Tag: Christianity

Posted April 15, back-dated.

Today´s reading:
OT: Joshua 9:3-27, Joshua 10
NT: Luke 16:19-31, Luke 17:1-10
Ps: Psalm 83
Pr: Proverbs 13:4

Today´s notable verse:

The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD.

Joshua 9:14 (NIV)

Oh, how we are deceived when, like the Israelites, we fail to inquire of the Lord! How we bring disaster on ourselves! How many times do we make rash or hasty decisions out of our own understanding and capacity, and without inquiring of the Lord, only to find out afterward that the decision was wrong, or that we had been unknowingly deceived? We serve an omniscient and omnipresent God, from whom nothing is kept hidden – and yet, to our own detriment, we fail to take the obvious and simple step of seeking His wisdom before making decisions in our lives.

The One Year Bible Blog’s commentary for today.

Posted April 15, back-dated.

Today´s reading:
OT: Joshua 7:16-26, Joshua 8, Joshua 9:1-2
NT: Luke 16:1-18
Ps: Psalm 82
Pr: Proverbs 13:2-3

Today´s notable verse:

¹⁰ “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. ¹¹ So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?

Luke 16:10-11 (NIV)

We can discern our character best not by looking at how we deal with major, conspicuous situations, decisions, and responsibilities; but rather, how we deal with the seemingly insignificant, inconspicuous ones. In fact, our character is the result of the sum of such. If we wish to change our character, we do so progressively, choosing wisely with small decisions, and acting faithfully with minor responsibilities. Our stewardship of our worldly resources constitutes a training and proving ground for God’s greater purpose for us not only in this life, but also for our eternal reward.

The One Year Bible Blog’s commentary for today.

Posted April 15, back-dated.

Today´s reading:
OT: Joshua 5-6, Joshua 7:1-15
NT: Luke 15
Ps: Psalm 81
Pr: Proverbs 13:1

Today´s notable verse:

³¹ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’

Luke 15:31-32 (NIV)

I think the moral of this parable involves more than just the prodigal son. The faithful son receives instruction and a promise: while great is the rejoicing for the son who has returned to the father, great as well is the blessing to come to the faithful son. The celebration for the return of the prodigal son lasts but for a moment; the inheritance of the faithful son is eternal. It is also important to bear in mind that each of us is both the prodigal son and also the faithful son. Through and like our father Adam, we squandered God’s original inheritance for us; but through Christ, our Father God has restored to us our inheritance: life as He would have us live it; life eternal.

The One Year Bible Blog’s commentary for today.

Posted April 15, back-dated.

Today´s reading:
OT: Joshua 3-4
NT: Luke 14:7-35
Ps: Psalm 80
Pr: Proverbs 12:27-28

Today´s notable verse:

or everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Luke 14:11 (NIV)

The perspective of humility is that which enables the Christian to live a powerful, effective, and victorious life. When in humility I recognize my unworthiness of God’s grace, then I place myself in position to be completely obedient and surrendered to God, to be used by Him, to allow His power to work through me, and for Him to glorify Himself in my life. When I in humility consider others better than and before myself, I subvert my self interest to the needs and interests of others.

The One Year Bible Blog’s commentary for today.

Posted April 15, back-dated.

Today´s reading:
OT: Deuteronomy 34, Joshua 1, Joshua 2
NT: Luke 13:22-35, Luke 14:1-6
Ps: Psalm 79
Pr: Proverbs 12:26

Today´s notable verse:

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Joshua 1:8 (NIV)

The character of God is unchanging, therefore the Word of God is unchanging; likewise, the principles and truths contained in God’s Word do not change, and are applicable to us even today. When we live by those principles and apply those truths to our lives, we also will be prosperous and successful.

The One Year Bible Blog’s commentary for today.

Posted April 15, back-dated.

Today´s reading:
OT: Deuteronomy 33
NT: Luke 13:1-21
Ps: Psalm 78:65-72
Pr: Proverbs 12:25

Today´s notable verse:

¹ Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. ² Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? ³ I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. ⁴ Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? ⁵ I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Luke 13:1-5 (NIV)

Attention, Pat Robertson: not all atrocities or tragedies are brought at the behest of God, as punishment for sin. Do not be quick to judge the misfortune of others. Instead, we should be quick to take heed of the warning such misfortune represents for us, because each one of us is deserving of punishment. If we do not repent of our sin, and accept the grace of Christ, we too will perish in the end. But praise God that He has provided the Way for us!

