Blog Archives

867. The Death of Herod Agrippa — Acts 12:20-25

5/31/2019

867.

The Death of Herod Agrippa

1.

Today's Passage: Acts 12:20-25

Get to know your bible. It will become a good friend.

Or find the passage NASB version on Bible Gateway here.
You can search for other versions there as well. Versions even in foreign languages.

Or, for your convenience I have typed the verses below from the
New Living Testament (NLT).

2.

Thank You for meeting me, LORD.
I welcome you into this place.
Please prepare my heart Jehovah.
Thank you for insight.

3.

15th strategy.
Imagine

Prepare your heart - that means ask Him to open you to be able to listen well.
Ask Jesus to bring you into the very presence of God Himself as you read instructions
Imagine the characters in this passage.
Are they facing a large enemy? or a challenge?
Have they followed God? or have they fled from His guidance?
Are they trusting God?
Are they experiencing pain, or loss?
Imagine them as friends.
What would you do if you were there beside them?
Would you be willing to encourage them?
What would you do if you were experiencing their story?
Who would you turn to for guidance? God? A mentor? Satan?
Ask God to show you how to lean on Him in times of attack, or challenge.
Thank God for His presence with you right now.

20. Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they sent a delegation to make peace with him because their cities were dependent upon Herod's country for food. The delegates won the support of Blastus, Herod's personal assistant,
21. and an appointment with Herod was granted. When the day arrived, Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them.
22. The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, "It's the voice of a god, not of a man!"

23. Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people's worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.

24. Meanwhile, the word of God continued to spread, and there were many new believers.

25. When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission to Jerusalem, they returned, taking John Mark with them.
Acts 12:20-25 NLT

4.

Thank you for coming today.
Please leave your initials and a comment.
Don't forget to check the box underneath your comment,
so replies will be directed to you.

And remember,
I pray for you every day.
And I will be back here tomorrow,
I hope I will see you here too.
~Robyn

Robyn & Biff Cox
RR&BC, LLC ©2016

2 Comments

866. Peter's Miraculous Escape from Prison — Acts 12:6-19

5/30/2019

3 Comments

866.

Peter's Miraculous Escape from Prison

1.

Today's Passage: Acts 12:6-19

Get to know your bible. It will become a good friend.

Or find the passage NASB version on Bible Gateway here.
You can search for other versions there as well. Versions even in foreign languages.

Or, for your convenience I have typed the verses below from the
New Living Testament (NLT).

2.

Thank You for meeting me, LORD.
I welcome you into this place.
Please prepare my heart Jehovah.
Thank you for insight.

3.

30th Strategy.
Are Miracles Involved?

Enter your time with the LORD in prayer.
Read the entire passage.
If there is a miracle in the passage, stop and re-read it.
Continue through the entire passage.
After reading the passage through one time, go back and find the part/parts describing the miracle in the passage.
Read two verses or more before the miracle of the passage.
Read two verses or more after the miracle of the passage.
In re-reading the verses surrounding the miracle of the passage, did you find a conflict occurring because of the miracle?
If you did, write down the conflict. What brings this conflict up. Is it due to people? People in power? People in darkness? People in anger? Ask God to allow you to ponder the reasons given for the conflict.
If you did not find conflict, ask yourself if you yourself would have been convinced by the miracle.
Do you see miracles and pass them by?
Ask God to broaden your vision for the miracles in your world.
Thank Him for His guidance and praise Him for His words.

6. The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate.
7. Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, "Quick! Get up!" And the chains fell off his wrists.
8. Then the angel told him, "Get dressed and put on your sandals." And he did. "Now put on your coat and follow me," the angel ordered.

9. So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But at the time he thought it was a vision. He didn't realize it was actually happening.
10. They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him.

11. Peter finally came to his senses. "It's really true!" he said. "The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!"

12. When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer.
13. He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it.
14. When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, "Peter is standing at the door!"

15. "You're out of your mind!" they said. When she insisted, they decided, "It must be his angel."

16. Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed.
17. He motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the Lord had led him out of prison. "Tell James and the other brothers what happened," he said. And then he went to another place.

