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Joshua 21:1-22:20 ~ Luke 20:1-16
Psalm 89:1-13 ~ Proverbs 13:15-16
Old Testament - In Joshua chapter 21 we read about the towns given to the Levites, the priestly tribe appointed in the Mosaic Law for the service of the Tabernacle and of the Temple. It seems very wise that the Levites are given towns throughout the various tribes of the Israelites. In my mind this is spreading out the priestly tribe strategically. Can you imagine if the Levites were all in just 1 location? It seems to me that there would be a vacuum of spiritual leadership in the tribes if the Levites were not dispersed in the manner which they were.
In Joshua chapter 22 verse 10 today we read - "Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh built a very large altar near the Jordan River at a place called Geliloth." The place where our readings end today in verse 20 is quite a cliff-hanger! Note that verse 20 is not the end of chapter 22, and as Paul Harvey says, in tomorrow's readings you will get "The Rest of the Story." :)
New Testament - Okay, so it's every so often that I post up about the non-Biblical (not the original text) sub-headings that translations put into our daily readings. For some reason I got a kick out of the NLT's subheading above Luke chapter 20 verse 9, "Story of the Evil Farmers!" (okay, I added the exclamation point). Is it just me, or is that kinda funny? I mean, the evil farmers in the story are not funny - and what they did is certainly not funny... hmmm... I think I've dug myself into a hole here. :)
I'm sure everyone probably picked up on that the point of the farmer story is that Jesus is the son who was murdered in the story. And Jesus is the stone rejected by the builders - who has now become the cornerstone of our Christian faith. Nice quote by Jesus of Psalm 118 verse 22 there in Luke 20 verse 17. Is Jesus the cornerstone of your life?
Bible.org's commentary on our Luke chapter 20 readings today titled "The Tempest in the Temple: The Abuses of Authority" is at this link and commentary titled "God and Government" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 89 verse 11 is so powerful for us to remember - "The heavens are yours, and the earth is yours; everything in the world is yours--you created it all." Everything in this world is God's. Everything. This means every single person we meet is God's. However... they might not realize it. But, I think it is important for us to remember that every single person we meet - no matter how "bad" they may seem or whatever - is still made in the image of God. And there is the possibility of that person getting to know they are God's. There is the possibility of redemption - not by our human power, but by the power of God. I think sometimes we go through our day thinking the world is bad. People are bad. It all is bad. And certainly, it is a fallen world. But it is still God's world - and yes, the devil is thrashing around his temptations as rapidly as he can in the hearts of men and women. This is the great spiritual battle. But, God is so much stronger than the devil. The name of Jesus expels the devil quicker than anything. So, know that while we are in a fallen world, it is God's world. Everything in this world is God's. What are you and I doing to let others know that they are God's - particularly if they don't know it? What are we doing to bless others with the knowledge that there is another Way than the devil's temptations in this world? What are we doing? Really. What are we doing with our lives to let others know about Jesus? Whew... this one gets to me for some reason. There are people suffering so much in our world. If only they knew there was another way.... Will you help to show them to the Way?
Take a moment to reflect on this image below. Wow... Can you make out the angel on the right coming from the prayers of the woman to defend her from the evil one? Who are we praying for today to defend them from the evil one?
Psalm 89 verse 13 today - "Powerful is your arm! Strong is your hand! Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength." Amen and Amen.
Proverbs - Proverbs 13 verse 16 is great - "Wise people think before they act." And I agree with this. My one additional thought is don't think for too too long! I know some folks that like to think... and think.... and think.... and this is good.... but there is also a time for action. There is a time to move and get involved in the advancement of God's Kingdom. Yes, let's think about how we'll do this - but then let us act!
What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings? Please post up in the Comments section below!
Grace,
Mike
~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Joshua 19:1-20:9 ~ Luke 19:28-48
Psalm 88:1-18 ~ Proverbs 13:12-14
Old Testament - In Joshua chapter 20 we read about the Cities of Refuge. I like that concept - a city of refuge. A place of refuge. This is what I think about Jesus today - he is our City of Refuge. No matter what our past sins are, Jesus can be our City of Refuge if we will run to him, believe, confess & repent. Is Jesus your City of Refuge?
