Tag: verses

Romans 4:25 (notes taken from an old study from somewhere)

4:25: Jesus was delivered up for our trespasses as promised in Is 52:13–53:12. Who delivered up Jesus? Was it Judas? Pilate? The Jewish Sanhedrin? Satan? Certainly all these were causal agents in the crucifixion of Christ, but ultimately it was the sovereign God who brought it to pass in order to fulfill His plan of redemption (Ac 4:27- 28). The Father delivered Jesus up for our trespasses, and raised Him so that His righteous Servant would justify many people (Is 53:11). (HCSB Study Bible)

Jesus’ death on the cross was not an accident. God planned it long ago and had a hand in all of it. After being released from prison, Peter and John prayed to God and recognized that he was at work the entire time, even working through wicked men. Personally, realizing the bigger picture of the Passion Week is a huge comfort to me. Yes, wicked men sentenced Jesus to death, but it was all part of God’s plan. Jesus died for our sins. He rose again, showing God’s acceptance of his sacrifice. We are justified because of our faith in the work of the cross. But, God had his plan in place before Adam even sinned. What an awesome God we serve!

It all points to the cross

I love how God can work and point us to the gospel as we read his Word. It may be Passion Week, but that’s not where I’m reading; yet, God still points me to his Son’s work on the cross and my soul is lifted because of it!

The Best

Giving Our Best

When a guest comes to dinner, do you reheat the leftovers from last night’s meal? Do you set the table with plastic forks and knives and use soiled placemats? Of course not! Typically, we bring out the best for our guests — the china, silverware, freshly prepared food — right?

Giving our best, whether it has to do with serving guests, doing our job, or spending time with our family, is important to us. But what about when it comes to God? Do we give Him what the Bible refers to as the firstfruits of our time, our devotion, our labors?

The holiday of Shavuot was originally intended as a celebration of the summer harvest season, a time to thank God for His abundant provision by bringing to Him the firstfruits of the harvest.  

The firstfruits, called bikkurim, referred especially to the seven fruits of the Promised Land — wheat, barley, olives, figs, pomegranates, dates, and grapes. As soon as the farmer saw a ripening fruit, he would tie a string or ribbon around it and designate that “first fruit” as bikkurim. Later, he would pick that fruit, put it in a basket, and bring it to the Temple.

After the Temple was destroyed, the holiday focused more on celebrating the giving of God’s law.

The firstfruits were not always necessarily the earliest crop, but also referred to the best. As the Bible commanded in Exodus 23:19, “Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God.” 

My friends, God desires the same from us today — to bring Him the best of ourselves in terms of our time, talents, and devotion. As we live to please God first, we certainly will honor Him with our best.

As you can see on this table here, He gave His Best. Will you?

Pray
Pray

Jesus wants nothing but us. But here is a chance to show your gratitude for what He has given to you to live in this world.

Romans 6

Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ 6 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were […]

Romans 6