One Year Bible Blog

April 4th One Year Bible Readings

Deuteronomy 26:1-27:26 ~ Luke 10:38-11:13 ~ Psalm 76:1-12 ~ Proverbs 12:15-17
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on One Year Bible Online Audio, ESVBible.org: OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs or DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) ~

Old Testament - Later this year in the One Year Bible when we read Galatians, you'll note that Paul powerfully references today's readings in Deuteronomy chapter 27 verse 26:  "'Cursed is anyone who does not affirm and obey the terms of these instructions.' And all the people will reply, 'Amen.'" One of the best things we can ever do when studying the Bible is simply let Scripture interpret Scripture.  So here we go on Galatians chapter 3 verses 10 through 12: "But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law."  So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life." This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, "It is through obeying the law that a person has life.""  How do these verses from Galatians speak to you?  Do you agree that we cannot be made right with God by trying to keep the law?  Do you think the way of faith is very different from the way of law?

As we're in the Easter/Good Friday season, let me continue on with a few more verses here from Galatians chapter 10, continuing with verses 13 and 14: "But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith."  Has Jesus rescued you from the curse pronounced by the law?  Do you believe that Jesus took upon himself the curse for your wrongdoing?  Have you received the promised Holy Spirit through faith?

Today in Deuteronomy chapter 26 verses 1 & 2 we read about the offering of first fruits: "When you arrive in the land the LORD your God is giving you as a special possession and you have conquered it and settled there, put some of the first produce from each harvest into a basket and bring it to the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored."

New Testament - Today in Luke chapter 10 we read about Jesus visiting Mary & Martha and Martha becoming upset with Mary for sitting at Jesus' feet and not helping her work in the kitchen.  To which Jesus says to Martha in verses 41 & 42 - "But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it--and I won't take it away from her."  What do you think is the one thing worth being concerned about Jesus is referring to?  Is this really the only one thing you are concerned about in your life today?  Or are you possibly being distracted by other "details"?

How often do you pray the Lord's Prayer?  Once a day?  Once a week?  Once a month?  Think this would be a good prayer to pray regularly, since Jesus himself taught us to pray it?  Bible.org's commentary on Luke chapter 11's readings today titled "Teach Us How to Pray" is at this link.

Psalms - I love Psalm 76 verse 4's reflection on God! "You are glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains."  I wonder how often we look at nature and forget that God created nature?  I think so often we can look at a beautiful sunset or a mountain or a forest or an ocean and temporarily forget that God created these beautiful things.  If God created these beautiful things, then doesn't it stand to reason that God is more glorious and more majestic than all of his created things?  I've said this one before on this blog:  before I believed in Jesus or really even God, I honestly think I was evangelized by creation.  Meaning - I would look at a starry night with my friends and say things like, "How could there be so many stars up there like that and there not be a God?  Things like that can't just happen by chance!"   Praise God for his creation that was evangelizing me toward Him!  Has creation ever evangelized you?  Do you think creation might be able to evangelize your friends who do not yet know God?  Let us pray that we don't ever end up worshiping creation instead of the Creator.  Let us be impressed and thankful and admire creation - but let us give the glory and the worship to the Creator, God, who is more glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains...

Proverbs - Proverbs 12 verse 15 teaches us today:  ""Fools think they need no advice, but the wise listen to others."  This is a great opportunity for each of us to ask ourselves whether we think we need no advice or whether we are open to listening to others...

YouTube Sermon:  Today's readings remind me of Third Day's song "Soul on Fire:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giuLT8UUO-U

Are you a soul on fire? Click here for Fire!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "He said to them, "When you pray, say: "'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation." Luke 11:2-4 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray the Lord's Prayer daily. Pray for God's Kingdom to come and His Will to be done. Pray for your daily bread. Pray for the forgiveness of your sins. Pray that you will forgive others. Pray that you will not be led into temptation.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Based on Luke chapter 10's readings on Mary and Martha today, did you personally identify more with Mary, who sat at Jesus' feet, or Martha, who became upset because of her busyness?  Which one of the two would you like to identify with more?  Do you think that sometimes as Christians we can get too busy and miss out on spending time at the feet of Jesus?  Will you examine your daily schedule and look for ways that you are "overbooking" yourself, and thus missing out on quiet time with the Lord?  Will you resolve to be more like Mary and spend some quality time with Jesus - particularly during this Easter season?  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 One Year Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our One Year Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

April 3rd One Year Bible Readings

Deuteronomy 23:1-25:19 ~ Luke 10:13-37 ~ Psalm 75:1-10 ~ Proverbs 12:12-14
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on One Year Bible Online Audio, ESVBible.org: OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs or DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) ~

Old Testament - There are quite a few miscellaneous and interesting regulations in our readings today!  :)  All in all, very good advice of course.  Deuteronomy chapter 25 verse 4 tells us this wise advice - "Do not keep an ox from eating as it treads out the grain."  I think it is quite fair for an ox to eat while he's working!

