March 4th One Year Bible Readings

~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
Numbers 2:1-3:51 ~ Mark 11:27-12:17 ~ Psalm 47:1-9 ~ Proverbs 10:24-25
~ Click here to listen to today's Scripture on BibleOnRadio.com ~

Old Testament - Today in Numbers chapter 2 we read about the organization of Israel's camp!  For some reason I really like these types of chapters - chapters where we get what may seem at first glance to be "just a bunch of details" and maybe we even ask occasionally, "what's the point?"  For me, the details are the point!  I don't know about you, but I'll confess this here and now on the blog - I'm a bit of a packrat.  :)  Seriously.  And not only that - but I have seasons of crazy disorganization in my house and in my life.  And I of course remember the old adage, "cleanliness is next to godliness...."  :)  And yes, I guess I can at times feel guilty about my disorganization.  But, for some odd reason just this past few weeks I've been on an organization kick.  The homestead has been getting a serious cleaning.  I'm getting rid of stuff that I really really don't need to keep.  And then I read chapters like this in Numbers, and I realize that God is a God of order.  He likes things organized.  And I think we as followers of God do well when we get things organized in our lives too - our housekeeping, our finances, how we spend our time, etc.  Now, don't hear me say that you should be obsessive compulsive about order... :)  But...  I am seeing amazing benefits in my life of being organized.  A good overview of the camp in Numbers chapter 2 is in this image below:

New Testament - In Mark chapter 12 we read Jesus’ profound Parable of the Tenants, which exposes the planned attempt on Jesus’ life. At the end of the parable Jesus quotes from Psalm 118 verses 22 & 23 when he says in Mark chapter 12 verse 10: “Haven't you read this scripture: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”” I have heard some awesome sermons on this verse – about how our Christian lives should be based upon and aligned with the true foundational Cornerstone – and that cornerstone being Jesus Christ. Do you believe that Jesus is the cornerstone of Christianity? Is Jesus the cornerstone of your life? Do you align your life with Jesus’ teachings? Do you live your life based on being in alignment with the true Cornerstone – the only Cornerstone – Jesus? Will you pray to Jesus that He will be your Cornerstone now and forever?

Today we also read about Jesus' teaching of giving Caesar what belongs to him, and I came across this very cool image below, which shows a silver denarius coin that was from Jesus' era with Tiberius Caesar's image & name stamped on it.  The wording on this coin below reads from right to left: "TI (BERIUS) CAESAR DIVI AUG (GUSTI) F (ILIUS) AUGUSTUS" - which reads translated: "Tiberius Caesar, august son of the deified Augustus". Jesus could have been holding such a coin as below when he said in verses 15 through 17 - "Show me a Roman coin..." When they handed it to him, he asked, "Whose picture and title are stamped on it?" "Caesar's," they replied. "Well, then," Jesus said, "give to Caesar what belongs to him. But everything that belongs to God must be given to God." This reply completely amazed them."

Commentary on our Mark chapter 11 & 12 readings today are at bible.org at this link, and at this link, and at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 47 is an awesome Psalm!  I can almost hear and feel music and a drum beat as I read this Psalm today!  This Psalm was used in later Jewish synagogue liturgies for Rosh Hashanah, the New Year Festival.  This Psalm has also been used by the Christian church in the Celebration of Jesus' ascension, in particular with emphases on verse 5 - "God has ascended with a mighty shout. The LORD has ascended with trumpets blaring."  Do you hear and feel the music as you read this Psalm?  Verse 1 sets the stage so very well for verse 2 in the image below - "Come, everyone, and clap your hands for joy! Shout to God with joyful praise!"

Proverbs - Proverbs 10 verse 25 is a verse for each of us to meditate upon a bit - "Disaster strikes like a cyclone, whirling the wicked away, but the godly have a lasting foundation."  Do you have a lasting foundation?  Do you have a Cornerstone?

