Author: Chip Bennett

Today´s reading:
OT: Deuteronomy 11, Deuteronomy 12
NT: Luke 8:22-39
Ps: Psalm 70
Pr: Proverbs 12:4

Today´s notable verses:

⁴ You must not worship the LORD your God in their way. ⁵ But you are to seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go…

Deuteronomy 12:4-5 (NIV)

The place the Lord chose as His dwelling place among the Israelites – the place they were to go to worship – was the tabernacle, and eventually the temple. Today, because of Christ, the Lord has chosen as His dwelling place the hearts of His believers. Since the Old-Testament dwelling place of God was a place of worship, the New-Testament dwelling place of God is also a place of worship. Thus, we are living, breathing, walking vessels of worship. No longer must we go somewhere external and fixed in order to worship our Lord; instead, our lives and our worship have become intimately and inexorably united.

But be sure you do not eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat.

Deuteronomy 12:23 (NIV)

“The blood is the life.” This statement explains why bloodshed is required as atonement for sin: since the wages of sin is death, sin demands shedding of blod – that is, shedding of life.

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Do you believe in the existence of evil in our world today? Do you believe that Satan exists? Do you believe that demons exist? Do you know the one true Remedy and Salvation and Protection from all evil? Will you run into Jesus’ arms for this safety forever?

One cannot turn on the television or read a newspaper or magazine without being confronted by the stark presence of evil the the world. Despite the cloud of relativism and the camoflauge of post-modern philosophy, Satan cannot completely obscure his existence. I know his agents – demons and evil spirits – exist, because I have witnessed their influence with my own eyes. Even as a teenager, I had witnessed the interaction of the forces of evil in the spiritual realms with our natural world. Yet, I have never needed to fear that evil, nor do I dwell on it. He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world. I am safely in the arms of Christ, and nothing will happen to me that He does not allow and work out for my good. And I praise God for that!

Today´s reading:
OT: Deuteronomy 9, Deuteronomy 10
NT: Luke 8:4-21
Ps: Psalm 69:19-36
Pr: Proverbs 12:2-3

Today´s notable verses:

When I went up on the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant that the LORD had made with you, I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights; I ate no bread and drank no water.

Deuteronomy 9:9 (NIV)

Then once again I fell prostrate before the LORD for forty days and forty nights; I ate no bread and drank no water, because of all the sin you had committed, doing what was evil in the LORD’s sight and so provoking him to anger.

Deuteronomy 9:18 (NIV)

Moses fasted for eighty days straight!

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Luke 8:15 (NIV)

One word jumped out at me, as if for the first time, while reading the parable of the Sower: persevering. It is by our perseverance that the Seed planted in us produces a crop. It is perseverance to which we are called. Ours is not to struggle, but to stand firm:

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)

I think sometimes as Christians we try to take on too much of the struggle ourselves, rather than let God fight the battles He has told us are His to fight. In the grand scheme, our primary job is to hold our own ground. Now, that doesn’t mean that we don’t have very real struggles with very real responsibility to overcome them in our own lives. But our tactical battles are only a part of the overall strategy of the Great War – a war that has already been won, God’s strategy having defeated our enemy already.

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Okay, I’m really getting into the New Living Translation little commentary headers before sections of our readings – as I discussed in yesterday’s post, these are not from the original text so should not be considered Biblical text. Nonetheless, I personally do find them useful. And I really do like the first header in Deuteronomy chapter 9 today in the NLT – “Victory by God’s Grace.” You’ll note that you won’t actually find the word “grace” in any of the verses that follow. However, I think we do get a good overview of how grace works in this section…

The same thought struck me: that the underlying theme of this passage was God’s grace. The line that focused my attention on grace was this one:

Now I had stayed on the mountain forty days and nights, as I did the first time, and the LORD listened to me at this time also. It was not his will to destroy you.

