Blog Archives - Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church

October 2, 2017

9/30/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Matthew 1 - The beginning of the New Testament starts with two names, Jesus and David, verse 1. The last book of the Bible ends with two names, David and Jesus, Revelation 22:16 and 21. I've often felt there is more significance to this than just the placing of their names. (More about this in the future). This genealogy gives the "royal line" from David to Jesus through Solomon, verse 6. Also, notice five women are referred to in chapter one of Matthew. One is not named (in KJV or NKJV) but she is referred to. Can you find the five and give the name for the one not named in this chapter?

Luke 2:1-38 - This is the traditional and accurate account of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. How it happened there is explained by Caesar's decree in verse 1. The first worshipers of the Good Shepherd, were shepherds! Notice verses 19, 33, and later, verse 51. Joseph, and especially Mary, really thought about the things told to them by the Shepherds, Simeon and Anna, and by Jesus Himself, verse 51.

October 1, 2017

9/24/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Today you begin reading through the New Testament in a chronological order. May God richly bless you as you see the impact Jesus Christ had on the people He met, but more so, the people who would become followers of Him. Are you one of them?

Luke 1 - Prophecies in the Old Testament spoke of a forerunner, one who would arrive on the scene and announce the coming of the Messiah. That person was John the Baptist and the angel, Gabriel, came and announced to Zacharias the priest that he and his aged wife, Elizabeth, would give birth to John. He was incredulous and doubted Gabriel's word. A discipline was announced to him that he would not be able to speak until the child was born. In the meantime, Gabriel was also sent to a virgin in Nazareth, Mary by name, and she was told she would give birth to a male child who would be the Lord! She didn't doubt that it could happen. She wondered how it would happen. The angel made it clear that the Holy Spirit would give her a child in her womb. Later, John the Baptist was born and Zacharias was ecstatic! Both he and Mary have significant messages to read.

John 1:1-14 - John reminds his readers that the Son of God was known as the Word, a name to express God's message to mankind, not only through speaking, but even more so though the Life of His Son. Jesus was the Word and became a human being, note verses 1 and 14. As the Word, Jesus was God. Though He would come to His own, they would reject him, verse 11. But all those who received Him would be saved, verse 12.

September 30, 2017

9/24/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Malachi 1 - The name Malachi means "messenger" and that is what he was. He doesn't mention anything about himself primarily because he had a message to deliver and he delivered it. The people of Israel had questions about God because they were waiting longer than they thought they had to for Him to send deliverance. In verse 2 the people question God's love for them. God points out that He loved Jacob and his descendants which were the very people who were questioning His love! in verse 6 they ask how they have despised God's name. God's answer in verse 7,8 is that they were careless with what they offered to God in their sacrifices. In verse 14 God declares that He is a great King and His name is to be feared among the nations.

Malachi 2 - God speaks against the priests of Israel for not giving glory to His name, verse 1. He says in verse 7 that the priest should learn knowledge and that the people should be able to come to them to be taught. Instead, the priests have departed from obeying the Lord and have led the people to do the same, verse 8. God spoke of them as dealing treacherously, verse 11. They ask, "How?" in verse 14. God answers them by saying they have dealt treacherously with their wives, verse 14-16.*

Malachi 3 - God promises to send His messenger which was a prediction of John the Baptist's ministry, verse 1. John's ministry would be to prepare the way for the Lord, also verse 1. When the Lord comes He will speak against sin, verse 5, which has always been the focal point of His wrath. God doesn't change, verse 6. The people ask how they have "robbed God" verse 8. God's answer is that they refused to give a tithe of their income to the Lord, verse 8. In verse 10 God challenges the people to "prove God" and see if He doesn't give back more to them than they could ever give to Him!

Malachi 4 - The promise of God's ultimate judgment, bringing judgment against evildoers, and bringing healing to those who fear His name, verse 1-2. Again, God speaks of sending Elijah, verse 5, which was fulfilled in His sending John the Baptist. Note that the last verse of the Old Testament speaks of God striking this earth with a curse. But in the New Testament God will show how that curse was dealt with when Jesus died on the cross, note Galatians 3:13.

*The word "covenant" in chapter 2:14 speaks of the marriage vows a couple exchange in a wedding ceremony. This is why the vows are so important because they are a promise made to each other and done so in the presence of God.

You've just finished reading through the entire Old Testament! Congratulations to all who did, but especially to those who did for the first time! As you read into the New Testament see if you can find how often the Old Testament is referred to? You'll be surprised.

September 29, 2017

9/24/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Nehemiah 11 - When Israel began to repopulate the region of Judea, not many Jews were willing to live in the city of Jerusalem, perhaps because of the need for so much repair. But many were urged to live there and they were praised for doing so, verse 2. Note the care to have thanksgiving offered which showed their gratitude for being returned to their land and for the rebuilding of the Temple and the walls.

