Author: Chad Bandy

Today’s Readings:  Judges 7-8; Luke 22

We live our lives, plan for our future, hope for peace, and pray for health and safety of our friends and family.  We want to know everything will be ok, and that we will be able to manage life’s events.  We plan for certainty and by nature we yearn for self-preservation.

It doesn’t always work out that way.

Today we read Luke 22, which starts off with the “Plot to Kill Jesus.”   Jesus had twelve disciples who followed Him throughout the nearly three years of His ministry on Earth.  Their names were, according to Matthew 10:2-3, “Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother. Phillip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector, James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Jesus.”

These twelve men put aside their lives, left their families, and followed Jesus and His ministry for three years of travel, strife, and insecurity. During the time of Jesus’ life, the Jewish people had their own governance called the Sanhedrin, but they were under Roman law.  The Jews were persecuted and not able to control their people’s lives and resented Roman rule.

What seems likely is that the disciples thought Jesus would overthrow Roman authority and become the “King of the Jews,” and rule over the Romans. The disciples and followers were not focused on Jesus’ role toward eternity but what He could do for them on Earth.  Jesus would become king and their daily lives on Earth would become better.  They traveled, toiled, endured criticism and danger from the Jewish elite with the great hope that Jesus was their Earthly salvation.

Luke 22 walks us through Jesus telling His disciples that He was going to die, and one of them (the disciples), is His betrayer when He said in verse 21, “But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me at this table.”  This was not a part of the plan the disciples thought they “signed up” for.

That very night, Jesus was arrested, and He would be tried, convicted, and put to death in 24 hours. The twelve men that devoted three years of their lives now had no leader.  The “person” they put their lives and faith into just “died.”  What they planned and hoped for did not come true.  The “person” they committed every as aspect of their lives to was “gone.”

How does this relate to the trials and twists of our lives?  Do we have great hope to stay healthy?  Do we have great hope that our kids will make great decisions, thrive, and be happy?  Do we expect to lose our jobs or struggle with life events?

The Bible teaches us that with our faith in Christ, there is no promise of a life without trials, turmoil, and unfortunately uncertainty.  The disciples endured three days of suffering, pain, and likely deep sorrow that their Savior was “gone.”  They soon learned that Jesus was alive when He rose from the tomb and appeared to numerous eyewitnesses to prove that He was the Son of God and was alive.

The disciple’s faith was likely restored but now their lives would be even more challenging and different.  What they likely planned for in their mind dramatically changed. Their job now was to spread the Gospel of Christianity around the world and risk even more danger, criticism, and uncertainty, and eventually their own death.  The plan they hoped for dramatically changed.

We as Christians must have a keen focus on the purpose of our lives.  Our purpose is to bring glory to God, His Son Jesus, and bring others to Christ.  Our faith and resolve, to stay the course and commit to Christ during the worst of times, is when we make our mark.  Our resolve, strength, and assurance to follow Christ, even when it seems impossible to do so, strengthens our love and relationship with Christ.  The impossible becomes reasonable with our faith Jesus no matter how much “our plans change.”

May we have the resolve of the prophets and disciples before us to “stay the course” when it seems impossible to do so.

He is risen!  He is risen indeed!

READING TODAY: Deuteronomy 27-31; Luke 12

I constantly think about the well-being of our kids and family.  Where are they?  Are they safe?  Are they happy?  Are they thriving?  What can I do to help them?

I constantly look at our finances.  How will we pay for the new furnace?  How will be pay for the new hot water heater?  Do we have enough money saved for our kids’ college?  Are we saving enough for retirement?

I consistently worry about my profession.  Am I with the right company?  Will my role be supported long term?  Are the sacrifices my family and I are making for my career worth it?

Worry and stress erode us. Here are some interesting statistics from the American Society for Stress.

• • 55% of Americans are stressed during the day.
  • The global average of the number of stressed people out of 143 countries is 35%.
  • Stress causes 57% of US respondents to feel paralyzed.
  • 63% of US workers are ready to quit their job to avoid work-related stress.
  • Chronic stress is commonplace at work with 94% of workers reporting feeling stress at work.

