Day 89 Bible Readings – Luke 8: 18 (ESV)

Numbers 28 & 29, Luke 8: 1-18, Psalm 54

Luke 8: 18 (ESV)

“Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”

In verse 18 from Luke 8, Jesus tells his disciples to pay attention to how they hear his teachings. If they take the teachings of Christ into their heart, mind, and soul then more will be given. However, if you don’t pay heed to Christ’s teachings then all that you have will be taken away. Some Biblical scholars suggest that you cannot just passively listen to the teachings of Christ, your actions must also reflect Christ’s teachings. When your actions reflect God’s teachings, then you will more have more hunger for the teachings of Christ and more of God’s blessings will come to you. And if your life doesn’t reflect the teachings of Christ, then even the blessings they think they have from God will be taken away. For me the hardest part is to have my life reflect God’s teachings, especially when it comes to sharing my faith. We live currently in a culture where faith in Christ is looked down upon, and faith is too controversial a subject to be talked about in polite company. I don’t want to be type of Christian who just vomits their faith over everybody because when it’s been done to me I was repulsed even as a Christian. I want to instead rely on the promptings of the Holy Spirit when to share my faith because that means to me, Holy Spirit has created an opportunity for faith sharing to happen. I know that by myself I can do nothing without the Holy Spirit’s help, and this especially applies to sharing my faith with people I don’t know and even family and friends who do not yet know Christ.

Day 88 Bible Readings – Numbers 27: 12-14 (ESV)

Numbers 26 & 27, Luke 7: 36-50, Psalm 53

Numbers 27: 12-14 (ESV)

“The Lord said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel. When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, failing to uphold me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)”

When I read verses 12 through 14 from Numbers 27, I felt so sad for Moses. God told Moses to go up a mountain to see the Promised Land, and then said to Moses he would die afterwards. God then reminds Moses that he wouldn’t see the Promised Land because Moses failed to uphold God as Holy in the wilderness of Zin. These verses make me wonder what Moses must have thought when he found out about his fate. Moses had led the people of Israel out of Egypt and then stayed their leader as they wondered through the desert for forty years. The next few verses show that Moses did not question or complain to God about his fate. He did not try to change God’s mid. Whatever Moses felt, he was obedient to God in all things. But as faithful and obedient as Moses was to God, he was not spared punished for his failures. Moses shows us that we need to be obedient to God as well as faithful to him all things.

Day 87 Bible Readings – Numbers 24: 17 (ESV)

Numbers 24 & 25, Luke 7: 11-35, Psalm 52

Numbers 24: 17 (ESV)

“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.”

When I first read verse 17 from Numbers 24, I immediately saw these words as a prophecy of the future King David. But then I thought about the “star” reference, and I saw the “star of Bethlehem” that rose when Christ was born. This prophecy from Balaam, who wasn’t even Jewish and whom God spoke to, was for both King David and Christ. Jesus came from the House of David, so this prophecy is also a reference that a messiah would come from the line of David. When I read through the Bible commentaries on this verse, the authors noted that early Christian and Jewish writers understood that verse 17 was a reference to the coming Messiah. I love how God talked and used a pagan seer to speak prophecy about his plans. God uses believers and non-believers as part of his plan. I think as people of faith we tend to think that God has no use for non-believers, but that’s not true. God created everyone, so why wouldn’t he use all of us to fulfill his plan on earth? What this verse tells us is we must never think we are not part of God’s plan. If God can use the pagan prophet Balaam to further his plan, he will surely be able to use someone who has faith in him.

Day 86 Bible Readings – Psalm 51: 10-12 (ESV)

Numbers 22: 21-41, Numbers 23, Luke 6: 37-49, Luke 7: 1-10, Psalm 51: 10-19

Psalm 51: 10-12 (ESV)

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”

When I read verses 10 through 12 from Psalm 51, tears came to my eyes. This Psalm was written by David after Nathan the prophet confronted David about his adultery with Bathsheba. David begs God for mercy and in verse 10, he asks God in create a clean heart in him and to not cast him away or take his Holy Spirit from him. David also asks God to restore to him the joy of God’s salvation and to uphold him with a willing spirit. I could feel David’s sincerity when he asked God for forgiveness in these verses. I can see myself reciting these verses and meditating on them when I feel like I have sinned against God. This Psalm has given me a new appreciation for deep David was in his relationship with God, and how even after he committed a sin, he did not feel himself separated from God. When I feel guilty after committing a sin, I am like Adam and Eve and I want to hide from God. I would love to have a deep relationship with God just like David.