Deuteronomy 10:10 (NIV)

Through all of Israel’s rebellion, the one thing God desparately wanted to demonstrate was His love and grace for His chosen people – love and grace that extend to us today, three thousand years later!

Today´s reading:
OT: Deuteronomy 7, Deuteronomy 8
NT: Luke 7:36-50, Luke 8:1-3
Ps: Psalm 69:1-18
Pr: Proverbs 12:1

Today´s notable verse:

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates correction is stupid.

Proverbs 12:1 (NIV)

Well, David certainly wins awards with this proverb, for brevity and bluntness! But how true his words: great wisdom lies in learning from discipline, and foolish pride the despises correction is the epitome of stupidity.

The One Year Bible Blog has a lot of great commentary today, but I am too worn out to contribute. I’ll be back on my game tomorrow (Lord willing)!

Little’s Blog Things, welcome to the OYB Blogroll!

Today´s reading:
OT: Deuteronomy 5, Deuteronomy 6
NT: Luke 7:11-35
Ps: Psalm 68:19-35
Pr: Proverbs 11:29-31

Today´s notable verse:

But wisdom is proved right by all her children.

Luke 7:35 (NIV)

This saying struck me. I’m not as familiar with Luke as I am with other gospels: John, and of the synoptic gospels, Matthew. I am very much enjoying reading the gospel story from Luke’s perspective, and I don’t remember Matthew mentioning Jesus saying what we read here. I think the meaning is similar to the principle of knowing the true identity of something according to the fruit it bears. Likewise, wisdom proves itself by the outcome or results of its application. The way the text is punctuated, Jesus is quoting something or someone here, but I see no footnote references to the source. I wonder what he’s quoting?

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Wow…. Verse 35 in Luke chapter 7 is such a profound teaching of Jesus’ for each of us to consider- “But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.” Take a few moments to really meditate on this verse and what it means. For me this verse is a reminder that sometimes in life we have to move forward in faith on something “wise” we’ve heard, but maybe not experienced – and then later see that the wisdom is true. …I’d just say that if there is a struggle in your life that God is calling you to leave behind or move forward on – go for it! If you know you should be doing or not doing something – go with that wisdom you know and then it will “shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.” Please follow it!

First, I like this take on the saying: the idea that wisdom has “children”, and that we are those children. Also, he points out that wisdom is something we can prove to ourselves by “trial and error” – we can put the wisdom to the test, so to speak, by applying it to our lives. (Though, I think we need to do so believing that the wisdom is true – see James 1:5-8.)

I know it’s not part of today’s reading, but something from church this weekend brings me back to a passage we studied earlier this week:

²⁷ But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)

During service this weekend, the pastor took us through an exercise at the conclusion of worship, during which we intentionally prayed for our enemies. While I was doing so, God brought to my memory another passage, and an understanding that so struck me that I am compelled to share it here:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)

God so very clearly reminded me that those who mistreat us or persecute us are not our enemy. Our struggle is not against them; our struggle is against our true enemy: the evil one and his forces of evil working in the lives of those we would consider our “enemies”. Rather than see such people with bitterness and unforgiveness, it is my prayer that we see them with the eyes of Christ:

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 9:36 (NIV)

Not our enemies, but harassed and helpless sheep, in need of a shepherd – The Shepherd. As we pray for them, we begin to see them with the eyes of Christ: with compassion. In so doing, we begin to see them not from a perspective of deserving vengance, but rather we see the tragedy of their separation from Christ. it is only then that we resemble and exemplify Christ, and it is only then that God is able to use us to reach them.

Today´s reading:
OT: Deuteronomy 4
NT: Luke 6:39-49, Luke 7:1-10
Ps: Psalm 68:1-18
Pr: Proverbs 11:28

Today´s notable verses:

But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Deuteronomy 4:29 (NIV)

In the midst of Moses’ warning to the Israelites about what would happen to them if they turn away from worshipping God – forced out of the land of promise, scattered amongst the nations, forced to bow down to inanimate gods – even then, if they would turn all their heart and soul to seeking God, they would find Him. How true this promise remains for us today: no matter our circumstances, no matter how far we have willingly chosen and intentionally turned away from God, we have but to turn and seek Him, and He will be there.

