Numbers 36:1-Deut. 1:46 + Luke 5:29-6:11 + Psalm 66:1-20 + Proverbs 11:24-26
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Old Testament – Today we wrap up the book of Numbers and begin Deuteronomy, the last book of the Pentateuch (or 5 Books of the Law)! And as we all Learned to Love Leviticus this year, my prayer is that each of us will be Diggin’ Deuteronomy as we read through it this year! 🙂
~Deuteronomy~
Author: Moses
Date: 1420 or 1220 B.C.
Content: The book consists of a series of addresses given by Moses in the plains of Moab prior to their entering into Canaan, as well as some specialized regulations and the appointment of Moses’ successor, Joshua. In Moses’ addresses he summarized the events that led up to that day, exhorted the people to faith and obedience, called the Israelites to rededicate themselves to the task God had given them, and then led them in worship and song. After the appointment of Joshua, Moses left the people and, after viewing the Holy Land from afar one last time, he died. With Moses’ death the old order passed away and the destiny of Israel moved into the hands of the next generation.
Theme: The faithfulness and power of God to save are stressed throughout the book. A look at Israel’s past shows that God led his people through their darkest days and gave them hope for the future. What God did in the past he could do again. The need for faith and obedience on the part of God’s people is also stressed. God’s richest blessings are given only to those who will use them for his glory. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 3) Great commentary on Deuteronomy is at this link: https://bible.org/article/introduction-deuteronomy
The Bible Project: Here is a great video overview of the book of Deuteronomy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5QEH9bH8AU
In Deuteronomy chapter 1 verse 1 today we read: “This book records the words that Moses spoke to all the people of Israel while they were in the wilderness east of the Jordan River.” This image below sets the stage incredibly well for the book of Deuteronomy! Here is Moses giving the address to the Israelites!
New Testament – Today in Luke chapter 5 verses 31 & 32 we read this teaching from Jesus: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” How does this verse speak to you? Are you healthy or sick? Are you righteous or a sinner? Do you need Jesus? Are you heeding his call to repentance? Do you believe that Jesus is the one true Doctor who can heal you for eternity? Below is a painting of Jesus at the house of Levi by the Italian painter Paolo Veronese from the year 1573: (with of course the Pharisees looking on…)
Bible.org’s commentary on Luke chapter 5’s readings today titled “On Eating, Drinking, and Being Merry” is at this link, and commentary on Luke chapter 6’s readings today titled “The Great Sabbath Controversy” is at this link.
Psalms – Psalm 66 verses 1 & 2 are awesome! “Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth! Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is.” Do you tell the world about how glorious God is? How do you do this? Think these kids below might be singing & shouting joyfully to God? Think there is anything we might be able to learn from these kids? 🙂
Proverbs – Today in Proverbs chapter 11 verse 24 we read – “One person gives freely, yet gains even more.” Do you give freely? Do you give often? Do you believe that by giving freely you will ultimately gain even more? I do believe this Proverb is so true. I heard a very inspirational speaker recently talk about how she was diagnosed with a chronic disease and how she became completely depressed. But, she somehow found the courage to begin giving to others in need in her community and she found that her life was completely transformed by simply giving. She was no longer depressed about living with the chronic disease, but found herself happier than ever before. Simply because she chose to give freely. How might God be calling you in your life to give more freely than ever before? Is it maybe by tithing to your church? Is it maybe by volunteering at a local charity once a month? Is it maybe by going to serve in another part of the world? Can you find the courage to give freely? Who can you give a hug to freely today like this young man below is giving?
