David LaFrance

One Greater Than

The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.

I love reading the daily verses and learning more about God’s living words. They are truly a lamp for my feet, and a light on my path. (Psalm 119:105) Today’s verses look at Jesus talking to the Pharisees and religious leaders who are still wanting to see a sign. The Pharisees and religious leaders said they wouldn’t believe until they saw a sign. (Really, Jesus had performed many signs throughout His time already)-you have to have eyes to see, and ears to hear. (Look at Jeremiah 5:21, Matthew 13:15, Ezekiel 12:2, Isaiah 6:10, Acts 28:27).

Jesus explains in His storybook parable fashion to the leaders that someone greater than Jonah and someone greater than Solomon is here. It’s Him! Still, just hearing it wasn’t enough. Think back to the words spoken by someone who led you too knowing Jesus. Are we ever still asking for a sign? The New Life Version of Hebrews 11:1 says Now faith is being sure we will get what we hope for. It is being sure of what we cannot see. Jesus gives us signs all the time. We just need to believe. The journey we are on with Jesus are packed full of glorious days. Most days I can miss these moments because my prideful self can get in the way. Yes, there will be trials and temptations that will happen along the way, but we have our Lord on our side. Our journey needs to be lived with eyes open and ears ready to hear without always needing a sign. Our days are engineered by a perfect God that has His next perfect plan ready for you today when you let go of our grip on life and trust in Him. It’s scary at times, hard to comprehend, and goes against many worldly ways that we are surrounded by daily. There are no other things Greater than Jesus!

Is anything holding you back today from sharing the greatest part of your life? Your testimony is living proof of Jesus. He is our constant companion and He has already done enough by dying on the cross for your sins and mine. We have all fallen short but Jesus was willing to sacrifice himself to pay for all our sins. The more we meditate on His words we see all the promises Jesus kept and has in store for us when we believe.

He is Greater than the pain you are going through today. He is Greater than any virus. Nothing compares to the One who is Greater than it all. Jesus!

Dear Heavenly Father,

God, there is nothing in this life greater than you. Help me never forget this. You hold this world and everything in it in your hands. You hold our lives. Let us not take your loving greatness for granted. Help us to always have open ears and eyes and present to us today an opportunity to tell of your greatness. Amen

Romans 8:28-29 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Merciful

What does mercy look like to you? For each of us, this will look a little different, yet still, have the same result. (Amen!) As believers, we’ve heard the words mercy and grace many times. We have been the recipient of this mercy more times than we ever deserve. I’m so grateful for every mercy that has been given and is to come. There are over 50 plus verses that talk about merciful or mercy. These were wonderful reminders about His love for us. Our merciful verse for today is:

Hebrews 2:17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

When you break down this verse you get an opportunity to read, reflect, and see God’s merciful self. God decided to send His son, Jesus, to be our example of merciful to anyone He met. Read about the mercies Jesus showed to everyone in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Amazing! This same mercy He showed then is given to us now. He paid the ultimate price, for our sins. He showed us why He is called Merciful.

God’s mercy is abundant. There is enough for you, me, and everyone.

1 Peter 1:3 says Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Our Merciful Father gives you hope today. No matter where you are at, what you are going through, or how bad you have messed up. Our Lord’s mercy will cover you.

How has the Lord been merciful to you? Give Him thanks, praise Him, let others know about His loving mercy that is available to them. This mercy will provide you and them with the hope we all need right now.

keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. Jude 1:21

Lover

What was the first bible verse you memorized? For me, it wasn’t the shortest verse Jesus wept. (John 11:35) This verse was later in life. I remember Sunday school where I was so proud to learn my first verse. It was our verse today we will use to focus on the attribute of God as a lover.

For God so loved the world that He gave his only son, that whosoever believe in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

God is love. He created us; He gives us everything, Our Lord has a place already waiting for us on a day and time He already knows. God was a lover of us when deciding to create us in His image. He is a lover of us, even in our sinful state. So much love that He sent His own Son to come to Earth to live His perfect life, then for the sins of the world He was sacrificed for us. Only someone who loves us.

