Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16.  J.B. page 1848. Observation.  In the Old Testament (before Jesus was born on Christmas day), priests were used by God to hear the confession of sin of the people.  The priest would hear the confession and offer a sacrifice on behalf of the one who sinned.  The priest was sort of the “go-between” between God and sinful man.             Then Jesus came.  Read the passage for day and READ THE LEFT-HAND COLUMN ON PAGE 1848 ENTITLED “COMPASSIONATE HIGH PRIEST” TODAY.            ...

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8.  J.B. page 1737. Observation.  For a couple of years in Oklahoma we lived in a home with a steep front yard.  If you took a few steps off the front porch you would be soon be going down a steep slope.  One winter day tons of snow and ice fell and covered the area.  And while I was sitting comfy cozy inside my second oldest slipped down the slope and he could not make it back up.  It was time for dad to the rescue!  Except I took one step and slid down the slope...

Scripture: John 15:12-17.  J.B. page 1633. Observation.  Eric lived across from my house on Gardenia Street in Victoria, Texas.  He was a year younger, but we did everything together.  We walked to school, rode bikes, crashed bikes, fought and got into trouble together.  Right before 3rdgrade I moved several hours away.  I remember riding in the back seat of our station wagon looking out the back for the last time as Eric raced down the sidewalk on his bike.  Friends.  Do you have that type friend?            ...

Week Five – The Story of God Verse to Remember: “I am the way, and the truth, the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6. Scripture.  Choose the passage.  (If using the Jesus Bible, page number given.  Or use Biblegateway.com or Biblehub app). Observation.  What does the passage say?  What is difficult tounderstand?  What does it say to me? Application.  How do I apply these verses?  Is there somethingto give God thanks for?  Is there is a sin to avoid? Prayer.  Simply...

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-5.  J.B. page 1765. Observation.  Jesus was born!  We celebrate that on Christmas. Read the passage.  Jesus was born to Mary.  God left the throne of heaven and was born as a baby.  That is a journey I will never get…from heaven to a dirty manger, next to cows.  He gave up Heaven to be born.  He is the Creator, but He came to earth like those He created.  He was an infant, completely dependent on parents for all His needs.  God made Him self completely dependent.  Think...

Scripture: John 1:1-18.  J.B. page 1610. Observation.  Jesus is God.  If you want to get to know Jesus, you need to first know that He is God.  Read John 1:1-18. The Word is referring to Jesus.  So now that you know that, see verse 1 states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” In John 8:48-58 (page 1624 in the Jesus Bible) Jesus is having a conversation with the Jews.  And they asked Jesus who He claimed to be. A couple thousand years before Jesus,...

Scripture: John 10:9-11.  J.B. page 1625. Observation.  Last week we looked at the first part of verse 10.  We were focused on getting to know our enemy.  Today, I want us to see who God is and what He wants for us. Jesus says in the second part of the verse 10, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”  He continues, “I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lay s down his life for the sheep.” In other words, Jesus came so that I could have the best possible life (not that same...

Verse to Remember: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.  I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”  John 10:10 Scripture.  Choose the passage.  (If using the Jesus Bible, page number given.  Or use Biblegateway.com or Biblehub app). Observation.  What does the passage say?  What is difficult to understand?  What does it say to me? Application.  How do I apply these verses?  Is there somethingto give God thanks for?  Is there is a sin to avoid? Prayer.  Simply end...

Scripture: Romans 3:9-20 and 23.  J.B. page 1699. Observation.  Know your enemy.  Our enemy’s game plan is to steal, kill and destroy.  He deceived Eve, then Adam.  They doubted God’s Word and questioned God’s goodness. The consequences were enormous for Adam, Eve, the earth and all who followed after them.  Not only do we see the immediate results of being kicked out of the garden.  We see death. Read the Romans passage again.  All have sinned (EXCEPT JESUS!)  All deserve death.  Death is the...

Scripture: Genesis 6:1-8.  J.B. page 16. Observation.  Know your enemy.  Read the Genesis 6 passage. WHEN TIME ALLOWS, READ PAGE 17 IN THE JESUS BIBLE ENTITLED “SIN.” 1 John 2:15-16 tells us, “Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh, and the desires of the eyes and the pride of life-is not from the Father but is not from Father but is from the world.” In Genesis 6,...