April 25th readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Judges 4:1-5:31 ~ Luke 22:35-53
Psalm 94:1-23 ~ Proverbs 14:3-4

Old Testament - 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."

Judges chapter 5 is the wonderful song of Deborah and Barak, and it is of note ni verse 31 - "Then there was peace in the land for forty years."  Quite a 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 - Bible.org's commentary on Psalm 94 titled "The Psalmist Speaks When Society Sins" is 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 running 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!

What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings?  Please post up in the Comments section below!

Grace,
Mike

Comments

[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