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Daily Devotional
January 31, 2025
Genesis 32: Jacob prepares for a potentially hostile reunion with Esau by sending gifts ahead and splitting his camp for safety; he wrestles with a divine figure, earning the name Israel for prevailing in the struggle.
Mark 3: Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath, leading to Pharisaic plots against Him; He appoints the Twelve Apostles and teaches about the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit, emphasizing true familial bonds as those who do God's will.
Esther 8: Esther and Mordecai write an edict allowing Jews to defend themselves against impending attacks, reversing Haman's orders; the Jews rejoice and many locals declare themselves Jews out of fear and respect.
Romans 3: Paul argues that both Jews and Gentiles are guilty of sin under God’s law, but all can be justified by faith in Jesus Christ, establishing that righteousness comes not from the law but through faith for all who believe.
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Daily Devotional
January 30, 2025
Genesis 31: Jacob flees from Laban after God instructs him to return to his homeland; despite Laban's pursuit and confrontation, they establish a covenant at Galeed, marking a peaceful separation.
Mark 2: Jesus heals a paralytic to demonstrate His authority to forgive sins, calls Levi the tax collector, and teaches about the appropriate time for fasting, also asserting His lordship over the Sabbath.
Esther 7: Queen Esther reveals Haman's plot against her people at a banquet, leading to Haman's execution on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai, thereby saving the Jewish people from annihilation.
Romans 2: Paul discusses God's righteous judgment, emphasizing that both Jews and Gentiles are accountable to God's law, and true circumcision is a matter of the heart, not merely external compliance.
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Daily Devotional
January 29, 2025
Genesis 30: Rachel, unable to bear children, gives her maid Bilhah to Jacob to conceive sons, leading Leah to do the same with her maid Zilpah; Rachel eventually bears Joseph.
Mark 1: John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus, who then begins His ministry in Galilee, calling His first disciples and performing various miracles, including healing and exorcism.
Esther 6: King Ahasuerus, unable to sleep, learns of Mordecai's earlier loyalty and orders Haman to honor him publicly, ironically thwarting Haman's plan to have Mordecai executed.
Romans 1: Paul expresses his eagerness to visit Rome to strengthen the church, outlines the gospel's power for salvation to all who believe, and discusses the unrighteousness and idolatry prevalent among the Gentiles.
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In this episode of the Sermon Notes podcast, host Jay Strother sits down with Corey Howes, the pastor of Connection Hill Church in Thompson Station and a ministry resident at Brentwood Baptist Church. They explore impactful stories of answered prayers, share insights on leading a church in prayer, and discuss the enriching experience of Brentwood's residency program.
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Daily Devotional
January 28, 2025
Genesis 29: Jacob meets Rachel at a well and agrees to work seven years for her hand in marriage, only to be deceived by Laban who marries him to Leah first, requiring another seven years of work for Rachel.
Matthew 28: The angel announces Jesus' resurrection to the women at the tomb, instructing them to inform the disciples; Jesus commissions the disciples to make disciples of all nations, promising His perpetual presence.
Esther 5: Queen Esther, risking her life, approaches King Ahasuerus without being summoned, secures his favor, and invites him and Haman to a banquet where she plans to request their aid.
Acts 28: Paul, shipwrecked on Malta, is unharmed by a viper bite and heals many, including Publius's father; he eventually arrives in Rome, preaches the kingdom of God, and lives freely while under house arrest.
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Daily Devotional
January 27, 2025
Genesis 28: Jacob leaves for Paddan-aram on Isaac's advice to avoid marrying Canaanite women and at Bethel, he dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven, receiving God's promise of land and blessing.
Matthew 27: Jesus, handed over to Pilate, is rejected in favor of Barabbas and crucified.
Esther 4: Mordecai urges Esther to intervene for the Jews against Haman's decree; Esther, risking death, agrees to approach the king unsummoned to save her people.
Acts 27: Paul, en route to Rome for trial, sails into a storm, leading to a shipwreck from which all aboard safely reach shore.
