April 24 Bible reading

April 24 Psalm 50:16-23 Luke 22:39-62 Joshua 5:13-15; 6; 7

Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.

Reading the Bible is helpful in taking next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.

• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?

• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?

• What should you do about that truth?

April 24 Psalm 50:16-23 Luke 22:39-62 Joshua 5:13-15; 6; 7

Psalm 50:16-23 God will punish those who pretend to be in a relationship with Him. God provides opportunity for repentance and redemption. Those who reject it will be judged. Giving thanks to the Creator and obeying His instructions reflects a healthy relationship with God. Meditating on this (even singing about it) can be very helpful.

Luke 22:39-62 Through honest prayer, Jesus asks God if there’s an option other than His death and yet chooses submission to the Father’s will. We continue to learn more about a personal relationship with God the Father, through Jesus’ example. As Jesus predicted, one of His closest friends betrays Him and one denies even knowing Him. Jesus gives love through it all. One chooses to believe that there is hope in Jesus and the other does not. Each of us has been given a choice in how we will respond to God. Thankfully Jesus now prays for us. Jesus can speak to human experience and suffering that includes personal betrayal.

Joshua 5:13-15; 6; 7 God delivers on His promise to give the Israelites the city of Jericho and honors their promise to spare Rahab and her family. A man named Achan stole things that had been set aside for God, and suffered the consequences. It is vital that we listen to God’s instructions for a healthy relationship with Him and for a healthy lifestyle in this life.

April 23 Bible reading

April 23 Psalm 50:1-15 Luke 22:1-38 Joshua 3; 4; 5:1-12

Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.

Reading the Bible is helpful in taking next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.

• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?

• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?

• What should you do about that truth?

April 23 Psalm 50:1-15 Luke 22:1-38 Joshua 3; 4; 5:1-12

Psalm 50:1-15 An attitude of gratitude brings benefit from God. Choosing to thank God, to speak of God’s goodness regardless of our circumstance…that is a relationship choice that God will respond favorably to. Thanking our Creator God is a reasonable response. Our God brings mercy and justice. A day will come when all of humanity will recognize the sovereignty of God. Let us respond to God with worship.

Luke 22:1-38 Jesus explains the significance of the “Good News” found in this New Covenant, as they share the Passover meal in Luke 22:14-20. Jesus taught them to share this meal in the future, as a reminder. Our understanding of this is essential to how we view God and how we view ourselves. The disciples argue about who among them would become greatest. Jesus responds by teaching servant leadership as the way to follow Him, Luke 22:24-27. Servant leadership is inherent to a life of following Christ. We should continue to follow Jesus in this way.

Joshua 3; 4; 5:1-12 God provides a miraculous dry path for His people to cross the Jordan River, as a sign of His supernatural strength. God wanted them to remember His provision as an act of love, and personal relationship. Joshua leads the Hebrew people in returning to their covenant agreement lifestyle, a life-long commitment to their Creator.

April 22 Bible reading

April 22 Proverbs 10:11-20 Luke 21:5-38 Joshua 1; 2

Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.

Reading the Bible is helpful in taking next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.

• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?

• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?

• What should you do about that truth?

April 22 Proverbs 10:11-20 Luke 21:5-38 Joshua 1; 2

Proverbs 10:11-20 A person who has found wisdom in their personal relationship with the living God can speak words of counsel that will be refreshing like a life-giving drink of water. The journey of growing up includes learning how to choose your words carefully.

Luke 21:5-38 Jesus encouraged His followers to live anticipating His return. We must consider this as reality for us today. Jesus also predicted suffering, with a purpose, in the future for his followers. Jesus experienced death before glory, and predicted the same for many of his followers. There will be ultimate victory and perfect peace found in Jesus.

Joshua 1; 2 God encouraged Joshua, promising not to fail or abandon him. God gave Joshua directions. This included a directive to continually study the Word of God. The land God gave them was described as a place of rest. This is important to understanding the nature of God. The residents of Jericho were afraid because they believed God was with the Israelites. Rahab chose faith in Yahweh. She helps the Israelites and later joins this family of faith. She’s mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus.

April 21 Bible reading

April 21 Psalm 49 Luke 20:27-47; 21:1-4 Deuteronomy 33; 34

Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.

Reading the Bible is helpful in taking next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.

• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?

• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?

• What should you do about that truth?

