Day 24: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Today’s reading:
2 Sam. 22:19-1 Kings 7:37
A thought or two:
I love reading the list of David’s mighty men in chapter 23. These were some incredible men! They did some awesome stuff in corporate battles as well as on their own. They loved David and were extremely faithful to him. They were the kind of men that would risk life and limb to get David a drink of water out of a specific well. No wonder David was so successful!
I have to ask myself how did David develop such a team? Why were these men in David’s court and not Saul’s or another leader? Maybe it was because David was that kind of man himself. Maybe it was because no matter how Saul treated David, David still honored him and served him faithfully. David was willing to risk his neck for Saul and now David has a team of men that serve him faithfully.
You attract who you are. David was faithful and daring, so faithful and daring men were attracted to his leadership. If you look around you and your closest friends are dysfunctional and unfaithful people, ask yourself, “Am I dysfunctional and unfaithful?” If you want to up the quality of people you attract, become the kind of person that you want around you and soon you will have faithful and daring partners that will stand by your side through thick and thin!
Tomorrow’s reading:
1 King 7:38-16:20
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Day 23: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Today’s reading:
2 Sam. 12:11-22:18
A thought or two:
In Chapter 22 we read an awesome praise song by King David. He goes on and on about how God has saved him and rescued him and really how good God is. The interesting thing about this passage is that it is in the context of Chapter 21. In that chapter there is a story where four of David’s men fought for David and one of them even rescued David’s life.
Did God save David or did David’s men save David? Chapter 21 says it was David’s men, but in chapter 22 David gave God all of the credit. So which one was it? Both, but it was primarily God. God placed faithful men in David’s life that saw the value of saving David’s life. Where did that value come from? God placed that value on David’s life and discerning men saw that value. Not everyone saw that value. Sometimes David didn’t even see that value in himself. Many times people tried to kill David, they obviously didn’t see what God had placed in him (or they did see it and they didn’t like it).
God places discerning people in our lives to see the value of what God is doing in you. Those people are there to encourage and sometimes even guide and protect you. There will be many people in your life that don’t see the value God has placed on your life. You might not even see your own value. You may currently have no one in your life that sees God’s value in your life, you need to find one! If you have someone who does see that value in your life, realize that is God aiding you through that person! Appreciate those people, but give God the praise and glory for His hand that is mighty in your life to save and rescue you!
Tomorrow’s reading:
2 Sam. 22:19-1 Kings 7:37
2 Sam. 12:11-22:18
A thought or two:
In Chapter 22 we read an awesome praise song by King David. He goes on and on about how God has saved him and rescued him and really how good God is. The interesting thing about this passage is that it is in the context of Chapter 21. In that chapter there is a story where four of David’s men fought for David and one of them even rescued David’s life.
Did God save David or did David’s men save David? Chapter 21 says it was David’s men, but in chapter 22 David gave God all of the credit. So which one was it? Both, but it was primarily God. God placed faithful men in David’s life that saw the value of saving David’s life. Where did that value come from? God placed that value on David’s life and discerning men saw that value. Not everyone saw that value. Sometimes David didn’t even see that value in himself. Many times people tried to kill David, they obviously didn’t see what God had placed in him (or they did see it and they didn’t like it).
God places discerning people in our lives to see the value of what God is doing in you. Those people are there to encourage and sometimes even guide and protect you. There will be many people in your life that don’t see the value God has placed on your life. You might not even see your own value. You may currently have no one in your life that sees God’s value in your life, you need to find one! If you have someone who does see that value in your life, realize that is God aiding you through that person! Appreciate those people, but give God the praise and glory for His hand that is mighty in your life to save and rescue you!
Tomorrow’s reading:
2 Sam. 22:19-1 Kings 7:37
Monday, March 22, 2010
Day 21: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Day 21: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Today’s reading:
1 Sam. 16:1-28:19
A thought or two:
I have always been very intrigued by story of David in the cave of Adullam. In this story we see David fleeing for his life, hiding in a cave and out of nowhere these people are gathering around him saying, “Be our leaders”. These people were described as being, “distressed or in debt or discontented”. These weren’t Israel’s best and brightest and not your spiritually mature. They were the losers of their society, most were emotionally and financially immature. They were discontent with Saul’s government and wanted something different. They came to David saying “take care of me,,, it is time someone else thinks for me”
They sound like the kind of people that collapse when things are not going their way, the kind of people that have a hard time holding on to God when things go wrong. The good news is that under the leadership of David they became known as his mighty men and changed to course of the destiny of a nation and ultimately the world.
I believe that with proper direction people that are discontented with the status quo can become world changers. My prayer is that you either become an authentic leader or attach yourself to an authentic leader who has a vision for challenging the status quo. By no means am I suggesting a rebellious attitude. If you look at the life of David he still held Saul in great respect and honored him as the anointed of the Lord. All I am suggesting is allow God to impart a holy discontentment into your heart!
Tomorrow’s reading:
1 Sam. 28:20- 2 Sam. 12:10
Today’s reading:
1 Sam. 16:1-28:19
A thought or two:
I have always been very intrigued by story of David in the cave of Adullam. In this story we see David fleeing for his life, hiding in a cave and out of nowhere these people are gathering around him saying, “Be our leaders”. These people were described as being, “distressed or in debt or discontented”. These weren’t Israel’s best and brightest and not your spiritually mature. They were the losers of their society, most were emotionally and financially immature. They were discontent with Saul’s government and wanted something different. They came to David saying “take care of me,,, it is time someone else thinks for me”
They sound like the kind of people that collapse when things are not going their way, the kind of people that have a hard time holding on to God when things go wrong. The good news is that under the leadership of David they became known as his mighty men and changed to course of the destiny of a nation and ultimately the world.
I believe that with proper direction people that are discontented with the status quo can become world changers. My prayer is that you either become an authentic leader or attach yourself to an authentic leader who has a vision for challenging the status quo. By no means am I suggesting a rebellious attitude. If you look at the life of David he still held Saul in great respect and honored him as the anointed of the Lord. All I am suggesting is allow God to impart a holy discontentment into your heart!
Tomorrow’s reading:
1 Sam. 28:20- 2 Sam. 12:10
Friday, March 19, 2010
Day 18: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Today’s reading:
Judges 3:28-15:12
A thought or two:
In the book of Judges there is a repetitive theme that goes something like this: God’s people live in peace and prosperity, then they become apathetic and apathy leads to idol worship, idol worship leads to God judging Israel by use of the other nations suppressing them, Israel would cry out and repent to God, God sends a judge to deliver His people, the people move into a time of peace and prosperity and the cycle begins over again.
