Stand firm in your faith, but work as equals with Christians who disagree. 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 (NIV) 4  For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings Today: John 3

Nehemiah 1:4–11 (ESV) 4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and Canons of Dordt Point 1, Article 13: The Fruit of This Assurance In their awareness and assurance of

kingdom now stands at its pinnacle, with Solomon’s wisdom and wealth drawing the nations to Jerusalem. 1 Kings 11:1–13 (NIV) 10:23  King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. 4   only did He make Solomon the wisest man to ever live, but He also gave him great wealth and honor (1 inspired by the Holy Spirit: though it cost you all you have, get wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 4:

Mark 1:9–15 (NASB95) 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him. 14 Now after John And after John had been taken into custody...

Matthew 3:1–12 (NASB95) 1 Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea ” 4 Now John himself had a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food Notice how Matthew introduces John. God's people, because their hard service has been completed and their sins had been paid for (Isaiah 40 :1-5).

Reorient your thinking about the good things you do. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NIV) 26  Brothers, think Today: 1 Corinthians 1

John 16:12-15 (NIV) 12  “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13  But when So much of John's gospel - from chapter 14-17 - is dedicated to what Jesus taught that night. Today: Luke 4

Being excited about God is good... but make sure your zeal is based on knowledge! Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 19 Q. How do you come to know this? A. The holy gospel tells me. God himself began to reveal the gospel already in Paradise; later, he proclaimed it by the holy patriarchs and prophets, and portrayed it by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law; finally, he fulfilled it through his own dear Son. Summary With these words Paul expresses his desire that his fellow Jews would be saved. What Paul sees in many of his brethren is a zeal for keeping to the laws of the Old Testament, but a lack of understanding that adherence to the law does not equate righteousness. No matter how you might try, even your best efforts to establish your own righteousness cannot stand up to God’s perfect standard. It's still important for us to strive to live out the teachings of Jesus, as this is the appropriate response of gratitude to the grace of Jesus. Just as Paul’s concern for the Jews was not their zeal for upholding the law, the real concern is a mindset of upholding adherence to the law as a replacement for the righteousness of Christ. Attempts to be “good enough”, instead of depending upon the grace of Jesus, are nothing more than a flawed attempt to circumvent God’s plan of redemption. As Paul writes, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes”. Christ being the “end of the law” carries with it multiple, non-mutually exclusive meanings. First, this points to Jesus as the purpose or end goal the law was working towards. Secondly, Jesus marks for believers an end to our attempts to pursue righteousness via the law. Dig Deeper Every good story has a climax. If Belle had never gone looking for her father none of us would have heard about Beauty and the Beast. Without that action forward, the story would have remained at a standstill and never reached its exciting climax. While the Bible consists of 66 books written by various authors, it is also the ongoing story of God’s interaction with his creation. God’s handiwork can be seen throughout all of human history, culminating with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is undoubtedly the climax of human history. There are many reasons to open up your Bible, and chief among them is that you might come to know your faithful savior Jesus Christ. Jesus is what pushes history forward. Without Jesus, the story of humanity would be a standstill as we would still be waiting for our redeemer. Praise God that he has saved you from your misery, that a redeemer has come, just as God had planned from the beginning. Trust not in yourself for righteousness, but in Jesus. As a dear saint would often remind me, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and HE will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Father, you set the standard for righteousness, and you sent your Son that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that God will give you a zeal for Him based on knowledge of His Word. ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Acts 14

Leviticus 16:1–10 (NIV) 16 The L ORD  spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died Most Holy Place: He must first bring a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. 4  Canons of Dordt The Second Main Point of Doctrine Christ’s Death and Human Redemption Through It Article 1: Because we've been justified, we not only have peace with God , but we've gained access to Him ( Romans 5:1

Gospels: Week 3 - Jesus' authority to call, heal, forgive, and welcome sinners Luke 5:1–11 (NASB95) 1 And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat. 4 When He had finished speaking, He said all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John