New Testament - In Luke chapter 19 today we read about Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem - and of course, this scene of people shouting "Hosanna!" will far too soon turn toward people spitting on and mocking Jesus on the road to Golgotha as he carries his cross.
Verses 41 through 44 are so beautiful as Jesus looks upon Jerusalem and cries.... It makes sense because he knows that the destruction of Jerusalem in coming in 70 A.D. Per Tyndale's commentary today, "In 66 A.D. the Jews revolted against Roman control. Three years later Titus, son of Emperor Vespasian, was sent to crush the rebellion. Roman soldiers attacked Jerusalem and broke through the northern wall but still couldn't take the city. Finally they laid siege to it, and in A.D. 70 they were able to enter the severely weakened city and burn it. Six hundred thousand Jews were killed during Titus' onslaught."
Bible.org's commentary on our Luke chapter 19 readings today titled "The Untriumphal Entry" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 88 is quite a Psalm... Interestingly many churches read this Psalm during their Good Friday liturgies, interpreting this Psalm as a prayer of Jesus suffering on the road to Golgotha. Take a read through this Psalm again with this perspective...
Proverbs chapter 13 verse 12 stood out to me today - "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy." I see the wisdom in this Psalm. I do hope that each of us realizes that faith in Jesus is not hope deferred. It is a dream come true in the here and now. Faith in Jesus brings life & joy now. And yes, faith in Jesus also brings the hope of glory for eternity. But, salvation is not all just hope deferred... It is life & joy now too.
What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings? Please post up in the Comments section below!
Grace,
Mike
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Joshua 16:1-18:28 ~ Luke 19:1-27
Psalm 87:1-7 ~ Proverbs 13:11
Old Testament - In Joshua chapter 18 verse 1 today we read - "Now that the land was under Israelite control, the entire Israelite assembly gathered at Shiloh and set up the Tabernacle." Shiloh was located about 25 miles north of Jerusalem. The tabernacle remained in Shiloh throughout the period of the Judges, or about 300 years. We will later read about Samuel traveling to Shiloh with his family. Click here for some interesting facts on Shiloh. The tabernacle at Shiloh may have looked something like this -
Below is an image of the Shiloh Valley today. You can see some of the ruins on the hillside to the lower right. Click this link for close-up photos of Shiloh's ruins. (note that this website link takes a while to load)
New Testament - Today in Luke chapter 19 we read the awesome story of Jesus’ interactions with Zacchaeus the Tax Collector. As we read through this story about Zacchaeus “the sinner,” does anything maybe correlate with our life story today? Consider verse 9 – “Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” What does this mean that Jesus came to seek and to save what was lost? Did Jesus seek Zacchaeus? Did Jesus save Zacchaeus? Now, take a moment if you will to reflect back on your life and your interactions with Jesus. Like Zacchaeus, were you a “sinner?” Like Zacchaeus, did Jesus seek you? Are there moments in your life where you really have felt that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit literally have been “pursuing” you? (I know I have had these moments in my life – thank God for them!) And, most importantly – like Zacchaeus – did Jesus save you?
Interesting! The Story of the Ten Servants is something I reflected on back in our readings of Matthew at this link. But what stood out to me today was verse 11 - "The crowd was listening to everything Jesus said. And because he was nearing Jerusalem, he told a story to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away." This is very interesting to note that Jesus told this story to correct the impression that the Kingdom would begin right away! The Jewish people were looking for a Messiah that would overthrow the Roman political structure. A fighting / revolutionary Messiah that would free Jerusalem from Rome. Instead, as we all know, Jesus died on a cross with nails that were driven into his hands and feet by Roman soldier. Not quite what the Jews at this time were expecting in a Messiah... And here we have this story that's purpose is to show the Kingdom would not begin right away. This makes sense. It is the paradox of the Kingdom of God being already / not yet. And while Jesus first came to usher in the Kingdom, its fulfillment is not complete until his Second Coming. And - while we are awaiting the fulfillment of the Kingdom, how are we utilizing the talents God has given us? How are we utilizing our time, treasure, and talents? Is it for the Kingdom's benefit?