Worship God: Today's Psalm reminded me of the fantastic worship song "Shout to the Lord" by Darlene Zschech.  Here's a live version of this song, preceded by Darlene talking about the song briefly:

Have you shouted to the Lord?  Click here and cry out!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Based on my OT reflections today, are there any other closet packrats out there that will fess up in the Comments section below??  :) Or any former packrats / disorganized folks that can give us some advice in the Comments below on how you got orderly?  Do you think that God is a God of order?  Should we be a people of order?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

Love, Trust and Obey Jesus,
Mike

Comments

[Lisa]

Right now I am going to exercise self-control; well because it is part of our meditation scripture of the week.

Um, no because I have to think order as Mike pointed out God is a God of order.

O.K. - I am calm. :-). There is so much I want to share. I will try and be succinct about it.

We started in the book of Numbers this week - oh yes, did I mention this will be my first time reading the bible in one year? Now I understand why it is called the Book of Numbers - the 12 tribes are HUGH and that doesn't include all the folks! No wonder the new king of Egypt (post-Joseph) was afraid! They could have slaughtered the Egyptian folks and taken names (smile)!! However, they would probably have preferred the booty instead.

Next, in the book of Mark, Jesus spoke -to put it mildly- about the cornerstone. I read it, but today I READ IT (without commentary :-)), as the Holy Spirit illumined this quote from Jesus within my spirit. WHEW!, no wonder they walked away. No one wants to be told about themselves, it is a hard pill to swallow - especially when truth hits the core of the heart!

And next, Psalm 47!!! How powerful. This is my meditation chapter, not a verse or word but the whole. And yes Mike, my spirit could not stop singing "Praise to my King". I kept repeating it over and over again. Oh how wonderful! And what a great way to top off this Psalm with a series of praise songs!!!! Great stuff - thanks Mike!

Let the Redeem say SO!

Lisa K.

[Julie R]

My heart soared this morning reading Psalms, I love that when that happens!

As far as the clean-up, I went thru the same thing a month ago. I read that we have made our things our ruler & god, we work for them, we clean around them & we buy more! So I now have the midset that I pretend I am about to move into the most wonderful place & I don't want any of that stuff again. Also a friend had a mother that died & it took 3 dumpsters to clear her house. I don't want to be a burden to my children when I go.

Since I have cleaned up, I have had such a cleansing as I look around & all I have is what I need or really love. I can actually find my commentaries & all my books on shelves not in boxes which helps me with my studies. My mind is now full of all kinds of things I want to do & not in the doldrums any more.

The fruit of the Spirit always convicts me when I read it, in today's world it is so hard to be that way. Thanks for reminding me!
Julie R

[Diana]

This is truly wonderful and I am amazed at the continuity and flow from the Old Testament to the New in my daily readings. This is my 2nd year of reading and I love it!

I, too, saw the organization of God in Numbers. He is the author of it and see Him as the organizer of everything.

I saw the Lord's Heart yearning over the loss of Aaron's 2 sons and filling that void with a whole tribe of Levites!

I see His Heart yearning over our lives: as a nation, as a people/tribe, as family, as individuals and finally looking right down into the very core of our being. It is easy to see that He simply had to get up off of His Throne and come down to save us for we have been destroying ourselves and He loves us too much.

Take a look at verse 1. Moses and Aaron, both leaders yet terrible things happened in their family. Both men living completely for God yet death strikes for not one but two sons because of a horrible mistake, disobedience. Wide open and laid bare are the triumphs and defeats of their lives but the Lord our Restorer and Redeemer took into account all of it and gave these two men even more...spiritual sons, the whole tribe of Levi!

Amazingly, after reading of the Lord's authority in setting the tribes in order now we head straight into Mark 11 and discover that His authority was questioned by the "religious priests and teachers of the law"!

Jesus headed them off by giving them a question they could not answer. They said "we don't know" revealing doubt, confusion and everything else that comes with unbelief. They could not see who Jesus is.

Then it hit me in Mark 12:1 "HE THEN BEGAN TO SPEAK TO THEM IN PARABLES..."