This cycle teaches me a lot about God’s faithfulness and mercy. God continually forgave Israel and would bless them again once they would admit their wrongs. Even when God was allowing invading forces to judge Israel this was a sign that God faithfully loved them by correcting their bad behavior.
God loves you just the way you are, but entirely too much to leave you that same! Be open to God’s conviction as well as His grace as He interrupts the sin cycles in your life, because ultimately the purpose of Him convicting you of your sins is so that He can forgive you and change you to become more and more like Him.
Tomorrow’s reading:
Judges 15:13-1 Sam. 2:29
Judges 3:28-15:12
A thought or two:
In the book of Judges there is a repetitive theme that goes something like this: God’s people live in peace and prosperity, then they become apathetic and apathy leads to idol worship, idol worship leads to God judging Israel by use of the other nations suppressing them, Israel would cry out and repent to God, God sends a judge to deliver His people, the people move into a time of peace and prosperity and the cycle begins over again.
This cycle teaches me a lot about God’s faithfulness and mercy. God continually forgave Israel and would bless them again once they would admit their wrongs. Even when God was allowing invading forces to judge Israel this was a sign that God faithfully loved them by correcting their bad behavior.
God loves you just the way you are, but entirely too much to leave you that same! Be open to God’s conviction as well as His grace as He interrupts the sin cycles in your life, because ultimately the purpose of Him convicting you of your sins is so that He can forgive you and change you to become more and more like Him.
Tomorrow’s reading:
Judges 15:13-1 Sam. 2:29
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Day 17: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Day 17: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Today’s reading:
Joshua 15:1-Judges 3:27
A thought or two:
In Chapter 14 we see Caleb remind everyone that God made him a promise of some land and he intended to receive what God promised. 45 years previous to this passage God promised Caleb that, while he was exploring the land of Canaan, wherever he put his feet that property would become his. The land he put his feet on was an area known as Hebron. Caleb knew that there were still Anakite (giants) villages in the land he wanted to posses, but that did not sway his determination because he knew God would help him drive them out. Caleb stood on that promise, drives out the Anakites, and lives in Hebron the rest of his days in the center of what God promised.
Maybe God has promised something to you and you haven’t seen the promise come to fruition. Believe for it, fight for it and wait for it! It might be a timing issue or it might be a “how bad do you want it” issue, but whatever it is, be faithful to the vision and God will bring it about.
Tomorrow’s reading:
Judges 3:28-15:12
Today’s reading:
Joshua 15:1-Judges 3:27
A thought or two:
In Chapter 14 we see Caleb remind everyone that God made him a promise of some land and he intended to receive what God promised. 45 years previous to this passage God promised Caleb that, while he was exploring the land of Canaan, wherever he put his feet that property would become his. The land he put his feet on was an area known as Hebron. Caleb knew that there were still Anakite (giants) villages in the land he wanted to posses, but that did not sway his determination because he knew God would help him drive them out. Caleb stood on that promise, drives out the Anakites, and lives in Hebron the rest of his days in the center of what God promised.
Maybe God has promised something to you and you haven’t seen the promise come to fruition. Believe for it, fight for it and wait for it! It might be a timing issue or it might be a “how bad do you want it” issue, but whatever it is, be faithful to the vision and God will bring it about.
Tomorrow’s reading:
Judges 3:28-15:12
Day 16: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Day 16: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Today’s reading:
Joshua 1:1- 14:15
A thought or two:
I chapter 9 we see Israel fall for a trick that put them in a situation where they made a treaty with someone they were not supposed to. In essence they made an alliance with the Gibeonites and that alliance was a sin against the command God gave them not to make alliances with people from the land, but because Israel believed they were not of the land Canaan they believed they were okay to make the alliance.
In verse 14 it says, “The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord”. The fact that this passage is included tells me that if they had inquired of the Lord, He would have offered them guidance. They may have had good intentions of making peace with someone they thought they did not have to fight, but it was all a deception.
How many times to we take decisions into our own hands without seeking the Lord. Even when our decisions are made with good intentions, sometimes they can be faulty decisions because we don’t see as far down the road as God does! Seek his will in all matters.
Tomorrow’s reading:
Joshua 15:1-Judges 3:27
Today’s reading:
Joshua 1:1- 14:15
A thought or two:
I chapter 9 we see Israel fall for a trick that put them in a situation where they made a treaty with someone they were not supposed to. In essence they made an alliance with the Gibeonites and that alliance was a sin against the command God gave them not to make alliances with people from the land, but because Israel believed they were not of the land Canaan they believed they were okay to make the alliance.
In verse 14 it says, “The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord”. The fact that this passage is included tells me that if they had inquired of the Lord, He would have offered them guidance. They may have had good intentions of making peace with someone they thought they did not have to fight, but it was all a deception.
How many times to we take decisions into our own hands without seeking the Lord. Even when our decisions are made with good intentions, sometimes they can be faulty decisions because we don’t see as far down the road as God does! Seek his will in all matters.
Tomorrow’s reading:
Joshua 15:1-Judges 3:27
Monday, March 15, 2010
Day 14: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Day 14: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Today’s reading:
Duet. 8:1-23:11
A thought or two:
In chapter 8 God tells Israel to be careful to follow His commands so that they might live in His blessing. From there He continues to remind Israel where they came from and all that He has done for them. How he led them, fed them, provided for them, disciplined them, and brought them into a great land.
You know, sometimes it is good just to sit back and think about all that God has done in your life. How He saved you from a life of sin. How he has healed you. How He has spoken to you. How He has provided for you. Remembering where you came from can be a very healthy thing if you can look back at your past and say, “Wow, God has brought me a long way”. Don’t beat yourself up over your past, but rejoice that your past is your past and you have created together with God a rich history of knowing His grace in your life.
It is a whole lot easier to follow God out of a proper understanding of who He is and how He relates to your life. A proper attitude towards God is an attitude of thankfulness.
Titus 1:1 “…the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness”
Tomorrow’s reading:
Duet. 23:12-34:12
Today’s reading:
Duet. 8:1-23:11
A thought or two:
In chapter 8 God tells Israel to be careful to follow His commands so that they might live in His blessing. From there He continues to remind Israel where they came from and all that He has done for them. How he led them, fed them, provided for them, disciplined them, and brought them into a great land.
