Luke 1 - 4.3.24
Scripture
Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord. (Luke 1:45, NKJV)
Observation
The context of this verse is a conversation between Elizabeth and Mary, who are relatives. Mary has heard from an angel that she being a virgin would conceive supernaturally and will bear the Son of God. Such a thing has never happened before in history. But Mary believed God’s promise to her, and submitted herself to God’s will (verse 38), not caring about the scandal that this would cause, or the impact that it could have on her future marriage with Joseph. Elizabeth, who has been childess all her life had conceived miraculously, and was in her advanced months of pregnancy at the time of Mary’s visit. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit prophetically told Mary that she was blessed because she believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her (Luke 1:45, NIV).
Application
The Christian walk is based on faith. We walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). What is faith? Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1). The key to answered prayer is faith. Jesus said that whatever we ask for in prayer, if we believe that we have received it, then it will be ours (Mark 11:24). Are we able to believe God, and take him at his Word? Like Mary, do we believe that His promises to us will never fail? If we do not believe his Word, then we are "limiting" God's work in our life. The Bible says that the children of Israel limited God (Psalms 78:41). God could not do what He wanted to do for them, because they did not believe. The Bible says that if we do not have faith, we should not expect to receive anything from God (James 1:7). Without faith, we are like waves on the beach, coming on to the shore in full force, and going back just as they came, not reaching anywhere (James 1:6). How do we increase our faith? Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:17, KJV). We increase our faith by feeding on God's word, and hearing God's word regularly.
Prayer
Father, I thank you for the measure of faith that you have given me (Romans:12:3). Help me to be like Mary, and believe that there will be a fulfilment of those things that you have promised me. Lord increase my faith (Luke 17:5). Help me to build myself up on the most holy faith that you have given me, praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20, KJV). May my life be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
- Asha Chacko George
Philemon 1 - 4.2.24
SCRIPTURE: Philemon 1;4-7 "I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints. I pray that your participation in the faith may become effective through knowing every good thing that is in us for the glory of Christ. For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother."
OBSERVATION: Paul wrote to Philemon, and to the church who met in his house. Philemon was a wealthy church leader in Colossae. He had a slave named Onesimus who had escaped, and who Paul had met in Rome while he was in prison. Paul led Onesimus to the Lord. As reluctant as he was to send him back, Paul knew the right thing to do was to return Onesimus back to Philemon's household, but he also realized that severe punishment would be awaiting him, which led to Paul writing this letter.
Philemon had been wronged by Onesimus big time because he had broken the law, rebelled against him, and had run away from his master's house, and Philemon's finances had been negatively affected by his absence. Paul confronted the sensitive issue as he wrote this letter. He made an appeal out of love for Onesimus explaining that he was once useless to Philemon, but since Paul had led him to the Lord, and had fathered him, he was now a new man, and useful to both of them. Aware of the bad consequences that would be awaiting Onesimus upon his return, Paul pleaded with Philemon to receive Onesimus back as a brother. Paul explained that he was willing to pay ALL the debt that Onesimus had owed in exchange for welcoming him back as a brother in Christ.
APPLICATION: Many of us have been wronged by someone, so we are able to identify with the feelings of anger that Philemon felt towards Onesimus, but what I noticed about Paul was that he interceded, and made the problem HIS OWN! He was willing to take the punishment that Onesimus deserved, and pay the debt off in full! Does that sound like someone else you know? Jesus was willing to take the punishment that we deserved! Our sins deserved the punishment of death, but Jesus was willing to pay our debt in full by dying on the cross. He did it so we could be restored back to the Father as brothers and sisters in Christ.
When we are born-again, God forgives ALL our past, present, and future sins! And as hard as that may be for some of us to comprehend that kind of love, it is not only true, but we are to be imitators of that kind of love towards the ones who have wronged us. Whether they've asked for forgiveness OR NOT!
We aren't told how Philemon responded to Paul's approach, but knowing that Philemon was known as a dear friend and co-worker, a fellow soldier, and one who led the church in his home, we can speculate that Onesimus was forgiven, and that he had been received back as a brother in Christ.
PRAYER: I pray that my life will be like Paul's because he brought great joy and encouragement by serving the needs of others, and he brought such pleasure to Jesus! And, I pray that I will be faithful in demonstrating Christ-like love, even to the ones who have wronged me.
- Robin Orefice
Titus 3 - 4.1.24
Scripture
Titus 3:4-7 NLT
”But— When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.“
Observation
Paul is writing Titus and instructing him how he should lead the local church leaders. Paul encourages them all to live a life of gentleness and show true humility to everyone (vs. 2). He reminds them that we too, were once sinners, foolish and disobedient (vs. 3). But then we experienced God’s amazing kindness and love. God saves us, not because of our righteous works, but because of His mercy and grace. Now all who believe and call on the name of Jesus, are cleansed from their sins, and inherit a new life empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Application
My good works is not for being saved, but rather it’s from being saved.
”God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.“ Ephesians 2:8-9
We cannot earn our way into Heaven by our good works. The Bible tells us that our righteous deeds are like filthy rags to God because we are all sinful creatures (Isaiah 64:6). But once we truly understand that we are ALL sinners in need of a Savior, and we realize exactly what Jesus came to this earth for, our mindset begins to change. We realize that no matter how many “spiritual hoops” that we jump through, no matter how many times we pray a day, no matter how many chapters we read in the Bible, no matter how much money we give to the needy, etc., it doesn’t bring us any closer to God, or help us “buy our ticket” into Heaven. It’s only through the blood of Christ, our faith in Jesus, and the grace of God that we are saved. That’s how it is. That’s how it’s always been. It’s a free gift. And if someone is giving you a gift, you have the choice to either accept it or reject it. You don’t need to pay them back. If you had to pay it back, is it really a gift then? 🤔 But God’s gift is free. No strings attached. Why?..because He loves us that much! He desires a relationship with us. He doesn’t want to see anyone spend an eternity separated from Him and His love. And once we realize the depths of God’s love for us, our good works is no longer motivated by trying to earn our salvation. Rather our good works flow from us because we love God, and we want to please Him in everything we do. And that is the point I believe Paul was trying to get across to Titus and the church leaders in this passage. Our good works should flow through us because of our love for God and our desire to please Him. ❤️😊
”We are able to love God and other people because God loved us first.“-1 John 4:19
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your love, Your grace, and Your free gift of salvation. There is nothing I can do to ever pay You back for Your love and sacrifice. But I pray today that I can live a life that is pleasing to You. May the love that You show me, flow outwardly towards people around me. May others know of Your love through my words and my actions. May the way I live my life bring You all the glory and honor that You deserve. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi