Category: 90 Days with Jesus Bible

90 Days with Jesus Bible, 90 Days with Jesus Bible Study

Day Eighty-Six

Angie Knight

Read Luke 23:50-56, and Luke 24:1-8
Good morning friends. I have something special to tell you today! Have you heard the news?
He is risen!!! What a miraculous promise fulfilled! The ladies that had went to the tomb on that Resurrection day was going to perform a ritualistic custom of that day, but to their amazement Jesus changed their plans. Has He ever changed your plans?

Beth talked about the angels that were there at the tomb, one at the head and one at the foot where Jesus’ body previously resided. I love the comparison of the “mercy seat” with the tomb. The cherubs on the mercy seat were placed at the exact positions. What an awesome sight that must have been! All the worrying the women had done about the soldiers and the stone was already taken care of before they arrived. Isn’t that just like God- always ahead, taking care of every need. He is so good!
Another part that I really was excited about was vs. 6. Beth elaborated on these words and it stuck with me. “Remember how He told you…” Beth asks: “Beloved, have you forgotten something He told you?” My mind automatically started racing away with me, thinking about promises I’ve read in His word that started ringing in my ears…..One of my favorite is Isaiah 59:1, (please allow me to share it again, if I’ve shared it before, it bears repeating) it says: “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear;” He has heard our prayers friend, and His hand is big enough!!
Had He not risen, we would have no hope, but He fulfilled the plan. We have a hope of eternal life!
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the promises you’ve given us. Thank you for saving faith! Your grace is sufficient for our needs today. May we be mindful today of the cross, the suffering, the death, the Resurrection, and eternal life you have given us. This holiday season always brings us back to you and everything you have done for us. I love you more each day. This precious study has drawn us closer to you. Bless Beth Moore for writing this study and sharing her heart, help her to continue to listen your voice as she writes and anoint her heart. Thank you again for all the dear sisters in our study. Show them more promises in your word that is written with each one of them in mind. With a thankful heart I pray in Jesus Holy name–Amen.

*An old chorus comes to mind…. “From the rising of the sun, to the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is to be prai—sed, from the rising of the sOn, the name of the Lord is to be praised.“

Keeping the Faith,

Aimee
90 Days with Jesus Bible

Day Seventeen

Angie Knight

Scripture references for today: Luke 4:14-21.

In reading this passage of Word today—several thing are mentioned by Beth that I want you to know. She quotes Luke 4:18 and gives the Greek meaning for the word “poor” which is ptochos— and it indicates: “utter helplessness; complete destitution; afflicted; distressed”.

How many have been in the pit of “utter helplessness”? Or, perhaps your pit was destitution—maybe affliction…distressed was a pit nearby…been in that one? I think, most of us, at one time or another could relate to one of these words—for “poor”. Maybe not necessarily poor in the pocket book—but poor in the heart. Poor in the spirit and soul. I have been in the poor of pocket book before and it can absolutely cause you to feel the others—destitute, helpless, distressed….and before long even afflicted.

Hang on to your hats girls…we are the ones He came for! He came to fill our lives to overflowing.

I am thinking of a young women I know, which could easily be you or me. She knows the Truth- that has not allowed the Truth to completely set her free.

When Beth gave the statement, “like beggars we grow from person to person with our empty cups crying, can’t you add anything to my life?” – I instantly had a clear mental image of this young women – carrying a sack of burdens and each person she went to seeking love and admiration – all she received was more weight in her already bulging sack. This is true poverty of soul.

Jesus came to preach the truth – bring the good news to the poor – heal the broken hearted – release us from our oppressing. And only when we cease going to others for our life answers, and turn completely to Him – will we ever have true and complete freedom. Then the heavy bag can be emptied.

When the young women releases the cumbersome bag to the Master – she is freed from her iron bands of bondage. She can be a dynamic testimony of what Christ can do, and longs to do, in the heart and life of each one of us!

Today I read an article of a singer/songwriter, that has allowed the enemy to infiltrate his life and ministry in such a way that he is completely blind to what is going on. The enemy has oppressed his heart and mind so that he perceives a false freedom in giving in to the sin that has clouded his vision. This false freedom is robbing him of every blessing the Lord had bestowed into his life.

In essence, he has denounced the life and ministry of Christ. He has chosen the wider path, the path that ends in destruction.

The last note for today is found in vs. 19. “To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” I remember as a young teen, talking to a young cousin several times about his soul. About him not putting off giving his life to Christ. He always turned me down. Many years later, when I was in a backslidden condition, it was his mother that came to me at the close of a revival service (that I attended only because my granny couldn’t drive at night and she wanted to go), she talked with me and right there I gave my life back to the Lord and I ceased my wandering. I am thankful as well, that son of hers is a minister/pastor today!

