Author: Chip Bennett

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 19:16-25, Exodus 20, Exodus 21:1-21
NT: Matthew 23:13-39
Ps: Psalm 28
Pr: Proverbs 7:1-5

Today´s notable verse:

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Psalm 28:7 (NIV)

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – Since we’ve arrived at the Ten Commandments in our readings today, now is an appropriate time to ask – are the Ten Commandments important to you? How? Have they always been important to you? …Do you think that we should meditate upon the Ten Commandments and our actions? Or is just meditating upon Jesus alone enough?

I’ve had many discussions and read or heard many commentaries abut the Ten Commandments, the Law, and Christ, and what applies to the christian today. As I wrote yesterday, Jesus said that “Love God” and “Love each other as yourself” summarize, complete, and perfect the Law and the Prophets. The Ten Commandments still apply today, but Christ has called us to a more perfect standard. If we are judging ourselves against the Ten Commandments, then we are looking at the bare minimum – the line between righteousness and sin – rather than the Ultimate Standard: holiness.

If our minds and our hearts are set upon loving God, then we will never even have to question whether or not we are using His name in vain, because we will always be honoring Him with our lips. If we love our neighbor as ourselves, then we will never have to worry whether or not we are coveting that which is his, because we would be considering how we might give up what is ours in order to fulfill his needs. We do not need to worry about bearing false witness against our neighbor, because we strive always to proclaim the truth of Christ.

We do not need to observe specific holy days set apart to God, because every day we wake up, we recognize as a gift from God, and set it apart to Him. We do not need to worry about regulations for indentured servanthood or proper treatment of those indebted to us, because we do not hold out debts against our brothers.

And just as the Ten Commandments and the Law foretold and symbolized the coming Messiah, and were but a pale reflection of the Law He would establish, so also do the Ten Commandments and the Law serve as a reminder of my need for that Messiah. I struggle to keep the imperfect law; how much more in need of a Savior am I, if I am to strive to live up to the Perfect Law!

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 17:8-15, Exodus 18, Exodus 19:1-15
NT: Matthew 22:34-46, Matthew 23:1-11
Ps: Psalm 27:7-14
Pr: Proverbs 6:27-35

Today´s notable verse:

³⁷ Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV)

Here it is: the summation, completion, and perfection of the Law; the Ultimate Standard to which we are to strive. The Ten Commandments and the rest of the Law were but a shadow of this Perfect Law, pointing us to it and to the One who would fulfill it. The Law says “you shall have no other gods before me,” but Love says “I am so consumed by you that nothing else compares or even matters.” The Law says, “do not kill,” but Love says, “I give my life for you.” The Law hopes for the Messiah to whom the Law pointed, but Love came to earth, died, rose to life, ascended to heaven, and sent us his Spirit, through whom we also live and love.

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – …are there any “religious things” that we do in our life just for “show”? Just so that others will honor us? I think this is such a fine line and something that we have to monitor all of our lives. Are you monitoring yourself when it comes to your faith to make sure you are not doing anything for “show” or for the wrong reasons? Have there been times in your past where you have done things just for “show” when it comes to your faith?

I’ve never been one to do anything – with respect to my faith or otherwise – for “show”. In a world where perception is reality, I consider myself blessed that God has instilled in me the principle that He judges the heart of man – attitude and intention – and that I am to be guided by my conscience. I do not attend church to “put in an appearance.” I abhor the idea of feeling compelled to put money in the offering collection in order to give the appearance of giving. I always try to judge whether my intent in an action is to honor God or to recieve myself the honor due Him from others. I really prefer to be the “guy behind the guy” – a position from which I can truly make a contribution and a difference, without the pressure or temptation of receiving praise for my effort. I try always to take the attitude of humility when I am tempted to despise a lack of recognition for something I’ve done, choosing instead to look forward to the recognition I hope to receive before the throne. In the end, these seven words are all I hope for: “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 15:19-27, Exodus 16, Exodus 17:1-7
NT: Matthew 22:1-33
Ps: Psalm 27
Pr: Proverbs 6:20-26

Today´s notable verse:

Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.

