Today’s Reading: Gen 3:1–4:26, Matt 3:1–4:25, Eccles 1:6–11

Today’s Theme: The Old Lie

Important lessons today include the fact that the Devil has always lied to man through false religion and through our minds in thinking that we can in someway be on the same level as God, be a god ourselves or live above God. This is the oldest and ultimate lie which leads to the bondage of sin that Jesus calls us to repent from and find true satisfaction in Him.

Genesis 3:1–4:26

The old lie

For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5 (ESV)

The devil is still using this same lie in many world religions and the new age movement and even in some so called Christian teachings where the lie is that man can become god through attaining secret knowledge… the old lie of Gnosticism.

The promise

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15 (ESV)

This is the first promise of the Messiah (Jesus)

Cain’s wife

Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch. Genesis 4:17 (ESV)

A question often asked is where did Cain get his wife? In this early period of creation and human history, brothers and sisters would be married. This was before the commands against incest were instituted through Moses.

Scientific data backs this up and even points to the fact that as the human gene pool developed, marriage between close relations would cause genetic problems that it would not have caused in the earlier stage.

Matthew 3:1–4:25

The Trinity

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”Matthew 3:16–17 (ESV)

All three members of the trinity are present at the baptism of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is like a dove, The Father’s voice and Jesus the Son.

The Bible is a weapon

And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Matthew 4:9 (ESV)

Jesus used God’s written word in all three encounters with the enemy. Today God’s written word is found in the bible, we should use it as a defense and as a weapon against the lies and schemes of the enemy.

The importance of repentance

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17 (ESV)

Repent is the first word Jesus is recorded as saying in his public ministry, this shows how important and central repentance is to the Gospel.

Ecclesiastes 1:6–11

Lasting satisfaction

All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. Ecclesiastes 1:8 (ESV)

God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. We can only find lasting satisfaction in God.

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

Additional Resources

The Fall of Satan and the Victory of Christ

Cain’s Wife—Who Was She?

Today’s Reading: Gen 1:1–2:25, Matt 1:1–2:23, Eccles 1:1–5

Today’s Theme: God, The Creator

Today’s theme is clear, God is the one who created everything a few thousand years ago.

God, The Creator

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”Genesis 1:26 (ESV)

Despite the theories of evolution and the errors of those who say Jesus and the Holy Spirit are not God the evidence and record of scripture is quite clear. God is a Triune being and he created man not random or guided acts of evolution

Marriage defined

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24 (ESV)

Marriage between one man and one woman (not polygamy or other sexual relationships) was instituted by God and the first man Adam in the garden of Eden at the very beginning of creation.

The Virgin birth of the God-Man

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18 (ESV)

It is all vain without Jesus

Jesus was born to Mary who was a virgin, this miracle of incarnation was made possible by the power and work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was not the physical son of Joseph or any other man. Jesus was the unique God-Man.

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. Ecclesiastes 1:2 (ESV)

Without Jesus everything is worth nothing. Jesus brings value and purpose to our lives. Our lives (now and eternity) would be lived in vain without him.

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

Additional Resources

• Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org
• Institute for Creation Research: http://www.icr.org/

 

Today’s Reading: Lam 4:1–5:22, Rom 16:1–27, Prov 31:10–31

Today’s Theme: Doxology

Today with every passage commented on we give a closing praise (doxology, just like the end of Romans) to God for the year that has passed and look forward to 2015 learning small but important lessons which will position us well to be used to the glory of God in the new year.

I want to take a moment now to thank God for the privilege of serving by commenting each day of 2014 on the word of God according to our bible reading plan. God has enabled me by his Holy Spirit to comment on every reading with points of study and application for our lives everyday for 2014.

I want to thank Pastor Dennis for asking me to do this and want to thank every person that has read even just one note and been encouraged, strengthen, enlighten or empowered by it.

This is the final daily reading notes in the current series and in this format. Every word has been written to the glory of God and for the joy and building up of the Church. May you continue to grow in Jesus as you read, think about, study and apply the word of God in the new year.

Live for him, with everything!

Lamentations 4:1–5:22

The Lord reigns

But you, O Lord, reign forever; your throne endures to all generations.(Lamentations 5:19, ESV)

As this year ends we say yes Lord you are both sovereign and good, reign in our lives, we bless your name now and forever.

Restore us o Lord

Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored! Renew our days as of old—(Lamentations 5:21, ESV)

Jeremiah appeals to God for restoration . Let’s consider this prayer for our own lives as we contemplate the close of this year and entering a a brand new year tomorrow.