Jesus stated in Luke 12:30-31, “For all these things, the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.  But seek the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you.”

I strive to focus to my time, effort, and thoughts on our Father and the promise of fulfillment and salvation in Heaven. Scripture tells us to focus our efforts and lives on His Kingdom, His glory, and glorifying Him will enrich our lives here on earth.  Let us not toil away our days wondering and worrying about many things that are out of our control.  Let us manage our minds and faith on the One that truly matters, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Jesus also said in Luke 12:34, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Let us treasure the journey on this earth, the sacrifices, the joys, the tribulations, and even the suffering.  It is all for the glory and good of our Savior, to grow closer to Him.

Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you.  He will be with you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

Today’s reading: Numbers 22-25; Luke 2

I have read Luke chapter 2 many times, which speaks about the birth of Jesus, but today a few verses struck me. Luke 2:25-38 reveal two individuals that were never spoken about again the Bible, Simeon and Anna.

Starting in verse 25, Simeon is described as “this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” Verse 26, “And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”  The Bible does not provide any detail about Simeon as a rabbi, public official, or a man of specific stature.  He was “just and devout.”  Seemingly, Simeon appears to be an “everyday person.”

Verse 37 tells us about Anna, “and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.”  Luke outlines little detail of Anna’s interaction with Christ, but he wrote in verse 38, “and coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption of Jerusalem.” Luke referenced Anna’s interaction with Jesus to verify He was the Son of God.

What speaks to me about today’s reading are two things.

1. 1. God uses normal, “everyday people” for great things.

Perhaps you live your life as a “normal person.”  What great impact are you having in the world?  What can be deemed extraordinary in your life?  You have a family.  You have a home. You live your life attending church and praising God.  Maybe your life may not seem extraordinarily “great” in our earthly eyes, but God does amazing things with His faithful servants.

Perhaps your role is to raise children, nieces and nephews, or influence grandchildren that will bring generations of your family to follow Christ.  Perhaps you volunteer at church or at community organizations and there is one person who you impacted that will go on to bring their family and generations of others to Christ.  Or perhaps a person you impact will go on become a spiritual leader that will have a profound impact on generations of new believers.

Being faithful and consistent is worthy in God’s eyes.  God used “normal people” time and time again in the Bible to change the world.

2.  God rewards and appreciates His faithful servants.

Our reward for consistency and faithfulness will be known in Heaven. Verse after verse tell us this in the Bible.

Colossians 3:23-24 – Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Romans 2:6 – God will repay each person according to what they have done.

1 Corinthians 15:58 – Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves full to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Simeon and Anna were faithful to God as “everyday people,” and God used them to verify the most important person to ever walk the earth, Jesus.  God rewarded Simeon and Anna for their faithfulness, and they will forever be remembered in the Bible recorded in Luke’s account.

No matter what your status or place in life, you can have a profound impact in the eyes of our Lord.  Choose to be consistent, faithful, and good and as God notes, in your doings each and every day.  Know that your consistency, diligence, and labor towards a life of faith does not go unnoticed in the eyes of our Lord.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 – I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Reading for today:  Leviticus 24-25; Psalms 81; Hebrews 9

The Book of Leviticus and the Book of Hebrews is the “heart” of the differences in beliefs between Christians and Jews.

Today’s readings are particularly filled with some of the most meaningful enunciations between the Old Covenant that God made with Moses and the Jewish people, and the New Covenant that God made with all of mankind with the death of His Son Jesus.

What I think is particularly important to call out is the Old Covenant was with the Jewish people.  The New Covenant, after the crucifixion of Jesus for our sins, was extended to not just the Jewish people but for the non-Jewish people, otherwise known as Gentiles, or all of mankind.

The Book of Leviticus walks us through exhaustive details that God provided to Moses about how the Jewish people, who God had recently rescued from Egypt, should show reverence and thanks to Him.

God’s outline to the Jewish people during the Old Covenant was essentially about sacrifice, discipline, and worship to Him that He required the Jewish people to perform to atone for their sins.