Day 85 Bible Readings – Luke 6: 21 (ESV)

Numbers 21, Numbers 22: 1-20, Luke 6: 12-36, Psalm 51: 1-9

Luke 6: 21 (ESV)

“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.”

I’ve heard and read the Beatitude given by Christ over the years, but after reading a few Bible commentaries on these verses in Luke 6 I’ve gain a new appreciation for them. In verse 21 from Luke 6, Jesus blessed those who are hungry now and said that they shall be satisfied. Previously I thought that this blessing was solely about food, but one Biblical scholar noted that the hunger referred to people who are hungry for God. Jesus is blessing people who hunger for God like they hunger for food and spend all their time seeking him to satisfy their hunger. Jesus tells them that if they have faith in him, their hunger for God will be satisfied. I love this image of seeking God like a starving seek would seek food. I don’t think I’ve ever searched for God like a starving man searches for food, and I want to experience this kind of hunger for God at least once in my life.

Then Jesus blessed those who weep now since they will one day laugh. I always thought this blessing was for people who are depressed and felt sadness in their life, and when they go to heaven they will laugh with joy. Another Biblical scholar said the weeping is not for sadness, but for people who weep because of the sins they committed in their life. Through their faith in Jesus Christ, the people who weep will laugh with joy when they find out that God has made everything right in their life. This image of laughing with joy when you find that God had made everything right in your life resonated with me, because I have laughed with joy when I realized that God answered one of my prayers.

Day 84 Bible Readings – Luke 5: 36-38 (ESV)

Numbers 19 & 20, Luke 5: 33-39, Luke 6: 1-11, Psalm 50: 16-23

Luke 5: 36-38 (ESV)

“He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. If he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.”

In verses 36 through 38 from Luke 5, many Biblical scholars have interpreted these lines to mean that Jesus did not come to begin a reform movement within the Jewish faith. Jesus came to form a new church that brings the Jewish people and the Gentiles together. God will also sometimes use new vessels/people to contain his work. Some Biblical scholars took these verses to also mean that religious establishment at any time can become not pleasing to God, and sometimes resist his work and works in direct opposition to his new teachings. I think we can take metaphor of an old garment or old wineskins and apply it to ourselves as well. We have to look at our thoughts and actions and examine them if they are still pleasing to God, and anything new he is trying to teach us. If it is not, we need to remember what Paul said in Romans about giving up our old selves every morning so we can be born again in Jesus Christ. It might be hard because change is never easy, but if we ask for help from the Holy Spirit then we can be guided to what we need to do give up old selves and be born again anew in Jesus Christ.

Day 83 Bible Readings – Luke 5: 31-32 (ESV)

Numbers 17 & 18, Luke 5: 17-32, Psalm 50: 1-15

Luke 5: 31-32 (ESV)

“And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

In verses 31 and 32 from Luke 5, the Pharisees and scribes ask Jesus why he dines with tax collectors and sinners. Christ tells them he came to call the sinners to repent because they are sick with sin. One author of a Bible commentary called Christ a “physician of the soul”. The problem with the Pharisees and scribes is that they did not think they were sinners because they strictly followed the laws, even though Jesus has called them hypocrites. If your life is good and you don’t have any pressing material needs, it can be hard to realize that you need Christ in your life. People who have committed big sins like murder or stealing know they need repentance from God. But a sin is a sin whether you’ve done the deed or just thought of doing the deed. People who tend to be very successful in life don’t think they need God. Their life is great, and they do not need anything. But whether your life is successful or not, you need to ask yourself if you are happy and if you have peace in your life. If your life is not happy and full of miracles and peace, then you need Christ in your life. Only a relationship with God can lead a person to true happiness, miraculous days and nights, and unending peace.

Day 82 Bible Readings – Psalm 49: 10-12 (ESV)

Numbers 16, Luke 4: 38-44, Luke 5: 1-16, Psalm 49

Psalm 49: 10-12 (ESV)

“For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names. Man in his pomp will not remain he is like the beasts that perish.”

