Week 14: Happy Easter!

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Deuteronomy 16:1-17:20, Luke 9:7-27, Psalm 72:1-20, Proverbs 12:8-9
• Monday: Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20, Luke 9:28-50, Psalm 73:1-28, Proverbs 12:10
• Tuesday: Deuteronomy 21:1-22:30, Luke 9:51-10:12, Psalm 74:1-23, Proverbs 12:11
• Wednesday: Deuteronomy 23:1-25:19, Luke 10:13-37, Psalm 75:1-10, Proverbs 12:12-14
• Thursday: Deuteronomy 26:1-27:26, Luke 10:38-11:13, Psalm 76:1-12, Proverbs 12:15-17
• Friday: Deuteronomy 28:1-68, Luke 11:14-36, Psalm 77:1-20, Proverbs 12:18
• Saturday: Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20, Luke 11:37-12:7, Psalm 78:1-31, Proverbs 12:19-20

Today we celebrate Easter, the day of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Easter is a celebration of Hope. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we have the guarantee that we will be raised from the dead as well -- and have eternal life with him.

How appropriate to read about the Passover celebration in today's reading in Deuteronomy 16. Jesus was the ultimate Passover Lamb. By putting the blood of the lamb on their doorposts, the Israelites were saved from the angel of death back in Egypt. By accepting Jesus' blood that was spilled on the cross, we are saved from eternal death. We now have eternal life with him. He is risen!

Reflect on what Jesus has done for you. He has the power to change lives and wants to use you to reach others. Have a great week.

In Christ,

Dick

Week 13: Deserving Undeserved Grace

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29, Luke 6:12-38, Psalm 67:1-7, Proverbs 11:27
• Monday: Deuteronomy 4:1-49, Luke 6:39-7:10, Psalm 68:1-18, Proverbs 11:28
• Tuesday: Deuteronomy 5:1-6:25, Luke 7:11-35, Psalm 68:19-35, Proverbs 11:29-31
• Wednesday: Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20, Luke 7:36-8:3, Psalm 69:1-18, Proverbs 12:1
• Thursday: Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22, Luke 8:4-21, Psalm 69:19-36, Proverbs 12:2-3
• Friday: Deuteronomy 11:1-12:32, Luke 8:22-39, Psalm 70:1-5, Proverbs 12:4
• Saturday: Deuteronomy 13:1-15:23, Luke 8:40-9:6, Psalm 71:1-24, Proverbs 12:5-7

Our S.O.A.P. this week is again from the gospel of Luke:

Scripture: Luke 7:4-5

4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue."

Observation:
A Roman centurion asks some of his well-respected Jewish friends to approach Jesus with the request to heal one of his highly-valued servants. An interesting situation if you think about it some more. Even though he was a gentile, the Roman centurion has faith. He knows that the Jews are God's people, and he loves them and has been supporting them by building their synagogue. He also loves his servant. Very much so. In fact, he loves his servant so much, that he uses his Jewish connections to ask Jesus for a miracle. Obviously, he must have heard the reports of the healing power of Jesus that had spread through the region (Luke 6:17-19). With his servant being sick to the point of dying, Jesus now is his only hope.

When the Jewish elders approach Jesus on behalf of the Roman centurion, they beg Jesus to perform the requested miracle. The Greek word for pleading here is 'parakaleo', a word that is related to the word 'Parakletos', which is translated as Comforter or Advocate in John 14:16, where it refers to the Holy Spirit. Just like the Holy Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26), so these Jewish leaders are interceding for their gentile Roman friend. They are saying to Jesus something to the effect... "You really really have to do this, because of all the good deeds this man has done for us. He deserves it!" It's a great plea -- out of faith and love and friendship.

And what does Jesus do? Does this man deserve a miracle because of his good deeds? With so much faith displayed, he is more than happy to perform the requested miracle. But not because of the man's good deeds, but because of his faith. This Roman centurion deserves undeserved grace! 