Worship Video: Today’s readings in Luke reminded me of Jeremy Camp’s song “The Answer:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n-bSz515qM
Do you want to know the answer? Click here for The Answer!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:31-32 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you realize that you are sick and in need of Jesus’ healing. Pray that you have or will repent of all of your sins. Pray that you always recognize your need for Jesus.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: (tangential questions here based on this awesome image above… 🙂 How often do you give hugs? Who was the last person you gave a hug to? Can you give someone a hug today? Do you think giving hugs (or receiving hugs) is important? Are hugs Biblical? 🙂 (okay, now I’ve gotten silly, but what do you think – can you think of some hugs in the Bible??) 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:
Numbers 36:1-13
Again, we have God giving a personal answer to a dilemma the tribe of Manasseh found themselves. Valuing their inheritance, the land that God had given them, they approached God about keeping the land inherited by Zelophehad’s daughters in the family. God is interested in all our concerns. Let us not think anything is too small to bring before Him.
Deuteronomy 1:1-46
Every time I read this passage, I am amazed at this miracle, taking forty years to do on an eleven-day journey. Now, that is some miracle. Sometimes, probably more times then we would care to admit, claiming our Promise is delayed by us, our own behavior; and before we can cross over the boundary line to get in, a lot of things in our lives must fall off as we amble in the wilderness making an eleven day trip into an extended vacation of forty years.
Mike—Your question about “Hugs,” giving them and probably receiving them, has hit a sore spot with me. I am a closed person only giving and receiving hugs from designated people, people who I have mentally cleared as appropriate to receive and give hugs too. I have given hugs to complete strangers after hearing from the Holy Spirit to do so but I always ask permission.
My aversion to “hugs” stems from two things, 1) my background—grew up with a lot of sexual abuse in home and in church. 2) Recently in my adult “role,” I attended a church on Tuesdays for Bible Study and ministry after work that always believed in hugging people. I decided to try to break my aversion to hugs there; however, predators were rampart there also (both male and female). Until I learn how to follow my instincts about how much closeness to allow some folks without fear of reprisals from the crowd (I always sensed who I should or shouldn’t allow to hug me and who to hug yet I allowed peer pressure to override my sense of danger). Interestingly I’m now finding out that this particular church knows there are a lot of predators in their midst because they are in the Times Square (NYC-USA) area, yet they continue to promote the group hug thing.
I realize that this is my own issue that needs to be healed, so for now, people can pass on my hugs through my designated huggers.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Emily:
Ramona you are perfectly ok to have reservations. I don’t have any bad history like yours but I do know about the predators and the likes. I don’t think getting huggy with one and all is a good thing. Handshakes, warm smiles, chit- chat can be more effective and proper than crashing into each other.
I especially dont think its a good idea to get huggy with women ( I know a lot of them love to give and get hugs) Im a young man of 26 and I do believe in boundaries, mine and others’.
Ahh just forgot to add. Only kind of hugs Im comfortable with is buddy hugs and brotherly hugs that you have from your good old chaps. And also smacks on the shoulders. Harder the better! : )
Emily
======= Andrew:
Re Mike’s questions on the NT – Are you healthy or sick? Are you righteous or a sinner? Do you need Jesus? etc.:
I believe this is a process. At a point in time (a long time ago) I expressed my belief in Jesus, I repented and was baptised. But there have been ongoing ups and downs ever since then. I sin, I reconfirm my belief and repent. I think there is progress in the sense of depth and breadth of relationship with God. But, I have a nagging feeling there is some further kind of breakthrough needed. A deeper change of heart.
However, there are two things that delight me in today’s NT reading:
– Jesus enjoys a good party: “John’s disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking.” (Lk 5:33 NIV)
– He gives the teachers of the law a good theological beating up.
So, hey, we’re free to take delight in our salvation and to party in the house of the Lord!! Come on every one – GROUP HUG!
