Category: Prophet-Priest-King-Savior

DAY 2: King Over Sin & Death

The story of the Bible reveals how God’s people in the Old Testament were enslaved in Egypt, led out of slavery by Moses, settled in what became known as the nation of Israel, were later overthrown by the Assyrian Empire, the Babylonian Empire, and later, the Roman Empire. While under Roman rule, the people of Israel were still expecting a king to rise up and free them. They were expecting a king to lead the people in such a way that there would be an uprising against the Roman Empire, and they would once again become their own nation. When Jesus arrived on the scene, He was not the king they expected Him to be. 

Jesus did not begin any kind of uprising. (In fact, there was a time when He loudly declared a Roman military commander had more faith than anybody else He had met!) Nor did He take any role within the political system. His fight was not against the Romans.

Instead, Jesus came to reveal that He was more powerful than any politician, military commander, or king. He came to show that He ruled over humankind’s greatest enemy – sin and death. 

READING & JOURNALING:

MATTHEW 8:5-13, 1 CORINTHIANS 15:54-58, ROMANS 6:9

Jesus said about the Roman Centurion, “I have not found anyone in Israel with such faith!” What do you think the people of Israel would’ve thought about Jesus’ statement?   

The idea of death is something that brings fear to many. How would your life be different if you didn’t fear death, but fully rested in the hope of eternal life with Jesus? 

 PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I confess that I don’t like to think about death. I like being in control of things, and the idea of death is something completely outside of my control. Today, I’m grateful for the reminder that You are ultimately in control, and because of that I have nothing to fear, even in death. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible in 260 Days (5 Days a week, 52 Weeks a year). It is a separate reading from the above devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.

Read: Judges 13 & 14

Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?

 

Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.

Next Message Series: Beginning January 5

DAY 1: The Role of a King

Living in a democracy, it’s difficult to think about what life may be like under the rule of a king. In the ancient world, it made complete sense for people to live under the rule of a king. The problem, however, is that every nation had their own style of government. While they each had a king, they all fulfilled this role in their own unique ways. 

For the people of Israel, God had given them some specific instructions for how a king ought to live and rule (Deuteronomy 17:14-20). God was most interested in a king not being rich, as well as reading and following God’s Word. The New Bible Dictionary notes, “The main responsibility of the king was the maintenance of righteousness…to preserve justice and proclaim [God’s Word].”

In other words, a prophet had the role of speaking on behalf of God, a priest had the role of being a mediator between people and God, and a king had the role of upholding the Word of God by righteous rule. Each role was unique. In the Old Testament, God created each of these roles to ensure He was understood, and to show that He could be trusted. And until Jesus, nobody was able to fulfill all three roles. 

READING & JOURNALING:

DEUTERONOMY 17:14-20

Why do you think God outlined the role of a king hundreds of years before the people of Israel asked for a king? 

In the Old Testament, the kings that most strayed from God were the ones who did not proclaim His Word. What are 2-3 barriers that get in the way of you proclaiming God’s Word to your family? Friends? Others? What steps can you take to overcome these barriers?

 PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, my desire is to follow You so closely that the idea of not proclaiming Your Word would be a completely foreign concept to me. Help me to know Your Word, live it, and proclaim it by my words and deeds. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible in 260 Days (5 Days a week, 52 Weeks a year). It is a separate reading from the above devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.

Read: Judges 6 & 7

Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?

 

Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.

Next Message Series: Beginning January 5

DAY 5: Review

What did the Scripture readings this week reveal to you about the nature and character of God? What have you learned about yourself throughout the week? 

 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible in 260 Days (5 Days a week, 52 Weeks a year). It is a separate reading from the above devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.

Read: Judges 4

Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?

 

Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.

Next Message Series: Beginning January 5

DAY 4: Jesus…A Priest Forever

If you were to do a Bible Study on Priests, you would likely learn that the first priest in the Old Testament was Moses’s brother Aaron. You would read all about the role of a Priest, which ones fulfilled their role well, which ones did not, and that some were [wrongly] focused on politics. 

But one of the most interesting priests in the Bible came hundreds of years before Moses was even born. In the book of Genesis, Abraham found himself in an unfortunate position of needing to rescue his nephew. After a significant battle, an unknown priest by the name of Melchizedek approached Abraham and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand (Genesis 14:19).”

This Priest, Melchizedek, is otherwise unknown. The author of Hebrews writes He was, “Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, He remains a priest forever (Hebrews 7:3).” 

