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Judah had rebelled against God, and their “worship” was merely empty ritual rather than genuine worship and obedience. God told them that He has no pleasure in perfunctory sacrifices, and called them once again to repentance and reformation of their lives. He promised that even though their sins were great, He would forgive. May He also grant a true revival of Christian faith throughout our nation, which has largely fallen away from Him.

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BibleGateway: Isaiah 1:1-18 ESV Text: Isaiah 1:1-18 KJV Text: Isaiah 1:1-18 The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 3:5      1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning… Judah had rebelled against God, and their “worship” was merely empty ritual rather than genuine worship and obedience. God told them that He has no pleasure in perfunctory sacrifices, and called them once again to repentance and reformation of their lives. He promised that even though their sins were great, He would forgive. May He also grant a true revival of Christian faith throughout our nation, which has largely fallen away from Him.

Ruth, a Moabitess and thus not a Jew, had married a Jew from the tribe of Judah. After the death of her husband, Ruth returned from Moab with her mother-in-law, Naomi, to Bethlehem, promising that Naomi’s people would be her people, and Naomi’s God her God. The Jews were God’s Old Testament people, but even in the Old Testament, salvation by faith in the one true God was open to all.

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BibleGateway: Ruth 1:1-19 ESV Text: Ruth 1:1-19 KJV Text: Ruth 1:1-19 The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 3:9      1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled,… Ruth, a Moabitess and thus not a Jew, had married a Jew from the tribe of Judah. After the death of her husband, Ruth returned from Moab with her mother-in-law, Naomi, to Bethlehem, promising that Naomi’s people would be her people, and Naomi’s God her God. The Jews were God’s Old Testament people, but even in the Old Testament, salvation by faith in the one true God was open to all.

Habakkuk (630 B.C.) could be describing our world today. Wrongdoers prosper. Those in power ignore and violate the law with impunity. Wicked people hold down the righteous. But God’s response then is still the same today: He is in control. He will unfailingly work things according to His good and gracious purpose, and in His time. Have faith in the Word of Him Who cannot lie, and live by that faith.

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BibleGateway: Habakkuk 1:1-2:4 ESV Text: Habakkuk 1:1-2:4 KJV Text: Habakkuk 1:1-17 The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 2:50      1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. 2 O LORD, how… Habakkuk (630 B.C.) could be describing our world today. Wrongdoers prosper. Those in power ignore and violate the law with impunity. Wicked people hold down the righteous. But God’s response then is still the same today: He is in control. He will unfailingly work things according to His good and gracious purpose, and in His time. Have faith in the Word of Him Who cannot lie, and live by that faith.

All will eventually recognize Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah, the Redeemer of fallen mankind. Tragically, however, for many that recognition will come too late, and they will die in their sins. Others, however, will come to faith in this life. They will abide in the saving truth of the Gospel, and thus be free indeed. God grant that we abide in His Word unto the end.

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BibleGateway: John 8:13-36 ESV Text: John 8:13-36 KJV Text: John 8:13-36 The section starts at about 1:33 and ends at about 4:39 13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy… All will eventually recognize Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah, the Redeemer of fallen mankind. Tragically, however, for many that recognition will come too late, and they will die in their sins. Others, however, will come to faith in this life. They will abide in the saving truth of the Gospel, and thus be free indeed. God grant that we abide in His Word unto the end.

How many like Zacchaeus—perhaps merely curious about Jesus—end up being called by the gracious Savior into the household of faith? Zacchaeus then made open confession of his previous wrongdoings, and voluntarily promised to give half his goods to the poor and to repay to others more than what he had wrongfully taken. Contrast this with another rich man (Luke 18:22-23) who was too attached to his wealth to follow Jesus.

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BibleGateway: Luke 19:1-10 ESV Text: Luke 19:1-10 KJV Text: Luke 19:1-10 The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 1:17      1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was… How many like Zacchaeus—perhaps merely curious about Jesus—end up being called by the gracious Savior into the household of faith? Zacchaeus then made open confession of his previous wrongdoings, and voluntarily promised to give half his goods to the poor and to repay to others more than what he had wrongfully taken. Contrast this with another rich man (Luke 18:22-23) who was too attached to his wealth to follow Jesus.

