Day 112 Bible Reading - Luke 21: 34-36 (ESV)

Joshua 1 and 2, Luke 21: 5-38, Psalm 64

Luke 21: 34-36 (ESV)

“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Verses 34 through 36 from Luke 21 reminds us we need always be ready for the return on Christ. It seems like with event going on in the world today, many people are saying we are the crest of the end times warned about in the bible and especially in Revelations. Are we going through end times? It seems to me whenever there were problems in the world, I picture pastors preaching about the end times in their churches. I can imagine it happened in World War 1 and World War 2, especially in Europe. A study of history shows us that Christians have been persecuted since the death of Christ, and the persecution of Christians continues today. But are we in end times? I don’t know. I think of people who have lost their jobs and are going through a difficult time financially. Do they think they are in end times? Or are they just going through a season of distress? What about people who are suffering from an illness who are suffering? Do they think they are in end times?

Even Jesus says the end times will come as a surprise like a trap. I think the only thing we can do is watch what is happening in the world, and as always strengthen our relationship with God. We need think every night before we go to sleep, am I right in my relationship with God? Am I right in my relationship with my family and friends? If the world ended tonight, am I ready to stand before God with confidence? And if we’re not, what is our action plan to do something about it?

Day 111 Bible Reading - Luke 21: 1-4 (ESV)

Deuteronomy 33 and 34, Luke 20: 27-47, Luke 21: 1-4, Psalm 63

Luke 21: 1-4 (ESV)

“Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them.  For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Verses 1 to 4 from Luke 21 is the well-known story of the widow’s offering. This year I am reading bible commentaries from well-known scholars on my bible readings, and many of them have said it was the “spirit of giving” that determined the worthiness of the widow’s gift more than the amount. God doesn’t want us give money grudgingly or guilt money. God wants a cheerful giver. God doesn’t need our money. God values the gift on what it costs the giver. If this is true, I wonder how much a very rich person needs to give in order for God to be pleased? Would the person need to give their wealth all away? I started tithing 10% to my church last year. Tithing made me feel so abundant and wealthy and made me wonder why I didn’t tithe 10% in the past. I knew previously I always thought tithing that much money would make feel so poor, but I was so wrong. Is it a stretch to tithe? Yes, it is given the current state of our economy. But like any bill you get used to that money coming out your account. And I do like the feeling of wealth and abundance that comes to me when I think about how much I tithe. That feeling is priceless!

Day 110 Bible Reading - Luke 19: 45-46 (ESV)

Deuteronomy 31: 30, Deuteronomy 32, Luke 19: 45-48, Luke 20: 1-26, Psalm 62

Luke 19: 45-46 (ESV)

“And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.”

Verses 45 to 46 from Luke 19 depict the well-known scene of Jesus thrashing the money changers and other vendors who were doing business in the Gentile court of the temple. While reading some bible commentaries on these verses, I found out that the money changers and other folks doing their business were also cheating people by as much as 20 times with the cooperation of the priests of the temple. No wonder Jesus was so angry. I always thought this scene was about the vendors doing their business and not allowing the Gentiles who wanted to worship in the temple to pray. Christ was angry at not only sellers, but the buyers as well since they were participating in the trading spirit and turning the Temple into a marketplace. The Temple priests who allowed these activities took place completely disrespected the Gentile. Why even build a place for Gentiles to pray in the Temple, and then allow the area to disintegrate? Could not the money changers and the people selling the sacrificial animals have done their business outside of the temple? Scholars have said the Jesus’ actions did not cause any lasting reform, because the people carried on as usual the next day. These verses stand out today as a stark reminder to the people who follow Christ to not let their churches become places where believers cannot worship in peace and/or be cheated.

Day 109 Bible Reading - Psalm 61: 1-3 (ESV)

Deuteronomy 30: 11-20, Deuteronomy 31: 1-29, Luke 19: 11-44, Psalm 61

Psalm 61: 1-3 (ESV)

“Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.”

Verses 1 to 3 from Psalm 61 remind us that when our hearts are troubled, we need to remember that God is our rock and save us drowning in our melancholy. We also need to remember that God has been faithful to us and has answered our prayers in the past. He has been a refuge and often a “strong tower” when we were filled with fear. I love Psalms of David. I love to read them when I feel sad and overwhelmed and need encouragement. David was always praying to God for help when he needed it. Even if he doubted God in the beginning of a Psalm, he would always remind himself of God’s faithfulness to him and his trust in God was restored. David is great example of someone who was favored by God, but still needed to constantly pray to him for favor, when he was afraid, for everything it seems. David was not afraid to pray to God for everything in his life, and his prayer most likely increased his favor with God. I think sometimes when I feel favored by God, I forget to pray and I know this has been a mistake. Prayer to God keeps him in the forefront of my mind, so I never forget his faithfulness.