April 24th One Year Bible Readings

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 BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on BibleOnRadio.com or DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) ~

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 God: Today's Luke readings about the Last Supper reminded me of Kutless' song "Sea of Faces:"

Are you lost in a sea of faces?  Click here to be found!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

Love Your Neighbor:  Harvest Prayer Ministries

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 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

Comments

[Jim]

"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.

[Helen]

Thanks Mike for the lovely picture of the cup and bread with today's study.