Andrew
======= Stef:
i love hugs..i would definitely say our Church is into hugging,its a lovely tactile way of expressing our deep bonds of friendship..you do of course get people like my husband who have a large private space all around them, hes just not comfortable hugging anyone but myself and our children and what is rather sweet is that our friends recognise that and pass on their affection through me..saying to him ” i shall ask stef to give you a hug for me ”
depending on the translation you look at there are hugs going on in the Bible too..from way back when Laban hugged Jacob,Esau hugged Jacob, Benjamin hugged Joseph, Israel hugged his sons,Isaac was seen hugging Rebekah..but my favourite in the Message is in Proverbs 24:26 ” an honest answer is like a warm hug” so i reckon we have it on good authority that hugging is ok! so have a hug back andrew and everyone ( )
Stef
======= Micah Girl:
Stef–
My bible translation has Proverbs 24:26 as this:
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. That sounds a little different than warm hug! There is a actually an interesting article on Christianity Today right now on a similar topic: Kiss and Tell the Gospel (the holy kiss.)
Micah Girl
======= Anka:
wow…finally through catching up:)Wow…I sure liked this verse today:
“You have stayed long enough at this mountain.”..I’m not pretty good at changes…God has certainly asked me to move my tent a couple of times and try out something new..
“30 The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you”
Fear…now how many times have I buried my head in the sand,just like the Israelites…wanting to remain at”this mountain”
My church is very much into hugs and holy kisses(on the cheeks)…I’m not comfortable hugging just anyone…but when I know a smile and a hug would cheer some one up…I “give”it.
I’m learning so much about me these days.I’d rather give money,gifts than my time…or a hug.Well God has certainly been turning up the heat on those attitudes.Oh yeah I tithe with joy,I love giving too…but nope,not visiting,not hugging…nor sharing myself.Thank God for second chances…thank God for church(with all the imperfect,the EGR people{extra grace required people}and the ones who just won’t let me pass by un-noticed.)
I also want to thank Mike for this blog(one line fellowship)…this journey through it all certainly has made me pray more,share more…and take some steps away from the mountains I keep hanging around….
God bless you all…
Anka
======= Liz:
I haven’t given a hug – a sincere hug – in a long time! I need to give a hug because I need a hug!
Liz
======= Pat:
Deuteronomy 1:37-38 jumped out at me this morning. Moses was a humble man but it was difficult even for him to accept responsibility for his own personal sin. When the people were grumbling about needing water, God told Moses to go to the rock and tell it to produce water. Instead in Numbers 20:1-13 we learn that he and Aaron approached the rock and Moses said “we” will give you water and then struck the rock twice with his staff. Moses’ personal sin was twofold – (1) he struck the rock instead of just speaking to it as God had ordered so he was disobedient and (2) he credited Aaron and himself with providing the water instead of God. It was because of Moses’ own personal sin, not because of the sins of the people, that God told him he would not live to cross into the Promised Land and Joshua was to be their new leader and lead them instead. In these two verses in our study of Deuteronomy today we see Moses putting the blame back on the people for his own personal sin.
Deuteronomy 1:37-38 “BECAUSE OF YOU, the Lord became angry with me also. He said, “You will not enter the land either. But Joshua, the son of Nun, is your helper. Joshua will enter the land.”
Just as it was hard for Moses, it is also hard for us to see our own personal sins and accept responsibility for them without placing the blame elsewhere. Other people, what happened in our past, how we were raised, the situations we find ourselves in, nothing can make us sin today! The sins we commit as a Christians today and each day are committed strictly by our own choice and we have to accept the solitary responsibility for them because we can’t place the blame elsewhere. We need to seek God’s help us in this area!
Wow! If this sounds like I’m preaching, please be assured that I’m not. I’m just sharing with you the words that leaped off the page during my morning study of His Word.
God Bless,
Pat
======= Jenny:
Powerful lessons today in Deut. regarding obedience/disobedience. I liked the commentary that went with this:
“Though God brings his people into trouble and affliction, he knows when they have been tried long enough.” …thank You God for your grace!
I like in Luke, Jesus came to heal the sick…of course we all need Him, but the “sick” are the ppl that realize their need for a Savior, the righteous don’t realize it, bcos they trust in themselves. God will not strive with man forever. Manyof the Pharisees had probly crossed the line, the unpardonable sin in which it was impossible for them to be saved. this is not an easy place to come to! I know many people who rejected God for years, but way later on were saved. but continually hardening one’s heart is dangerous!
