Bible in a Year Blog

Judges 7:1-8:17 + Luke 23:13-43 + Psalm 97:1-98:9 + Proverbs 14:7-8
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Okay, the big question from today’s readings in Judges is are you the type of person that cups water in your hands and laps it up like a dog or are you someone who kneels down and puts your mouth directly in the stream to drink??  🙂  I confess I’m option #1, so I guess I would have gone on with Gideon for the battle. In all seriousness, a commentary suggested that God chose those that cupped water in their hands rather than kneeled down, because it meant those who didn’t kneel down were always ready for any emergency situation that might come up.  I guess I can buy that…  Nowadays perhaps the person who is always ready may be the person who drinks directly from the water cooler like this guy?? 🙂

Much of our readings in Judges chapter 7 & 8 today are like Braveheart! Quite action packed readings today!  An image is below for Judges chapter 7 verses 19 & 20: “It was just after midnight, after the changing of the guard, when Gideon and the one hundred men with him reached the outer edge of the Midianite camp. Suddenly, they blew the horns and broke their clay jars. Then all three groups blew their horns and broke their jars. They held the blazing torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands and shouted, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!””

New Testament – Today in Luke chapter 23 verse 34 we read this when Jesus was on the cross: “Jesus said, “Father, forgive these people, because they don’t know what they are doing.””  Tyndale’s One Year Bible companion has a great commentary on this verse today, as follows – “There are seven sayings of Jesus uttered from the cross.  They were spoken in the following order:

1) the word of forgiveness: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

2) the word of salvation: “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43)

3) the word of affection: “Woman, behold thy son”; “Behold thy mother.” (John 19:26-27)

4) the word of despair: “My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?” (Matt 27:46; Mark 15:34)

5) the word of physical torment: “I thirst” (John 19:28)

6) the word of triumph: “It is finished” (John 19:30)

7) the word of committal: “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.””

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Luke chapter 23 titled “The Rejection of Israel’s Messiah” is at this link.

Related Sermon: Below is a TERRIFIC sermon titled “Paradise Now” based on Jesus’ words to the thief on the cross in Luke 23:43, “Today you will be with me in paradise:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQlH-WfmZms

Psalms – Psalm 97 verses 10 & 11 are so spiritually powerful & true: “You who love the LORD, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked. Light shines on the godly, and joy on those who do right.”  I do believe that God protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked.  Honestly, I believe that God does this in our lives much more often than we even consciously realize.  I am sure there are a few moments in our life when we fully realize we were being protected by God.  But, I also have a strong belief that God protects us from unforeseen things that never entered our consciousness.  Do bad things still happen to godly people?  Yes, of course they do.  Why?  I can’t answer this – I’ve heard C.S. Lewis’ book “The Problem of Pain” gets at this a bit.  I need to read it.  We are in a fallen world.  There is evil and an enemy in this world.  Bad things do happen.  But, overall, I believe these verses above are so true.  I do believe that light shines on the godly and joy on those who do right.  Do you believe these verses above to be true?  Have you experienced the truth of these verses in your life?

Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 14 verse 8 is great wisdom – “The wise look ahead to see what is coming, but fools deceive themselves.”  Jesus taught that we should live our lives not worrying about tomorrow.  However – this Proverb does show there is wisdom in looking ahead to see what is coming.  Don’t worry about it – but pay attention to it!  For example, we shouldn’t deceive ourselves into thinking that we can be reckless with our health today – we should know what this will do to us tomorrow.  We should see what is coming.

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Luke remind me of the song “Mighty to Save” sung here live by Michael W. Smith:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYZQ6KN13jU

Has God saved you? Click here for Salvation!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.” Psalm 98:2 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are involved in the Great Commission and are helping spread the Good News to the nations of the LORD’s salvation and righteousness.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  How do you think we should balance wisely looking ahead to see what is coming versus not worrying about tomorrow?  Should we be looking toward the future on occasion?  Or just try to stay focused on today?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Judges 7:1-8:17

God always gets us into a place where we cannot depend or rely on our own strength. With our backs against the wall and no other route out, God steps in and defeats our enemy. Gideon, aka Jerubbaal, had a tough task; he had to deal with the Midianites with only three hundred men. The Battle indeed was the Lord’s. But as God will do as the God of All Comfort, He gave Gideon a Word that not only comforted him but a Word that encouraged. He allowed him to hear and sense the fear of the enemy; they feared God, but they didn’t fear Him enough to turn to Him and surrender to His Will.

Just like the Midianites we can find ourselves fighting against God, setting ourselves up to be defeated by just a “handful” of men, men who become a mighty host when God is the captain. On the other hand if the Lord is leading your army against an enemy, don’t get “cocky” and do what Gideon did, assumed that everything he did after God’s victory was okay with God.. (Stay tuned tomorrow)
What was of God and what was of Gideon? So too I can find myself mixing up what God has said and what I have said. Has God told me to do something and then I tell myself its ok to add on, convincing myself that it was God who told me?

Luke 23:13-43

Why do we try to gather up a posse when we know that we are about to make a decision that is wrong, a decision that goes against the very fiber of our being? We try to turn the mob to our way of thinking and if we can’t we flip and go to the other side. The “crowd” was waiting for a deliver; however the deliverance that Jesus was bringing they didn’t want because they were looking for life in the wrong places. Life is not in the living it is in the knowing, the knowing, believing and trusting in Jesus Christ.

Psalm 97:1-98:9

The following two verses in the 98th chapter really caught my eye and imagination,

2 The LORD has announced his victory
and has revealed his righteousness to every nation!

3 He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel.
The whole earth has seen the salvation of our God.

God has revealed His righteousness to every nation, not just Israel or the United States. If h had revealed who He is then we have used our ability to choose to accept or reject what has been opened to us, so too God’s salvation (verse 3)

Proverbs 14:7-8

I’m am currently taking a writing class and for my second assignment I wrote a piece called “Silly Women,” and although I focused on women, I know that silly men are all around me and they usually “hook-up” with silly women. Since I wrote that piece, I’ve been trying to figure out what makes someone “silly,” but all I had to do was wait for today’s reading, “silly,” or at lest my understanding of what that means can be found in verse eight,

8 The wise look ahead to see what is coming, but fools deceive themselves.

Cause and effect; reaping and sowing; payback, all can be seen when one looks at the Big Picture instead of thinking one lives independent of consequences streaming out of behavior and choices.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Dee:

Perfect questions to ponder on my birthday Mike. How to believe but ponder if in God’s will going on. Believing the Lord had my future. It’s amazing at the peace though

The Bible helps me stay grounded so that I don’t have to worry about tomorrow because the Word says don’t worry about tomorrow for tomorrow cares for itself. I love Jesus and so ❤and thankful that I have him in my heart

I believe we should look ahead at how to build the kingdom. It is important to help and give unto the widows and orphans. We talked about missions in church today. It is so much better to give than receive. Love u guys

Dee

======= Robert:

Proverbs: 14:8
Anxiety and Depression.

I will chime in here just to say something about myself. Not to say it is not wise to look into the future but it has to be tempered with our emotions about the unknown. I once studied outlook thinking and find this an equivalent way of seeing the numerous scenarios in my future giving me options and maybe the best path to take. My problem is that this can easily escalate to Anxiety, causing worry and sleepless nights. Sure you can give that over to God but you have an unrelenting adversary and he knows all the cracks in your armor.

In the opposite stream are the times I can distress about the past and I can dig myself a hole that results in Depression. Yes it may be wise to take the attitude of learning from your mistakes but again this has to be tempered with emotions because regret and despair can eat away at you and the adversary is right there to grind salt into the wound.

I ask God for wisdom, knowledge and happiness in both regards. It always works!

Robert

====== Debbie:

I think its cool how most often the OT passage is reinforced in the NT passage in our readings. Today, the proverb reinforces the OT passage. The ones who cupped their hands were those who were looking out for danger. They did not take their eyes off of the watch, even when it came to drinking water. Good lesson to remember. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” Matthew 24:42

Debbie

======= Tabitha:

I really identified with the fellow on the cross that said “Jesus remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” I feel very sad that even facing death only one of those crucified with Jesus understood and wanted to accept salvation. I pray for Jesus to remember me.
May you be blessed today!
Tabitha

====== Lily:

Although God takes care of His creations, it does not mean that we should live recklessly. Worrying about tomorrow is a waste of time & energy and not putting our trust in God. However, the Bible teaches us also to work hard so we reap the fruits of our labor which will take care of our tomorrow as long as we put our trust in God.

Lily

======= Vicki:

I keep thinking that would I drive with my eyes closed!? No, I drive while looking ahead to see what is coming. Only a fool would close his eyes and drive. Also would I drive with fear and anxiety? No, becuase if I did I would be going so slow and my movements jerky and it would be worse off for me. But if I move forward with wisdom and look where Im going and relax my body trusting the road ahead and the car beneath and the God above I can reach my destination.

Vicki

====== Caryn:

===== Anka:

======= John:

Anka,
Re: criminal coming to Christ
Welcome back. How was your time with your family?
Remember that Jesus had a three year ministry. Like all Jews he was required to be in Jerusalem for the three required feasts. When in Jerusalem, he often taught in the temple courts or on the steps leading up to the Temple.
I say all this, because while a criminal or malefactor – we do not know the crime. It could be they were part of Barabbas’ crew (speculation). Regardless, just because they were criminals under Roman Law – does not mean they did not practice the Jewish faith. Maybe they heard Jesus speak over the years, probably in Jerusalem and thus – “heard” the Word.
I do not think it is coincidence there were two (forgetting prophecy), and that the reaction to that Word and Jesus was typical. One rejected, and one accepted.
The seed bore fruit, and was harvested even on the Cross. I will also note, that the word used for paradise was not the same word typically used for Heaven. I think Jesus before the Ressurection was down in Sheol/Hades communing with Abraham and other Old Testament saints.
Just another reason why I think the story of Lazarus, Abraham and the rich man was not a parable but a teaching of the current afterlife in that time. No other labelled parables used any proper names, people of the time may have embraced a soul sleep “sheol” idea, and this was just a teaching of the way it really was after death.
If so, and Jesus was in sheol/hades, and not only was the criminal there (on Abraham’s paradise side), but all the tortured souls across the chasm could see Jesus and hear his proclamation of victory over death.
John

======= John:

Caryn,
In addition, I believe Jews struggled with Physical bodily ressurection. Believers may have believed Jesus would return to the Father spiritually upon death, but physical ressurection was at best something Jews thought would occur at the end of time at God’s pleasure.
It is late for me, but I will try to rustle up some links on Judaism and ressurection beliefs tomorrow.
NOTE: Of course the Sadducees did not believe in Ressurection (they were in the minority).
John

======= Julie:

Loved the Bible reading and the study! Also the comments.Thank you!
God Bless You!
Julie

======= Molly:

Today’s reading from the Old Testament and the New Testament reminded me of James 3:9 (NIV)
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.
Gideon had great victory when the people shouted and praised the Lord. But it was also the cries of the people who persuaded Pilate to go ahead and crucify Jesus.
I’m thinking our mouth is undoubtly very important. We must consider our words carefully before we utter them.
Molly

======= Ramona:

Judges 7:1-8:17
How long will it take me to understand that I’m am just a spectator along for the ride when I am confronting my enemies. From Gideon to King Jehoshaphat, God is in the business of “small” beginnings, small army’s, ‘fraidey cat people, and wavering believers. He is in the business of working for them and through them in spite of their insufficiencies because in Him is everything we need.
He said, Hearken, all Judah, you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you King Jehoshaphat. The Lord says this to you: Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go down to them. Behold, they will come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the ravine before the Wilderness of Jeruel. You shall not need to fight in this battle; take your positions, stand still, and see the deliverance of the Lord [Who is] with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Fear not nor be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you. (2 Chronicles 20:15-17 AMP)
As long as I know that God is sending me, that I am on God’s side, and not thinking that He is on mine, then it is God calling the charge, God doing the fighting and I’m only along for the ride. How cool is that?
It has to be God for three-hundred men to successfully take on and win, an army of 135,000.
Grace and peace,
Ramona

Judges 6:1-40 + Luke 22:54-23:12 + Psalm 95:1-96:13 + Proverbs 14:5-6
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Today in Judges chapter 6 verses 1 we read – “Again the Israelites did what was evil in the LORD’s sight.”  It is so interesting to see the back-and-forth relationship of the Israelites with God in the Old Testament.  The Israelites did evil.  They cried out to God.  God saved them.  Then… The Israelites did evil again…  And I wonder – are we so different from the Israelites today?   Should we be?  Could we be?  How?  I do believe that through a growing and loving relationship with Jesus, we can be spared of this back-and-forth relationship with God.  I believe this is the only Way.  Let us not have to spend our lives running back and forth to “caves” as we will see below…  Let us only run into the arms of the Jesus!

An image is below for verses 1 & 2: “So the LORD handed them over to the Midianites for seven years. The Midianites were so cruel that the Israelites fled to the mountains, where they made hiding places for themselves in caves and dens.”

Today read about Gideon and the fleece. We also read about how the angel of the Lord comes to Gideon and tells Gideon he will save Israel out of Midian’s hands, because he is being sent by God. In verse 15 Gideon replies, “But Lord, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” You’ll notice how this reply of Gideon’s is reminiscent of Moses’ reaction to God’s call to serve in Exodus chapters 3 & 4 – “Why me? How can I?” etc. etc. And I think it is very useful for each of us to note that God often calls the seemingly lowly – like Moses and Gideon – rather than the seemingly mighty to act for him. This should be encouraging to us! I wonder if you and I are sometimes like Gideon and Moses? I wonder if perhaps we are being called to do something incredible for God in our lives, and we are making excuses like Gideon and Moses made excuses? Should we instead act in obedience to God’s call and trust that he will lead us? If God has called us to something, shouldn’t we have enough faith to believe he will give us the strength and wisdom needed for the journey? What is God calling you to do in your life that you are not doing? Are you making excuses like Gideon and Moses did? Will you instead move forward in faith and obedience to God in this holy calling in your life?

New Testament – Luke chapter 22 verse 70 is powerful – “They all shouted, “Then you claim you are the Son of God?” And Jesus replied, “You are right in saying that I am.””  Check out those last two words of Jesus’ – I am.  Sound familiar?  Remember from Exodus 3:14 when Moses asks the burning bush who he should say sent him to free the Israelites from Egypt.  And what did God reply?  “I am.  Tell them that I am is sending you.”  And here we see Jesus use this same terminology that God used – I am. Below is a powerful image of Jesus before Pilate:

In Luke chapter 23 verses 8 & 9 today we read: “Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle. He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer.”  Herod wanted a miracle “performed.”  And Jesus simply stayed silent.  Beautiful…  I wonder if there are moments in our life when we would do well to model Jesus here – to stay silent in the face of a ridiculous request – or in the face of a ridiculous attack on our faith.  Silence may be the perfect thing in the face of ridiculousness…  Below is “Jesus before Herod Antipas” by the artist Duccio from the year 1308:

Bible.org’s commentary on Luke chapter 22 titled “The Rejection of Israel’s Messiah – Part I” is at this link and Part II is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 95 verses 4 & 5 remind me of the Chris Tomlin song “Praise Him Forever”: “He owns the depths of the earth, and even the mightiest mountains are his. The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too.” Have you heard this song by Chris? Very joyful modern day psalm! Great tune… And great Psalms of praise in 95 & 95 today! Bible.org’s commentary on Psalm 95 titled “A Warning about Worship” is at this link.

Wow.. Psalm 96 today is amazing!  I love verse 1: “Sing a new song to the LORD! Let the whole earth sing to the LORD!” And I love the imagery in verse 12: “Let the fields and their crops burst forth with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise.”

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Chris Tomlin’s song “Praise Him Forever:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrDzdew4AOk

Are you praising God? Click here and praise Him forever!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “But from now on the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand.” Luke 22:69 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray to Jesus today, who rules and reigns over all creation and sits at the right hand of the Father in honor and glory. Pray to your King, Jesus.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Based on Psalm 96 verse 1 above is there a new song God is asking you to sing to him these days?  Will you sing this new song to God?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Judges 6:1-40

This generation is blessed in so many ways. We are blessed because we have a record of those that have gone before us as what to do and not do. We can read and experience vicariously what other saints of God have experienced, be they failures or triumphs. So, with Gideon we get to look at a man swimming in a sea of doubts, angst, and uncertainty. God does not wipe him out but continues to work with Him and to answer his wavering questions of faith.

What I see in the big picture is this; our rebellion against the voice of God causes us to not recognize His voice in the midst of our despair. We question God, “Is it You?” We fail to trust, because we are surrounded by untrustworthy people. We first see Gideon, threshing wheat in the bottom of a winepress, an arduous job. Fear of the Midianites, and all the other enemies, had Gideon doing a job that should have been done out in the open so the wind could catch the grains of wheat as it’s thrown in the air, separating the chaff from the wheat, in a confined space with no wind. Hard work was made even harder because of a nation’s sin.

As I tried to visualize this scene and all the extra work it took, I was reminded of the words of Jesus,

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30 KJVR)

When we go our own way, we take on the tremendous burden sin directly and indirectly brings upon us. When Godeon is called, God gives him a new perspective of who and what He is, “A Mighty hero …” When he is called God sends Him out in his own strength because “The Lord” will be with him and that is all Gideon needs. O, that I would learn this lesson. There is nothing in my own strength that can get any godly assignment done, it is only because “God is with me,’ that the purposes of God will be accomplished upon the earth.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Dee:

When I first began the story I wondered why does God’s people have to be reminded all the time that God brought them out of Egypt and is seating them in a good place but…their disobedience is causing a studebling block and have them towed away for 7 years because of mankind’s hardheadedness. When will we learn..is it a disobedience to be that way? Is there hope? Look at Peter today..look at Gideon. I believe God puts these imperfect people in the story of our lives to catch a glimpse of a perfect father bending down to pick up and fix a broken world. Isn’t that a beautiful thing.

There is a new song to be song! I almost can hear it. Sometimes it’s faint. New judges daily and new people entering the scene in Judges. And Luke. It’s getting close to the end. Always sad to see disciples scatter and devil use them so profound. Beautiful psalms 95 and 96. Be blessed.

Dee

====== Jane:

Mike thanks for sharing the song praise him forever by Chris tomlin. It set my day off! So worshipful!

Jane

======= Robert:

Judges 6
Gideon
One has to see God’s patience and this story resonates with us all. How often have I asked God to show me a sign or made him wait. God sees in Gideon what he can be. Even though Gideon was not that enthusiastic and I have been there too. God is persistent. 3 miracles and a lack of faith is so human. It is good to look at ourselves to realize we too don’t seek God’s guidance all the time. I am in the process of selling my business and this is a great reminder of putting the sale into God’s hands and then listening. (Patiently!).

Luke 23:9
Herod
Mike says, “Silence may be the perfect thing in the face of ridiculousness… “ Just what the doctor ordered, how many times I have had to use this method to argue with a 16 year old! Jesus knew and gives us this beautiful example. His father took care of everything. His way not my way.

Psalm 96

We are reminded of who is in charge of the world. Verse 13 makes me wonder who is crying out in the world for justice, truth and fairness. I am sure we can all come up with people that fit this criteria but the Psalm calls me to, “sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.” This made me realize a new aspect in my way of thinking. I don’t want to be like Gideon and test the Lord but to thankfully follow his direction, praise his creation, sing for joy and rest in his peace. Right now I am listening for my “new song” and I know He will show that to me!

Robert

====== Pat:

Judges 4:1-5:31 + Luke 22:35-53 + Psalm 94:1-23 + Proverbs 14:3-4
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Okay, women rule in today’s readings in Judges!! 🙂  Deborah basically tells Barak that he’s being a wimp, so she’ll help lead the military victory, and does.  Below is a map someone put together of the whole Deborah / Barak v. Sisera battle, with Mt. Tabor in the middle highlighted being a focal point of the battle:

And then Jael, who is likely not an Israelite, finishes off Sisera, the commander of the enemy army of the Israelites, with a tent peg!  Don’t mess with Deborah or Jael!  Below is a painting by Italian Baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi (yes, also a woman) from the year 1620 titled “Jael and Sisera”:

Before this fateful scene above, an image is below for Judges chapter 4 verses 17 & 18: “Meanwhile, Sisera ran to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because Heber’s family was on friendly terms with King Jabin of Hazor. Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, “Come into my tent, sir. Come in. Don’t be afraid.” So he went into her tent, and she covered him with a blanket.”

In Judges chapter 5 we read the wonderful song of Deborah and Barak, and it is of note in verse 31: “Then there was peace in the land for forty years.”  Quite a song!  Below is artist Gustave Dore’s engraving of Deborah’s song:

Bob Deffinbaugh with Bible.org’s commentary on Joshua chapters 4 & 5 today titled “The Prophetess Deborah” is at this link.

New Testament – I don’t think I’ve really ever noticed this visit from an angel before in Luke chapter 22 verse 43 when Jesus is praying at the Mount of Olives!  “Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him.”

Bible.org’s commentary on our Luke chapter 22 readings today titled “The Garden of Gethsemane” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 94 verse 14 is fantastic today  – “The LORD will not reject his people; he will not abandon his own special possession.” I love this thought – that God will not reject us. He will not abandon us. We are his own special possession.  Do you believe that you are God’s own special possession?

Bible.org has a wonderful commentary on Psalm 94 titled “The Psalmist Speaks When Society Sins” at this link.

Proverbs – I once heard a pastor say a few words about Proverbs chapter 14 verse 4: “An empty stable stays clean, but no income comes from an empty stable.” Basically this pastor was talking about how things were a little bit hectic around the church – due to church growth and related growing pains.  And he brought up this verse, with the point being that it is a blessing that the church is not “clean” – in the spic & span sense – because this means a lot of things are happening.  There is “income”.  There are people getting to know God and Jesus.   And yes, there are some messes.  But it’s better than a spic & span clean stable / church where nothing is happen.  I like that analogy.  I also once heard this same pastor refer to church as a “majestic mess.”  I like that too!  🙂  Church is not a spic & span clean place all the time.  There are messes.  There are humans on staff with the church – and humans coming to the church.  We are not spic & span clean people all the time.  And that’s okay.  Church is indeed a majestic mess, in the best sense of the word!  Speaking of empty clean stables – let us not forget that our Lord Himself came to this world in a full & messy stable!

Worship Video: Psalm 94:14 reminds me of Third Day’s song “You Are Mine:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o-JPkq5rvE

Are you God’s? Click here to be His!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Why are you sleeping?” Jesus asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Luke 22:46 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are not spiritually sleeping. Pray that you will not fall into temptation.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Do you see the wisdom of this Proverb today?  Are you okay if the various “stables” in your life are not empty and clean all of the time?  Do you see how a full & messy “stable” can demonstrate that “income” is being generated?  Why do you suppose that Jesus came to this world in a full & messy stable?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Judges 4:1-5:31
One of the great things about reading through the Bible yearly is finding things you’ve read before but didn’t really read. The Song of Deborah (5) has revealed some surprising nuggets of information and wealth this go round. Glimpses of Israel rebellious nature are uncovered and give hints to what is going on in the heart of the nation as well as each region,

2 “When Israel’s leaders take charge,
and the people gladly follow– bless the LORD!

