Tag: religion

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Zealous for Good Works

Tim Farley

Reading the Word Titus 2:11–14 (ESV) 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Understanding and Applying the Word Yesterday, we learned that we should be … Continue reading Zealous for Good Works

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Jesus Is Better

Tim Farley

Shaped by the Word is a daily, Bible-reading devotional. I do not publish supplemental commentary on Sundays, but I do include a suggested Scripture reading for the day. We are currently in the Christmas season, so we are looking at passages that better help us understand the purpose for Christ’s coming into the world. Please be sure to subscribe to this page and follow along every day. Thanks for reading! Reading the Word Hebrews 8:3–6 (ESV) 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to … Continue reading Jesus Is Better

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Christmas Displays God’s Love

Tim Farley

Reading the Word John 3:16–19 (ESV) 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, … Continue reading Christmas Displays God’s Love

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The Life of Christ3 Comments

True Religion

Tim Farley

Reading the Word Matthew 24:1–2 (ESV) 1 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” Parallel Texts: Mark 13:1-2; Luke 21:5-6 Understanding and Applying the Word The temple in Jerusalem was the center of Judaism. It reminded the people of their special relationship with God, who had chosen them through Abraham and brought … Continue reading True Religion

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Don’t Be a Hypocrite

Tim Farley

  Understanding the Word Matthew 23:13–36 (ESV) 13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. 16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by … Continue reading Don’t Be a Hypocrite

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A Tree With No Fruit

Tim Farley

  Reading the Word Matthew 21:18–19 (ESV) 18 In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. Parallel Text: Mark 11:12-14 Understanding and Applying the Word Jesus was hungry and went to get fruit from a fig tree. Since the tree had leaves, there should have been fruit as the leaves would have come on … Continue reading A Tree With No Fruit

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A Matter of the Heart

Tim Farley

  Reading the Word Mark 7:1–23 (ESV) 1 Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, 4 and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper … Continue reading A Matter of the Heart

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Starving for Attention

Tim Farley

  Reading the Word Matthew 6:16–18 (ESV) 16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Understanding and Applying the Word Fasting is the putting aside of food so a person can spend more … Continue reading Starving for Attention

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Give to Him Glorious Praise

Tim Farley

Reading the Word Psalm 66:1–5 (ESV) 1 Shout for joy to God, all the earth; 2 sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! 3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. 4 All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.” Selah5 Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man. Understanding and Applying the Word Psalm 66 calls for all people to praise God for who … Continue reading Give to Him Glorious Praise

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The God of Harvest

Tim Farley

  Reading the Word Psalm 65:9–13 (ESV) 9 You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide their grain, for so you have prepared it. 10 You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth. 11 You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with abundance. 12 The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, 13 the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for … Continue reading The God of Harvest

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