18. At dawn there was a great commotion among the soldiers about what had happened to Peter.
19. Herod Agrippa ordered a thorough search for him. When he couldn't be found, Herod interrogated the guards and sentenced them to death. Afterward Herod left Judea to stay in Caesarea for a while.
Acts 12:6-19 NLT

3 Comments

865. James is Killed & Peter is Imprisoned — Acts 12:1-5

5/29/2019

2 Comments

865.

James is Killed & Peter is Imprisoned

1.

Today's Passage: Acts 12:1-5

Get to know your bible. It will become a good friend.

Or find the passage NASB version on Bible Gateway here.
You can search for other versions there as well. Versions even in foreign languages.

Or, for your convenience I have typed the verses below from the
New Living Testament (NLT).

2.

Thank You for meeting me, LORD.
I welcome you into this place.
Please prepare my heart Jehovah.
Thank you for insight.

3.

15th strategy.
Imagine

Prepare your heart - that means ask Him to open you to be able to listen well.
Ask Jesus to bring you into the very presence of God Himself as you read instructions
Imagine the characters in this passage.
Are they facing a large enemy? or a challenge?
Have they followed God? or have they fled from His guidance?
Are they trusting God?
Are they experiencing pain, or loss?
Imagine them as friends.
What would you do if you were there beside them?
Would you be willing to encourage them?
What would you do if you were experiencing their story?
Who would you turn to for guidance? God? A mentor? Satan?
Ask God to show you how to lean on Him in times of attack, or challenge.
Thank God for His presence with you right now.

1. About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church.
2. He had the apostle James (John's brother) killed with a sword.
3. When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter.
(This took place during the Passover celebration.)
4. Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover.
5. But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.
Acts 12:1-5 NLT

2 Comments

864. Division and Unbelief — John 7:40-52

5/28/2019

3 Comments

864.

Division and Unbelief

1.

Today's Passage: John 7:40-52

Get to know your bible. It will become a good friend.

Or find the passage NASB version on Bible Gateway here.
You can search for other versions there as well. Versions even in foreign languages.

Or, for your convenience I have typed the verses below from the
New Living Testament (NLT).

2.

Thank You for meeting me, LORD.
I welcome you into this place.
Please prepare my heart Jehovah.
Thank you for insight.

3.

15th strategy.
Imagine

Prepare your heart - that means ask Him to open you to be able to listen well.
Ask Jesus to bring you into the very presence of God Himself as you read instructions
Imagine the characters in this passage.
Are they facing a large enemy? or a challenge?
Have they followed God? or have they fled from His guidance?
Are they trusting God?
Are they experiencing pain, or loss?
Imagine them as friends.
What would you do if you were there beside them?
Would you be willing to encourage them?
What would you do if you were experiencing their story?
Who would you turn to for guidance? God? A mentor? Satan?
Ask God to show you how to lean on Him in times of attack, or challenge.
Thank God for His presence with you right now.

40. When the crowds heard him say this, some of them declared, "Surely this man is the Prophet we've been expecting'"
41. Others said, "He is the Messiah." Still others said, "But he can't be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee?
42. For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem the village where King David was born."
43. So the crowd was divided about him.
44. Some even wanted him arrested, but no one laid a hand on him.

45. When the Temple guards returned without having arrested Jesus, the leading priests and Pharisees demanded, "Why didn't you bring him in?"

46. "We have never heard anyone speak like this!" the guards responded.

47. "Have you been led astray, too?" the Pharisees mocked.
48. "Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him?
49. This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law. God's curse is on them!"

50. Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, spoke up.
51. "Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?" he asked.

52. They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself — no prophet ever comes from Galilee!"
John 7:40-52 NLT

3 Comments

863. Jesus Promises Living Water — John 7:37-39

5/27/2019

1 Comment

863.

Jesus Promises Living Water

1.

Today's Passage: John 7:37-39

Get to know your bible. It will become a good friend.

Or find the passage NASB version on Bible Gateway here.
You can search for other versions there as well. Versions even in foreign languages.