There are of course many ways of giving, it can be individual…it could simply be a giving of our time. being with someone who’s hurting, listening to them, exhorting them. helping others with your God given skills/talents, spending time with someone who is lonely. Being dependable. One phrase a pastor said that i liked was: Give of yourself and be blessed!
when i spend too much time in my own head, concerned with my own needs, i sure get depressed!
I went on a missions trip to Mexico a few yrs back n we were talking to one prostitute who was originally from where we were. She was listening to us but kinda closed off a bit. then a girl from our group just grabbed her and hugged her. the lady broke and started sobbing. Her heart changed, her resistance came down…just that feeling someone loved her, she was worth something, broke her n she was open to us, or to Christ. she decided to go to church the next day and get off the streets. that was awesome!
We went to a notoriously “bad” places…i’ve never seen anything like it before in my life! hundreds of girls lined up…prostitutes, YOUNG girls, 14-15 yrs old! We just walked passed them and i was looking in their eyes passing out tracts (couldnt talk to them bcos i dont speak spanish) but the pain was so evident in their eyes. I just had to control myself from bursting into tears. Our group split up to guys and girls and had at least 1 Spanish speaker in the group. I was with 3 guys (I had to stay in between the guys bcos it was dangerous, possibly us girls could be nabbed by pimps lurking in alleys. (yes, it was quite an experience!) BUt we were walking down a street with so many bad clubs and guys/promoters would run up to us trying to get us to go into the club, then they saw our tracts and their countenance changed drastically.
I was a little put off by these promoter guys, thinking they were contributing to this sinfulness (wrong on my part). One “cool”, “tough guy” approached our group and was trying to get us in the club, and said to me: ladies get a free drink! I dont think i spoke a word, i just looked in his eyes and smiled n i handed him a tract. he looked at it and burst into tears! Wow! that was the power of God so intense there!
Jenny
======= Kathy:
Hugs are great you never know when the last time that person your hugging may have had any kind of human contact. At least the good kind.People are so busy these days it’s easy to forget that there are people right in front of you that need to be loved by some one.Make that some one you, they may be resissent at frist but don’t give up it won’t be long before they will be looking for you because they know you care.
God Bless and Keep on Hugging.
Kathy
======= Maggie:
Thanks for your wonderful blog…
One great hug I remember is the hug of the father to his prodigal son….which is exactly the heart of God towards each of us…..
Sinners as we are but He is still hugging and loving and waiting for us to return
God Bless
Maggie
======== Elizabeth:
Hugs? I hate the awkwardness of “courtesy” hugs, but I love authentic hugs where you can feel the strength of a person’s affection for you expressed through their body.
I had a “good” hug two weeks ago—I was sad, crying and a woman friend behind me could see my sadness and greeted me with a sincere hug…nice and tight and loving. I love these kinds of hugs ; )
Sometimes hugs can say what words could not, like a picture can speak a thousand words.
Biblical hugs? Didn’t Joseph hug his brothers after he broke down? I think also of Jacob and Esau when they were reunited. Also, Mary when she was expecting and came to visit Elizabeth. Surely Elizabeth’s friendship was a great gift to her then. I’ll have to look each of these up, but these come to mind first as “biblical” hugs.
I also imagine the father of the prodigal hugged him tight when he came home, though I don’t think that’s in the text : )
Interesting question,
Elizabeth
======= Elizabeth:
Following up on the Biblical Hugs…..
Jacob and Esau:
“And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two female servants. And he put the servants with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all. He himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.” -Genesis 33:1-4
Love that image of Esau running to him, kissing him and them weeping. So tender
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Jacob and his brothers:
“You must tell my father of all my honor in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. After that his brothers talked with him.