Jesus  is similar to this priest. He has no beginning of days. He has not end of life. Jesus is eternal. A priest forever. 

READING & JOURNALING:

HEBREWS 7

The Scriptures teach that our bodies are a temple of God. This means He doesn’t just live and exist around us, but within us. What are some ways you pause to consider that God is always within you? 

 PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I confess that many times it’s easy for me to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, and as a result I neglect to consider the implications of what it means that You are living within me. Today, I commit to being spiritually alert so that I may acknowledge Your presence, and walk in step with the Holy Spirit. Wherever You may lead me, Lord, I will follow. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible in 260 Days (5 Days a week, 52 Weeks a year). It is a separate reading from the above devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.

Read: Judges 2 & 3

Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?

 

Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.

Next Message Series: Beginning January 5

DAY 3: Approach God in Boldness – Part II

We can only imagine how great and powerful God must be for Him to create and hold together everything in the universe. With so much majesty, how do we even approach such a God? It seems almost inconceivable that anybody would want to be in His presence, let alone come to Him in prayer and make requests. But as we saw yesterday, we can not only be in His presence, we can enter into His presence in boldness – all because of Jesus. 

There’s still one lingering question: How should we pray? 

This question has been asked by countless people for hundreds of years. Jesus taught His disciples how to pray (Matthew 5:5-15), and also demonstrated more elaborate prayers (John 17). An examination of these, as well as other prayers through the Bible, shows that any prayer in which a person approaches God with a desire to know Him, know and see themselves in the same way He does, and know and see others in the same way He sees them, is a prayer worth offering. Today, take the opportunity to pray in such a way. Approach God in boldness. Pray to sincerely know Him, to see yourself as He does, and to see others as He sees them. 

READING & JOURNALING:

JOHN 17, EPHESIANS 1:18, ROMANS 12:12, EXODUS 14:14

What are your prayers usually like? (For example, do you generally pray to know and understand God,? Do you pray for His will to be done, or do you usually pray for God to help your own will be done?)

Do you think your prayers would be any different if you took the opportunity to write them down? 

 PRAYER:

Today, take the opportunity to write out your own prayer to God. 

 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible in 260 Days (5 Days a week, 52 Weeks a year). It is a separate reading from the above devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.

Read: Joshua 23 & 24

Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?

 

Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.

Next Message Series: Beginning January 5

DAY 2: Approach God in Boldness – Part I

If you were currently standing on the equator, you would be experiencing the Earth spinning on its axis at 1,037mph. That’s pretty fast. But think about this: the Earth is currently traveling around the Sun at approximately 66,000mph. Even more quickly than that, the light from our Sun is traveling 93,000,000 miles in about 8 minutes to get here. Despite these insane speeds, Earth is absolutely perfect for harboring life. 

But our planet is only one of billions within the Milky Way Galaxy. There are billions of Galaxies throughout the known universe, and billions and billions of solar systems, and billions and billions and billions of planets. And somehow, it’s all working in perfect order.

While we may not understand every aspect of creation, it’s clear that God must be extremely powerful to create such a vast universe. How do we even approach such a God? 

The author of Hebrews tells us that because of Jesus, we can not only approach God, but we can do so in boldness and in confidence. We don’t need to be afraid, but can be near our all-powerful God all because of Jesus. 

READING & JOURNALING:

HEBREWS 4:14-16, HEBREWS 10:19-23

The Greek word translated boldness or confidence in Hebrews 4:16 literally means, “Freedom in speaking all that one thinks or pleases.” How regularly do you have thoughts or feelings you would be uncomfortable sharing with God in prayer? Why do you think that is? 

How would your prayer life be different if you really felt free to speak with God about anything and everything? 

 PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, my hope today is to enter into your presence and be completely free. May I be free from trying to please You, and instead be enlightened and enlivened by just being with You. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible in 260 Days (5 Days a week, 52 Weeks a year). It is a separate reading from the above devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.

Read: Joshua 7 & 8

Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?

 

Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.

Next Message Series: Beginning January 5

DAY 1: The Role of a Priest

Throughout the Scriptures, the role of a Priest was to be a mediator between people and God (1 Timothy 2:5).

The Life Application Study Bible notes, “Though some people think there are many ways to God, in practice, each person must choose a single way. We can stand on one side of a gorge and discuss the possibility of many bridges across the abyss, but if we are determined to cross, we will have to realize that only one bridge is connected to the other side. Those who insist that there are many bridges to God usually fit in one of the following categories:

(1) They have not personally committed to any “bridge.” They are surprised that their belief in multiple ways does not exempt them from having to choose one.

