Christopher L. Baker Sr. II

07/29/2025

07/29/2025

Luke 12:56-59:

Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? [57] Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? [58] When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. [59] I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.

[ Notes for Luke 12:53 ]

[12:51-53] In these strange and unsettling words, Jesus revealed that his coming often results in conflict. Because he demands a response, families may be split apart when some choose to follow him and others refuse to do so. Jesus allows no middle ground. He demands loyalty and commitment, sometimes to the point of severing other relationships. Are you willing to risk your family’s disapproval in order to follow the Lord?

07/24/2025

Micah 7:18-20:

Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. [19] He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. [20] Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.

[ Notes for Micah 7:6 ]

[7:5-6] Sin had affected the government leaders and society in general. Deceit and dishonesty had even ruined families, the core of society. As a result, the only way left to purify the people was God’s judgment. This would draw the nation back to God and restore them from the inside out.

07/23/2025

John 15:15-21:

Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. [16] Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. [17] These things I command you, that ye love one another. [18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. [19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. [20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. [21] But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

[ Notes for John 15:3 ]

[15:2-3] Jesus makes a distinction between two kinds of pruning: (1) cutting off branches and (2) cutting back branches. Fruitful branches are cut back to promote growth. In other words, God must sometimes discipline his people to strengthen our character and faith. But branches that don’t bear fruit are cut off at the trunk not only because they are worthless but also because they can infect the rest of the plant. People who don’t bear fruit for God or who try to block the efforts of God’s followers will be cut off from his life-giving power.

07/21/2025

1 Peter 4:14-19:

If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. [15] But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. [16] Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. [17] For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? [18] And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? [19] Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

[ Notes for 1 Peter 4:2 ]

[4:1-2] Suffering helps us be like Christ, yet people will do anything to avoid pain. Followers of Christ, however, should be willing and prepared to do God’s will, even when it requires suffering. We can overcome sin and suffering when we focus on Christ and what he wants us to do. Pain and danger reveal our true values. People who suffer for doing good and still faithfully obey in spite of suffering have won a great battle against their sinful nature, which fights to enslave them.

07/19/2025

Isaiah 43:18-21:

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. [19] Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. [20] The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen. [21] This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.

[ Notes for Isaiah 43:3 ]

[43:3] God gave other nations to Persia as a prize in exchange for returning the Jews to their homeland. Egypt, Ethiopia, and parts of Arabia (Seba) had attacked Persia, and the Persians defeated them.

[43:5-6] Isaiah was speaking primarily of Israel’s return from Babylon. But there is a broader meaning: All of God’s people will be regathered when Christ comes to rule in peace over the earth.

[43:10-11] Israel’s task was to be a witness (44:8), telling the world who God is and what he has done. All believers today have the assignment to be God’s witnesses. Do people experience God’s love through your words and example? Although they may not see God directly, they can see him reflected in you.

07/17/2025

Psalm 112:5-10:

A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. [6] Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. [7] He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. [8] His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. [9] He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. [10] The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

[ Notes for Psalm 112:8 ]

[112:7-8] We all want to live without fear; our heroes are fearless people who take on all dangers and overcome them. The psalm writer teaches us that fear of God can lead to a fearless life. To fear God means to respect and revere him as the almighty Lord. When we trust God completely to take care of us, we will find that our other fears—even of death itself—will subside.