-Genesis 45:13-15
I like the “fell upon his neck and wept”–can you imagine the well of emotions that must have been bottled up in Joseph?
*************
Mary & Elizabeth
“In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.” -Luke 1:39-40
No clear hug here…it must just be in my “mind’s eye” : )
*****************
Father & Prodigal Son
“And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ”
-Luke 15:20-21
Ah…another running and embracing scene. Sweet. What I love about these scenes too is that it is men weeping and embracing. True masculinity is emotional and strong—not stoic.
Elizabeth
======= Nancy:
My church, Calvary Chapel, is a hugging church. It is so nice to walk in the door and get hugs from lots of people that sincerley care about you. Never did I have that in previous churches of which I was a member.
Nancy
======= Raeann:
The book of Numbers is ALL about prepairing the people of Israel to enter the promise land. “And the LORD spoke unto Moses saying:” this is the most often repeated verse in this book. The census is taken several times to number the fighting men, the Levites to work in the temple and the leaders of the tribes are selected. The Levites are the only ones permitted to hold the holy things. The offerings, feasts and Israel gatherings at the temple are reviewed once more. The people were to follow a cloud by day and a fire by night to lead there way. The people try to invade Canaan without the blessing of GOD and are defeated. The people complain about only having Manna to eat, God wants to destroy them but Moses intercedes and the people are spared. The LORD gives Moses various laws regarding justice for the people to live by and follow. Moses and Arron are NOT allowed to enter the promised land because they disobeyed the instructions of GOD. Balak sends for Balaam to curse the people of Israel but he ends up blessing them instead because he was following the word of GOD. The cities of refuge are cities that a person who commits manslaughter may flee to for protection from the family of the person who was accidentally killed. I enjoyed reading the book of Numbers.
Raeann
======= Karen:
Healthy or sick? Both! Righteous or a sinner? Both! Need Jesus? YES!! Everybody needs Jesus. Repenting daily! Jesus gives health, heals sickness; my righteousness is in HIM, I am a sinner, in need of repentance and most assuredly, in need of a Savior. HUGS!! Oh yeah! Family, friends, church family, sometimes someone who I see in need. At a funeral, hospital or accident scene. I always sign off my e-mail letters, text messages or greeting cards, HUGS!! So thats what I am sending all of you today. Love & HUGS!!
Karen
======= Frederick:
Luke 6:1-10
About Sabbath. I always puzzled about the issue of Sabbath. It is because in the OT, there are God’s commands about keeping Sabbath for the Jews. But Jesus broke the ‘tradition’. Of course, Jesus was right while the Pharisees were wrong because the latter added so much their own traditions to God’s original regulations. But with today’s verses, I have a new light in this regard. It is not the regulations that matter. It is the authority. Jesus told the Pharisees that He was the Lord of Sabbath. He has the authority. In light of this, the Pharisees were to submit under Jesus. The Pharisees should have only obeyed God’s regulation on Sabbath rather than commenting what should or not should be done. The key is in Jesus’ hand and He rules. The Pharisees, however, did not recognise Jesus’s proclamation of His authority. Instead, they plotted to kill Jesus because of the issue of Sabbath.
Frederick
======= Steve:
As we finish the book of Numbers and move into the book of Deuteronomy we start fresh with another teaching of the Law, telling us once again the importance of having direction in our lives. Again we will be encouraged to embrace discipline and put our priorities and life in order.
Today’s readings were all connected with the same message, stop wandering and settle in. Claim the territory the Lord has given us as our inheritance. Jesus tells us the parable of the new wine skins which encourage us to stay flexible and not become hardened by wandering back to our old tendencies. Look at the path of the Israelites, all that wandering in the desert while the message from the Lord was always the same, start each day with the fresh new manna from heaven and trust the Lord for your daily provisions.
We are not to be like old wine skins that cannot handle the new wine of celebration that defines who we are in Christ. We stay flexible by soaking in the word of God which renews us daily.