In verses 10 through 12 from Psalm 49, the Psalmist tells us everyone dies including those with wealth. Even if the wealthy man owned much land and named the land after him, the final home of the wealthy man is grave. In other words, we cannot take our wealth with us when we die. Nor can our treasures be stores in the next world that we will inhabit when we Die. Despite all a person’s wealth, they will still die like any common animal. These verses applied to people during the time this Psalm was written and can still be applied to our time today. Many people pursue wealth, but in the end none of it matters when we die. If we trust in our wealth or boast of our riches, at the end of our life we will still die like an animal. We should instead trust in God and be proud of spiritual things, so we can live eternally and not go to the Pit.

Day 81 Bible Readings – Luke 4: 33-34 (ESV)

Numbers 14 & 15, Luke 4: 14-37, Psalm 48: 9-14

Luke 4: 33-34 (ESV)

“And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.”

In verses 33 and 34 from Luke 4, the spirit of the unclean demon recognized Jesus Christ as a holy person and called out to him. I find it so interesting that the unclean demon knew who Christ was and recognized him as a Holy person, and the Pharisees would not believe that Christ was who he said he was. The Bible tells us that detailed reports were given to Pharisees about the miracles that Christ performed, so I am going to assume The Pharisees would have read what the demons said about Christ. The Pharisees had evidence that even the demons knew who Christ was, yet they still refused to recognize Christ as even a Holy person. I was in a class at my church today and we talked about why the Jewish people did not want to believe that Christ was the Messiah. One person suggested that people in Christ’s time thought the Messiah would be someone who would free them from the occupation of the Romans. When they found out Christ came to free them sin instead, they could not accept it. But if you think about it Christ may not have freed the people of Israel from the Romans during his lifetime, but the people who had faith in Jesus Christ would conquer the Romans and religion of Christ would become the official religion of Rome. I think Christ did conquer the Romans, but not till years later. So Christ did what the people of Israel wanted a Messiah to do, just not in the way they wanted.

Day 80 Bible Readings for March 22 – Luke 4: 3-4 (ESV)

Numbers 12 & 13, Luke 3: 23-38, Luke 4: 1-13, Psalm 48: 1-8

Luke 4: 3-4 (ESV)

“The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’”

In verses 3 and 4 from Luke 4, the Devil tempted Jesus to make stone into bread. Jesus had fasted while he was in the desert and was hungry. Jesus answered the Devil with a verse from the Old Testament, with Deuteronomy 8: 3. Jesus was tempted two (2) more times by the Devil and each time he answered the Devil with two more verses from Deuteronomy. Christ gave us the perfect example of how to battle temptation by knowing the Bible verses by heart and using them when we are facing temptation. The Bible has every answer to any temptation that we face. We might not know them by heart, but we can research which Bible verses to use when we are facing temptation.

Day 79 Bible Readings for March 21 – Luke 3: 4 (ESV)

Numbers 10 & 11, Luke 3: 1-22, Psalm 47

Luke 3: 4 (ESV)

“As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

In verse 4 from Luke 3, we read about the prophecy of Isaiah the prophet which was for John the Baptist. John the Baptist preached about repentance and the forgiveness of sins. I think we can ask the Holy Spirit to convict us of any place within our life where there is sin and where we need to repent. Then we can become like John the Baptist in our own life, and pray to God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit to free us from our sin and help us to repent and live a better life. We can ask the Holy Spirit to help us to prepare the way of the Lord every day in our heart and in our life, so we can be filled with Christ who is the “bread of life” and “living water”.

Day 78 Bible Readings – Luke 2: 49-50 (ESV)

Numbers 8 & 9, Luke 2: 41-52, Psalm 46

Luke 2: 49-50 (ESV)

“And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.”

In verses 49 and 50 from Luke 2, we read about Jesus’ answer to his parent when they were looking for him at the Feast of Passover in Jerusalem. Mary and Joseph did not understand their son when he said to them that he must be in his Father’s house. I think it must have been easy for Mary and Joseph to forget that Christ was a special child. They had raised him for many years, and he probably acted like any other child of his age. Since they were good parents, they panicked when they couldn’t find their son and looked everywhere for him except in the Temple. I think it’s interesting that no one in the Temple even wondered where Jesus’ parents were since he was there for three (3) days. These verses also show that Jesus must have realized that he was special, and knew about the special circumstances of his birth. These verses reminded me again that everything in life of Jesus was miraculous, and that from his birth and through his childhood they were signs that he was indeed the son of God.