The One Year Bible Blog’s commentary for today.

Posted April 15, back-dated.

Today´s reading:
OT: Deuteronomy 32:28-52
NT: Luke 12:35-59
Ps: Psalm 78:56-64
Pr: Proverbs 12:24

Today´s notable verse:

⁴⁵ When Moses finished reciting all these words to all Israel, ⁴⁶ he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. ⁴⁷ They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”

Deuteronomy 32:45-47 (NIV)

How true this declaration remains for us today, concerning God’s Word! God’ Word contains all the truth and wisdom by which we live and find success. Every decision, every temptation, every situation, and every action depends on the Word. The Word is Living, both because it remains applicable to our lives, and also because it is by and through the Word that we live – both figuratively, in the written Word, and literally, as we have new life in Christ the Word-become-flesh.

The One Year Bible Blog’s commentary for today.

Today´s reading:
OT: Deuteronomy 31, Deuteronomy 32
NT: Luke 12:8-34
Ps: Psalm 78:32-55
Pr: Proverbs 12:21-23

Today´s notable verses:

¹¹ “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, ¹² for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

Luke 12:11-12 (NIV)

I sometimes wonder what I would say if asked to give a defense of my faith. These verses set my mind at ease, knowing that the Holy Spirit is with me, and will guide me even in the details of the words to speak against those who oppose my faith.

But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Luke 12:31 (NIV)

All these things – life/food, body/clothes, etc. – will be given to us, if we do but one thing: pursue the kingdom of God. God blesses our obedience, and provides for our every need. This principle is part of the key to living a life of contentment: God knows what I need, and when I am faithful in obedience, He is likewise faithful in His provision of those needs. When I learn to remove my “want” from myself, and place my “want” in God, then I do not have to concern myself with my needs. Running after selfish, worldy wants will always leave us dissatisfied; but running after God will always bring the deepest, most complete satisfaction imaginable.

The One Year Bible Blog’s comments for today.

Today´s reading:
OT: Deuteronomy 29, Deuteronomy 30
NT: Luke 11:37-54, Luke 12:1-7
Ps: Psalm 78:1-31
Pr: Proverbs 12:19-20

Today´s notable verse:

I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.

Luke 12:4 (NIV)

This is the fearlessness of the Christian: to understand and to think from an eternal perspective, and thus to know that our eternal life is secure in Christ, and nothing can come against us other than in our fleeting, temporal life on earth. Even if I am impoverished and afflicted to the extent of Job, I know that my eternal life, health, and prosperity can never be touched. Even if my life in the flesh is taken from me, I have not lost, but have gained my eternal reward.

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

Jesus’ teachings in Luke chapter 12 verses 2 through 3 are also important for us to meditate upon in our lives today – “The time is coming when everything will be revealed; all that is secret will be made public. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!” I once heard a pastor say during a sermon – “nobody sins in a vacuum. Meaning, nobody sins and it does not affect others. When we sin – even when we are “alone” – it affects our community in ways we do not full realize.” I think this is so true. When we sin – even what we have done or said in the “dark” – we hurt not only ourselves, but others. And Jesus and God, who are pure Light, have heard and know what we do in the dark. We cannot hide it from them. Better to confess it to God, repent, and be cleansed by the Light. Then, go, and sin in the dark no more.

Amen.

Today´s reading:
OT: Deuteronomy 28
NT: Luke 11:14-36
Ps: Psalm 77
Pr: Proverbs 12:18

Today´s notable verse:

Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)

Wow… I pray that my words bring healing more often than they pierce like a sword. It is sad that what God intends to bring healing, we twist into an instrument of piercing. How much more so when we Christians – the very ones called to bring healing – contribute to the pain from which others need to be healed!

The One Year Bible Blog asks:

As you are reading through the One Year Bible this year, are you remembering God’s miracles of long ago? Are you meditating on all of his mighty works and considering his mighty deeds? Are you being transformed by this process? And will you now go forth and help others in your life remember and meditate on God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit’s miracles of long ago?

I must admit, I’m still working through God’s amazing work in my life today to have much time to devote to his “miracles of long ago” – though, undoubtedly, I should. Studying Genesis this year in BSF and seeing God’s miraculous workings – and then going through the rest of the Pentateuch, and seeing even more of God’s mighty works – has really helped center more of my meditation with that perspective.