Once For All

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons were brought safely through water.  Baptism which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him."  1 Peter 3:18-22 (ESV)

Explanation for 1 Peter 3:18-22 from The MacArthur Study Bible, page 1894-1895.

"3:18 For Christ also suffered.  Peter wished to encourage his readers in their suffering by again reminding them that even Christ suffered unjustly because it was God's will (v. 17).  Ultimately, however, Christ was marvelously triumphant to the point of being exalted to the right hand of God while all of those demon beings who were behind his suffering were made forever subject to him (v.22).  God also caused Peter's suffering readers to triumph.   once for sins. Under the Old Covenant, the Jewish people offered sacrifice after sacrifice, and then repeated it all the next year, especially at the Passover.  But Christ's one sacrifice for sins was of such perpetual validity that it was sufficient for all and would never need to be repeated (see notes on Heb. 7:27; 9:26-28).  the righteous for the unrighteous.  This is another statement of the sinlessness of Jesus (cf. Heb 7:26) and of his substitutionary and vicarious atonement.  He, who personally never sinned and had no sin nature, took the place of sinners (cf. 1 Pet. 2:24; 2 Cor. 5:21) in so doing, Christ satisfied God's just penalty for sin required by the law and opened the way to God for all who repentantly believe (cf John 14:6; Acts 4:12).  bring us to God.  In this life spiritually, and in the next life, wholly (cf. Mark 15:38).  put to death in the flesh.  A violent physical execution that terminated his earthly life (cf. Heb. 5:7).  alive in the spirit.  This is not a reference to the Holy Spirit, but to Jesus' true inner life, his own spirit.  Contrasted with his flesh (humanness), which was dead for three days, his spirit (deity) was alive, lit., "in spirit" (cf. Luke 23:46).

3:19 proclaimed.  Between Christ's death and resurrection, his living spirit went to the demon spirits bound in the abyss and proclaimed that, in spite of his death, he had triumphed over them (see notes on Col. 2:14-15).  spirits in prison.  This refers to fallen angels (demons), who were permanently bound because of heinous wickedness.  The demons who are not so bound resist such a sentence (cf. Luke 8:31).  In the end, they will all be sent to the eternal lake of fire (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10).

3:20 did not obey. . . in the days of Noah.  Peter further explains that the abyss is inhabited by bound demons who have been there since the time of Noah, and who were sent there because they severely overstepped the bounds of God's tolerance with their wickedness.  The demons of Noah's day were running riot through the earth, filling the world with their wicked, vile, anti-God activity, including sexual sin, so that even 120 years of Noah's preaching, while the ark was being built, could not convince any of the human race beyond the eight people in Noah's family to believe in God (see notes on 2 Pet. 2:4-5; Jude 6-7; cf. Gen. 6:1-8).  Thus God bound these demons permanently in the abyss until their final sentencing.   safely through water.  They had been rescued in spite of the water, not because of the water.  Here, water was the agent of God's judgment, not the means of salvation (see note on Acts 2:38).

3:21  corresponds to this, now saves you.  Peter is teaching that the fact that eight people were in an ark and went through the whole judgment, and yet were unharmed, is analogous to the Christian's experience in salvation by being in Christ, the ark of one's salvation.    Baptism. . . through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Peter is not at all referring to water baptism here, but rather a figurative immersion into union with Christ as an ark of safety from the judgment of God.  The resurrection of Christ demonstrates God's acceptance of Christ's substitutionary death for the sins of those who believe (Acts 2:30-31; Rom. 1:4).  Judgment fell on Christ just as the judgment of the flood waters fell on the ark.  The believer who is in Christ is thus in the ark of safety that will sail over the waters of judgment into eternal glory (cf. Rom. 6:1-4).   not as a removal of dirt from the body.  To be sure he is not misunderstood, Peter clearly says he is not speaking of water baptism.  In Noah's flood, they were kept out of the water while those who went into the water were destroyed.  Being in the ark and thus saved from God's judgment on the world prefigures being in Christ and thus saved from eternal damnation.   an appeal to God for a good conscience.  The word for "appeal" has the idea of a pledge, agreeing to certain conditions of a covenant (the New Covenant) with God.  What saves a person plagued by sin and a guilty conscience is not some external rite, but the agreement with God to get in the ark of safety, the Lord Jesus, by faith in his death and resurrection (cf. Rom. 10:9-10; Heb. 9:14; 10:22).

