March 25 Bible reading

March 25  Proverbs 8:1-11  Luke 5:33-39; 6:1-11  Numbers 19; 20; 21:1-3

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?

March 25  Proverbs 8:1-11  Luke 5:33-39; 6:1-11  Numbers 19; 20; 21:1-3

Proverbs 8:1-11  God’s wisdom is more valuable than any earthly thing we could desire. Our personal experience and knowledge can help us understand just how important it is for us to turn to the wisdom of God. The truth is that this wisdom calls to us. There are many ways to recognize it. We must value it and search it out. We should be regularly asking ourselves, “What is the wisdom of God for today?”

Luke 5:33-39; 6:1-11  Jesus predicts that His followers will fast at the right time in the future. Jesus describes the Sabbath as a helpful principle, and one that is not meant to be a legalistic restriction. He teaches that there are seasons right for certain spiritual practices. He also teaches that God brings in the new. He affirmed regular worship, prayer, and the public reading of Scripture. Jesus affirmed rest from our regular work and healing miracles on the Sabbath. We should pursue a healthy rhythm for work, worship, and rest.

Numbers 19; 20; 21:1-3  In Numbers we see that God cares about purity. The people complained. God gave Moses and Aaron instructions to reveal His provision of water. Instead, they spoke to the people like they would make the miracle happen (and struck the rock twice instead of speaking to it for God’s miracle). This is not what God instructed them to do. God is providing an opportunity to learn while sustaining them. God punishes their lack of faith and their disobedience. God wants His people to learn valuable lessons in this life.

 

 

March 24 Bible reading

March 24  Psalm 37:10-20  Luke 5:17-32  Numbers 16:36-50; 17; 18

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?

March 24  Psalm 37:10-20  Luke 5:17-32  Numbers 16:36-50; 17; 18

Psalm 37:10-20  God will provide for those who love Him. People who have bad intentions shown through their actions will be ultimately punished. If you’re facing a challenge from such a person, it is temporary. The love God is better than anything in this life, even if you are poor. The Lord will take care of you. There is reason for hope. This important Psalm is helpful (in its entirety) for considering such truth.

Luke 5:17-32  Jesus heals a man who could not walk as proof that He could forgive sins. This was a documented supernatural creative miracle seen as one of the proofs of Jesus’ identity as Messiah. The people who witnessed it thought it was important for you to read about it. Jesus calls Matthew to follow Him and enjoys a meal at Matthew’s home with his friends. This personal time is also important. Jesus has been sent by the Father for people who know that they are far from God and need to repent of their lifestyle.

Numbers 16:36-50; 17; 18  Moses and Aaron stood in the way of God’s punishment on people (who had complained about them), pleading God for mercy. God acted supernaturally to establish the spiritual authority of Aaron and his priesthood. The Levites were instructed to give offerings (first fruits, the best of, and a tithe of the tithe) to the priests as unto the Lord. The presence of God among His people was to be seen as the most valuable of all. For each person, this should be approached with dedication, devotion, and loving respect.

 

 

March 23 Bible reading

March 23  Psalm 37:1-9  Luke 4:38-44; 5:1-16  Numbers 15; 16:1-35

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?

March 23  Psalm 37:1-9  Luke 4:38-44; 5:1-16  Numbers 15; 16:1-35

Psalm 37:1-9  Psalm 37 is a Hebrew acrostic poem (each stanza begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet) for the purpose of being easier to remember because it is important. David borrows a phrase from Isaiah about learning from just how short life is. David sings about the importance of trusting God. He sings about slowing down to be able to enjoy God. Finding fulfillment and pleasure in God is the result David saw. We should quiet ourselves in the presence of God and wait patiently for Him to act. Living out of dedication to God is how David trusted God and received help from God.

Luke 4:38-44; 5:1-16  Jesus healed the sick and cast out demons. Jesus was not limited in what diseases He could heal. Jesus was not intimidated by any evil spirit. He removed them. Jesus traveled to preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God. Jesus brought in a miracle catch of fish for Simon Peter. Peter, James, and John followed Jesus’ call to be taught how to be “fishers of men”. Jesus touched people who suffered leprosy, bringing them healing and showing them love. Jesus went to pray in the wilderness often, withdrawing from the crowd.

Numbers 15; 16:1-35  In Numbers, God provides instruction for offerings and sacrifices given once they entered the Promised Land as ways that they could seek forgiveness, worship, and show appreciation. God wanted His people to enjoy expressing their devotion in relationship with Him. Expression could be spontaneous and connected with specific promises (long-term and/or short-term). God also punishes rebellion.

 

March 22 Bible reading

March 22  Psalm 36  Luke 4:14-37  Numbers 13:26-33; 14

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?

March 22  Psalm 36  Luke 4:14-37  Numbers 13:26-33; 14

Psalm 36  David sings about the faithful love of God, despite seeing the plans of evil people. He has worked as a shepherd spending most of his time outdoors. David experienced the faithful love of God personally. He observed people who drew strength and refreshing from their relationship with God. David worshipped God as the Most High and the most valuable. He saw the faithful love of God as more expansive and transcendent than the endless sky, the mountain heights, or the ocean depths. Have you considered the reality of God’s faithful love in this way?