Two things must happen to get a family, group, community, nation out of spiritual dullness, leaders who are willing to lead and people who are willing to follow the leaders willing to lead. I read diligently this book we call the Bible because I am afraid of being taken down the garden path to destruction. My distrust comes from early years of spiritual abuse and misuse so when I turned to the Lord I decided to get into this book for myself. I never take anyone’s word at what this book says. I go to the source for myself. On my part I believe that Israel’s constant falling into the hands of her enemies came because they failed to keep the Book of the Law ever before them and or they chose not to believe the Word of God.

If we don’t know the Word for ourselves, how will we know which leaders are from God? How will we know that the person is speaking and seeking the will of God if we don’t know God’s Word?

In Deborah’s Song we read that there were more tribes who failed to follow them, Deborah and Barak into battle then there were tribes that fought. But nevertheless it was not the numbers that defeated the Canaanites it was God, because when we are willing, even if only a few, God shows up and fights for us. That is a lesson for us today, it is not the numbers that give us the victory, it is the few faithful and the submitted who bring God into the Battle.

2 Chronicles 7:14: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Luke 22:35-53
36 “But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your clothes and buy one! 37 For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: `He was counted among those who were rebels.’ Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.”

Everything that was “written” about Jesus, every Word inspired by God to be placed in the Books of the Prophets, will come true. We can quote Jesus Words about what has been written about Him, and clearly much of the New Testament quotes the Old Testament to confirm who Jesus was and is; however, if we never read what is written how will we know, how will we discern that what is given to us as truth, really is Truth?

I don’t think I can say this enough, “Thank you Mike for hosting this BLOG, thank you for your research and your daily encouragement to, “Post Up.”

Psalm 94:1-23
1 O LORD, the God to whom vengeance belongs,
O God of vengeance, let your glorious justice be seen!

About nine ten months ago, I did a study on the word vengeance: who used it who could extract it, so on and so on. My study came out of a conversation with a friend, and I was interested in finding out what the dangers were in us folks going after and seeking our own vengeance. Vengeance belongs to God not us and I came to the conclusion that is is dangerous for us to go after it and that is why God reserves it for Himself. I also realized that no matter how much wisdom we think we have, God’s “pay back” is done in such a way that everyone benefits from the lesson learned.

When we seek vengeance, once gained, we think, we never will fill the cup of retribution because the cup grows bigger and deeper. The countenance of those seeking retribution becomes marred and the visage of the face and body turns old tired and ruined looking. When we seek vengeance we steal from God! I think it’s best to leave God’s stuff alone, remember Ai and Achan.

Deutermony 32:35
Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay.
In time their foot will slip,
for their day of disaster is near,
and their doom is coming quickly.”
Proverbs 14:3-4
3 The talk of fools is a rod for their backs but the words of the wise keep them out of trouble.

Our words do create our worlds. If we don’t like the world we are living in, change the conversation. The footnote for the third verse says “rod of pride,” and it is the fruit of that pride in the words we sow that comes back on us. If we speak foolishness then we reap what ever the seeds of our foolishness produce, and remember the seeds look nothing like the plant that springs up. Good reminder to What our mouths; however it is better to check the heart because it is out of the overflow of whatever is in our hearts that our mouth speaks. (Matthew 12:34; Luke 6:46)

Grace and peace,
Ramona

====== Dawn:

What stood out to me in today’s reading is when Jesus admonishes his disciples for sleeping when he’s about to be arrested and betrayed by Judas. As a relatively new Christian, when I face fear, worry, anxiety – I become depressed and sleep to ‘escape these feelings and make it go away if just for a little while’ – I think similar to what the disciples were doing. I have learned that the best time for me to pray is when I face fear, worry, anxiety, and depression. Sleeping just kicks the can down the road so to speak while praying brings peace and solutions – God’s arsenal to fight the battle!!

Dawn

====== Dee:

Judges 2:10-3:31 + Luke 22:14-34 + Psalm 92:1-93:5 + Proverbs 14:1-2
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Today in Judges we read about Israel forgetting about God and worshiping other gods.  Sad stuff!  Judges chapter 2 verse 19 stood out: “But when the judge died, the people returned to their corrupt ways, behaving worse than those who had lived before them. They followed other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them. And they refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.”  I wonder if we are so different today from the Israelites in the time of the Judges?  Do we maybe shape ourselves up for short amounts of time – but then go back to our corrupt ways?  Do we ultimately refuse to give up our evil practices and stubborn ways?  Why is this?  What is the remedy to this problem?  Or – perhaps I should ask – Who is the remedy to this problem?  Who can literally rescue us from this problem?  Who can rescue us from ourselves?  Will you allow Jesus to rescue you from any evil practices and stubborn ways?

New Testament – Today in Luke chapter 22 we read about the Last Supper!

Every time I read verses 19 & 20 I am reminded of the amazing beauty of the Lord’s Supper in our churches today: “Then Jesus took a loaf of bread; and when he had thanked God for it, he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This wine is the token of God’s new covenant to save you–an agreement sealed with the blood I will pour out for you.”  Do these verses remind you of the Lord’s Supper at your church?  Do you find the Lord’s Supper to be a beautiful experience at your church?  Why do we participate in the Lord’s Supper in our churches today?

Bible.org’s commentary on our Luke chapter 22 readings today titled “The Last Supper” is at this link and commentary titled “Perspective, Personal Ambition, and Prophecy” is at this link.

Psalms – Today in Psalm 92 verse 4 we read a joyful verse! “For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.” When was the last time you reflected upon God’s deeds? When was the last time you reflected upon God’s work of his hands? Do you think this might be a good daily habit? Do God’s deeds make you glad? Do you sing for joy regularly for the work of God’s hands?

Bible.org’s commentary on Psalm 92 titled “Worship – Our Delight and Our Duty” is at this link.

Proverbs – Today in Proverbs chapter 14 verse 2 we read – “He whose walk is upright fears the LORD.” What does it mean to you to fear the Lord? Is it possible that for us to have some fear of the Lord is healthy? Why would fear of the Lord be healthy? Don’t get me wrong – I’m not suggesting we live our lives in abject fear of God all of the time. But – this Proverb is in the Bible – and it says that someone whose walk is upright fears the Lord. So, I do humbly suggest that there is a healthy fear of God that each of us should recognize. (along with a raging LOVE of God as well of course)

Worship Video: Today feels like a great day to share with you the entire 2 hour “JESUS” film based on the Gospel of Luke. Called by some “one of the best-kept secrets in Christian missions,” a number of mission experts have acclaimed the film as one of the greatest evangelistic tools of all time. Since 1979 the “JESUS” film has been viewed by several billion people all across the globe, and has resulted in more than 225 million men, women and children indicating decisions to follow Jesus. Learn more about this film and ministry at https://www.jesusfilm.org/.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-o2JHhHXys

Do you know Jesus? Click here and meet Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Luke 22:19-20 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will participate in the Lord’s Supper remembering Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Pray that you will receive Jesus’ broken body and shed blood remembering how Jesus saved you.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Based on our Proverb today, do you fear God at all?  Do you think that you should have any fear of God?  Why or why not?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Judges 2:10-3:31
Mike to answer you question with one word, disobedience. We forget about God because we have failed to take heed of His Words to us. The younger generation fails to remember what God has done for us because we have failed to rehearse in the next generations’ ears all the things that God did for the former generations, and also what he has done for us. Even when we “religiously” go to church, we think that sitting in Sunday school, listening to a message once or twice a week with the family and possibly going to a Bible Study is all we need to do. Yet God said,

Deuteronomy 6 (Amp)
1 NOW THIS is the instruction, the laws, and the precepts which the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you might do them in the land to which you go to possess it,
2 That you may [reverently] fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son’s son, and keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged.

3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and be watchful to do them, that it may be well with you and that you may increase exceedingly, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.

4 Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord [the only Lord].

5 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being and with all your might.

6 And these words which I am commanding you this day shall be [first] in your [own] minds and hearts; [then]

7 You shall whet and sharpen them so as to make them penetrate, and teach and impress them diligently upon the [minds and] hearts of your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up.

8 And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets (forehead bands) between your eyes.

9 And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

10 And when the Lord your God brings you into the land which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you, with great and goodly cities which you did not build, 11 And houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and cisterns hewn out which you did not hew, and vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and when you eat and are full, 2 Then beware lest you forget the Lord, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

We have failed to do particularly what the seventh verse tells us, “You shall whet and sharpen them so as to make them penetrate,”

I like the idea that God will use a temptation to test and train us (Chapter 3), 1 The LORD left certain nations in the land to test those Israelites who had not participated in the wars of Canaan. We need to stop thinking that temptations are to strong for us thus giving ourselves excuses for falling down then failing to get back up, when they really may be reasons for our failures, but not excuses. God has provided a way of escape out of every temptation we have just failed to take them. Maybe if we can remember that a temptation is a test, only a test and God has provided an answer to overcome the test if we just look for it we would find ourselves passing more often. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Luke 22:14-34

The Gospel reading reminds me again that today is the first full day of Passover celebrated by the Jews, who God used to give us the Law and the Prophets. I am reminded that Jesus, The Lamb of God, has taken away the sins of the World once and for all, glory to God in the Highest. This reading about communion reminds me of what Passover really represents. It reminds me that are hearts are pure before God because Jesus was and is our Passover Lamb; it reminds me that there is nothing in and of myself that cleanses me from my sin, it is only through the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the World that I have obtained His Righteousness.
Psalm 92:1-93:5
Because I have obtained a better promise, redemption that is not secured yearly but was secured by Jesus’ death on the Cross-, I can shout and sing,

“ 1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
to sing praises to the Most High.
2 It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,
your faithfulness in the evening,

and then go on to declare,

: 1 The LORD is king! He is robed in majesty.
Indeed, the LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength. The world is firmly established;
it cannot be shaken.

Proverbs 14:1-2

This Proverb is sobering,
1 A wise woman builds her house; a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands.

No one but I can destroy my life. I can blame everyone else by playing the blame game but in truth my destruction is at my own hands because of my own failure to obey the Word of the Lord.

Today’s readings seem to have a commen theme.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Mitch:

Judges 1:1-2:9 + Luke 21:29-22:13 + Psalm 90:1-91:16 + Proverbs 13:24-25
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Today we begin the book of Judges! Coming up in this book, we’ll be reading about Deborah, Gideon, Samson, Delilah, and Micah – to drop a few names.  Below is a great map of the judges in Israel that we’ll be reading about:

Judges
Author: Unknown
Date: Eleventh century B.C.
Content: The book of Judges covers a period of several hundred years following the conquest of Canaan, during which time the people were ruled by individual leaders called judges or saviors. Their task was primarily military, being to expel the enemy from the land. Throughout this period of Israel’s history there is a tragic cycle to be observed – that of rebellion against God, followed by the judgment of God, usually in the form of foreign invasion. The children of Israel then cry to God for help and a “judge” is sent to save them. This cycle is repeated numerous times throughout the book. Tragically, the people never seem to learn that rebellion against God is a sure road to disaster.
Theme: The grim lesson of Judges is that “the wages of sin is death: (see Romans 6:23). Sin takes many forms, from the sophisticated sins of kings to the barbaric events that close the book, but the net results is always the same: when everyone does his own thing, chaos and destruction are the inevitable outcome. Through it all, however, God in his faithfulness saves the people when they truly repent and turn to him. (Above commentary is from “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 4)

More commentary on Judges is at these two links:
https://bible.org/article/introduction-book-judges
Really interesting commentary is at this link titled “The Role of Women in the Book of Judges.”  (below is an image of Deborah)

Bible Project: Here is a great video overview of the book of Judges!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOYy8iCfIJ4

An image is below for Judges chapter 1 verses 14 & 15 today: “When Acsah married Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for an additional field. As she got down off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What is it? What can I do for you?” She said, “Give me a further blessing. You have been kind enough to give me land in the Negev; please give me springs as well.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.”

Today in Judges Chapter 2 verses 1 & 2 we will read these words from the angel of the Lord – “I said, “I will never break my covenant with you, and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars. Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this?”” The Israelites disobeyed God back then. Why? Do we disobey God in our lives today? Why do we do this? I have a hunch that maybe sometimes we are simply afraid. Afraid of fully following and trusting God. We may think that God really won’t live up to his promises. At these moments our faith is weak. And we end up disobeying God. Fortunately our inconsistencies do not affect God’s perfect consistency. God never changes. We do. And we can allow ourselves to either be changed by God such that we live in obedience to him – or, we can continue to disobey God and live tumultuous lives. It’s a pretty simple choice. One decision brings an amazing peace that surpasses all understanding and the other decision – grief and frustration. Do we disobey God in our lives today? Why have we done this? Can we instead choose to obey God in our lives?  An image is below for Judges chapter 2 verses 4 & 5 today  – “When the angel of the LORD finished speaking, the Israelites wept loudly. So they called the place “Weeping,” and they offered sacrifices to the LORD.”

New Testament – Today in Luke chapter 22 we read in verses 3-6: “Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around.”  Sad…  Bible.org has a powerful essay on “The Biography of the Betrayer” at this link.    Below is a fresco from the early 14th century by the Italian Renaissance Florentine painter Giotto titled “Pact of Judas.”  In this fresco the two priests on the right discuss Judas’s treachery, while the third plots with Judas, who is in the clutches of the devil…

Bible.org’s commentary on our Luke readings titled “The Second Coming of Christ” is at this link and commentary titled “Preparations for the Passion of Christ” is at this link.

Psalms – Today in Psalm 91:11-12 we read the words quoted by Satan to Jesus during the temptation in the desert: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” As you read this Psalm, do these words apply to Jesus only? Or to those who trust in the Lord as well? Do you believe that the Lord is guarding you in all your ways? Do you believe this is possible? (I hope your answer is yes) Do you recall Jesus’ response to Satan in Matthew 4:7: “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” What do Jesus’ words to Satan tell you about these words in the Psalm? Can we believe these words of the Psalmist, and also not put God to the test at the same time? As an example, maybe to just myself 🙂 , is driving over the speed limit putting God to the test? Is deciding to skip church one week (or for many weeks) because we have some chores to catch up on / or fun stuff to do / or because we’re just tired, putting God to the test?  Think we just might look like this little guy below to God when we come up with all of our excuses of why we don’t go to church…?

Bob Deffinbaugh with Bible.org has commentary on Psalm 90 titled “Place for Pessimism” at this link and his commentary on Psalm 91 titled “A Psalm of Safety” is at this link.

Proverbs – Proverbs 13:24 is true – “If you refuse to discipline your children, it proves you don’t love them; if you love your children, you will be prompt to discipline them.”  The one thing that makes me a bit nervous about this Proverb is that I have a hunch us humans can over-do our discipline.  I think there is obviously a difference between loving / godly discipline of our kids and mean / destructive discipline.  I pray that we are led by God to know the difference.  Yes, discipline is good.  Godly / loving discipline.  Mean / destructive discipline is not good.

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the terrific worship song “Graves into Gardens:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwX1f2gYKZ4

Do you believe that graves can be turned into gardens? Click here and Believe!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Luke 21:33 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are investing your life in learning and growing in the Word, Jesus, Who will never pass away. Pray that heaven and earth are not distracting you from loving Jesus with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Do you agree with our Proverbs today that if you love your children you will be prompt to discipline them?  Do you think this same logic applies to our relationship with God, our Father?  If God loves us, do you think He will be prompt to discipline us?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

====== Dee:

Dee

======= Susan:

Our small group just finished Ephesians. In chapter 6 there are practical instructions for living godly lives. Disciplining your children is discussed. Verse 4 tells us not to exasperate our children but to explain the ways of the Lord. Extreme punishment will not accomplish anything if a child is focused on the unfair punishment. Anger will prevent any learning on the child’s part. However there should be consequences for wrong doing. I have always believed the punishment should fit the crime. Appropriate punishment along with reinforcing the Word are surely the best way to help our children grow into responsible adults.
Susan

======= Jennifer:

I think that the reading from Judges challenges us to finish well and to believe what we know is God’s will for us. Too often I put God’s power in a box and say well God can do this, but not this. I think Isreal did the same thing and because they did not carryout the will of God, they did not receive his blessing fully.

Jennifer

======= Lily:

Disobedience to God always leads to disaster. By not driving the Canaanites out of the promised land, the Isrealites disobeyed God. This led them to temptations (worshipping other gods, intermarrying, etc.) The Isrealites became their Egyptian captors who drove the Canaanites to forced lanor. This reminds me of the the saying “we may become the company we keep”. We have seen how we, especially the young people go astray when we hung out with the wrong crowd. However, God was true to His covenant with His people. He forgave their sins. As the Israelites disobeyed God over & over again, I see myself doing the same thing. Thank God for His mercies that I could ask for forgiveness & start a new day.

I am with you Mike. We need to discipline our children, i.e godly discipline and not destructive discipline. I pray that I have disciplined my children in a godly way, if not all the time, at least most of the time. Also discipline has to come early in the child’s life. The hardest part of disciplining a child is when they become teens. Hopefully if we started early, it will not be too hard when they are in their teen years and will be carried when they are away from us. It also help if we pray for them all the time. My heart goes to the broken children, abused mentally and physically by their parents or guardians.

Lily

====== Karla:

I love the one year Bible blog. You often bring an insight that I’ve missed. Just wanted to comment on the verse in Proverbs today. As a pastor’s wife for over 20 years, I’ve noticed that children do NOT receive much discipline. For the most part few parents discipline their children.

Karla

======= Roslyn:

The commentary from the link “The Role of Women in the Book Judges” is indeed interesting reading although I do not fully subscrtibe to some of the ideas that are discussed in the article.
I get the message that it is only when men fail to lead because of their lack of trust and faith in God, that women are given the opportunity to lead? That this could spell disaster in the end?
I will probably be attacked for saying this. But there are those among us women who can equally take positions of strong leadership regardless of whether men fail or not.
And what is bothersome to me is when women do take on positions of leadership, that they are attributed all sorts of negative labels.
In the context of marriage, a strong woman—emotionally and spiritually—is a great asset in keeping the marriage together.
Reading ” Women of the Bible” by Spangler and Syswerda —a one-year devotional study of women in Scripture has opened my eyes to many of the women I’ve never heard of in my earlier religion/theological studies.
Roslyn

======= Ramona:

Rosyln,
I don’t think the issue is that woman can’t lead, The Apostle Paul sent his Letter to The Romans, by way of a woman. The issue is men, who are designated or purposed to be leaders (Yes, God does have a plan and a purpose for everyone, even if they fail, like Israel and the Church, to step up to the plate) not taking their role.
Not every man is leadership material; ask Korah and his gang, as well as Aaron. In the exodus and in the desert, Moses was the man God chose. When males fail to be men, women suffer. The problem is people do not understand what it means to be in a leadership position, thus they fail at leading. Jesus definitely was and is a leader; however, he led by serving, empowering those who follow Him to do the work they were designed to do or created for.
To get the true picture of what is meant one MUST go back to “In the Beginning ..” before the fall of man. We are a broken people, using our gifts, talents and abilities wrongly. When the purpose of a thing is not understood, abuse is inevitable (Rev. Myles Monroe). We must go back to God’s original intent not what we see with out eyes and experience in a fallen world.
Ramona

======= Luch:

Rosyln, I think this issue of women leading in the church because men have ‘defaulted’ is something that irks me. I applaud your courage in stating your view.
The fact is, there are multiple perspectives on this complex topic falling under the categories of egalitarian, complimentarian, and some other views that are not coming to mind right now. Our formlery Brethren church (I dislike that name ‘brethren”) recently made a decision (long overdue) to include women in positions of elder leadership. It has taken us 6 years, yes 6 years to come to this prayerfully studied position. I realize there are those who would question just about every interpretation we have made on specific verses but the fact is, there is room to have different convictions and practices. Some will argue, (good friends of mine) that we are heading towards the end times with ‘allowing women’ into leadership equal to men. I say, give me a break. Has anyone taken care to highlight the women of God that have been raised up throughout church history recent and past, that have breathed life into the church.
There are godly and intelligent men and women on both sides of the issue of women in church leadership. Suffice it to say there have been VOLUMES written. I have found great help in Ronald Pierce and Rebecca Merrill Groothius and Gordon D. Fee (author of How to read the Bible for all its worth) book “Discovering Biblical Equality–Complementarian without Hierarchy” very helpful in maintaining a balanced and thoughtful perspective.
as well N.T Wright, probably the leading scholar on New testament studies has a lecture called “Men, Women, and the Church” delivered in september 2004. It’s worth reading and can be found at http://www.ntwrightpage.com
Having just celebrated the resurrection of our Lord let’s remember something important that Wright points out. Please bear with the lenghty quote.
“It is interesting that there comes a time in the story when the disciples all forsake Jesus and runaway; and at that point, long before the rehabilitation of Peter and the others, it is the women who come first to the tomb, who are the first to see the risen Jesus, and are the first to be entrusted with the news that he has been raised from the dead. This is of incalculable signficance. Mary Magadelene and the others are apostles to the apostles. We should not be surprised that Paul calls a woman named Junia an apostle in Romans 16:7. If an apostle is a witness to the resurrection there were women who deserved that title before any of the men.” By the way I am aware that there is debate as to whether Junia was actually a man. There is not a shred of historical or exegetical argument available to those who keep insisting Junias was a man.
One thing my wife, a gifted leader herself, says to me, is “Luch please don’t patronize me or any other woman. We have been gifted by God and are accountable before the Lord for our stewardship. There is neither male nor female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28
Luch

======= Linda:

Luch,
I am not ready to make definitive statements about women in leadership, but that scripture you quoted is about salvation, not leadership.
“26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:26-29. It does seem to me that women are raised up when men fail. This is from a woman who was raised in a church pastored by women. During the 1950’s there did not seem to be a place for single and divorced women and God raised up some women to fill this void. I need a lot of study, and personal “feelings” and militant feminism have no place here. Stating that men and women have different roles, is NOT putting down women. We have been so conditioned, by “militant feminism” that we seem to be losing our way. I think that when a woman is meant to be a leader, she will not have to push her way in. God will open the door and it will be natural and in harmony.
Linda

======= Becky:

I think it’s pretty clear from Scripture that women are not to be ministers, pastors, priests or whatever you want to call the leaders of the church.
Timothy says that an elder should be the husband of one wife. It doesn’t say the elder should be the spouse of one spouse. Christ chose twelve special apostles– and they were all men. The books of the Bible were all written by men, inspired by God. If Christ wanted women to be pastors, I think he would have had 6 women apostles and 6 men apostles.
That’s not to say that women don’t have important roles to play in life and in church. We do, but being the pastor isn’t one of them.
Becky

======= Kate:

I think it’s a sign of judgment on the men of Israel for their lack of faith and their seeking a life of comfort and maybe they just got tired of fighting…
Kate

====== Arielle:

Joshua 24:1-33 + Luke 21:1-28 + Psalm 89:38-52 + Proverbs 13:20-23
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Today we finish up the book of Joshua!  What a book.  I have definitely learned much from this book this year.  And today’s readings are no exception.  Chapter 24 is a wonderful closing to this book where the Israelites renew their covenant with God.  Verses 25 through 27 are awesome – “So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day at Shechem, committing them to a permanent and binding contract between themselves and the LORD. Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. As a reminder of their agreement, he took a huge stone and rolled it beneath the oak tree beside the Tabernacle of the LORD.  Joshua said to all the people, “This stone has heard everything the LORD said to us. It will be a witness to testify against you if you go back on your word to God.”

