March 27th One Year Bible Readings

Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20 ~ Luke 7:36-8:3 ~ Psalm 69:1-18 ~ Proverbs 12:1
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Old Testament - Today in Deuteronomy chapter 7, the New Living Translation has the chapter titled "The Privilege of Holiness."  Keep in mind that these chapter headings - or headings within sections of chapters - are not Biblical text.  They are not from the original manuscripts, but are basically brief summaries from the viewpoint of modern-day translators.  Generally speaking though, you can trust what they are telling you - but just remember, they're not Biblical text.  All this to say, I was intrigued by this chapter's title in today's readings.  Israel was indeed privileged and called to holiness.  I think an important for us to keep in mind is that in the Old Testament, Israel was God's chosen people.  So, yes, we do read in this chapter and future OT chapters God favoring Israel over all other nations.  However, keep three things in mind.  One, Israel is the people of God's covenant going to back to Abraham and God is just forming Israel as a nation.  Two, the other nations at that time were immersed in sin and idolatry to other gods.  Three, through Jesus' ministry, God indeed shows love toward all nations today and wants all nations to be in relationship with him.  But, prior to Jesus, we see clearly in this chapter that Israel is, per verse 6: "a holy people, who belong to the LORD your God. Of all the people on earth, the LORD your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure."

Today in Deuteronomy chapter 8 verse 10 we read: “When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.” What a great verse! Many say that it is because of this verse that we traditionally say grace at meal time. Interesting that this verse indicates that the Israelites were to praise God after eating – which, actually, is sometimes how I say grace today now too – when I forget to say grace before eating! :) I think the other thing this verse above gets at is that we humans have a tendency to “forget” God in the good times. In the bad times, maybe we do a decent job of praying to God and trying to stay close to Him. But in the good times, I know that sometimes I can forget Who really blessed me with the good times. I think it is so important for us to remember each and every day this one thing – God has given us everything. Every single good thing we have in our life comes from God. Our family. Our friends. Our physical abilities. Even the very air we breathe. It ALL comes from God. And, while I think it is pleasing to God for us to praise him for these good things – I also think it is ultimately healthy for us to praise God for the good things he has given us. Because, when we truly thank God each and every day for even very simple things – our eyesight, our 12 year old car that still runs fine, etc. etc. – we realize how very blessed we really are, and then I think we have less of a chance of feeling sorry for ourselves. We are blessed! How are you doing on praising God for the good things he has given you in your life? Now that we are in this Easter & Spring season, will you make a conscious effort to really praise and thank God each and every day? Think this might be pleasing to God? Think this might be healthy for you?

New Testament - In Luke chapter 7 today we read about the "immoral" woman who kissed and put perfume on Jesus' feet.  Verse 39 is a powerful testament to Jesus' character - "When the Pharisee who was the host saw what was happening and who the woman was, he said to himself, "This proves that Jesus is no prophet. If God had really sent him, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She's a sinner!""  How ironic... this Pharisee thought that Jesus was not sent from God because he let a sinner touch him - when indeed it is this very act that proves that Jesus was sent from God!  Jesus loved everyone - and still loves everyone today - and wants to be in relationship with all of us.  No matter what this woman's sins were.  No matter what our sins were or are.  Jesus loves us and wants to be in relationship with us.  Like the woman in this story, will we humble ourselves and come before the feet of Jesus?  And will we ignore those who might suggest we're not "good enough" to be in relationship with God or Jesus?  Remember, Jesus came to call the sinners, the sick - and not the righteous.  Let's not act righteous before Jesus, but come to his feet as we really are and worship Him for who he truly is!

Luke chapter 8 readings today are important for us to pay attention to.  Oftentimes I think we sometimes think that it was just Jesus and the twelve male disciples cruising around the Holy Land during Jesus' ministry.  Today's verses are a great reminder of the involvement of women in Jesus' ministry both by traveling with him and by contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and the twelve!  Verses 1 through 3 tell us today  - "Not long afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby cities and villages to announce the Good News concerning the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women he had healed and from whom he had cast out evil spirits. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples."  Below is the Italian painter Bernardino Luini's "The Conversion of Magdalene", circa 1525.  Luini's painting shows Martha, Mary's sister, on the left pointing toward heaven; Mary, to the right, repeats the gesture to indicate that she too will follow Jesus.