(2) Their belief in “many ways to God” hides their true belief that finding God doesn’t really matter at all.

(3) They are convinced that arguing for “many ways to God” will insure that they won’t be wrong. If there is only one way, their generalized belief will presumably have included it.

(4) They have decided that believing in “many ways to God” requires less work than going to the trouble of actually considering the claims of various religious systems.

READING & JOURNALING:

1 Timothy 2:5

Which of the four categories in today’s devotional reading do you think most people fall into? 

Be honest: Do you find yourself in any of these categories yourself? 

How significant is it that Jesus Himself claims that He is the only bridge (see John 14:6)?

 PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I confess that there are times when I have doubts and question whether there is only one “bridge” to You, but the life of Jesus reveals that He and He alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Today, I humbly thank You for offering Jesus as a bridge. May my life continue to reflect the thankfulness I have. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible in 260 Days (5 Days a week, 52 Weeks a year). It is a separate reading from the above devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.

Read: Joshua 5:10-15 & 6

Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?

 

Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.

Next Message Series: Beginning January 5

DAY 5: Review

What did the Scripture readings this week reveal to you about the nature and character of God? What have you learned about yourself throughout the week? 

 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible in 260 Days (5 Days a week, 52 Weeks a year). It is a separate reading from the above devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.

Read: Joshua 3 & 4

Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?

 

Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.

Next Message Series: Beginning January 5

DAY 4: Jesus was a Prophet to the People

Throughout the week we’ve seen that a prophet spoke on behalf of God, how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, and the truth that Jesus Himself was and is God in the flesh. One additional interesting aspect of Jesus’ life and ministry is that others referred to Him as a prophet. 

Here are a few examples:

• When Jesus entered into the city of Jerusalem, many asked who HE was and the crowd responded, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth (Matthew 21:11).” 
• After bringing back to life a man who was dead, the crowd responded, “A great prophet has appeared among us! (Luke 7:16).” 
• When meeting a Samaritan woman, she responds to Him to say, “Sir, I can see that you are a prophet (John 4:19).” 

In short, the people Jesus Himself interacted with recognized Him not only as a great teacher, but as somebody who spoke directly on behalf of God.

READING & JOURNALING:

Matthew 5:1-7:29

Today’s reading is commonly referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. Which three of these verses or teachings stick out to you most? 

What do these passages teach you about God?

What steps can you put into place today (this week, month, or year) to live out these passages? 

 PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, sometimes I find it hard to read my Bible, and today I’m struck by an even greater challenge — living out my faith well! As such, today I simply hold onto You. I trust that You will never leave me nor forsake me, no matter how difficult the circumstances I face. Thank You for that! I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible in 260 Days (5 Days a week, 52 Weeks a year). It is a separate reading from the above devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.

Read: Joshua 1 & 2

Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?

 

Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.

DAY 3: Jesus Fulfills Old Testament Prophecies

On Day 1, we read that the primary role of a prophet was to speak on behalf of God. Sometimes this meant that a prophet would talk about the future. This isn’t to be confused with a modern-day fortune teller. Instead, it was a message about real events which – according to God – would take place. 

The Old Testament mentions dozens of these prophets who spoke on behalf of God to His people. And many of these prophets spoke a message from God about a Savior, or a Messiah, who would come to save His people. 

One statistician has noted that the odds of having one person fulfill just 8 of the 300 prophecies in the Old Testament would be 1 in 10¹⁷. That’s 1 in 100, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000. To put this in perspective, it would be enough to cover the state of Texas two feet deep in silver dollars. The odds of walking through this mess of coins and picking up the one that was marked differently than all others, would be inconceivable. Yet Jesus fulfilled not just 8 of these Old Testament Prophecies. He fulfilled them all. 

READING & JOURNALING:

Isaiah 53, Luke 23:44-56

How regularly do you pause to consider how remarkable it is that Jesus fulfilled so many Old Testament prophecies? 

Which verse or verses in Isaiah 53 stands out to you most? 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, it’s not often that I truly reflect on Old Testament prophecies and consider that Jesus fulfilled them all. Today, it’s simply my desire to reflect on the awe of wonder of Jesus. May I continue to know Him more and more each and every day. I pray in His holy name. Amen. 

 

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible in 260 Days (5 Days a week, 52 Weeks a year). It is a separate reading from the above devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.

Read: Deuteronomy 32:48-52 & 34

Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?

 

Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.