It’s great to read verse 32 and realize that Joseph’s wishes from 200 years earlier of being buried in the Promised Land came to fruition!  It is amazing to realize the Israelites carried Joseph’s bones with them throughout the 40 years in the desert to fulfill this wish –  “The bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought along with them when they left Egypt, were buried at Shechem, in the parcel of ground Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor for one hundred pieces of silver.  This land was located in the territory allotted to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, the descendants of Joseph.”

New Testament – Bible.org’s commentary on our Luke chapter 21 readings today titled “Jerusalem in the Last Days” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 89 verse 48 is something important to keep in mind as I think it does help us think about how we are really living our short earthly lives – “No one can live forever; all will die.  No one can escape the power of the grave.”  Knowing this, how are you living your life?  Are you living your life with love?  Are you loving God and loving other people with all that you are?  Are you living your life intentionally?  Are you living your life as God would want you to live your life?  I heard someone once state: “Just keep in mind that we’re not going to live forever.  100 years from now on this planet?  It will be all new people.”  That is an interesting thing to keep in mind…  100 years from now…  all new people.  Hopefully this is a fact that encourages each of us not to waste our precious time here on things that are not of God!  No one escapes the grave.  Our condition is terminal.  (But of course our condition can be eternal through faith in Jesus!)

Proverbs – Wow. Today in Proverbs chapter 13 verse 20 we read – “He who walks with the wise grows wise.” There is so much wisdom in this verse. Basically, you can boil this down to “choose your friends with care” – but I think there is more going on here. This life we each live really is so short. And there are so many people in our lives that we can choose to spend our time with. And I think it would be very wise on our part to attempt to spend quality time with quality people. Wise people. Otherwise, we can get swept up in a myriad of pop-cultural distractions and cares. And who we choose to hang around with a lot is who we too shall become. Don’t get me wrong – there are clearly times that we are called to minister or serve or love or spend time with people that may not appear “wise” – at first glance. I think if you truly are ministering or serving or loving someone who is down and out, you may be surprised how wise a down and out person can be – sometimes I think they can be closer to God in some ways. So – I’m just saying don’t insulate yourself with only spending time with people who appear worldly & wise. 🙂 Wisdom and wise people truly can be found in the most unlikely of places. Last point I’ll make on this verse. When I read this verse – “He who walks with the wise grows wise” – it makes me think of how important it is for each of us to be attending a church each and every week. The church is the body of Christ. The church is truly “wise.” And if we ourselves are not walking with other believers in the body of Christ by investing in a church on a weekly basis, then I think we are at risk of getting swept up in the pop-cultural cares of this fleeting world. Church is wise. Attending church on a weekly basis is wise. I believe attending church on a weekly basis will make you wise.

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of NEEDTOBREATHE’s song “Fall on Me:”

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

Have you fallen on God? Click here and fall on Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.” Proverbs 13:20 NLT

Prayer Point: Pray that God will lead you to wise people to walk with and grow wise with. Pray that you will not associate with fools and get in trouble.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Based on our Proverb today, are you walking with the wise?  Do you want to walk with the wise?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Joshua 24:1-33
Two verses in the twenty-fourth chapter have not only caught my attention but also fired my imagination,
3 But I took your ancestor Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him into the land of Canaan. I gave him many descendants through his son Isaac. 4 To Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. To Esau I gave the hill country of Seir, while Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.
Esau was given the hill country while Jacob and his children went down into Egypt to become enslaved. Looking at this without seeing God’s perspective or having the advantage of hindsight the fact that Esau was given the hill country and Jacob/Israel would seem that God had favored Esau. The Word spoken to Rebekah regarding the twins she carried,
23 And the LORD said unto her, “Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger” (Gen 25:23).
Jacob was the younger and Esau the older and the Word of God never returns to Him void, it always accomplish that which was spoken by Him even when observed before the fullness of time. It took over 400 years before God’s Word to Rebekah came to past.
We do not fulfill God’s Word to us by us working the word; His Word is fulfilled as we live in obedience to his commands. Rebekah thought that she could fulfill God’s Word to Jacob by tricks and manipulation. Esau thought he could subvert the Word that had been spoken by God through his father by plotting to kill his brother. (Genesis 25-50)
Luke 21:1-28
Interesting how we are awed by the work or our hands and we think what we build or create should last forever. I’ve heard people say that if you want to be immortal, write a book as if leather and dead trees with printer’s ink on it will someone give you what God can give you, eternal life.
5 Some of his disciples began talking about the beautiful stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, 6 “The time is coming when all these things will be so completely demolished that not one stone will be left on top of another.”
After Jesus describes the events that will lead up to His second coming He tells His disciples to, “…stand straight and look up, for your salvation is near.” He had already told them as he began his discourse telling his followers not to panic meaning that there will be things happening to make you want to panic so standing straight and looking up in the midst of crises take courage which must be an act of the will.
Psalm 89:38-52
When we mock God’s creation we mock Him who created that which we mock, God.
Proverbs 13:20-23
21 Trouble chases sinners, while blessings chase the righteous!
Oh just think of it being chased down by blessings, I’ll take some of that.
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Luch:

With reference to the brevity of life, and that 100 years from now there will be a whole bunch of brand new people does sure put life in perspective.
Not sure who said it, but it bears repeating, “Only one life it will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Luch

======= Mae:

Joshua 24:19-20 “Then Joshua warned the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy and jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. If you abandon the Lord and serve other gods, he will turn against you and destroy you, even though he has been so good to you.” ~ You know what I notice lately? People that create their own God. They come to church once a week, hear the sermon, remember the things that come good to them and forget what they don’t agree on. We have them here in the biblestudy. I observe them and see how they try to turn bad things into good. You know what I’m trying to say? They lie in specific situations and look for excuses to turn it into something good. … Sigh … am I explaining this correctly? I don’t think there’s any excuse to lie! If you’re lying you’re abandoning God. You might not serving another God perse, but you’re defenitly NOT serving our Lord, the Father!
Are you walking with the wise? Do you want to walk with the wise? ~ Oh yes! I’m walking with the wise! I love to learn from people! I love to listen to them and to all the wisdom they have! I thank the Lord for putting so many (much?) wise people in my life! I’ve met the greatest and wisest people since I’ve accepted Jesus. I love to talk to them and I love to listen to their testimony’s!
Mae

======= Jen:

LUKE
Oh make us more faithful so we cab like the widow.
I enjoyed reading the link
PSALMS
I love with everything I have and I love my family. I dont think im living my life as exactly as God would like me too. Are any of us?
PROVERBS
This year i have found myself blogging with many Christains. Im learning a lot. I also go to church on a weekly basis.
Jen

======= Halle:

Amen and amen! Thank you again for the incredible encouragement and connection to the Word! This blog is amazing and helps so many engage in God’s Word!!! Thank you for all of the work, time, love and faithfulness that you pour into this!!!!!! Glory be to God, blessings to His faithful servants!!!!
Halle

======= Jim:

“And if we ourselves are not walking with other believers in the body of Christ by investing in a church on a weekly basis, then I think we are at risk of getting swept up in the pop-cultural cares of this fleeting world.”
After trying unsuccessfully for years to cure alcoholism by means of psychoanalysis, Dr. Carl Jung concluded that alcoholism could not be treated by either medical or psychodynamic techniques. He reasoned that the underlying problem was one of spiritual emptiness and wrote in a letter to AA founder Bill Wilson (in which Jung coined the phrase, “spiritus contra spiritum” or “spirits against the spirit”), “I am strongly convinced that the evil principle prevailing in this world leads the unrecognized spiritual need into perdition, if it is not counteracted either by real religious insight or by the protective wall of human community. An ordinary man, not protected by an action from above and isolated in society, cannot resist the power of evil, which is called very aptly the Devil.” Jung also concluded that today’s religion was equally spiritually impoverished and just as ineffective in the battle against alcoholism (and evil).
Wilberforce made a great distinction between what he considered to be a “cultural” Christian and an “authentic” Christian. First, one should know scripture well enough to be able to defend one’s beliefs (and he had very strong words for those who suggest faith is a private matter). The problem, said Wilberforce, begins with a misconception about the nature of God and of sin. People end up not taking Satan or sin seriously so that they continually belittle their own guilt concerning efforts to be good. Jesus did not die on the cross, he said, so God could have a more tolerant perspective of sin as man is still as worthy of Hell as ever and Man without true repentance (requiring change) is still as doomed as ever – no matter what words may come from one’s lips. Wilberforce goes to great length to express what it means to put God first with a life led by the Holy Spirit with beliefs that are based on the Word in contrast to earthly attempts to be a “moral” person (with only self-effort to serve God) simply trying to do “good” things and avoid “bad” things with beliefs that come from men. My favorite sentence is: “Our behavior is so conformed to cultural standards that if we were put on trial as a Christian, the case might be dropped for lack of evidence.” pg 89. I think his most important message, though, is that while Wilberforce was able to talk his countrymen out of slavery (which would be like talking Americans today out of using oil) as well as the world’s most popular lottery (until 1995) that he was equally wholly unable to talk the same people into being authentic Christians despite his book being a “best-seller” for more than three decades.
“Do we disobey God in our lives today? Why do we do this?”
I would disagree with Mike’s suggestion that it is because we fear God won’t live up to His promises, but that we don’t fear Him (or the wrong answer) enough — or, as Wilberforce put it almost two centuries ago, that we don’t take Satan or sin seriously enough. It’s just easier to use our own solutions (or hearts) and feel just because we call ourselves “Christians” that any reasonably good intentions should simply be good enough (“well, I tried”). BUT… We’re not called to be good but great just as it’s not the good commission but the Great Commission.
Jim

======= Luch:

it’s not just ‘attending church’ that makes you wise, it’s ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING in the life of the Body of Christ that might make you wise. The operative word is ‘actively participating’ in the lives of others. That’s what the many ‘one another’ exhortations area all about—church is about relationships not following prescribed rituals without the relational motivation. Just my two cents worth.
Luch

======== Lily:

It’s amazing to read the story of the Israelites narrated by Joshua in Chapter 24, reminding them (us) how God chose them and continually reminding them of God’s presence,forgiveness and honoring His covenant. The chapter ended with the renewal of the people’s promise to honor and serve God only and get rid of their idols. This reminds me of how many times we promise God to follow Him and not succumb to temptations.
Life is short as always quoted. However, eternal life is forever. Thans be to God.
Lily

======= Teriann:

I like Joshua’s declaration in v.15, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” I also liked the effect it had on the people, how it increased and built up their faith. This made me think of the apostle Paul near the end of the book of Acts. He is on a ship that is lost at sea. No one has eaten in days and it says that they had given up all hope of being saved. In the midst of all this, Paul stands up and says that an angel appeared to him and promised that no one would die. And then he says, “I BELIEVE GOD!” His declaration of faith encouraged everyone. When our faith is strong I think it is important to declare it because it can encourage others around us who might be struggling at the time.
Terriann

======= Billy:

Thanks Mike. Great advice on choosing “friends” wisely. Let’s just say in my past I have had many not so “wise” friends and believe me I was right there with them.
Billy

======== Bob:

Joshua 24: 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.
A couple of comments here: Righteousness can’t be forced. Make your choice a deliberate one. As we move into Judges, we will see if you choose God, it brings favor and glory to His name, (and you). I guess it is all a matter of free will and the consequences of our choice. I think Joshua, like any good preacher will present the evidence of the past and give you may good reasons to make your choice obvious. It’s not easy because like in verse 25:24, we can say we will serve the Lord but fall short. Judges will give us a whole array of reasons. I am going to pay attention!
Bob

======== Joyce:

Mike and everyone,
Mike, I deeply appreciate following this blog, and able to read through the book of Joshua, for the first time.
What a great Godly leader Joshua was!
Joshua 24:25-27 Amplified Bible
25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem.
26 And Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God; and he took a great stone and set it up there under an oak that was in [the court of] the sanctuary of the Lord.
27 And Joshua said to all the people, See, this stone shall be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the Lord spoke to us; so it shall be a witness against you, lest [afterward] you lie (pretend) and deny your God.
He made a covenant with the people, made statutes and ordinances for them,
wrote these words down in the Book of the Law, and took a stone as a witness.
He put many safeguards to want to make sure the people won’t deny God. And he finished doing all these before he died …
Wow — what a leader! What a leader that God had chosen for the Israelites!
What an example for us to follow today!
Gratefully,
Joyce

======== Robert:

Today I listened to Tom Dooley’s reading the scriptures. It was such a pleasure just letting the words sweep over me and I felt such peace even though some things like Jesus words on end times in Luke were powerful but yet conveyed such hope. The key point for me today was in Joshua verse 14, “But as for me and my household we will serve the Lord”. I believe through all circumstances to hold onto that thought just brings me to a better place. And I think in a lot of ways that is how blessings chase us. I do look forward to this Sunday where church will be finally holding an outdoor service. Praise God.
Robert

======= Dee:

Yes Robert! I too love the scriptures read! And I love that verse: As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord! I love coming to the end of Joshua and he speaks of all the blessings over God’s people! That’s nice. And our timing is not God’s timing. Nor our ways his ways. After 400 years he fulfilled his promise.
The end of an Era..The Book of Joshua..now Judges..even though I know what’s coming because I have read before..the Israelites are going to get hasty. They want a ruler..they want someone to rule them or judge them..Joshua is gone..we still have Caleb there..hmm. and we will hear the “rest of the story!”
The destruction told about in Luke today. And I always am in awe of the widows mite. Makes me think of my sweet mama who has gone and passed away from this world. She loved and gave like that..so sweet.
Proverbs 13:22
A good man leave an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. Wow..I hope I meet my children’s children and the biggest investment is the Kingdom of JC! I want them to know you Lord.
My fervent hope is I’m walking with the wise! I hope to be a blessing and grow wise and establish wisdom from the sweet saints I embrace each. My church, my prayer warriors, my colleagues, spouse, children both born of me and not from me. Love love and peace!
Dee

======== Ramona:

Joshua 24:1-33
Every year that I have gone on this journey, I am always amazed at the things that stand out to me. Although I have gone on a read-thorough-the-Bible-journey over thirty times, I am amazed at the things that I constantly uncover. Things that were there all the time, things that on my first journey I either chose not to see or could not see things that I have read before but now am just discovering. God’s Word is ever pregnant birthing new thoughts and new perspectives.
Joshua said to all the people, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt in olden times beyond the Euphrates River, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, and they served other gods. And I took your father Abraham from beyond the Euphrates River and led him through all the land of Canaan and multiplied his offspring. I gave him Isaac, (Joshua 24:2-3 AMP).
In the midst of my depravity, God called me out from those who worshiped gods that were not God, just like He did Abraham. Called out from the midst of depraved influences, God incubated Abraham in the comfort of His womb. The womb He had provided, Cannon, to give birth to His people, His Word by way of the Law, His Words through the Prophets, and finally, His Word, Jesus Christ. Then, as stated in the fourth verse of this chapter, they were sent down to Egypt, “And I gave to Isaac Jacob and Esau. And I gave to Esau the hill country of Seir to possess, but Jacob and his children went down to Egypt.” (Joshua 24:4 AMP)
For some strange reason I have gotten stuck with and am drawn to the history of mathematics. I am currently reading a book called, Mathematics for the Million: How to Master the Magic of Numbers by Lancelot Hogben. This is my second book on numbers having read Isaac Asimov’s humorous book, The Realm of Numbers. I’m not sure the purpose of my sudden fascination with books like this, but I have learned that besides working through problems that presented themselves in the ancient world, the learned priests elevated the art of numbers, specifically Geometry to a priestly endeavor. All the work of the Babylonians and the Egyptians laid the foundation for every current young scholar’s (grades 1 through 12, and up) nightmare or dream in the handling of numbers; they also laid down the groundwork for the building of Temples, pyramids, etc.
Abraham and his descendents, having no use for numbers, other than counting his sheep, cattle and other such stuff, was a nomad. But down in Egypt where geometry (geo – earth; metry – measuring—where we get the word meter) would be used to calculate the “plumb” line needed to create and measure “right” angles to successfully build its temples, Israel would get math lessons needed to build up the country God had Promised her, in Egypt. I may be called far from my Promise to learn something, you may be called into situations that may become “slavery” for God’s purpose to build His Kingdom upon the earth.
And He made from one [common origin, one source, one blood] all nations of men to settle on the face of the earth, having definitely determined [their] allotted periods of time and the fixed boundaries of their habitation (their settlements, lands, and abodes), So that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after Him and find Him, although He is not far from each one of us.
(Acts 17:26-27 AMP)
Ramona

======= John:

Joshua 24
We have come full circle. Shechem was the place where Jacob challenged his followers regarding foreign gods. Joshua is making his speech at the same place. Possibly the stone was set up near the place Jacob buried the forign gods.
Gen 35:2-4
“So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.” So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods they had and the rings in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak at Shechem.” NIV
Josh24:19,23
“Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins……”Now then,” said Joshua, “throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.” NIV
After all this – there were some who still caried around idol’s of other gods and worshipped them. They were straddling the fence – having it both ways – you cannot worship other gods and be in favor with the Lord. You cannot serve the Lord in this state.
Implications:
Do people straddle the fence today. Going to worship on Sundays, and then worshipping the world the rest of the week (work, immorality, video games, etc.) ????
Two possibilities:
1) A professing Christian did receive and believe in Christ, but in the battle of the flesh and spirit has tried to go it on his own instead of relying on God. You lose every time – you cannot serve the Lord in this way. Your testimony and witness mean nothing.
2) A professing Christian who is in this state never truly received Christ and trusted Him with their life. They go to Sunday worship because it is what they always have done with family, for social reasons, or because they think it is all that is necessary to please God.
The answer here is the same as Joshua said – throw away your foreign idols and yield your heart to the Lord. This means turning back to the Lord, repenting of your sinful state, and giving your heart to the Lord. Today that means Believing and Receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
======================================================
The VT shootings, Hurricane Katrina, and the Asian Tsunami are no different than the question asked Jesus about the building in Galilee falling and killing people in NT. The answer is the same.
In an imperfect world evil exists, tragedies happen, and the emphasis should not be on figuring it all out.
The point is what Jesus said – We do not control things, we are mortal – it should be a sign to look to God and repent.
Christians who are wandering (straddling the fence) need to come back to the Lord and serve Him. Non-Christians. It is a moment in time to look to God for the eternal solution. There is only one answer and one way.
Even Christians who are dedicated believers should see these as signs to rededicate our lives to Christ and share the Gospel. We don’t know how long we will be here on earth, and neither do we know the lifespan of those we talk to about Christ. Our sense of urgency should be renewed.
John

======= John:

Luke 21
The Widow’s Offering
Can you see the picture of salvation in the widow’s offering.
Someone who has no resources, no one else (husband) to depend on – who is at her lowest state – gave from her core, her life.
The others – it was an offering from their surplus – it did not touch their core. Who does Christ recognize??? How did you come to Christ with your offering – your heart – your recognition of God’s plan?????
======================================================
Prophecy
As Ramona said – nothing brings up more petty and useless arguments in Christianity than disagreements on Prophecy. Let’s see if we can stick to what we (hopefully) can agree on:
Before anything else there will be persecution. It was true then, and true now. We see it begin with Stephen in Acts, and I keep coming up with the same numbers that indicate more christians were killed in the 2oth century than the previous 19 combined.
There will be wars, and natural disasters – why must they happen? They are necessary for God to give a chance to those who have not turned back to Him. As stated before – to point to our inability to control events (man-made or natural), to recognize mortality, and to give us a chance to repent to the Lord. God is patient and far more more merciful to this world than to all the “ites” of Canaan. He waited some 400 years to destroy them, and we are going on 2,000+ waiting for Jesus to return.
There were false Messiahs back then, and now. Most recent one I heard of is the guy in Miami, Fl (Miranda). You know why we are to ignore them – because when Christ returns in His glory – WE will be with Him.
1 Th 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
Jude 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands* of his saints,
*ten thousands – Gk. murias – idiom meaning innumerable, too many to count.
======================================================
A common acceptance about prophecy is that it contains near term and far term fulfillments. that seems to be the case here at vs. 20 to the end of our readings.
Titus, Roman commander, laid siege to Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and leveled Jerusalem – including the temple.
” In the siege in 70 A.D. some 1,100,000 men, women, and children died of starvation or by the sword of Rome. Some 97,000 others were taken into slavery. All this happened because when the Jews heard that the Roman army was coming to bring judgment on their rebellion, they came into the city from the hills and villages of Judea, hoping that the city walls would save them from destruction. But the followers of Jesus who heeded his warning were able to flee the city in time to save their lives.” – Ron Ritchie
Verses 25 and on are yet unfulfilled. Nothing as cataclismic as Christ mentions has happened – and of course He has not come back. But HE WILL! For the Jews still alive at this time – who call on the name of the Lord – their redemption will be at hand.
John

======= John:

The Essential Message of Joshua
Practically, that message is that God keeps his promises and enables his servants to succeed if we will trust him and obey his word. God has a rich inheritance for his children here and now if they will claim it by faith.-Doug Goins
======================================================
Things about Joshua from this Book.
I. How was he prepared?
– He suffered (in Egypt)
– He submitted to authority. (During the first half of his life he obeyed Moses, and during the second half he learned to listen directly to the Lord.)
– Joshua experianced delay (Hebrews 6:12 tells us that it is through faith and patience that we inherit what God has promised.)
II. What are some of the hallmarks of Joshua’s leadership?
-First, he walked with God, as Moses, his mentor, did.
– He had courage.
– He followed God’s plans. Not perfectly, but when Joshua did not (Ai, Gibeonites) he acknowledged his mistake and returned to the Lord’s Way.
– Joshua enlisted others, and they trusted his spiritual authority.
– Joshua was concerned about the future.
– Joshua glorified God. Throughout the book of Joshua he repeatedly gave God the glory for everything that happened. It was the Lord who conquered the enemy, the Lord who gave the land to the people, the name of the Lord that was to be magnified in all the earth.
======================================================
How is God revealed in this Book?
– He is a relational God.
– He is a God who keeps his promises.
– He is a holy God who will not tolerate sin.
– He is a forgiving God who cleanses us when we confess our sins.
– He is a God who requires obedience.
– He is a God who never fails. We may fail him, but he will never fail us.
– Most importantly, He is a God of grace and mercy.
John

======= Vance:

I completely and heartily agree with this statement:
“And if we ourselves are not walking with other believers in the body of Christ by investing in a church on a weekly basis, then…we are at risk of getting swept up in the pop-cultural cares of this fleeting world. Church is wise.”
Of course, we are the church, the Body of Christ. The church is not perfect in behavior. But, thank God, that we are what we are by the GRACE of God!
Those who are truly the church seek to live the way that the Father through Joshua calls us to live: in regular, ongoing surrender
Joshua 24 (NKJV)
13
I have given you a land for which you did not labor, and cities which you did not build, and you dwell in them; you eat of the vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.’
14
“Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! 15
And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
NOTE:
I note verse 13: “I have given you a land for which you did not labor…”
This reminds me of another inheritance, which the Father sovereignly made to include another verse 13:
Colossians 1 (NKJV)
12
giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
13
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
14
in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
OH… that I would always see the inheritance I ALREADY HAVE IN CHRIST. How could one possibly turn from Christ and not surrender to the Lord Jesus once they see the true wealth of spiritual riches that Jesus paid for and bestowed on those who trust Him?
I Corinthians 2 (Amplified)
12
Now we have not received the spirit [that belongs to] the world, but the [Holy] Spirit Who is from God, [given to us] that we might realize and comprehend and appreciate the gifts [of divine favor and blessing so freely and lavishly] bestowed on us by God.
~~~
Joshua 24 (NKJV)
32
The bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel had brought up out of Egypt, they buried at Shechem…
NOTE:
There is a historical reality in confirming God’s covenant.
The so called “Gospel of Judas” got me thinking about the importance of the
of the dual reality of the Lord Jesus: the historical reality and the spiritual reality.
I found an interesting news article on a Christian news website, “The Gospel of Judas: A Betrayal of the Truth” Below is a small quote from the article.
“The Gospel of Judas tells an entirely different story than the one recorded in the canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. In this writing, Judas is the hero and not the betrayer of Christ. Instead, he is depicted as Christ’s best friend — the only one who really understands Jesus — the one who turns Jesus over to the authorities for crucifixion at His behest — helping Him shed his fleshly body and return to the spirit world.”
“The teachings of The Gospel of Judas are Gnostic in origin. The Gnostics were a sect that believed only a select group of people was privy to a secret knowledge. THE MATERIAL WORLD TO THEM WAS A TRAP — SOMETHING FROM WHICH TO ESCAPE TO ENTER INTO THE SPIRIT WORLD.”
“As Hanson notes, the teachings of the ‘Cainite Gnostics,’ the group responsible for the Gospel of Judas, were characteristic for ‘rehabilitating disgraced biblical figures, including Cain, the Sodomites, and Judas.’”
“Although Gnostics appeared to be Christian, there is nothing about their teachings that resembled what the apostles actually taught and passed down to the Church.”
Note this key quote from the article: “THE MATERIAL WORLD TO [the Gnostics] WAS A TRAP — SOMETHING FROM WHICH TO ESCAPE TO ENTER INTO THE SPIRIT WORLD.”
Since they saw physical matter as evil, in their view Jesus could not possibly have been divine and also wanted a human body.
Yet, God’s covenant has always had a historical reality. The physical bones of Joseph and the physical and historical grave site of those bones was a place where people could go and see evidence that could not be denied that God keeps His promises.
Consider how important the physical body of the Lord Jesus is to the NT.
In particular, note that the books of Colossians and I John were written specifically against the error and heresy of gnosticism.
Colossians 1 (NKJV)
21
AND YOU, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet NOW HE HAS RECONCILED
22
IN THE BODY OF HIS FLESH THROUGH DEATH, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—
I John 4 (NKJV)
2
By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come IN THE FLESH is of God,
3
and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come IN THE FLESH is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
~~~
Also consider this from Hebrews:
Hebrews 10 (NKJV)
19
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20
by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, THROUGH THE VEIL, THAT IS, HIS FLESH,…
22
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,…
23
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works
FINAL NOTE:
If Jesus were not truly human, then He could not be our equal substitute or equal representative. Jesus had to be human because we are humans. Humans (Adam and Eve) allowed themselves to be
deceived through temptation, and only a human could later overcome the enemy by defeating temptation on behalf of humanity.
JESUS IS FULLY GOD AND FULLY MAN. Anything less is less than what man needs and less that what God requires.
Also, Jesus was not simply a real human who was temporarily “endued” with the “divine” or the “Spirit” which then later left him.
No…
Jesus and the Father are one. He was crucified precisely because He claimed to be God.
Vance

Joshua 22:21-23:16 + Luke 20:27-47 + Psalm 89:14-37 + Proverbs 13:17-19
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
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Brief post today.  Back to a full post tomorrow.  🙂

New Testament – Bible.org’s commentary on Luke chapter 20’s readings today titled “One Bride for Seven Brothers” is at this link and commentary titled “David’s Son” is at this link.

Psalms – I love Psalm 89:15 today: “Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord.” Do you hear the joyful call to worship in your life? Do you worship God with a community of believers each week?  (i.e. at a church…)  Will you choose to walk in the light of God’s presence each week?

Proverbs – Proverbs 13:18 is so so so true: “If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept criticism, you will be honored.”  I know this may sound strange, but I’m trying to get to the point in my life where I actually appreciate criticism and appreciate making mistakes.  It means I’m learning.  And the key to receiving criticism is indeed to not ignore it.  Reflect on it.  Pray on it.  And yes, sometimes the criticism will be unfounded.  But sometimes it may literally save your life…  Let us be open and appreciative to constructive criticism!  And let us not ignore it!  Nor try to escape from it…

Worship Video: Psalm 89:15 reminds me of Chris Tomlin’s song “Made to Worship:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5FmNqozk6k

Are you made to worship? Click here and worship!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored.” Proverbs 13:18 NLT

Prayer Point: Pray that you will not ignore criticism and end up in poverty and disgrace. Pray that you will accept correction and then honor.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  How are you doing in accepting criticism in your life today?  Do you accept it?  Receive it?  Learn from it?  Or perhaps… ignore it?  Why do you think this Proverb says if you ignore criticism you’ll end up in poverty and disgrace?  Do you think many people in our world today ignore criticism?  Is ignoring criticism perhaps a selfish act?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Joshua 22:21-23:16
An altar is a place of exchange. In the case of Israel, their alter was a place where they exchanged their personal and national sins for God’s righteousness through daily blood sacrifices. For the 2 ½ tribes, their memorial, their large memorial was to be a reminder to whom? What one says and what one’s true intentions are is two separate things. It can be said that one’s actions speak so loudly that what is being said is drowned out. So unless we know what is truly in their hearts, we cannot discern their true intentions. However, we do have a record of what happened to both those on the east of the Jordan and those on the west. Their fruit, like our fruit gives evidence of what was in the heart.
The tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh had requested land not intended as their Promise, to be there substitute Promise. So what was the real intent of this memorial/altar. Had they since realized after really seeing the Promise that God had for them, that they had made a mistake and were to proud to say so? The problem with “memorials” is this: unless one is interested in history, they either become a place for pigeons to sit on and/or they become part of the scenery and all meaning is lost except by the tourists and the lovers of history and architecture.
To truly keep your mind focused on something, one must have a heart felt love for what is before you. Altar or no altar, memorial or no memorial the issue at hand is what is going on in the heart of both the 2 ½ tribes, east of the Jordon, and the 9 ½ tribes on the west. That is the same predicament we have today. Whether we have statues/paintings/icons of those, we have decided by consensus, to be godly saints, or we have sparse places of worship with plan walls, the issue is and has always been what is going on in the heart.
We justify our actions by appearances; GOD examines our motives. Clean living before God and justice with our neighbors mean far more to GOD than religious performance. (Proverbs 21:2-3 MSG)
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Pat:

I think the story told in Joshua 22 carries two messages for all of us.
(1) The tribes of Gad and Reuben built an altar not for offering burned offerings but instead as a memorial to God – a memorial others could see the minute they entered their territory. I wonder if our territory – whether owned or leased, whether a home or apartment or condo – is a memorial to God that other people can immediately identify. Our society has become such that religious icons and objects are being removed from the work place and all public areas except churches. It seems the only place where we can still display religious items is in our personal territory. When someone enters our door, what do they see first? Is it something that glorifies Christ? I looked around my living room and discovered that I need to make some changes in there! I need to fix my territory up so that when anyone enters they will immediately see that Christ is the center of my life.
(2) The Israelites from the remaining 10 tribes west of the Jordan River were ready to kill those east of the Jordan when they heard they had erected the altar for use, which would have been in defiance of God. Instead of just striking out, they sent leaders from their tribes to investigate and talk with the leaders of the other tribes. The leaders found out that the altar was not what they thought it was, took this good news back to their tribes and everyone then was happy. When someone upsets us, we need to calmly sit down and talk to them about it! It is very seldom something can’t be talked out and hurt or anger erased by doing so. We are quick to jump to conclusions, we are quick to get our feelings hurt, we are quick to become angry, but we are not quick to deal with the situation in the manner these wise leaders did. If we are upset, we draw back from the person instead of going to the person to work it out.
What wonderful two lessons the Word of God delivered to us today!
God Bless!
Pat

======= Anka:

I wonder why 3 tribes on the other side built an altar the intended “not”to use for burnt offerings.That’s what altars were meant for in those days.It almost is like keeping a weapon in the house to scare burglers kidding yourself into believing you won’t actually use it.Their excuse seems flimsy.It seems they are facing the consequence of their unwise choice to be separated from the rest of the nation…I’m curious to see if they won’t only burn offerings on the altar to God without authorisation but to gods as well….Staying away fro the body of Christ for various”good”reasons may seem right but it will have serious consequences….like the Israelites were getting ready to fight their brothers,how long will it take for someone out of church to wage war(verbally or otherwise)on the rest of the sheep for what it seems like a “good Godly”cause…………….46″Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers.”………………
Hypocrisy:it drives unbelievers from the house of God,discourages believers in the house of God.In the end when the pressure is high,the truth comes out and people see what you truly believe in.Yesterday I was asked if I’m catholic,protestant or greek orthodox…my answer”I’m a christian”…Christians are followers of Christ and Christ didn’t create a divided church nor did he give it several names and denominations.There’s so much just in a”name”!My relatives have seen a change in me,they recognise that I seek to know everything from the bible’s point of view…all they have against me is that I in their opinion renounced the greek orthodox faith,refuse to kiss their statues and pictures of the saints,Mary and Jesus!!Well I pray this period they celebrate Easter,they would be more open to hear the truth…Will be travelling celebrate easter with my grand father and some of my mum’s relatives in the country side so I sure hope to be light:)….See ya all when I get back.God bless you all,have a great weekend:)
Anka

======= Luch:

Maybe some of the OYB bloggers are old enough (like me) to remember the late francis Schaeffer (father of Franky Schaeffer who converted from evangelicalism to Greek Orthodox because he found fundamentalism too shallow on many levels). Francis Schaeffer was a wonderful, wise, godly, philosopher who established a community in L’Abri Switzerland that was known for its love, and also for being a place that people could go to understand not only with the heart but also with the mind the teachings of Jesus and His Way. He wrote a book called Joshua in the flow of history. His comments on Joshua 22 have served me well over the years. The building of the altar was at first misunderstood as a declaration of war, but then it became a witness of peace and unity. It it too bad when God’s people are forced to manufacture evidence to bear witness of their unity. I think Schaeffer and this passage illustrate that before you declare ‘war’ on another brother or sister in the Lord, stop long enough to find out what is going on after all. Maybe you find yourself agreeing after all. How many times through the years have I been quick to jump to conclusions about what different expressions of Christianity taught especially the ones who use icons of different sorts. Having grown up Catholic in my early years and then converting to a particular strain of evangelicals, I became a ‘catholic basher’ for at least five years, to my shame. And then I began to meet some ‘evangelical Catholics’ who were on fire for Jesus. I am still uncomfortable with some of those practices, but my catholic friends are also uncomfortable with certain evangelical, oversimplified approaches to faith, but I have sought to understand, and I have come to appreciate the wisdom of some of the ways other faith communities express their faith.
Thank you Francis Schaeffer for sensitizing me to the bigger picture, and for helping me to understand the ways of God from Joshua 22.
Luch

======== Andy:

Actually the story in Joshua 22 is a great example of how to answer false accusations by brothers. Most of Israel was ‘assuming’ they had turned away from God but before getting all the facts they rushed to judgment. They were going to kill them for heaven’s sake! But the tribes who were living on the other side of the Jordan had done everything asked of them when they had decided in Deut where they wanted their inheritance. As noted by others, it was a memorial or a reminder as opposed to an altar for false worship or even to substitute for the temple.
I have used this as a good example of how to respond when people jump to quick jugdemental accusations especially when people are questioning your motives. We move so qucikly to attack one another when if israel has simply asked a question or believed the best it would have been solved.
Andy

======= Kate:

Sometimes altars are built as a remebrance. Moses built an altar where the burning bush stood, Jacob built an altar where he saw the ladder. It may not be an altar persay it might just be a bunch of stones piled on top of each other, but they call it an altar just for lack of a better term. And maybe in the original hebrew it’s called something else….
Kate

======= John:

Kate,
(I did not know any of this below, but your post coincided with a thought I had, so I did some research.)
The Hebrew word for altar used in every instance in Joshua 22 is “mizbeach”. Mizbeach has one defintion and only one English translation: Altar. (mizbeach comes from a word that means “to slay”)
From what I can find in Jewish tradition of this time, “altar” was a place to pray and sacrifice. So the altars of Abraham, Moses, and Jacob were meant for sacrifice and prayer???
In Joshua 4:7 the stones are specifically meant to be and translated as a memorial. The Hebrew word is: “zikrown”.
God instructed Joshua to place the twelve stones at Gilgal as a “memorial”. God said that all sacrifices were to be done at a central place – tabernacle now, Jerusalem later. I do not remember any other instructions in the new land for building, constructing altars or placing a memorial. Do I have this right????
======================================================
That being said I was curious about some things that I do not believe we have answers to in Joshua 22.
Did they build this altar with implements? Other than God’s specific instructions on constructing the tabernacle altar – up to now altars have been just uncut stones dragged together to form an altar. If this altar was built with implements, it was built on man’s specifications.
Why was it (assuming here) so much bigger than other altar?
I wonder if there is any significance that the tabernacle was an altar of (innocent) blood sacrifices, and this was an altar of no (bloodless) sacrifices?
It seems ironic that the explanation was given:
“that we will worship the LORD at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices and fellowship offerings. Then in the future your descendants will not be able to say to ours, ‘You have no share in the LORD.”
When eventuially these tribes went there own way and offered sacrifices on their side of Jordan to other “gods”. Later they were invaded and carried off.
======================================================
I may be off here, but I think the reaction of the 9 1/2 tribes was correct.
God had instructed only one place of sacrifice. What were they to think when they heard of and saw another altar? Another place of prayer and sacrifice.
They had been through this before in Peor. They knew there were dangers to disobeying God regarding proper worship.
When something looks and wrong and inappropriate and could result in dire ramifications, they had the right to come and confront the 2 1/2 tribes. Regardless the onus was on the 2 1/2 tribes to explain what they did by constructing an altar.
As to being ready for war – they should be prepared to take care of the situation if it turns out as it appears.
I find it curious that the explanation was accepted by men, and no one seemed to consult God.
Today: When someone or some group does something that looks wrong and innapropriate, they should be confronted by church representatives. At least the elders. The onus is on the ones doing something different to explain. Not confronting them could lead to some disastrous results in the Church.
Joshua 22:13-14
“So the Israelites sent Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, to the land of Gilead—to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh. With him they sent ten of the chief men, one for each of the tribes of Israel, each the head of a family division among the Israelite clans.” NIV
The 9 1/2 tribes were prepared for war, but they did not go “en masse” to confront the 2 1/2 tribes. they sent representitives to find out – again, I see nothing wrong with that scenario.
Well, they could have been a little less controversial in their opening statement
John

======= Jenny:

I love worship…..today at work, and many days, i found myself singing worship songs. I was not even noticing i was walking singing Everlasting God by Lincoln Brewster with my hands outstretched! some of my coworkers talk about disgusting things, so i try to block it out by singing praises out loud, but to to myself. When i feel the call to worship, i cant resist!
I do like criticism, not mean-spirited criticism with wrong motives but genuine loving criticism…i welcome it! if i’m wrong, i want to know! I definitely learn from it! Many ppl brush off criticism bcos some many are ruled by pride! it may sting my pride, but i’ll get over it! i dont want my pride anyway….(theres a great song by Kutless, “Pride Away”)
i like that things got settled at the end of Joshua 22 =) I also just love how Jesus deals with the scribes and the pharisees. Hes`so awesome!!
Jenny

======= Mae:

I LOVE to worship! I do it everywhere and all the time!
“Do you worship God with a community of believers each week?” ~ Yep, 3 sermons a week, 2 biblestudies a week, once or twice a week the evangelism and the Saturdaynight “coffeehouses”, as we call them. And I just LOVE it! I can feel the Holy Spirit doing its work when I stretch out to Jesus to worship Him! I really love the worship songs and I sing them all the time. Like Jenny sais, at work. Most of them know I’m a Christian now. But in the beginning they were surprised to hear songs such as “My Jesus, my Saviour” and “Praise Adonai” … “God of Wonders” from Rebecca St James. I also love my prayersmeetings 1 hour before each sermon, an hour before we go evangelise and the prayers at home, when I pray for at least 30 minutes a time. I know … for most of you it’s not that long, I’m still in a learning process here LOL I love to worship God at the beginning and end of my prayers. Worship him in tongues and words of worship. Such a great time to be close with Him!
Proverbs 13:18 “If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept criticism, you will be honored.” ~ I totally agree: when you can appreciate criticism, it means you are learning. I have grown tremendously in this area. God really helped me with it. I used to run away from criticism or be mean to the person that was giving me criticism. I’ve learned to listen to it and to take out of it what I think is usefull and to let go of the things that weren’t for me. Maybe not let go, but to keep it somewhere and in some points it will happen that I think back and finally understand what they were talking about LOL
Mae

======= Angelo:

I look at people sometimes and its like some just have a glow, an inner glow that just illuminates them wherever they go. And these are the same ones who you can tell just have a spirit of worship. Whatever that they are doing, they are always singing hymns or thanking Jesus. Its just a product of the Holy Spirit shining through them. Jesus did call us the “light of the world” in Matthew 5:14, and we should be shining so that others might see the Christ residing inside of us and understand that Christianity is not a religion, but its a lifestyle. And Matthew 5:16 says again to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” So by works, being a product of our faith in Jesus Christ, men would see it and give God glory. And that all starts out with us being a bright light and not a dim one. The closer we get to God, the closer He will get to us (“Draw nigh unto God and He will draw nigh unto you.” James 4:8) and the brighter that we will become. And thank you everyone for all of your prayers, because the “effectual fervent prayers of a righteous man availeth much” and they have helped tremendously! Thank you
Angelo

======= Jim:

“How are you doing in accepting criticism in your life today?”
One of my most valuable High School classes was Advanced Art as it provided the only instruction in 18 years of schooling on providing and taking criticism. Alas, most Bible studies, in contrast, seem to preach criticism is always bad. I recently was in one, in fact, that asked whether we preferred encouragement or criticism — suggesting, of course, that an empty “Be of good cheer” was always better than anything so negative as criticism. Studies in 1990 and in 2002 even showed that HR managers, in fact, would rather have employees that were not critical (or politically correct) with few reading, science, and math skills than the other way around. Many other studies have shown that such empty encouragement, good cries, and even most prayers are worse than nothing because they kill our natural motivation to change and grow (just like the praying Christian on the roof of his house in a flood that refused being saved three times while his unbelieving independent unpraying neighbor was saved right away).
I personally am a fairly slow learner, but I value and respect nothing more highly than thoughtful criticism (even though my slowness requires such to also be persistent). I read a list a couple of weeks ago of the top 30 values that people say motivate their actions (to be the best, etc) where the introduction said the normal person was driven by 5-6 of these things. The only value, though, I read from the list that clearly motivates me is the joy of learning. People look at me strange when I say that I usually prefer to lose than win, but there’s generally far greater opportunity to learn in losing (clearly the sliver lining in the cloud called “loser”) not to mention that playing against better opponents raises my level of play. Now, whether you just give me the right answer with some good advice or show me the right answer by continually beating me (an easier method to get my attention) – my slowness to learn will tend to ignore you the first time, but I eventually listen. I have shown the same tendencies with God, someone who is slow to learn but who eventually listens (and, in the end, appreciates the attention). Life is not about who makes the most money or has the best time, but who learns the most.
But, I’m like most people. While managers think employees most want money, the number one reason people quit – even when saying it’s for more money (whether true or not) as we think we’re unusual about the importance of money – is for more training and career advancement.
Jim

======= Nasser:

worshiping God is great it keep reminded me who i am really in chrisr worshiping him give strengtj to overcome my flesh reminded me how much Jesus love us that he was crossed and took the penality instead of me reflecting on this take me back down toward the feet of Jesus humbling myself and remind me how sinful and without hope and strength without the presence ofJesus in my life i pray that God keep his hand on my life and my family and all who read this . listening to God give me to really live the kingdom eterenity life on earth ,i believe when iaccept Jesus in my life as my only saviour,lord of my life i started to experience the kingdom on earth especially when i really had a very strong relatio with the Lord all the time through my life. the Word of GOd will work in your life in a unique way ,i thank the Lord ,the holy spirit for the living word . Amin
Nasser

======== Sam:

Only if we are free from our ego, we can escape from the bad effects of criticism and accepts the criticism in a constructive manner.
Sam

======= Frederick:

The scribes and chief priests set trap to Jesus on the issue of surrendering tax to Caesar. Jesus replied them. The Sadducees set another question to Jesus on resurrection. Jesus replied. Luke described an interesting challenge set by Jesus to ‘them. Jesus asked them the relationship between the Christ and David. It seems that Jesus was not just hanging around and answered challenges. He asked them back.
I like Jesus’s challenge to the religious leaders.
Frederick

======= Raeann:

The book of Joshua tells how Joshua the son of Nun lead the Israeli people into the promised land when they conquered the land of Canaan. The book begins with GOD commissioning Joshua to lead the Israelis across the Jordan to the promised land. GOD parts the Jordan and the Israelis cross over on dry ground, Think Red Sea but without the pursuing army to worry the people. Joshua takes stones from the middle of the Red Sea to make an alter to God. Joshua sends to soldiers to spy out the land of Canaan, a villager named Rehab hides them in her home over night, she tells them to protect her when Israel enters the land, they tell her they will keep her and her family safe for keeping them safe, they return to there camp to tell Joshua all that they have seen in the land. The soldiers in the army, the Levites with the Ark of God and the people walk around the city seven times to make the walls fall down, then God tells them to destroy the city and everyone that lives there. In a LONG military campaign, the Israelites defeat ALL of the kings of Canaan to occupy the promised land. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, Mannassah want pasture land west of the Jordan so after ALL of the land is conquered they receive there land in the west, the rest of Israel gets land in the promised land to the east. The Levites were given towns among the tribes of Israel. As he prepares to die Joshua blesses the tribes of Israel and reminds them to always follow GOD. The Israelites are now safely in the promised land. I enjoyed the book of Joshua, for me it raises a lot of ethical questions, that are never fully resolved when I finish this book.
Raeann