 

 

New Testament - Luke chapter 10 verse 20 is an incredible teaching from Jesus for us to heed even today - "But don't rejoice just because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered as citizens of heaven."  I do think that sometimes we rejoice over the wrong things - secondary things.  The primary thing is our relationship with Jesus.  And then there are secondary good things that perhaps we do or are involved with in the Kingdom.  But, don't rejoice over those.  Rejoice that you are in an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ.  That is the one thing that matters.

 

Today in Luke chapter 10 verse 21 we read – “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” What a great opening line – Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit! In your life today - are you full of joy through the Holy Spirit? Do you want to be? I read a great commentary from the One Year Bible companion on this verse with this wonderful Q & A - “What was Jesus’ relationship to the Holy Spirit? Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, baptized by the Holy Spirit, anointed by the Holy Spirit, guided by the Holy Spirit, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and filled with the Holy Spirit. He lives in union with the Holy Spirit, and was dependent upon the Holy Spirit.” What is your relationship with the Holy Spirit today? Are you dependent upon the Holy Spirit in your life?

If you are interested in studying more about the Ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives please check out these incredible commentaries from Bob Deffinbaugh at Bible.org on the Holy Spirit –
https://bible.org/page.php?page_id=2383 
https://bible.org/page.php?page_id=2125 
https://bible.org/page.php?page_id=2124

Today we read the famous story of the Good Samaritan.  This story always convicts me to ask myself - "Who is my neighbor?"  Who is your neighbor?  Below is a painting from 1890 by Vincent van Gogh titled "The Good Samaritan":

Bible.org's commentary on our Luke chapter 10 readings today titled "The True Source of Joy" is at this link and commentary titled "The Good Samaritan" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 75 verse 7 is so powerful and so true... I need to hear this over and over again - "It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall."  You and I do not judge.  Well, we might try to judge, but it's all in vain if we do.  And we risk turning judgment onto ourselves when we do.  God alone judges.  God alones decides who will rise and who will fall.  We do not.  God is God.  We are not.  This is a very good thing to always remember! :)  We should also always remember we are so not this man below when it comes to other people's hearts or eternal destinies... 

Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 12 verse 14 is a beautiful Proverb - "People can get many good things by the words they say; the work of their hands also gives them many benefits."  I think it is safe to say that we should speak and work and there will be benefits!  :)  It is true I think that work is a very good thing.  I'm sure you're probably like me at times and dream about winning the lottery.  This seems like it would be ideal.  We wouldn't have to work.  We could just do what we wanted.  Trust me - this would be a curse.  We need work.  I think it blesses us immensely to work.  And indeed it gives many benefits - and not just $.  The benefits include confidence and skills and friendships and socialization and this list could go on.  The work of our hands gives us many benefits.  Forget the lottery.  You don't want that trouble.  :)  Let us get to work!

Worship God:  Today's readings in Luke reminded me of Michael W. Smith's song "Secret Ambition:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vHedm6ycsY

What's your secret ambition? Click here for your ambition's fulfillment!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:20 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray and rejoice if your name is written in heaven through your saving faith in Jesus Christ's life, death and resurrection. Pray that you will not rejoice that spirits submit to you, but that you will rejoice in Christ alone.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Based on Luke chapter 10 verse 20 above, have you ever literally rejoiced because your name is registered as a citizen of heaven?  If not, will you take a moment to do so now?  Do you think in our lives today we actually think more about being citizens of this world or of heaven?  Where is our heart when it comes to where we think our citizenship truly lies?  Are you looking forward to the day when the false citizenship of this world is no longer a distracting issue and you fully realize that you are a citizen of heaven?  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 One Year Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our One Year Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

April 2nd One Year Bible Readings

Deuteronomy 21:1-22:30 ~ Luke 9:51-10:12 ~ Psalm 74:1-23 ~ Proverbs 12:11
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on One Year Bible Online Audio, ESVBible.org: OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs or DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) ~

Old Testament - It is interesting to read about the cleansing for an unsolved murder in Deuteronomy chapter 21.  I think God makes it crystal clear here that murder is such a horrible crime that affects the entire land and community.  The Ten Commandments are obviously clear on "do not murder."  These verses in Deuteronomy go into a bit of what happens to the land when one is murdered.  Interesting to think about these verses on murder - and then realize that Jesus, whose blood was wholly innocent, was murdered on a cross.  Was Jesus' murder unsolved?  Who is guilty for this murder of Jesus?  Whose sins put Jesus on the cross?  Thankfully, whose sins does Jesus' blood cover?  Who does Jesus rescue and redeem through His innocent blood shed on a cross?