The author of Hebrews tells us in chapter 9, the rituals, and practices of the Old Covenant, 9 “It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience – 10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.”

Verse 15 tells us, “And for this reason He (Jesus) is the Mediator of the new covenant by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”

In other words, Jesus’s death on the cross, the shedding of His blood, was the New Covenant God formed with us.  No longer were the detailed rituals of animal sacrifices outlined in Leviticus necessary for the atonement of our sins.  Jesus’ death on the cross took care of that for us.

Hebrews 9 indicates, 26 “…He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”

What is confirmed in today’s reading is that Jesus is the way to Heaven.  It is not about sacrifices, rituals, or acts, that will get us to Heaven.  It is about our faith and belief that Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins.

If you are interested to learn more about Hebrews 8 and 9, Pastor Gary Hamrick at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, VA has a great sermon explaining the Old and New Covenant.

In the book “Relentless Solution Focus,” written by authors Dr. Jason Selk and Dr. Ellen Reed, they speak of expectancy theory.  They define expectancy theory as, that which you focus on expands.

Our thoughts control our feelings.  Our feelings control our behaviors.  Our behaviors dictate the course and direction of our life.

Expectancy theory essentially says what we think about the most, will happen, and continue to happen.  If we manage our thoughts to think positively and focus on good things, good things happen.  If we focus on negativity and are constantly downtrodden, negative events and happenings will occur in our lives.  Think about this for a few minutes.  No matter our circumstances, no matter how horrible things can be, our thoughts will ultimately control our actions and the events in our lives. Perhaps this sounds simple, but I think we can agree it is quite difficult to see in the moment.

Paul writes to the Galatians encouraging them and rebuking them for their transgressions. In chapter 5, Paul speaks of “walking in the spirit,” and explains in verse 17 that “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”

The “flesh,” is our mind leading to the actions of our bodies.

Paul goes on to exclaim the “works of the flesh,” which are “adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like.”

Paul made it clear what the sins of the “flesh” are. If we spend time on our phones, tv’s, social circles, and free time surrounding ourselves with temptations, then what do we think will happen?  If we continue to surround ourselves with negative friends and family, who are a poor influence on us, then what do we think will occur?

Paul went on in verse 22 and explained “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”  Do you feel like these words describe you?  Do the people you surround yourself with emulate these types of behaviors and descriptions?

For me, I work hard to prevent myself from situations that will tempt my “flesh.”  I fail often and I am a work in progress, but the more temptation or bad situations I place myself in, the more chance I have to make a bad decision. If I surround myself with un-godly people or influences, the greater risk I put myself in to make a poor choice.

I think living out our faith in Jesus Christ has relation to expectancy theory.  The more we study the Gospel, the more we regularly attend a great Bible-based church, the more we socialize with God-fearing people, the better we can manage the challenges of our thoughts that will ultimately impact our outcome of our lives.

My prayer is that from reading Galatians 5 today, you take charge of your thoughts, and your attitude, and the influences in your life to strengthen your relationship with Christ.  Reduce your temptations because we are physiologically susceptible to give into them. The more we study, the more we learn, the better our relationship will be with Christ.

Today’s Reading: Genesis 28-29; Mark 11

The eleventh chapter of the Gospel Mark starts with the “The Triumphant Entry” of Jesus into Jerusalem.  As Christians, we celebrate this event as Palm Sunday, a day which our humble king, Jesus, rode a donkey into Jerusalem.  Verse eight says the people of the city “spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road.”

The prophet Luke also wrote of this day in Luke 19:28-39, which he chronicles the event much like Mark did.  Neither prophet indicates how large the crowds were nor what the context for His entry was.  What we do know is many Jews returned to Jerusalem for Passover and the crowds in the city would have been much larger than usual.   One point of note, verse 39 in Luke 19 says “And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, ‘Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.’”  Even in the celebration of Jesus and the recognition of Him as a “king-like figure,” He had detractors that were “loud voices.” Wikipedia has a great illustration chronicling this event by four different prophets, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Just five short days later, Jesus was murdered by the Jewish leaders, in what we as Christians refer to as Good Friday.