I am going to close with Beth’s prayer. “Lord, You have said to the prisoners, “Come out!” And to those who are in darkness, “Be free!” Therefore, because of Your grace and power, we will feed along the pathways and will find pasture even on the barren heights. We will no longer hunger or thirst, and the scorching heat of the sun will not strike us, for our compassionate One will guide us and will lead us to springs of water (Isa. 49:9-10).

Keeping the Faith,

Angie

90 Days with Jesus Bible

Day Sixteen

Angie Knight

Beth titled this devotion: “Tempting Invitations” and the scripture text is Luke 4:1-13, other text referred to is: Luke 2:37, Genesis 3:1, Philippians 3:19. I’m so excited about these devotions – they have been food for my soul. Angie and I were talking this morning about some of the weekend devotions and she reread some of Beth’s thoughts aloud to me. We both were so encouraged!
I hope ya’ll are enjoying this as much as we are.

Some of you may not have the book, so the questions for today were: “1.) Why would God lead His Son into the desert immediately following His baptism? 2.) What have been some of your most obvious “wilderness seasons?” Do you remember what preceded them? How did they change you?”

I like the first words in vs. 1 of Luke 4. Let me share it. It says “And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost…” I want to be filled to overflowing, too! Then He was lead into the wilderness on a 40 day fast. I have been on several fasts in my lifetime, but it has only been a few days at the time and I was in the air conditioning. I cannot imagine that length of time. And of course anytime we try to do something for God the old serpent has to show his ugly head.

I can tell you many times I’ve just came from a wonderful service at church and suddenly something happens or the devil tries to zap my joy. What about the children? – one might start a fight, the husband might be grouchy, or the dog sick. I like to read this scripture in Habakkuk 3:17-19. I often read it in the mornings. It say this: “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.” Amen to that!

Beth does a comparison between Eve’s temptation in the Garden and Jesus in the wilderness. Both were tempted with food. They both were hungry. Like she said, “satan was trying to sow some doubt.” Has he tried this tactic on you? Well sista, I read the end of the book and it ain’t pretty for him. We are the winners! As long as, we keep the Lord of all, Lord-of-all!!!

My husband feels he needs to lose weight and over the years has tried many diets, but just the thought of it makes him hungry. I heard one man say, he told his doctor he couldn’t do any kind of exercise anymore, because it made him that much more hungry. Why is that? the doctor asked. The man replied, “As soon as, I start sweating, it smells like bacon frying and I get hungry again.”
Well, food can be a temptation, but maybe your temptation is something else. God wants us to hunger after more of Him, more than any other earthly desire. Jesus didn’t give into the temptations of satan in the wilderness, even though he could have. He fought temptation with the Word of God and we can do the same! You know the scripture in Isaiah 59:19b says: “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” (Oh, I love that one!)

I read something a few days ago in a devotion and it said something like this, “Just because you are going through a trial, does not mean God’s inattention, it may mean you have His attention.
It goes along with one of Beth’s final points: “Seasons of intense temptation are not indications of God’s displeasure.” It may be only a test. (and it’s not from the Broadcast Network!) I hope I pass the one I’m in, so I don’t have to take a remedial course! Love you sisters!

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us and teaching us. We “praise you in the storm” that we are facing. Thank you for your strong arms that surround us and when we feel wounded, the hands that tend to our wounds. Help us to stand strong and be covered with your armor and be ready for the temptations that come our way. May we hide your word in our hearts. In Jesus name – Amen.

Still Keeping the Faith,

Aimee

90 Days with Jesus Bible

Day Fifteen

Angie Knight

Well—I truly hope that you completed day 13 and 14 on your own this weekend. If you didn’t–take some time today and read through what Beth penned. The scripture references for those days were Matt. 3:1-6 and then on the 14th, Matt. 3:13-15.

Today, we read from Matthew 3:16-17. For the benefit of anyone that doesn’t have their book handy, I will put the questions she asked out here:

1) Why isn’t heaven always open to our sight? What is the benefit of knowing it’s there–and knowing He’s there—without being able to physically see for ourselves? (I leave you to answer those for yourselves); and

2) Whether you feel like you’ve received your father’s blessing or not, describe the importance of this in a person’s life. What goes missing when it’s not given? What comes pouring through when it is?