You know, sometimes it is good just to sit back and think about all that God has done in your life. How He saved you from a life of sin. How he has healed you. How He has spoken to you. How He has provided for you. Remembering where you came from can be a very healthy thing if you can look back at your past and say, “Wow, God has brought me a long way”. Don’t beat yourself up over your past, but rejoice that your past is your past and you have created together with God a rich history of knowing His grace in your life.
It is a whole lot easier to follow God out of a proper understanding of who He is and how He relates to your life. A proper attitude towards God is an attitude of thankfulness.
Titus 1:1 “…the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness”
Tomorrow’s reading:
Duet. 23:12-34:12
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Day 12: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Day 12: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Today’s reading:
Numbers 21:8-32:19
A thought or two:
In Numbers 27 we see the beginning of Joshua succeed Moses as leader of Israel. This is a huge deal!
Lets for a moment let out imaginations run wild and play a little what if. What if Israel had not had Moses’ leadership for during the Exodus? #1 There probably wouldn’t have been an Exodus and #2 if they did have an Exodus they probably would have turned back and returned to slavery. We know that when Moses stayed on the mountain a little too long Israel went totally pagan for a while.
What would happen if Joshua did not succeed Moses as leader? Israel probably would not have conquered the land of Israel. Israel probably would have forsaken the Law of God and served the dead idols of the land.
You may not have a high profile leadership role, but everyone is a leader at some level and if you are a leader, don’t you want to be a successful leader? In leadership there is no success without a successor. Someone must be raised up to replace you when you leave.
Tomorrow’s reading:
Numbers 32:20- Duet. 7:26
Today’s reading:
Numbers 21:8-32:19
A thought or two:
In Numbers 27 we see the beginning of Joshua succeed Moses as leader of Israel. This is a huge deal!
Lets for a moment let out imaginations run wild and play a little what if. What if Israel had not had Moses’ leadership for during the Exodus? #1 There probably wouldn’t have been an Exodus and #2 if they did have an Exodus they probably would have turned back and returned to slavery. We know that when Moses stayed on the mountain a little too long Israel went totally pagan for a while.
What would happen if Joshua did not succeed Moses as leader? Israel probably would not have conquered the land of Israel. Israel probably would have forsaken the Law of God and served the dead idols of the land.
You may not have a high profile leadership role, but everyone is a leader at some level and if you are a leader, don’t you want to be a successful leader? In leadership there is no success without a successor. Someone must be raised up to replace you when you leave.
Tomorrow’s reading:
Numbers 32:20- Duet. 7:26
Friday, March 12, 2010
Day 11: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Day 11: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Today’s reading:
Numbers 8:15-21:7
A thought or two:
Today as I read Numbers 13 (specifically the list of the spies sent into the land) I realized something. I have read this story many times, heard it preached more times that I can count and I have even preached it a few times myself and I have always known there were twelve spies sent into the land. Something I didn’t know was 10 of their names. The only names I knew were Joshua (also called Hoshea) son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh. And to be totally honest even though today I have realized I didn’t know the names of the other ten spies, I probably will never commit their names to memory.
The only thing significant about them is the fact that they caused Israel a bunch of disbelief, which caused Israel not to enter into the promise God had for them and ultimately it caused that generation to die in the wilderness. Not many people write books about those kinds of characters.
My second revelation wrapped into the name memorization conundrum is that I do know Joshua and Caleb’s name. Why? Mainly because they were men of faith. The kind of men that stood up in spite of being told to sit down. They stuck to their convictions in the face of being threaten by and angry mod that wanted to t throw stones at them until they died. They believed God would deliver as He promised that He would.
Daniel 11:32… people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.
Knowing God should propel you into a place of attempting great things for His namesake!
Tomorrow’s reading:
Numbers 21:8-32:19
Today’s reading:
Numbers 8:15-21:7
A thought or two:
Today as I read Numbers 13 (specifically the list of the spies sent into the land) I realized something. I have read this story many times, heard it preached more times that I can count and I have even preached it a few times myself and I have always known there were twelve spies sent into the land. Something I didn’t know was 10 of their names. The only names I knew were Joshua (also called Hoshea) son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh. And to be totally honest even though today I have realized I didn’t know the names of the other ten spies, I probably will never commit their names to memory.
The only thing significant about them is the fact that they caused Israel a bunch of disbelief, which caused Israel not to enter into the promise God had for them and ultimately it caused that generation to die in the wilderness. Not many people write books about those kinds of characters.
My second revelation wrapped into the name memorization conundrum is that I do know Joshua and Caleb’s name. Why? Mainly because they were men of faith. The kind of men that stood up in spite of being told to sit down. They stuck to their convictions in the face of being threaten by and angry mod that wanted to t throw stones at them until they died. They believed God would deliver as He promised that He would.
Daniel 11:32… people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.
Knowing God should propel you into a place of attempting great things for His namesake!
Tomorrow’s reading:
Numbers 21:8-32:19
Day 10: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Day 10: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Today’s reading:
Leviticus 26:27-Numbers 8:14
A thought or two:
I have always found the Nazirite call of Numbers 6 very interesting. You see this was the way someone could dedicate his or her life to God in voluntary consecrated way. What is significant about this is that this was open to all people, not just the priestly tribe. Anyone that wanted to have a deeper commitment to God, they could have it if they wanted it.
Many of you may feel like because you aren’t called to be a pastor or missionary, that you are a second-class citizen in the Kingdom of God. That is so not true! God’s reward to us is not our callings, positions or titles; God’s reward to us is God Himself. He gives Himself to us and will give us as much as we want, no matter what your calling may or may not be.
You can be as committed and consecrated to God’s Kingdom as you choose! Below are some teachings by Lou Engle on the Nazirite Vow and how its concept can apply in a New Testament setting.
Tomorrow’s reading:
Numbers 8:15-21:7
Today’s reading:
Leviticus 26:27-Numbers 8:14
A thought or two:
I have always found the Nazirite call of Numbers 6 very interesting. You see this was the way someone could dedicate his or her life to God in voluntary consecrated way. What is significant about this is that this was open to all people, not just the priestly tribe. Anyone that wanted to have a deeper commitment to God, they could have it if they wanted it.
Many of you may feel like because you aren’t called to be a pastor or missionary, that you are a second-class citizen in the Kingdom of God. That is so not true! God’s reward to us is not our callings, positions or titles; God’s reward to us is God Himself. He gives Himself to us and will give us as much as we want, no matter what your calling may or may not be.
You can be as committed and consecrated to God’s Kingdom as you choose! Below are some teachings by Lou Engle on the Nazirite Vow and how its concept can apply in a New Testament setting.
