March 23rd One Year Bible Readings

Numbers 36:1-Deut. 1:46 + Luke 5:29-6:11 + Psalm 66:1-20 + Proverbs 11:24-26
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Old Testament - Today we wrap up the book of Numbers and begin Deuteronomy, the last book of the Pentateuch (or 5 Books of the Law)! And as we all Learned to Love Leviticus this year, my prayer is that each of us will be Diggin’ Deuteronomy as we read through it this year!  :)

~Deuteronomy~
Author: Moses
Date: 1420 or 1220 B.C.
Content: The book consists of a series of addresses given by Moses in the plains of Moab prior to their entering into Canaan, as well as some specialized regulations and the appointment of Moses’ successor, Joshua. In Moses’ addresses he summarized the events that led up to that day, exhorted the people to faith and obedience, called the Israelites to rededicate themselves to the task God had given them, and then led them in worship and song. After the appointment of Joshua, Moses left the people and, after viewing the Holy Land from afar one last time, he died. With Moses’ death the old order passed away and the destiny of Israel moved into the hands of the next generation.
Theme: The faithfulness and power of God to save are stressed throughout the book. A look at Israel’s past shows that God led his people through their darkest days and gave them hope for the future. What God did in the past he could do again. The need for faith and obedience on the part of God’s people is also stressed. God’s richest blessings are given only to those who will use them for his glory. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 3) Great commentary on Deuteronomy is at this link: https://bible.org/article/introduction-deuteronomy

In Deuteronomy chapter 1 verse 1 today we read: "This book records the words that Moses spoke to all the people of Israel while they were in the wilderness east of the Jordan River." This image below sets the stage incredibly well for the book of Deuteronomy! Here is Moses giving the address to the Israelites! 

New Testament - Today in Luke chapter 5 verses 31 & 32 we read this teaching from Jesus: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” How does this verse speak to you? Are you healthy or sick? Are you righteous or a sinner? Do you need Jesus? Are you heeding his call to repentance? Do you believe that Jesus is the one true Doctor who can heal you for eternity?   Below is a painting of Jesus at the house of Levi by the Italian painter Paolo Veronese from the year 1573: (with of course the Pharisees looking on...)

Bible.org's commentary on Luke chapter 5's readings today titled "On Eating, Drinking, and Being Merry" is at this link, and commentary on Luke chapter 6's readings today titled "The Great Sabbath Controversy" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 66 verses 1 & 2 are awesome!  "Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth! Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is."  Do you tell the world about how glorious God is?  How do you do this?  Think these kids below might be singing & shouting joyfully to God?  Think there is anything we might be able to learn from these kids?  :)

Proverbs - Today in Proverbs chapter 11 verse 24 we read – “One person gives freely, yet gains even more.”  Do you give freely?  Do you give often? Do you believe that by giving freely you will ultimately gain even more?  I do believe this Proverb is so true.  I heard a very inspirational speaker recently talk about how she was diagnosed with a chronic disease and how she became completely depressed.  But, she somehow found the courage to begin giving to others in need in her community and she found that her life was completely transformed by simply giving.  She was no longer depressed about living with the chronic disease, but found herself happier than ever before. Simply because she chose to give freely.  How might God be calling you in your life to give more freely than ever before?  Is it maybe by tithing to your church? Is it maybe by volunteering at a local charity once a month? Is it maybe by going to serve in another part of the world?  Can you find the courage to give freely?  Who can you give a hug to freely today like this young man below is giving?

Worship Video: Today's readings in Luke reminded me of Jeremy Camp’s song "The Answer:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n-bSz515qM

Do you want to know the answer? Click here for The Answer!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:31-32 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you realize that you are sick and in need of Jesus' healing. Pray that you have or will repent of all of your sins. Pray that you always recognize your need for Jesus.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day: (tangential questions here based on this awesome image above... :)  How often do you give hugs?  Who was the last person you gave a hug to?  Can you give someone a hug today?  Do you think giving hugs (or receiving hugs) is important?  Are hugs Biblical?  :)  (okay, now I've gotten silly, but what do you think - can you think of some hugs in the Bible??)  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.s. #2 - Download a schedule of our One Year Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 - I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Comments

[Ramona]

Numbers 36:1-13

Again, we have God giving a personal answer to a dilemma the tribe of Manasseh found themselves. Valuing their inheritance, the land that God had given them, they approached God about keeping the land inherited by Zelophehad’s daughters in the family. God is interested in all our concerns. Let us not think anything is too small to bring before Him.

Deuteronomy 1:1-46

Every time I read this passage, I am amazed at this miracle, taking forty years to do on an eleven-day journey. Now, that is some miracle. Sometimes, probably more times then we would care to admit, claiming our Promise is delayed by us, our own behavior; and before we can cross over the boundary line to get in, a lot of things in our lives must fall off as we amble in the wilderness making an eleven day trip into an extended vacation of forty years.

Mike—Your question about “Hugs,” giving them and probably receiving them, has hit a sore spot with me. I am a closed person only giving and receiving hugs from designated people, people who I have mentally cleared as appropriate to receive and give hugs too. I have given hugs to complete strangers after hearing from the Holy Spirit to do so but I always ask permission.

My aversion to “hugs” stems from two things, 1) my background—grew up with a lot of sexual abuse in home and in church. 2) Recently in my adult “role,” I attended a church on Tuesdays for Bible Study and ministry after work that always believed in hugging people. I decided to try to break my aversion to hugs there; however, predators were rampart there also (both male and female). Until I learn how to follow my instincts about how much closeness to allow some folks without fear of reprisals from the crowd (I always sensed who I should or shouldn’t allow to hug me and who to hug yet I allowed peer pressure to override my sense of danger). Interestingly I’m now finding out that this particular church knows there are a lot of predators in their midst because they are in the Times Square (NYC-USA) area, yet they continue to promote the group hug thing.

I realize that this is my own issue that needs to be healed, so for now, people can pass on my hugs through my designated huggers.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

[Jeffrey]

March 23rd

In our NT reading for today, I was again amazed at the dark hearts of the scribes and the Pharisees. They deliberately watched to see whether Jesus would heal the man with the withered hand as they sat in the synagogue with Jesus. They knew Jesus could heal. That should have told them that the LORD was with Jesus, but instead they looked for a reason to accuse him of some transgression of the Law. Jesus had just previously taught that the sabbath is made for man, not man for the sabbath. The religious leaders could not fathom Jesus’ purity; they were twisted in their reasoning.

Luke 6: 9 And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” (ESV)

Jesus does heal the man’s withered hand, but he knew what the scribes and Pharisees were thinking. Once he healed the hand, their reaction was visceral:

Luke 6: 11  But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus. (ESV)

It is very disconcerting to imagine the evil thoughts that filled the religious leader’s minds against Jesus. Even today, some people react very strongly against even the mention of Jesus or his gospel. How much more wicked were those who witnessed Jesus’ miracles, yet rejected him? Only the Lord knows…

Maranatha! IC -|- XC

Prayer for Today:
Lord, we pray that as my persecuted brothers and sisters win others to Christ, these new believers will be quick to tell many more- no matter what repercussions may come. Work mightily in the minds and hearts of my brothers and sisters so their transformation is evident to all. Amen.

[Dd]

Sweet verses and sentiments in the BIBLE remind me of his from Jesus. I am a hugger. Love people and love blessing others. I feel I bless way more and give than I receive. But that's ok. It's more blessed to give than receive