Judges 2:10-3:31 + Luke 22:14-34 + Psalm 92:1-93:5 + Proverbs 14:1-2
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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)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-o2JHhHXys
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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.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
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
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I do not believe in coincidences. Had the discussion on fleshly desires and disobedience with young man I am discipling.
Judges 1:27b
…for the Canaanites were determined to live in the land.
If land represents our walk and Canaanites represent the world/flesh. Application is how hard fleshly desires strive to stay in our walk. That is the constant battle and why God’s instructions were to be absolute in ridding the land of Canaanites, and why we are to do the same with our fleshly desires.
I will attest - not easy and convicting.
One would have hard time believing in Jesus if you thought He was going to eliminate sin in our lives. What he did was provide atonement and forgiveness of our sins, and freed us from the bondage of sin - it has no power over us. Yet - we still sin. Why? Because we say yes to sin. What gives?
A believer has to know sin has no power and that you keep saying no to the sinful desire until it is no longer a desire. Then it is a thorn (see Paul). The flesh we will always have while on earth, but it does not have power to control us - unless we allow it.
Mitch
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Yes..to agree with Ramona! The Israelites had disobedience..for sure..they went to prostitution themselves to Baal and asherah poles and such! Sad. This section was first I had heard them speak of a left handed person. I'm left handed too so got my attention. And why he would use trickery and kill the king..sad..but gave them peace for awhile. But yes we need to be speaking more of God has done for us through the years. That is something to talk about!
I do believe healthy fear in God is good. We should welcome him in our heart and love truly that's the greatness of God.
This new generation in Judges much like this current age forget about God. It's sad.
Luke: the upper room and the Communion love this story but sad that Judas deceives and Peter denies
Psalm: for you make me glad by your deeds.. I just want to make the Lord happy at all times
Proverbs : do I fear the Lord. Yes Lord I need him everyday. Love u Lord
Dee
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"Do you find the Lord's Supper to be a beautiful experience at your church?"
Alas, I find the sharing done in my church of plastic wafers that have been kept in storage at least a year before eating to be nothing but a dismal shadow of the great Lord's Supers where real bread was broken 2,000 years ago in the same way I find the formal cheeriness done as I enter and for a few minutes near the beginning of each service to be little different from the kind treatment I get from any professional stewardess as I enter and get settled in a plane.
"Do you think that you should have any fear God? Why or why not?"
Continuing the theme of raising children yesterday: any child that truly loves his or her parents will fear them (and their opinions) far more than any employee (or even any slave) despite also calling them, without hesitation, first when they have done wrong and end up in jail. Likewise, if we truly love God, we will fear and trust Him over all others.
Jim
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Thanks Mike for the lovely picture of the cup and bread with today's study.
Helen
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In regards to the Proverbs passage where FEAR is used, it was explained to me once by. A Biblical teacher that this is not fear as we use it in the English language , but rather : Awe, Admiration , Reverence, Wonder and Respect. His thoughts helped me understand this better
Beverly
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Amen Ramona! I also believe in my adult children's generation we have given our chikdren more and over compensated for what we didn't give or have. So this has enabled our children to walk away from some things or not having to be held " accountable" . I often refer to this as Judges. Because one generation follows the Lord closely, the next turn away and become stubborn and do evil things in the eyes of. God. Then the next generation comes back.
Trust me Im a sinner like everyone else. Max Lucado say "saints all have a past and sinners all have a future! " What Hope God gives us. It doesn't matter where we are at. There is Hope! Don't ever give up!
Blessings to all for a spirit filled day!
Jane
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Thank you Ramona for bringing up Deuteronomy 6.
Indeed our calling is to disciple our kids this way:
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. (Deuteronomy 6:7 Amplified Bible)
Much needed reminder!
This is the first time I am reading through the old Testament following this blog -- and one conclusion I have so far: we are a forgetful people, disobedient, inconsistent, unfaithful.
May what we are reading gives us "wake-up call" each day - to diligently love and obey the Lord, diligently teach our children about Him and His Words, and model a Christ-like life for them.
May God help us as we do so!
Luke 22:31-32 Amplified Bible
31 Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has asked excessively that [all of] you be given up to him [out of the power and keeping of God], that he might sift [all of] you like grain,
32 But I have prayed especially for you [Peter], that your [own] faith may not fail; and when you yourself have turned again, strengthen and establish your brethren.
There is so much we don't know about spiritual war.
It's a comfort to read that Jesus knew about Satan asking to sift the disciples like grain.
It's a comfort to read that Jesus had prayed especially for Peter, that his faith may not fail -- wow!
Jesus, please continue to pray for each believer in this world, that though we may fail, our faith may not fail, and that when we turn again, we will be able to strengthen and establish our brothers and sisters! In Your Name we pray, amen.