Tomorrow’s reading:
Numbers 8:15-21:7
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Day 9: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Day 9: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Today’s reading:
Leviticus 14:33-26:26
A thought or two:
Okay, I will admit it; there is some weird stuff in the last two days of reading. Reading the about the sacrifices and the ritual of Leviticus may have cause some curiosity and some questions. Some of those questions may have been: Why did they have to do that stuff? Why don’t we have to do that stuff? Well in attempt to help you understand the importance of the Book of Leviticus I have complied an explanation of what it meant them and what it means now.
The Book of Leviticus is actually a manual, a how-to guide for Israel’s new priesthood, explaining the duties of priest and people as they worship God at His tabernacle. The first half of the book covers sacrifices and duties of priests, and the second half states principles of personal as well as ritual holiness. God chose to dwell with His people in a tabernacle that symbolizes both His presence and His power. We realize God’s presence has an awesome impact: those with whom God dwells must be a different, holy people! Every ritual and moral regulation of Leviticus is designed to drive this truth home. If God is with us, we must be wholly set apart to Him. We also realize through the emphasis on sacrifice that we stand before God as sinners. Only a people cleansed by sacrificial blood can draw near to the Lord to worship Him and to celebrate His presence. The frequent focus of Leviticus on ritual matters may seem foreign to you and me. But the underlying message of this manual of Old Testament worship shines bright, and is relevant to us today.
The Book of Leviticus was the first book studied by a Jewish child; yet is often among the last books of the Bible to be studied by a Christian. However, a book referred to about 40 times in the New Testament should be of great significance to every Christian. The Book of Leviticus contains extensive revelation concerning the character of God—especially His holiness but also His electing love and grace. Many New Testament passages, including some key concepts in the book of Hebrews, cannot be understood properly without a clear understanding of their counterparts in the Book of Leviticus.
For the Christian, the grace which Leviticus offered through the sacrificial system is now found wholly in Jesus Christ, and the sacrifices provided the New Testament authors with a rich imagery for interpreting the significance of the cross. Likewise, the demand for holiness, in Leviticus a badge of Israel’s separation from the nations, is transformed in the New Testament into the call to Christian distinctiveness from the world. But the moral challenge of Leviticus, as of the whole Old Testament law, cannot be confined to the church. God created Israel to be a light to the nations. Their distinctiveness was to enable them to model the ethical standards and direction of life that God ultimately wants for all. The book thus has important lessons for the understanding of our salvation, our personal sanctification and our social ethics. Leviticus is a part of those Scriptures which, according to Paul, are able to make us wise for salvation and are profitable for teaching us how to live (2 Tim. 3:15–17)
Theologically the Levitical sacrificial system was instituted for a people redeemed from Egypt and in covenant relationship with their God. Thus sacrifice in Israel was not a human effort to obtain favor with a hostile God but a response to the Lord who had first given Himself to Israel in covenant relationship. Yet whenever sin or impurity, whether ethical or ceremonial, disrupted this fellowship, the individual or the nation (whichever was the case) renewed covenant fellowship with the Lord through sacrifice, the particular sacrifice depending on the exact circumstance of the disruption.
Tomorrow’s reading:
Leviticus 26:27-Numbers 8:14
Today’s reading:
Leviticus 14:33-26:26
A thought or two:
Okay, I will admit it; there is some weird stuff in the last two days of reading. Reading the about the sacrifices and the ritual of Leviticus may have cause some curiosity and some questions. Some of those questions may have been: Why did they have to do that stuff? Why don’t we have to do that stuff? Well in attempt to help you understand the importance of the Book of Leviticus I have complied an explanation of what it meant them and what it means now.
The Book of Leviticus is actually a manual, a how-to guide for Israel’s new priesthood, explaining the duties of priest and people as they worship God at His tabernacle. The first half of the book covers sacrifices and duties of priests, and the second half states principles of personal as well as ritual holiness. God chose to dwell with His people in a tabernacle that symbolizes both His presence and His power. We realize God’s presence has an awesome impact: those with whom God dwells must be a different, holy people! Every ritual and moral regulation of Leviticus is designed to drive this truth home. If God is with us, we must be wholly set apart to Him. We also realize through the emphasis on sacrifice that we stand before God as sinners. Only a people cleansed by sacrificial blood can draw near to the Lord to worship Him and to celebrate His presence. The frequent focus of Leviticus on ritual matters may seem foreign to you and me. But the underlying message of this manual of Old Testament worship shines bright, and is relevant to us today.
The Book of Leviticus was the first book studied by a Jewish child; yet is often among the last books of the Bible to be studied by a Christian. However, a book referred to about 40 times in the New Testament should be of great significance to every Christian. The Book of Leviticus contains extensive revelation concerning the character of God—especially His holiness but also His electing love and grace. Many New Testament passages, including some key concepts in the book of Hebrews, cannot be understood properly without a clear understanding of their counterparts in the Book of Leviticus.
For the Christian, the grace which Leviticus offered through the sacrificial system is now found wholly in Jesus Christ, and the sacrifices provided the New Testament authors with a rich imagery for interpreting the significance of the cross. Likewise, the demand for holiness, in Leviticus a badge of Israel’s separation from the nations, is transformed in the New Testament into the call to Christian distinctiveness from the world. But the moral challenge of Leviticus, as of the whole Old Testament law, cannot be confined to the church. God created Israel to be a light to the nations. Their distinctiveness was to enable them to model the ethical standards and direction of life that God ultimately wants for all. The book thus has important lessons for the understanding of our salvation, our personal sanctification and our social ethics. Leviticus is a part of those Scriptures which, according to Paul, are able to make us wise for salvation and are profitable for teaching us how to live (2 Tim. 3:15–17)
Theologically the Levitical sacrificial system was instituted for a people redeemed from Egypt and in covenant relationship with their God. Thus sacrifice in Israel was not a human effort to obtain favor with a hostile God but a response to the Lord who had first given Himself to Israel in covenant relationship. Yet whenever sin or impurity, whether ethical or ceremonial, disrupted this fellowship, the individual or the nation (whichever was the case) renewed covenant fellowship with the Lord through sacrifice, the particular sacrifice depending on the exact circumstance of the disruption.
Tomorrow’s reading:
Leviticus 26:27-Numbers 8:14
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Day 8: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Day 8: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Today’s reading:
Leviticus 1:1-Leviticus 14:32
A thought or two:
Wow, as I read all of the sections about the various forms of sacrifice required for various sins it made me really glad to be a New Testament Christian. Under the Old Covenant (which was God’s means of being in relationship with mankind before Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection) there was a sacrificial system in place that was a type and foreshadow of the sacrifice Jesus would make as he himself was sacrificed for our sin.