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I want to share with you something that Beth stated on page 73: ….”because heaven was open to him (speaking of Stephen and his vision of Jesus Christ as Stephen was being stoned) and he saw Jesus Christ standing at the right hand of God on his behalf. What I want you to understand, continues Beth, is that heaven is right there. We look up at that sky at night and the expanse of the stars. He is literally just an open window away from us, sitting on His throne. His presence is in us and on us. God upon His throne is near. We just can’t quite see it yet. I have italicized Beth’s words here and bolded some I want to pay attention to. I highlight things in my book that jump at me—things I want to pay close attention to.

At the moment of the baptism of Jesus—as John performed what he felt unworthy to do, God did something amazing. He parted the curtains of heaven and made a proclamation from His throne for those listening and those of us reading today, would forever remember. “This is my Son, whom I love, with Him I am well pleased.”

“With whom I am well pleased” —God the Father was well pleased with His only begotten Son. And the world needed to know.

I remember a few Sunday’s back, a special altar call was given for those that needed prayer in a specific area in their lives. A young woman went forward and as she stood with her hands and face raised toward heaven, she began to petition the Father for her needs. Our pastor asked for those of us that would, to come behind these gathered and pray with them. As I stood behind Jennifer praying, I felt her shake with tears being unleashed from her searching soul. From the choir loft her dad saw the face of his child. His only daughter. And he came down to stand before her and intercede on her behalf. As he pulled her into his arms, he too wept–his pain and concern joining hers. I will never forget the look on his face that morning. It was a look reserved for fathers and daughters. A look that said, “I love you and I am here for you –no matter what you are going through.”—Or, “I am so proud of you—more than you will ever know.”

I know that even though I may not ever have that “look” from an earthly father, I have that look from my heavenly Father when He parts the curtains and looks down at me in the midst of my obedience. I have felt the pull of the heavenly Father’s arms into my life. Pulling me toward Him to learn of Him—to rest in His presence as the world races on around me.

As I gaze up into the early -pre-dawn skies–while the stars are still out shining brightly—it is not hard at all to believe and visualize God looking down into my heart and life. A few mornings each week, I get up around 4:30 and go walk with two or three ladies from church. Some weeks I am better at the “getting up” part than others. But one morning recently, as I was walking, the sky was incredibly clear and beautiful! A blanket of black—with lights twinkling and nodding as if to say “He is watching, He is there with you. No matter what you see—He sees more”.

Another thing I want to draw your attention to is the “voice”. As the voice of God spoke clearly from the heavenlies, God almighty proclaimed His love and adoration in His only Son. Growing up we all longed to hear those words of affirmation that bring joy to our hearts. The Word of the LORD speaks over our lives every day in the air we breathe, the time we take for Him, in the reading of the Word and in prayer. His voice can be heard in a thundering or in the whisper on the wind. He says over and over to us–that “He loves us”…and is merciful to us—and that mercy endures. Forever.

No matter how hard our lives may seem—as we see in the storms that have ravaged the Gulf, lives as well as the very shoreline of our coasts have changed. But the Lord loves us still. None of these storms escape His sight. Not even the inner storms of our lives.

Marriage failing? Children rebellious? Suffering job loss? Stricken with a severe illness? Death knocking? These are all storms—not just simple summer showers that will pass quickly. Most of these listed takes years to overcome. Some are only overcome by the leaving of this life when He calls us to the next. But no matter the circumstance of our life’s situation….His voice can be heard.

“Child, you are mine. I saw you clearly before you even made your arrival. The calamity of life you are walking through is not in vain. I loved you so much I went before you in this world and made a Way for you to be saved from the onslaught of the world. That Way was through the sacrificial life of my only Son. I prepared the Way…and by that Way, you can have eternal life. By no other way is that possible. Only through seeking forgiveness—repenting of your ways—and seeking my Way. Then salvation is yours. Wholly and completely—you belong to Me. I am proud to call you Mine.”

How many long for those words of love? I know that there have been many times in my own life—when I longed to hear that from an earthly father….and did not. But hearing God speak His presence and peace into my life has changed my heart, life and direction forever!

When you spend time in His word, you will “feel” Him gather you into His arms. Rest there girls. For the battle has been long. It has sapped your strength. And we have a little way yet to go to the journey ends. Rest in His care as He speaks over your life —you are HIS joy! He delights in YOU!

Father in heaven, I thank You for Your infinite care over us. For your undying love. For speaking into our lives the very words we need to hear. Lord, bathe us in Your Holy Spirit as we walk each day—under Your mighty direction. We seek Your will in our lives. Use us in whatever manner will glorify You best. I give you all the praise, for it is IN the name of YOUR Son, Jesus Christ I ask and BELIEVE~Amen

Keeping the Faith,

Angie