Or, for your convenience I have typed the verses below from the
New Living Testament (NLT).

2.

Thank You for meeting me, LORD.
I welcome you into this place.
Please prepare my heart Jehovah.
Thank you for insight.

3.

7th strategy.
Repetitive Reading

Begin by getting your heart ready to receive the words that God has laid down for us on this page. Ask Him to give you what you need to hear. Ask Him to give you the mind of Christ to be able to remember this strategy and continue it throughout the day.
Read the passage completely. Ask God to give you one verse that resonates in your heart today.
Write the verse down on a pad of paper, sticky note, or even on your phone in notes or your calendar.
Pray and ask God to give you a number of times to repeat this verse throughout the day. Write that number underneath the verse.
Or ask Him if it would be better for you to read and repeat the verse three times and then do that again later in the day. Asking how many times to have this little repetitive session and writing that down under the verse.
Every time you repeat the verse mark a tally under the verse.
Do this throughout the day. Try to reach your set goal or above it.
At the end of the day attempt to speak the verse without looking at it.
Before bed repeat the verse again either rereading it off of the paper, or quoting it from memory. Either is a glory to God.
And remember, God gleans great pleasure when you stop and thank Him for being with your throughout your day.

37. On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, "Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!
38. Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living ater will flow from his heart.' "
39. (When he said "living water," he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)
John 7:37-39 NLT

1 Comment

862. Is Jesus the Messiah? — John 7:25-36

5/26/2019

3 Comments

862.

Is Jesus the Messiah?

1.

Today's Passage: John 7:25-36

Get to know your bible. It will become a good friend.

Or find the passage NASB version on Bible Gateway here.
You can search for other versions there as well. Versions even in foreign languages.

Or, for your convenience I have typed the verses below from the
New Living Testament (NLT).

2.

Thank You for meeting me, LORD.
I welcome you into this place.
Please prepare my heart Jehovah.
Thank you for insight.

3.

24th Strategy.
Jesus Speaks.

Pray for God to open your heart to hear a new word from Him today.
Read the entire passage.
Re-read only the words that are written in red. These words signify words that were said by Jesus Christ, himself. Aloud. In this world. Granted the entire Bible are His Words. He, through His Spirit has spoken them. But, these are just a bit different.
As you re-read the words spoken by Jesus imagine He is speaking and you are there.
Then read the passage surrounding those words.
Ask God to show you what He wants you to see.
Now re-read the entire passage one more time.
Don't forget to thank Him for being with you.
Don't forget to thank Him for answering.

25. Some of the people who lived in Jerusalem started to ask each other, "Isn't this the man they are trying to kill?
26. But here he is, speaking in public, and they say nothing to him. Could our leaders possibly believe that he is the Messiah?
27. But how could he be? For we know where this man comes from. When the Messiah comes, he will simply appear; no one will know where he comes from."

28. While Jesus was teaching in the Temple, he called out, "Yes, you know me, and you know where I come from. But I'm not here on my own. The one who sent me is true, and you don't know him.
29. But I know him because I come from him, and he sent me to you."
30. Then the leaders tried to arrest him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come.

31. Many among the crowds at the Temple believed in him. "After all," they said, "would you expect the Messiah to do more miraculous signs than this man has done?"

32. When the Pharisees heard that the crowds were whispering such things, they and the leading priests sent Temple guards to arrest Jesus.
33. But Jesus told them, "I will be with you only a little longer. Then I will return to the one who sent me.
34. You will search for me but not find me. And you cannot go where I am going."

35. The Jewish leaders were puzzled by this statement. "Where is he planning to go?" they asked. "Is he thinking of leaving the country and going to the Jews in other lands? Maybe he will even teach the Greeks!
36. What does he mean when he says, 'You will search for me but not find me,' and 'You cannot go where I am going'?"
John 7:25-36 NLT

3 Comments

861. Jesus Teaches Openly at the Temple — John 7:10-24

5/25/2019

3 Comments

861.

Jesus Teaches Openly at the Temple

1.

