Tag: Luke

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Mar 27 – Joshua 19-20; Luke 5:17-39 – WHO CAN FORGIVE SINS BUT GOD ALONE?

Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.

Our readings for today are Joshua 19-20 and Luke 5:17-39.

Let me read from Luke 5:17–19,

[17] On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. [18] And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, [19] but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus.

Word is spreading about Jesus. He continues to teach with great authority. The power of the Lord is upon him. People are being healed.

And so you can imagine this scenario: a man who is unable to walk gets wind of this miracle worker. And so his friends, knowing there is no hope for this man in that culture, carry him to go and see Jesus. Just like everyone else in Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem! But the crowds won’t stop this group of men from getting their paralysed friend to see Jesus. They climb the roof. They remove the tiles. They lower their friend into Jesus’ presence. It would have caused quite the commotion!

The man lay on the ground in front of Jesus – all eyes are on the paralysed man, all eyes are on Jesus. What will he do?

Continue reading “Mar 27 – Joshua 19-20; Luke 5:17-39 – WHO CAN FORGIVE SINS BUT GOD ALONE?”

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Mar 21 – Joshua 4-6; Luke 2:1-24 – THE SHEPHERDS

Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.

Our readings for today are Joshua 4-6 and Luke 2:1-24.

Let me read from Luke 2:8–20

[8] And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. [10] And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12] And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” [13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

[14] “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

[15] When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” [16] And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. [17] And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. [18] And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. [19] But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. [20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (ESV)

The following excerpt comes from John Stott’s excellent devotional guide, “Through the Bible Through the Year.”

Continue reading “Mar 21 – Joshua 4-6; Luke 2:1-24 – THE SHEPHERDS”

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Mar 20 – Joshua 1-3; Luke 1:57-80 – BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS

Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.

Our readings for today are Joshua 1-3 and Luke 1:57-80.

Welcome to those who are new to this podcast today! Maybe someone encouraged you to have a listen or maybe you’ve seen it pop up in your news feed for a while and thought you would see what it was all about.

What’s it all about? My hope with this podcast is that you will develop a habit of regular bible reading… not because you need a certain quota of daily bible readings to be accepted by God… the reason you can be accepted by God is because Jesus lived the perfect life, Jesus died your death, and Jesus rose again and offers new life to all who trust in him. As those who have found life in Jesus – we have the privilege to hear God speak to us through his word.

“But first, Bible.” is about prioritising time in God’s word.

And so each day you are encouraged to read a passage from the Old Testament and a passage from the New Testament, and then listen to this podcast where I will give some reflections on one of the passages. To access the whole reading plan go to butfirstbible.com

So today, we begin a new book of the Bible – Joshua.

The opening paragraph is a great introduction in setting the scene for Joshua taking on the leadership of Israel after Moses’ death and all that the LORD calls him to do.

Continue reading “Mar 20 – Joshua 1-3; Luke 1:57-80 – BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS”

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Mar 19 – Deuteronomy 33-34; Luke 1:24-56 – THE DEATH OF MOSES

Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.

Our readings for today are Deuteronomy 33-34 and Luke 1:24-56.

These chapters in Deuteronomy mark a significant transition in the Old Testament. Reminiscent of the end of Genesis when Jacob blesses the 12 tribes of Israel upon his death… here we have Moses blessing the tribes of Israel just before he dies.

I love the clear God-centredness of Moses’ blessing in chapter 33.

Look at the introduction in Deuteronomy 33:2–5,

[2] He said,

“The LORD came from Sinai
and dawned from Seir upon us;
he shone forth from Mount Paran;
he came from the ten thousands of holy ones,
with flaming fire at his right hand.
[3] Yes, he loved his people,
all his holy ones were in his hand;
so they followed in your steps,
receiving direction from you,
[4] when Moses commanded us a law,
as a possession for the assembly of Jacob.
[5] Thus the LORD became king in Jeshurun,
when the heads of the people were gathered,
all the tribes of Israel together. (ESV)

And then look at his conclusion in Deuteronomy 33:26–29,

Continue reading “Mar 19 – Deuteronomy 33-34; Luke 1:24-56 – THE DEATH OF MOSES”

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Mar 18 – Deuteronomy 31-32; Luke 1:1-23 – INTRODUCTION TO LUKE’S GOSPEL

Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.

Our readings for today are Deuteronomy 31-32 and Luke 1:1-23.

Thank you for following along with this podcast! There have been over 20,000 downloads this year, and I’m always encouraged to hear of the way that this podcast is helping people to develop a bible reading habit of their own.

Today, we begin a new book, the Gospel According to Luke. This is the perfect time to encourage others to join in with this reading plan, or perhaps you know of others who have fallen so far behind that they’ve effectively quit… encourage them to join in again! Take a moment to send a message to someone, or share via social media.

The opening paragraph of Luke’s gospel gives us a good insight into HOW and WHY Luke wrote this account of Jesus Christ.

Let me read that opening paragraph,

Luke 1:1–4

[1] Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, [2] just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, [3] it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, [4] that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. (ESV)

Continue reading “Mar 18 – Deuteronomy 31-32; Luke 1:1-23 – INTRODUCTION TO LUKE’S GOSPEL”