Nehemiah 12 - A list of those priests and Levites who returned to Jerusalem is listed - please note that it was important for the records to be kept because each person wanted recognition for their participation and God wanted to show them that He thought their part was important. (Be sure when you read these lists to understand that God wanted each person in those lists to be named in His Word). The wall was dedicated to the Lord with great joy, verses 27 and 43.

Nehemiah 13 - Apparently Nehemiah had returned to the Persian capital for a period of time but then returned to Jerusalem. He was angered to find that one of the priests, Eliashib, verse 4, had given a room of the Temple over to Tobiah, and Ammonite official to use for his personal purposes. Nehemiah literally had Tobiah's possessions thrown out into the street, verse 8. He had the rooms cleansed. Nehemiah ordered the merchants surrounding Jerusalem not to bring their goods into the city on the Sabbath day. Nothing was to be sold in the city on a Sabbath. But then Nehemiah found out that some of the Jews had intermarried with the pagan women of the land. He physically disciplined them, verse 25, and cleansed them, verse 30. Nehemiah cried out to the Lord to pay attention to his desire to be right in God's sight, verse 31.

Psalm 126 - This last Psalm you will read in this chronological reading speaks of the joy the people of Israel had when they were allowed to return from their captivity. The Lord truly had done great things for them, verses 2,3! They reminded us that sometimes tears are shed in our desire to serve the Lord but the Lord rewards us in the end with a great harvest and we return with rejoicing, verses 5,6.

September 28, 2017

9/24/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Nehemiah 8 - Ezra held an important role as a scribe in the rebuilt city of Jerusalem. As the people were rejoicing over the completion of the wall, Ezra brought the Book of the Law of Moses and opened it in front of all the people. Verse 8 gives a great way to understand how to read the Word of God to the public. He "read distinctly...gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading." He then encouraged the people to rejoice, for "the joy of the Lord is your strength" verse 10!

Nehemiah 9 - Now is a time for the people to confess and repent from any known sins in their lives. The Levites led the congregation in prayer, praise, and confession to God. The prayer you will read gives a synopsis of God's hand upon the Jews and their rebellion against Him. But note the grand words of praise and exaltation of the Lord in verses 5,6 and throughout the remainder of the prayer.

Nehemiah 10 - A covenant was made to the Lord and those that signed it are listed. They promised to obey God's Laws and live separated lives from the nations around them.

September 27, 2017

9/24/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Nehemiah 6 - Nehemiah faced some personal opposition when the Arab leaders threatened him with physical harm if he didn't meet with them. He withstood their threats with manly strength. Later, a deceptive man tried to get Nehemiah to hide in the Temple to avoid being attacked. Nehemiah rebuked this man and kept to his work. By verse 15 the entire wall was completed. Even their enemies concluded "that this work was done by our God" verse 16.

Nehemiah 7 - Nehemiah put the city under the care of his brother, Hanani, and another faithful man, Hananiah, verse 2. He gave them the responsibility of guarding the city and keeping watch on the gates and activities within the walls. From verses 5 to the end of this chapter Nehemiah organized a record be kept of all the nobles and rulers of the people.

September 26, 2017

9/22/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Nehemiah 1 - As Ezra speaks of the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple, now Nehemiah talks about the rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem at the same time period. Nehemiah gets word of the deplorable condition that Jerusalem is in with the walls broken down and the gates burned with fire. He turns to God in prayer and ultimately asks the Lord's favor by giving the king of Persia a kindly disposition towards Nehemiah's request.

Nehemiah 2 - Nehemiah appeared sad to the king and was asked why and what he wanted the king to do. Note the end of verse 4 and the beginning of verse 5: "So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king..." As quick as that Nehemiah knew he had to respond to the king but he needed a quick moment with God. God answered Nehemiah's prayer by giving to Nehemiah the permission to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls, verses 7,8. Nehemiah traveled to Jerusalem and found the Gentiles upset that he had come back to help rebuild the city. He took time to encourage the Jews with their efforts.

Nehemiah 3 - Nehemiah was a great organizer and he arranged for various Jewish families to be responsible for building certain sections of the wall. The whole circumference of the city was being restored.

Nehemiah 4 - The Jews faced opposition from the people of the land, first by ridicule, verses 1-9. Then some of the Jews began to tire from the work and were fearful of possibly being attacked by the ungodly people surrounding the city. Nehemiah organized guards to protect the workers and he had a way for the people to be alerted to any possible attack.

Nehemiah 5 - Another form of opposition came within the Jewish people, themselves. Some of the Jews were poor and they were being taken advantage of by their wealthier brethren. The poor families had to give their children to be slaves to other Jews, verse 5! Nehemiah was very angry with these rich nobles and rebuked them sharply. They heeded Nehemiah's warning and restored the property of the poor back to them. Nehemiah set a good example by not taking any payment from the Jews, but engaged in the physical work himself, verses 15-16.