Luke 4:14-37  Jesus revealed His identity as Messiah, reading from Isaiah 61. As the fulfillment of prophecy, Jesus was bringing freedom to people spiritually enslaved. This passage describes the nature of the Kingdom of God. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit after fasting and resisting temptation, and then He proved that He was more powerful than evil spirits. In Luke 4 we see people were furious when Jesus revealed Himself as Messiah, that God would be different than what they expected, and furious when Jesus revealed His purpose to invite “outsiders” to become “insiders”. From Heaven, Jesus had witnessed the rejection of prophets sent by God. He predicted the rejection of His hometown. Jesus pointed to God’s reaching out to all people. His hometown religious people were enraged by such gracious extension of God’s mercy.

Numbers 13:26-33; 14  The 12 spies described an amazing fruitful land of well-fortified cities, some with giants. They described it as a place that would “devour” whoever would go to live there. The people, who God had delivered from slavery, could not believe that God was doing anything more than leading them to be killed in Canaan. Caleb & Joshua had faith that God could protect them and give them the land. The people of Israel had seen the glorious presence of God and the miracles He had done, and yet they refused to listen to His voice. God was angered at their lack of gratitude and faith. They rebelled against God’s instruction despite His miracle provision. Moses interceded on behalf of their people. On the basis of God’s Word and proven character, Moses petitioned God for continued mercy. The generation of people who had witnessed a series of all-time great miracles could no longer believe in the power of God. They abandoned God. We see that God cares about how we respond.

 

 

March 21 Bible reading

March 21 Proverbs 7:21-27 Luke 3:23-38; 4:1-13 Numbers 11:4-35; 12; 13:1-25

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?

March 21 Proverbs 7:21-27 Luke 3:23-38; 4:1-13 Numbers 11:4-35; 12; 13:1-25
Proverbs 7:21-27 Immoral sexual affairs carry serious life-changing consequences. Separation from God and others may result from pursuing such actions regardless of the Creator’s design. It may feel good at first but then it feels bad, a sure sign of disorder.
Luke 3:23-38; 4:1-13 The genealogy of Jesus shows that God cares about every life, honors faithfulness, and redeems mistakes. The devil comes to tempt Jesus when He sees an opportunity as Jesus was fasting. Jesus used Scripture to resist the temptation. The way that Jesus quotes Scripture should be an example. Understanding the truth of each Scripture, in context, Jesus was able to use the Scripture powerfully when the time came.
Numbers 11:4-35; 12; 13:1-25 In Numbers we see that the elders shared the responsibility of leading people. When the people were not satisfied with God and what He had provided, they complained. God punished complaining that showed a lack of appreciation, faith, and trust in their relationship. God cares about how we respond to Him.

 

 

March 20 Bible reading

March 20 Psalm 35:19-28 Luke 3:1-22 Numbers 9:15-23; 10; 11:1-3

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?

Psalm 35:19-28 God, please be my defender when people attack. God, you know exactly what is going on. God, you see everything. God, you are able to act on my behalf. God, I will praise you all day. This is how David sings his prayer in times of troubles and unjust attacks.
Luke 3:1-22 Forgiveness can be found. John the Baptist prepared people to find Jesus the Messiah. The prophet Isaiah foresaw this message from John, who taught water baptism as a way that we can make a public statement of our turning away from our sin and to God for forgiveness. John taught generosity, helping the poor, and good stewardship. He predicted Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Jesus came to John for water baptism. We must learn from this. John was not afraid to speak truth to people in powerful positions.
Numbers 9:15-23; 10; 11:1-3 In Numbers we see the people traveled where and when God directed them. God lived among them and spoke to them through Moses. God had freed His people from slavery in Egypt, led them, and provided for them. And yet the people complained and God responded with serious consequences. We must take care to not become distracted from God’s goodness by temporary difficulty. Our relationship with God must be more valuable to us than the conditions of our daily lives.

 

 

March 19 Bible reading

March 19 Psalm 35:11-18 Luke 2:41-52 Numbers 7:66-89; 8; 9:1-14

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?

March 19 Psalm 35:11-18 Luke 2:41-52 Numbers 7:66-89; 8; 9:1-14
Psalm 35:11-18 God please be my defender, and I will thank You publicly. David laments the loss he feels. People that he cared for deeply are now laughing at his troubles. They falsely accuse him. They do him wrong despite his good deeds for them. Yet David returns to his commitment to praise Go in their public house of worship. His peace is found in the presence of God.
Luke 2:41-52 12-year-old Jesus stays at the Temple, after Passover, listening to the teachers and asking them questions. He describes the Temple as My “Father’s House”. Jesus respected the value of the place of worship and its teachers. Jesus held a high value on the house of worship and the Word of God, their Scriptures. We should learn from this.
Numbers 7:66-89; 8; 9:1-14 In Numbers, leaders brought offerings for the dedication of the place of worship. When Moses went into the Tabernacle to speak to the Lord, he heard God talking to him. God placed value on a house of worship and the human experience of establishing it. God responded to their obedience by leading them, living among them, and speaking to them through Moses. God assigned Levites to ensure the sacred purpose of the house of worship. God placed value on lessons learned from Passover. We have a sacred purpose in worship and much to learn.