The blood of bulls, goats, doves, sheep, etc. never removed the sin of the people; it simply covered the people’s sin until the next required sacrifice time. The blood of Jesus is powerful enough that it reaches across time as the fulfillment of the past, the grace for the present and the provision for the future! His blood doesn’t merely cover our sin, it washes it away!
Tomorrow’s reading:
Leviticus 14:33-26:26
Today’s reading:
Leviticus 1:1-Leviticus 14:32
A thought or two:
Wow, as I read all of the sections about the various forms of sacrifice required for various sins it made me really glad to be a New Testament Christian. Under the Old Covenant (which was God’s means of being in relationship with mankind before Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection) there was a sacrificial system in place that was a type and foreshadow of the sacrifice Jesus would make as he himself was sacrificed for our sin.
The blood of bulls, goats, doves, sheep, etc. never removed the sin of the people; it simply covered the people’s sin until the next required sacrifice time. The blood of Jesus is powerful enough that it reaches across time as the fulfillment of the past, the grace for the present and the provision for the future! His blood doesn’t merely cover our sin, it washes it away!
Tomorrow’s reading:
Leviticus 14:33-26:26
Monday, March 8, 2010
Day 7: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Day 7: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Today’s reading:
Exodus 29:1-40:39
A thought or two:
In today’s reading there is a passage about a man named Bezalel son of Uri, who is the first person the Bible says was filled with the Spirit of God. Normally when we think of people being filled with Spirit of God we think of it in terms someone being empowered for a preaching or healing ministry, but this is why the Bible says that the Spirit of God filled Bezalel son of Uri, “to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship.”
These are not things we normally think of when we think of the Spirit of God filling someone. These are things we tend to view as more secular and less sacred, however this isn’t what God said about his skilld. Bezalel son of Uri took his skills that could have been just simply a secular trade and put them to use for God’s purposes. His skills applied to a Kingdom purpose accomplished a task that could not have been accomplished for the people of God if Bezalel son of Uri had not employed his skills into the service of God.
Often times in our church culture we have made “professional ministry”, “preaching” and “pastoring” the pinnacle of serving God, and it is the pinnacle if that is what you are called to do. However if that is not God’s calling on your life, striving for those things is merely a distraction in accomplishing God’s goal for your life! You may not be a pastor, but you have as much of a calling and a purpose as anyone with a Reverend in front of their name. Take the skills God has blessed you with and find a way to leverage them to serve his purposes! God wired you a certain way for a reason and it wasn’t just to make a living. God made you to live a life leveraged for His purposes, to see His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven
Tomorrow’s reading:
Leviticus 1:1-Leviticus 14:32
Today’s reading:
Exodus 29:1-40:39
A thought or two:
In today’s reading there is a passage about a man named Bezalel son of Uri, who is the first person the Bible says was filled with the Spirit of God. Normally when we think of people being filled with Spirit of God we think of it in terms someone being empowered for a preaching or healing ministry, but this is why the Bible says that the Spirit of God filled Bezalel son of Uri, “to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship.”
These are not things we normally think of when we think of the Spirit of God filling someone. These are things we tend to view as more secular and less sacred, however this isn’t what God said about his skilld. Bezalel son of Uri took his skills that could have been just simply a secular trade and put them to use for God’s purposes. His skills applied to a Kingdom purpose accomplished a task that could not have been accomplished for the people of God if Bezalel son of Uri had not employed his skills into the service of God.
Often times in our church culture we have made “professional ministry”, “preaching” and “pastoring” the pinnacle of serving God, and it is the pinnacle if that is what you are called to do. However if that is not God’s calling on your life, striving for those things is merely a distraction in accomplishing God’s goal for your life! You may not be a pastor, but you have as much of a calling and a purpose as anyone with a Reverend in front of their name. Take the skills God has blessed you with and find a way to leverage them to serve his purposes! God wired you a certain way for a reason and it wasn’t just to make a living. God made you to live a life leveraged for His purposes, to see His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven
Tomorrow’s reading:
Leviticus 1:1-Leviticus 14:32
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Day 6: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Day 6: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Today’s reading:
Exodus 15:19-28:43
A thought or two:
There is an interesting story in our reading today where Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, out of concern for Moses and for God’s people lovingly confronts Moses about his leadership style. Moses was sitting alone, operating as the judge over every dispute that needed to be settled. That doesn’t seem too bad until you realize that the population of the people was into the millions.
Jethro let Moses know this wasn’t a good thing and that Moses needed to equip and release others to do the same things Moses was doing. He told Moses to concentrate on doing the things that only Moses could do himself.
Even if you aren’t in a position of leadership, this is a very important leadership principle to understand. Leaders cannot lead at the level that they are called to lead at if they don’t develop leaders around them. You might be a Moses that needs to develop leaders around you, you might be one of the people that is being developed as a second, third or fourth tier of leadership, or you might be one of the people that the leader and his/her leaders are leading, but wherever you are on the leadership flow chart, you need to realize that one person can only do so much.
As an associate pastor at a growing church I often get to see people’s mentality transition in respect to this lesson Moses and the children of Israel had to learn. I see people realize that our senior pastor cannot and should not have to be involved in every single detail of the life of our congregation. In order for the Kingdom of God to advance, leaders have to equip people that they can delegate responsibilities and leadership roles to and those people have to be responsible and faithful to their call.
Tomorrow’s reading:
Exodus 29:1-40:39
Today’s reading:
Exodus 15:19-28:43
A thought or two:
There is an interesting story in our reading today where Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, out of concern for Moses and for God’s people lovingly confronts Moses about his leadership style. Moses was sitting alone, operating as the judge over every dispute that needed to be settled. That doesn’t seem too bad until you realize that the population of the people was into the millions.
Jethro let Moses know this wasn’t a good thing and that Moses needed to equip and release others to do the same things Moses was doing. He told Moses to concentrate on doing the things that only Moses could do himself.
Even if you aren’t in a position of leadership, this is a very important leadership principle to understand. Leaders cannot lead at the level that they are called to lead at if they don’t develop leaders around them. You might be a Moses that needs to develop leaders around you, you might be one of the people that is being developed as a second, third or fourth tier of leadership, or you might be one of the people that the leader and his/her leaders are leading, but wherever you are on the leadership flow chart, you need to realize that one person can only do so much.