Exodus 15:27 (NIV)

Israel entered Egypt with 12 sons and 70 descendants altogether (Exodus 1:5). Do the twelve springs and seventy palm trees at Elim have any relationship – symbolic or otherwise – with Israel’s entourage, or are these two merely coincidental?

For many are invited, but few are chosen.

Matthew 22:14 (NIV)

Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

Matthew 22:30 (NIV)

At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

Matthew 22:21 (NIV)

A trio of difficult-to-comprehend teachings from Jesus. The first invokes the debate between free will versus predestination with respect to salvation. I think our discussion of God’s hardening of Pharaoh’s heart is enlightening, and I think I can draw the same conclusion: God invites everyone to the marriage banquet, but only chooses those who would be chosen. What, though, to make of the man at the banquet without proper attire, who was thrown out?

The second teaching speaks to a question I have had regarding tithing; do I consider my actual income, or only my after-tax income, when deciding what my tithe is? It’s really only a theoretical question, because while what I give now is actually between the two, I believe I am being called to give a different amount that would exceed either – and what part of that is a tithe, and what part is an offering matters little compared to the gratitude in my heart to be able to give to God out of that with which He has blessed and to which He has entrusted me.

The third teaching deals with life after the resurrection, and how it will compare to our earthly lives with respect to marriage. Jesus’ teaching makes sense here in that, while in marriage the two become one flesh, the two remain two distinct spiritual beings. Of course, being able to make such a statement doesn’t imply that I fully grasp its meaning…

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Psalm 27:13 (NIV)

What a beautiful and powerful statement in witness to faith in God’s ability to overcome all circumstances!

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – Based on God’s words about the Sabbath in our Exodus readings today, do you take a Sabbath? What do you do – or not do – on the Sabbath? Does it bless the other 6 days of your week? How long have you been in the habit of taking a Sabbath? Is it hard to get in the habit? Any other “tricks of the trade” you can share with all of us about taking a Sabbath?

For one, my employer knows that, for me, work and Sunday are mutually exclusive. My employment does not even exist in my mind on Sundays. Beyond that, I am unsure – being that I am single, saying that Sunday is a “family day” has little meaning. My normal church service is Saturday night, though I do still attend one of the Sunday morning services occasionally (especially weekends that I work one service with the pre-schoolers). I’m curious to see what everyone else has to say on the matter.

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 13:17-22, Exodus 14, Exodus 15:1-18
NT: Matthew 21:23-46
Ps: Psalm 26
Pr: Proverbs 6:16-19

Today´s notable verse:

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Exodus 14:14 (NIV)

This verse reminds me of the words of Paul to the Ephesians:

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 5:13 (NIV)

It is encouraging to remember that it is the Lord who fights for us – when we are confronted by Satan or his evil schemes, our primary responsibility is to stand firm in our faith. It is the Spirit who contends for and through us. God demonstrated this principle to the Israelites as they were pursued by the Egyptians and hemmed in by the sea. God told them to be still, and in their faith, He delivered them. The same principle is still true for us today.

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – Back to my reflections above on music from the song in Exodus 15 …I guess I struggle with being in the world and not of the world – and what is the line of listening to / enjoying secular music, versus it literally being bad for you? Please let me know your thoughts on secular music – do you listen to it? Do you avoid it? Are you cautious about it in any way?

I think that one could make an analogy between secular versus Christian music, and Christ’s treatment of clean versus unclean food:

¹⁰ Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. ¹¹ What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’ “…¹⁷ “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? ¹⁸ But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ ¹⁹ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. ²⁰ These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’ ”

Matthew 15:10-19 (NIV)

What I mean is this: secular music is not inherently evil, just as “Christian” music is not inherently righteous. Either may affect us for good or for evil. Our conscience can and will – if we let it – guide us as to the “line”; though, in general, we should not pursue a “line” between righteous and sin, but should instead pursue holiness in all things. I will leave you with the following standard:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

I know lots of “secular” music that meets these criteria, and lots that doesn’t; at the same time, I can say the same thing for lots of “Christian” music.