Self-righteousness is the antithesis of the Christian faith. This Pharisee singled himself out as better than all others on the basis of his religiosity. The publican recognized his sinfulness, and sought God’s mercy. Jesus says that the sinful publican was justified (declared righteous in God’s sight), and the Pharisee was not. We are to be humble, recognizing the truth about ourselves.

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BibleGateway: Luke 18:9-17 ESV Text: Luke 18:9-17 KJV Text: Luke 18:9-17 The section starts at about 0:50 and ends at about 2:15      9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that… Self-righteousness is the antithesis of the Christian faith. This Pharisee singled himself out as better than all others on the basis of his religiosity. The publican recognized his sinfulness, and sought God’s mercy. Jesus says that the sinful publican was justified (declared righteous in God’s sight), and the Pharisee was not. We are to be humble, recognizing the truth about ourselves.

The judge, who cared not at all about God or the opinions of man, nonetheless finally granted this widow’s request merely because of her persistence. If even a bad man will yield to such persistence, how much more so will our gracious God be prevailed upon by our persistent prayer! Do not fail to continue in prayer, even when the answer seems not to be forthcoming.

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BibleGateway: Luke 18:1-8 ESV Text: Luke 18:1-8 KJV Text: Luke 18:1-8 The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 0:59      1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men… The judge, who cared not at all about God or the opinions of man, nonetheless finally granted this widow’s request merely because of her persistence. If even a bad man will yield to such persistence, how much more so will our gracious God be prevailed upon by our persistent prayer! Do not fail to continue in prayer, even when the answer seems not to be forthcoming.

The blessings of Christianity are so abundant and constant that we tend to take them for granted and fail to be properly thankful to God for His unmerited benevolence. The ten lepers must certainly have been astounded by their healing, yet only one came back and thanked Jesus. Let us think daily on our blessings, and be like the one rather than the nine.

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BibleGateway: Luke 17:11-19 ESV Text: Luke 17:11-19 KJV Text: Luke 17:11-19 The section starts at about 1:26 and ends at about 2:30      11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he… The blessings of Christianity are so abundant and constant that we tend to take them for granted and fail to be properly thankful to God for His unmerited benevolence. The ten lepers must certainly have been astounded by their healing, yet only one came back and thanked Jesus. Let us think daily on our blessings, and be like the one rather than the nine.

Pietists and legalists are proud of their rectitude and adherence to moral codes, as though that’s praiseworthy. That’s like someone who wishes to be praised because he found a lost wallet with much cash and returned it to its owner. That’s not praiseworthy; a failure to do that would be theft. So also, our Christian sanctification is merely our duty which, as unprofitable servants, we fulfill only imperfectly.

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BibleGateway: Luke 17:1-10 ESV Text: Luke 17:1-10 KJV Text: Luke 17:1-10 The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 1:35      1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences… Pietists and legalists are proud of their rectitude and adherence to moral codes, as though that’s praiseworthy. That’s like someone who wishes to be praised because he found a lost wallet with much cash and returned it to its owner. That’s not praiseworthy; a failure to do that would be theft. So also, our Christian sanctification is merely our duty which, as unprofitable servants, we fulfill only imperfectly.

Wherein lies our hope? The hearts of unbelievers can be set only on the things of this world. The “rich man” of this parable is merely one example. His wealth is not the problem; his unbelief is. He is contrasted with the beggar Lazarus (whose name is a rendition of a Hebrew name meaning “God is my help”). Is our focus on worldly matters, or on God?

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BibleGateway: Luke 16:19-31 ESV Text: Luke 16:19-31 KJV Text: Luke 16:19-31 The section starts at about 2:36 and ends at about 4:28      19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and… Wherein lies our hope? The hearts of unbelievers can be set only on the things of this world. The “rich man” of this parable is merely one example. His wealth is not the problem; his unbelief is. He is contrasted with the beggar Lazarus (whose name is a rendition of a Hebrew name meaning “God is my help”). Is our focus on worldly matters, or on God?