Application:
The application for me is really in the attitude of the Roman centurion. His humbleness is striking. He knows Jesus is his only hope. He also knows all the good deeds he has performed, yet he humbly approaches Jesus through the Jewish elders. He doesn't even feel worthy to meet Jesus face to face. In his high public position, he knows where he stands spiritually. And he knows his need for the Savior to come into his life to make things right for him and his servant.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this example of the Roman centurion who loved your people. I pray that you give me faith like him, as well as a humble attitude. Thank you for Jesus who heals and restores. May we reflect on his name as we get ready to celebrate his death and resurrection this week. In his name we pray. Amen.

Have a blessed week.

In Christ,

Dick

Week 12: Finding Jesus

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Numbers 26:1-51; Luke 2:36-52; Psalm 60:1-12; Proverbs 11:15
• Monday: Numbers 26:52-28:15; Luke 3:1-22; Psalm 61:1-8; Proverbs 11:16-17
• Tuesday: Numbers 28:16-29:40; Luke 3:23-38; Psalm 62:1-12; Proverbs 11:18-19
• Wednesday: Numbers 30:1-31:54; Luke 4:1-30; Psalm 63:1-11; Proverbs 11:20-21
• Thursday: Numbers 32:1-33:39; Luke 4:31-5:11; Psalm 64:1-10; Proverbs 11:22
• Friday: Numbers 33:40-35:34; Luke 5:12-28; Psalm 65:1-13; Proverbs 11:23
• Saturday: Numbers 36:1-Deuteronomy 1:46; Luke 5:29-6:11; Psalm 66:1-20; Proverbs 11:24-26

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the Gospel of Luke: 

Scripture: Luke 2:45-50
"When they couldn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
"His parents didn't know what to think. 'Son,' his mother said to him, 'why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.'
"'But why did you need to search?' he asked. 'Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?' "But they didn't understand what he meant."

Observation:
Mary and Joseph were thinking like parents when they told Jesus they had been frantically looking for him and when they asked the question, "Why have you done this to us?"

But Jesus answered them like the Messiah: "Why did you have look for me? You should have known all along where to find me."

Application:
Jesus is never hard to find. He is always right in the middle of the Father’s business.

When we feel like we've lost Jesus, it is usually because we've ventured off without him in one direction or another. At first it might feel like we've chosen the right path. And often we have plenty of traveling companions and many activities to keep us busy. But when it finally dawns on us that we have been traveling without Jesus, there is only one place to find him. He is right where we should expect him to be, doing the Father's will. And when we seek to do the same, we find ourselves back in fellowship with Jesus.

Prayer:
Father in Heaven, please show me the ways I have been traveling without you, and lead me back to that place of safety, rest, and assurance in the center of your will. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck

Week 11: Defending God's Honor

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Numbers 14:1-15:16; Mark 14:53-72; Psalm 53:1-6; Proverbs 11:4
• Monday: Numbers 15:17-16:40; Mark 15:1-47; Psalm 54:1-7; Proverbs 11:5-6
• Tuesday: Numbers 16:41-18:32; Mark 16:1-20; Psalm 55:1-23; Proverbs 11:7
• Wednesday: Numbers 19:1-20:29; Luke 1:1-25; Psalm 56:1-13; Proverbs 11:8
• Thursday: Numbers 21:1-22:20; Luke 1:26-56; Psalm 57:1-11; Proverbs 11:9-11
• Friday: Numbers 22:21-23:30; Luke 1:57-80; Psalm 58:1-11; Proverbs 11:12-13
• Saturday: Numbers 24:1-25:18; Luke 2:1-35; Psalm 59:1-17; Proverbs 11:14

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Numbers:

Scripture: Numbers 14:15, 16
"Now if you slaughter all these people with a single blow, the nations that have heard of your fame will say, 'The Lord was not able to bring them into the land he swore to give them, so he killed them in the wilderness.'"

Observation:
Earlier Moses complained to Yahweh that Israel was driving him crazy and asked why God had put the burden of the nation on his shoulders. So when Moses intercedes for the people in this instance, he is not doing so because of strong loyalties to the people...or because he wants to continue his job of leadings them. Moses is concerned for one thing only: Yahweh's honor!

Application:
The most important thing I can attend to in my life is not my own reputation or even the reputation of God's people, the church. The most important thing for me to attend to is God’s honor. By extension, that means I will defend the church when I have to, but the underlying motivation is my allegiance to God and God’s reputation in the world.