Day 77 Bible Readings – Luke 2: 35-36 (ESV)

Numbers 7, Luke 2: 21-40, Psalm 45: 10-17

Luke 2: 35-36 (ESV)

“And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

In verses 35 and 36 from Luke 2, we read about Simeon’s prophecy about Jesus and warning for Mary. Simeon tells Mary and Joseph that their son was destined to cause the rise and fall of many people in Israel, and would be opposed by many. Then Simeon warned Mary that not only would the soul of Jesus be pierced, but that Mary herself would be pierced through her soul as well. But then Simeon said it would all be worth it because her son would reveal the thought of many hearts. When I read this passage, it makes me wonder if Mary fully comprehended what would happen to her infant son when he grew up. Did Mary know at that moment that Christ would one day die. Did she realize that watching her son die would feel like a sword piercing her own heart as Simeon was prophesying.? Or, did she and Joseph smile and then ignore Simeon’s words. Mary and Joseph knew that their son was going to be extraordinary, but I don’t think that they knew how much their infant son would one day change the world by sacrificing himself for the sins of the world.

Day 76 Bible Readings – Numbers 6: 22-26 (ESV)

Numbers 5 & 6, Luke 2: 1-20, Psalm 45: 1-9

Numbers 6: 22-26 (ESV)

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

When I read verses 22 through 26 from Numbers 6, I started thinking of the song “The Blessing” by Elevation Worship. Kari Jobe said the lyrics of the song came from scripture, but they don’t mention the Bible reference. They added so much to these verses that my Bible calls “Aaron’s Blessing”. Aaron spoke the blessing, but the words of the blessing came directly from God. I love that God gave Moses the words to this blessing and that every time I hear and sing this song, I will remember these words came from God.

Enjoy Elevation Worship’s version of Aaron’s Blessing.

Day 75 Bible Readings – Luke 1: 57-79 (ESV)

Numbers 4, Luke 1: 57-80, Psalm 44: 13-26

Luke 1: 57-79 (ESV)

In verses 57 through 79 from Luke 1, we read about the circumcision ceremony of John the Baptist, and how his father Zechariah got his voice back. Zechariah was struck with muteness after he was visited by the Angel Gabriel for doubting his words. Once Zechariah realized he voice had come back, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and he started prophesying about his son John and how we would go before the Lord to prepare his way. These verses are dramatized in Episode 1 in the 4^th season of The Chosen Series. I love how the actors they chose to portray Zechariah and Elizabeth look to be the age they are supposed to be in the Bible. Elizabeth looks to be several years beyond her childbearing age, so a pregnancy at her stage in life back then and even now would be considered a miracle. I heard one Biblical scholar say it was fitting that the birth of John the Baptist would be a miracle, since the birth of Jesus would also be another more fantastical miracle.

Enjoy this fictional dramatization showing the early start in the life of John the Baptist.

Day 74 Bible Readings – Luke 1: 46-55 (ESV)

Numbers 2 & 3, Luke 1: 39-56, Psalm 44: 1-12

Luke 1: 46-55 (ESV)

Verses 46 through 55 from Luke 1 is Mary’s song of praise when she was visiting her cousin Elizabeth. These verses are about Mary and her son Jesus Christ. The writers of The Chosen series produced a Christmas special with Mary asking Mary Magdalene to write these verses down to give to Luke. The story of how these verses came to be in Luke is fictional, but it is such a creative way to represent these verses in a television program. The writers of this scene also managed to have Mary say these verses in their entirety in the scene.

Enjoy this scene depicting Luke 1: 46-55 from The Chosen Christmas Special:

Day 73 Bible Readings for March 15 - Luke 1: 38 (ESV)

Numbers 1, Luke 1: 26-38, Psalm 43

Luke 1: 38 (ESV)

“And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”

In verse 38 from Luke 1, we read about Mary’s response to the Angel Gabriel when he told her she would conceive a son. Mary had such incredible faith. She must have known what being pregnant without being married might have meant for her. Mary was still not married to Joseph, and he could break the marriage contract and abandon her because of her pregnancy. If Joseph did abandon Mary, she could receive the death penalty for having a child while she was still betrothed. Despite knowing all the pitfalls of what the pregnancy would cause in her life, Mary agreed and told the Angel Gabriel she was God’s servant and would accept whatever God’s plan was for her life. I don’t know if I would have Mary’s faith if an Angel appeared to me with some crazy plan of God’s for my life. I would like to think I would have said Yes as Mary did, but I don’t think that I would be to predict my actions until I was faced with a similar decision. I do know I would have told the angel, I would do it but only with God’s help. I know I could not do it on my faith alone.

