March 18th One Year Bible Readings

Numbers 26:52-28:15 + Luke 3:1-22 + Psalm 61:1-8 + Proverbs 11:16-17
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Old Testament: Today in Numbers we read a powerful narrative about how Joshua was to succeed Moses. Jesus' name comes from Joshua, which means, "Jehovah is salvation." Makes a lot of sense for Jesus' name... Is Jesus your salvation? Below is a great image for Numbers Chapter 27 verses 16-17:

New Testament: I always love reading about John the Baptizer! John is sometimes referred to as the "last Old Testament prophet." Jesus said this about John in Luke 16:16 - "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John." Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophets, priests and kings. I find it very helpful to know Jesus is my Prophet, Priest and King. Prophets in the Old Testament typically preached repentance from sins, and John was no exception to this rule in our readings in Luke chapter 3 today. John preached repentance! Have you repented from your sins? Is your life showing the fruits of your repentance?

Commentary from Bible.org on Luke chapter 3's readings today titled "John the Baptizer" is at this link.

Psalms - Today we read Psalm 61, which has some powerful verses for us to meditate upon when the storms of life come crashing down upon us. This Psalm reminds us of who is indeed our true Rock – our true Refuge. Verses 1 through 5 are so powerful to meditate upon when you are going through a storm in your life –

“Hear my cry, O God;
  listen to my prayer.
From the ends of the earth I call to you,
    I call as my heart grows faint;
    lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,
    a strong tower against the foe.
I long to dwell in your tent forever
    and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
For you have heard my vows, O God;
    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.”

Proverbs: Today's Proverbs remind us to be kind! How's your kindness going these days?

1.2em;">Worship Video: Today's readings reminded me of Steven Curtis Chapman's song "Dive:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXqXIicm8uU

Have you dove into the life of faith yet? Click here and dive in!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "And the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." Luke 3:22 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray for more of the Holy Spirit in your life. Pray that you life will be pleasing to God.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Based on our Psalm today, do you cry out to God in prayer during the storms in your life? When your heart grows faint, do you call on God’s holy name, and allow him to lead you to his Rock? Do you believe that God can be your refuge? Your strong tower against the foe? Do you long to dwell in God’s house forever? Do you long to take refuge in the shelter of God’s wings?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

Love, Trust and Obey Jesus,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our One Year Bible readings at this link.

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Comments

[Ramona]

Numbers 26:52-28:15

The following two verses in chapter 27 spoke to me today,
3 "Our father died in the wilderness without leaving any sons," they said. "But he was not among Korah's followers, who rebelled against the LORD. He died because of his own sin. 4 Why should the name of our father disappear just because he had no sons? Give us property along with the rest of our relatives."

I’m not sure why these verses spoke to me but I think it may have something to do with “dealing in truth.” The Daughters of Zelophehad dealt in truth about their father, “He dies for his on sin.” They did not blame someone else or Moses for bringing them out into the desert. The also did not operate in “shame” which would have kept them from speaking up for themselves. So often we are afraid to go to God to ask for anything because we are so full of shame and guilt. Truth is we don’t deserve anything but God is a God of grace and mercy who deals in Truth, yet His Promises to us are not based on how good we are, we aren’t, but on how good He is.

We have Hebrews 4:16, Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need, they didn’t, yet these woman stepped forward and asked. Father God, may I study and meditate on how these woman handled their situation and take heed for the areas in my life that seem to be outside of the blessing and favor of God, emphasis on the word “seem.”

Luke 3:1-22

John the Baptist new his purpose and he did, without reservation, what he was created to do. He didn’t have all the information on who and how, he received from God on a need to know basis and accepted it. John didn’t need folk’s approval because if he did he would have spoke to the crowds in a manner that would make them feel warm and fuzzy. John spoke the Words of God under the power of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 61:1-8
5 For you have heard my vows, O God.
You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name.

Hmm, it seems that godly fear is profitable. I just must make sure that I have the right understanding of profitability in the economy of God.
Proverbs 11:16-17

I had to go to another translation to understand the sixteenth verse so I when to the Amplified Bible, 16 A gracious and good woman wins honor [for her husband], and violent men win riches but [a]a woman who hates righteousness is a throne of dishonor for him.

This verse is compares honor with wealth and strongly suggest that there is no equity between the two. In the economy of God honor has the greatest value.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

[mitch]

OT - Numbers 27 and Zelophehad’s daughters. Established that if no sons the inheritance would go to daughters. Besides being fair, perhaps this has implications for the right to David’s throne.

Joseph’s genealogy disqualified Jesus (as adopted son) from having the right to David’s throne due to Jeconiah’s curse. However through Mary’s genealogy in Luke, the line runs through David’s son Nathan. If Mary was oldest, had a sister, and no brothers than the line to David’s throne would run through Mary based on Numbers 27. Speculation on my part, and will not know the answer until I am in heaven.

NT - Jesus’ Baptism displays the Trinity. The Holy Spirit descended in “bodily” form like a dove. To me - Holy Spirit was observable (unlike Jesus’ description to nicodemus in John 3) so that it could be witnessed that Isaiah 41:1 was fulfilled. Fluttering (not in a direct line) like a dove. Don’t think it was just John the Baptist who saw, as Luke depended on eyewitnesses for his gospel - and John was dead before Luke started writing.