September 25, 2017

9/20/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Ezra 7 - We're finally introduced to Ezra in this chapter. Ezra was a skilled scribe living in Babylon, verse 6. Ezra had asked the king for permission to go back to Jerusalem and he was granted that desire. This chapter lists some of those who came back with him. Note verse 10 for it gives an excellent approach to studying the Word of God. First, prepare your heart to read and seek the Lord in your reading. Then purpose to put what you read to practice in your life. Then you will be ready to teach this word to others. The king gave Ezra a decree giving permission for Ezra and the priests to carry on their ministry in Jerusalem. Ezra recognized God's hand in all this, verse 27.

Ezra 8 - Ezra's companions are mentioned and he has all of them join him in prayer and fasting for God to give them a safe journey to Jerusalem. Ezra gives God praise in verse 23 when he clearly says, "...and He answered our prayer."

Ezra 9 - Ezra found out that many of the people who had already come back to Jerusalem had intermarried with the ungodly people living around them. Ezra was so angry, verse 3, and others joined him in his sorrow. From verse 5 through verse 15, Ezra prays a mighty prayer of confession and seeks God's forgiveness.

Ezra 10 - While Ezra prayed a large number of the offenders came to him and humbled themselves before God. They promised to put away any relationship they had with the wicked people around them. They promised to obey God's commandments. A full list of the offenders is given in the last verses of this chapter.

September 24, 2017

9/20/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Esther 6 - During the night after the luncheon with Esther, the king could not sleep. He asked for his journal to be read and it was found that Mordecai had saved the king's life. The king asked if any honor had been given to Mordecai and found out that nothing was done for him. When Haman came to see the king to have Mordecai hung, the king asked Haman what should be done for the man whom the king delighted to honor. Thinking it was for him, Haman gave the king a list of splendid things that should be done for such a man. The king ordered Haman to do those things for Mordecai! Haman did and went home ashamed! But then, the call came for Haman to join the king in Esther's quarters.

Esther 7 - During the banquet Esther pleaded with the king for his mercy on the Jews and for herself. When the king realized that Haman's plan would include Esther's death, the king was wroth with anger! When Haman tried to plead with Esther for his life by lying next to her the king had Haman immediately hung on the gallows he had built to hang Mordecai!

Esther 8 - Esther introduced Mordecai to the king and the king immediately promoted Mordecai to take Haman's place. Then the king asked them what he could do to circumvent his previous order. They asked the king to put forth a new order giving the Jews the chance to defend themselves when the attack would come. This obviously made the entire kingdom realize that the Jews were not important to the king.

Esther 9 - The day came when the enemies of the Jews, who thought they could overwhelm them, were soundly defeated by the Jews. All through the kingdom and certainly in the capital there was great victory for the Jews. A new day of celebration would be instituted in the Jewish calendar, the days of Purim when they would remember this deliverance.

Esther 10 - Both the king and Mordecai would be highly respected. Mordecai would become the 2nd ruler of the land, much like Joseph had experienced in Egypt in Genesis 41.

September 23, 2017

9/20/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Esther 1 - Though this book appears near the middle of the Old Testament, the events actually take place near the end of the Old Testament narrative. A Persian king, Ahasuerus, holds two important feasts to display his wealth and splendor. One celebration lasts for six months and another feast lasts for one full week. The king, proud as he was, wanted to put his Queen, Vashti, on display for her beauty. When she refused to come he had her dethroned. His advisers encouraged him to put out an edict that all women are to obey their husbands!

Esther 2 - When Ahasuerus became lonely, not having a queen, his advisers suggested he put out a search for beautiful young women who could be brought into his harem and one of them could be chosen to be the next queen. A Jewish man named Mordecai, lived in the capital and raised his young cousin, Esther, as his own child. Esther was taken into the king's harem and eventually would be selected to be the new queen of Persia! She kept her ancestry a secret. Later in the chapter two of the king's servants plotted to assassinate the king, but Mordecai heard about it and warned the king. A record of his act was recorded in the king's journals.

Esther 3 - One of the chief advisers to the king was a man name Haman. He was a wicked man who would be selected by the king to be his top aid. He wanted respect by everyone which including having them bow down in his presence. Mordecai would do no such thing and Haman wanted revenge. When he found out that Mordecai was a Jew he devised an evil plan to have all the Jews in the entire kingdom annihilated. The king agreed with Haman and gave him the authority to call for that judgment to take place in one year.

Esther 4 - Mordecai and all the Jewish community mourned outwardly over this threat. Esther didn't understand what was happening until she got word from Mordecai about the danger she and all the Jews were in. Mordecai suggested that she became the queen for just such a time and he urged her to go to the king to plead for her people. She knew she couldn't walk in on the king unless he held out his golden scepter to her.

Esther 5 - Esther did go to the king and he welcomed her into his throne room. She invited both the king and Haman to come to her quarters for a luncheon. When they did she asked them to come again the next day and she would tell the king her request. Haman went home thrilled that even the queen was looking highly upon him. However, when Haman noted Mordecai's disrespect, he had a gallows built on his property to have Mordecai hung the next day.