Deuteronomy chapter 22 has various rules & regs, including sexual purity.  It makes sense that there needed to be rules & regs for 1 million+ Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years - and for them as they are now about to enter the Promised Land.  Essentially, these rules & regs kept the peace.  But, hopefully more than that, they kept the Israelites minds & hearts focused on God and not on sin.  I think the rules & regs for sexual purity are obviously still so needed today.  Our culture can take us quickly into the depths of sexual impurity.  Depths that are so dark - even though the culture doesn't tell you about the darkness of sexual impurity as it is selling you the shiny lie.  Sexual sin unchecked is incredibly dangerous.  If you are struggling with it, please flee.  Run to God and Jesus.  Humble yourself in confession & repentance.  And allow Jesus to heal & transform you.  Sexual purity is something we must pursue diligently each and every day.  Don't start to go down any slippery slopes.  It gets dark quickly....

New Testament - Luke chapter 9 has a couple of challenging teachings for us from Jesus in verses 60 & 62 - "Let those who are spiritually dead care for their own dead. Your duty is to go and preach the coming of the Kingdom of God... Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God." How do these verses speak to you?  Today verse 62 is standing out to me - once we start our Christian journey we should not look back toward the life we left behind.  At least not in a way where we wish we were back in that old life.  Once Jesus rescues us, we are now His forever.  We have put our hand to the plow.  We will preach the coming of the Kingdom of God in the way we live our lives.  We should not look back longingly toward our old life.  It is behind us.  Have you set your hand to the plow?  And are you looking straight ahead joyfully?

Continuing this agricultural / farming theme - in Luke chapter 10 verse 2 today we read this teaching from Jesus to the disciples - "These were his instructions to them: "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. Pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest, and ask him to send out more workers for his fields."

Bible.org's commentary on Luke chapter 9 readings titled "Conflicting Commitments" is at this link and commentary on chapter 10 readings titled "When Personal Evangelism is Inadequate" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 74 dates from the time of the exile when the Promised Land was in shambles and the temple destroyed by neighboring nations.  This is very evident by the verses we read in this Psalm.  In light of this, I absolutely love the plea in verse 22 - "Arise, O God, and defend your cause.  Remember how these fools insult you all day long."  And as we will read later in the Bible this year, God indeed will arise to defend his cause!

Below is an image for verses 13 & 14 of this Psalm: "You split the sea by your strength and smashed the sea monster's heads. You crushed the heads of Leviathan and let the desert animals eat him."

Proverbs - Proverbs 12 verse 11 is so true on quite a few levels - "Hard work means prosperity; only fools idle away their time."  I have been thinking about this "idling away time" issue recently.  I know that I idle away and waste a lot of time in my life.  And I know the Enemy wants us to waste time.  The Enemy wants us to be distracted.  The Enemy does not want us to work hard on things that are pleasing to God.  The Enemy does not want the Kingdom of God to be prosperous.  And if we buy into all of this that the Enemy tries to sell us each and every day, then indeed we are fools.  Don't buy into the Enemy's Fool's Gold!

Worship God:  Today's reading in Luke reminded me of the song "Jesus Paid It All," sung here by Kristian Stanfill: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brVIlXlJRkQ

Do you believe that Jesus Paid it all for you? Click here for Payment!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Luke 10:2 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will ask Jesus to send you out into His harvest field. Pray that you won't sit out the Great Commission that Jesus is calling you to in this life.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Back to Luke Chapter 10 verse 2 above - Do you believe that the harvest is great?  Do you pray to God to send out more workers for his fields?  Are you one of those workers?  How are you participating in the harvest?  If you're not participating in the harvest in some way, will you pray to God to show you where He would have you participate in the harvest?  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 One Year Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our One Year Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

April 1st One Year Bible Readings

Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20 ~ Luke 9:28-50 ~ Psalm 73:1-28 ~ Proverbs 12:10
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on One Year Bible Online Audio, ESVBible.org: OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs or DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) ~

Wow, the past 3 months seem to have flown by...  It's now April 1 and we are officially 25%, or one quarter, of the way through the Bible!  Congratulations! Give yourself a pat on the back!  High-five God!  Your marathon pace is going great!