======= Lily:

It struck me while reading the Old testament from Genesis to Joshua, how the Isrealites needed to be reminded of God’s presense especially on their trip to the promise land. I suppose an altar or memorials are reminders for them how God was always with them (the parting of the red sea, the manna from heaven, the quails, the water from the rocks). Isn’t this true today too? Some of us need memorials, signs such as the crucifix, the empty cross, images of saints). God is an ever present God though. I feel Him from His wonderful creations (a rose, the beauty of the sky, the universe). He even sends people in our lives (God knows I need a lot of them) to remind us of His mercies.
Criticism is hard to take especially when directed to us. However, with criticism we find learning. I need a lot of growing-up in this area.
Lily

======= Teriann:

Mike asked, “How are you doing in accepting criticism? This is a good question and I think it is a good barometer by which to judge ourselves. In Luke 20 we see the Sadducees coming to Jesus with their convoluted question. It just dripped with arrogance and condescension. Haven’t you heard this tone from those who think their intellect and reasoning are so far above all those dumb Christians? Jesus’ not only answers their question but He addresses their root problem, the lack of belief in the resurrection of the dead. Jesus does not reference some obscure passage with a far reaching application, no He quotes Moses at the burning bush! Every four year old present knew that verse. I think that this was a huge put down and humiliation for the Sadducees. It says in v.40 that no one dared to ask Him any more questions. So getting back to Mike’s question, I think that when criticism really stings it is because I have let my own pride grow. It is a sign to me that it is time to repent and lay down the attitude. Someone once told me that we have a choice between humility or humiliation. The Sadducees were humiliated because they did not have an honest question. They were just trying to trap the Son of God and wound up looking really bad in front of all the people. When I choose to walk in humility and listen to that still small voice of correction, I can avoid the big embarrassing correction that will eventually come.
Teriann

======= Jill:

I just heard a miinister say.. “God wants us to be honest with him in our emotions. We may want to be right but God wants a righteous heart. If we claim to be without sin and don’t recognize our sin. How can one change? John 1:9 ” if we claim to be without sin , we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” . So first come clean before God. Psalms 24:4 . “He who has clean hands and a pure heart. Who does not lift up his soul to an idol. Or swear by what is false” . Don’t be controlled by your past. Be set free from that prison or what you are hanging onto. Not being honest keeps us locked up and affects our relationships. We can’t love others but end up destroying others by criticism.
Jill

======= Joyce:

Mike and everyone,
In Joshua’s farewell, he mentioned seven times the idolatrous nations still left in Canaan. He knew they would be a snare to Israel, so he prescribed three safeguards. (taken from “footnote b Joshua 23:11” of the Amplified Bible in Biblegateway.com)
1, The Israelites must bravely follow and obey God’s word:
“So be very courageous and steadfast to keep and do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning not aside from it to the right hand or the left “(Josh. 23:6 Amp Bible).
2, They must vigilantly and continuously separate from the Canaanite nations:
“That you may not mix with these nations that remain among you, or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them.” (Josh. 23:7 Amp Bible).
3, They must cleave to the Lord with real and fervent love:
But cling to the Lord your God as you have done to this day.
Be very watchful of yourselves, therefore, to love the Lord your God.(Josh. 23:8,11 Amp Bible)
What a wonderful, much-needed reminder to the believers today!
Are we living too comfortable a life as Christians, that we are not setting these safeguards against idols?
And the consequences are spelled out clearly to us:
11 So take diligent heed to yourselves to love the Lord your God. 12 For if you ever go back and cling to the rest of these nations, these which remain among you, and intermarry with them, so that you associate with them and they with you,
13 know with certainty that the Lord your God will not continue to drive these nations out from before you; but they will be a snare and a trap to you, and a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which the Lord your God has given you. (Joshua 23:11-13 NASB)
In order to dwell in the land of blessing that the Lord has given us,
we must do our part to guard our heart against all temptations and snares.
We must take heed, diligently, very carefully love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, and soul.
Father, please help us as we strive to do so!
Gratefully,
Joyce

======== Robert:

Joshua 23
Here we see the critical point where they (I) am saved (savior) and the life of sanctification begins. (I) we are convicted and committed. I think my critical point happened when I received a “call” about 20 years ago that set me on a course that I am still on. I had seen what the Lord had done for me. I saw the snares and traps in my life that the Lord protected me from. I felt Loved. I wanted to commit my life to him and felt a sense of conviction. I study, I journey, I disciple, I honor, and with the help of the Lord I work out my sanctification in my heart, mind and soul.
Robert

======= Dee:

Love how real Jesus is! As much as I love my hubs..we will he more like angels after this side of heaven is over. People always trying to trip Jesus up. He always amazed them with his incredible answers.
I feel bad that church hasn’t been done mid week in a while. We are on a new study tonight of Hebrews. I’ve got to stop asking excuses and get back there, but definitely on weekends, sunday..I’m there. Love my church family.
Proverbs 13:18
Love this..made me think of my mentor at my 2nd teaching job. I had alot to learn as a teacher. But I didn’t shun constructive criticism..I was honored. So this verse is special to me.
How am I in accepting criticism in my life today? Well that would be from whom? A child, someone over me or in charge or just in general. I try not to absorb it and remain stable by what God says about me..
Do I accept it? Receive it? Learn from it?
I try not to absorb or receive at all. If it’s true..I look and take a moment and see how to improve..I try to receive with a wise grain of salt. Yes I try to learn what I hear.
Why do u think the Proverb says..if u ignore criticism you will end up in poverty and disgrace?
If we ignore what is evident to grow then our spirit will shrink and we will out from under the covering of grace.
Dee

======= John:

Joshua 22
What about this 2nd Altar? What is the Big Deal?
The Hebrew word for altar used in every instance in Joshua 22 is “mizbeach”. Mizbeach has one defintion and only one English translation: Altar. (mizbeach comes from a word that means “to slay”)
From what I can find in Jewish tradition of this time, “altar” was a place to pray and sacrifice. So the altars of Abraham, Moses, and Jacob were meant for sacrifice and prayer???
In Joshua 4:7 the stones are specifically meant to be and translated as a memorial. The Hebrew word is: “zikrown”.
God instructed Joshua to place the twelve stones at Gilgal as a “memorial”. God said that all sacrifices were to be done at a central place – tabernacle now, Jerusalem later. I do not remember any other instructions in the new land for building, constructing altars or placing a memorial. Do I have this right????
======================================================
The word for the other altar in Hebrew is “altar” not “memorial”.
That being said I was curious about some things that I do not believe we have answers to in Joshua 22.
Did they build this altar with implements? Other than God’s specific instructions on constructing the tabernacle altar – up to now altars have been just uncut stones dragged together to form an altar. If this altar was built with implements, it was built on man’s specifications.
Why was it (assuming here) so much bigger than other altar?
I wonder if there is any significance that the tabernacle was an altar of (innocent) blood sacrifices, and this was an altar of no (bloodless) sacrifices?
It seems ironic that the explanation was given:
“that we will worship the LORD at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices and fellowship offerings. Then in the future your descendants will not be able to say to ours, ‘You have no share in the LORD.”
When eventuially these tribes went there own way and offered sacrifices on their side of Jordan to other “gods”. Later they were invaded and carried off.
======================================================
I may be off here, but I think the reaction of the 9 1/2 tribes was correct.
God had instructed only one place of sacrifice. What were they to think when they heard of and saw another altar? Another place of prayer and sacrifice.
They had been through this before in Peor. They knew there were dangers to disobeying God regarding proper worship.
When something looks and wrong and inappropriate and could result in dire ramifications, they had the right to come and confront the 2 1/2 tribes. Regardless the onus was on the 2 1/2 tribes to explain what they did by constructing an altar.
As to being ready for war – they should be prepared to take care of the situation if it turns out as it appears.
I find it curious that the explanation was accepted by men, and no one seemed to consult God.
Today: When someone or some group does something that looks wrong and innapropriate, they should be confronted by church representatives. At least the elders. The onus is on the ones doing something different to explain. Not confronting them could lead to some disastrous results in the Church.
John

======= Vance:

Joshua 22
29
Far be it from us that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn from following the LORD this day, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for grain offerings, or for sacrifices, besides the altar of the LORD our God which is before His tabernacle.”
NOTE:
In the OT, it seems clear that beginning with Abraham, God Himself must pick the place for the offering. As well, God Himself must pick the offering.
God was very clear to His people in the OT (as for us today) that we are not to fashion by our hands or in our minds anything that we think is God. We are to be HIS DISCIPLES: to yield, to learn, to receive God’s Word and let His Will and Mind through His Word form in us the true image of the true and living God.
Then, and only then, shall we worship God acceptably.
“Man shall not live by bread alone (or… if I can take liberty– by human means alone), but by EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD.” (Matthew 4:4)
I think of Abraham. He came out of a culture of idolatry– where even members of his own family had fashioned images of who they thought “god” was and worshiped that god.
Thus, God Himself spoke to Abraham and to leave his family and his home to go where the true and living God told him. God alone was to be Lord in Abraham’s life, and only God could give him the correct image and understanding of that.
In particular, I think of when God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on the altar. ONLY GOD HIMSELF chose the place where Abraham was to go for the sacrifice. ONLY GOD HIMSELF chose the sacrifice.
Abraham was willing that God’s sacrifice would be his son, but GOD HIMSELF picked the offering.
In the Jewish Torah, it mentions that the name of the mountain where Abraham went to sacrifice his son Isaac had been previously called “Salem” which is a version of “SHALOM”– or peace.
When God provided His sacrifice, in the English Bibles it says that Abraham called the name of the place “Jehovah Jireh” — that is God provides.
In the English rendering of the Hebrew, however, the word is “Yahweh Yireh”
According to the Jewish Torah and tradition, God honored Abraham’s obedience and faith by allowing the addition of “Yireh” to the previous name “Shalom”
Look at this combination. I find it very interesting: “Yireh – Shalom”… “Yeru – Shalom”…”Jerusalem”
Even the very name of the city has this meaning:
At the place of God’s choosing and of God’s chosen sacrifice, there will be peace.
Joshua 23 (NKJV)
11
Therefore take careful heed to yourselves, that you love the LORD your God.
12
Or else, if indeed you do go back, and cling to the remnant of these nations—these that remain among you—and make marriages with them, and go in to them and they to you,
13
know for certain that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations from before you. But they shall be snares and traps to you, and scourges on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land which the LORD your God has given you.
14
“Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed.
NOTE:
What sin or distracting habit that I chose not to give up (because I might find what I believe to be security), will become a snare to me. It is that simple.
Vance

======= John:

Psalm 89
28 I will maintain my love to him forever,
and my covenant with him will never fail.
29 I will establish his line forever,
his throne as long as the heavens endure.
30 “If his sons forsake my law
and do not follow my statutes,
31 if they violate my decrees
and fail to keep my commands,
32 I will punish their sin with the rod,
their iniquity with flogging;
33 but I will not take my love from him,
nor will I ever betray my faithfulness.
34 I will not violate my covenant
or alter what my lips have uttered.
God did and has punished the nation of Israel, but the covenant is unbroken. Just one of the reasons I have faith that God’s promise of salvation will stand throughout time. I may be chastised and punished for willful disobediance, but I will always be God’s adopted child – a co-heir to heaven.
John

======= John:

Luke 20
The Resurrection and Marriage
The gift of marriage was established by God for men and women in this age in order for us to understand through our physical, emotional, and spiritual oneness his loyal love and oneness with us. Marriage in this fallen age was also designed by God for couples to bring forth children in order to preserve the human race. This will continue as long as this age lasts-until Jesus brings all his enemies under his foot, the final enemy being death itself. We won’t need to have children anymore when death is conquered. – Ron Ritchie
Sadducees were trying to trip Jesus up again by giving a hypothesis that makes resurrection impossible. The prevailing thought of the time for those who did believe in bodily resurrection was – we would pick up in our relationships, material appetites and way of life. Jesus is saying – if you believe that – you misunderstand the Word of God.
There is a “this age” and a “that age” – and in that age only those considered God’s children are worthy to be a part of “that age”. The Greek is actually “accounted worthy” – because none of us are worthy. So how do we become accounted worthy or have the right to claim to be children of God?
John 1:12
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—” NIV
So their will be no need for marriage and children in that age, no fear of death, and our relationship with God will be as His children.
“that age” is the resurrection of life for the righteous. The hypothetical question is invalid because the posers of the riddle do not understand what the resurrected life will be like according to God’s Word.
======================================================
Whose Son Is the Christ?
Lest the Pharisees be left out – Jesus addresses the idea that the Messiah would be simply a man who would assume the earthly throne of David.
How can this be so when David calls Him Lord?
Yes, the Messiah will be man descended from David’s line, but He is also God – as David calls Him Lord. Jesus is both God and Man.
[Psalm 110:1 is always a good question to ask an unbelieving Jew regarding the messiah and their beliefs.]
======================================================
Lastly Jesus provides a Warning.
Jesus does not say pay no heed to the teachers and priests. He says – “beware”. Put what they teach against scripture – heed what is God’s Word, but as you see in the instances of the resurrection and the Messiah given here – the teachers have it wrong.
Their problem – they love the status, attention, and wealth associated with their position more than they love and understand God’s Word.
Are there Christian ministers like that today? Sadly, Yes. Beware of them and “test” their teachings against God’s Word.
John

Joshua 21:1-22:20 + Luke 20:1-16 + Psalm 89:1-13 + Proverbs 13:15-16
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – In Joshua chapter 21 we read about the towns given to the Levites, the priestly tribe appointed in the Mosaic Law for the service of the Tabernacle and of the Temple.  It seems very wise that the Levites are given towns throughout the various tribes of the Israelites.  In my mind this is spreading out the priestly tribe strategically.  Can you imagine if the Levites were all in just 1 location?  It seems to me that there would be a vacuum of spiritual leadership in the tribes if the Levites were not dispersed in the manner which they were. How does reading about the Levites being dispersed remind you of the church today? Is the church dispersed throughout the world today a good thing? What are your thoughts on the benefits or drawbacks of denominations?

In Joshua chapter 22 verse 10 today we read: “Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh built a very large altar near the Jordan River at a place called Geliloth.”  The place where our readings end today in verse 20 is quite a cliff-hanger!  Note that verse 20 is not the end of chapter 22, and as Paul Harvey says, in tomorrow’s readings you will get “The Rest of the Story.”  🙂

New Testament – Okay, so it’s every so often that I post up about the non-Biblical (not the original text) sub-headings that translations put into our daily readings.  For some reason I got a kick out of the NLT’s subheading above Luke chapter 20 verse 9, “Story of the Evil Farmers!”  (okay, I added the exclamation point).  Is it just me, or is that kinda funny?  I mean, the evil farmers in the story are not funny – and what they did is certainly not funny…  hmmm… I think I’ve dug myself into a hole here.  🙂  I’m sure everyone probably picked up on that the point of the farmer story is that Jesus is the son who was murdered in the story.  And Jesus is the stone rejected by the builders – who has now become the cornerstone of our Christian faith.  Nice quote by Jesus of Psalm 118 verse 22 there in Luke 20 verse 17.  Is Jesus the cornerstone of your life?

Bible.org’s commentary on our Luke chapter 20 readings today titled “The Tempest in the Temple: The Abuses of Authority” is at this link and commentary titled “God and Government” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 89 verse 11 is so powerful for us to remember – “The heavens are yours, and the earth is yours; everything in the world is yours–you created it all.”  Everything in this world is God’s.  Everything.  This means every single person we meet is God’s.  However… they might not realize it.  But, I think it is important for us to remember that every single person we meet – no matter how “bad” they may seem or whatever – is still made in the image of God.  And there is the possibility of that person getting to know they are God’s.  There is the possibility of redemption – not by our human power, but by the power of God.  I think sometimes we go through our day thinking the world is bad.  People are bad.  It all is bad.  And certainly, it is a fallen world.  But it is still God’s world – and yes, the devil is thrashing around his temptations as rapidly as he can in the hearts of men and women.  This is the great spiritual battle.  But, God is so much stronger than the devil.  The name of Jesus expels the devil quicker than anything.   So, know that while we are in a fallen world, it is God’s world.  Everything in this world is God’s.  What are you and I doing to let others know that they are God’s – particularly if they don’t know it?  What are we doing to bless others with the knowledge that there is another Way than the devil’s temptations in this world?  What are we doing?  Really.  What are we doing with our lives to let others know about Jesus?  Whew… this one gets to me for some reason.  There are people suffering so much in our world.  If only they knew there was another way….   Will you help to show them to the Way? 

Continuing on the thoughts in the paragraph above – take a moment to reflect on this image below.  Wow… Can you make out the angel on the right coming from the prayers of the woman to defend her from the evil one?  Who are we praying for today to defend them from the evil one?

Psalm 89 verse 13 today – “Powerful is your arm! Strong is your hand! Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength.”  Amen and Amen.

Proverbs – Proverbs 13 verse 16 is great – “Wise people think before they act.” 

And I agree with this.  My one additional thought is don’t think for too too long!  I know some folks that like to think… and think…. and think…. and this is good…. but there is also a time for action.  There is a time to move and get involved in the advancement of God’s Kingdom.  Yes, let’s think about how we’ll do this – but then let us act!

Worship Video: Psalm 89:11 reminded me of the Steven Curtis Chapman song “Yours:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Vu9m8m1lEw

Do you believe it is all God’s? Click here and give it all to Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it.” Psalm 89:11 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving to God for all of the blessings He has given us here on this earth. Pray that you will treat everyone and all thing’s as God’s – and not yours.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Are you someone that thinks before you act?  Or do you sometimes act before you think?  🙂  If so, can you meditate on this Proverb, memorize it, and put it into practice?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Joshua 21:1-22:20
1 Then the leaders of the tribe of Levi came to consult with Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders of the other tribes of Israel. 2 They spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, “The LORD instructed Moses to give us towns to live in and pasturelands for our cattle.” 3 So by the command of the LORD the Levites were given as their inheritance the following towns with their pasturelands.
God promised but the Levites had to ask for what God promised. This seems to be a principal we should still use today. I am reminded of Hebrew’s 4:16 that encourages us to come boldly to the throne of grace … Often we know or think we are suppose to receive something and if we think we are not going to get what we have been promised we don’t bother to ask. Since we don’t get what we want, we begin to sulk and start to hold grudges against either God or against the person we believe God was working through.
The first three verses of Joshua are letting me know that it is O.K. to ask for what we have been promised just as long as we are asking the right person after having gone boldly to God with our request and direction.
Luke 20:1-16
I believed I touched on this before when we read through this in Matthew (21) and Mark (11), but just as the religious leaders challenged Jesus’ Authority, sometimes we may find someone challenging how we read the “text,” they may even challenge our authority to even read the Bible. I know because in my B.S. (Before Salvation) days I use to challenge people who I saw reading the Bible on public transportation. No, I did more than challenge them; I cursed them out! Be careful who you allow to challenge your right to read the Word, if an unqualified person questions your authority, question his or hers right to challenge you, just like Jesus.
Psalm 89:1-13
11 The heavens are yours, and the earth is yours;
Everything in the world is yours–you created it all.
It’s amazing to think that there is nothing that God doesn’t’ own everything we see, feel, touch, taste and smell belongs to Him so nothing we claim to pocess is ours we are only stewards of His possession and we will have to give an account of how we use what belongs to Him.
Proverbs 13:15-16
16 Wise people think before they act; fools don’t and even brag about it!
Couldn’t understand how “fools” brag but I remember overhearing conversations and participating in discussions where “fools” bragged about their foolishness only I didn’t realize they were bragging. Check bouncers who bounced more checks than the New York Knicks bounce balls; criminals who discus their new and improved criminal tricks they committed just before they got caught the last time and went to jail trading their useless criminality tricks with other foolish crooks.
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Anka:

“44 The LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the LORD handed all their enemies over to them. 45 Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.”
So all the enemies that Israel “couldn’t” overcome were actually enemies Israel chose not to eliminate…
“19 If the land you possess is defiled, come over to the LORD’s land, where the LORD’s tabernacle stands, and share the land with us”….
It would seem that in the mind of the other tribes of Israel, Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh were out of God’s land…in the statement”come over to the Lord’s land”it seems that in their mind,the brothers had taken Land outside of God’s land…could this be the perfect will of God vs the permissible will?Where we ask God for something that we want when He made it clear what His provision for us is…Another thing that struck me was the fact that a nation who once fought together now was thinking of fighting each other,I see this so clearly in church today…as one commented,the wounds inflicted on the flock (body of christ)originate more from the sheep than from the wolves!!
:)Wise people also think before they write…I thought psalm 88 was written by David so my comments reflected that yesterday….God bless you all
Anka

======= Kate:

Anka, in re: v 44, No it’s not that they chose not to. It’s that if they cleared out the land completely wild animals would come and take over they land that they didn’t need. Because Israel wasn’t big enough to inhabit the whole land. There is a verse that says it but don’t ask me where it is. I just remember it because it seemed so logical.
Kate

======== Emily:

Forgiveness.
I am going beyond the specific scope of today’s reading. But I wanted to share something that got my heart wrenching. It’s not about me. From the BBC’s website you can watch this interview with Reverend Julie Nicholson who was the ordained Christian priest. Her daughter was killed in the brutal terrorist attacks (London bombings). She displayed remarkable ethics and honesty when she resigned from her post because she COULD NOT FORGIVE the cold murder of her dear daughter.
It is easy to say FORGIVE…The VERY important command of Jesus. Forgiveness is VERY CENTRAL to the Christian message. Well, how do you really apply it to real world…and your own personal life?
Emily

======= John:

Emily,
“Well, how do you really apply it to real world…and your own personal life?”
By forgiving.
When you cannot forgive, when you completely loathe, despise, hate, have “want them dead” feelings,etc. – you go to God.
When you pray, you admit to God that you are not capable of forgiveness in this instance. Just admit it.
Then you ask words to the effect of: ‘Please God, do this for me. Do what I am incapable of doing. Forgive this person for me, and heal my heart. Take this bitterness and hate from me, make me capable of loving this person as you command. Heal me Lord.’
I know this is true, because it is how I have handled immense hatred for two people in my life – God forgave them for me and healed me – healed that hole in my heart. I do not hate them anymore, and I am capable of praying for them.
I have tried to go see these two people for the last year. I am told they are afraid and do not want to see me (by mutual friends), despite any letters or messages I may leave.
Has this woman suffered more than anything I have felt – yes. But I humbly submit – the principle is the same. BBC does this story. Another story of teenage girls beheaded in Indonesia did involve “forgiveness”:
“I am really angry, but the Holy Spirit touched my heart and changed me. I forgive them just as Jesus has forgiven my sins.
Markus Sambuwe, Father of One of the Beheaded Girls”
John