Look back at the ways Lynden talked about the Love that drives out fear. There is much anxiety around the many events that are going on around the world. Love can drive out that fear. Life is not easy right now, and the enemy whispers lies that can easily distract us from the truth. Hold fast! We have a God who loves us. In times like this, we need to fix our eyes on the cross. Jesus gave his life so we can live eternally with Him. Jesus is a lover of all human races, and his love for us all is evident on the cross. This love is indescribable, unshakable, immeasurable, and available to us all.

I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Dear God,

You provide everything we need. We need your help. You know our pain, you know the fears, and you hold them in your hand. Lord, you provide the help we need and you cancel all fears when we put our trust in You. We love you and desire to know you more. We believe that you are love! Amen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLwCQnXRXrA

Leader

The central question is, “Are the leaders of the future truly men and women of God, people with an ardent desire to dwell in God’s presence, to listen to God’s voice, to listen to God’s beauty, to touch God’s incarnate Word, and to taste fully God’s infinite goodness” (Nouwen, H. 2001)

What kind of leader are you? Has your leadership style changed during our pandemic? Where are the areas you are leading right now? I believe we all lead to some capacity and have a direct impact on others. We lead in things we say and do while also in times when we don’t say something or do nothing. Who are some of the leaders you are looking up to now? I ask all these questions to get your brain thinking about leadership and how Jesus is leading you today?

Isaiah 55:4 says “Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader, and commander to the peoples.”

I’ve been grateful to attend many leadership conferences and have many opportunities to lead in my professional career. In my home with family, friends, and in my neighborhood with friends and neighbors we equally have unlimited leadership opportunities. I must say there are many times where I realize how I could have been a better leader. Then I try to sit back and literally try to think, Do I/we model our leadership after the Lord? Jesus was loving, all the time. Not too surface-level, straight to the heart. If I were to just look at this leadership attribute I can reflect on days past and ask how can I lead more like Him?

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.—Psalm 32:8

How are you doing? We all lead. Take time today to think of how Jesus led. Where was His heart? What were His actions? None of us will do it perfectly as He did. Still, we have hope, we have the example provided through His living word. Each week our family has seen Galatians 5:22-23 come up as a memory verse on “Kids church”. Jennifer and the kids will bust out in the Fruits of the Spirit song. What if we as leaders no matter who we lead modeled these attributes. Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Leaders have an impact, they influence others in what they say, things they do, and how you treat them. As leaders, we influence our homes, workplace, and neighborhoods. Today, you will lead others. Today you will have the opportunity to lead as Jesus did. I pray for your leadership. Is it a family member that is struggling? Are some medical results not so favorable? Is someone struggling financially? Does someone not know about our Eternal Father. The One who has taken away all our sins and offers us all the free gift of Eternal Life.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.—Isaiah 41:10

Dear Father,

Leading is not easy left to ourselves. Help us to have the trust and faith to point everything back to you and your divine plans. When we are seeking answers, let us rest in Your peace that you have a perfect plan. Help us not to lean on our own understanding but humble ourselves and listen for you. We love you, Lord, you have given us a mission field to lead. We pray for wisdom and continued guidance and growth to draw closer to you Lord as men and women of our Heavenly Father. We love you. Amen

Just

He is the Rock his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Deuteronomy 32:4

Today’s word we are going to focus on for God is just. Just can be defined as perfectly righteous in His treatment of all His creations. This verse provides me with some much-needed peace and comfort after just having a small group discussion with some brothers in Christ where I shared my selfishness and insecurities I prayerfully battle at times. In addition, leading us to another verse about dying to ourselves but we will save that for another time. ( Luke 9:23 )

Only by God’s just grace does He say to everyone, come take my hand, this world is not meant for you to live alone. Let me bring you home to My Kingdom. God sees us all in our current state. No matter our past or current circumstances, God loves us. He sees our shortcomings during this pandemic and provides comfort in the midst of uncertainty.

But what about the selfishness, the insecurity, the sins? What about those who have sinned against us? Even them? Yes! Romans 3:10 says, “There is no one righteous, not even one;” Even as sinners, God decided to send His son who was righteous, just, without sin to be an example of how we should live. He sent His son to die in our place. That in our unjust lives we can admit that we need Him, repent of our sins, turn from sin, and believe in Him, and trust in the promise of an eternity with our Lord.