Bible.org's commentary on Luke chapter 7's readings today, titled "Wordless Worship of an Unnamed Woman" is at this link.  Commentary on Luke chapter 8's readings today, titled "Ministry, Money and Women" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 69 verse 16 today is such a true statement that maybe we need to be reminded of today - "Answer my prayers, O LORD, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Turn and take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful."  God does answer our prayers - perhaps not in the way we "want" Him to, but always in the way that is ultimately best for us and the Kingdom.  His unfailing love is wonderful.  His mercy is so plentiful.  But, yet, somehow I think I sometimes forget all of this.  Why?  I think I forget about God's love & mercy when I am not praying to him.  How about you?  Are you needing a reminder today about God's unfailing love and his mercy?  Are you praying to God for these very things?  Will you allow God to demonstrate both his love and mercy to you today?  Will you offer up prayers and allow God to answer in his perfect way? 

Proverbs - Wow... Proverbs chapter 12 verse 1 is so to the point and so true.  Please meditate on this one - "To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction." Do you love discipline?  Do you want to learn?  Do you hate correction?  What holy discipline might God be bringing to you in your life today?  Will you accept God's healing and holy discipline in your life?

Worship God: Today's Proverb 12:1 reminds me of the fantastic song by Shaun Groves called "Welcome Home:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3lv1hsiRUo

Have you welcomed Jesus into your Home? Click here and welcome Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid." Proverbs 12:1 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will always love God's discipline in your life. Pray that you will never hate God's correction. Pray for wisdom and knowledge in your life that will come from God's blessed correction of you.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Based on Deuteronomy chapter 8 verse 10 above, do you say grace or offer up some sort of prayer of thanksgiving to God at each meal?  Why or why not?  Do you think it is pleasing to God when we do say a prayer at mealtime? 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

[Ramona]

Deuteronomy 7-8:20

It’s not what you know or even what you do, as in the Old Testament, in the New it is who you know.

The Lord did not set His love upon you and choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the fewest of all people. But because the Lord loves you and because He would keep the oath which He had sworn to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know, recognize, and understand therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, Who keeps covenant and steadfast love and mercy with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations, (Deuteronomy 7:7-9 AMP)

But if it is by grace (His unmerited favor and graciousness), it is no longer conditioned on works or anything men have done. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace [it would be meaningless]. (Romans 11:6 AMP)

The grace that has been granted to Believers comes by way of Jesus Christ. He is the One we know.

There is something I just saw in the act of deliverance, Israel’s deliverance from her enemies as she entered into the promise land, that may explain why we find ourselves struggling with some things, which seem to keep us entrap as we struggle to walk the walk. There more than likely is a spiritual parallel of God’s Words to Israel, that we can apply to our lives.

Remember the great contests to which you were eyewitnesses: the miracle-signs, the wonders, GOD's mighty hand as he stretched out his arm and took you out of there. GOD, your God, is going to do the same thing to these people you're now so afraid of. And to top it off, the Hornet. GOD will unleash the Hornet on them until every survivor-in-hiding is dead. So don't be intimidated by them. GOD, your God, is among you--GOD majestic, GOD awesome. GOD, your God, will get rid of these nations, bit by bit. You won't be permitted to wipe them out all at once lest the wild animals take over and overwhelm you. (Deuteronomy 7:19-22 MSG)

While we struggle with our “stuff” God is telling us to not let said “stuff” intimidate us that He will drive them out little by little. There are things, it seems, that when we first accept Jesus Christ, we are immediately delivered from it’s effects; however, we seem to fall into traps that we struggle daily to extricate ourselves from. Yet in the above four verses God is speaking to me saying, I know that those things are there just remember how I delivered you from the first things, I will deliver you from these also. Don’t give up!

Grace and peace,
Ramona

[Steve T]

Deuteronomy 7:18-19

But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt. 19 You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.

Do not be afraid, the Lord will take care of everything and everyone we fear. What cast of fear? Perfect love cast out fear. Remember what God did to Pharaoh and remember what Jesus did on the cross. Remembering what God has done is the anecdote to Fear; it’s not our lack of faith but our loss of memory that brings us fear.

Deuteronomy 7:22-23

The LORD your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you. 23 But the LORD your God will deliver them over to you, throwing them into great confusion until they are destroyed.

I love this verse, it brings me comfort just knowing that we are a work in progress, the Lord is delivering us a little bit at a time. I am guilty of stressing over not being delivered quick enough but God is in control and He is delivering me at just the right pace. His timing is perfect and I need only stay the course, remain faithful and patient while remembering the Lord’s promise; He will drive out the enemy little by little and slowly increase my territory.