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

Luke 6:45 (NIV)

In the end, the truth will always out. We can put on a facade, but who we really are inside cannot help but expose itself. It is one thing to hold one’s tongue from saying something knowingly wrong or evil; but according to this principle, I would be as worried about the root of the word I didn’t speak as I am about the consequences of actually speaking that word – for if I have to hold back some evil overflow from my own heart, than I have much deeper concerns than mere offense of speaking that evil. If I am truly being transformed into the image of Christ, then I need to be consciously aware of identifying and rooting out all such iniquities in my heart, so that what overflows from my heart to my mouth is not the iniquity of fallen man, but the love of the risen Christ.

⁴⁷ I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. ⁴⁸ He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.

Luke 6:47-48 (NIV)

If nothing else, the truth of these two verses is my testimony these past several months. I can attest: the storms do come. The floods rise. The torrents will strike the house. But when that house is dug deep into, and built with a foundation upon, the Rock of Christ, it will not be shaken.

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

The passages on the faith of the centurion today are powerful – especially his words in verse 7 – “Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.” Can we learn something from the faith of the centurion in our lives today?

I think the extraordinary thing about the Centurion – the quality that amazed Jesus – whas his understanding of Jesus’ authority. The Centurion superimposed his worldly, militaristic understanding of order and authority onto his understanding of Jesus’ identity and position. By his words, the Centurion demonstrated his belief that Jesus had both physical and spiritual authority – in other words, he demonstrated his belief that Jesus was the Christ (Messiah) and Emmanuel (God with us), for only God Himself has authority over the power of sickness and disease, and only God has the power to heal merely by will. Is not the story of the Centurion the very epitome of faith? Being sure of what you hope for, and certain of what you do not see (Hebrews 11:1).

Two thoughts to take away from the story: first, that Godly principles can be understood by and observed in even ungodly people. Think of the principle of sowing and reaping. Some of the most generous people on the planet are non-Christians. Even though they may not know why or recognize God as the reason, they will still benefit from this principle by sowing generosity. Two: Christ acted in His authority when He walked the earth, and before he ascended, he transferred to His followers the authority by which He carried out His ministry. What a great responsibility we now have, to use that authority for His purpose! (Caveat: this teaching can be taken too far. Clearly, we don’t have all of Jesus’ authority; for He still alone has the authority to forgive sins. We are not the High Priest, but Christ – and we are His priesthood.) The authority Jesus has given us is yet another stewardship: we pray directly to God, but only in the name of Jesus. We carry out the message and ministry of reconciliation, but only the Spirit has the power to draw the lost back into redemption. We cast out demons, but only because they are subject to the authority of Christ.

The flip side, though, is that because of that authority, we do not have to fear or subject ourselves to the spiritual forces of the evil one. We have the authority to rebuke Satan, and through the Spirit, the power to stand firm against his attacks.

Today´s reading:
OT: Deuteronomy 2, Deuteronomy 3
NT: Luke 6:12-38
Ps: Psalm 67
Pr: Proverbs 11:27

Today´s notable verse:

³⁷ “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. ³⁸ Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Luke 6:37-38 (NIV)

Today we get another Godly principle, and some Godly wisdom. The principle: “for with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” When I judge, I am likewise judged. When I condemn, I am likewise condemned. (For I am deserving of both.) However, when I am merciful and forgive, then I am shown mercy and forgiven. And the wisdom (from verse 31): “do to others as you would have them do to you.” Another way of thinking would be, “do to others as you would have God do to you” – since that is the practical application of this wisdom. God does not promise that others will treat us as we treat them or has how we would have them treat us. He does, however, promise to measure out to us according to the way we measure out to others – and He promises that the measure He gives us in return will be in proportion, exceedingly greater than that which we measured out. This idea is great to think about with respect to good things like mercy and giving – but it is downright dreadful to consider with respect to the bad things we mete out, such as judgement, condemnation, and unforgiveness!