Bible.org's commentary on our Luke chapter 19 readings today titled "The Nobleman: His Slaves and His Citizens" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 87 is a celebration of Jerusalem as the City of God, as we read in verse 3 - "O city of God, what glorious things are said of you!" As we continue to read through the One Year Bible this year it is amazing to reflect upon how much focus there is on Jerusalem as the city of God. Truly, so many of the Psalms glorify Jerusalem, often as a foreshadowing of the Heavenly City of God. Indeed, as this verse suggests, many glorious things are said of Jerusalem in the Bible!
Proverbs - Proverbs 13 verse 11 is a great verse to consider as we watch those late night TV infomercials... :) - "Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows." Are we focusing our working lives on working hard or trying to get rich quick...
What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings? Please post up in the Comments section below!
Grace,
Mike
~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Joshua 15:1-63 ~ Luke 18:18-43
Psalm 86:1-17 ~ Proverbs 13:9-10
Old Testament - It is interesting to read about the allotment of land to the tribe of Judah today. It reminds me of how different these days are for the Israelites, compared to the 40 years of wandering in the desert - or the slavery in Egypt prior to that. Times have changed! God's Promise is being fulfilled. I think this is important for us to remember in our lives as well. Maybe we're in a "slavery" period in our own life where we are looking for a Savior to free us. Jesus is of course that Savior to free us from our slavery to sin. Or, maybe we're in a desert period of our lives. We've decided to follow Jesus, but maybe we're really trudging through some hard times. If we're in this type of period, hopefully we can be encouraged by knowing that God's Promises for us will not fail. God will bring us peace that surpasses all understanding. God will bring us to the true Promised Land for eternity. Let us be encouraged in our own lives by our past few months of readings about the Israelites and their journey from slavery to now the Promised Land. God's Promises will not fail. They are eternal. And they are the only thing in this passing world that is eternal.
Interesting side note on Joshua chapter 15 verses 61 & 62 - "In the wilderness there were the towns of Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah, Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En-gedi--six towns with their surrounding villages." The NIV translates wilderness as "desert", which is probably more accurate. Zondervan's commentary on this verse today says, "The desert is the chalky dry region east and south of Jerusalem that borders the Dead Sea... Either Secacah or the City of Salt may have been the ancient name of the site of Qumran, where the scribes who produced the Dead Sea Scrolls lived."
New Testament - Today we read the story of the Rich Man in Luke chapter 18. There are tons of commentaries on how to interpret this story - including this commentary from Bob Deffinbaugh at Bible.org titled "Blessed Babes and a Miserable Millionaire" at this link. The verses that always speak to me the most are verses 29 & 30 where Jesus teaches - "I assure you, everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over in this life, as well as receiving eternal life in the world to come." These are really some powerful verses for us to consider. Basically, I read - and believe I know from experience - that truly following Jesus comes with a cost. The cost may be loss of wealth, or worldliness, or power, or glamour or even family perhaps. But, if we are accepting these costs for the sake of the Kingdom, then they are in my estimation our crosses that we must bear to truly follow Jesus. Following Jesus is not always easy. The world's temptations will do everything they can for us to not follow Jesus. "It's too hard to follow Jesus." "Come have fun." "It's too much cost to follow Jesus." But... we really need to stay in constant prayer and stay close to God to realize that following Jesus - along w/ all the costs that may be associated with following Jesus - is the only true way to live life. All other paths will lead to misery. Following Jesus and accepting the costs or our crosses leads to life in abundance. And life for eternity. Are there costs in your life that you are willing to accept to follow Jesus?
Bible.org's commentary on our Luke chapter 18 readings today titled "From the Sublime to the Ridiculous" is at this link.
