Today’s Readings: Numbers 34, Psalm 78:40-72, Isaiah 26, 1 John 4

The Song of Praise in Isaiah 26 contains some very comforting verses, some reasons to praise God.

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! Trust in The Lord always, for The Lord God is the eternal Rock. Is. 26:3-4

Then in 1 John 4, we are reminded to be on the lookout for false prophets, and John gives us some guidelines for discerning false prophets. First, we must know the Word in order to know if what they speak is truth or not. If they acknowledge Jesus came in a real body and that He lived a sinless life, dying for our sins, and being raised on the third day, then they have the Spirit of God. But if they do not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, they are not from God. John goes on to encourage us saying that if we belong to God, we have already won the victory over false prophets because God’s Spirit in us is greater than the spirit who lives in the world (1 Jn. 4:4). If the prophets belong to the world, they will speak the world’s point of view.

John also speaks some famous words about loving one another in vv. 7-12. You don’t want to miss the beauty of those. Remember, it may seem like a lot to live up to. And in our own strength, it is impossible. But when we live in the power of the Holy Spirit, when we live a life yielded to Him, He makes it possible by loving others through us.

by

Today’s Readings: Numbers 33, Psalm 78:1-39, Isaiah 25, 1 John 3

I think Psalm 78 gives us some great parenting insight. It’s a historical psalm and shows us some things we should be doing as parents.

1. We should teach our children lessons from our past, stories we have heard and known. (vv. 2-3)We should teach them lessons we have learned in hopes that they will learn from our mistakes. Story is powerful. As we tell our stories, we can show our kids how our smaller stories are all part of the big God story. (vv. 2-3)

2. We should teach the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, His power, and His mighty works. (v. 4.) Several times God told the Israelites to remember and recount to their children His mighty acts. In fact, God designed the feasts and festivals to be reminders, to give parents opportunities to tell children about His works, His might, His power. We need to establish family traditions, to place reminders around our home of God’s work so we can tell our kids about His work in our lives. Here’s just one idea. Our family collects Christmas ornaments from places we visit or that represent significant events in our family’s life. As we put the ornaments on the tree each year, we retell those stories and share how God has worked in our family’s life. (v. 4)

3. God commanded us to teach these things to our children so they might know them and teach them to their children. (vv. 5-6) God instituted the family as the way to pass faith from one generation to the next. While God instituted the church to provide fellowship, encouragement, and opportunities to worship and serve, it is the family’s primary responsibility to nurture childrens’ faith. The church can support us, train us and equip us, but in the end, it’s our responsibility to pass on faith to our kids. See Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

4. We are to set our hope anew on God, not forgetting about His glorious miracles and obeying His commands. (v. 7) It’s not enough to live on our parents’ faith. We must make our faith our own. Our children need to see a living, vibrant faith that’s lived out on the hot pavement of this earth. They need to see us cling to Jesus in the good times and the bad–to see it’s real and authentic.

5. We must not be stubborn, rebellious, or unfaithful, refusing to give our hearts to God. (v.8) This one is pretty self-explanatory. Run from God and be rebellious and experience distance from Him. Cling to Him, surrender to Him and give Him all of our hearts and we experience lasting peace, joy, and blessing.

by

Today’s Readings: Numbers 32, Psalm 77, Isaiah 24, 1 John 2

I think we can learn a lot from the psalmists as we read and study their prayers, and Asaph’s Psalm 77 is no exception. We see Asaph’s honesty as he lays his frustrations, despair, and hurts at God’s feet–even wondering if God hears or answers. I know there have been some times when I’ve wondered that myself thinking, “God, if you are real and you really care about me, why don’t you do something about ____?”
But just as the psalmist starts getting wound up, he switches gears saying, “But then.” He doesn’t stay in the pit of despair. Instead, he takes time to say, “I recall all You have done, O Lord.” And Asaph recounts the wonderful things God has done, telling of God’s mighty works, His holy ways, His power, and His sovereignty.
What a lesson for us! When it seems like our prayers are hitting the ceiling and bouncing back to us. . . when it seems like we pray and pray and pray despairing for an answer, we simply need to recall God’s mighty works, His holy ways, His power and His sovereignty. We need to remind ourselves of His majesty, His greatness, that His ways are not our ways. We need to look back and remember all the times He has worked, to remember His mercies, His loving and tender care. Then we remember that He is at work, but sometimes we just don’t see it. Or sometimes we expect Him to work in a certain way, but He has another plan in mind.
Next time I find myself wondering if God hears, I hope that I’ll remember this psalm, and with Asaph, remind myself of God’s wonderful deeds, His mighty works and His holy ways.

by

Today’s Readings: Numbers 31, Psalm 75-76, Isaiah 23, 1 John 1

1 John
Scholars generally agree that 1 John, along with 2 John and 3 John were written by John the apostle, who also authored the Gospel of John and the book of Revelation. It was likely written between A.D. 85 and 90. According to the ESV Study Bible, the author of 1 John “calls readers back to the three basics of Christian life: true doctrine, obedient living, and fervent devotion” (p. 2426).

Already in the first chapter, we find some well-known verses about living in the light–God’s light–and having fellowship with one another.

