The Devotional

A Devotional – SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES (78)  SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:   Luke 3:21-22 – The Eternal Plan of God - Jesus When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES: Jesus, the Christ of God/Messiah How many of us study the synoptic gospels; Matthew, Mark, and Luke? I would say, to our shame… not many! We spend most of our Spiritual time of study in the Gospel of John and the epistles. We study the commentaries of men of the past and present who also seem a bit light-minded when it comes to these three gospels. In our present devotional regarding the Life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus, the Christ of God, I am finding a need to dig deeper. As to what I thought I knew; I need to know more. It is six days...

A Devotional – SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES (77)  SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:   Luke 3:21-22 – The Eternal Plan of God - Jesus When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES: Jesus, the Christ of God/Messiah Looking at secular history concerning Tiberius Caesar and his reign over the Roman Empire, we see some important facts regarding the beginning ministry of our LORD. The year was AD 26. Pontus Pilate was governor of Judea and Herod was tetrarch over Galilee. As we discussed in other devotionals, I follow the timeline of C.I. Scofield that places the birth of Jesus around 7 BC, which places the age of our LORD around 32. I have always believed that the ministry of our LORD was three years, but seven years is more lik...

A Devotional – SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES (76)  SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:   Luke 2:41-50 – The Eternal Plan of God - Jesus His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So, when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So, when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I ...

A Devotional – SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES (75)  SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:   Luke 2:8-20 – The Eternal Plan of God - Jesus Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and se...

A Devotional – SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES (74)  SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:   Various Scripture – The Eternal Plan of God - Jesus Isaiah 7:14 – “ Therefore the LORD HIMSELF will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a SON, and shall call HIS NAME IMMANUEL”. Matthew 1:23 – “ Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a SON and they shall call HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” Luke 1:31 – “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a SON and shall call HIS NAME JESUS.” Revelation 12:5 – “She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.” SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES: Jesus, the Christ of God/Messiah Sometimes I feel we miss the point, not that I have the point, I most certainly do not, but I do seek to think or ponder on spiritual and biblical Truth. Sort of like Mary in Luke 2:19 - But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Meditation is the most importa...

A Devotional – SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES (73)  SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:   Luke 1:46-55 – The Eternal Plan of God - Jesus And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever." SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES: Jesus, the Christ of God/Messiah “Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with thee!” These ten words should be sufficient ...

A Devotional – SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES (72)  SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:   Matthew 1:18-25 The Eternal Plan of God Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." So, all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated,...