Sincerely,
Joyce
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Mike,
I think we place the wrong meaning on fear. I think the meaning here is more like respect and honor than afraid. somewhere read fear as False Evidence Appearing Real. How often in scripture do we see "FEAR NOT". I like 1John 4:18 Fear deals with punishment and perfect love removes fear.
Thanks Mike for leading the One Year Bible Blog
Doug
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The reading from Judges reminds me of myself. Sometimes I'm up and sometimes I'm down. The struggle lies from within. But through all my struggles God and his Son Jesus is always faithful and ready to rescue me. He is my strong tower.
Duane
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I wonder if our definition of the word "fear" is the same today as when the bible was written. I find that the word "fear" and the responses of the people of that time closely resemble the definition of "respect" in today's world. I hold a deep respect for God in my heart that leads directly to my desire to please God and to have him in my life at all times. My "respect" is based on the same foundation the bible uses to describe why we should "fear" God.
I love God and Respect him with all of my heart. I respect and acknowledge his power over all things.
My respect and love bring me closer to God.
Fear drives me away and leads me to avoidance behaviors. I do not want to avoid God. I talk to him daily, whether I call him God or Jesus.
Just sharing some of my own thoughts, feelings and observations about my relationship with God
Rick
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In terms of the proverb "fear the Lord" I always thought that was their meaning or respect. Fear to me means respect the Lord, respect His power and authority over you and your life. Develop a loving relationship with Him, but also understand that he rules like a loving parent, one that should be respected like you should respect authority and to never question Him or His purpose.
Cameron
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I find that one who has a healthy fear of, and trust in and reverence for God, tends to not so much fear earthly dangers... the more I fear God, the less I fear the treats of this world.
George
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I agree. God has been challenging me to teach & model & lead my children to a real realationship with God. THis morning I showed them how I read and pray using this blog. I pray that it may never be said of my children that they grew up not knowing the LORD.
Nigel
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Old Testament
made me think that God is a jealous God. He requires them/us to worship Him only and he got angry when they didnt. Then I thought No he just requires obedience as we do from our own children. And why shouldnt we? he made everything and He sent his only Son to free us from sin.
New Testament
Yes these verses remind me of communion at church. Yes I love communion. It also reminds me of the Seder dinner I attended for the 1st time recently. I tend to miss communion if we don’t have it. We do it to remind ourselves of what Jesus died for us.
Psalms
I reflect on Gods deeds daily. I am reminded of the day when I was a child our bible in schools teacher told us God made the trees outside our classroom window. I remember looking at them in awe. Although it wasn’t until years before that I attended church I think a seed was planted in me that day.
Proverbs
I was watching TV the other morning and watching a preacher who was talking about how fear equals respect. I respect that God has our whole world in His hands and that he is in control. That He can punish us as He wishes if He wants to. This doesn’t scare me. Its very like a child should obey and fear his father. His father can disciple his child if he does wrong.
Jen
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Luke 22:19-20 "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." ~ These verses defenitly remind me of the Lord's Supper we have at church. I had my first Lord's Supper recently, the first one since I was saved. It was such a beautiful experience! I had Lord's Suppers before, at the Protestant Church, before I was saved. But it didn't have the same effect on me at all! As a reborn Christian I realized it was Jesus' body, which He gave to me and while drinking 'the wine' I wanted to cry ... thinking about the token of God's new covenant, thinking about Jesus blood, He poured for me. It was a very emotional experience for me!
Mae
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thought the story of Ehud and Eglon was interesting: 'Eglon was very fat'..that kinda made me laugh.
We participate in communion bcos the word says we should to do til He returns, in remembrance of wat He did for us! We do this at my church the first service of the month.
Psalms: "I sing for joy at the works of your hands"...thats words in a great song Shout to the Lord.
We are to fear and reverence the Lord. i sometimes get in a not so humble, less respectful manner, I mean we can tell Him everything, Hes my best friend but i have to remember hes not a 'buddy', Hes the Lord God almighty who created all things and i need to have a healthy fear of Him. and i should fear sinning against Him. Like i dont find it appropriate wen ppl say, 'Jesus is my homeboy'...no He is God almighty! not our homie, just one of us.
One guy chewed me out the other day n mocked my "sky god myth you believe in". hmm, he clearly had nooo fear of God, i prayed for him, cause if youre not on Gods side, youre on the losing side! I like the title of Oswald Chambers' book, My Utmost for His Highest. thats reverence there.
I love in Psalms v 5-6: "O Lord, what great works you do! And how deep are your thoughts. Only a simpleton would not know, and only a fool would not understand this."
Also: 12 But the godly will flourish like palm trees
and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.
13 For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house.
They flourish in the courts of our God.
14 Even in old age they will still produce fruit;
they will remain vital and green.
15 They will declare, “The Lord is just!
He is my rock!
There is no evil
awesome stuff!
Jenny