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Daily Devotional
January 26, 2025
Genesis 27: Jacob, encouraged by Rebekah, deceives his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for Esau, leading to family conflict and Esau's vow of revenge, prompting Jacob to flee to Laban's house.
Matthew 26: Jesus faces betrayal from Judas, institutes the Lord's Supper, predicts Peter's denial, prays in Gethsemane, and is arrested, leading to His trial before the Sanhedrin where He affirms His identity, resulting in charges of blasphemy.
Esther 3: Haman, honored by King Ahasuerus, becomes enraged by Mordecai's refusal to bow and plots to annihilate all Jews in the kingdom, securing the king’s approval to enact a decree for their destruction.
Acts 26: Paul defends his faith before King Agrippa, recounting his persecution of Christians, his conversion, and his mission, asserting his teachings align with Jewish prophecy, but Agrippa remains unconvinced of the need for conversion.
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Daily Devotional
January 25, 2025
Genesis 26: Isaac, instructed by God not to go to Egypt, stays in Gerar where he deceives Abimelech about Rebekah being his sister; after conflict over wells, Isaac makes peace with Abimelech and reaffirms God’s promise of blessings.
Matthew 25: Jesus teaches about readiness and responsibility through parables of ten virgins and talents, emphasizing preparedness for His return and judgment based on acts of kindness, depicted in the parable of the sheep and goats.
Esther 2: After King Ahasuerus’s decree, Esther is chosen for her beauty to replace Vashti as queen, keeping her Jewish identity secret; Mordecai, her cousin, uncovers a plot to kill the king, highlighting Esther's rising influence.
Acts 25: Paul, facing accusations from Jewish leaders, appeals to Caesar for a fair trial, which Festus grants; King Agrippa arrives and expresses interest in hearing Paul, setting the stage for another defense of his actions and beliefs.
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Daily Devotional
January 24, 2025
Genesis 25: Abraham passes away after securing his legacy through his sons Isaac and Ishmael, while the narrative shifts to focus on Isaac's twin sons, Esau and Jacob.
Matthew 24: Jesus prophesies the destruction of the Temple, warns of false prophets and persecution, and describes the signs of His second coming, urging vigilance and faithfulness.
Esther 1: King Ahasuerus dismisses Queen Vashti for her defiance and plans to find a new queen.
Acts 24: Paul defends himself against accusations before Governor Felix, emphasizing his faith and conduct, but Felix keeps Paul in custody.
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Daily Devotional
January 23, 2025
Genesis 24: Abraham's servant finds Rebekah to be Isaac's wife through a divinely answered prayer at a well.
Matthew 23: Jesus condemns the hypocrisy and legalism of the Pharisees and scribes, warning them of divine judgment while expressing a deep lament for Jerusalem's resistance to God's messengers.
Nehemiah 13: Nehemiah enforces reforms to restore the integrity of worship and community life in Jerusalem, confronting issues like Sabbath breaking, intermarriage, and temple negligence.
Acts 23: Paul's declaration of his faith and hope in the resurrection causes a division among the Sanhedrin, leading to a plot against his life which is thwarted by his nephew.
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In this episode of Sermon Notes, Jay Strother, senior pastor at Brentwood Baptist Church, engages in a compelling conversation with Harry Brown, the president of New Generations Ministry. Together, they delve into the transformative power of prayer and its pivotal role in disciple-making movements worldwide.
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Daily Devotional
January 22, 2025
Genesis 23: Abraham buys the Cave of Machpelah from the Hethites to bury Sarah, establishing his family's burial place in Canaan.
Matthew 22: Jesus teaches through parables and confronts religious leaders about the essence of God's law, emphasizing love as the greatest commandment.
Nehemiah 12: The dedication of Jerusalem's walls features a large, celebratory procession, symbolizing the restoration of communal and religious life.
Acts 22: Paul shares his conversion story and divine mission to the Gentiles, invoking his Roman citizenship to avoid unjust punishment from a hostile crowd.
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