Old Testament - In Deuteronomy 18:15 today Moses prophesies about Jesus!  "Moses continued, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him."  These words of Moses' show that the coming of Jesus was not an afterthought, but part of God's original plan.  In Acts 3:22-23 Peter quoted this verse to show that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah, the prophet referred to here in Deuteronomy.

Bob Deffinbaugh with Bible.org has a great commentary on Deuteronomy chapter 18 titled "False Prophets" at this link.  One good quote from this link from Bob is - "False prophets play down the majesty and holiness of God. They try, as it were, to ‘bring God down’ to our level. They make us feel comfortable around “God” (or the “gods”), and they even seek to convince us that we can manipulate God to our advantage. The true prophets did just the opposite.'"  Think there are false prophets in our world today?

In Deuteronomy chapter 19 we read about the Cities of Refuge today.  An image is below for verse 11 - which did not allow one safety in the Cities of Refuge.... ""But suppose someone hates a neighbor and deliberately ambushes and murders that neighbor..."

An image is below for Deuteronomy chapter 20 verses 1 through 4 - ""When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The LORD your God, who brought you safely out of Egypt, is with you! Before you go into battle, the priest will come forward to speak with the troops. He will say, `Listen to me, all you men of Israel! Do not be afraid as you go out to fight today! Do not lose heart or panic. For the LORD your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!'"  This reminds me of a great lyric from Chris Tomlin's Arriving CD - "If God is on our side, who can be against us?"

New Testament - Today in Luke chapter 9 we read about the Transfiguration!  I read an interesting commentary that said Peter was suggesting that 3 shelters be made because Peter thought at that time that the faith was built on these 3 pillars:  The Law (Moses), the Prophets (Elijah), and Jesus.  Whereas, Peter later understood that through the New Covenant our faith is now built on Jesus, "a chosen and precious cornerstone" (1 Peter 2:6).

In Luke chapter 9 verse 46 today we read - "Then there was an argument among them as to which of them would be the greatest."  Hmmm.... think this sort of thing still goes on today?  :)  Sure it does, because I've participated in this sort of thing.  No, I guess I've never straight out argued with someone that I'm greater than them in the kingdom of God...  but I've thought it.  How sad.  How very sad.  Why sad?  Because if we consciously thinking about ourselves as being better than someone else, then we are spending precious time focused on the wrong thing in life - ourselves.  God calls us to love & serve others in so many more valuable ways.  When we are focusing on ourselves, and thinking we are all-that-and-a-bag-o-chips we are not loving anybody...   Praise God that Jesus teaches the disciples - and you and me today - that there is a better way.  Verses 47 & 48 continue - "But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side. Then he said to them, "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.""

Bible.org's commentary on Luke chapter 9 titled "The Transfiguration of Christ" is at this link and commentary titled "Secular Saints" is at this link.

Psalms - Wow... Psalm 73 today is amazing!  I love it.  I actually had lunch with a good friend who said to me verse 13 almost verbatim - "Was it for nothing that I kept my heart pure and kept myself from doing wrong?"  It was so sad for me to hear him say this... but he obviously is not alone.  The Psalmist thought this too, and I imagine each of us might feel like this is at times.  Praise God that the Psalmist rallies, as hopefully do we, in verse 23 - "Yet I still belong to you; you are holding my right hand." And then I absolutely love where he goes with verse 26 - "My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever."  I can quickly think of people in our world today where this verse 26 is so applicable...  let us pray that those in time of failing health and spirit have God remain the strength of their heart!

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Psalm 73 titled "Is Your Spiritual Vision 20/20?" is at this link.

Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 12 verse 10 I kind of forgot was in the Bible - "The godly are concerned for the welfare of their animals..."   Great Proverb for all you animal lovers out there! :)  I'm an animal lover too... but as I know my weakness for even caring for plants, I have wisely not moved into caring for the animal kingdom in any way, shape, or form...   I probably should not put this out there publicly.  God may now put me to the test in this arena!  :)

YouTube:  Today's readings reminded me of Chris August's song "Starry Night:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdtWdUorGAM

Have you given your life over to the creator of starry nights? Click here for your Creator!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on three verses of Scripture today: "An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For whoever is least among you all is the greatest." Luke 9:46-48 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will never seek to be the "greatest." Pray instead to be the least among all, as Jesus was the least among all. Pray you will follow Jesus in his humility.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  How have the first 3 months of readings been for you?  Have you learned something new about God?  About Jesus?  About the Old Testament?  Are you looking forward to the next 3 months of readings?  Do you think this daily reading of the Bible is a good spiritual discipline?  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 One Year Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our One Year Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

March 31st One Year Bible Readings

Deuteronomy 16:1-17:20 ~ Luke 9:7-27 ~ Psalm 72:1-20 ~ Proverbs 12:8-9
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on One Year Bible Online Audio, ESVBible.org: OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs or DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) ~

Old Testament - Deuteronomy chapter 16 verse 18 is of note today: "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in all the towns the LORD your God is giving you. They will judge the people fairly throughout the land."  After Deuteronomy comes the book of Joshua, which is followed by the book of Judges.  And then... Israel won't be satisfied with just judges.  Israel will want a king...