God doesn’t play favorites, there’s nothing you and I can do or have done to earn our way to Heaven. It’s a free gift He justly gave to us all. Peter says, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism. Acts 10:34

Our just God sees us, loves us. Even in our broken state, Paul tells us that He has canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:14. For you and me, selfishness, insecurity, pridefulness. Nailed to the cross.

Our just God feels the hurt, sees the storms, and still has immeasurable love that will never change.

The love of Christ compels us because we judge thus; that if One died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again… if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:14

The world will offer many distractions. Our just God turns our eyes and hearts back towards Him, Have a blessed week Bible journal family. Our just Father sees us right we are at today. How has God been just to you? Write your various ways.

Home

Today’s Verses:

Psalm 84:3-4 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King, and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.

Psalm 90:1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.

Home

What do you think of when you think of home? Is it the current house you have been in now for our “stay at home” order? Do you think back to your hometown? What does home look like when you think of Jesus? Do you consider the visible church a home? What about your heart?

For me, I have thought of all these places in the last week. Growing up, we attended church on occasion. (North Darien Bible Church – very old photo)It was a safe place to be, and it allowed me to interact with others. Be around people that weren’t fighting. We never went as a whole family though. I went to my first Christian camp! (Circle C Ranch) Still, what was going on at home and what I heard at church were two different things. (thank you for my memory lane moment) Do you remember the church you grew up in? Is it the same one you still attend?

Thirty-plus years later and in our house now, we have been together daily without the distractions of the worldly race for over a month. When asked how we are doing, I will say that “I’m trusting in God and His purpose for this time”. Honestly, 90% of the time has been great to be together so much. The other 10% I’m still dealing with my selfishness and parenting skills. Most of the time has been a blessing. Devotionals, meals, prayers, life lessons and skills are being discussed and shared. With the fair share of prayers for grace in our parenting.

Together as we grow closer to God through this pandemic I pray we remember the plans Jesus has through this time.

Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Proverbs 16:9
⁹We plan the way we want to live, but only GOD makes us able to live it.

Just this last week at our small group, we discussed devotionals being implemented and shared, family members listening to multiple services in a day, children talking with their parents about getting baptized. Impressive work that God had already planned.

This time has allowed me to notice how much I miss the face-to-face fellowship and praise. For some reason, my singing doesn’t sound the same? God is giving us this time home to truly make our houses the church for ourselves and family. In the Bible, the church is always a reference to people, not a place. The church is a body of believers that live out the Gospel in their words and actions. Are we doing that? The church is at its best when people inside the building take Jesus’ message outside the building and serve those they meet. It’s incredible to see how God provides a platform that allowed over 25K watch Easter service. Amen!

Lastly, think of home and its connection to our Lord, its not a town, house, or building we attend. The home I pray for is in our hearts.

Has the Lord found a home in your heart? Jesus left his home in Heaven to make a home in our hearts. This was Paul’s prayer for the church in Ephesians 3, will it be yours today.

Dear Heavenly Father,

¹For this reason, I bow my knees and pray to You. ¹⁵It is from You that every family in heaven and on earth has its name. ¹⁶I pray that because of the riches of His shining-greatness, He will make you strong with power in your hearts through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁷I pray that Christ may live in your hearts by faith. I pray that you will be filled with love. ¹⁸I pray that you will be able to understand how wide and how long and how high and how deep His love is. ¹⁹I pray that you will know the love of Christ. His love goes beyond anything we can understand. I pray that you will be filled with God Himself. Amen

See you at home.

Heart Searcher

” I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” Jeremiah 17:10

Good Morning Bible Journal family, Happy Easter Week!

The other night I found myself up for multiple hours praying and reflecting on this verse. You see, my daily prayer involves the Lord searching my heart and continuing to do His transformational work. (My selfish desires always get in the way.) There are really only you and God that knows all depths of your heart.