As an associate pastor at a growing church I often get to see people’s mentality transition in respect to this lesson Moses and the children of Israel had to learn. I see people realize that our senior pastor cannot and should not have to be involved in every single detail of the life of our congregation. In order for the Kingdom of God to advance, leaders have to equip people that they can delegate responsibilities and leadership roles to and those people have to be responsible and faithful to their call.
Tomorrow’s reading:
Exodus 29:1-40:39
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Day 5: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Day 5: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Today’s reading:
Exodus 1:1-15:18
A thought or two:
Today’s reading is a very familiar text. It is the story of Moses bringing the children of Israel out of Egypt. You may notice there might be some discrepancies from between what you read and the movies “The Ten Commandments” and “The Prince Egypt”. Be rest assured, Exodus is the original script :)
There is a repetitious scenario in this story where Moses says to Pharaoh, “let my people go” and Pharaoh says “no” and then God sends a plague. Once Pharaoh realizes that Moses and God mean business and that they won’t take no for an answer Pharaoh starts playing “lets make a deal” and start coming up with compromises to pacify Moses.
Moses asked to take all of the people of Israel on a three-day journey into the dessert to sacrifice to God. Pharaoh’s first compromise was “don’t go out in the wilderness, but stay here and sacrifice” (8:25). Moses didn’t buy it so Pharaoh came up with another compromise, “go worship in the dessert but leave all the women and children here in Egypt” (10:10). Moses did not buy that either, which made Pharaoh really mad, however after another round of the plagues Pharaoh was ready for another round of compromising offers. Pharaoh told Moses he could go on the journey into the dessert with all of the people of Israel, but he was not allowed to take the herds or flocks (which were the peoples sacrifices) (10:24). Moses did not buy that either and Pharaoh became extra mad this time. Finally after the last plague Pharaoh lets Moses and the people do the very thing God required of them… Take everyone out into the wilderness and sacrifice unto their Lord.
When Satan realizes that you have made up your mind that you want to be free from his bondage, he will often use this same tactic Pharaoh used. He will offer you compromising deals to make you feel as though you are making steps in the right direction, while at the same time he is keeping a level of control in your life. Just like Pharaoh told Moses that he didn’t have to go to the wilderness, Satan will lie to you and tell you that you really don’t have to take your faith that far and you don’t have to go to extremes. If you don’t buy that one he will lie to you and tell you “Well you can go, but don’t expect others to go there with you” just like he told Moses the men can go, but not the women and children. If you won’t buy that one either he will try and entice you to leave your sacrifice at home. He will tell you that you don’t have to worship God the way He has asked you to worship, just live the easy non-sacrificial life.
Don’t play let’s make a deal with Satan! No compromise! Demand freedom!
“Freedom is never freely granted by the oppressor, but must be demanded by the oppressed” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Tomorrow’s reading:
Exodus 15:19-28:43
Today’s reading:
Exodus 1:1-15:18
A thought or two:
Today’s reading is a very familiar text. It is the story of Moses bringing the children of Israel out of Egypt. You may notice there might be some discrepancies from between what you read and the movies “The Ten Commandments” and “The Prince Egypt”. Be rest assured, Exodus is the original script :)
There is a repetitious scenario in this story where Moses says to Pharaoh, “let my people go” and Pharaoh says “no” and then God sends a plague. Once Pharaoh realizes that Moses and God mean business and that they won’t take no for an answer Pharaoh starts playing “lets make a deal” and start coming up with compromises to pacify Moses.
Moses asked to take all of the people of Israel on a three-day journey into the dessert to sacrifice to God. Pharaoh’s first compromise was “don’t go out in the wilderness, but stay here and sacrifice” (8:25). Moses didn’t buy it so Pharaoh came up with another compromise, “go worship in the dessert but leave all the women and children here in Egypt” (10:10). Moses did not buy that either, which made Pharaoh really mad, however after another round of the plagues Pharaoh was ready for another round of compromising offers. Pharaoh told Moses he could go on the journey into the dessert with all of the people of Israel, but he was not allowed to take the herds or flocks (which were the peoples sacrifices) (10:24). Moses did not buy that either and Pharaoh became extra mad this time. Finally after the last plague Pharaoh lets Moses and the people do the very thing God required of them… Take everyone out into the wilderness and sacrifice unto their Lord.
When Satan realizes that you have made up your mind that you want to be free from his bondage, he will often use this same tactic Pharaoh used. He will offer you compromising deals to make you feel as though you are making steps in the right direction, while at the same time he is keeping a level of control in your life. Just like Pharaoh told Moses that he didn’t have to go to the wilderness, Satan will lie to you and tell you that you really don’t have to take your faith that far and you don’t have to go to extremes. If you don’t buy that one he will lie to you and tell you “Well you can go, but don’t expect others to go there with you” just like he told Moses the men can go, but not the women and children. If you won’t buy that one either he will try and entice you to leave your sacrifice at home. He will tell you that you don’t have to worship God the way He has asked you to worship, just live the easy non-sacrificial life.
Don’t play let’s make a deal with Satan! No compromise! Demand freedom!
“Freedom is never freely granted by the oppressor, but must be demanded by the oppressed” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Tomorrow’s reading:
Exodus 15:19-28:43
Friday, March 5, 2010
Day 4: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Today’s reading:
Genesis 40:12-50:26
A thought or two:
There is an important story about forgiveness in chapter 50. Joseph’s brothers were afraid that Joseph had not forgiven them for their sins against him, chiefly the sin of selling him as a slave when he was 17 years old.
In this story Joseph’s brothers convey a message to Joseph from their father Jacob in which Jacob asks Joseph to forgive the sins of his brothers. After conveying Jacob’s message they pleaded for Joseph’s forgiveness. Joseph forgives them and tells them that even though their intentions were evil towards him, God accomplished much through the circumstance because God’s intentions are good!
Joseph was Pharaoh’s right hand man and could have easily had his brothers punished, but he chose to forgive them. Not only did this choice alter the destinies of his brothers, but also the 10 tribes of Israel that would become descendents of his brothers. If Joseph had killed them, there would be no tribes. If the tribes never came into being, it would have ruined a lot of what God had planned for Israel. One of those tribes was the tribe through which God would bring the Messiah, Jesus. All of these things hinged on Joseph’s decision to honor his father’s request to forgive.
Someone may have wronged you in your past and you may feel very justified in holding on to your bitterness. God, your heavenly Father, sent a request through His son Jesus asking you to forgive when He said, “Forgive and you will be forgiven”. Your choice to forgive holds more than just your destiny, more than just the destiny of the person you need to forgive, it holds the destiny of untold numbers of people influenced by your life. Bitterness is a poisonous root, dig it up and remove it before it matures into a destiny stealer!
