May 12 Bible reading

May 12 Proverbs 11:29-31; 12:1-7 John 7:14-44 Judges 14; 15

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 the 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?

May 12 Proverbs 11:29-31; 12:1-7 John 7:14-44 Judges 14; 15

Proverbs 11:29-31; 12:1-7

The consequences of living independently from God are severe. The benefits of serving God are endless. Peter gives caution to us (in direct response to verse 31) in 1 Peter 4:18. We’re called to live this life, here and now, by a value system of priority on serving God. Living by wisdom brings benefits. Being foolish brings consequences. Exercising self-control and welcoming correction is necessary for learning. Living a God-centered life brings stability.

John 7:14-44

Who is Jesus? We must consider this question and the relevance of the answers to our relationship with Him. Jesus explains to His followers that He has come to earth from Father God and will return to Him. At that time the Holy Spirit would come as promised. Jesus calls those who are spiritually thirsty to come to Him for “living water”. Jesus offers salvation, healing, and refreshing.

Judges 14; 15

Samson lusts after a Philistine woman which God had forbidden. He talks about her like a piece of property. This woman was given to the “best man” at his wedding instead. Samson took revenge on their families and village. Despite his sin, God had mercy on Samson, giving him an ability to punish the Philistines for their wickedness.

May 11 Bible reading

May 11 Psalm 59:9-17 John 6:60-71; 7:1-13 Judges 12; 13

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 the 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?

May 11 Psalm 59:9-17 John 6:60-71; 7:1-13 Judges 12; 13

Psalm 59:9-17

At a time when Saul is trying to kill him, David sings about God’s protection. David draws strength from his relationship with God. This strength is spiritual and natural. It is very real throughout his whole person. It is a life choice and a life source.

John 6:60-71; 7:1-13

Jesus makes a specific point of asking His followers if they believe in His identity as Messiah. To Jesus, this was more important than their activities, more important than their ability to repeat the Scriptures, or their attendance to these gatherings. At that time, no one in Jerusalem had the courage to speak favorably of Jesus, confessing their belief in Him as Messiah.

Judges 12; 13

The pattern of the Israelites forsaking God continues. God sends a message predicting the birth of Samson, and calling his family to ensure that he would take a Nazarite vow. This meant that Samson was to dedicate his life to serving God.

May 10 Bible reading

May 10 Psalm 59:1-8 John 6:25-59 Judges 10; 11

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 the 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?

May 10 Psalm 59:1-8 John 6:25-59 Judges 10; 11

Psalm 59:1-8

David chooses to believe that God will protect him as Saul is trying to kill him. Soldiers of a king who wants him dead are waiting to ambush him. David believes God to be more powerful than the enemies he faces. David looks to God for personal strength and protection.

John 6:25-59

Jesus calls the crowd of people following Him to seek new spiritual life through Him, and not be distracted by temporary natural things. The crowd wanted the benefit of Jesus’ miracles without relating to Him as Savior. It seemed that they also wanted to have the ability to perform miracles themselves, possibly more than they wanted Jesus as Messiah. Jesus explained the desire of Father God that they receive this new life by recognizing Him as Savior and responding with belief. Sadly many of them had become more attached to a religious experience than they were to a personal relationship with God.

Judges 10; 11

The Israelites continue to turn away from God and worship false gods. God allows them to feel the pain of consequences. The Israelites confessed their wrong and changed their behavior. God reminded them of the many miracles He had done for them. They made a fresh commitment to serve God alone. The Spirit of God comes upon Jephthah, allowing him to win their freedom. He makes a foolish vow to God and suffers the consequences of the rash decision. Our God grieves at human suffering.

May 9 Bible reading

May 9 Psalm 58 John 6:1-24 Judges 9

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 the 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?

May 9 Psalm 58 John 6:1-24 Judges 9

Psalm 58

David sings his anger at rulers perpetrating injustice. He calls God to judge those unrepentant people who abuse others. David believes that God will bring justice in a land where some people choose to mistreat others. He sees benefit for people who choose to live for God. David sees God making right that which is wrong. We believe that when Jesus returns God will make all things right.

John 6:1-24

Several thousand people gathered around Jesus (because of His healing miracles), and they needed to be fed. Jesus provides lunch with a miracle of bread and fish. The people took this to be another sign that Jesus was the Messiah Savior they were waiting for. When their excitement turned to a political focus Jesus walked away to be alone. Jesus is able to do what we see as impossible. He walked on water and multiplied food miraculously. We must recognize that God has a plan. We should submit to God’s wisdom, recognizing that here and now things won’t always work out the way that we prefer. And yet God has a plan for the best possible results.

Judges 9

Abimelech, one of Gideon’s sons, kills all but one of his brothers, to gain political power. God punished him and his men by ensuring their deaths and removal from power. Our God will bring justice. Our God cares about how we treat each other. Our God will make right that which is wrong. Let us pray for His justice and mercy.

May 8 Bible reading

May 8 Proverbs 11:19-28 John 5:31-47 Judges 7:8-25; 8

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 the 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?

May 8 Proverbs 11:19-28 John 5:31-47 Judges 7:8-25; 8

Proverbs 11:19-28

What contrast in how God related to those who follow Him and those who reject Him! The consequences of living independently from God are severe. The benefits of serving God are endless. Peter gives caution to us (in direct response) in 1 Peter 4:18. We’re called to live this life, here and now, by a value system of priority on serving God. Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase of verses 24 and 25 is excellent, “The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.” Generosity is easy when you walk with the wisdom that all earthly resources are temporary.

John 5:31-47

Jesus responds to the challenge of Jewish leaders to His identity. He uncovers the way that they had prioritized the machinations, methods, and tools of spiritual practice more than they prioritized God (and therefore Jesus Himself). Jesus illuminates the way that the Scriptures reveal His identity. This group of spiritual leaders valued the Scripture in their external behaviors but not their internal hearts. They did not recognize the way that all of their Scripture pointed to Jesus as the Messiah. They said that they valued Moses and yet they did not recognize the way that Moses pointed to Jesus as Messiah. Jesus also lists the testimony of John the Baptist and the miracles He had performed as further proof. Jesus made it clear that His ministry was not contingent upon their approval.

Judges 7:8-25; 8

Gideon responded to God’s call for action and saw miraculous victories for his family and nation. Together they witnessed miracles of historic proportions. With their freedom won, the Israelites responded to peace by forsaking God, their Provider, in favor of worshiping idols. Gold and polygamy were sinful traps that Gideon did not avoid. God is faithful, and yet the people that He loves turn away from Him. May God forgive us when we repent for doing the same thing.

May 7 Bible reading

May 7 Psalm 57:7-11 John 5:16-30 Judges 6; 7:1-8

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 the 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?

May 7 Psalm 57:7-11 John 5:16-30 Judges 6; 7:1-8

Psalm 57:7-11

Early in the morning, David sings about his peace of mind believing that God’s love will not fail him. David reflects on what he learned from surviving Saul’s efforts to kill him. David now has a heartfelt confidence in God. He found the faithful love of God to be greater than anything else on earth. David prays to a God whose love is transcendent beyond anything we see.

John 5:16-30

The Jewish leaders challenged Jesus by focusing on His healing miracles performed on the Sabbath. They challenged His spiritual authority. Jesus reveals His identity as Messiah and His purpose. This includes calling people to believe in Him. He wanted them to receive eternal life as a result. Jesus offers the truth of His own spiritual authority, given by Father God. It is our reasonable response to worship.

Judges 6; 7:1-8

Again the Israelites turned away from God and did evil in His eyes. In response, God handed them over to the Midianites who attacked Israel. When the Israelites cried out to God for help, He sent an angel to direct Gideon to deliver them from the Midianites. Gideon essentially said, “My life experiences of violence and being taken advantage of, don’t line up with what God is saying is possible. And yet I have interacted with God, who is about peace. God’s got this.” To be sure that Gideon would not be able to think they had won in their own strength God reduced their army from 32,000 down to 300.

May 6 Bible reading

May 6  Psalm 57:1-6  John 4:43-54; 5:1-15  Judges 4; 5

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 the 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?

May 6  Psalm 57:1-6  John 4:43-54; 5:1-15  Judges 4; 5

Psalm 57:1-6 

David sings his belief that God will not fail him. We can learn from this practice of meditation, singing, praying. David learned from his life experiences. He truly approached life as a personal relationship with God, learning as he went.

John 4:43-54; 5:1-15 

Jesus heals a boy who had been near death. While doing this miracle, Jesus asks the people in Galilee if they might believe in Him without the miracles. Jesus heals a man who could not walk and instructs the man to stop sinning. Jesus cared about the man’s natural and spiritual health. The religious leaders were more concerned with this man following their added rules, to the point of legalism. May God help us become more like Jesus in motivation, value system, and methods.

Judges 4; 5 

A prophet named Deborah directs Barak to deliver the Israelites from a ruling Canaanite king. She gives him the promise that God would provide the victory. Barak insists that Deborah go with him. As a result, Deborah becomes the spiritual and natural leader of Israel. Barak and Deborah sang a duet of praise to God for their freedom. Then the Israelites enjoyed 40 years of peace.

May 5 Bible reading

May 5  Psalm 56  John 4:27-42  Judges 2:6-23; 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 the 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?

May 5  Psalm 56  John 4:27-42  Judges 2:6-23; 3

Psalm 56

David sings about a roller coaster of internal thoughts and feelings. He is being harassed and attacked by people twisting his words and plotting to come after him. David sings about the way that God is aware of the situation and how he’s feeling. Despite feeling afraid, David chooses to trust God, sing of God’s goodness, and to live aware of God’s presence, thankful for God’s promise.

John 4:27-42

Many people in a Samaritan village find faith in Jesus, believing Him to be the Savior of the world. Jesus teaches His followers that the fulfillment found by being part of this process is a life-giving and valuable reward. The sower and the reaper are to rejoice together, understanding that the harvest is the Lord’s. It is God who initiates and completes. The free-will response of a person with whom we are sharing this Good News, is not ultimately our responsibility. This is why we must not equate the “results” (seen here and now) of Christian ministry with the value of our personal identity. This is also why we must not compare ourselves with others. We must find peace in Jesus above all else.

Judges 2:6-23; 3

After Joshua’s death, a new generation of Israelites chooses to not believe in Yahweh, the God who had done miracles for their parents. God allows consequences and responds when they repent. God is constantly showing love. God is constantly teaching. What can we learn from the lives of the Israelites?

May 4 Bible reading

May 4  Proverbs 11:9-18  John 4:1-26  Judges 1; 2:1-5

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 the 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?

May 4  Proverbs 11:9-18  John 4:1-26  Judges 1; 2:1-5

Proverbs 11:9-18

Choosing a life of honesty and healthy relationships with others is good for your city. Choosing to not gossip or speak badly about your neighbors will be a help to the neighborhood. Here we recognize important daily decisions that can positively impact our homes and our neighborhoods.

John 4:1-26

Jesus sat down at a well, tired and thirsty from days of walking. Jesus makes Himself available for conversation with a woman from Samaria. This is a decision counter to the culture of Jews viewing themselves as superior to Samaritans. It’s easy for us to talk with people and yet NOT truly see who they are or perceive what they’re experiencing. Jesus truly sees her and recognizes that her heart is craving something more than what she was currently finding in life. In this setting, Jesus calls her to a fulfilling relationship with God and reveals His identity as Messiah. This story tells us a few very important things about the love of God.

Judges 1; 2:1-5

Despite God’s promises the Israelites failed to follow through on their commitment. As a result, God stopped winning battles for them. They failed to drive out all their enemies. When we reflect on reading the New Testament (and the lessons from the book of Hebrews) we should be reminded of this. It had a far-reaching impact on the history of the Israelites.

May 3 Bible reading

May 3  Psalm 55:12-23  John 3:22-36  Joshua 23; 24

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 the 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?

May 3  Psalm 55:12-23  John 3:22-36  Joshua 23; 24

Psalm 55:12-23

David sings about the betrayal of a close friend. Through tears and distress, he chooses to ask God for help and believes that God will come through. This song includes a call for others to give what weighs them down to God. “God will take care of you”, he sings. We must remind ourselves of this truth and put it into practice. The more we share it with others the better it is for everyone.

John 3:22-36

John the “Baptist” sees a transition of fewer people following him in favor of following Jesus. John is happy about this. John taught his students six truths about the Messiah. With clarity, John points out the purpose of Jesus as the Messiah, making a way for those who would believe in Him to have eternal life. Here again, we see the specific purpose of the life of Jesus Christ. If we grow calloused to the spiritual needs of others we have drifted away from the primary purpose of our Savior.

Joshua 23; 24

At the end of his life, Joshua calls everyone together and reminds them that God had been faithful to fulfill every single promise He had made to them. Joshua calls them to a point of decision whether or not they will renew this covenant agreement with God. They are called to serve God wholeheartedly. Every person who had experienced what God had done for them, served God from that point on.