Psalms - Wow. Today in Psalm 86 we read an amazingly wise prayer of David to God in verse 11 – “Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.” How do you think this verse works as a prayer? Can you imagine praying it to God? Do you want God to teach you his way? Do you want to walk in God’s Truth? What does it mean to you to have an undivided heart? It is possible that your heart is now divided in some way? Will you pray to God for an undivided heart? What does it mean to fear God’s name? Why would David pray to fear God’s name? I read an interesting commentary on this verse saying that David is wisely praying for God to save him from his frailty within himself. Oftentimes in the Psalms we will read about David praying for God to deliver him from his enemies. In this verse David is praying for deliverance from what is within. This is a critical point to consider. I think sometimes we always look toward “external” circumstances as the cause of all of our problems. When perhaps we need to look at some “internal” things going on inside of us as causes of some of our problems? And in realizing that there are some internal things that need to be fixed, perhaps we can humbly pray Psalm 86 verse 11 like David did thousands of years ago?
Proverbs - Another wow... Proverbs chapter 13 verse 9 is so beautiful to reflect upon - "The life of the godly is full of light and joy." Ultimately, this is so true. As I posted above, yes, there will be times of trial and times of being in the desert. But, ultimately a godly life will bring light and joy - and if not in this life, then in eternity. There are of course martyrs who may not experience this light and joy externally in this life - but, my hunch is that they are experiencing the light and joy internally - and ultimately, they will experience light and joy forever in God's Kingdom. Is your life full of light and joy? Do you believe it will be someday? For eternity?
What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings? Please post up in the Comments section below!
Grace,
Mike
~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Joshua 13:1-14:15 ~ Luke 18:1-17
Psalm 85:1-13 ~ Proverbs 13:7-8
Old Testament - Interesting - Joshua is an old man already here in verse 13! Time is flying quite a bit faster in this book than our past readings about the life of Moses.... In Joshua chapter 14 verses 1 & 2 today we read - "The remaining tribes of Israel inherited land in Canaan as allotted by Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the tribal leaders. These nine and a half tribes received their inheritance by means of sacred lots, in accordance with the LORD's command through Moses."
New Testament - Wow - the story of the persistent widow is awesome! I love it... Verse 4 may be one of the most humorous verses in the Bible - "The judge ignored her for a while, but eventually she wore him out. `I fear neither God nor man,' he said to himself, `but this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!'" Great stuff! Jesus teaches that persistence pays off, which I think is very good to consider with our own faith journeys. Verse 1 is the moral of the story - "One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must never give up." Do you pray constantly? Do you know that you must never give up?
The moral of the story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in verse 14 is so important for each of us to remember in our faith journeys - "For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored."
Anyone remember the old Jars of Clay song, "Faith Like a Child"? Great tune... That song and verses 15 - 17 in Luke chapter 18 today remind me that my faith does not have to be super-intellectual or super-mature or super-whatever. All that is needed is faith like a child - "One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch them and bless them, but the disciples told them not to bother him. Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I assure you, anyone who doesn't have their kind of faith will never get into the Kingdom of God.""
Bible.org's commentary on our Luke chapter 18 readings today titled "Piety, Persistence, Penitence, and Prayer" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 85 is awesome today! So many great verses.... I love verse 8 - "I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his people, his faithful ones. But let them not return to their foolish ways." I like that thought - God speaks peace to his people. Are we listening carefully to what God is saying? Are we receiving his peace into our hearts? And so importantly - are we not returning to our foolish ways?
Verse 6 reminds me of the Jeremy Camp tune "Revive Me", which is an amazing tune - "Won't you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you?" Do you need God to revive you? Will you pray for revival?
Proverbs - Proverbs 13 verse 7 makes me wonder how we might be "pretending" in our lives today - "Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor." I wonder if really in some way all of us are pretending to be something we are not? I don't know if this will make sense - but I do know that sometimes I feel like an actor. A faker. A poser. And I know that the true path to being genuine and real is through a relationship with Jesus. True Sincerity comes from Christ alone. If we are confident in our faith in Christ, we have absolutely no need to "pretend" or act like we are someone or something else. Christ is sufficient. Are there any areas of your life where you are acting or pretending? Will you turn these pretensions over to Jesus and be confident in Jesus alone?
What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings? Please post up in the Comments section below!
Grace,
Mike
~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Joshua 9:3-10:43 ~ Luke 16:19-17:10
Psalm 83:1-18 ~ Proverbs 13:4
Old Testament - As we read about the Gibeonites deception today, Joshua chapter 9 verses 14 & 15 teach a valuable lesson for each of us - "So the Israelite leaders examined their bread, but they did not consult the LORD. Then Joshua went ahead and signed a peace treaty with them, and the leaders of Israel ratified their agreement with a binding oath." They did not consult the Lord - and thus signed a binding oath based on a deception. How about you in your life today? How often do you consult God on major decisions in your life? Even minor decisions? I don't know that I do this enough. I do know that more and more I have found myself praying "thy will - not mine - be done" when major decisions are before me. I am seeking God's will and guidance in my life. But, I'm not sure that I'm really consulting God all that often. And I'm afraid when I don't I can rush into quick & bad decisions... I pray each of us will consult God with all of our plans & decisions in our lives - be they major or minor.
Bible.org's commentary on our Joshua chapter 9 readings today titled "The Peril of Walking by Sight" is at this link.
Today in Joshua chapter 10 we read about the day the sun stood still! Have you ever received the email about this chapter titled "NASA and the Bible?" - basically the email goes into how a man from NASA proved that the sun stood still. I have received this email a bunch of times over the past 5 years or so. This email does appear to be an Urban Legend, but it's a fun email - check it out at this link. I have read many commentaries on this chapter and do believe that a miracle took place, as we read in verse 13 - "So the sun and moon stood still until the Israelites had defeated their enemies. Is this event not recorded in The Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the middle of the sky, and it did not set as on a normal day." Do you believe this miracle took place? Do you believe in miracles? Here's a cool stain glass image below from Duke University Chapel with Joshua and the son and the moon -
Bible.org's commentary on our Joshua chapter 10 readings today is at this link.
New Testament - Today in Luke chapter 16 we read about the rich man and Lazarus. I have always found verse 31 to be such a great reflection on what it means to have having a soft heart and a strong faith - ""But Abraham said, `If they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't listen even if someone rises from the dead.' "" Basically, Abraham is saying that people whose hearts are hardened to faith will not even believe it if a dead man returns to them and tells them to repent. They still won't repent even with this miracle. And I believe this is true. Let us pray that our hearts are soft and open to faith and that we can share the Good News of Jesus with others in our life whose hearts may be becoming more and more hardened with each passing day....
Bible.org's commentary on our Luke Chapter 16 readings today titled "The Rich Man and Lazarus" is at this link and commentary titled "Death: The Door to Eternity" is at this link.
Wow. I love Luke 17 verse 10 - "In the same way, when you obey me you should say, `We are not worthy of praise. We are servants who have simply done our duty.'" I wonder if sometimes we do good works for Jesus expecting some praise or return on our works? This is obviously not a good motive. We should simply be obedient to Jesus and not expect praise for our obedience - from Jesus or from others. It is simply a blessing for us to be called to Jesus' service. That is more than enough.
Bible.org's commentary on our Luke chapter 7 readings today titled "Taking Sin Seriously" is at this link.
Psalms - Ever feel like the Psalmist in Psalm 83 verse 1 - "O God, don't sit idly by, silent and inactive!" I think the beauty of the Psalms is seeing some of our human emotions expressed so well. Considering this verse - I don't think that God is ever sitting idly by, silent or inactive. I believe God is a Living God who is always with us. But, perhaps sometimes God's perceived silence in our lives is for a purpose that we may not fully understand now, but will later. If God seems very "silent" to you now, I would encourage you to pray to God - and really listen in your prayers - don't just speak. I believe you'll soon hear him...
Proverbs chapter 13 verse 4 is brilliant - "Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied." Hard work pays off. It really does. I do thank God for the blessing of work in my life. I pray you do to. And I do thank him for occasional vacation days too! :) Speaking of which - I have 2 vacation days coming up next week since my 2nd favorite band in the world, U2, is rolling through town. I've been working hard - I think 2 days off and 2 nights with U2 is a small luxury I'll allow... :) But - overall - I honestly cannot imagine a life of just "vacation." It would be a bit of a hell for me personally.... I do love and appreciate the opportunity to work. Is that strange?? :) Let me know in the comments below - do you love / appreciate work?
What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings? Please post up in the Comments section below!