Below is an image for Deuteronomy chapter 17 verses 8 and 9 today: ""Suppose a case arises in a local court that is too hard for you to decide--for instance, whether someone is guilty of murder or only of manslaughter, or a difficult lawsuit, or a case involving different kinds of assault. Take such cases to the place the LORD your God will choose, where the Levitical priests and the judge on duty will hear the case and decide what to do." 

New Testament - In the beginning of Luke chapter 9's readings today we read in verse 7 - "When reports of Jesus' miracles reached Herod Antipas, he was worried and puzzled..."  This is of note.  Herod was running the show in Jerusalem, and Jesus had made him worried and puzzled.  Why?  Maybe because in part Herod realized that he was not fully in "control" of everything as he thought he was...  and I wonder about this today...  Does Jesus maybe continue to make people worried and puzzled in our modern world today?  Is it perhaps because, like Herod, we get worried and puzzled about Jesus when we start to realize we are not fully in "control" of things...  that maybe there is something bigger going on around us.  I pray that Jesus continues to make people worried and puzzled today - such that they realize that there is someone who is truly in Control and one to whom we can truly surrender our "control" to.  For, in doing so, we will find true peace, joy & happiness for eternity.  Have you given the control in your life over to Jesus?  If not, is now perhaps a good time for you to hand the "remote control" of your life over to Jesus?  Will you?

Verses 23 through 26 are so amazing and I cannot personally read and meditate upon these verses often enough.  They are beautifully convicting me once again today...  ""If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life. And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose or forfeit your own soul in the process? If a person is ashamed of me and my message, I, the Son of Man, will be ashamed of that person when I return in my glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels."  Putting aside our selfish ambition... this is tough folks!  I know I am still struggling to do this.  I still have so much selfish ambition within me...  but, I am thankful that through Christ and through learning to carry our cross each day - slowly though surely it may be - our ambition will be morphed from selfish into godly.  We know we are arriving closer and closer to true life when we care about the things God cares about.  When we think about the things God thinks about.  When we are ambitious for the things God is ambitious about.  How are you doing with selfish ambition in your life?  Will you drop the things you are carrying so tightly due to your selfish ambition, so that you can instead take up your cross daily?

Verse 13 I found intriguing - "But Jesus said, "You feed them.""  If Jesus said this to his followers 2,000 years ago, think he might say this to us today as well?  You feed them.  Who might Jesus be calling you to feed in your life?  Maybe feeding someone spiritually, mentally, or literally?   You feed them... 

Bible.org's commentary on Luke chapter 9's readings today titled "The Training of the Twelve" is at this link, and another commentary titled "The Cross and Christianity" is at this link.

Psalms - I'll admit.  I pay attention every single time the Bible talks about serving the poor.  And it is a lot.  And I think it is for a reason.  Here it is again in Psalm 72 verses 12 & 13, speaking about Israel's king - "He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them."

Verse 20 tells us - "This ends the prayers of David son of Jesse." And below is a painting of an older King David... perhaps playing a Psalm he wrote...?   

Proverbs - Proverbs 12:8 today teaches us: "Everyone admires a person with good sense, but a warped mind is despised."  Let us pray for consistent good sense in our lives!  A warped mind is a sad state of affairs indeed...

YouTube:  Our readings in Psalm 72 remind me of the fantastic Third Day song "Revelation:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u0P9kwfF4s

Do you need a Revelation from God? Click here for His Revelation!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on three verses of Scripture today: "Then Jesus said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for you to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit your very self? " Luke 9:23-25 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you truly want to be a disciple of Jesus. Pray that you will deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow Jesus. Pray that you will not lose your soul by seeking to gain the whole world.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Based on Psalm 72 verses 12 & 13, what about us today?  Does this Psalm speak to us?  Do we rescue the poor when they cry to us?  (do we even listen for their cry?)  Do we help the oppressed and those who have no one to defend them?  Do we feel pity for the weak and needy?  Do we rescue them?  Do I?  Do you?   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 One Year Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our One Year Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!