Day 72 Bible Readings – Luke 1: 18-20 (ESV)

Leviticus 26: 14-46, Leviticus 27: Luke 1: 1-25, Psalm 42: 7-11

Luke 1: 18-20 (ESV)

“And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”

In verses 18-20, we read about Zechariah’s questions and doubts to the Angel Gabriel and the results of his doubt. Zechariah was a devoted man to God, but when the Angel Gabriel gave him news of the upcoming birth of his son we see his doubts. Elizabeth, Zachariah’s wife, was old and for her to birth a son would have been a miracle. Even though Zechariah was a devoted man to God, he couldn’t believe what the Gabriel had told him. Zechariah and his wife had probably spent years praying for a son, so to have a son now in their old age would have been unbelievable. I can understand Zechariah’s doubts because he had probably given up on ever having a son, and to have his prayers answered now must have seemed crazy. Zechariah needed a sign, even though the Angel Gabriel speaking to him was not enough of a sign. I felt bad for Zechariah in these verses because I so understand his doubt. He didn’t want to be disappointed again, even though it was a miracle in and of itself that the Angel Gabriel was speaking to him. The news of his son having such a prominent role in the coming of the Messiah must also have seemed to be unbelievable to Zechariah. Zechariah was punished with muteness for his doubts, but God was still merciful to him because Elizabeth still became pregnant. In these verses we see an example of how even devoted people have doubts about God in their life, and of God’s mercy for these people despite their doubts.

Day 71 Bible Readings – Leviticus 25: 23 (ESV)

Leviticus 25, Leviticus 26: 1-13, Mark 16, Psalm 42: 1-6

Leviticus 25: 23 (ESV)

“The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me.”

In verse 23 from Leviticus 25, God reminds Moses and the people of Israel that everything belongs to God including the land. God also tells us to remember we are strangers and sojourners on his land. I love this verse because it is a reminder that earth is not our home, and that our true home is in heaven with God. If we are citizens of heaven, then while we are on earth it means we are totally dependent on God because we are sojourners on his land. Being citizens of heaven also means that our life on earth is transient, so our dependence on God for guidance to follow his divine plan becomes even more important. I like the idea of thinking myself a sojourner on God’s land, because then it makes sense that I need to follow God’s rules and plan for myself on his land.

Day 70 Bible Readings – Leviticus 23: 5-6 (ESV)

Leviticus 23 & 24, Mark 15: 33-47, Psalm 41: 7-13

Leviticus 23: 5-6 (ESV)

“In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight, is the Lord's Passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread.”

In verses 5 and 6 from Leviticus 23, God tells Moses that the people need to celebrate Passover, which a feast to commemorate God delivering the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt. God then tells Moses that they need to celebrate the Feast of the Unleavened Bread. The Feast of the Unleavened Bread happens the day after Passover, which is to commemorate how quickly the people of Israel had to flee Egypt. Because they had to leave in a hurry there was no time for bread to rise so it could be baked. So the people made bread that was made without rising, which they call unleavened bread.

One of the Biblical commentaries I read noted that Christ was crucified on the day that the people would have celebrated Passover. The last supper took place on the night before the Passover feast. Christ was buried the next day, which is on day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Christ would have also been resurrected during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Christ was the Passover lamb for the people when he was crucified. In 2025 Easter falls on the last day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and I love how we will be celebrating both feasts that God commanded in Leviticus.

Day 69 Bible Readings – Mark 15: 24 (ESV)

Leviticus 21 & 22, Mark 15: 1-32, Psalm 41: 1-6

Mark 15: 24 (ESV)

“And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take.”

