Day 98 Bible Readings – Luke 12: 29-31 (ESV)

Deuteronomy 9 & 10, Luke 12: 1-34, Psalm 60: 1-4

Luke 12: 29-31 (ESV)

“And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.”

In verses 29 through 31 from Luke 12, Jesus again reminds us to not seek the things of the world or be worried about them. God knows that these things are needed by everyone on earth. Jesus tells us our priority should always be to seek him first, and have trust that God will provide us with the things we need to live on earth. It is such an act of faith to rely completely on God for our needs especially in these uncertain times when there is so much turmoil in the financial markets. But if we dwell in God’s presence with our prayers and by reading his word every day, we will strengthen our trust in God. Our Bible readings will be a constant reminder of God’s faithfulness to his people, and how he has always come through for them. If we dwell in God’s presence daily, we will learn not to worry and to always trust in God’s plan no matter what is happening in our life. We might not always understand God’s plan, but we need to trust that God is always caring like a shepherd cares for his sheep.

Day 97 Bible Readings – Luke 11: 34 (ESV)

Deuteronomy 6-8, Luke 11: 33-54, Psalm 59: 9-17

Luke 11: 34 (ESV)

“Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness.”

In verse 34 from Luke 11, Jesus tells the crowds listening to him that the eye is the lamp of the body. My study Bible had a reference that the eye is the metaphorical lamp of the body, which means the eyes represents perception and understanding. This part of the verse suggests that the way one perceives the world can serve to add light or darkness to your soul. Then Jesus says that a healthy eye means your body is full of light, meaning that your heart and mind are focused on God. Then Jesus says when your eye is bad, it means that you are spiritually blind, or you are selfish and lack compassion. The “bad eye” can also mean you are disconnected from God’s truth and light. I love this interpretation of this verse because it makes sense that if you are disconnected from God, then your perception will be clouded by sin or worldly desires which will result in your body becoming full of darkness. If you are selfish, it means that you won’t love God or your neighbor which Jesus said are the two greatest commandments from God. If we keep our focus our heart and mind focused on God, we will always be full of light and God will be able to guide and correct us when we need it.

Day 96 Bible Readings – Luke 11: 29-30 (ESV)

Deuteronomy 4: 14-49, Deuteronomy 5, Luke 11: 1-32, Psalm 59: 1-8

Luke 11: 29-30 (ESV)

“When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.”

In verses 29 through 30 from Luke 11, Jesus lamented over the crowd asking for a sign. Christ then referenced Jonah and said that Jonah will be the only sign that will be given. Christ tells the crowd “the Son on Man” will be like Jonah, since he became a sign to the people of Nineveh. I wonder if the crowd listening got the reference that Jesus was making. Jonah was swallowed by a big fish for three (3) days and nights, but after he prayed to God, the big fish vomited Jonah out and he survived. Jesus was trying to tell the crowd that he would die and be resurrected after three (3) days and nights like Jonah. Did the disciples get the reference? If they did, I’m not sure they even knew what it meant because they seemed to be having a hard time coming to terms that Jesus was going to die. And I don’t blame the disciples either. They had seen Jesus perform so many miracles, so it didn’t make sense that he would allow himself to die. What I also love about these verses is that they show how Christ knew the Old Testament. Jesus gave out so many hints of what was going to happen to him, but the gospels state that so few people understood what God’s ultimate plan was for his son. They couldn’t conceive that God would make the ultimate sacrifice of his son, the way God had once asked Abraham to sacrifice his own son. These verses also show us why it’s so hard to know the mind of God, but that God’s plan always works out for the best and that we need to trust God even if we might never ever understand his actions.

Day 95 Bible Readings – Luke 10: 40-42 (ESV)

 Deuteronomy 2: 24-37, Deuteronomy 3, Deuteronomy 4: 1-14, Luke 10: 25-42, Psalm 58

 Luke 10: 40-42 (ESV)

“But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

I love the story of Mary and Martha which is shown in verses 40 through 42 from Luke 10. At certain times in my life, I was doing a lot of work in the churches I belonged to and I became resentful of the people who didn’t help out in the church. At those times I probably spent more time serving and doing the business of the church, than sitting and strengthening my relationship with Christ. When I look back at those times, I know I would not have been become resentful if I spent more time reading my Bible and spending time with Christ. So I understand Martha’s frustration with her sister Mary, since I felt that same frustration. But I also understand why Jesus said to Martha that Mary was doing the right thing. As people of faith, we must remember to always spend time with Christ to strengthen our relationship with him. Spending time with the Lord is the most important duty we have to God. If we do not do that, then everything else that we do for God will become a duty and not feel good. Our time with God gives meaning to everything we do, and if we forget that then we will become like Martha.