Steve
======= Missy:
I believe there was hugs in the Bible…..when Mary saw Jesus on Easter morning, he said to her “do not touch me” I have taken comfort in this remark over the years, as I realized it must have been natural for her to hug Him
Missy
======= Duane:
Just like to comment about the hugs, I also believe we must be careful about how we hug. We need to keep people who may interpret our hugs as acome on. If you feel you must give a hug to the opposite sex, simply hug but keep yur bodies from a full embrace. This will be a clear sign that your hugging has no other purpose than to acknowledge your appreciation and concern for that person. I also believe that we should let the Holy spirit direct us in this matter. Hugging is a way of acknowledging friendship and is usually given after we have astablished alittle bit of knowledge of a person we wish to show affection.
Duane
======= Joyce:
Hi Mike and everyone,
I appreciate the Amplified Bible’s version of Luke 5:31-32
31 And Jesus replied to them, It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.
32 I have not come to arouse and invite and call the righteous, but the erring ones (those not free from sin) to repentance [to change their minds for the better and heartily to amend their ways, with abhorrence of their past sins].
Mike, your questions: “Are you healthy or sick? Are you righteous or a sinner? Do you need Jesus? Are you heeding his call to repentance? Do you believe that Jesus is the one true Doctor who can heal you for eternity?”
May God open our eyes to see our sins each day.
How blessed are we if we can see that we are sick because of our sins, that we desperately need Jesus and need to heed his call to repentance — indeed, He’s the only one true Doctor who can heal us for eternity.
Mike – thank you for your faithfulness in writing and managing this blog every day!
May our God bless this blog and lead more people to it!
Sincerely,
Joyce
======= Robert:
Numbers
As we wrap up Numbers, I look back on the intriguing events that happened in the fascinating journey:
• The 42 camps that were set up.
• The lists of laws and rituals.
• The grumblings and rebellion God and Moses worked through
• The “workshops” where we learned about leadership
• Great stories like Balaam and the talking donkey.
• Kadesh the place the wanderings started and ended.
• Joshua and Caleb the only ones that made it to the Promised Land.
From all of this we get a real sense of how God speaks to Moses, (150 times). God also speaks to us and the question is do we hear Him?
Luke 5:29- 6:11
Bob Deffinbaugh says, “The disturbing fact is that Jesus is the one who is eating, drinking, and being merry, and the Pharisees are miffed because of it.” This fits nicely with the old and new Jesus talks about. Is it about how deeply we must change to take on His teaching, absorb it, and live it fully. Like the Pharisees who did not bring an open mind and a needy heart to the scriptures they missed the real meaning. It’s the same reason we miss it. As Bob mentions in his commentary some of these (myself included) are those Christians that go to church every Sunday. Don’t be what he calls a “dill pickle Christian”, who don’t really understand the true joy of knowing and serving God. Gimme a hug!
Robert
======= Jill:
I love giving ~ giving of time to the lord, giving to others , tithing and hugs and encouragement! I know ppl appreciate receiving what I offer !
Jill
======= Nancy:
I heard it said that people need a minimum of 12 hugs a day. I agree with Ramona. I only hug people I am comfortable with. Touch is important especially for seniors that live alone. Jesus touched the leper, a person who wasn’t touched for who knows how long. Isolation can cause depression. Touch is acknowledging a person’s existence. Touch can be a pat on the back, handshake. Doesn’t have to be a hug to be effective. Some people grow up in families that don’t show affection & so they aren’t open to displays of affection such as hugs.