Tomorrow’s reading:
Exodus 1:1-15:18
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Day 3: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Day 3: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Today’s reading:
Genesis 28:20-40:11
A thought or two:
There is a story in today’s reading in Chapter 35 about Rachel dying after she gives birth to Benjamin. Traditionally in Rachel’s culture it was the women’s job to name newborn children and as she was dying she named the child Ben-Oni, but in that very same verse you see Rachel’s husband Jacob usurp her decision and name the child Benjamin, but why? Why would you take away a dying woman’s last request, especially a woman you dearly love the way Jacob loved Rachel?
The name she gave her son, Ben-Oni, meant son of my trouble. The name Jacob changed it to, Benjamin, means son of my right hand. In their culture your name means a lot more than we understand a name to mean in our culture. It identified you in the since that it defined who you are as person, what your past is and what your future will become.
Jacob did Benjamin a huge favor by changing his name. He altered his future, as well as the future of an entire tribe of Israel that would bear the name Benjamin, son of my right hand. The “right hand” in the Bible is representative to power and authority! So in a moment the child went from being a son of trouble to be a son with power and authority.
Throughout your life people will try and label you. Someone may have said you are a loser, a failure, worthless, etc., but God says you are His beloved, His son/daughter, you are more than a conqueror! In these 90 days of searching through the scripture I challenge you to search out what God says about you and reject the negative labels life has tagged you with!
Tomorrow’s reading:
Genesis 40:12-50:26
Today’s reading:
Genesis 28:20-40:11
A thought or two:
There is a story in today’s reading in Chapter 35 about Rachel dying after she gives birth to Benjamin. Traditionally in Rachel’s culture it was the women’s job to name newborn children and as she was dying she named the child Ben-Oni, but in that very same verse you see Rachel’s husband Jacob usurp her decision and name the child Benjamin, but why? Why would you take away a dying woman’s last request, especially a woman you dearly love the way Jacob loved Rachel?
The name she gave her son, Ben-Oni, meant son of my trouble. The name Jacob changed it to, Benjamin, means son of my right hand. In their culture your name means a lot more than we understand a name to mean in our culture. It identified you in the since that it defined who you are as person, what your past is and what your future will become.
Jacob did Benjamin a huge favor by changing his name. He altered his future, as well as the future of an entire tribe of Israel that would bear the name Benjamin, son of my right hand. The “right hand” in the Bible is representative to power and authority! So in a moment the child went from being a son of trouble to be a son with power and authority.
Throughout your life people will try and label you. Someone may have said you are a loser, a failure, worthless, etc., but God says you are His beloved, His son/daughter, you are more than a conqueror! In these 90 days of searching through the scripture I challenge you to search out what God says about you and reject the negative labels life has tagged you with!
Tomorrow’s reading:
Genesis 40:12-50:26
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Day 2: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Day 2: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Today’s reading:
Genesis 17:1-28:19
A thought or two:
In Genesis 18 there is an interesting story where God appears to Abraham. Not only does God reveal Himself to Abraham, but He also reveals His plans to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah due to the “outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin is so grievous”. Abraham pleads with God “will you wipe away the wicked with the righteous”? By the end of the conversation God says that He won’t destroy Sodom and Gomorrah if He can find 10 righteous people in those cities.
One of the thoughts I would like to draw out from this story is this, if we are close enough to God, He will reveal to us His plans for the earth. Whether He has in His mind to send a great blessing or a judgment like He did in this story, we should be the first to know.
The other thought I want share is this, God didn’t destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of the grossness of their sin, He destroyed it because of their lack of righteous people. The lack of righteous people left a void that allowed gross sin to enter into their cities, but at the end of the day God said if there are only 10, that is good enough for Him to spare the cities.
Scientifically we know there is no such thing as measuring darkness, merely there is a lack of light. There is also no such as measuring coldness, merely just a lack of heat (even when you are measuring into negative degrees, it is still talking about heat measurements). In the same way evil is the lack of righteousness. God is looking for you and me to be His representatives here on earth, so that His love, glory and mercy may be seen!
Tomorrow’s reading:
Genesis 28:20-40:11
Today’s reading:
Genesis 17:1-28:19
A thought or two:
In Genesis 18 there is an interesting story where God appears to Abraham. Not only does God reveal Himself to Abraham, but He also reveals His plans to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah due to the “outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin is so grievous”. Abraham pleads with God “will you wipe away the wicked with the righteous”? By the end of the conversation God says that He won’t destroy Sodom and Gomorrah if He can find 10 righteous people in those cities.
One of the thoughts I would like to draw out from this story is this, if we are close enough to God, He will reveal to us His plans for the earth. Whether He has in His mind to send a great blessing or a judgment like He did in this story, we should be the first to know.
The other thought I want share is this, God didn’t destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of the grossness of their sin, He destroyed it because of their lack of righteous people. The lack of righteous people left a void that allowed gross sin to enter into their cities, but at the end of the day God said if there are only 10, that is good enough for Him to spare the cities.
Scientifically we know there is no such thing as measuring darkness, merely there is a lack of light. There is also no such as measuring coldness, merely just a lack of heat (even when you are measuring into negative degrees, it is still talking about heat measurements). In the same way evil is the lack of righteousness. God is looking for you and me to be His representatives here on earth, so that His love, glory and mercy may be seen!
Tomorrow’s reading:
Genesis 28:20-40:11
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Day 1: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Day 1: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Today’s reading:
Genesis 1:1- Genesis16:16
A thought or two:
I personally believe that there is a verse in today’s reading that is one of the most important verses in the Bible! That verse is Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”
Why do I believe that verse is so important that I would have a personal conviction that it more important than many other popular memory verses, because if I can have enough faith to believe this verse, I should have enough faith in God to trust Him for anything, right?
In the beginning God created…
Okay, those first few words are a crazy thought to wrap your mind around. So you mean to tell me that before there was time, before there were stars and planets, before there were organic life forms, there was God…existing in eternity… no beginning and no end. It is hard for me to wrap my mind around the concept of Someone Who exists eternally without beginning and need, because for me eternity has been 29 years that was marked with a beginning (my birthday). My beginning or my creation marks the moment I entered into time and began to function under natural laws (science in other words). God isn’t natural, He is supernatural because God is uncreated, He has no beginning and that is amazing!
…God created the heavens and the earth
So the God that is uncreated begins to create. He does this by speaking and by virtue of the authority of His Words things that formerly did not exist were commanded to exist. There was no light until He said let there be light. There was no oceans, no mountains, no people, no animals, no stars, no plants, etc. until He said let there be…and then there was.