I continue to pray for some Heavenly heart surgery and have felt more grateful for this time we have with His word and to ourselves to examine our hearts to see what God sees. There are many negative impacts our current pandemic has shown us, but I can also say there have been many praises in our household as well. Before being forced to stay at home, our family often ran the worldly race between job, children, selfish desires, and other mental and physical to do’s lists. Many times this left only my scheduled parts of the day to God before I got too busy with worldly agendas. I would be running a race so fast I was missing opportunities with my beautiful bride and children and mainly with God. For many of us as we run this race we are able to put on an outside image that mirrors the Goldilock’s “just right” appearance that things are “ok” but inside still have some battles going on. Thankfully, we have a savior who sees our hearts and says, “I love you, follow me.” Thank you, God, for seeing my sinful heart and helping us to see how we need you. Lord, help us to produce fruit.

And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:27

God will send His Spirit to intercede for us. The more our heart is open and talking with Him, we will start to abide by His will and not our own earthly desires. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in your heart today. To intercede for our desires.

“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 1 Chronicles 28:9

Remember in this time and when things return to “Normal” to seek Him. I know many people have questioned why we have so many things going on in our world today? Where have our priorities been compared to where they may be today? When we truly seek Him, he finds us and will change your eternal life.

I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. Revelation 2:23

I know what a very strong verse for early in the morning. Strike dead. Truth is we are all going to die one day. I pray that as God searches our hearts He finds the transformation that highlights deeds performed only to glorify His kingdom.

It’s not to late, there is nothing that you have done in your past that can’t keep you away from a relationship with God. Yes, we all have sinful hearts, God won’t be shocked by what He sees. His desire is for us to turn to Him, repent, and seek Him with our hearts.

Here’s my heart Lord, speak what is true!

I can’t think of a better song. This last Saturday I was going to take our son to his first concert, Casting Crowns. I look forward to making it soon.

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. Psalm 139:1

Happy Easter Bible Journal readers, praying for you and your families. Produce great fruit this week.

God over all kingdoms

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 19:15

And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord. Lord, the God of Isreal, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.

Today, I find comfort in this verse. There can be our natural human lean towards fear and anxiety about future health for ourselves, family, and friends. It’s reassuring I can find peace in our God in His Kingdom at this time. On this side of the earth and in eternal Heaven, God alone will rule. In the last five weeks, we have talked about our Lord the King of Kings at church. Pastor Mike has provided wisdom to the Living truth that it all points back to One King and One Kingdom. (If you have time I would go back and watch or listen – King of Kings )

For me, it has lately been really easy to live my life according to the calendar of daily events that either involve myself, wife, or children. Before just over a week ago I was still just doing what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it. In reflection, it was like my own day to day kingdom that of course, I felt I had control of. How selfish of me. The truth is God has reigned over all kingdoms, He has always been able to show this kingdom is His. The kingdom of Earth and Heaven. As I stated in the beginning, I found comfort in this verse because it helped me to remember who’s Kingdom this all is, and the eternal Kingdom to come. I can’t let my schedules run me around, I need to submit to His will daily.

David said in 1 Chronicles 29:11 says

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom.

Dear God,

I love you and thank you for all your ways. I humbly repent of my earthly desires to always want to do what I want to do and not submit to Your will. Help me to listen, help me to lean into your Living Word and remember who’s God over this earthly Kingdom and the one to come. Lord, we pray for wisdom and comfort during this time using all our moments to point back to you. Help us to grow more Christ-like and deepen our trust in Your plan.

Foundation

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, with Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11

Jesus as our foundation. This is one of my favorite analogies of who Christ is. Paul goes from planting and being God’s field to the foundation of God’s building(v.9).

I’ve never been a mason. One summer I in my late teens I helped a family friend put up a new chimney. (I was mainly the person who would carry the bricks and mortar up and down the ladder) When the opportunity arose for me to help with the bricks I often went too fast wanting to get done quicker and thinking about the way I was going to be using the money. The gentleman I worked with quickly put me in my place about taking my time and the importance of lining up of the bricks. The importance of the cornerstone.

This brings me to today, our verse about Jesus being our foundation. In order to capture more wisdom of this verse, I listened to the sermon called The Judgement of the Believers Work by John MacArthur which helped me to connect all the parts of this section that includes verses 1 Corinthians 3:10-17.