Today's Passage: John 7:10-24

Get to know your bible. It will become a good friend.

Or find the passage NASB version on Bible Gateway here.
You can search for other versions there as well. Versions even in foreign languages.

Or, for your convenience I have typed the verses below from the
New Living Testament (NLT).

2.

Thank You for meeting me, LORD.
I welcome you into this place.
Please prepare my heart Jehovah.
Thank you for insight.

3.

24th Strategy.
Jesus Speaks.

Pray for God to open your heart to hear a new word from Him today.
Read the entire passage.
Re-read only the words that are written in red. These words signify words that were said by Jesus Christ, himself. Aloud. In this world. Granted the entire Bible are His Words. He, through His Spirit has spoken them. But, these are just a bit different.
As you re-read the words spoken by Jesus imagine He is speaking and you are there.
Then read the passage surrounding those words.
Ask God to show you what He wants you to see.
Now re-read the entire passage one more time.
Don't forget to thank Him for being with you.
Don't forget to thank Him for answering.

10. But after his brothers left for the festival, Jesus also went, though secretly, staying out of public view.
11. The Jewish leaders tried to find him at the festival and kept asking if anyone had seen him.
12. There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, "He's a good man," but others said, "He's nothing but a fraud who deceived the people."
13. But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.

14. Then, midway through the festival, Jesus went up to the Temple and began to teach.
15. The people were surprised when they heard him. "How does he know so much when he hasn't been trained?" they asked.

16. So Jesus told them, "My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me.
17. Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.
18. Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies.
19. Moses gave you the law, but none of you obeys it! In fact, you are trying to kill me."

20. The crowd replied, "You're demon possessed! Who's trying to kill you?"

21. Jesus replied, "I did one miracle on the Sabbath, and you were amazed.
22. But you work on the Sabbath, too, when you obey Moses' law of circumcision. (Actually, this tradition of circumcision began with the patriarchs, long before the law of Moses.)
23. For if the correct time for circumcising your son falls on the Sabbath, you go ahead and do it so as not to break the law of Moses. So why should you be angry with me for healing a man on the Sabbath?
24. Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly."
John 7:10-24 NLT

3 Comments

860. Jesus and His Brothers — John 7:1-9

5/24/2019

2 Comments

860.

Jesus and His Brothers

1.

Today's Passage: John 7:1-9

Get to know your bible. It will become a good friend.

Or find the passage NASB version on Bible Gateway here.
You can search for other versions there as well. Versions even in foreign languages.

Or, for your convenience I have typed the verses below from the
New Living Testament (NLT).

2.

Thank You for meeting me, LORD.
I welcome you into this place.
Please prepare my heart Jehovah.
Thank you for insight.

3.

24th Strategy.
Jesus Speaks.

Pray for God to open your heart to hear a new word from Him today.
Read the entire passage.
Re-read only the words that are written in red. These words signify words that were said by Jesus Christ, himself. Aloud. In this world. Granted the entire Bible are His Words. He, through His Spirit has spoken them. But, these are just a bit different.
As you re-read the words spoken by Jesus imagine He is speaking and you are there.
Then read the passage surrounding those words.
Ask God to show you what He wants you to see.
Now re-read the entire passage one more time.
Don't forget to thank Him for being with you.
Don't forget to thank Him for answering.

1. After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death.
2. But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters,
3. and Jesus' brothers said to him, "Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles!
4. You can't become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!"
5. For even his brothers didn't believe in him.

6. Jesus replied, "Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime.
7. The world can't hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil.
8. You go on. I'm not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come."
9. After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee.
John 7:1-9

2 Comments

859. Unworthy Sacrifices — Malachi 1:7-14

5/23/2019

3 Comments

859.

Unworthy Sacrifices

1.

Today's Passage: Malachi 1:6-14

Get to know your bible. It will become a good friend.

Or find the passage NASB version on Bible Gateway here.
You can search for other versions there as well. Versions even in foreign languages.

Or, for your convenience I have typed the verses below from the
New Living Testament (NLT).

2.