Nancy
======= Dee:
I too, enjoyed Numbers. I get excited when hearing that God cares about even the smallest of things, and listens to everyone’s plea..in this manner..the women, or say tribe of Joseph concerning Manasseh’s family with the girls and obtaining the land that was promised them. I am glad to see they listened and obeyed their Father God and married within their clan as to obtain and keep the land amongst “their”people. Now we are heading to Moses farewell speech in Deuteronomy, and even though it is sad, because no one likes to say goodbye to such a teacher, prophet and lover of the people and His God..which is awesome..he has some interesting “rememberences” to remember. He is recollecting their memory about their 11 day journey taking a detour for 40 years but he is also letting them see yet again how fortunate they are and blessed because of the journey and of God’s love. We often get carried away and neglect to do the things that God ordered us to do and we wander around in the “dark, or the wilderness” sometimes when we don’t necessarily have to. However, it is in these times, that we grow, we mature, and we learn to “Be still, and know that I AM GOD”. Ps 46:10. We have to cut out the noise, cut out the murmuring, the complaining, the tv, the internet, the busyness in our life and come thirsty, and panting for the very “breath of God” for His existance and cling to it with all our heart!!Ps 42:1 then do we truly have freedom and success in our life!
Luke 5:29-6:11
What can I say about these scriptures today, I know one thing that draws a nerve..the Pharisees, the Pharisees, the Pharisees..They were always around, moping, lingering, “not” doing the Fathers business”, I can’t even believe there was “disciples of the Pharisees” I mean come on..what were they getting disciplined in?? anyway, let me get off that soap box!! I love the verse 31 and 32 from luke 5, that Mike commented on also above..Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor–sick people do. I have come to call not those who “think” they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” I so need Jesus each and every day..I couldn’t imagine my life without my Saviour..I hope those reading feel the same way..I am so glad that Jesus calls the foolish of this world to confound the wise..praise God for that!!
Praise God for listening to us! In Ps 66 at end of the psalm in 19 and 20..But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me! That would be my ultimate fear..the abandonment of Christ from me..I want always, for Christ to be present. near me, listening to me, and being my comfort and shield, a very present help in my time of need!! I always want to draw near to Him and curl up in His arms and stay there for eternity..Thank You Jesus! I love YOU DADDY!!
I truly believe and give thought to that verse..Prov 11:24 Give freely and become more wealthy; I or should I say we at my church..several of us go out in the outreach on several Sundays in the month and give food, clothing, but lots of times, hugs is the best gift..its amazing how giving a very sincere, earnest hug is like medicine for the soul! Some of the less fortunate receive it with such a full heart and it’s like for that moment, that time, all of the cares and worries are melting in your arms..That is what I get such fulfillment in because to me that is the very image of Christ and His love in our heart and to the community and it is in these moments that I feel the closest to My Saviour when I am doing and going about My Fathers business..
Be Blessed!!
Dee
======= Vance:
Psalm 66
It is great that the Lord cares deeply about EVERYTHING in our lives. I like verse 9:
“[GOD] keeps our soul among the living, And does not allow our feet to be moved.”
We CAN trust Him in EVERYTHING.
God’s plan sometimes is above our ability to understand. The Lord is accomplishing His purposes and is working out the total defeat of Satan that Jesus accomplished on the Cross.
So…
sometimes the Lord will also allow us to be tested, as in verse 10:
“For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined.”
Even this, as long as we hold tightly to the Shepherd, is for our good.
WE ARE BEING FORMED IN THE IMAGE OF JESUS… the Ideal Servant of the Lord is LITERALLY BEING REPRODUCED IN US… as we trust and praise the Lord in all things.
Worship, trust, and praise are not “feelings”, but a choice to surrender to the Lord and His care in all things. EVEN WHEN GOD does not seem to make sense.
Vance
======== John:
Luke 5
Parable verse 36 – 39
I have seen some different interpretations of this parable. If “new” represents the gospel of Grace, and “old” represents the Law:
-then the “new patch” will be torn from the gospel of Grace leaving it incomplete. Trying to match a patch of “grace” to the coat of the “law” will not work – they are incompatible. Grace – God’s gift to mankind would not fit in the structure of the “law” which had become convulated over time by the Priests.