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 12:14-50, Exodus 13:1-15
NT: Matthew 20:29-34, Matthew 21:1-22
Ps: Psalm 25:16-22
Pr: Proverbs 6:12-15

Today´s notable verse:

²¹ Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. ²² If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Matthew 21:21-22 (NIV)

Seems pretty simple, doesn’t it? Why is it so tough, though, in practical application? “If you have faith and do not doubt…”; “If you believe…” I am struck at how weak and pathetic we are, that cannot tap into this simple principle – but then, that is the key to allowing Christ in us to operate, isn’t it?

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – …How about you? Are there some goals and resolutions for 2006 that you feel like you might be behind on? Do you agree that reading from God’s Word each day and growing in your love relationship with God is more important than those goals and resolutions?

You know, I’ve not set “New Year’s” resolutions in a long time. My thinking is, if I decide I need to make a change in my life, or accomplish something, why should I wait until what is essentially an arbitrary day to start? “Now is the day of salvation; now is the time of God’s favor” (I Corinthians 6:2). “[Make] the most of every opportunity” (Ephesians 5:16). I think that reading the Word each day and growing in my relationship with God are extremely important in part because they help reveal those changes in my life I need to make, and those things that I need to accomplish, according to God’s plan and will for my life.

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 10, Exodus 11, Exodus 12:1-13
NT: Matthew 20:1-28
Ps: Psalm 25:1-15
Pr: Proverbs 6:6-11

Today´s notable verse:

Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember be, for you are good, O Lord.

Psalm 25:7 (NIV)

Thank God that He is good, and that He chooses to see us not in our own sinfulness, but through Christ’s perfection!

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – Based on the lesson from the ant in today’s Proverbs, how do you balance working hard in your life with getting proper rest and relaxation? How do you find the balance?

The balance of work and rest comes from the balance of three things: perspective, priorities, and discipline. I would elaborate, but I don’t have time this morning. 🙂

Today´s reading:
OT: Exodus 8-9
NT: Matthew 19:13-30
Ps: Psalm 24
Pr: Proverbs 6:1-5

Today´s notable verse:

But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

Exodus 9:16 (NIV)

God, through Moses, spoke these words to Pharaoh, whose heart was unyielding to the will of God; how much more, then, do these words apply to those of us who love Him? In Pharaoh’s case, God demonstrated His power to and against Pharaoh. Praise God that, for those of us who love Him, He demonstrates His power through us!

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.

Matthew 19:29 (NIV)

Maybe I’m exaggerating when I think that I have given up some of these things for Christ’s sake; but the greatest desire of my heart has always been to be a husband and a father. Words can’t express how happy I was to have in my life the woman I considered to be my future wife – and to consider her daughter my future daughter; nor how humbled and blessed I was to consider that God would so richly bless me. But I know that I’m pursuing God’s will for my life with all my heart, and in doing so, God will be faithful to give me the desires of my heart – desires that I know come from Him (Psalm 37:4). God’s will for my life is so much more important than even these desires, and I will continue to pursue the Giver of my heart’s desire, rather than those desires themselves. I know it’s nowhere near what the 12 disciples endured, but in my own way, I can empathize.

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

Comments from you & Question of the Day – Based on the Proverbs verses going into debt, does anyone have debt-relief resources, websites or books you could share with everyone in the Comments section below? …I’ve often heard that it is wise to tithe 10% of income and save 10% of income with each check that comes in. What’s your reaction to this type of formula?

Being an engineer-type, I’m all for formulas; however, I believe God is Lord of our hearts, not our calculators. Certainly, the tithe is a well-established principle (and one to which I can attest personally); however, our giving (and our financial management in general) must come from a right attitude.

⁶ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

II Corinthians 9:6-8 (NIV)

If we tithe or otherwise give out of a sense of “duty” or “following the formula” rather than out of a desire to bless the Lord who has provided for our needs, then what blessing will we receive from our giving?

But in answer to your question: yes, giving first to God, then setting aside some form of savings/investment, is wise. I’m starting a Community Life group on Finances at my church this week, based on Crown Financial Ministries resources, so I may have more to say on the topic over the next 12 weeks.