3:22 right hand of God.  After Jesus accomplished his cross work and was raised from the dead, he was exalted to the place of prominence, honor, majesty, authority, and power (cf. Rom. 8:34; Eph.1:20-21; Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 1:3-9; 6:20; 8:1; 12:2).  The point of application to Peter's readers is that suffering can be the context for one's greatest triumph, as seen in the example of the Lord Jesus."

Let's pray:  Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You for Your suffering for us.  Your sacrifice is everything to me.  I want to lift up to You those who are reading this today and are suffering.  I pray that You will comfort those who are suffering and deliver them from their suffering.  I pray for healing for those who need Your healing.  I pray for those who are unsaved and those who think they do not need saving.  I pray for their salvation so they too may be in that "ark of safety" because of what You, our Lord Jesus Christ, did for us.  I say these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

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Confess

"But what does it say?  The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." Romans 10:8-10 ESV

Explanation for Romans 10:8-10 from the MacArthur Study Bible, page 1668.

"10:8 The word is near you.  Quoted from Deut. 30:14.  The journey of Rom. 10:6-7 is unnecessary because God has clearly revealed the way of salvation: it is by faith.  word of faith.  The message of faith is the way to God.

10:9 Confess. . .Jesus is Lord.  Not a simple acknowledgment that he is God and the Lord of the universe, since even demons acknowledge that to be true (James 2:19).  This is the deep personal conviction, without reservation, that Jesus is that person's own master or sovereign.  This phrase includes repenting from sin, trusting in Jesus for salvation, and submitting to him as Lord.  This is the volitional element of faith (see note on Rom. 1:16) believe in your heart.  See note on 1:16.  God raised him from the dead.  Christ's resurrection was the supreme validation of his ministry (cf. John 2:18-21).  Belief in it is necessary for salvation because it proved that Christ is who he claimed to be and that the Father had accepted his sacrifice in the place of sinners (Rom. 4:24; cf. Acts 13:32-33; 1Peter 1:3-4).  Without the resurrection, there is no salvation (1 Cor. 15:14-17). See note on Rom. 1:4. will be saved. See note on 1:16

10:10 confesses.  This Greek word basically means to say the same thing or to be in agreement with someone.  The person who confesses Jesus as Lord (v.9) agrees with the Father's declaration that Jesus is Savior and Lord."

Let's pray:  Dear Lord Jesus, I lift up to You those reading this devotional today.  Thank You Lord for saving us.  I pray that those who are unsaved will confess Jesus as Lord and Savior, and accept the loving gift of salvation.  I say this in Jesus' name. Amen.

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False Prophets and Judgment

"If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, 'Let us go after other gods,' which you have not known, 'and let us serve them,' you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams.  For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.  You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him. But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has taught rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of slavery, to make you leave the way in which the LORD your God commanded you to walk.  So you shall purge the evil from your midst."  Deuteronomy 13:1-5 ESV

"For what have I to do with judging outsiders?  Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?  God judges those outside.  Purge the evil person from among you." 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 ESV

"For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" 1 Peter 4:17 ESV

Explanation for Deuteronomy 13:1-4 from The MacArthur Study Bible, page 267.

13:1-18  After the general prohibition of involvement in Canaanite worship (12:29-31).  Moses discussed three ways in which the temptation to idolatry was likely to come to Israel: 1) through a false prophet (13:1-5); 2) through a family member (vv. 6-11); or 3) through apostates in some Canaanite city (vv. 12-18).

13:2 the sign or wonder. . .comes to pass.  Miraculous signs alone were never meant to be a test of truth (cf. Pharaoh's magicians in Ex. 7-10).  A prophet or a dreamer's prediction may come true, but if his message contradicted God's commands, the people were to trust God and his word rather than such experience.  Let us go after other gods.  The explicit temptation was to renounce allegiance to the Lord and go after other gods.  The result of this apostacy would be the serving of these false gods by worshiping them, which would be in direct contradiction to the first commandment (Deut. 5:7).