– ‘animal skins were used for the fermentation of wine because of their elasticity. As wine fermented, pressure built up, stretching the wine skin. Wineskin would be less elastic – putting new wine in would cause new pressure and cause wineskin to burst’. – Paraphrase from John MacArthur bible commentary
Wine of “grace” would overflow the constraints of “law”. God’s Grace is more bountiful than the rigor of the Law. No amount of aging or fermenting would make the wine of Grace comapatible to the “law” wineskin – for the volume would simply overflow the “law” wineskin.
No, the Gospel of Grace goes in the “gospel” wineskin, the rigors of law in the “law” wineskin. Two separate theologies. Then their is a choice. Jesus seems to be commenting that the Pharisees have a “taste” for the law, and do not even desire to taste the new wine of Grace. They are predisposed to drink (believe) what they are comfortable with in life having acquired a taste for the “law”.
How many people do we know that are not even searching for God and/or His Grace? They are comfortable with their beliefs – “it works for them”. They will go thru life believing what they believe (no doubt sincerely), and then what? By not trying (exploring) the “new wine”, they really have no point of comparison. May even criticize the new wine – even though they have not had a taste. Perhaps they get before God, and say: “I had no idea, I did not know”, and the reply may be: ‘the (new) wine was on the table for you to partake, and you chose not to drink.’
[just thinking out loud – never really came at this from this direction before now :)]
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From verse 5: I have no problem with the translated version. However, if you just take the Greek text and transcribe it in the order of words – it says:
“the Lord of the Sabbath is, the Son Of Man.”
Now that is a powerful and direct statement.
John
========= John:
Numbers 36
Inheritance of Zelophehad’s Daughters
One of God’s little details mentioned before in the genealogy post.
Num 36:8
“Every daughter who inherits land in any Israelite tribe must marry someone in her father’s tribal clan, so that every Israelite will possess the inheritance of his fathers.” NIV
If it is correct that Mary, daughter of Heli had no brothers than the above verse would preserve her inheritance and bloodline (to David)- if she married within her tribe.
Mary was from the tribe of Judah – so was Joseph.
According to Levitical law Joseph was not just a son-in-law to Heli, but becomes the son he never had biologically. Thus being correctly listed in Luke’s genealogy.
Jesus – adopted – has the same legal rights as if He was Joseph’s eldest biological son. Including the legal right as David’s descendant through Solomon to sit on David’s throne.
John
======= John:
Luke 5
Jesus in previous verses had shown that he physically healed the sick and paralyzed. Spiritually showing he made people whole and delivers them from the death that is sin.
Verses today seem to emphasize who he has come to make “whole” – it is the sinners who are called to repentance.
People that think they are righteous would not admit that they (Pharisees) have a need for Christ, but the sinners that know they are sinners and repent will be made “whole”.
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Patches and Wineskins
Talked about in Matthew. Used to think Jesus was talking about the New Covenant and the Law here in these verses. But I have come to think Jesus is talking about more than a change in theology. It is about a difference in the relationship with God. The triggering issue was disciples were eating and drinking and not fasting and praying.
The New Covenant is a very personal relationship with Christ – as He abides in You and you in Him. the Law had become ritualistic and impersonal yet thought to be pleasing to God. It wasn’t working and never will work – due to man’s nature.
This explains why Jesus did not begin a reform movement within Judaism, working with the rabbinical schools and such. Jesus says, “I haven’t come to patch up your old practices. I come with a whole new set of clothes.” – David Guzik
Luke 5:39
“And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, ‘The old is better.” NIV
“The Pharisees’ argument was that the old was good enough, so they rejected the new, fresh, life-giving teaching of Jesus. On the other hand, Matthew and many of his friends were open to hearing the good news of salvation.” – Ron Ritchie
They rejected this new personal relationship – they were comfortable with their ways of worship and teachings – it worked for them.
Hence – goes back to why Jesus came for sinners – when they realize they are sinners – they are open to this new relationship with God.
John
