, God has declared his judgement and will surley bring it to pass.

Glory to the King, our God the Dragon slayer!

God’s vineyard

I, the LORD, am its keeper; every moment I water it. Lest anyone punish it, I keep it night and day; Isaiah 27:3 (ESV)

God is a good and faithful Judge, He is a God of meekness, love and peace and one who keeps His covenants for His own name’s sake. This is the God who keeps Israel, His vineyard.

Israel are God’s elect nation, the one He chose to be the light of the world and bear fruit that would display Him to the world and bring Him pleasure. We thank God that as Gentiles we have been grafted into this vine, as one new man (neither Jew or Gentile) in Christ.

Let all governments and every person take note, God is the one who keeps Israel and the Church, His chosen vineyard.

God, the crown of glory

In that day the LORD of hosts will be a crown of glory, and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of his people, and a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate. Isaiah 28:5–6 (ESV)

A great promise for Israel of God’s ultimate victory, we pray that this day would come to pass and that we, in a sense, would also see it in our day, that God will be exalted in modern day Israel.

Pray that the secular and ungodly positions of the Israeli government would be replaced with a focus and honour toward the God of the bible and the revelation that Jesus is the Messiah.

Pray that God would give the spirit of justice to leaders and strength to the soldiers who govern and protect Israel.

It is only by God being the crown of the people of Israel, that we will see God glorified through Israel, so we pray for their salvation to the glory of God.

Jesus, the Cornerstone

therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’ Isaiah 28:16 (ESV)

This is a clear prophecy about Jesus, He is the cornerstone. See the following New Testament references.

1 Peter 2:6 reads “For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

Acts 4:11 says “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.”

Paul quotes in Romans 9:33 “as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

The cornerstone speaks of the foundation of our trust in God and the judgement of God against those who reject the foundation. It also speaks of Jesus’ function as a good judge.

God’s wisdom is excellent

This also comes from the LORD of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom. Isaiah 28:29 (ESV)

God is the one who created the entire universe, planned our redemption and works out His purposes, we can trust in His counsel and wisdom as the good judge today.

Luke 9:28–62

Jesus the better Moses

And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” Luke 9:35 (ESV)

Moses was a great judge of God’s people and is without parallel in all history. Elijah is among the greatest of all prophets. Their joint appearance with Jesus possibly point to Jesus’ role as the one who fulfils the law of Moses and replaces it with the Kingdom of God, while Elijah points to the prophetic office Jesus had and the fulfilment of prophecy that would be achieved.

Whatever their appearance signified, we see that the affirmation from God the father, to the disciples on the mount, elevates Jesus above both Moses and Elijah.

We are called to do as God said, ‘listen to Him’, the better Judge and greatest prophet.

Don’t’ focus on the law of Moses, it has passed. Do not get lost in prophecy, it has some profit but the greatest profit comes from listening to Jesus, He speaks most clearly in the bible.

Reflect the majesty of God

And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, Luke 9:43 (ESV)

The miracles Jesus performed were always to the benefit of the people and to the glory of God, not for a show or for His own sake.

Our lives should reflect the glorious majesty of God, just like the life of Jesus, as we exercise authority over demons, restore families and see the healing power of God released.

Like Jesus, we judge the demons but show the mercy and the goodness of God, to man.

Be the greatest

and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.” Luke 9:48 (ESV)

We need to live like Jesus, we need to be humble, serving, good judges.

When I say judge, think of it in terms of God’s word. Our lives, thoughts and actions are all governed by the word, we will exercise righteous judgement according to God’s word.

The only way to greatness in God’s kingdom is through firm belief in the word and through servant, childlike hearts, willing to serve for God’s glory and putting others first, just like Jesus did.

Boldly be the greatest by being a servant and having childlike trust in God’s word. It sounds like a paradox but is the way of God’s kingdom and ensures genuineness and authenticity before God and the church community.

Don’t’ look back

Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 (ESV)

Be encouraged today, we read how the enemy’s defeat is certain and God will win in the end. We have seen the power and greatness of Jesus and received instruction on how to live for greatness in the Kingdom, so don’t be distracted, don’t turn back, keep looking to Jesus, keep pressing forward.

We are not cowards, we follow our good judge to the end.

Job 6:14–30

Be teachable

“Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray. Job 6:24 (ESV)

Job’s character is remarkable. We must be like Job; remain teachable and humble under trial. Our God is not a bad judge but a good one, who has our best interest at heart. Be open to the lessons He is teaching you today.