Thank You for meeting me, LORD.
I welcome you into this place.
Please prepare my heart Jehovah.
Thank you for insight.

3.

23rd Strategy.
God uses
characters and jobs
to prepare our hearts for truth.

Ask God to open your heart.
Thank God for writing this story to teach you.
Ask him to help you hear what He wants you to learn.
Think about the story line (plot).
Are there details being explained? Names being used?
Take a moment to think about the activity in the story.
Why is God revealing these details? Are they helpful?
Thank God for questions to ask yourself.
Thank God for answers when they come.

6. The LORD of Heaven's Armies says to the priests: "A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name!

"But you ask, 'How have we ever shown contempt for your name?'
7. "You have shown contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar.

"Then you ask, 'How have we defiled the sacrifices?'

"You defile them by saying the altar of the LORD deserves no respect.
8. When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn't that wrong? And isn't it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!" says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

9. "Go ahead, beg God to be merciful to you! But when you bring that kind of offering, why should he show you any favor at all?" asks the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

10. "How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, "and I will not accept your offerings.
11. But my name is honored by people of other nations from morning till night. All around the world they offer sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

12. "But you dishonor my name with your actions. By bringing contemptible food, you are saying it's all right to defile the Lord's table.
13. You say, 'It's too hard to serve the LORD,' and you turn up your noses at my commands," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies. "Think of it! Animals that are stolen and crippled and sick are being presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?" asks the LORD.

14."Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies," and my name is feared among the nations!
Malachi 1:6-14

3 Comments

858. The LORD'S Love for Israel — Malachi 1:1-6

5/22/2019

2 Comments

858.

God's Love for Jacob

1.

Today's Passage: Malachi 1:1-6

Get to know your bible. It will become a good friend.

Or find the passage NASB version on Bible Gateway here.
You can search for other versions there as well. Versions even in foreign languages.

Or, for your convenience I have typed the verses below from the
New Living Testament (NLT).

2.

Thank You for meeting me, LORD.
I welcome you into this place.
Please prepare my heart Jehovah.
Thank you for insight.

3.

23rd Strategy.
God uses
characters and jobs
to prepare our
hearts for truth.

Ask God to open your heart.
Thank God for writing this story to teach you.
Ask him to help you hear what He wants you to learn.
Think about the story line (plot).
Are there details being explained? Names being used?
Take a moment to think about the activity in the story.
Why is God revealing these details? Are they helpful?
Thank God for questions to ask yourself.
Thank God for answers when they come.

1. This is the message that the LORD gave to Israel through the prophet Malachi.

2. "I have always loved you," says the LORD.

But you retort, "Really? How have you loved us?"

And the LORD replies, "This is how I showed my love for you: I loved your ancestor Jacob,
3. but I rejected his brother, Esau, and devastated his hill country. I turned Esau's inheritance into a desert for jackals."

4. Esau's descendants in Edom may say "We have been shattered, but we will rebuild the ruins."

But the LORD of Heaven's Armies replies, "They may try to rebuild, but I will demolish them again. Their country will be known as 'The Land of Wickedness,' and their people will be called 'The People with Whom the LORD Is Forever Angry.'
5. When you see the destruction for yourselves, you will say, 'Truly, the LORD'S greatness reaches far beyond Israel's borders!'"
Malachi 1:1-6 NLT

2 Comments

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read & reflect in community©

867. The Death of Herod Agrippa — Acts 12:20-25

866. Peter's Miraculous Escape from Prison — Acts 12:6-19

865. James is Killed & Peter is Imprisoned — Acts 12:1-5

864. Division and Unbelief — John 7:40-52

863. Jesus Promises Living Water — John 7:37-39

862. Is Jesus the Messiah? — John 7:25-36

861. Jesus Teaches Openly at the Temple — John 7:10-24

860. Jesus and His Brothers — John 7:1-9

859. Unworthy Sacrifices — Malachi 1:7-14

858. The LORD'S Love for Israel — Malachi 1:1-6

May God Be Glorified in our Reading and Hiding His Word in our Hearts.

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