How could a man go from being hailed and glorified on Sunday to being dead on Friday?

The Jewish leaders, who saw Jesus as a threat to their leadership and traditions, set out to get rid of Jesus.  The Sanhedrin, or Jewish leadership, commanded great respect holding and instilling the Jewish traditions.  They rebuked Jesus for claiming He was their King.  Unfortunately, their “loud voices” prevailed.

Even though five days earlier, hundreds, likely thousands, were hailing Jesus as their King.  I cannot help but think about all the miracles Jesus performed, the lives of people He had changed, and wonder where they were during Jesus’ “trial.”  Were they there to testify to Jesus’ power?  Did they speak up to defend their Savior for the good things He had done for them?

This leads me to reflect on who are the “loudest voices” in my life.  Who do I listen to, to formulate my opinions and beliefs?  How do I make decisions in my life?  Where do I derive my opinions on what is right and proper?  Do I reflect on what my parents taught me?  Do I turn to friends and family for their influence?  Do I listen to elected officials to influence my decisions?

I encourage us all to be cautious and guarded about who we turn to for advice and more importantly who influences our decisions.  Facebook, Instagram, and even the media are NOT objectives sources of information.  Influencers in our lives are building blocks and foundation of how we make decisions.  I encourage you to take a very close look and explore how you react to situations and who you rely on to help you make decisions.  Be cautious of those that try to influence you in ways that contradict the Gospel Jesus died for.  Be guarded of those that question your pursuit of faith-filled life because it may be subtly pulling you away from Jesus.

Even though the “masses” worshipped Jesus on a Sunday, a small few had him crucified on Friday.  Unfortunately, the “loudest voices,” even though they were few, influenced the death of the greatest man to ever walk this earth.

Be on guard against the “loudest voices.”

Welcome to the new year from our Bible Journal ministry!  As a team, we have committed to reading the Bible cover to cover this year.  As a part of this Journal, we will list Bible readings Monday through Friday that will allow you to accomplish this feat as well! No postings on Saturday or Sunday so you can take a break and attend a great worship service!

Let’s get started!   Day one: Today’s readings are Genesis 1-2, Psalm 19, and Mark 1.

As we enter a brand-new year.  New year’s resolutions are prevalent.

Most resolutions revolve around new goals, new beginnings, new perspectives, and a chance to start over.  A new year gives us a chance to have a “clean slate” and strive for goals we did not achieve or accomplish last year.

Mark chapter one is an interesting book where the writer describes various events that occurred at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.  Pastor Gary Hamrick at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, VA preached on this chapter and noted some very important verses.

Over the course of two days, Jesus cast out unclean spirits from a synagogue, healed one of His disciples’ mother-in-law, and healed “all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed” in Capernaum.  The Bible says the “whole city was gathered together at the door” where Jesus was located.  Jesus was likely overwhelmed by the crowds of people asking Him to heal them, to fix their lives, and seek His attention.

Verse 35 of Mark 1 says, “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”

The Son of God, who was ultimately God in the flesh, took time to pray.  Why did the Son of God take time to pray?  What lessons can we learn from Jesus and His example to pray?

• Discipline: Verse 35a, says Jesus “having risen a long while before daylight.” Jesus was focused about making His prayer time a priority.  He rose early and was disciplined about the importance of spending time in prayer. He made time for it.
• Deliberate: Verse 35b, says Jesus “went out and departed to a solitary place.” Jesus took time and made sure He was alone with God.
• Resolve: Verse 38, Jesus said “let us go to the next towns.” Prayer gave Jesus the resolve to minister and execute the purpose of His ministry. Pray rejuvenated Him and gave Him strength.

My goal in 2023 is to pray like Jesus did, read the Bible cover to cover, and commit to daily devotions. I will take time each day, in a quiet place, to read and study scripture, reflect on the events, happenings, and blessings in my life.  2023 is going to be a great year!

