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“For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
John 6:33

Today’s Bible Reading

The returned Judeans begin rebuilding the altar of the Lord so that they may resume offering sacrifices. The Judeans lay the foundation of the new temple. The people shout for joy, but many of the older Judeans weep loudly, remembering the grandeur of the first temple.

BibleGateway: Ezra 3 ESV Text: Ezra 3 Ezra 3 (Listen) Rebuilding the Altar 3:1 When the seventh month came, and the children of Israel were in the towns, the people gathered as one man to Jerusalem. 2 Then arose Jeshua the son of Jozadak, with his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel with his kinsmen,… 

The first use of the Law is to show us our sins and sinful nature so that we are not deceived by the lie that we can earn salvation. It is only through Christ’s perfect life and vicarious death that our sins have been blotted out. The benefit of what Jesus has done for all mankind is received only through faith, not works.

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BibleGateway: Romans 3:19-28 ESV Text: Romans 3:19-28 KJV Text: Romans 3:19-28 The section starts at about 1:46 and ends at about 3:15      19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith… 

“Stand fast” in unchanging truth. God’s enemies present compelling and eloquent assertions and reasoning designed to create widespread falling away from genuine Christian faith. Who is in danger of falling away? Those who “did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” Continually study the saving Word of God, through which the Holy Spirit will sustain and strengthen your faith.

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BibleGateway: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 ESV Text: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 KJV Text: 2Thessalonians 2:1-17 The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 2:28      1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our… 

This is Paul’s valedictory statement. May God graciously grant that we too may be able to fight the good fight and keep the faith. Our eternal welfare is a matter of what Christ has done for us, not of what we do. Nonetheless, being saved by grace through faith, we are called to practice faithful discipleship unto the end.

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BibleGateway: 2 Timothy 4:6-22 ESV Text: 2 Timothy 4:6-22 KJV Text: 2Timothy 4:6-22 The section starts at about 0:38 and ends at about 2:47 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the… 

The Bible is not human religious speculation, it is God’s Word. As such, it is the only sure basis for what we believe and what we do. This is especially important for us to remember in our day, when so many people have “itching ears,” and choose to believe charlatans who tell them whatever they want to hear.

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BibleGateway: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 ESV Text: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 KJV Text: 2Timothy 3:14-17 The section starts at about 1:36 and ends at about 2:20 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned… 

Here we have some of the most precious words of scriptural advice. Do we suffer anxiety? Take it to the Lord, and—believing His promises—we will have peace. What sorts of things occupy our thoughts? Here’s a list of what we should think about—no, what we should meditate on! The result, again, is personal peace.

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BibleGateway: Philippians 4:6-23 ESV Text: Philippians 4:6-23 KJV Text: Philippians 4:6-23 The section starts at about 0:35 and ends at about 3:9 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication… 

Paul counsels Timothy to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” The Greek word translated as “be strong” is literally “be invested with power.” Significantly, he then points out that as soldiers for Christ, we must endure suffering. For now, we are members of the Church Militant, and as soldiers we are to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

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BibleGateway: 2 Timothy 2:1-13 ESV Text: 2 Timothy 2:1-13 KJV Text: 2Timothy 2:1-13 The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 1:33      1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that… 

Suffering scorn from unbelievers and imprisonment in Rome, Paul nonetheless is not ashamed of the Gospel. Let us also follow that example when we face the relatively inconsequential derision of today’s world. We can proclaim with Paul, “I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed.”

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BibleGateway: 2 Timothy 1:1-12 ESV Text: 2 Timothy 1:1-12 KJV Text: 2Timothy 1:1-12 The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 1:57      1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of… 

“Oh, for a faith that will not shrink Tho’ pressed by many a foe; That will not tremble on the brink Of poverty or woe; Lord give us such a faith as this; And then, whate’er may come, We’ll taste e’en now the hallowed bliss Of an eternal home. “ – TLH #396:1, 6

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BibleGateway: Hebrews 11:30-40 ESV Text: Hebrews 11:30-40 KJV Text: Hebrews 11:30-40 The section starts at about 4:20 and ends at about 5:54 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed… 

Joseph said his bones were not to remain in Egypt, but were to be taken to Canaan. In faith, he was giving testimony that the Lord would certainly bring His chosen people back to the Promise Land. Similarly, at Christian funerals we say we are confident the remains of our Christian loved one will one day be raised, and that he will certainly be taken to that better Promised Land.

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BibleGateway: Hebrews 11:17-29 ESV Text: Hebrews 11:17-29 KJV Text: Hebrews 11:17-29 The section starts at about 2:42 and ends at about 4:27 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he…