Knowing that God is uncreated, supernatural, and able to defy the laws of nature that He set into motion with the authority of His Words, I know that absolutely nothing is too hard for God. In today’s reading you will read about a paradise where man lived in harmony with everything in nature before sin, a flood that flooded the entire earth, the tower of Babel, and the adventures of Abraham. None of these stories are too farfetched for a God that existed before time and created everything through Words!
If you can believe Genesis 1:1 all bets are off as far as what we can believe what God can and cannot do!
Tomorrow’s reading:
Genesis 17:1-28:19
Today’s reading:
Genesis 1:1- Genesis16:16
A thought or two:
I personally believe that there is a verse in today’s reading that is one of the most important verses in the Bible! That verse is Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”
Why do I believe that verse is so important that I would have a personal conviction that it more important than many other popular memory verses, because if I can have enough faith to believe this verse, I should have enough faith in God to trust Him for anything, right?
In the beginning God created…
Okay, those first few words are a crazy thought to wrap your mind around. So you mean to tell me that before there was time, before there were stars and planets, before there were organic life forms, there was God…existing in eternity… no beginning and no end. It is hard for me to wrap my mind around the concept of Someone Who exists eternally without beginning and need, because for me eternity has been 29 years that was marked with a beginning (my birthday). My beginning or my creation marks the moment I entered into time and began to function under natural laws (science in other words). God isn’t natural, He is supernatural because God is uncreated, He has no beginning and that is amazing!
…God created the heavens and the earth
So the God that is uncreated begins to create. He does this by speaking and by virtue of the authority of His Words things that formerly did not exist were commanded to exist. There was no light until He said let there be light. There was no oceans, no mountains, no people, no animals, no stars, no plants, etc. until He said let there be…and then there was.
Knowing that God is uncreated, supernatural, and able to defy the laws of nature that He set into motion with the authority of His Words, I know that absolutely nothing is too hard for God. In today’s reading you will read about a paradise where man lived in harmony with everything in nature before sin, a flood that flooded the entire earth, the tower of Babel, and the adventures of Abraham. None of these stories are too farfetched for a God that existed before time and created everything through Words!
If you can believe Genesis 1:1 all bets are off as far as what we can believe what God can and cannot do!
Tomorrow’s reading:
Genesis 17:1-28:19
Monday, March 1, 2010
Day - 0 of 90 Day Bible Challenge
Day 0: 90-Day Bible Challenge
Intro:
For those of you that haven’t heard yet, my young adult group is participating in the 90-Day Bible challenge. What that consist of is this: reading “The Bible in 90 Days”
http://biblein90days.com/index.php?option=com_product&task=viewProd&id=102
This is a Bible that is designed if you only reading 12 pages a day (and the font is actually pretty large, so no small words crammed onto the page), then you will read through the Bible cover-to-cover in 90 days! That isn’t bad at all!
In addition to reading the Bible on your own, we have also set up weekly small group meeting for you to get together with other young adults for a time of discussion and encouragement.
Format
Today’s reading: 2 Kings 22:8-23:25
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2022:8-23:25&version=NIV
A thought or two:
Josiah was in a predicament that many of us in our culture might be quite familiar with, and that is Biblical ignorance. Now his ignorance was not totally his fault, because the generation that preceded him did not pass it on the knowledge of God to him, however God was still going to hold him and all of Israel responsible for breaking their covenant with God!
After the “The Book of the Law” (the Bible) was found and Josiah heard the truth for the first time and he responded immediately! His first response was personal repentance. Secondly he made sure everyone else knew the truth as well. And thirdly, the consequence of the promotion of truth created a reformation in his generation!
I believe that many of you will have a Josiah like experience during the 90 Day Challenge! Many of you will read the Word of God and think to yourself, “I didn’t know the Bible said that”, “why has no one ever told me these things” or “I have thought wrongly about God and I need to get to know Him better”. Your personal challenge is going to overflow into the areas of your world that you influence. Others will now begin to hear truth from God’s Word from you and for themselves!
During this 90-Day Bible challenge there are weekly small group meeting designed for your encouragement, on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month Movement will have a large group worship service in the Daily Grind to inspire your relationship with God, daily I will be blogging (on Facebook and Blogger) and tweeting thoughts that are inspired from our daily reading, and more importantly than ALL of that, you will have a focused and powerful alone time with God on a daily basis!
Tomorrow’s reading:
Genesis 1:1- Genesis16:16
Intro:
For those of you that haven’t heard yet, my young adult group is participating in the 90-Day Bible challenge. What that consist of is this: reading “The Bible in 90 Days”
http://biblein90days.com/index.php?option=com_product&task=viewProd&id=102
This is a Bible that is designed if you only reading 12 pages a day (and the font is actually pretty large, so no small words crammed onto the page), then you will read through the Bible cover-to-cover in 90 days! That isn’t bad at all!
In addition to reading the Bible on your own, we have also set up weekly small group meeting for you to get together with other young adults for a time of discussion and encouragement.
Format
Today’s reading: 2 Kings 22:8-23:25
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2022:8-23:25&version=NIV
A thought or two:
Josiah was in a predicament that many of us in our culture might be quite familiar with, and that is Biblical ignorance. Now his ignorance was not totally his fault, because the generation that preceded him did not pass it on the knowledge of God to him, however God was still going to hold him and all of Israel responsible for breaking their covenant with God!
After the “The Book of the Law” (the Bible) was found and Josiah heard the truth for the first time and he responded immediately! His first response was personal repentance. Secondly he made sure everyone else knew the truth as well. And thirdly, the consequence of the promotion of truth created a reformation in his generation!
I believe that many of you will have a Josiah like experience during the 90 Day Challenge! Many of you will read the Word of God and think to yourself, “I didn’t know the Bible said that”, “why has no one ever told me these things” or “I have thought wrongly about God and I need to get to know Him better”. Your personal challenge is going to overflow into the areas of your world that you influence. Others will now begin to hear truth from God’s Word from you and for themselves!
During this 90-Day Bible challenge there are weekly small group meeting designed for your encouragement, on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month Movement will have a large group worship service in the Daily Grind to inspire your relationship with God, daily I will be blogging (on Facebook and Blogger) and tweeting thoughts that are inspired from our daily reading, and more importantly than ALL of that, you will have a focused and powerful alone time with God on a daily basis!
Tomorrow’s reading:
Genesis 1:1- Genesis16:16
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