Thoughts on March 20 Bible Reading

March 20, 2018
Reading: Joshua 4-6; Luke 2:1-24

I recorded a video with thoughts on today's Bible reading.

Thoughts on March 17 Bible Reading

March 17, 2018

Reading: Deuteronomy 33-34; Luke 1:24-56

I recorded a video with thoughts on today's reading.

Thoughts on March 16 Bible Reading

March 16, 2018
Reading: Deuteronomy 31-31; Luke 1:1-23

I recorded a video with thoughts on today's Bible reading.

Blessings!

Mac

Thoughts on March 15 Bible Reading

March 15, 2018

Reading: Deuteronomy 29-30; Mark 16

Deuteronomy 29:29 (CSB)

²⁹The hidden things belong to the Lord our God, but the revealed things belong to us and our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law.

Deuteronomy 30:14–15 (CSB)

¹⁴But the message is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may follow it.

¹⁵See, today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and adversity.

Deuteronomy 30:19 (CSB)

¹⁹I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live,

In Deuteronomy 29 and 30, Moses is calling the people of Israel to be faithful to the Lord and His covenant when they cross into the promised land. He also explains the curses they will receive if they are unfaithful.

From the verses above, I was struck by the fact that God had made Himself and His expectations known to the Israelites. They did not have to wonder who God was or how to relate to Him. Then Moses called them to decide whether they would follow God and explained the consequences to them.

This is true for us as well. God has made Himself and His ways known to us. We do not have to wonder who He is or what He is like. Rather, we have the Bible, His Holy Word. Further, each of us must decide how to respond to Him based on His revelation of Himself to us.

Are you pretending that you do not know who God is or what He is like? He has given us His Word. Take it up and read. We all have a decision to make. Will you believe God? Will you believe the gospel? Will you obey the Lord? These decisions have consequences.

Mark 16:7 (CSB)

⁷But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there just as he told you.’ 

Mark 16 gives us the account of Jesus’ resurrection and of His followers’ responses. Over and over, His followers were commanded to “go and tell.” God has called each of us to be a “go and tell” people. We are called to go and tell others that Jesus is alive, and He is willing to save any who will place their faith in Him.

Who had God placed in your path today that you need to go and tell about Jesus?

Thoughts on March 14 Bible Reading

March 14, 2018
Reading: Deuteronomy 26-28; Mark 15

I recorded a video with thoughts on today's Bible reading. I hope the thoughts encourage you as you continue to meet with God in His word.

Thoughts on March 13 Bible Reading

March 13, 2018
Reading: Deuteronomy 23-25; Mark 14:51-72

I recorded a video with thoughts on the Bible reading for today.

Thoughts on March 9 Bible Reading

March 9, 2018

Reading: Deuteronomy 14-16; Mark 13

It has been a while since I’ve provided thoughts on our Bible readings. I hope you are still meeting the Lord in His word each day. If you have gotten behind in the readings, I would encourage you not to give up. You can just pick up on the reading for today and go forward. As I have mentioned before, there is no crown in heaven for completing all the readings in the guide. My goal is to provide a place for you to meet God in His word each day.

Deuteronomy 15:11 (CSB)

¹¹For there will never cease to be poor people in the land; that is why I am commanding you, ‘Open your hand willingly to your poor and needy brother in your land.’

Deuteronomy is the final book of the Law of Moses and is sometimes referred to as the Torah or the Pentateuch. In the book, Moses gives a series of speeches to the next generation of Israelites, teaching them the Law and calling them to be faithful to God and to the covenant. This was very important because the generation that came out of Egypt died in the wilderness because of their unfaithfulness to God and their lack of faith. This next generation was positioned just across the Jordan River from the Promised Land and would soon go in to begin possessing the land without Moses there to guide them.

From the reading today, we see Moses repeating several of the laws he first gave to Israel at Mt. Sinai. One thing that struck me today was Deuteronomy 11:15 (above). Throughout the Old Testament, we see that God has always been concerned for people that are poor and He has always expected His people to be generous to help those that are poor.

This is a challenge for Christians today to help those that are in need. Some of the political rhetoric today can cause Christians to be less concerned for the needs of the poor. Further, with many middle-class Christians residing in suburbs, American Christians can become blind to the poor all together. How is the Lord calling you to be a part of helping those in need? What will you do in response to God’s concern for those that are poor and His commands that His people help?

Mark 13:32–33 (CSB)

³²“Now concerning that day or hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven nor the Son—but only the Father.

³³“Watch! Be alert! For you don’t know when the time is coming.

In Mark 13, we read Jesus’ words from the Olivet Discourse. There He taught about future things while on the Mount of Olives overlooking the temple complex and Jerusalem. One of the things that stood out to me was the importance of being ready for the return of Jesus. He has promised to come again, and He will keep that promise. The verses above remind us that we do not know when He will return, but that the time will come suddenly and catch many people by surprise.

Are you ready for the return of Jesus? He is really coming, and He could come at any time. Even if He waits many years, we still do not know the time of our death—whether we will grow old or die suddenly. It is really important to be ready for His return. Do you know where you stand with God today? I would love to talk with you about that if you have questions.

Blessings!

Mac