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinner, we are calling God a liar and showing that HIs Word has no place in our hearts. 1 John 1:8-10

God, I know I have sinned. I am sorry. I agree with You over my sin and I ask You to forgive me and cleanse me. I pray I will not become immune to conviction, that I easily recognize sin and confess it. I don’t want to call You a liar, and I don’t want to show that Your Word has no place in my heart. Give me a love for Your Word and a heart that’s willing to confess sin and receive Your forgiveness. Thank You, God, for Your mercy and grace, for Your faithfulness to forgive and cleanse me. In the name of Jesus, whose blood was shed for me, Amen.

by

Today’s Readings: Numbers 30, Psalm 74, Isaiah 22, 2 Peter 3

In his second letter, Peter wrote to warn the church of false prophets. In chapter three, he points out that many scoffers will deny that Jesus is coming again. Peter assures his readers that Jesus will return. Then he tells them to be prepared because Jesus will come like a thief in the night–unexpectedly; so they ought to make every effort to be found living peaceful, pure and blameless lives in God’s sight. Peter also encourages his readers to wait patiently for Christ’s return because God is not slow about keeping His promises. Rather, his timing is perfect, and He is being patient and giving everyone a change to repent, to be saved.

Lord, help me to be on the guard for false teachers. Guide me in Your truth. Teach me Your truth so that I can identify the lies. Help me to be prepared for Your return, Jesus, to look forward to Your return, and yet to balance it with grace and peace and patience, sharing Your gospel with those who don’t know You. Help me to trust in Your timing. I thank You that You are not slow, but Your timing is perfect, that You don’t desire for any to perish but that all repent and experience salvation. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

by

Today’s Readings: Numbers 29, Psalm 73, Isaiah 21, 2 Peter 2

In Psalm 73, Asaph asks a question we find ourselves asking today: Why does it seem that the unbelievers prosper when we believers suffer? We tend to think it’s not fair. And yet we live in a fallen world, a world infected and affected by sin. What else should we expect?

Asaph comes to the conclusion that God is in control and while it may seem that the wicked prosper here and now, there will come a day when they meet the true consequences for their actions (Ps. 73:15-20).

One thing is certain. If we worry and wonder over the fairness of it all, we will end up like Asaph — with a bitter heart, all torn up inside, foolish and ignorant of God’s ways. (Ps. 73:21-22). But he came to his senses, and so should we because we still belong to God. We can say with Asaph:

Yet I still belong to You;
You hold my right hand.
You guide me with Your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
My health my fail, and my spirit my grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
He is mine forever.
Those who desert Him will perish,
for You destroy those who abandon You.
But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do.
Psalm 73:23-28

by

This year we’re tackling reading the Bible all the way through just like we would tackle eating an elephant–one bite at a time. It’s time for the next bite of the elephant! Just click on the link to download the next bite of the elephant, weeks 21 and 22. Print on a 4×6 index card to keep in your Bible, on your mirror or somewhere you’ll see it everyday. If you haven’t been reading through the Bible, it’s never too late to start. Just pick up where we are and then double back at the end to pick up the chapters you missed. Each day we read from four places in the Bible. I think this helps when you get to places like Leviticus or Numbers or Job. You don’t get too bogged down and give up. You only have to get through a chapter and you can read from another place in the Bible. Read through the Bible this year and you’ll be blessed. Time in God’s Word is never wasted. His Word is powerful, alive, active, and relevant.

Weeks 21-22

by

Today’s Readings: Numbers 28, Psalm 72, Isaiah 19-20, 2 Peter 1

Today we start 2 Peter. The apostle Peter wrote to the church at large, warning believers about false teachers and encouraging them in their faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ. This letter was likely written three years or so after Peter’s first letter, possibly from Rome around A.D. 67. He probably wrote this letter shortly before his martyrdom, probably during a time of persecution in Rome.

In the first chapter, we learn that if we are in Christ, God’s divine power has given us everything we need for living a godly life (v. 3). Because of His divine power exercised on our behalf, we are to make every effort to live a godly life and by living for Christ.

Living a Godly Life – 1 Peter 1:5-7
We are to diligently pursue moral excellence (character), knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. It seems as if there is some sort of progression, that each trait builds on the previous trait. It is clear that living a godly life is a growth process, one that we continue in until Christ’s return, for only then will we be made perfect.

Living for Christ – 1 Peter 1:8-11
As a result of this spiritual growth, we will be more productive and useful for the Kingdom of God. If we fail to grow spiritually, we are called shortsighted or blind, having forgotten that we were cleansed from our old sins. Transformation results in genuine faith lived out for all to see, which proves we are called and chosen by God.

by

Today’s Readings: Numbers 27, Psalms 70-71, Isaiah 17-18, 1 Peter 5

In Numbers 27, God allows Moses to look out over the land He has given to the Israelites. But because Moses didn’t obey back at the waters of Meribah at Kadesh, Moses is not allowed to enter the Promised Land. In Numbers 20, God told Moses to speak to the rock and water would gush forth. But Moses struck the rock twice with his staff. Now, Moses is about to die, but he doesn’t want to leave Israel without a leader, so He asks God to appoint one so they will not “be like sheep without a shepherd” (27:17). God chose Joshua, who had been one of the two spies who gave a good report about the Promised Land. But if you look at Numbers 27:18, I think God chose Joshua because he had the Spirit of The Lord in him.

God, I pray that, like Joshua, Your Spirit is evident in me. Holy Spirit, I yield to You and I ask You to take control–leading me, guiding me, teaching me, convicting me, helping me, counseling me. Holy Spirit, I want to be led by You. In Jesus name, Amen.

by

Today’s Readings: Numbers 26, Psalm 68, Isaiah 16, 1 Peter 4

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad–for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world. So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by His name! 1 Peter 4:12-16

by