I am excited to say what I saw here...when we miss the mark and question God's authority, His Word, whether spoken or written, we won't have the understanding either of the Scriptures and our thinking and beliefs will not be correct.

It hits the very core of our being. Is His Word true or not? Do I believe that He can take care of my needs? Do I fully trust in Him as my Problem-Solver or Need-Meeter?

Wow...I love the challenge : )

[Lori]

Sometimes when the "cyclone" hits, and the cyclones will always hit, I wonder if I am one of the wicked ones and I don't know it. Fundamentally I don't think so, but what if I am blind like so many are?

[Lisa K.]

Hi Lori -

Why do you say you wonder if you are one of the wicked ones? Is that just to say that "there is none righteous" because we are born in sin?

I hope so!

Lisa K.

[Lori]

No, It's just that when I read the proverbs, and I think back on the difficult times I have had over the last couple years, it just makes me afraid that I am actually being punished. I am not used to the old testament God. I am used to a God who loves me and forgives and offers grace and mercy. I just want to be reassured that I am living "good" enough. I don't even believe in living "good" enough, we are saved by grace and thank God we don't really get what we deserve. I just never want to be deceived into complacency. If the trials in life are being brought on us by God, how do we know and how do we fix it?

[Lisa K.]

Hi Lori,

That is a mouthful.

Let me share what I believe the Holy Spirit was speaking to my heart about on this matter, while I was praying for an answer to more than encourage you but that you would come to trust in His Word more and not get stuck in your fears.

Please consider meditating on the book of Romans, Chapter 8. Key verse is 35.

I also want to share this awesome commentary that hits right to the core of what you expressed.

For your study:
Read these verses (8:31-34) carefully, taking note of each single thing God is teaching us here. Honestly identify ways in which you allow yourself to be accused and condemned ' by your own heart/mind, by fellow human beings, especially Christians, and by, so you or others think, God himself. What are these verses telling you? Grasp hold of and thank the Lord for the powerful truth they teach, and ask him to help you to believe his Word here.

In 8:35-37 Paul gives a list of physical suffering and states that none of these can separate us from Christ's love ' they can never mean God is condemning us. Even in the presence of these things 'we are more than conquerors'. How? Through our own sinless lives? Through our own perfect, unwavering faith? No! 'Through him who loved us.' Suffering is suffering. It is not punishment for sin ' Christ, who loved us, bore all of that for us. It does not mean God has cut off his love ' God loved us while we still sinners, he is not going to cut us off now that he has placed us in Christ (Romans 5:1-11; 8:32). Christians who believe that suffering is because God is withholding his love because of their sin, or that their sin has blocked God's love, are still perceiving their relationship with God as merit/performance based; they are assuming that God is still seeing them as they are in themselves ' kata sarka. They are not living with the grand and glorious reality that God no longer relates to them as individuals in their aloneness and nakedness, but relates to them always, ever and only in Christ ' kata pneuma.
8:38-39: Nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love for us in Christ. Nothing can deny or undo our salvation. Not sin, not law, not death, not the law of sin and death, or the fact we are not Jews. Because our relationship with God is not based on any thing variable or changeable but on Christ to whom God has united us by his Spirit.

If you want to read more, here is the link to the website that shares the awesome truths above.

http://www.godswordforyou.com/bible-studies/romans/study-fourteen-the-christian-survival-minset-in-the-presence-of-sin-and-suffering-romans-817-39.htm

I pray this is most helpful Lori.

Shalom
Lisa K.

[Lori]

Lisa, Thank you so much for your investment in my search. I sincerely appreciate your words and wisdom, and I will study this further. Thank you for your kindness. Lori

[Lisa K.]

Lori, I thank God for you and your honesty.

We all at some time or another in our life feel a sense of inadequacy. But, I thank God for Jesus and the reinforcement of His Word in both our lives.

I am glad you posted and that I was able for myself, as well as you to get encouraged again. I also will study further.

And you are quite welcome, that was the least that I could have done for my sister-in-Christ!

Lisa K.