April 21 Psalm 49 Luke 20:27-47; 21:1-4 Deuteronomy 33; 34

Psalm 49 Like a proverb, the song of Psalm 49 discusses the wisdom found in understanding the futility of choosing to trust in personal wealth instead of God, the Redeemer. Further, this song reveals an eternal perspective with the understanding that only God provides victory over death. We see this in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

Luke 20:27-47; 21:1-4 Jesus taught that we will live forever. He made it clear that God sovereign over all humans who have ever lived. The identity of Jesus as Messiah carries significant truth. One day all will recognize this. Jesus encouraged a courageous generosity with our finances given to the house of worship.

Deuteronomy 33; 34 Moses speaks a blessing over God’s people before he passes away. Moses knew God “face to face” while he walked on this earth, in a way that no one else has since. God cared for Moses, even his physical needs. What a relationship he had with the living God!

April 20 Bible reading

April 20 Psalm 48:9-14 Luke 19:45-48; 20:1-26 Deuteronomy 31:30; 32

Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.

Reading the Bible is helpful in taking next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.

• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?

• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?

• What should you do about that truth?

April 20 Psalm 48:9-14 Luke 19:45-48; 20:1-26 Deuteronomy 31:30; 32

Psalm 48:9-14 At worship we make time to meditate on the unfailing love of God. This song is written by people who understand the value of deep consideration of who God is and what God is like. They responded to what they had learned from the things God had done throughout history. This included the way in which Jerusalem was established.

Luke 19:45-48; 20:1-26 Jesus quoted Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11 in saying that the Temple should be a “house of prayer”, driving out the merchants. Jesus taught in the Temple daily, during this time. Jesus confounded the religious leader’s attempts to challenge His authority, by asking questions. He didn’t bully them with truth. Jesus explained that the way that their religious leaders were rejecting Him had been predicted by the prophets centuries ago. It was yet another sign that He was the Messiah. Jesus responded to the disingenuous question about taxes with a statement of eternal perspective regarding good stewardship.

Deuteronomy 31:30; 32 Moses recites a song publicly for the Israelites describing the one true living God and their opportunity in how they would choose to respond to Him. Moses asks them to pass along these words to their children.

April 19 Bible reading

April 19 Psalm 48:1-8 Luke 19:11-44 Deuteronomy 30:11-20; 31:1-29

Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.

Reading the Bible is helpful in taking next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.

• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?

• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?

• What should you do about that truth?

April 19 Psalm 48:1-8 Luke 19:11-44 Deuteronomy 30:11-20; 31:1-29

Psalm 48:1-8 God deserves our praise. We should describe the goodness of God, the value of God, the loving nature of God. We should spend time and energy to do so. Write it down, think about it, and express what you learn. This is a way to grow in this personal relationship.

Luke 19:11-44 Jesus gives us eternal perspective on how God values good stewardship (the wise healthy use of the resources we have). We should desire a life that is productive for God’s purposes. Here we have opportunity for growth. Jesus is welcomed into Jerusalem as a triumphant king. The people shout their gratitude for His miracles and recognition of His identity. Jesus wept for the people who did not receive their opportunity for salvation. Jesus mourned the destruction that would come to the city of Jerusalem. We should learn from His example of lament.

Deuteronomy 30:11-20; 31:1-29 God speaks clearly, giving people a choice to either love Him or reject Him. God loves us so much that He chooses to respect our free will, our ability to choose. God prepares the Israelites for what will happen as a result of their choices. This is where the journey of Moses will come to an end and Joshua will be commissioned. God is constantly at work throughout human history.

April 18 Bible reading

April 18 Proverbs 10:1-10 Luke 18:31-43; 19:1-10 Deuteronomy 29; 30:1-10

Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.

Reading the Bible is helpful in taking next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.

• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?

• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?

• What should you do about that truth?

April 18 Proverbs 10:1-10 Luke 18:31-43; 19:1-10 Deuteronomy 29; 30:1-10

Proverbs 10:1-10 People with wisdom are happy to receive instructions. Our God provides for the needs of those who love Him. Integrity guides people into a healthy and safe lifestyle.

Luke 18:31-43; 19:1-10 Jesus predicts His own death, burial, and resurrection. The predictions that Jesus provided were very specific. This is further proof of His identity. Jesus responds to faith by healing a blind man and giving him sight. Jesus made personal connections with people of all sorts and did not presume what they wanted from Him. Zacchaeus had become a wealthy tax collector by cheating people. Jesus’ love brings a complete change of heart, salvation, and an identification of faith like Abraham’s.

Deuteronomy 29; 30:1-10 God offers the Israelites a covenant relationship with specific terms, blessings, and possible consequences. God offers His love, provision, and blessing if they will turn to Him with all their heart and soul. Our Creator’s compassionate wisdom prompts His instructions to us. We’re given an opportunity to hear about a beneficial way to live.