======= Emily:

John,
I understand what you say. I also commend your ability to voluntarily forgive the ones you once hated.
I once had a very intimate discussion on Christianity with a conservative Pastor. Somehow, the discussion turned to the amazing message of forgiveness in the Christian faith. He said that of course we are to forgive but at the same time he mentioned pointing towards his lovely little kids playing in the garden, ”If some of the stuff I read in the papers about child- molesters…if someone did it to my kid…I don’t think I could ever forgive. I would rage and go insane with anger.”Even as he said he was shaking with anger (previously he was all smiles about many tough issues I discussed)
Now, this brings me to something that contradicts the concept of forgiveness. JUSTICE. Broadly, I can menton two points:
1.) That woman owed it to her daughter that she holds indignant feelings towards the killer. If someone killed my mother, brother or some close friends and violated their bodies and life… I personally CANNOT FORGIVE.
2.) We cannot apply forgiveness to the criminal law and justice system even in a state based completely on Christian values. This confuses me again over the OT laws of justice and NT command of forgiveness. I Wonder where the balance lies.
Emily

======= John:

Emily,
“If someone killed my mother, brother or some close friends and violated their bodies and life… I personally CANNOT FORGIVE.”
Completely understandable.
You may not be able to forgive, but God can. That is why you go to prayer and ask him to do for you what you are not capable of doing. He will do it and heal your heart in the process. Besides personal experiance, like Anka – I have seen and heard many accounts of “forgiveness.
The movie “End of the Spear” is all about this topic. The five men, missionaries, were killed, and the women (wives and a sister) forgave and went in the jungle to work and teach the killers. Rent it and watch it.
JUSTICE is another issue. Though we are commanded to “forgive”, there is no reason not to acknowledge the need for justice. Whether from the “state” or from God. Your forgiveness has nothing to do with the justice delievered from “state” or God.
[Note: Justice is to be left to the proper authority – gov’t and/or God. It is not to be meted out by you – that may be the difference you are looking for in OT and NT.]
John

======= Anka:

RE:Forgiveness…..
I listened to the interview and I noted some things.The concept of forgiveness…why we should forgive I felt was not dealt with from scripture…there was really no mention of a cry of help to God…it was all about finding it in her heart to forgive.
Before you behead me for being inconsiderate…I had to forgive a person who hurt my family badly..I knew I couldn’t forgive…I knew I had to…I raged daily(I had to preach the love of Jesus to the person)…each day I continued to pray to God to help me,each day I raged,I prayed…I did end up speaking to the person about God…I made the decision to forgive and I still do daily even though it still hurts,even though it still makes me mad.Jesus cried out to the father to “forgive them”cos he already did forgive his tormentors…as I write now it dawns on me that I never asked God to forgive the person.
I have read of missionaries who have been raped,had their spouses killed…had grieved…then forgiven.Through out their stories you could hear how God worked in their life,it wasn’t just about them or their pain….The reverend said heaven/hell is a state…she was a bit vague about it…I pray she gets to know God intimately because it doesn’t seem she does..Like the priests we have in Romania…I pray for them to really experience God…some things are beyond our powers,forgiving when someone hurts you badly is one of them.
God bless you all
Anka

======= Angelo:

Man, it is oh so very hard at times… I understand exactly what that lady in the picture is feeling with the devil behind. For instance, like right now. I try not to think selfishly, but I dont think that I am doing so well in that area. My birthday is this sunday, and my two closest sisters are not going to even see me. One of them is not coming anymore because the other one isnt. And the other one isnt because she dislikes two of my other sisters and I wanted to see them too on my birthday, but she wasnt going to allow them in her house (we were going to hold the party at her house), so she said that I am now just on the phone call list (just receive a phone call for my birthday). I was taken from my house when I was 14 because of child abuse, and my mom doesnt talk to me anymore because she has taken the side of my step dad (the one who beat and starved me). I dont think any of my family is going to come and see me now and it hurts. My girlfriend is tripping because she wants to go to prom and freak dance with everyone, and I thought it was wrong so now she’s breaking up with me. It doesnt seem like I will have anyone to spend my 21st birthday with, and I try to be a strong individual, but I’m failing. I know and undertsand 1 Cor. 10:13, about God not giving us more than what we can bear, but that doesnt mean that taking it will be easy. Sometimes I just really feel that only God loves me. Just pray for me please that He would strengthen me in this time of weakness. Thank you
Angelo

====== Mae:

Todays Psalms are sooo powerful … yes, I love Psalms, most of you know that! I will pick different verses and make my own prayer, I always LOVE to do that!
“This means every single person we meet is God’s. However… they might not realize it”. ~ Good point! I always try to tell people that they’re God’s and how God loves them, especially when we go out on the streets, most people just have NO IDEA that God loves them! I do my best to show them the way, but it’s hard! I’m glad to feel the Holy Spirit moving in me when I talk to people on the streets. God defenitly puts words into my mouth!
“But it is still God’s world – and yes, the devil is thrashing around his temptations as rapidly as he can in the hearts of men and women”. ~ Can someone help me here? Maybe you, Bible Guy? I was taught that the world belongs to the enemy?
“What are we doing with our lives to let others know about Jesus?” ~ I live my life the best I can. I live out of love … I try my best to love everybody. I’m living God’s word in order to let Him shine through me so others know about Jesus. In the past months people have seen me change and they will ask me how I got to change this much. I’ll tell them it’s because of Jesus. I go on the streets with our church, talking about Jesus … singing about Jesus, doing drama’s about Jesus! It’s wonderful to have the Holy Spirit shine through me and make me a powerful Christian!
Yes, it can be hard some times … thinking about this fallen world. But I’m a fisher of men and I’ll do the best I can to save every single soul I can, from this fallen world!
Proverbs 13:16 “Wise people think before they act.” ~ Yeah … I’m not as wise as I should be … not yet … I’m working on this. I try to be someone that thinks before I act. But I have to admit that it’s not easy at times. I’m praying for this, I ask God for more of His spirit, to give me more wisdom!
Angelo, I’m sorry you have to go through this. This must be so hard for you! You’ll be in my prayers! You’ll be fine … God looks upon your heart and your mind. He knows you and your sisters. He sees what you are facing, so don’t fear, God can give you peace that only He can bring! God bless you!
Mae

======= Jim:

“You created it all.”
Of course, “all” must also include evil. If God is all-powerful, then the bad — the chaos, particularly as it manifests in human suffering — is also God’s work. That conclusion may be disturbing to us, but what is the alternative? A return to a Zorasterian Persian-style of dualism (or similar Eastern concepts of Ying and Yang)? If God is indeed all-powerful, then God must also have created evil (He didn’t just bring order out of chaos, but everything out of nothing). In fact, the inclusion of darkness in the Genesis creation story is designed to help us understand that if darkness is created by God, then so is evil. How, then, are we to worship this God?
Hear O Israel, our God is one — that is, all “bad” in our lives is always meant for our “good.” Our healing needs may include our mind, body, and soul but this God even gives life to the dead. God promises to always provide a way out of every sinful situation in which we may find ourselves.
Jim

======= Lisa:

Thank you for your post Jim, but I must say, I am confused about your statement regarding the topic of God, Creator of all in which you also included He created evil – so I did a little research.
In the King James version it says: “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” (Isaiah 45:7); so at FIRST glance, you can say yes, God did create evil, but one needs to probe a little deeper.
What does the word “evil” mean?
“First of all, the Hebrew word for evil “rah” is used in many different ways in the Bible. …
… We can see that the Bible teaches that God is pure and does not approve of evil, that the word “rah” (evil) in Hebrew can mean many things, and that contextually, the verse is speaking calamity and distress. Therefore, God does not create evil in the moral sense, but in the sense of disaster, of calamity.” 
Another thought – continued.
The word “evil” is used in the KJV; while “calamity” is used in other translations.
In the NET Bible First Edition, I will post the scripture and the footnotes (the footnotes are indicated by the numbers 13tn, 14tn and 15tn) which corresponds to the numbers within verse 47.
45:7 I am13 the one who forms light
and creates darkness;14
the one who brings about peace
and creates calamity.15
I am the Lord, who accomplishes all these things.
13tn The words “I am” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons. In the Hebrew text the participle at the beginning of v. 7 stands in apposition to “the Lord” in v. 6.
14tn On the surface v. 7a appears to describe God’s sovereign control over the cycle of day and night, but the following statement suggests that “light” and “darkness” symbolize “deliverance” and “judgment.”
15sn This verses affirms that God is ultimately sovereign over his world, including mankind and nations. In accordance with his sovereign will, he can cause wars to cease and peace to predominate (as he was about to do for his exiled people through Cyrus), or he can bring disaster and judgment on nations (as he was about to do to Babylon through Cyrus).
http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=3086 (download Net Bible for free).
Be blessed and be a blessing!
Lisa

====== Nasser:

psalm 89: 11 it is a good reminder for all believers that everything is god’s own he created everything even bad people are god’s creation but they do not know ,so here come our part the inspired believer to tell them that they are god’s people God owns everyone of us ,teh bad people are blind and far away from the truth that give freedom and eternity so it is your responsibility to go and tell these lost people because if you did not go and tell they will see the light of Jesus and you will be convicted for not witnessing to them about Jesus about the Kingdom of the real God.
proverb 13: 16 think before you act is very important especially when you you are in front of somebody accusing you or insulting you it is important to be slow in speaking quick in listening and slow in anger thinking before acting is a wise thunk to do some people naturaly they are doing it because their personality are like this and some who are fast in acting . how unique God in created everyperson different from others ,this give appreciation to our Creator God the father Amin
Nasser

======= Mitch:

I occasionally find the sub-headings offered us by the editors of various editions illuminating but more often obscuring because they focus us on one aspect of passages that often have many layers of meaning and help. Sometimes they are even wrong! The one you quote is surely not a story about “wicked farmers” not a “vineyard” but about the patient father or the Slain Son? I wish readers in church would forget the titles and just read the scripture, i also wish they would insert the Noun for a pronoun at he beginning of passages to tell us who “He” or “They” are. YIHS Michael
Mitch

======= Frederick:

Re: Don’t know
Luke 20:7
7So they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.”
The religious leaders replied to Jesus that they did not know the authority of John’s Baptism. They verbalised their own spiritual situation. They did not know John the Baptist and consequently, they did not recognise the Son of Man–Jesus.
Frederick

======= Lily:

God knows us, our thoughts, our needs and our hearts. This does not mean that we do not ask God(in prayer). In relationship with our fellow men (e.g. our friends, children, spouses) we assume we know what they know we want, what we are thinking, what they are thinking, or what they. Communication is very important with our relationship with God and with people.
Guilty. I have a tendency to speak before I think. As I grow older, I am starting to pause, think, count one to ten before I speak my mind. How many times we do not allow others to speak while we do our dissertations non stop.
Lily

======= Rosanna:

Thank you for this inspiring message. I am taking a hold of the truth that everything in the heavens and on earth is God’s and that everyone is created in the image of God – so it’s only natural that God wants everyone, no matter what, to be saved into His Kingdom, evangelism should not be hard to do then. Afterall God is greater and more powerful than the enemy, he is defeated, we are victorious in the name of Jesus, so let’s get on with increasing His Kingdom in these last days, God is for us who can be against. We apply who we are in Christ, that’s where all our confidence comes from. I am just getting pumped up to preach the good news to the lost, and usher them in to the Kingdom of God. Have a great day & God bless you all. Your sister in Christ, Rosanna
Rosanna

======= Bob:

Its a Christmas Story but for some reason I picked it today to read to a Senior’s Service. I thought it too much of a coincidence that Paul Harvey is mentioned in our blog today so I thought I would post it. Its very appropriate for Easter!
The Man and the Birds
by Paul Harvey
The man to whom I’m going to introduce you was not a scrooge, he was a kind decent, mostly good man. Generous to his family, upright in his dealings with other men. But he just didn’t believe all that incarnation stuff which the churches proclaim at Christmas Time. It just didn’t make sense and he was too honest to pretend otherwise. He just couldn’t swallow the Jesus Story, about God coming to Earth as a man.
“I’m truly sorry to distress you,” he told his wife, “but I’m not going with you to church this Christmas Eve.” He said he’d feel like a hypocrite. That he’d much rather just stay at home, but that he would wait up for them. And so he stayed and they went to the midnight service.
Shortly after the family drove away in the car, snow began to fall. He went to the window to watch the flurries getting heavier and heavier and then went back to his fireside chair and began to read his newspaper. Minutes later he was startled by a thudding sound…Then another, and then another. Sort of a thump or a thud…At first he thought someone must be throwing snowballs against his living room window. But when he went to the front door to investigate he found a flock of birds huddled miserably in the snow. They’d been caught in the storm and, in a desperate search for shelter, had tried to fly through his large landscape window.
Well, he couldn’t let the poor creatures lie there and freeze, so he remembered the barn where his children stabled their pony. That would provide a warm shelter, if he could direct the birds to it.
Quickly he put on a coat, galoshes, tramped through the deepening snow to the barn. He opened the doors wide and turned on a light, but the birds did not come in. He figured food would entice them in. So he hurried back to the house, fetched bread crumbs, sprinkled them on the snow, making a trail to the yellow-lighted wide open doorway of the stable. But to his dismay, the birds ignored the bread crumbs, and continued to flap around helplessly in the snow. He tried catching them…He tried shooing them into the barn by walking around them waving his arms…Instead, they scattered in every direction, except into the warm, lighted barn.
And then, he realized that they were afraid of him. To them, he reasoned, I am a strange and terrifying creature. If only I could think of some way to let them know that they can trust me…That I am not trying to hurt them, but to help them. But how? Because any move he made tended to frighten them, confuse them. They just would not follow. They would not be led or shooed because they feared him.
“If only I could be a bird,” he thought to himself, “and mingle with them and speak their language. Then I could tell them not to be afraid. Then I could show them the way to safe, warm…to the safe warm barn. But I would have to be one of them so they could see, and hear and understand.”
At that moment the church bells began to ring. The sound reached his ears above the sounds of the wind. And he stood there listening to the bells – Adeste Fidelis – listening to the bells pealing the glad tidings of Christmas.
And he sank to his knees in the snow.
Bob

======= Joyce:

Mike and everyone,
Joshua 22:5 (Amplified Bible)
5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you: to love the Lord your God and to walk in all His ways and to keep His commandments and to cling to and unite with Him and to serve Him with all your heart and soul [your very life].
Appreciate God’s reminder in this verse very much!.
May we believers take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law which God and His faithful servants charge us: to love the Lord our God and to walk in all His ways;
to keep His commandments;
and to each day cling to Him, unite with Him, and to serve Him with all our heart and soul.
Father please help us in doing so!
pray in our Lord Jesus’ name, amen.
Psalm 89:13 (Amplified Bible)
13 You have a mighty arm; strong is Your hand, Your right hand is soaring high.
A sister-in-Christ shared lately that she struggles a lot with fear; and I definitely have struggled with fear too. This verse reminds me of our God’s almighty strength, with Him we can gain victory in all circumstances.
Father, please give us more faith to fight our fears! pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.
Sincerely,
Joyce

======= Jill:

I dont understand the vineyard story. Anyone care to explain
Jill

======= Joyce:

Jane,
Thank you for asking your question!
Thanks God I got to look up some resources to try to understand the vineyard story.
I learned this and am quoting from Pastor Steven J. Cole’s sermon, Lesson 91: Who Owns the Vineyard? (Luke 20:9-18) –
“Jesus told this parable for two main reasons. He wanted to encourage His faithful servants who get beat up and thrown out of the vineyard to keep on being faithful. He owns the vineyard and the main thing is for His servants to bear fruit for Him. Second, He told it to warn those who wrongly think that they own the vineyard that they do not. A day of reckoning is coming!”
Pastor Cole also mentioned Romans 11:22 in his sermon,
“Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.” (NLT)
Mike,
for Proverbs 13:16 today, thank you for asking if we are someone who think before we act!
Proverbs 13:16 The Amplified Version reads –
“Every prudent and self-disciplined man acts with knowledge,
But a [closed-minded] fool [who refuses to learn] displays his foolishness [for all to see].”
How I need this reminder!
May God’s Word continue to bless, nourish, and strengthen everyone on this blog.
May God continue to bless that this blog bear much fruit for Him around the world, that many will come to revere Him and His Word.
Thank you Mike, may God remember and reward your efforts!
God Bless!
Joyce

======== Donnita:

Thank you! I just discovered your blog and it is so helpful while going through the one year Bible reading.
Donnita

======= Dee:

In Joshua per distributing the Levites and Mike you talking about a vacuum leadership, made me think of my college class on collaborating teams.. and we talk about enlightenment and vacuum groups..one is ego and other is a taker..not a very good type of leadership.
Based on Luke, I pray Jesus is the cornerstone of my life! I was to stand strong and hold tight to my faith.
Psalms: everything is His and the hall I teach is his..I pray I show people the way more ans show his/her potential
Dee

======= Vance:

Regarding Levites scattered throughout the tribes of Israel, I saw on the news what may be a modern version of this in the ruins of Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina.
~~~
Members of a Baptist church in Louisiana are moving back to their town even though the town is still in shambles because of the hurricane. The Baptist church in Louisiana is being rebuilt in the midst of the wreckage.
I saw an interview with the Baptist minister on the news last night. Many people who were forced to move away from their town because of Hurricane Katrina were driving by, and they came up to the pastor and the members of the Baptist church and asked: “Are you rebuilding this church?”
The pastor or members answered, “Yes.” Upon hearing that, the people asking the question said, “Then, I will be moving back to my town because now I know everything will be all right because you are rebuilding this church.”
~~~
Perhaps something similar happened among the Israelites. The Levites scattered among the Israelites surely must have reminded them of their faith in God and that God is among them — and also of the need to worship, reverence, and obey God.
Surely, where God’s people are thriving, then the surrounding community will be all right.
When in seminary, I heard of stories of darkness and oppression being lifted after a local church fought the spiritual battle to be established in a new area.
Then, the light of the Gospel could penetrate and provide the water of life to the community.
Psalm 89 (NKJV)
1
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever;
With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.
2
For I have said, “Mercy shall be built up forever;
Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.
3
“I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David:
4
‘Your seed I will establish forever, And build up your throne to all generations.’” Selah
~~
THANK GOD THAT HE IS A COVENANT- MAKING AND COVENANT – KEEPING GOD!
Vance

======= John:

Proverbs 13
13 He who scorns instruction will pay for it,
but he who respects a command is rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
turning a man from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding wins favor,
but the way of the unfaithful does not endure
16 Every prudent man acts out of knowledge,
but a fool exposes his folly.
======================================================
Proverbs have many good instructions on how to live life – but again, I think there is deeper spiritual meaning in sets of proverbs from yesterday and today.
Can you see the eternal consequences of these proverbs above?
If you scorn Jesus’ teaching on salvation you will pay (eternal separation), but if you heed – rewarded (eternal life).
Wise is associated with knowing God – Jesus knew God the most – his teaching is the fountain of (eternal) life – turning a man from the snares of death (eternal separation from God).
Good understanding will lead you to be co-heirs to heaven, the way of the unfaithful does not endure – (leads to damnation).
Prudent man acts out of knowledge – knowing God’s Word. Fool’s ignore God’s Word and pay the price.
See the pattern. A challenge – to look at proverbs on two levels – practical advice and spiritual advice.
Solomon may not have realized this point – but the Holy Spirit is the author of the Bible – and there are no coincidences when it comes to God or His Word:).
Proverbs will be a major project for me next year 
John

======== John:

Luke 20:1-26
Passover parallel
The Passover lamb was tied up in temple courtyard and could be inspected by all the priests to see if it was blemished.
Jesus taught in the temple during Holy Week where He was grilled by the temple priests and scribes to find a fault – they failed.
======================================================
The priests and scribes were wanting to know by what authority he cleansed the temple and that Jesus had for teaching. they were hoping Jesus would say – by His authority – thus leading to a charge of blasphemy.
They tried to trip him up with the tax question. But…
“26They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public.”
======================================================
Parable of the tenants
“Our Lord told a parable using some symbols out of Isaiah 5 that were familiar to the Jewish people. In this story we see a sweeping picture of God’s wonderful plan of redemption over some fifteen hundred years of Israel’s history and how many times the false spiritual leaders sought to try to stop the fruit of redemption from going back into the owner’s hands.” – Ron Ritchie
Pretty straightforward:
The vineyard owner is God the Father;
the vineyard is Israel;
the vine-growers are the spiritual leaders;
the harvest is righteousness and justice;
the owner’s servants are the prophets
the beloved son, heir and co-owner of the vineyard is Jesus
The physical and spiritual consequences of their actions would be that the vineyard owner, God himself, would respond to the murder of his son by destroying the vine-growers and giving the vineyard to others outside of Israel. We now know that the others are his church, the Christian community, which is made up of both Jews and Gentiles. – Ron Ritchie
======================================================
Luke 20:18
“Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”
Here again is the picture of salvation. Ever consistent.
Notice it is not broken then falls – but falls then is broken.
We are to come down from our pinnacle of pride and admit we are sinners, then we are broken and become one with the stone. We are then part of the foundation of the Body of Christ – which has been built up over time.
Those that reject Christ – the stone crushes. There is punishment and destruction for that individual – eternal separation from God.
John

====== Jen:

Joshua
The Lord keeps His promises
He lets His people live in peace
The Lord helps and does good things for us
The people were taught to love the Lord, to be faithful to Him, to worship and obey Him with their whole heart and with all their strength just as we are today.
Psalm 89
When we know how great He is. We feel lead to tell others.
Then we will all praise His name forever.
He is the greatest nothing nor no one is better than Him
He rules the oceans and they are under His control
Everything was made by Him and is His
He has the whole world in His hands
Even nature praise Him
Proverbs
If we follow good advice we will do well. Good advice comes from the Lord. It is sensible follow the word of God. Foolish men don’t and they get lost.
Jen

======= Ramona:

Joshua 21:1-22:20
Again, I see the mercy and grace of God giving to Israel the land He Promised. This is a “We being many are One Body in Christ,” event. Yet the tools, the Promise, the divided land, do me no good unless I go out and take hold of it. Not only must I take it, I must utilize it or else I will be like the “servant” who buries his talent in the ground.
Anka you said, >>So all the enemies that Israel “couldn’t” overcome were actually enemies Israel chose not to eliminate…>> This is what I’ve been seeing since we began reading Joshua, chapter 14, when we began embarking on the division and apportioning of the land. How much of what God has given me have I failed to utilize; how much have I been a hindrance to the Body of Christ because I am not functioning the way God designed me to function and utilizing what He has given me? Have I taken “land” that I was not given, because I’ve failed to “capture” what was handed to me?
God forgive us for not taking hold of everything you have prepared for us—Lord have mercy!!
Grace and peace to all: May we take up everything God has blessed us with.
Ramona

Joshua 19:1-20:9 + Luke 19:28-48 + Psalm 88:1-18 + Proverbs 13:12-14
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Today we finish up reading about the Promised Land being divided among the tribes!  Below is a great NASA photo with an overlay of a map of the twelve tribes:

In Joshua chapter 20 we read about the Cities of Refuge.  I like that concept – a city of refuge.  A place of refuge.  This is what I think about Jesus today – He is our City of Refuge!  No matter what our past sins are, Jesus can be our City of Refuge if we will run to Him, believe, confess & repent.  Is Jesus your City of Refuge?