The Book of Matthew, the first book of the New Testament, begins with an interesting approach.  Matthew outlines the lineage of Jesus, beginning with Abraham, aligning to King David, ending with Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father.

Many scholars believe Matthew opened his gospel with the lineage of Jesus to demonstrate two things.  One, he had to establish that Jesus was a Jew.  The Jewish people would not believe Jesus was the Messiah if it was not clearly established that He came from the tribe of Judah. Two, Matthew had to establish that Jesus was of the lineage of King David, which goes back to when God promised to David that He would “raise up an heir from David’s line who would sit on the throne forever and establish an eternal Kingdom.”

Matthew highlights the number of generations from Abraham to Jesus, noting the number 14 as a significant number.  From “Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen years.”  God uses the multiple of 7 many times throughout the Bible, including the days of the week to create the world, as a number of significance.  Clearly God had a plan and He delivered on His promise to bring a Messiah to earth.

What does this sequencing say to me?  God is deliberate in everything He does, and He keeps His promises, on His time.  God promised a Savior, back in the Old Testament, and He did not deliver Jesus to the people until hundreds of years later.  In our world, hundreds of years is many lifetimes or generations.  It may seem God does not follow through on His promises because things may not happen in our lifetime.  God’s timeline is not in the timeframe of a human life but in the timeframe of hundreds of thousands of years.  God’s promises may come to reality but many of us may not be alive to see them.

Faith comes from our perspective to trust and accept the things we cannot see or touch.  Faith is about accepting that our belief is not about witnessing an occurrence with our own eyes.  Faith is about understanding that the Holy Spirit will work through us to show us ways in which Christ can impact our lives positively, through our good and the bad experiences.

God made promises throughout the Bible and kept them.  The challenge for us is the learn our Bibles and truly strive to understand God’s meaning and delivery of His promises, without inserting our own expectations and “worldly filter” on what we want to see.

There are promises that have not yet been delivered.  The Bible tells us that Jesus will come again to the earth and Revelations, written by the Apostle John, outlines Jesus’ return in detail.  Do we not believe it because it was promised hundreds of years ago?

Not sure about you but I am going with IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.  God ALWAYS delivers on His promises and Matthew was clearly outlining this in the beginning of his Gospel.

The prophet Daniel was a disciplined and noble man.  He was a resolute follower during the Babylonians rule over the Jews.  During a time when the Babylonians turned the Jews into slaves and tried for force their alternative and sinful culture on them, Daniel stood firm to his Jewish faith.

In Verse 7 of chapter 9, Daniel exclaims to God “Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame – the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where You have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to You.” Verse 8, “O Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kinds, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You.” Verse 9, “To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him.”

Daniel was the voice of humility and reverence to God at a time when the Jews were being punished for years of rebellion and sin.  Amid slavery, shame, strife, and near hopelessness, Daniel consistently turned to the Lord.  Daniel proclaimed to the Jews the need and imperative for them to admit their wrongdoing, confess their sins to God, and ask God for forgiveness.

Humility is an imperative personality trait.  The ability to acknowledge when we have made a mistake, admit fault, and knowingly face the reality of a situation is imperative.

Unfortunately, arrogance can take over instead.  Arrogance is sin.  We deny our transgressions and fail to acknowledge our faults or wrongs.  We “double down” on making excuses, we remain on the same path, continue to make the same mistakes, and do not turn to God for guidance.

How do we respond to friends and family who are struggling, pursuing the wrong things, or walking down the wrong path?

Perhaps it is the opportunity to schedule a meal or coffee.  Maybe you can forward them a sermon from your church.  Sometimes the uncertainty of reaching out to someone struggling can be scary.  We do not know how they are going to react or perhaps they will resent our attempt to help them.   The Bible calls us to commit to scripture and help those in need.  We must “put ourselves out there” to witness to brothers and sisters in need of guidance and counsel, bringing them to saving words of our Savior.

Hebrews 13:16 says “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

John 15:13 says “Greater love has no one than this; to lay down one’s life for another.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 says “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”