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

Additional resources

Desiring God on Luke 9

Today’s Reading: Isa 25:1–26:21, Luke 9:1–27, Job 6:1–13

Today’s Theme: Death Defeated

Today’s theme is about God defeating death, death is swallowed up in the life of God, seen most clearly in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Death will suffer an ultimate defeat at God’s hands, in the world to come and as believers, we already have eternal life through the resurrection of Jesus. We will look at how the principles of resurrection life over death and the coming resurrection, have an impact on our lives and service, as well as a final word to those going through depression.

The final enemy death will be defeated, Hallelujah!

Isaiah 25:1–26:21

Death swallowed up

He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken. Isaiah 25:8 (ESV)

Isaiah begins today’s reading by praising God as his own personal God and the one who makes plans from eternity past and brings them to pass now, the one who is a stronghold for the poor and needy.

God will swallow up death forever, that means death will meet its own death and it will be permanent. God is life and His life and light will swallow up the darkness and pain of death, for all eternity.

The Resurrection of Jesus was the beginning of death’s defeat. We rejoice that we have eternal life in Jesus now and that His resurrection is the core of our faith and points to death’s ultimate defeat in the kingdom to come.

We are not God and so cannot give death its final blow, but we can emulate Him. We see the heart of our God in verse 4, He helps the poor, needy and distressed, if we do this, we, in a temporal sense, swallow up death with light and love. Reaching out in Jesus’ name will bring life.

The Peace of God

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)

Peace seems elusive to so many today, it is often unwittingly sought in career, family, religion, recreation and ourselves, but we cannot find peace in any of these places.

Everything in our fallen world is tainted with the decay of death, there is no firm ground for man to stand on, no institution, achievement or philosophy.

The peace that man seeks can only be found in God.

Jesus said in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

In commenting on this verse, J. N Oswalt says “For our mortality, short-sightedness, and weakness, we receive in exchange God’s immortality, omniscience, and omnipotence. That is security.”

And that is the point; God’s peace give us firm ground to stand on, security, a place where we can place all our hope and trust, and therefore have peace.

The resurrection will come

Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead. Isaiah 26:19 (ESV)

We look forward to the day when the resurrection comes, it is an actual event in the future that we hope in. 1 Corinthians 15:12–15

One day we will be called from our graves and will receive new bodies in Christ, the lost will also be raised but only to be judged.

The hope of the resurrection should fill our hearts with joy and praise, and help motivate us to live as we ought to before God. 1 John 3:3

Death is not the end

Luke 9:1–27

Power over decay

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, Luke 9:1 (ESV)

Death brings decay, both spiritually and physically. Jesus gave the disciples power over death in the sense that, the decay of disease could be cured and the spiritual disease brought by demons, were subject to them.

This is true for us as disciples today too, we have the power to preach the gospel, to subdue the power of the enemy and to see physical bodies healed, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The power that we have through Jesus is life in the middle of death and light in the middle of darkness.

Jesus is full of life

And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces. Luke 9:16–17 (ESV)

This is an actual event, Jesus really did this, we should pause for a minute and stand in awe of that. We also see a principle here that is in line with today’s theme. Jesus is full of life.

Jesus is so full of life that the simple food in His hands multiples by a miraculous act of God, to feed over 5,000 people.

The Life of Jesus brings growth and multiplication, His life in us will bring fruit, which is why He is very bold in saying that a good tree will have good fruit.

If the life of Jesus is flowing through us, we will see growth and fruitfulness in our lives, others will be fed and God will be glorified.

Lose your life to find it

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. Luke 9:23–24 (ESV)

Jesus has just been confirmed to the disciples as the Christ of God, the Messiah. He then explains that He will be killed but will rise, now He calls the disciples to do the same.

We must deny our own selfish pleasure and instead take up our cross (you will know what this is for you), and follow Jesus.

Jesus’ teaching is plain and points to the reversal of death and life that His resurrection brings. The only way to save our life, to escape the second death (hell), is to lose our lives, lose our rights as it were, and commit ourselves in total abandon to the Lord, this is the pathway that leads to life.

Only in dying to the flesh, can we live to the Spirit. It is only through death that new life can come. Die to live today.

Job 6:1–13

Dealing with depression

that it would please God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off! Job 6:9 (ESV)

Job is clearly depressed and now his thoughts turn to the apparent escape of death and just fall short of suicidal thoughts, he asks that God would kill him.

In Christ there is hope, if you are going through depression today, do not look to death for its cold embrace, look to the one who has life in Himself and will give you life and comfort, look to 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 9

Today’s Reading: Isa 23:1–24:23, Luke 8:16–56, Job 5:17–27

Today’s Theme: The Powerful Jesus

Today’s theme is all about the power of Jesus, seen in His life, the ultimate victory and in us as His family.

By His power; demons bow, sickness is healed and death flees. Hallelujah!

Isaiah 23:1–24:23

The victory of God

They lift up their voices, they sing for joy; over the majesty of the LORD they shout from the west. Isaiah 24:14 (ESV)

Our OT reading today speaks about the last days, when all nations will be judged and the pride of men and their position will be of no use for them to escape judgement. The only escape is through the righteousness found in Christ.

The picture we have of the end is one where God is victorious on the earth, redeeming business and commerce for His glory. He will be praised by all nations, as we read in this verse.

This verse mentions the majesty of the Lord. God will rule as King, Jesus will return as King and rule over the earth.

Our theme today is the powerful Jesus found in our NT reading, but it is here in the OT that we see the ultimate end and fruit of Jesus’ mission to earth and of His great power.

Demons judged

On that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven, in heaven, and the kings of the earth, on the earth. They will be gathered together as prisoners in a pit; they will be shut up in a prison, and after many days they will be punished. Isaiah 24:21–22 (ESV)

We see another glimpse of the ultimate victory of God, the demons and devils will be judged, as well as man.

Jesus will send the demons to the pit to be punished, this is the event that the demons in our NT reading are referring to, they fear the great power of Jesus to judge them eternally consigning them to the bottomless pit.

Rejoice, our enemy will be judged and defeated by our powerful King Jesus.

Luke 8:16–56

Powerful, purposeful, useful lights

“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Luke 8:16 (ESV)

We often pray for our communities, which is in line with this passage. Jesus inside us is the light, He is powerful, He shines brightly, the glory of Jesus is like nothing else.

As we submit our lives to Him, are filled with His word and faith in His word, as God the Holy Spirit lives in us and the fruit of God are seen, light will burst forth.

Do not hide; boldly, happily, brightly shine the light of God through acts of love and service, in every community God has called you to be a part of, where you live, where you study, where you work, where you fellowship, wherever you are.

As lights we have a purpose which is to shine to give illumination to others, to beat back the encroaching darkness of demons and men. Shine.

We are useful if we stand in such an open way, that others benefit from the light of our lives. We should enlighten each other and like lights on a runway, we should point sinners safely home to Jesus through the light of the public proclaimed Gospel.

Go, stand and shine today.

The family of Jesus

But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” Luke 8:21 (ESV)

You have a unique opportunity to be a part of the greatest family the earth will ever know, the family of Jesus.

Jesus is not blinded by bias toward His blood family, instead He sees the greatest value in His true family of believers.

If we call ourselves part of God’s family, we will obey Jesus, if we claim to love Him, we will obey Him.

Hear the word today and do it, prove yourself to be part of God’s family with our powerful Saviour, Jesus.

Demons bow

When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.) Luke 8:28–29 (ESV)

Demons cannot stand in the presence of Jesus because of His great authority and power.

Demonic possession is a very dark state where the possessed person’s will is consumed by the demon(s), so although the man has bowed to Jesus, the demons have bowed too and it is they who speak to Jesus in their fear of early judgement.

Do not fear the power of demons, Jesus’ power is greater. Demons bow and are silenced in His presence and at His word, they must go. Hallelujah!

Power to heal

But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” Luke 8:46 (ESV)

This was an actual event in the life of Jesus but we can learn an allegorical lesson from it. The woman reached out and touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and received power from Jesus, which brought healing in her body.

When the power of Jesus, the power in His word represented by His hem and our faith collide, God’s power is released for our healing. Reach out in faith and pull on the promises of God and the person of Jesus. In faith, receive the power of Jesus for your healing and deliverance.

Power over death

But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” Luke 8:54 (ESV)

Jesus our glorious Saviour has power over hell and death, one touch of His hand brings life and causes death to flee. When we trust in Jesus, we pass from death to life.

Jesus is the very power of life, in His presence death flees and the dead rise. I was dead but now I am alive in His presence. Hallelujah.

Job 5:17–27

Human thinking

“Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty. Job 5:17 (ESV)

Sometimes our conclusions and thinking may seem right, but without insight from God, we cannot be sure and may be wrong. This principle is true, but is not the case with Job.

Ask God to take you beyond human reasoning today, to know the mind of the Spirit.

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

Additional resources

Desiring God on Luke 8