13:3 The LORD your God is testing you.  God, in his sovereignty, allowed the false prophets to entice the people to apostasy to test the true disposition of the hearts of the Israelites.  And while the temptation was dangerous, the overcoming of that temptation would strengthen the people in their love for God and obedience to his commandments. Cf. 6:5.

13:5  purge the evil from your midst.  The object of the severe penalty was not only the punishment of the evildoer, but also the preservation of the community.  Paul must have had this text in mind when he gave a similar command to the Corinthian church (cf. 1 Cor. 5:13; also Deut. 17:7; 19:19; 21:21; 24:7).

Explanation for 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 from The MacArthur Study Bible, page 1690.

5:12-13  outsiders.  Paul never intended himself or the church to be judges of unbelievers outside the church, but to judge those inside (cf. 1 Pet. 4:17).  Those on the outside are for God to judge and believers to evangelize.  Those who sin on the inside, the church is to put out.  First Corinthians 5:13 is quoted from Deut. 17:7.

Explanation for 1 Peter 4:17 from The MacArthur Study Bible, page 1896.

4:17  judgment. . .household of God.  Not condemnation, but the purging, chastening, and purifying of the church by the loving hand of God.  It is far better and more important to kingdom work to endure suffering as the Lord purges and strengthens the church, than to endure the eternal sufferings of the unbeliever in the lake of fire.  And, if God so strongly and painfully judges his church, which he loves, what will be his fury on the ungodly?

Let's pray:  Dear Lord Jesus,  I lift up those reading this to You today.  I pray that You will protect our hearts and our minds so that we will not be deceived by false prophets or false gospels.  I pray that the truth of the Bible will be made evident to all.  I say these things in Jesus' name.  Amen.

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Quiet Prayers

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time."  I Timothy 2:1-6 ESV

"Do not let your adorning be external--the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear--but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."  1 Peter 3:3-4 ESV

Explanation for  I Timothy 2:1-6 from The MacArthur Study Bible, ESV, page1814-1815.

2:1-8, The Ephesian church had evidently stopped praying for the lost, since Paul urged Timothy to make it a priority again.  The Judaistic false teachers in Ephesus, by a perverted gospel and the teaching that salvation was only for Jews and Gentile proselytes to Judiasm, would have certainly restricted evangelistic praying.  Religious exclusivism (salvation only for the elite) would preclude the need for prayer for the lost.

2:1 supplications.  The Greek word is from a root that means "to lack", "to be deprived", or "to be without."  Thus this kind of prayer occurs because of a need.  The lost have a great need for salvation, and believers should always be asking God to meet that need.  intercessions.  This word comes from a root meaning "to fall in with someone," or "to draw near so as to speak intimately."  The verb from which this word derives is used of Christ's and the Spirit's intercession for believers (Rom. 8:26; Heb. 7:25).  Paul's desire is for the Ephesian Christians to have compassion for the lost, to understand the depths of their pain and misery, and to come intimately to God pleading for their salvation.  See notes on Titus 3:3-4.  all people. The lost in general, not the elect only.  God's decree of election is secret--believers have no way of knowing who is elect until they respond.  The scope of God's evangelistic efforts is broader than election (Matt. 22:14; John 17:21, 23; see note on 1 Tim. 2:4)

2:2 kings and all who are in high postions.  Because so many powerful and influential political rulers are hostile to God, they are often the targets of bitterness and animosity.  But Paul urges believers to pray that these leaders might repent of their sins and embrace the gospel, which meant that the Ephesians were even to pray for the salvation of the Roman emperor, Nero, a cruel and vicious blasphemer and persecutor of the faith.  a peaceful and quiet life.  "Quiet" refers to the absence of external disturbances; "peaceful" refers to the absence of internal ones.  While it remains uncompromising in it commitment to the truth, the church is not to agitate of disrupt the national life.  When it manifests love and goodness to all and prays passionately for the lost, including rulers, the church may experience a certain amount of religious freedom.  Persecution should only be the result of righteous living, not civil disobedience (see notes on Titus 3:1-4; 1 Peter 2:13-23)  godly and dignified. "Godly" is a key word in this letter (I Tim. 3:16; 4:7-8; 6:3, 5-6, 11: cf. 2 Tim. 3:5; Titus 1:1), indicating that there needed to be a call back to holy living, which had been negatively affected by the false doctrine.  Godliness refers to having the proper attitude and conduct before God in everything, "dignified" can be translated "moral earnestness," and refers to holy behavior before men.

