The Gramazin Blog
One article every day from Charles Wagner's two commentaries on the New Testament.
Page 12 of 22
07
Jul
Jesus Accused of Working for Beelzebul
Take Every Passage to Prayer - Volume 2, The Gospels
Sunday July 07, 2024
Matthew 12:22-45, Luke 11:14-54, Mark 3:22-30
Father, Proverbs 29:25 states that “fear of man is a snare but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe (NIV).” Jesus was fearless in this encounter with the Pharisees. He didn’t fear the consequences of His words. Father, remove from me any fear of man. I too want to be fearless in presenting Your truth to whomever You lead me to speak to. Father, I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer. I may not be able to think “on my feet” as quickly as others. However, I ask that You give me the ability to use reason and logic to lead those to Christ who only listen to reason and logic. Father, please bring into my path those who are truly searching for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Use me to plant the seeds of salvation or reap the harvest of the seeds of salvation that other believers have planted. Please give me the discernment to know when I have encountered those who have blasphemed the Holy......READ MORE.
06
Jul
Jesus’ Support Team Identified
Take Every Passage to Prayer - Volume 2, The Gospels
Saturday July 06, 2024
Luke 8:1-3
Father, thank You for these women who helped support Jesus’ ministry. Thank You for all the women throughout the last 2,000 years who have humbly served You without fame or recognition. Thank You for all the nameless women who have been the backbone of the ministries of more well-known preachers and teachers. Father, thank You for a special lady whose service to You, expressed by her loving support for me, gives me the freedom to minister to others in Your name. Amen.
Father, the text informs us that Jesus departed from Simon’s home and traveled around the region of Galilee, from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of salvation.
Luke chose this moment to describe in a little more detail the entourage that is traveling around with Jesus. He describes two groups:
- The twelve disciples.
- Women who were supporting the work of J......READ MORE.
05
Jul
The Woman in Nain Washes Jesus’ Feet
Take Every Passage to Prayer - Volume 2, The Gospels
Friday July 05, 2024
Luke 7:36-50
Father, even as I write this, I still favor the likes of characters like “Josey Wales” in the 1976 Clint Eastwood movie. Josey has no emotion, he needs no one, and he is self-reliant to the core. It is what a “man should be like” according to the characterization of John Wayne. However, there is something appealing about this woman kissing Jesus’ feet and washing them with her hair. I can feel her deep love for Jesus grabbing me through the pages of Your Word. Yes, I’d rather be like this woman than like Josey Wales. I want to have so much love for Jesus, so much appreciation for what He has done for me, that I too would kiss His feet while I shed tears of joy for what He has done for me. Father, help me to love Jesus like this woman does and not attempt to live the maverick life of a loner who foolishly believes he doesn’t need You. Amen.
Father, a man named Simon, one of the Pharisees, ......READ MORE.
04
Jul
John the Baptist is Having Doubts
Take Every Passage to Prayer - Volume 2, The Gospels
Thursday July 04, 2024
Matthew 11:2-19, Luke 7:18-35
Father, it is with sorrow that I must confess that I am going to have moments of doubt, just like John the Baptist did. I am human. I am not completely sanctified. My sinful nature will remain, though hopefully less and less influential, until my last breath. Father, please help me to avoid these times of doubt but when I have them, please gently restore and renew my faith. May my moment of doubt become a testimony of Your grace. Father, at the center of all ministries is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Help me not to feed the poor or to visit the sick and elderly without sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Father, open my eyes that I might see the truth of Your Word. Open my ears that I might hear the truth of Your Word. Amen.
Father, it sounds like John the Baptist was experiencing duress in prison. Perhaps he was deprived of the basic necessities of life by a still angry Herod Antipas and his wife Herodias. Perhaps ......READ MORE.
03
Jul
Jesus Raises a Deceased Boy to Life
Take Every Passage to Prayer - Volume 2, The Gospels
Wednesday July 03, 2024
Luke 7:11-17
Father, may it not be said of me that I lack compassion for people suffering grief. I want to do more than simply express my condolences. I want to be alongside the grieving person for as long as it takes until they are back on their feet again. Father, sharing the gospel in 21st century America is like fanning out from the scene of the resurrection of the young man from the dead and telling everyone what happened. What is the gospel in its simplest description? Jesus died for our sins, rose again from the dead, and offers resurrection to all who believe that these things are true. Father, give me feet and a mouth eager to share the story of the miraculous resurrection of both the physically and spiritually dead. Amen.
Father, Jesus, and a now large crowd of His followers, walked southwest from Capernaum to a town called Nain. The text does not share with us why Jesus traveled to this......READ MORE.