In verse 24 from Mark 15, we read about how the Roman guards crucified Jesus and divided his garments by casting lots. In my Bible study I read that verse 24 fulfilled the prophecy that was mentioned in verse 18 from Psalm 22; “they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” I love how the life and crucifixion of Jesus was prophesied in the Old Testament. It ties the Old and New Testaments together, and the lineage of Christ to King David and the tribe of Judah. Removing Christ’s garments also represented Jesus being stripped of his earthly identity so when Jesus died, we could be clothed in his blood and cleansed from our sins. I also read in my Bible study that this verse also shows how the Roman soldiers were concerned about earthly concerns compared to Christ who was concerned about his mission to fulfill God’s will with his death and eventual resurrection. I love how this small detail about the difference between the Roman soldiers and Christ show how up until the end, Christ was sinless and always focused on the doing the will of his father. Christ is truly the example of how we need to be focused on following God’s plan for our life.

Day 68 Bible Readings – Leviticus 19: 4 (ESV)

Leviticus 19 & 20, Mark 14: 43-72, Psalm 40: 9-17

Leviticus 19: 4 (ESV)

“Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves any gods of cast metal: I am the Lord your God.”

Verse 4 from Leviticus 19 stood out for me today. Verse 4 tells us to not make idols or gods for yourselves of cast metal because God is the Lord of your life. When I think of idols or gods in a more modern sense, I think of how I’ve made an idol or god out of getting a promotion at work, making more money, eating only healthy food, wearing only certain styles of clothing, driving only certain types of cars, etc. I know that I’ve put different things in my life before God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I remember at one point in my life becoming obsessed with getting a promotion at work. I wanted to get a promotion every year, and I dedicated a huge amount of time and energy to this pursuit. It was fun and so fulfilling until the third promotion. The day after my third promotion I woke up feeling so unfulfilled that I realized it didn’t matter how many promotions I got, it would never be enough. I couldn’t even enjoy one full day of promotion without feeling so empty inside. It has taken me many years, but I now know that abiding with God has never left me feeling empty inside. Christ fills me up and leaves me feeling full for long periods of time. Do I still have idols in my life? Yes, but when I get the feeling that whatever I am pursuing is becoming more important than God I stop and pray. I ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and to help me get my focus back to Christ and make him again primary in my life.

Day 67 Bible Readings – Mark 14: 35-36 (ESV)

Leviticus 17 & 18, Mark 14: 17-42, Psalm 40: 1-8

Mark 14: 35-36 (ESV)

“And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

In verses 35 and 36 from Mark 15, we read about Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane before he was arrested. One Biblical scholar wrote that these verses show his Jesus as his most human and most divine. Jesus knew that he was going to be beaten and crucified, and he prayed to his father if there was another way to accomplish his father’s mission. Another biblical scholar noted that when Jesus called his father “Abba”, this meant he was feeling closer to him and not farther away. But instead of taking his mission away, God strengthened Christ’s resolve to fulfill what he came to earth to do. In the end, Jesus said he would do his father’s will, not his will. Jesus knew that he was going to be sacrificed like a lamb to take away all of our sins, but in the garden of Gethsemane he faced it as his human self and accepted it as his divine self. Jesus was fully human, and fully divine. Only someone who was fully divine could accept the sacrifice Jesus was making of his human life. When we think about what Jesus did for us, it’s hard for us to contemplate his sacrifice. But I think we need to do so we can fully understand the gift that Christ gave us so we can enter heaven free of all our sins.

Preface to a Novel tentatively titled "Escape from Azatlan"

I've been working a novel since 2022 which is tentatively titled "Escape from Azatlan". I wrote it in 3rd person limited, and even finished it. I was trying to edit it, but the editing wasn't going well. I recently got the inspiration to rewrite the whole novel in 1st person. Here's the preface I wrote tonight.

"When I look back at all the decisions I made in my life, there was only one that truly and irreversibly changed my life. I didn’t know it at the time though. The decision I made seemed natural, fated, inevitable, simple, and beautiful. Some who know me will say I had no choice because I was too young and naive. I don’t agree. 

When love finds you, you have to embrace it no matter what your age is. Love is the most precious thing in this world, and the hardest thing to hold onto no matter how hard you try. Love takes on many forms and it changes with time, with age, with growing up, and with the world around you. 