2:4 desires all people to be saved.  The Greek word for "desires" is not that which normally expresses God's will of decree (his eternal purpose), but God's will of desire.  There is a distinction between God's desire and his eternal saving purpose, which must transcend his desires.  God does not want men to sin.  He hates sin with all his being (Ps. 5:4; 45:7); thus, he hates its consequences--eternal wickedness in hell.  God does not want people to remain wicked forever in eternal remorse and hatred of himself.  Yet, God, for his own glory, and to manifest that glory in wrath, chose to endure "vessels. . .prepared  for destruction" for the supreme fulfillment of his will (Rom. 9:22).  In his eternal purpose he chose only the elect out of the world (John 17:6) and passed over the rest, leaving them to the consequence of their sin, unbelief, and rejection of Christ (cf. Rom. 1:18-32).  Ultimately, God's choices are determined by his sovereign, eternal purpose, not his desires.  See note on 2 Pet. 3:9.  the knowledge of the truth.  Meaning "to be saved." See note on 2 Tim. 3:7

2:5 there is one God.  There is no other way of salvation (Acts 4:12); hence there is the need to pray for the lost to come to know the one true God (cf. Deut. 4:35, 39; 6:4; Isa. 43:10; 44:6; 45:5-6, 21, 22; 46:9; 1 Cor. 8:4, 6)  mediator.  This refers to someone who intervenes between two parties to resolve a conflict or ratify a covenant Jesus Christ is the only "mediator" who can restore peace between God and sinners (Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24).  the man Christ Jesus.  The absence of the article before "man" in the Greek suggests the translation, "Christ Jesus, himself a man."  Only the perfect God-Man could bring God and man together. Cf. Job 9:32-33.

2:6 a ransom.  This describes the result of Christ's substitutionary death for believers, which he did voluntarily (John 10:17-18), and reminds one of Christ's own statement in Matt. 20:28, "a ransom for many."  The "all" is qualified by the "many."  Not all will be ransomed  (though his death would be sufficient), but only the many who believe by the work of the Holy Spirit and for whom the actual atonement was made.  See note on 2 Pet. 3:9.  Christ did not pay a ransom only; he became the object of God's just wrath in the believer's place--he died his death and bore his sin (cf 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 2:24).   for all. This should be taken in two sensees: 1) there are temporal benefits of the atonement that accrue to all people universally (see note on 1 Tim. 4:10), and 2) Christ's death was sufficient to cover the sins of all people.  Yet the subsitutionary aspect of his death is applied to the elect alone (see above and notes on 2 Cor. 5:14-21).  Christ's death is therefore unlimited in its sufficiency, but limited in its application.  Because Christ's expiation of sin is indivisible, inexhaustible, and sufficient to cover the guilt of all the sins that will ever be committed, God can clearly offer it to all.  Yet only the elect will respond and be saved, according to his eternal purpose (cf. John17:12). 
at the proper time.  At the appropriate time in God's redemptive plan (see note on Gal. 4:4).

Let's pray:  Dear Lord Jesus I lift up everyone who is reading your Word today.  I pray that You will open their eyes to the truth of the one and only Gospel found in the Bible.  I pray for the unsaved that they will hear with their ears and see with their eyes the truth of salvation in Jesus Christ.  I say these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

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My Refuge and Fortress

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."  For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.  He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.  You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.  A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.  You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.  Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place--the Most High, who is my refuge--no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.  For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.  On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.  You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.  Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.  With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."  Psalm 91

Explanation for Psalm 91:1-16 from the MacArthur Study Bible, page 815-816.
91:1-16  This Psalm describes God's ongoing sovereign protection of his people from the ever-present dangers and terrors that surround humanity.  The original setting may be that of an army about to go to battle.  Most of the terrors mentioned in this psalm are left undefined, no doubt intentionally, so that no kind of danger is omitted from application.  Believers in every age can read this psalm to learn that nothing can harm a child of God unless the Lord permits it.  However, in light of the many references in the Psalms to the future messianic kingdom (cf. especially Ps. 96-100), this psalm must be read as being literally fulfilled then.
I. The Lord's Protection (91:1-13)
    A. The Confidence (91:1-2)
    B.  The Dangers (91:3-6)
    C.  The Examples (91:7-13)
II. The Lord's Pledge (91:14-16)
91:1  shelter of the Most High.  An intimate place of divine protection.  The use of "Most High" for God emphasizes that no threat can ever overpower him.  shadow of the Almighty.  In a land where the sun can be oppressive and dangerous, a "shadow" was understood as a metaphor for care and protection.
91:3  snare of the fowler.  This metaphor represents any plots against the believer intended to endanger his life.  deadly pestilence.  The reference here and in v. 6 is specifically to dreaded diseases, plagues, and epidemics (cf. Jer. 14:12; Ezek. 5:12; 14:19).
91:4 under his wings.  Pictures the protection of a parent bird (see note on Ps. 57:1).
91:8  only. . .with your eyes.  The righteous are so safe in disaster all around them, that they are only spectators.
91:11-12  This promise of angelic protection was misquoted by Satan in his temptation of the Messiah (see Matt. 4:6).
91:13  tread. . .lion and the adder.  In general, a metaphor for God's protection from all deadly attacks (see notes on Ps. 58:4ff).
91:14  he holds fast to me in love.  God himself is the speaker in this section (vv. 14-16) and he describes the blessing he gives to those who know and love him.  The word for "love" means a "deep longing" for God, or a "clinging" to God.
91:16  long life.  Long life was a specific promise to the OT saint for obedience to the law (e.g., Ex. 20:12; Prov. 3:2).  The prophets also promise it to God's people in the future messianic kingdom (cf. Isa. 65:17-23).

I have been praying Psalm 91 over my family and household.  As a believer in our Lord Jesus Christ that He alone is my fortress and refuge--I have faith that the Lord is always protecting me and my family.  Even when we go through rough roads--because the Lord is with us--we always come through safe and sound.  This is only because of the Lord.

Let's pray:  Dear Lord Jesus,  I lift up those who are reading Your Word and I pray Psalm 91 over my household and also to those who believe in Jesus--those who know and love Jesus.  I pray for those who do not yet really know Jesus. I pray that You will show them the truth.  I pray for the gift of faith. I pray for their salvation so that they too may enjoy the assurance of eternal life and Your loving protection.  I say these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

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The Word Became Flesh (The Gospel of John)

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.  In him was life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  He came as a witness to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.  He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.  He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.  But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.")  And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.  For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.  No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known."  John 1:1-18 ESV

Explanation on John 1:12-14 from the MacArthur Study Bible, page 1534,
"1:12 all who did receive him, who believed in his name.  The second phrase describes the first.  To receive him who is the Word of God means to acknowledge his claims, place one's faith in him, and thereby yield allegiance to him.  gave.  The term emphasizes the grace of God involved in the gift of salvation (cf. Eph. 2:8-10).  the right.  Those who receive Jesus, the Word, receive full authority to claim the exalted title of "children of God."  his name.  Denotes the character of the person himself.  See note on John 14:13-14.
1:13 of God.  The divine side of salvation: ultimately it is not a man's will that produces salvation but God's will (cf. 3:6-8; Titus 3:5; 1 John2:29).
1:14  the Word became flesh.  While Christ as God was uncreated and eternal (see notes on v. 1), the word "became" emphasizes Christ's taking on humanity (cf. Heb. 1:1-3; 2:14-18).  This reality is surely the most profound ever because it indicates that the infinite became finite; the Eternal was conformed to time; the invisible became visible; the supernatural One reduced himself to the natural.  In the incarnation, however, the Word did not cease to be God but became God in human flesh, i.e., undiminished deity in human form as a man (1 Tim. 3:16). dwelt. Meaning "to pitch a tabernacle," or "live in a tent."  The term recalls to mind the OT tabernacle where God met with Israel before the temple was constructed. (Ex. 25:8).  It was called the "tent of meeting" (Ex. 33:7; "tabernacle of witness"--LXX) where "the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend" (Ex. 33:11).  In the NT, God chose to dwell among his people in a far more personal way through becoming a man.  In the OT, when the tabernacle was completed, God's Shekinah presence filled the entire structure (Ex. 40:34; cf. 1 Kings 8:10).  When the Word became flesh, the glorious presence of deity was embodied in him (cf. Col. 2:9).  we have seen his glory.  Although his deity may have been veiled in human flesh, glimpses exist in the Gospels of his divine majesty.  The disciples saw glimpses of his glory on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-8).  The reference to Christ's glory, however, was not only visible but also spiritual.  They saw him display the attributes or characteristics of God (grace, goodness, mercy, wisdom, truth, etc.; cf. Ex. 33:18-23).  glory as of...the Father.  Jesus as God displayed the same essential glory as the Father.  They are one in essential nature (cf. John 5:17-30; 8:19; 10:30).  only.  The term "only" has the idea of a singular uniqueness, of being beloved like no other.  By this word, John emphasized the exclusive  character of the relationship between the Father and the Son in the Godhead (cf. 3:16, 18; 1 John 4:9).  It does not connote origin but rather unique prominence; e.g., it was used of Isaac (Heb. 11:17) who was Abraham's second son (Ishmael being the first; cf. Gen. 16:15 with Gen. 21:2-3).  full of grace and truth.  John probably had Ex. 33-34 in mind.  On that occasion, Moses requested that God display his glory to him.  The LORD replied to Moses that he would make all his "goodness" pass before him, and then as he passed by, God declared, "The LORD. . .merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" (Ex. 33:18-19; 34:5-7).  These attributes of God's glory emphasize the goodness of God's character, especially in relationship to salvation.  Jesus as Yahweh of the OT (John 8:58; "I am") displayed the same divine attributes when he tabernacled among men in the NT era (Col. 2:9)."

Let's pray:  Dear Lord Jesus, I am so grateful that..."In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.  In him was life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."  Praise God for His beautiful, lovely, gift of salvation.  I pray that all who read God's Word will see His truth and be saved.  In Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a wonderful Sunday everyone!

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Mary's Song of Praise: The Magnificat--The Vrigin's Song

Here is the third song in my Songs from the Bible series.

"And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.  For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.  And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.  He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.  He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."  Luke 1:46-55 ESV 

Explanation for Luke 1:46-55 from the MacArthur Study Bible, page 1475.
"1:46-55 Mary's Magnificat (the first word in the Latin translation; see notes on vv. 68-79; 2:29-32) is filled with OT allusions and quotations.  It reveals that Mary's heart and mind were saturated with the word of God.  It contains repeated echoes of Hannah's prayers, e.g., 1 Sam. 1:11 and 2:1-10.  These verses also contain numerous allusions to the Law, the Psalms, and the Prophets.  The entire passage is a point-by-point reciting of the covenant promises of God.
1:47 my Savior.  Mary referred to God as "Savior," indicating both that she recognized her own need of a Savior, and that she knew the true God as her Savior.  Nothing here or anywhere else in Scripture indicates Mary thought of herself as "immaculate" (free from the taint of original sin).  Quite the opposite is true; she employed language typical of someone whose only hope for salvation is divine grace.  Nothing in this passage lends support to the notion that Mary herself ought to be an object of adoration.
1:48 humble estate.  The quality of Mary that shines most clearly through this passage is a deep sense os humility."

Let's pray:  Dear Lord Jesus,  Thank You Jesus for this day.  Praise be to Your Holy name.  I pray for those who are unsaved.  I ask that You would reveal Yourself to them in a dream.  Please give us Your strength and Your wisdom as we go about our day.  Thank You for Your provision in all things. I say these things in Jesus' name.

Have a wonderful weekend!
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