I’ve challenged myself this last week with the question if Jesus is my cornerstone, how am I building the rest of my building?

Back in 2017, BJ wrote specifically about Jesus being our Cornerstone.

Our life should be built only on Him. As the builder who gets to lay bricks every day I have to remember that one day I will be face to face with Jesus and he will look at my building and have a final judgment. Just looking one verse ahead tells me,

“According to the grace of God which is given unto me as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth on it. But let every man take heed how he buildeth upon it.”

Do I just rush into the day without being in His Word? Do I find weak substitutes in my own desires? What are my motives behind my daily actions and words? We all believe that Jesus is our foundation. His Living Word, the Bible, provides us deep footings to align our life. What kind of building are you building today?

MacArthur said, ” Some people are trying to build their lives on morality, and ethics, and good deeds, and all of these things. But the only foundation for a life and the only foundation for corporate life, which is the church, is Jesus Christ. If that foundation goes, everything falls. ”

For many years of my life, I didn’t even know my foundation. Through other believers, friends, family, bible journal writers, and the people of the Church, you helped point me back to our foundation, Jesus. He is our foundation, the cornerstone of what each day of our life should be lived on. I have misplaced some bricks, I’ve placed bricks too fast, I replaced bricks with idols, I laid bricks just to try to impress others. Every brick I lay should be for Jesus. He is our foundation. When that final judgment comes God is going to judge our motives, conduct, and service. Did I use the gifts He provided me to build upon His foundation His glory or for my own?

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Dear Jesus,

You are our foundation. You have given us your Living Word and it all points to you. Father, help me to build my life around your foundation and while laying every brick I point it all back to you. Jesus please help guide and direct us to use the gifts you have provided to us in order to be the hands of feet of You. We love you! Thank you for being our foundation. Amen

Everlasting Father

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

This verse has made me reflect a lot this last week. It’s an amazing verse that can provide so much comfort wherever you may be at today. Out of the many names of Jesus we have studied and lifted up we come across, Everlasting Father.

Initially, my thoughts brought me back to my own earthly father, the late Ronald LaFrance. I never really got a chance to know him before he passed away. My parents got divorced when I was in 5th grade and as a family, we had many dysfunctional situations that occurred before this time. My father passed away just over 17 years ago. Sadly, I couldn’t tell you if he was a believer. I pray he was. For many years growing up I was searching for a father. For many years after he died I was still searching for one. It wasn’t until 8 years after my earthly father’s death I truly met and started focusing on a true relationship with my Everlasting Father. I had an earthly father but he is gone.

Fast-forward 17 years to today. I’m a husband to Jennifer and father to Jackson (9), Marshall (5), and Gianna (18 months). I try to model to the best of my earthly abilities how to be our Heavenly Father for my family. I fall short daily in many ways. My daily prayer is to close the gap between what we read or hear in His Living Word and how I personally act and say. What’s in my heart and who am I living for? The difficult part to imagine at times is just like my earthly father who passed away, so will I.

The greatest part of this reflection of being a son who spent many years searching for a father, and now spending years trying to be the best earthly father is that we have an Everlasting Father who is there always. An Everlasting Father that whether you grew up with your dad or not or if you are knocking it out of the park as a parent or have messed it up, you have an Everlasting Father that will provide everything you need and everything your children will need.

You have a Father forever. Someone who has known you even before you were born and will be there even when our midst of time on this earth passes, waiting to tell you, “well done“.

This week like only God can do I sat in church thinking about our everlasting Father. What were some of the scriptures shared? Verses about our Everlasting Father, verses about prayer. Thank you, God, for your perfect timing always.

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:36

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1

Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:6

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:15-16

Isaiah announces the birth of our coming Father. As an Everlasting Father, he will show unconditional love, concern, and care for us. This will never stop.

Dear Dad,

You are the Father of Eternity. You care for us, love us, and will be present for us forever. I had a father but now he is gone, I am a father, but I will be gone too one day. Please help me to tell and show others that we have an Everlasting Father just waiting to provide us with eternal life. We just need to call on you, turn away from our sins, and love you.