John 19-10.5.22
Scripture
John 19:33-34; 36-37
33But when they came to Jesus and found that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water……36These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” 37 and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”
Observation-What does it say?
This chapter is an account of Jesus’ sentencing, crucifixion, death, and burial.
Understanding-What does it mean?
The Bible doesn’t lie and that is proven through Biblical prophecy.
What stood out to me was the fulfillment of Scripture in the death of Jesus, from Zechariah 12:10.
Those soldiers were not trained in the Old Testament, and that’s what makes their actions of not breaking any of Jesus’ bones and instead piercing His side, completely of the Sovereignty of God!
Life Application
We can trust God’s Word. He doesn’t lie or change.
Because the account of Jesus’ death was a fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy, we can trust New Testament prophecy as well! He is coming back for His bride, the Church! Everything prophesied in the book of Revelation; the visions that God gave John, will come to pass!
If the Lord doesn’t lie, shouldn’t we trust Him at His Word? Shouldn’t we desire to know Him, His character, His promises and His plans more intimately by being in His Word everyday?
-Michelle Gaddi
Ezra 3-10.4.22
SCRIPTURE:
Ezra 3:1
"In the first year of Cyrus King of Persia, the word of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled. The Lord put it into the mind of King Cyrus to issue a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom..."The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build Him a house at Jerusalem in Judah."
OBSERVATION:
Jeremiah had prophesied about the 70-year long Babylonian captivity, and it was God Who "put it into the mind" of the pagan king, Cyrus to cause Jeremiah's prophecy to be fulfilled.
Even though Cyrus worshipped various pagan gods, after he had an encounter with the true God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, it was made very clear to him that the temple in Jerusalem was to be rebuilt, so... he, on his own free will made the decision to release the Jews from exile in Babylon, and allow God's people to go to Jerusalem in Judah to build the house of the Lord.
UNDERSTANDING:
Our God is sovereign and He is ultimately in total control of everything that happens on earth. He promised that His people would live in the promised land, and worship Him there, and He kept that promise.
God, in His sovereignty caused Cyrus to not only allow Ezra to go to Jerusalem, but he also gave him tons of silver and gold to furnish the temple!
The book of Ezra teaches us about God's sovereignty, and that God always fulfills His promises! He also teaches us about God's power to renew, and lastly Ezra reminds us that in order to carry out God's purposes in the world, we must keep our thoughts on Him and His eternal purposes, and make sure that our desires line up with His Word as we are led by His Spirit.
LIFE APPLICATION:
God's sovereign actions are always at work. I am so grateful for His gentle promptings. He goes before us, and leads us on the path of peace and joy as we submit to Him, and follow His ways, and even when it appears that there is no way out of certain situations, God is there to help us when we pray to Him. I praise our Sovereign God Who "puts it in our heart's" to do certain things...so that when we are alerted to opportunities, we can be used by Him to help accomplish His plans and purposes.
-Robin Orefice
Psalm 86-10.4.22
SCRIPTURE:
Psalm 86:11,12
"Teach me Your way, Yahweh, and I will live by Your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear Your name. I will praise You with all my heart, Lord my God, and will honor Your name forever.
OBSERVATION:
David worshiped the One true God. He prayed that he would know God's truth. His desire was to walk in God's guidance, and he understood that the primary guidance system is found in God's Word. We have an advantage over David as He only had access to the Old Testament.
UNDERSTANDING:
Integrity is derived from "integer" ( a whole number as opposed to a fraction) and speaks of the quality of being undivided.
Oftentimes when we pray, we ask God for answers and solutions to our problems. David did that too, but he also asked for guidance and direction. He was willing to seek God and obey His commands, and in return David was given specific wisdom and guidance.
The more we rely on God, the more we will be aware of the access we have to walk in His daily power, strength, wisdom and guidance.
David prayed that he would have an undivided mind. We must develop that singleness of heart to love God above all else. This new life that God gives us when we are born again can only be done by the work of the Holy Spirit. He has given us a new heart! As we turn from our sins and ask for forgiveness, God gives us new motives, new guidelines, and a new desire to follow Him.
LIFE APPLICATION:
I recognize that I am poor and needy, and that I am NOTHING WITHOUT YOU GOD! I am also aware that it is You Who guards and protects my life. You are sovereign, and Your ways are much wiser and higher than mine. Since You are alive, active, mighty, and in control of all things, it is always best to rely on Your wisdom verses on my feelings, thoughts, emotions, or on my own understanding.
As my mind often tends to go in a million different directions, I pray for an undivided heart that goes one way towards You Lord. I pray I will develop that singleness of mind to love You with my whole heart above all else!
-Robin Orefice