Romans 16:1–27

Work together

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,(Romans 16:3, ESV)

This is a husband and wife team (Aquila was a common Roman name for a man). As we enter the new year, lets consider how we can work together and support one another like this great example of a husband and wife working together to the glory of God.

Avoid some people

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.(Romans 16:17, ESV)

We should avoid those seeking to cause division seeking to go contrary to the teaching of the Gospel. Lets remain in unity around the truth of the gospel of God which is what we have read about all month long in the letter to the Romans.

Don’t serve yourself

For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.(Romans 16:18, ESV)

Lord keep us from the trap of serving ourselves as we enter the new year, help us to serve and honour each other to the glory of your name.

Crush Satan

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.(Romans 16:20, ESV)

It is not us but God who cruses Satan under our feet. So be filled with God in the new year, the one who crushes Satan by the great victory he has won in Christ.

We look forward to the final crushing of Satan under the feet of God’s people which will be accomplished at the second coming of Christ where Satan will be finished of to the glory of God and joy of all peoples.

God is able

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages(Romans 16:25, ESV)

Thank you Lord that you are able to strengthen us. Stand on this truth as we enter the new year, you do not cross over in your own strength but Our God’s who is able to strengthen you according to the great promises of the gospel of God.

Obedient faith

but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—(Romans 16:26, ESV)

Lord thank you for the revelation of the Gospel so that we could come to not just faith but obedient faith.

May 2015 be marked by our obedience to the Gospel’s call.

Proverbs 31:10–31

Be productive

She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.(Proverbs 31:24, ESV)

The wife can certainly help bring in money for the household. Again like we see earlier with the husband and wife team, the bible was teaching godly equality while the surrounding cultures and religions saw women as lower class citizens.

As the bride of Christ we can take a lesson from this, that we should be productive and fruitful. May this be the case for each of us individually and collectively in 2015.

Build up the home

She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.(Proverbs 31:27, ESV)

Just because a woman can help bring in money it does not change the fact that the home is her domain and responsibility in God’s design for the family and society.

Again as believers we learn from this that we must not be idle but look well to the ways of the Bridegroom’s house, the church. Lets work together in ministry with care, love, vigour and joy to the glory of God throughout 2015.

Please feel free to comment using the feedback form below on how the notes provided throughout 2014 have been a blessing to you.

Today’s Reading: Lam 3:1–66, Rom 15:22–33, Prov 31:1–9

Today’s Theme: Strive in Prayer

Today there is a general theme of prayer.

We learn that prayer is not automatic as if God had no personality or choice in either hearing our prayers or in the way he answers. Other religions see God as a force to be tapped into with no power of choice or essence of person to refuse our requests which is not the biblical picture of God.

We also learn about God graciously taking up our case and the call for us to strive in prayer with our leaders.

We should always pray that God’s will be done regardless of our own requests or plans.

The final lesson is that the temporary escape from problems through drink is of no benefit and in keeping with our theme we should bring our cares to God in prayer.

Lamentations 3:1–66

The steadfast love of the Lord

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.(Lamentations 3:22–23, ESV)

This is where that wonderful hymn the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases… is taken from.

We should consider this truth and rejoice in it, that God’s steadfast love never ends and he shows us new mercy ever morning which should fill our hearts with joy and assurance in his love.

Prayers are not automatic

you have wrapped yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can pass through.(Lamentations 3:44, ESV)

We must not presume on God hearing anyone’s prayers, God actively chooses to ignore some prayers if they are said in hypocrisy for example. God is personally active and voluntarily involved in the hearing and answering of each individual prayer made to him.

God has taken up our case

“You have taken up my cause, O Lord; you have redeemed my life.(Lamentations 3:58, ESV)

Lord thank you for taking up our case, fighting for us and paying the price to redeem us

Romans 15:22–33

Strive in prayer

I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,(Romans 15:30, ESV)

There must be striving and purpose in our prayers for our leaders that God would hear and answer our prayers and take up our case.

By God’s will

so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.(Romans 15:32, ESV)

We should always say by Gods will, we make our plans and set about to work praying the Lords will be done. This is an important element of our general prayers that Jesus taught us and we must not forget it.

Proverbs 31:1–9

Escaping does not help

let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.(Proverbs 31:7, ESV)

The purpose of wine and strong drink…. no thanks, escaping is not the answer.

Earlier in this passage we read that a King should not drink wine and strong drink so they can always use good judgement.

Instead of escaping with drink, bring your requests to God in prayer.