But mostly importantly, love forces you to make choices that goes against everything you know, everything you thought was important, everything you held dear in your life, and every future you could have imagined for yourself. Love rips you into so many pieces and then helps you to stitch yourself back together, with time, patience, and tears that never seem to end.

And the question I always end up asking myself, was it worth it? And the answer that always comes out before I can think about it, is Yes."

Day 66 Bible Readings – Psalm 39: 7-8 (ESV)

Leviticus 15 & 16, Mark 13: 32-37, Mark 14: 1-16, Psalm 39

Psalm 39: 7-8 (ESV)

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool!”

In verses 7 and 8 from Psalm 39, we read about David putting his hope and expectation in God and not on himself. David has hope in God and looks to God to deliver him from his transgressions, and not himself. David understands that only God can deliver us from our sins. Many Biblical scholars believe that this psalm was written by David in the last years of his life when he was feeling the frailty of his life. I love the faith of David in this psalm. Even during the ending years of his life, David’s faith in God was unshakeable. David always relied on God for everything. He knew that God was the only person who could save him from the bad things he had done in his life. David’s ego never got the best of him, and he always seemed to know that only God could deliver him. I love these verses because they remind me that God is the only one who can deliver me from sins, and my hope needs to only be in God and not on myself.

Day 65 Bible Readings – Psalm 38: 21-22 (ESV)

Leviticus 14, Mark 13: 1-31, Psalm 38: 12-22

Psalm 38: 21-22 (ESV)

“Do not forsake me, O Lord! O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!”

In verses 21 through 22, we read of David’s anguish as he talks to God. David was suffering pain from a sin he committee against God. Biblical scholars cannot agree on what event in David’s life made him write this psalm, only that in Psalm 38 we know that David was feeling God’s displeasure with him. I remember reading these verses when I was in perhaps similar circumstances to David, and I was wondering if God had forsaken me because of my sinful life. I know the feeling of wanting to feel God’s presence when I pray, and how important it was to me especially when I was in pain. I just wanted God to comfort me and by feeling his presence, I felt that God was telling me “don’t worry, everything will be okay.” Not feeling God’s presence is the depths of my misery was horrible and I let myself feel so abandoned by God. I didn’t have David’s faith to feel faithful to God even when I felt no sense of his presence in my life. Readings the psalms can be a good reminder to be faithful to God because we need only read about the trials that David went through in his life, and wonder at his continued faithfulness to God. David was always faithful to God, no matter what happened in life.

Day 64 Bible Readings – Mark 12: 29-31 (ESV)

Leviticus 13, Mark 12:28-44, Psalm 38: 1-11

Mark 12: 29-31 (ESV)

“Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

In verses 29 through 31 from Mark 12, Jesus answers the scribe who asked me which commandment is the most important of all. The authors of the Bible commentaries I read all noted that the scribe was trying to test Jesus to see if he would show disrespect for one of the Law of Moses. But Jesus was smarter than the scribe and pointed out the essence of the laws of Moses. Jesus said that the most important commandment is to love the God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Then Jesus said if you love God this way, you will naturally want to obey all this commandment which in essence tells us to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Jesus teaches us that God wants us to love him first. Without this love, any obedience to the laws of Moses would be empty. If the image of God is in every person as well as in us, then we need to love our neighbor because God is in them. And what is rarely mentioned is that we need to love ourselves as well because God’s image is in us. God loves us and wants us to love ourselves as much as he loves us and our neighbors.

Day 63 Bible Readings – Mark 12: 15-17 (ESV)

Leviticus 11 & 12, Mark 12: 1-27, Psalm 37: 32-40

Mark 12: 15-17 (ESV)

“But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar's.” Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him.”

Verses 15 through 17 from Mark 12 are famous for Jesus telling the Pharisees and Herodians that they need to pay taxes, because the Caesar’s likeness and inscription was on the form of money that they used. In one Bible commentary I read the author noted that since God’s image is stamped on us, we belong to him and we need to give our selves to him. We need to pay taxes and to submit to the government because we benefit from the government’s role in our lives. But since we also belong to God, we must be careful to note when our submission to the government infringes on our service to God. We can pay taxes to the government and when needed die in service to our country but since we belong to God, we need to live our lives for God. I like this interpretation of these verses since it reminded me that I was made in God’s image. God’s image is stamped on me like a coin, so I belong to him and my life belongs to him.

Day 62 Bible Readings – Psalm 37: 23-24 (ESV)

Leviticus 9 & 10, Mark 11: 27-33, Psalm 37: 21-31

Psalm 37: 23-24 (ESV)

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.”

Verses 23 and 24 from Psalm 37 tell us that a person of faith has his life planned by God, and God is happy with his follower. Just because God has a plan for our life and we follow it, it doesn’t mean that our life will be without trouble and failure. God does not promise his followers a life that is trouble free, because our sinful nature will inevitably lead us to sometimes fail and fall. But since God is always holding our hand, we will never fall headlong into failure. God will always be there to comfort, guide, and council us through our troubles. My life has never been trouble free, but since God has always been with me, my falls and failures have not in hindsight been as bad as they should have probably been. I can honestly say I’ve lead a charmed life because God has turned every fall and failure into times of profound insights and lessons, and jumping off points to develop a closer relationship with him.

Day 61 Bible Readings – Mark 11: 13-14 (ESV)

Leviticus 7 & 8, Mark 11: 1-26, Psalm 37: 10-20

Mark 11: 13-14 (ESV)

“And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.”

In verses 13 and 14 from Mark 11, we see Jesus cursing a fig tree because it had leaves but no fruit. Jesus cursed the fig tree to have never have fruit and his disciples heard the curse. In my study Bible the fig tree is often seen as a symbol of Israel, so the curse on the fig tree can been seen as symbolic of divine judgement on Israel for appearing righteous but lacking spiritual fruit. Jesus may also have wanted to show his disciples an example of God’s punishment for spiritual barrenness. God expects that those who believe in him have faith that results in action, and not just the appearance of having faith. We need to always ask ourselves if our faith and belief in Jesus Christ can be seen in our actions. Are we reading God’s words every day and dwelling with him? Are we asking God for help in our lives? Do our actions and words show us to be people of faith? Are we behaving like Jesus when we are with other people? Christ is saying to us that our faith in him must be reflected our inward and outward life, and if it is not, we will be judged by him. When I read these words, I always ask myself if I am following the two greatest commandments that Christ said we must follow – am I loving God and am I loving my neighbor as I love myself?

Day 60 Bible Readings – Psalm 37: 7-9 (ESV)

Leviticus 5 & 6, Mark 10: 32-52, Psalm 37: 1-9

Psalm 37: 7-9 (ESV)

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.”

I think verses 7 through 9 from Psalm 37 is good advice for all the chaos and confusion that seems to be happening politically today. If we believe that God is fully in charge of our world, then we have to believe that everything that happens is a part of God’s plan. Many Americans have seen things happening for years occurring in our nation that are not Biblically based. We have been praying for circumstances to change, yet it seems like the non-Biblically based things are increasing. These verses from Psalm 37 tells us that feeling anger, wrath, and worry will lead to evil, since it causes us to doubt God and his plan for the world. We need to fully trust that God will bring his justice to the world, and that the evildoers will be cut off and Biblically-based things will come back to our nation. But I know that patience is hard because at times it does seem like the evildoers are winning, and people of faith are losing. If we do lose faith in God, we need to pray for him to strengthen our faith. We know that we cannot rely on ourselves to be faithful, and we need to ask God to help us. With God, even getting over the despair that the other side is winning is possible.

Day 59 Bible Readings for March 1 - Mark 10: 26-27 (ESV)

Leviticus 3 & 4, Mark 10: 1-31, Psalm 36: 1-12

Mark 10: 26-27 (ESV)

“And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

In verses 26 and 27 from Mark 10, we read how Jesus responded to his disciples when he told it is very difficult for people with money to go to heaven. Jesus said to them if you rely on yourself, then it is impossible, But if you ask for God’s help, all things are possible. I love how Jesus responded to his disciples on what seemed like an impossible task to them. Jesus was trying to tell them that if you have faith and trust in God, then God can perform miracles in their lives. God loves everyone whether they have money or not. God can work miracles even with what seemed like to the disciples the most difficult of problems, giving up everything for God. As I grow in my faith, I find myself asking for God’s help for everything in my life. I used to think God was only interested in the big problems in my life, but as my relationship with God grows, God has become my best friend and wants to be consulted on every decision in my life – small and large. God loves me and I can rely on the Holy Spirit to advise me on everything in my life.