New Testament – In Luke chapter 19 today we read about Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem – and of course, this scene of people shouting “Hosanna!” will far too soon turn toward people spitting on and mocking Jesus on the road to Golgotha as he carries his cross.  Bible.org’s commentary on our Luke chapter 19 readings today titled “The Untriumphal Entry” is at this link.

Verses 41 through 44 are so beautiful as Jesus looks upon Jerusalem and cries. It makes sense because he knows that the destruction of Jerusalem in coming in 70 A.D.  Per Tyndale’s commentary today, “In 66 A.D. the Jews revolted against Roman control.  Three years later Titus, son of Emperor Vespasian, was sent to crush the rebellion.  Roman soldiers attacked Jerusalem and broke through the northern wall but still couldn’t take the city.  Finally they laid siege to it, and in A.D. 70 they were able to enter the severely weakened city and burn it.  Six hundred thousand Jews were killed during Titus’ onslaught.”  And so, Jesus wept over Jerusalem…

Psalms – Psalm 88 is quite a Psalm!  Interestingly many churches read this Psalm during their Good Friday liturgies, interpreting this Psalm as a prayer of Jesus suffering on the road to Golgotha.  Take a read through this Psalm again with this perspective… 

Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 13 verse 12 teaches us today: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy.”  Do you see the wisdom in this Psalm? I do hope that each of us realizes that faith in Jesus is not hope deferred.  It is a dream come true in the here and now.  Faith in Jesus brings life & joy now.  And yes, faith in Jesus also brings the hope of glory for eternity.  But, salvation is not all just hope deferred…  It is life & joy now too!

Worship Video: Today’s readings in about Jesus’ triumphal entry in Luke reminded me of Phil Wickam’s song “House of the Lord:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8uKldEUrPE

Are you in the house of the Lord? Click here to enter the House of the Lord!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “”It is written,” Jesus said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.'” Luke 19:46 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that your church is a house of prayer. Pray that your house is a house of prayer. Pray that you are a person of prayer. Pray against any robbers ever appearing in your church, house, or heart.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Has faith brought life and joy into your life?  Do you believe faith in Jesus brings eternal life and joy as well?  Are you looking forward to eternal life and joy in heaven, our eternal “city of refuge”?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Joshua 19:1-20:9
God knows man well enough that he knows we look for revenge when someone we love dearly is killed. We want someone to pay for a death, an accident even when the “victim” of the “crime,” accident participated in the very incident that led to his/her death. We are looking for “payback.” Since those who call out for the death of the “man slayer, themselves deserve death—For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23 KJVR)—we are truly sinners crying out for the blood of those who have sinned.
The only one who can pay the price for all of us, the only refuge mankind has, the only place where I can go to satiate my need for revenge, and to keep me from becoming the object of others revenge is Jesus Christ.
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Missy:

Thank you for helping me keep my eyes focused on the only thing that really matters.
Missy

======= Michelle:

Prov 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
All these allotment chapters in Joshua which tell us which tribes get which lands gives me a sense of longing, too, for my heavenly kingdom–for the place which will always be mine. And as Mike mentioned the longing for God is not really a hope deferred, so my heart is not sick, because I have the downpayment of the Holy Spirit in my life, guaranteeing what is to come. But I am reminded that I am a pilgrim and that this is not my home.
Michelle

======== Luch:

Psalm 88:18 “You have taken away my companions and loved ones; only darkness remains.” What a sad picture of one who is disconnected from vital, life giving relationships. As the guy who champions the ministry of life groups in our community, verses like this stand out to me, and motivate me to keep on inspiring and helping people to get connected to people.
Without companions and loved ones in our lives there will only be darkness. Tricky thing here is that the psalmist implies that God has ‘taken away his companions and loved ones.’ No doubt this is all done under God’s providential watchful eye, and who of us hasn’t felt this way once in a while in our own journeys when it felt like the Lord removed our relational support world only to cause us to cling to Him. Just as Psalm 73:25, 26 that says, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides youi. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
I read a study published by http://www.americanvalues.org called Hardwired to connect, that shows how deeply entrenched in our persons is the need to be in community. No doubt that’s why the psalmist says it feels ‘like darkness’ when loved ones and companions feel far removed.
Luch

======= Emily:

Cities of refuge bit always struck me as something marvellous (though not in the sense Mike suggests). We all know how in modern west all countries have extensive refugee protection quotas and policies. There are people in danger of death, torture, inhuman treatment, arbitrary imprisonment, grave harrassment and other abuses… who may be granted refugee status in the country they seek protection from.
Of course it is sad how illegal immigrants can abuse refugee policies of different countries. But still, the civilized world’s refugee policies can be traced back to the Bible!!!
Even God understood how a government or administration of a country must be humane and extend protection to those-non citizens- in danger!
Compare also with Leviticus sections which instruct that ungleaned bits of crops should be left on ground for aliens and poor. There are commands to treat strangers/aliens with respect (Leviticus 19:34) God’s concerns for non- Israelites has always been apparent. Though God hated Baal worshippers for their corruption but at the same time God loved ALLL humanity.
Emily

======= Laura:

Two verses stood out. Joshua 20:6 reminds me that even unintentional evil is still an evil carrying consequences. Imagine, accidently killing someone and not being able to go home for years, maybe decades.
Joshua 20:6
And he shall remain in that city until he has stood before the congregation for judgment, until the death of him who is high priest at the time. Then the manslayer may return to his own town and his own home, to the town from which he fled.
Psalm 88:18 is a paradox. How is it that the psalmist can passionately cry out to a close God with a complaint about how alone he is? Faith has a lot of stuff that looks rather gray.
Psalm 88:18
You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me;
my companions have become darkness.
Laura

======= Emily:

Laura,
We are not sure what sort of punishment or criminal laws aliens had. It must be very draconian and inhuman. In that case, the accused (could be falsely accused too) would surely be killed, stoned or tortured to death. Possibly his family would be mistreated too. In short, an unfair and inhuman punishment.
I believe cities of refuge were built to save the life and liberty of such misfortunate individuals, and their families too. I don’t think cities of refuge were there so all the criminals and thugs from neighbouring countries may relax in God’s land.
Emily

======= Mae:

Has faith brought life and joy into your life? Do you believe faith in Jesus brings eternal life and joy as well? Are you looking forward to eternal life and joy in heaven, our eternal “city of refuge”? ~ I truly believe faith in Jesus brings eternal life and joy! Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ brought life and joy into my life. I felt it the minute I prayed, the prayer of forgiveness. I actually felt Jesus took residence in my heart! To be filled with the Holy Spirit has made my life complete! I’m not afraid of leaving this life and turn it into my eternal life. Sure, it has it’s hard times as well, you know, to follow Jesus. But I constantly pray for my true faith in Him. I’m still growing, it doesn’t come all natural to me yet. If you know what I mean. I still don’t know the ins and outs, so I get confused easily. But as I said: I keep growing and I keep my faith in Him!
Mae

======== Jenny:

Luke 19:40 “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”
I love that!! Even the rocks would cry out, just thinkin of that is amazing!
Jesus weeping over Jerusalem. : )  Reminds me of an AWESOMe song I heard in Israel, then i heard a guy sing it live here, its amazing.. “Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem…why wont you believe….” A VERY powerful song…I’ve been searching for it for like 7 yrs! If anyone knows where I can find it, let me know please!
Wow!!I love this Psalm…I can sure relate to this pain and anguish!!
I also love this proverb: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick”…its soooo true! I had this verse posted somewhere cause i had a situation like this and my heart was sick!
“But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.”….a great promise I cling to!
Am i looking forward to eternal life and joy in heaven? Science cannot measure how quickly my response is!!! YES! =)

====== Jen:

Joshua
He sure is!! Thank you Jesus that you love us so much
Luke
Its sad how the transformation you mentioned happened so quickly
PSALM
Sometimes it may feel as if we have been rejected by God
But if we remember that:-
Safety comes from the Lord
He listens when we pray
He can rescue us
God can forgive us if we turn to Him and confess all
He can lift us up and love us unconditionally
flinging our sins as far and as wide that they will never be seen again
Proverbs
To reject God is foolishness to follow Him has great rewards and leads us home.
Faith in God has changed my life for the better. I wouldn’t be where I am now had it not been for His saving grace.
Jen

======== Lisa:

This verse has stirred my heart today and I can’t let go of it. I feel that my God is walking in the cool of the day with me when I sup with Him in His Word daily (even when I do not understand it):
“…because all the people hung on every word he said.” (Luke 19:48, NLT)
The Amplified Bible adds at the end of verse 48 … “and stuck by Him.”
Then I thought of this scripture: “At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him. And then he disappeared. Back and forth they talked. “Didn’t we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?”” (Luke 24:31-32, The Message Bible)
The powerful majestic Word of God, our Father, is just that! It has a way of me wanting more and more, not getting enough, hanging on every Word when I allow the Word to rightly divide itself (not making it fit for me, but fit for what God has purposed His Word to accomplish through me). Glory to His name.
I encourage my family to stick by the Word and He will draw closer to you today!
Be blessed and be a blessing!
Lisa

======= Kathy:

Hi Mike,
I’ve been reading the OYB blog all year now and I have to admit I’m having a very difficult time with the OT readings. I pray constantly for understanding but have not grown any further than I was 10 years ago. The OT scripture speaks mostly of genocide, slavery, and women as property.
The God that says ‘Thou shall not kill’ and never changes, commanded murder and did change His mind when Abraham & Moses asked Him to. You don’t seem to touch on this subject too much with each commentary. I’m sure there are many resources to read, and I don’t want to give up. But I am growing weary of trying to understand. I’m not sure faith has brought more joy into my life. I feel more disillusioned than ever.
Kathy

======= Lily:

The old testament readings reminds me that God provides refuge to all those who have sinned. Earthly refuge is through the judgement of the land but heavenly refuge is through God’s mercies.
The New Testament readings reminds me of how we have short memories. One day we praise God, the next day we forget God. Christ ransomed us from our sins.
We seem to forget that the house of God (the church) is a house of prayer and worship. We at times turn it to a commercial house.
Lily

======= Teriann:

Today I was struck by how blind we can be to very real spiritual truth. Jesus said that even the rocks would cry out who He was but Jerusalem did not recognize Him. It made me wonder what I miss because I choose not to see. The other point I saw today was similar. The tribe of Dan was assigned a portion of land but found it too hard to conqueror so they went else where. This left a stronghold for the enemy in the middle of Israel and Dan settling for less than God intended for them all because they decided that God’s way was too difficult. I want to be in the center of God’s will for me even if it is difficult. I want spiritual eyes to see the truth and not miss out on God’s best. I want Jesus to rejoice over me instead of weep when He sees how I missed His best.
Terriann

======= Bob:

I love exploring the little nuances that unfold in our readings. One that came up today in Luke 19:30-31 is about redeeming the colt and why does this need to be done? Not only did the Lord redeem man’s sins, he redeemed that donkey from having its neck broken if we look back in Exodus 13:13. It says something about the character of our Lord by this example to show how important words and actions are in everything we do.
Bob

======= Dee:

Well last day of the spreading out of the tribes. So many names but I know those have significance because God doesn’t have anything written that isn’t meaningful later.
Luke..going into with the Triumphal Entry knowing that those same people will spit on and curse later. It’s beautiful in the walk through but sad at the same time especially when you know all and see it
Psalm 88 being written supposedly with Jesus in mind..to know all he did for us in an awestruck thing and to love him more in these moments..wow
Dee

======= John:

Psalm 88
Sometimes referred to as “The Saddest Psalm”, and I have seen it speculatively attributed to Job, Uzziah, Jeremiah, and Hezekiah. If the intent of reciting this psalm on Good Friday is to display the lowest point of sadness before the joy of Ressurection Sunday – I guess I can see it. However, if it is implied that this is a messianic psalm and hence a prayer on the way to Golgotha – I would have problems.
While some Psalms mention resurrection, this psalm seems to embrace the philosophy of Sheol as “soul sleep” or a shadowy existence. It is later (400+ yrs), in Daniel, that resurrection is expressed more explicitly.
“The Torah and Talmud alike focus on the purpose of earthly life, which is to fulfill one’s duties to God and one’s fellow man. Succeeding at this brings reward, failing at it brings punishment. Whether rewards and punishments continue after death, or whether anything at all happens after death, is not as important……”
“Taken together, these early biblical descriptions of death seem to indicate that the soul continues to exist in some way after death, but not consciously.”
“Like all ancient peoples, the early Hebrews believed that the dead go down into the underworld and live there a colorless existence…”
I read somewhere that all the Psalms end in an upbeat manner, or in a plea for an upbeat scenario. I went back over the previous ten Psalms and randomly checked ten others – and this seems to be true. Not so with Psalm 88 – it ends with:
“You have taken my companions and loved ones from me;
the darkness is my closest friend.”
The questions in Verses 10-12 are like as one who is (perhaps selfishly) saying I can better know you and serve you in praise and worship here (alive) than in death (sheol). Perhaps I would be more comfortable with a messianic interpretation if there were some answers to these questions in the affirmative, or an upbeat ending that indicates it is a temporary scenario. Or at least something alluding to more than is presented in the Psalm.
“If we wonder why it is in the Bible, we might listen to the testimony of J. N. Darby. He said that at one time this was the only Scripture that was any help to him because he saw that someone had been as low as that before him.” – Believer’s Bible Commentary
Perhaps I am missing something, and am certainly open to others giving a different view.
[NOTE: I looked up several sites on Sheol and Jewish beliefs in ressurection of the body, these two seemed consistent with others and perhaps a tad bit more readable.]
John

======= John:

Joshua 19
Perhaps of interest:
I wondered why Simeon’s tribe got land inside of Judah’s territory. Forgot about Simeon and Levi being integral in the massacre at Shechem. The tribe of Levi was also scattered as the tribe of priests they received no land.
“Jacob had declared with regard to Simeon and Levi, “I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.” (Genesis 49:7)…
…In regard to Simeon, the dispersion of which Jacob prophesied, manifestly took place when certain cities within the territory of Judah were assigned to his posterity for their inheritance. For although they were not sent off to great distances, yet they dwelt dispersed, and as strangers in a land properly belonging to another. Therefore, on account of the slaughter (my note: Shechem Gen 34:1-31) which they had perpetrated with no less perfidy than cruelty, they were placed separately in different abodes.”
======================================================
Tribe of Dan
The translations here lead to several impressions, but apparently the Tribe headed north for whatever reason. Nothing good came of that – the tribe resorted to idolatry, set up their own priesthood, and had serious problems as we will see later in the Bible.
I wonder if all above would have happened if they had just stayed put – trusted in God – and taken control of their territory?
John

======= Vance:

Cities of Refuge
God is very practical. I can always trust God to be objective, just, and fair even if a person is so angry because I may have accidentally harmed that person’s friend or relative.
I CAN ALWAYS TRUST GOD. Yes, I agree that God alone is my Refuge.
However, (I need to be honest), in an age where the television was my second parent and where it is so easy to find comfort through electronic devices–do I really seek the Lord as my Refuge?
THIS IS THE CHALLENGE to myself and to other. God is the total Source of everything I need, and He should be preeminent in my life.
Regarding the boundaries of the promised land and cities of refuge, I really like the following note from this website, hebrew4christians.com:
The boundaries of the Promised Land are given.
Note that the borders of the land do not correspond with the reality of any historical settlement of Israel, so the actual possession of the land by Israel is yet to be fulfilled. Certain parts of present-day Lebanon and Syria (to the north) were never possessed nor annexed, even during the reign of Solomon.
This is significant, because it disproves the amillennial view that the Church has replaced Israel and that the promise of the land was fulfilled in ancient times.
“Cities of refuge” (arei miklat) are then designated as havens and places of exile for those involved in accidental manslaughter. Cities of refuge were places were the Levites dwelled, since they were apportioned no territories in the Promised Land.
Here the person who committed manslaughter would be safe from the tribal justice of the goel hadam, the closest relative to the person killed.
Interestingly, the refugee must remain in the city of refuge until the death of the Kohen Gadol, showing a connection between the death of the priest as atonement for the loss of life.
***
(Understanding the theology that the church has REPLACED Israel is very important. In a nutshell, this theology teaches that since the inception of the church, all of the promises that applied to Israel now only apply to the church.
MY NOTE: This is very important. Why? Because the theology that the church has replaced Israel was prominent in Germany when Adolph Hitler was Germany’s leader. Since many of the German churches believed that Israel no longer had a place in God’s plan, it gave them a “theological excuse” to ignore the Jewish people when Satan was using Hitler and his government to try to annihilate the Jews)
==> Of course, it is NEVER RIGHT TO have any excuse to
ignore those who are being oppressed, for all people are made in God’s image. And the Jews still have a special place in God’s plan
***
Luke 19 (NKJV)
Note that this is a quote from Psalm 118:26. See Psalm 118:26 in context below.
Psalm 118 (NKJV)
21
I will praise You, For You have answered me, And have become my salvation.
22
The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This was the LORD’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
25
Save now, I pray, O LORD;
O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity.
26
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!
We have blessed you from the house of the LORD.
27
God is the LORD, And He has given us light; Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
28
You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You.
MY NOTE:
Note verse 27, which follows verse Psalm 118:26 —
27
God is the LORD, And He has given us light; Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
OR… (my paraphrase)
“Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. He is the sacrifice that is to be bound with cords on the altar.”
Unwittingly, the people in the fickleness and sinfulness of their hearts were used to fulfill this prophecy.
Psalm 88
The persistence of the Psalmist to seek God when He does not make sense in the middle of a very difficult situation makes me think of Job.
I respect Job, especially now as a married man. I mean, the courage and persistence of Job to keep on seeking the Lord in spite of a wife who told him to curse God and die is very courageous and nobe.
And, Job did this in the face of “friends” who, perhaps, really tried to help him– but with their own wisdom instead of seeking the Lord’s wisdom first.
Psalm 13 (NKJV)
14
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.
HOW DO YOU AND I ENTER into the “substance” and “evidence” of life and joy that is in faith?
By meditating on God and His Word, and by giving His Word access to the deepest parts of our beings. Then, when we speak, we speak with a fountain of life flowing out of us through the Holy Spirit.
This life enables us to “reign in life through the One Man, the Lord Jesus Christ” no matter what is happening to us. (Romans 5:17).
Vance

Joshua 16:1-18:28 + Luke 19:1-27 + Psalm 87:1-7 + Proverbs 13:11
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s **COMMENTARY IS 1 DAY OFF, BUT READINGS ARE CORRECT** terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – In Joshua chapter 18 verse 1 today we read – “Now that the land was under Israelite control, the entire Israelite assembly gathered at Shiloh and set up the Tabernacle.”  Shiloh was located about 25 miles north of Jerusalem.  The tabernacle remained in Shiloh throughout the period of the Judges, or about 300 years.  We will later read about Samuel traveling to Shiloh with his family.  The tabernacle at Shiloh may have looked something like this –

New Testament – Today in Luke chapter 19 we read the awesome story of Jesus’ interactions with Zacchaeus the Tax Collector. As we read through this story about Zacchaeus “the sinner,” does anything maybe correlate with our life story today? Consider verse 9 – “Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” What does this mean that Jesus came to seek and to save what was lost? Did Jesus seek Zacchaeus? Did Jesus save Zacchaeus? Now, take a moment if you will to reflect back on your life and your interactions with Jesus. Like Zacchaeus, were you a “sinner?” Like Zacchaeus, did Jesus seek you? Are there moments in your life where you really have felt that Jesus literally has been “pursuing” you? (I know I have had these moments in my life – thank God for them!) And, most importantly – like Zacchaeus – has Jesus saved you?

Interesting!  The Story of the Ten Servants is something I reflected on back in our readings of Matthew. But what stood out to me today was verse 11 – “The crowd was listening to everything Jesus said. And because he was nearing Jerusalem, he told a story to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away.”  This is very interesting to note that Jesus told this story to correct the impression that the Kingdom would begin right away!  The Jewish people were looking for a Messiah that would overthrow the Roman political structure.  A fighting / revolutionary Messiah that would free Jerusalem from Rome.  Instead, as we all know, Jesus died on a cross with nails that were driven into his hands and feet by Roman soldier.  Not quite what the Jews at this time were expecting in a Messiah…  And here we have this story that’s purpose is to show the Kingdom would not begin right away.  This makes sense.  It is the paradox of the Kingdom of God being already / not yet.  And while Jesus first came to usher in the Kingdom, its fulfillment is not complete until his Second Coming.  And – while we are awaiting the fulfillment of the Kingdom, how are we utilizing the talents God has given us?  How are we utilizing our time, treasure, and talents?  Is it for the Kingdom’s benefit? 

Bible.org’s commentary on our Luke chapter 19 readings today titled “The Nobleman: His Slaves and His Citizens” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 87 is a celebration of Jerusalem as the City of God, as we read in verse 3 – “O city of God, what glorious things are said of you!”  As we continue to read through the One Year Bible this year it is amazing to reflect upon how much focus there is on Jerusalem as the city of God.  Truly, so many of the Psalms glorify Jerusalem, often as a foreshadowing of the Heavenly City of God.  Indeed, as this verse suggests, many glorious things are said of Jerusalem in the Bible!