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Every time I read about Jesus’ calling of the apostles, I always think about myself. What would I have done if I was called by Jesus to be an apostle back then? What would I do if I was called to follow Jesus in this way today? What would you do? Would you leave everything behind and follow Jesus?

I know that I have been called, and every day I learn more and more what it means to “leave everything” for the sake of following Christ. I have even faced – and accepted – the possibility that God could be calling me to a single life. And I know beyond a doubt that, though it would take God’s help and strength every day, I am willing to sacrifice even the greatest desire of my heart – to be a husband and a father – if Christ calls me to do so.

I want God’s will for my life. I want God to accomplish His plan through me. More than anything, I want to hear on that last day, “well done, good and faithful servant.” I want to face eternity as Paul did: in the full assurance that I have run my race completely and successfully. Nothing in this present would could so captivate me that I would rather cling to it than receive my reward from God. I have given up family and friends to be where God has placed me – and with a calling to full-time missions, I expect that situation to be a continual one. I stake no claim of ownership of my “stuff”, but choose to view myself merely as the steward of them that I am. My very life means nothing to me, except that it be used for God’s purpose. And if my life is taken from me in the course of serving my God, then what I have gained will far surpass what I otherwise might have considered as lost. But, I cannot lose what is not mine – and I have chosen to give my life to Christ.

Today´s reading:
OT: Numbers 36, Deuteronomy 1
NT: Luke 5:29-39, Luke 6:1-11
Ps: Psalm 66
Pr: Proverbs 11:24-26

Today´s notable verses:

¹⁶ Come and listen, all you who fear God;
let me tell you what he has done for me.
¹⁷ I cried out to him with my mouth;
his praise was on my tongue.
¹⁸ If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;
¹⁹ but God has surely listened
and heard my voice in prayer.

Psalm 66:16-19 (NIV)

Now here’s a reality check for effective prayer: am I harboring or cherishing any sin in my heart when I pray? If so, God certainly will not listen! Contrition and confession of sin are so vital to a right relationship with God, and are absolutely necessary if we are to have any kind of power in our prayer life. Note also that David is not simply praying to God; he is crying out to Him, and praising Him! Most of my prayer is silent, but I think I need to practice more spoken prayer.

²⁴ One man gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
²⁵ A generous man will prosper;
he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Proverbs 11:24-25 (NIV)

More on these verses when I get caught up on my Crown homework postings, since this week we discussed giving. I’ll just point out here that God is revealing another of His principles. Just as we reap what we sow, when we sow generosity we reap blessing.

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Comments from You & Question of the Day – (random tangential questions here based on this awesome image above… 🙂 How often do you give hugs? Who was the last person you gave a hug to? Can you give someone a hug today? Do you think giving hugs (or receiving hugs) is important? Are hugs Biblical? 🙂 (okay, now I’ve gotten silly, but what do you think – can you think of some hugs in the Bible??)

Hugging is important – nothing can quite replace a genuine, heartfelt hug. There are days when what I most need is a hug. Obviously, I tend to be a hugger. I hug all my friends – even the males, and I don’t cop out with a “guy hug”. Real men are comfortable enough with themselves to be able to show affection to one another. I probably tend to hug my male friends more than my female friends, if for no other reason so as not to give even an appearance of impropriety. I wonder how, when Paul exhorts in several of his letters to “greet one another with a holy kiss” that we could even think that a hug is somehow inherently un-biblical? Of course, then intention behind the hug could be impure – but that is true about the intention behind just about anything. But to the pure, all things are pure (Titus 1:15).