Grace,
Mike
~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Joshua 5:1-7:15 ~ Luke 15:1-32
Psalm 81:1-16 ~ Proverbs 13:1
Old Testament - Fascinating! verses today in Joshua chapter 5 verses 13 - 15 - "As Joshua approached the city of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man facing him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you friend or foe?" "Neither one," he replied. "I am commander of the LORD's army." At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. "I am at your command," Joshua said. "What do you want your servant to do?" The commander of the LORD's army replied, "Take off your sandals, for this is holy ground." And Joshua did as he was told." Somehow I missed this in my reading of the One Year Bible readings last year: Tyndale's One Year Bible Companion says this about these verses - "The captain of the host was no mere angel. His presence was an appearance of Christ in person. Joshua worshipped the captain; his worship was accepted and he was neither rebuked nor instructed otherwise." Whaddya think? Was this Jesus in these verses?? (Ramona, I'm counting on you for this one! :) Bible.org's commentary on "The Captain of the Lord's Army" is at this link.
In Joshua chapter 6 we read about the fall of Jericho to the Israelites - but... things take a turn for the worse in chapter 7 with the defeat at the city of Ai. It is interesting to note why the defeat happened in Ai, in verse 1 - "But Israel was unfaithful concerning the things set apart for the LORD." Think about it. Israel just had a great victory at Jericho and then they were unfaithful toward God. I wonder if perhaps we are like this in our lives today as well? Maybe something amazing happens in our life, and we get so swept up in the victory dance that we forget about God. And yet... it is God who gave us that victory. It is God who gives us every good thing we have in our lives. Are we being unfaithful in our lives concerning things set apart for God? One area of my life where I know I have been unfaithful in the past concerning things set apart for God is tithing. I have withheld from God 10% of the 100% of the salary that comes my way thanks to God. God blesses me with an incredible job and really a good salary, all things considered. And I want to keep almost all of it. Maybe I'd give a few dollars to God. But 10%? No way! That's mine! Or... is it really? Should 10% of my income perhaps be set apart for God? I had a friend challenge me in a very graceful way about tithing 10% to my local church last fall, and I greatly appreciate it. And - just last night I finished up Donald Miller's book Blue Like Jazz, and he has a wonderful chapter on how he finally learned to be obedient and tithe... I guess I say all this to encourage you to consider are there any areas of your life where you might be unfaithful concerning things set apart for God? (It might not be the tithe - it might be your time - or your attention - or this list could go on.)
Below is an image for verses 2 & 3 as Joshua sends out some men to spy on Ai, before the defeat - "Joshua sent some of his men from Jericho to spy out the city of Ai, east of Bethel, near Beth-aven. When they returned, they told Joshua, "It's a small town, and it won't take more than two or three thousand of us to destroy it. There's no need for all of us to go there.""
Bible.org's commentary on Joshua chapter 5 is at this link, chapter 6 is at this link, and chapter 7 is at this link.
New Testament - Beautiful verses today in Luke chapter 15 verses 8 through 10 - ""Or suppose a woman has ten valuable silver coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and look in every corner of the house and sweep every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors to rejoice with her because she has found her lost coin. In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents."" Do you believe that there was joy in the presence of God's angels when you repented? Or... when you will repent? That is a beautiful thought...
More beautiful verses today (22-24) as we read through the famous Prodigal Son story - ""But his father said to the servants, `Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening in the pen. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began."
Bible.org's commentary on our Luke chapter 15 readings today titled "Lost and Found" is at this link.
Psalms - I always like verses like 1 & 2 in Psalm 81 today - verses that speak of music & God - "Sing praises to God, our strength. Sing to the God of Israel. Sing! Beat the tambourine. Play the sweet lyre and the harp." Do you sing praises to God? Is God your strength?
Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 13 verse 1 may at first glance seem to be speaking about young children - but... I believe it can definitely speak to how we also should respond to God, our heavenly Father - "A wise child accepts a parent's discipline; a young mocker refuses to listen." Are you a wise child of God accepting His discipline in your life?
What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings? Please post up in the Comments section below!
Grace,
Mike
The One Year: Bible NLT
This is THE Book to pick up!
The One Year Companion: Guide
Great for individuals or small groups!