Proverbs – Proverbs 13 verse 11 is a great verse to consider as we watch those late night TV infomercials… 🙂 – “Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows.”  Are we focusing our working lives on working hard or trying to get rich quick…

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Mac Powell’s song “River of Life:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceVLJ2Xm1UM

Have you been to the river of life? Click here and be washed clean!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.” Proverbs 13:11 NLT

Prayer Point: Pray that you will not pursue wealth from get-rich-schemes. Pray that you will work hard, give and save money, while growing your wealth over time. Pray that your ultimate investments are in God’s Kingdom and not in the markets of this world.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Have you every fallen prey to the idea of “getting rich quick”?  Do you see the wisdom of hard work over get-rich-quick schemes?  From which avenue does true wealth ultimately come from?   And, really, what is true wealth?  Is it what the world offers or perhaps something God offers?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Joshua 16:1-18:28
9 Ephraim was also given some towns with surrounding villages in the territory of the half-tribe of Manasseh. 10 They did not drive the Canaanites out of Gezer, however, so the people of Gezer live as slaves among the people of Ephraim to this day.
This passage and others like it from yesterday and today’s reading are thoroughly convicting me. In the giving of the boundary lines I see God setting up boundaries in my heart and telling me to 1) root out every enemy from within the boundaries, 2) keep out enemies that are without from coming in, and 3) remain obedient to God’s commands so that I will complete the task of item one and have the strength to guard my borders from item two.
That she, Israel, failed to do that means she played with sin. It means that she took sin and used it to support other endeavors even though she may not have participated directly in the sin, she shored up her economy on the back of sin. What is in my heart that God has commanded me to root out and I have said, “It’s to hard, it’s stronger than I?” What sin n my heart have I kept in the corner supporting an “industry” that I declared will do good things for God? If Israel made slaves of her enemies, the ones she was suppose to root out, and then excused herself for doing so because now they can give more time to worshiping God, then her worship is built on a lies, deceit and corruption destined to fail. How far-off from Israel am I, are we, if we do likewise?
Luke 19:1-27
Mike in regard to your Comments on Zacchaeus, I see Zacchaeus as being saved because he knew he was lost. As the most influential Jew in the tax-collecting business, Zaccheaus had become very rich by ripping off people and he felt guilty. Although it doesn’t say that in the text one can figure that out by his behavior, climbing up a tree to get a look at Jesus and immediately declaring he would repay those he had ripped off. People may have influence amongst the people they are ripping off but that doesn’t mean they have there respect. Influential people who feel their wealth has brought them salvation would not be climbing trees, they would be summing folks to them. The Queen of England summons people to her court not the other way around.
There are a lot of people who don’t know where they are and don’t know where they are going, but haven’t admitted that to anyone, much less themselves. They can’t be saved because they don’t know they are lost.
In the story of the ten servants what struck me and caught my attention was the fifteenth verse as read in the NIV, 15 “He was made king, however, and returned home.” Despite sending a local delegation to tell the “man of noble birth,” that they didn’t want him to be their king, He was made King anyway. We can believe there is no God, we can reject God and go after other gods and submit ourselves to them; however, that doesn’t stop God from being God.
Psalm 87:1-7
In the turmoil that is the Middle East verse four and five let us know that in God there will be a Peace,
4 I will record Egypt and Babylon among those who know me–
also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia.
They have all become citizens of Jerusalem!
5 And it will be said of Jerusalem,
“Everyone has become a citizen here.”
And the Most High will personally bless this city.
Proverbs 13:11
Mike, there are the late-night infomercials and then there are the State Lottery, and multi-state Power-Ball, get your one-billion to one money here, because the gifts, talents and abilities God has placed within you are always going to keep you poor. God is portrayed as not being able to supply our needs so let the state and the bookie give you what God can’t do.
If you don’t know how to make a million you won’t know how to keep a million. That is why nine out of ten lottery winners are bankrupted within five years and go to lottery winner support groups.
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Anka:

“If you are so numerous,” Joshua answered, “and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites.”
Again and again I see conditions to God’s promises.He promised Israel land,they had to fight for it.Jesus has given us the gift of salvation,we have to fight our flesh to get it…once the flesh is defeated we can break down and cry for salvation.I never really understood the “work out your salvation”…well I’m sure the people of Joseph were right about getting more land after all,it was God’s promise but they wanted the people to just pack up…they didn’t want to go get the land…they came up with excuses.I struggle sometimes to find time to read the bible,to pray…yet I expect to go out there and fight the enemy in my pyjamas!I expect to truly overcome the world and I expect the Holy Spirit to use me…hhhmmm.How can I have victory if I don’t meditate on the book of life instead I meditate on everything that’s not going right(the way I assume it should be).Zacchaeus had a good excuse…He was short,that’s how God created him so if he couldn’t see Jesus it wasn’t his fault…but he fought…ran up ahead and climbed up a tree!!He didn’t care about his reputation,didn’t make excuses…Jesus didn’t go out looking for him in the crowd,Jesus saw him AFTER he did his part….May God help me and anyone else is willing to realise that I need to train with my weapons and go out to battle.
God bless you all
Anka

======= Emily:

Anka,
Good observations. Christians do struggle so that they don’t fall into the traps. God does save us and wants us to be holy as He is holy. As human beings,We will make mistakes always but as long as our eyes are fixed on God we will get up and continue the journey.
Otherwise it is too easy to fall in the traps (and not get out) every single day of our lives. The traps: VANITY, Anger, greed, jealousy, covetousness, dangerous/destructive addictions, illicit sexual relations, corruption, showing partiality, suppressing the weak for our own benefit, ignoring the needs of those who are destitute, hopeless, in suffering…. too many traps to deal with every single day. We must fear God, Love God and let Him guide us for He is our Father who will never fail us if we trust Him.
Emily

======= Jim:

The reading in the Book of Luke today about the 10 talents isn’t difficult to understand, except for the part at the beginning where the ruler goes off to accept rulership and his subjects send a delegation against him. After all is said and done with the talent business, the ruler calls out the people who sent the delegation against him, and ‘kill them in front of me’. Could this be a foretelling of the Romans destroying Jerusalem in the near future? I don’t know… any insights or opinions?
Jim

======= John:

Jim,
Jesus as Savior – King – has always caused division for almost 2,000 years. Some believe, many want nothing to do with Christ on a personal level – as their King.
Some commentators do say this is about the Jewish nation’s rejection of Christ and subsequent destruction by Rome.
Personally, since this talks about the “king” coming back “returning” as king. I think this has to do with Christ’s return in the future and the judgment of unbelievers – those who rejected the message and Role of Christ. The citizens who wanted nothing to do with the King in the parable.
I find the above a better explanation, because as we know, the King (Christ) did not return before the Roman destruction of Israel.
John

======= Shane:

I agree with John, and my reasoning may sound nuts, but that’s no change of pace for me around here. Christ’s parable in Luke reminded me of Dan 7.
Follow me here. Daniel 7:13 reads “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.” OKay, let’s stop there a sec. Where is the Ancient of Days? Heaven, right? Okay, let’s keep going to verse 14: “And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a KINGDOM, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed”
So if we apply Daniel’s prophecy to Christ (as Son of man would indicate) we see that in a sense when Christ was resurrected and went to sit at the right hand of God, He was given a kingdom. So Christ left this world and was given a kingdom. The man in the parable left and was given a kingdom. Christ will come back and judge the world. The man came back and judged.
Therefore, I’m with John here. The parable is about Christ’s second advent. Watch ye therefore, for ye know not when the master of house cometh, and all that.
Shane

======= John:

Jim,
I don’t know if anybody emailed you as to why so much detail on the division of land.
Like the census (which is also a tough read) it is part of the history of the country. The census helped establish blood-lines and the coming to Canaan, conquering, and dividing it – establishes a time frame and the method of division.
If someone was to say – ‘well the Israelites have no claim to this country’ – ‘we came here in such and such and it is ours’. It can be pointed out around 1400 B.C. Joshua conquered “X” and “Y” and “Z” and divided up the lands by lot. It can also be pointed out that land was given by God – whether a debater wants to admit that or not.
Thus it puts a face and time to the original claim on the land of Israel. The seven(?) conquered nations have no claim as they were wiped out or assimilated.
It can be argued whether the Israelis have the right to have been reinstated to this land by the U.N., and it is argued to this day. However, the idea that they have no claim can be refuted by going to Book of Joshua. That may not be good enough in a court of law, but it is good enough for a Christian.
There may be other reasons for such detailed reporting of division of land, but that is what comes to mind when I saw your post.
BTW, I am with you, the genealogies, census, and this section have been toughest for me to read without wanting to skip down the page 
John

======= Shane:

My grandfather tells a story of a guy he knew who said, “I’ve read the whole Bible except for the begats.” They can be dry. Regarding the division of land, I really think that’s showing two things: 1) the fulfillment of God’s land promise to Abraham, and 2) to show the care God took in fulfilling that promise.
Shane

======= Jenny:

A verse that stood out, or jumped out at me was Joshua 18:3..”Then Joshua said to the children of Israel: ‘How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers has given you?’”…hmm. God spoke something personal to me there, areas of my life I am being maybe ‘lazy’ in. I couldnt find commentary in my study bible so i pulled out the big guns, the Vernon McGee 10 Yr Bible with commentary! : ) regarding Josh 18:3 it says:
“This is also God’s challenge to us. He has made available to us all spiritual blessings, but we are slack when it comes to claiming them. God has been so good to us. Oh, how we can thank Him for His grace, His love, His goodness, His mercy. How wonderful He is! Why dont we move in and possess the land He has given us.”
Luke 19:26 kinda confused me.‘”For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him”.
My Study Bible, which referred me back to Matt 25:29 says: The recipients of divine grace inherit innumerable blessings in addition to eternal life and the favor of God (cf. Rom. 8:32). But those who despise the riches of God’s goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, burying them in the ground and clinging instead to the paltry and transient goods of this world, will ultimately lose everything they have.
Wow, I love that picture of the kingdom, or new Jerusalem and the clouds, thats beautiful!
Yes, I believe in working hard and no, I have never fallen for a get-rich-quick scheme, I’m too smart for that! : }
Jenny

======= Gina:

What a great picture of ourselves at times with the story of Zacchaeus, the “sinner”! What stands out is to me is how the crowd reacts to Jesus wanting to stay at his house. They are the first to point fingers and be judgemental – probably thinking “why would Jesus want to stay with THAT sinner…I’m way better than he is….Jesus should be staying with someone like me. I don’t know about you, but I find myself, my prideful self, in that place more often than I like to be. Bottom line, this story humbles me.
I haven’t fallen prey to the “get rich quick” stuff on TV, but I have falled prey to the “lose 20lbs in 2 days with this rubber band” kind of stuff! Pilates videos and other things that you can lose weight quick…waste of money, mainly because once you get the stuff home, you use if for a week then it ends up in a closet somewhere!
True wealth is the joy found in Jesus Christ – no matter what your circumstances are at that time. Money can’t buy what Jesus can give you! Once you have Him, everything else becomes meaningless.
Gina

======= Mae:

Luke 19:9 “Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” ~ To me, it means that Jesus came to seek for the ones that were lost and wanting to save them. Jesus defenitly came to save me 8 months ago, well … that was the first time I was actually willing to accept Him. He, of course, came many many times knocking at my door. Yes, I was a sinner and still am a sinner. I wish I was without sins …
Proverbs 13:11 “Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows.” ~ I don’t believe in ‘get-rich-quick’. First of all because I don’t need to be rich, and I mean ‘money-rich’. And second of all … well, there’s not really a second of all, LOL, I just don’t need to be rich. I’d love to be rich in: having more wisdom and having a bigger heart. But money and material mean nothing to me. I care a great deal about what God gives me and not about the things I might think I need to have. Since I’m reborn we lead a pretty basic life and that’s just fine with me.
Mae

======= Jennifer:

Luke 19:1-27;
If we prove to be trust worthy with a little bit we will be given more responsibilities.
Psalm 87:1-7;
I wondered where Zion was when I read todays Psalm. A website it says “from the physical place where a conquering Israelite king (David) established his home for the benefit of his people, to a spiritual place where another conquering King will establish His home for the benefit of all people.”
With this in mind I reread the Psalm and learn that to born in Zion means to be a Christian. The book of life includes your and my names if we are Christains and so we will entitlement to live in the city of Zion (heaven). There we will sing praises to god and dance happily forever rejoicing that we are there we have made it home.
Proverbs 13:11
Gambling is a way of gaining money wrongly and we all too often see people lose it. Accumulating and saving money well earned through working hard grows and grows until we have a nice bit for our retirement. Not do easy to do in today’s economic environment but true nevertheless.
Jennifer

======= Lisa:

Comments on Shiloh – it is a must read; thanks Mike!
Comments on Psalm 87.
At the first reading, it was hard for me to grasp. So I read it over and over – in the different versions; then I viewed the commentary; lastly, I read each cross-reference.
If you have not done so – it is another must read.
To God be the all honor and glory!!!
Have a blessed day and be a blessing!!!!
Lisa

======= Frederick:

Re: Zacchaeus & the rich ruler and the blind beggar
Luke continued to describe Zacchaeus’s encounter with Jesus. Zacchaeus was a wealthy man (like the rich ruler). Yet (as Romona commented), he knew about his sins in his tax collection practice. He finally ‘saw’ Jesus and Jesus visited his house and have a dinner in his house. One might say that the blind beggar had nothing to lose to follow Jesus. But Zacchaeus illustrated the work of God in Zacchaeus’s heart and Zacchaeus’s response to Jesus. God is fair. Both the blind beggar (the poor) and Zacchaeus (the rich) received Jesus’s eternal blessings. The key issue is your choice and response to Jesus.
Frederick

======= Raeann:

True wealth comes from hard work, know that you did a job right, putting in the effort and seeing a job through to completion. 32For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on.
Raeann

======= Lily:

The story of Zaccheaus is one of my favorite. God came to save the lost and not the righteous. If we acknowledge that we have sinned and repent of our sins, God will surely forgive us. God knows us, as he knew Zaccheaus was up on the tree and his sins of cheating people. We can not hide our sins from God. In order to be forgiven, we have to acknowledge before God are sins as Zaccheaus did in front of Jesus. I pray that I will always hear God’s invitation especially when I am tempted. Thank God for His mercies.
Lily

======= Reuben:

What if Zaccheus was not just a “wee little man” but was a Hoffa-type gangster? That’s how I envision him.
Reuben

======= Duane:

I was thinking about the apostle Paul, when he was on his way to Damascus. Jesus appeared to him and called him out. Saul, as he was called then, was not seeking the Lord, he was going to have christains put in jail for following this new group called the way. Jesus sought out Saul and Saul ackowledge his sin and became converted. I believe that Jesus does seek us out. I know in my own situation, that I was miserable, I knew that Jesus was the answer, but I kept running from him.jesus kept pursuing me and a day came at his timing, when I finally surrendered my life. Zacchaues was definitely being sought by the Lord, but he was also aware of his sinfulness having heard of the reports concerning Jesus. Perhaps Zacchaues had seen people who had been healed or who were now acting completedly different as a result of having seen Jesus. This is what cause Zaccaues to become curious and started looking for answers. Perhaps I,m reading to much into it, but thats the way I see it.
Duane

======= Bob:

The Zacchaeus story always reminds me of when I taught Vacation Bible School and the kids and I had to learn and perform this lovely little song.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/bkd-QFD7vMA?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent
By the way if you have kids or know someone who has kids, a great gift are the Veggie Tales CD’s or DVD’s. (They are also for adults)
Bob

======== Joyce:

Mike and everyone,
Luke 19:1-10
Today as I read the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus, I felt very touched.
I see the truthful, genuine interaction between Zacchaeus and Jesus, that surpassed the displeased sentiment of the crowd.
3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd.
4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.
5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”
6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. (Luke 19:3-6 NLT)
The one that Zacchaeus wanted to see was Jesus, and he strived hard to make it happen – his height and the crowd didn’t stop him.
And when Jesus came up, He looked up and spoke to Zacchaeus, called him by name, and wanted to be a guest in Zacchaeus’ house that very day.
The crowd all the while, I imagine, was displeased. But that didn’t deter Zacchaeus – he quickly climbed down and invited Jesus as his house guest — with great excitement and joy.
In our relationship with Jesus, sometimes, it is that personal!
If people cheer us on – great! But even if not, when Jesus has His eyes on us, and calls on us, may we respond right away, with excitement and joy — amen.
Thank you Mike for your faithfulness in leading us to read the Bible each day!
Thank you brothers and sisters for your valuable comments!
Sincerely,
Joyce

======= Carol:

I thank God that although I’ve strayed at times, Jesus is always there and as time goes on and I grow in the Lord, the Holy Spirit will bring me back to my senses with scripture reminders of exactly what I should be doing/thinking.
I think we today sometimes have a wrong idea of who Jesus is and why He came and what He is going to do! We still want Him to do what we want/expect Him to do! He said He came to seek and to save the lost, and we are supposed to be doing that also…. but it can be hard sometimes when we are irked at the lost! (anyway I can get irked) Right now I am working on staying away from anything that will cause me not to love them as I should.
Carol

======= Dee:

Hi Mike, not sure if I ever fell for the get rich schemes but there are so many scams and click bait that people get entangled with. One time I had someone same I had won some money and that they knew my mon when she was living or something..it was wierd..they wouldn’t call me it was all text..my husband helped me and let me know it’s all automated and some kind of scam..its sad..and what is the saddest is when the little old elderly get tricked or abused in this situation. Thankful for God’s grace and love to sustain me.
Dee

======= Ramona:

Joshua 16:1-18:28
2 ½ tribes on the east of the Jordan, and 10 ½ on the west, those on the east have taken their territory; however, only three out of the 10 ½ on the west have gone after theirs. What is going on? What goes on within us, within me when I don’t take what God has given me? It is fear that past and current sins will keep me from what God has given me. Is it feelings of inadequacy because I am relying on self instead of relying on God who gives me strength? Is it just plan laziness, a desire for someone else to go out and do the dirty work ‘cause I don’t want to get my hands dirty?
In the 10th verse of chapter 16 we read, 10But they didn’t get rid of the Canaanites who were living in Gezer. Canaanites are still living among the people of Ephraim, but they are made to do forced labor.
If Israel was to completely rid the land of its inhabitants, then “striking a bargain” with the folks who live there is akin to making friends with one’s sin. Let me have what I do, but shouldn’t do, be done by someone else and I will use it’s profits to take care of my needs.” In verses 12-13, of chapter 17 we read, 12 The people of Manasseh never were able to take over these towns–the Canaanites wouldn’t budge. 13 But later, when the Israelites got stronger, they put the Canaanites to forced labor. But they never did get rid of them.
O.K. here we have people who are just too to weak to get rid of the Canaanites, but strong enough to subject them into forced labor—somebody is telling a fib/lie so they can benefit from the yeast of “sin.” O, how often do we hang around our sin and assign it to someone else so that we can get the benefit?
As a numbers person the “numbers” in both the Old and New Testament readings and their relationships intrigues me. In the parable of the Ten Servants, we have the citizens of the country—refusing to accept the eventual kingship of the “nobleman.” (Whether we accept Jesus as King or not, when he comes back He will still be King—I compare this as to what I did in my youth, declare God dead as if I had the power to “knock off” God.) There are Ten servants who are given ten pounds of silver (Was this ten pounds each or one each? It doesn’t matter because the percentage of increase, the ratios are the same.) Of the ten, three present themselves before the newly crowned King. (Ten tribes back in Israel on the left side of the Jordon, the East, only 3 ½ show up with any kind of land possession, though some of the “sin” is kept as inhabitants for profitability.)
Joshua’s admonishment to the seven remaining tribes with a little word substitution can fit perfectly in this Parable and speak to us, to me:
3 Then Joshua asked them, “How long are you going to wait before taking possession of the remaining land the LORD, the God of your ancestors, has given to you?
By the way, the percentage of folk that conquered their land in this passage, and those servants that presented themselves in front of the returning King, 30%, though that third guy, just buried his, seems to run the same throughout the Bible. Compare the numbers in the seven churches addressed in Revelations: those who were rebuked and the few who were not
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Vance:

Luke 19 (NKJV)
7
But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.”
8
Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”
9
And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham;
10
for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
14
But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’
~~~
Notice the attitude of Zacchaeus who came to the Lord honestly, not in a false way to impress the Lord. As such, the Lord Jesus received Zacchaeus honestly, and granted him mercy.
NOTICE the repentance of Zacchaeus seen in his actions of robbing people as a tax collector. Zacchaeus, though he had been in iniquity, had now rejected this and had honestly come to the Lord.
~~~
Constrast the attitude of Zacchaeus with the people described in the parable of the Lord Jesus:
14
But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’
These people loved their iniquity, and had no intention of giving it up.
~~~
I read some very interesting and meaningful passages in Psalm 65, verses 3 and 4 that deal with iniquity, and the love of our God.
I would like to share them with you, as well as notes from the TREASURY OF DAVID by Charles Spurgeon on Psalm 65:3
~~~
Psalm 65 (NKJV)
3
Iniquities prevail against me; As for our transgressions, You will provide atonement for them.
4
Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts.
We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple.
Iniquity
HEBREW transliterated word: `avon
HEBREW phonetic spelling: aw-vone’
DEFINITION:
1. perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity
2. iniquity
3. guilt of iniquity, guilt (as great), guilt (of condition)
4. consequence of or punishment for iniquity
C.H. Spurgeons’s The Treasury of David
EXPOSITION
Verse 3. Iniquities prevail against me. Others accuse and slander me, and in addition to my own sins rise up and would beset me to my confusion, were it not for the remembrance of the atonement which covers every one of my iniquities. Our sins would, but for grace, prevail against us in the court of divine justice, in the court of conscience, and in the battle of life.
Unhappy is the man who despises these enemies {i.e., iniquities}, and worse still is he who counts them his friends!
He is best instructed who knows their deadly power, and flees for refuge to him who pardons iniquity.
As for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away. Thou dost cover them all, for thou hast provided a covering propitiation, a mercy seat which wholly covers thy law.
Note the word our, the faith of the one penitent who speaks for himself in the first clause, here embraces all the faithful in Zion; and he is so persuaded of the largeness of forgiving love that he leads all the saints to sing of the blessing.
What a comfort that iniquities that prevail against us, do not prevail against God.
They would keep us away from God, but he sweeps them away from before himself and us; they are too strong for us, but not for our Redeemer, who is mighty, yea, and almighty to save. It is worthy of note that as the priest washed in the laver before he sacrificed, so David leads us to obtain purification from sin before we enter upon the service of song.
When we have washed our robes and made them white in his blood, then shall we acceptably sing, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.”
EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS
Verse 3-4. Now, soul, thou art molested with many lusts that infect thee, and obstruct thy commerce with heaven; yea, thou hast complained to thy God, what loss thou hast suffered by them; is it now presumption to expect relief from him, that he will rescue thee from them, that thou mayest serve him without fear, who is thy liege Lord?
You have the saints for your precedents; who, when they have been in combat with their corruptions, yea, been foiled by them, have even then exercised their faith on God, and expected the ruin of those enemies, which, for the present, have overrun them.
Iniquities prevail against me; he means his own sins; but see his faith; at the same time that they prevailed over him, he beholds God destroying them, as appears in the very next words, As for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.
See here, poor Christian, who thinkest that thou shalt never get above deck, holy David has a faith, not only for himself, but also for all believers, of whose number I suppose thee one.
And mark the ground he hath for this his confidence, taken from God’s choosing act: Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts. As if he had said, Surely he will not let them be under the power of sin, or in want of his gracious succour, whom he sets so near himself.
This is Christ’s own argument against Satan, in the behalf of his people. “The Lord said unto Satan, the Lord rebuke thee.” Zechariah 3:2. William Gurnall.
HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS
Verse 3.
The humble confession. Sins prevail against us.
When we are not alert, or go into temptation, and even after most sacred engagements.
How. Through our inbred corruption, natural constitution, suddenness of temptation, neglect of means of grace, and want of fellowship.
In whom. In the best of men: David says, against me. Let us take home the caution.
The reassuring confidence. Sin is forgiven.
By God: Thou.
By atonement: covering all.
Effectually: purge away.
Comprehensively: our transgressions.
Verse 3.
A cry of distress. Man soul besieged: Iniquities
prevail against me.
A shout of delight. Man soul relieved: Thou shalt
purge them away. E. G. Gange
Vance