Prayer:
O Lord, please help me keep my priorities straight and be like Moses in defending your honor before the world. Please open my eyes to see the ways you would have me do this in my day and time. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.






Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck

Week 10: Jesus has an Eye for Detail

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Leviticus 27:14-Numbers 1:54, Mark 11:1-26, Psalm 46:1-11, Proverbs 10:23
• Monday: Numbers 2:1-3:51, Mark 11:27-12:17, Psalm 47:1-9, Proverbs 10:24-25
• Tuesday: Numbers 4:1-5:31, Mark 12:18-37, Psalm 48:1-14, Proverbs 10:26
• Wednesday: Numbers 6:1-7:89, Mark 12:38-13:13, Psalm 49:1-20, Proverbs 10:27-28
• Thursday: Numbers 8:1-9:23, Mark 13:14-37, Psalm 50:1-23, Proverbs 10:29-30
• Friday: Numbers 10:1-11:23, Mark 14:1-21, Psalm 51:1-19, Proverbs 10:31-32
• Saturday: Numbers 11:24-13:33, Mark 14:22-52, Psalm 52:1-9, Proverbs 11:1-3

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Marc:

Scripture: Marc 11:1-6

1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.3If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.' "4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go.

Observation:
Jesus needs a colt, the foal of an ass. An "un-ridden" colt, because it has to be a "holy" colt, set apart for a very special task: carrying the King of Peace when he enters Jerusalem, on the way to his sentencing and death. This colt was waiting, ready to fulfill the prophecy of the prophet Zechariah (Zach. 9:9).

Jesus has an eye for detail. He carefully inspects situations, the environment, people (Marc. 11:11). He knows that bystanders will ask why the disciples are taking the colt away without asking. That's why he prepares an answer for the disciples - because he know they will be questioned. And the answer works! The people let them go.

Application:
Jesus has an eye for detail, an he knows the details of our lives as well. The hairs on our heads are counted (I do realize this counting job becomes easier for the Lord as I'm getting older! ;). Through his Word, the Bible, he gives us wisdom and instructions to face and answer the difficult questions in life. He also reassures us when he asks things of us, perhaps a sacrifice. Just like he gave peace of mind to the colt's bystanders: "Don't worry, the Lord needs it, but he will send it back shortly." The real question is: Are you trusting and obeying him when he asks you something?

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for the example of Jesus. I thank you for his and your eye for detail in my life. I know you are in control, yet too many times I think I am, or I think I want to be, even though I know I'm better of when you are in control. Help me to trust you in everything. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed week.

In Christ,

Dick

Week 9: Scapegoat

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Leviticus 15:1-16:28, Mark 7:1-23, Psalm 40:11-17, Proverbs 10:13-14
• Monday: Leviticus 16:29-18:30, Mark 7:24-8:10, Psalm 41:1-13, Proverbs 10:15-16
• Tuesday: Leviticus 19:1-20:21, Mark 8:11-38, Psalm 42:1-11, Proverbs 10:17
• Wednesday: Leviticus 20:22-22:16, Mark 9:1-29, Psalm 43:1-5, Proverbs 10:18
• Thursday: Leviticus 22:17-23:44, Mark 9:30-10:12, Psalm 44:1-8, Proverbs 10:19
• Friday: Leviticus 24:1-25:46, Mark 10:13-31, Psalm 44:9-26, Proverbs 10:20-21
• Saturday: Leviticus 25:47-27:13, Mark 10:32-52, Psalm 45:1-17, Proverbs 10:22

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Leviticus:

Scripture: Leviticus 16:6-10

6 "Aaron is to offer the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household.7 Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 8 He is to cast lots for the two goats--one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat.9 Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the LORD and sacrifice it for a sin offering. 10 But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to be used for making atonement by sending it into the desert as a scapegoat.

Observation:
Every year, the people of Israel had to designate one day of complete rest and restoration. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement ("Yom Kippur" in Hebrew), the LORD would cleanse his people from all their sins (v.30). Two goats had to be chosen: one as a sacrifice, the other as a "scapegoat". You wonder why it wasn't enough to just sacrifice the one goat, and let its blood symbolize the atonement for sin. Well, I think the other goat is a beautiful symbol of "life" that comes with the atonement. The LORD showed that if atonement was made (symbolized by the death and blood of the one goat), then He would remember the people's sin no more, and they would go free (symbolized by the scapegoat). Yes, the main purpose of the scapegoat was to carry the sin of the people to a desolate place, the goat that would escape/be removed ("Azazel" in Hebrew), see vs. 20-22. But this goat is also the one that lived! He escaped death so to speak. He was free!

