SufficientSelf's Bible Study & Devotional 2.0

[BarredBuff]

Some of the old timers here will remember the Bible study thread we had years ago. Now, more than ever, do we need to be studying, and devoting ourself to Biblical theology and doctrine. Everyone is free to comment and participate in this study. We won't worry about denominational lines too much, but we need to be united around the central truth is that Jesus was born of a virgin in Bethlehem, lived a perfect and sinless life, taught many great things and did many miracles on earth, and then in this holiest of weeks was betrayed by a disciple, Judas. After that, he was beat, mocked, crowned with thorns, robed with a purple robe, and then crucified. Then, only after he gave up the ghost, he physically died. His body was then laid in the tomb of Joseph, and a stone was rolled in front of it. Then guarded by Roman soldiers. However, my beloved, that's not where the story ends. On the third day, early in the morning, Jesus Christ was resurrected in the body, and was seen of his disciples and many others before he ascended into heaven. That's shouting grounds, right there.

So, welcome, if you can agree to that premise.

SufficientSelf Devotional #1- April 8, 2020

"O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." Psalm 34:8

The goodness of God is well beyond our ability to fully comprehend. Notice that the Psalmist remarks to "taste" and "see" the goodness of the Lord. There is so much goodness to God that we have to use all senses to take it in. Can you taste God? No, but you can metaphorically taste the goodness of his mercies, blessings, and grace. God is good because that is his nature. He can't be anything, but good. He's not like you or I. His ways are far beyond our own. Can you see God? Not yet, but I will. However, I can see the goodness of the Lord in his creation. I can see it in the skies, flowers, and the beautiful things this world has to offer. I can see his goodness in the works of his children. Finally, because of these traits, the psalmist pronounces a blessing on the man who trusts in God. My friend, we are blessed to know him by the miracle of salvation. There's a miracle in each and every born again child of God. We are blessed if we trust in him. Why? Because God is good.

Numbers 4:24-26

Feel free to post, comment, and discuss. I will try to add one each day as time permits.

 

[bambi]

It sounds like an awesome idea. I use to participate in the Bible Study thread and I remember the wonderful
fellowship we all had.


Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

Well spoken. I have had the opportunity to be with some of my church family this week, as well as a neighbor who speaks of the increased frequency of the birth pangs. Then, when I went to pick up hatching duck eggs today, The young lady who I was blessed to spend half an hour with (I showed her how to candle her eggs) shared her faith with me. Oh such joy to meet an other sister. These days are but a moment in comparison to eternity. I pray that Jesus will come to remove us before the greater persecution of the church comes to pass.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

Bambi, I remember you being there, and it was enjoyable. Perhaps we can revive the spirit of it here.

 

[BarredBuff]

“It is Finished”


"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said It is finished: and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost.” John 19:30

Finished. Completed. Done. All words that mark when the last part of a project, or task has been, well, finished. “It is finished” are the last words Jesus Christ spoke on the cross. With these three simple words, several works of God were finished. The prophetic death of the messiah, as told in the Old Testament, was completed as he received the vinegar. God’s story that was foretold in the prophets was finished. Simultaneously, the first part of the gospel message was completed. The Bible says that Jesus then bowed his head and gave up the ghost. He willingly suffered and died. Christ’s suffering was finished. The most brutal and horrific portion of the good news was completed. His precious body was broken. His blood poured out for the sins of many. His undeserved death and punishment was finished. The wrath of God was satisfied in his body. The death we should’ve died was done. Today, let’s all take some time and remind ourselves of the horrific price our sin cost the savior. Salvation is free, but it was not cheap. Go read these passages and find out why: Isaiah 53, Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19.

 

[BarredBuff]

“Alive and Well”

"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:11

On this very day, many years ago, the greatest and most important event of all eternity happened. Jesus of Nazareth, who had been betrayed, beat, mocked, and killed, was resurrected from the dead. Jesus was physically resurrected. He was then seen by the disciples, and many others before he ascended into Heaven with the promise that he would soon be coming again. This is the power of the Gospel message. Jesus wasn’t just a great person. He wasn’t just a teacher. He truly is the promised Messiah of the world and the rightful King of Israel and this earth. His resurrection validated every claim that he made as he taught and healed. By his resurrection, it gives us hope beyond the grave. The Bible promises that he is the firstfruits of them that sleep. That is a wonderful promise for our eternity. In everything, from his life to his death and resurrection, he is our example. My beloved, the same spirit that brought his body to life in that tomb is the same spirit that dwells in the born again believer. That same spirit will save you from your sin. It will empower you to live a holy life before man and God. It will give you strength when the natural man is tempted. Finally, the greatest promise is that just like Jesus we will be raised to eternal life in a brand new body. Why? Because Jesus of Nazareth, by his resurrection, has defeated death, hell and the grave. Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthian church, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”. Today, and every day, we have life because JESUS IS ALIVE AND WELL.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

Well done, my friend.

 

[BarredBuff]

“Buried”

"Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.” John 19:40

If the grave was the end for us, we would be living such empty, hopeless, and purposeless lives. One of these days, unless the Lord returns first, they’ll entomb my body in a coffin and bury it deep within the earth. The same will probably happen to you as well. In fact, the same happened to Jesus. Once he willingly died on the cross, his body was removed and interred into a new grave “wherein was never man yet laid.” He was wrapped in the linen grave clothes, and anointed with spices for burial. His body was laid in the tomb, and a large stone was rolled over the entrance of the tomb. Jesus’ burial is an important part to the Gospel story. His burial confirmed that he had in fact died at Calvary. He marked history as the first and only man to ever live a sinless life and then physically die. His burial confirmed the words of the prophet in that “he hath poured out his soul unto death”. My beloved, Jesus physically died and was interred in a borrowed tomb. If that was where the story ended, we would only have the story of a man who lived a good life and was tragically killed. A story fraught with betrayal and violence. However, the story was not finished. His body lay in the tomb, his disciples and his family were stricken with grief, but, my friend, the Spirit of God had not moved yet. Today, remember the second day. Remember the day that Jesus’s body laid marred beyond recognition in the borrowed tomb. All hope is not lost.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

The greatest story ever told.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

AMEN. I praise Jesus! If He had failed to fulfill even one of the hundreds of prophecies foretold in the scriptures of him since the beginning of time, then... He would not be who He claims to be: God, who took on human form, to live a sinless life, to redeem fallen man and provide a bridge for us to have a relationship with God.