Application:
In a very similar way, Jesus took the penalty for our sin. Because of his death and the blood shed on the cross, we, his people can go free. Our sins are cast away to the most desolate place, and we inherit life eternal. We are free! Perhaps the idea of a scapegoat is more positive than you would think at first...

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your grace and mercy. We thank you that you see us through eyes of atonement. Our sins, though many, will be cast to the most desolate place. Thank you for the freedom you have given us in Jesus Christ. Let us never take that for granted. In His name we pray. Amen.

Have a wonderful week of scripture reading.

In Christ,

Dick

Week 8: Issues versus Human Need

 This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Leviticus 4:1-5:19; Mark 2:13-3:6; Psalm 36:1-12; Proverbs 10:1-2
• Monday: Leviticus 6:1-7:27; Mark 3:7-30; Psalm 37:1-11; Proverbs 10:3-4
• Tuesday: Leviticus 7:28-9:6; Mark 3:31-4:25; Psalm 37:12-29; Proverbs 10:5
• Wednesday: Leviticus 9:7-10:20; Mark 4:26-5:20; Psalm 37:30-40; Proverbs 10:6-7
• Thursday: Leviticus 11:1-12:8; Mark 5:21-43; Psalm 38:1-22; Proverbs 10:8-9
• Friday: Leviticus 13:1-59; Mark 6:1-29; Psalm 39:1-13; Proverbs 10:10
• Saturday: Leviticus 14:1-57; Mark 6:30-56; Psalm 40:1-10; Proverbs 10:11-12

Our S.O.A.P. this week is again from the book of Mark 3:

Scripture: Mark 3:1-6
"Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus' enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man's hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, 'Come and stand in front of everyone.' Then he turned to his critics and asked, 'Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?' But they wouldn't answer him.
He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, 'Hold out your hand.' So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus."

Observation:
This is a case of issues versus real human need...and how God chooses to navigate between the two. The religious leaders were lying in wait to see if Jesus would "heal on the Sabbath." That, for them, was the issue. These leaders adhered to sacred tradition, which painstakingly outlined every action that was forbidden on the Sabbath...down to the minutest detail. Included on the list was a prohibition against "practicing medicine." Therefore, when Jesus healed on the Sabbath, these leaders construed it as breaking the law (even though the details of their sacred tradition were not part of the original commands that God delivered to Moses).

Jesus, who is God in flesh, was not concerned about the issue. He was concerned for human need. This man was suffering...and Jesus had the wherewithal (and the desire) to do something about it.

What I find fascinating about Jesus' reply is that he did not quibble with the Pharisees about the inappropriate level of detail in their sacred tradition, which effectively majored in minors and missed the spirit of God's intent behind Sabbath keeping. Instead he focused on the most basic issue at stake: "Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?"

For Jesus...and this is what is most striking to me...Sabbath keeping was not dictated by the issue of non-work. It was supposed to be guided by real-time opportunities to do good: to help, to bless, to heal, and to comfort.

Application:
This makes me wonder how often I allow myself to be taken in by issues instead of human need. It is a lot easier to make pronouncements about an issue than it is to deal with the messiness of human life. I want to be forever open to the possibilities that Jesus is calling me to a form of "Sabbath-keeping" that takes me outside the box of my own presuppositions, which are conditioned by my tendency to adhere to simple, manageable issues rather than grapple with the complexities of human need. I want to be able to carry myself with Jesus' wisdom, which will take me beyond the simple, black-and-white answers of an issues-driven mentality and put me squarely in the center of God's will.

Prayer:
O Father in heaven, please help me to respond to the needs around me the way Jesus responded to the needs that he encountered. Please give me wisdom to see beyond a given issue to the real human need that lies behind it…and, please, for Jesus' sake, give me the courage to act accordingly. Amen!

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck