October 2 - Matthew 1; Luke 2:1-38: Jesus is Born to Praise from Shepherds

Today’s Reading: Matthew 1; Luke 2:1-38

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God has moved into the neighborhood.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

There were 42 generations between Abraham and Jesus.
An angel told Joseph that Mary was pregnant by the Holy Spirit and her son would save Israel from their sins—fulfilling the virgin-birth prophecy. Joseph believed the angel.
Mary gave birth to Jesus and laid him in a manger, since there was no room for them in hotels. Nearby shepherds heard angels praising God and came to see the baby.
Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the Temple to offer the sacrifice to redeem the firstborn son. Two elderly people, Simeon and Anna, praised God for letting them see the Messiah.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God moved into the neighborhood.

(Repeat of yesterday's comment) God was in the Garden at the beginning. When God came to Israel in the wilderness they asked that He use Moses as an intermediary. The intermediary way of communicating with Israel lasted over a thousand years. With Jesus, God not only interacted with His Chosen People face-to-face again, He came in human form and lived among them to set His relationship with Israel right. He also came to make us what we should be—"God-begotten" (John 1:13, The Message). This means Jesus came to help us understand we are much greater than the son or daughter of humans. By submitting to Him we become our true selves—children of God. God came to Earth in human form to set our relationship right and make us what we should be—Children of God.

Joseph had faith that God would set things right.

Joseph was a good man, not willing to make a spectacle of his fiancé's infidelity. When God's angel spoke to him in a dream, Joseph had to trust that God would bring Jesus safely into the world and keep them safe from any zealot that wanted to make them an example. Because of his faith, Mary and Jesus lived secure lives. When God's Chosen Men have full faith in God, God can set things right for their family.

The shepherds told everyone they met what they saw.

This is the first example that will become a theme in the New Testament. When God's Chosen People tell others what they have seen God doing, others will praise God, too.

Matthew's purpose is to show how the Old Testament proves Jesus' authenticity and contrasts the Scriptures to the Jews' expectations of the Messiah.

You will see some form of the phrase "this fulfilled prophecy" many, many times in this Gospel. Matthew wanted the Jews to understand how Jesus fits the description of the Messiah the prophets wanted Israel to wait for. The Jews, on the other hand, were expecting a much different Messiah. Matthew is showing how their view is a misreading of the Prophets. Jesus' authenticity was founded on more than His teachings and miracles. His authenticity included everything Israel considered sacred.

Remember Simeon's words.

Simeon's words are prophetic:

God, you can now release your servant;
   release me in peace as you promised.
With my own eyes I’ve seen your salvation;
   it’s now out in the open for everyone to see:
A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations,
   and of glory for your people Israel.
…
This child marks both the failure and
   the recovery of many in Israel,
A figure misunderstood and contradicted—
   the pain of a sword-thrust through you—
But the rejection will force honesty,
   as God reveals who they really are. (Luke 2:29-32, 34-35, The Message)

I would love to write on each one of these here, but they will be written about as we go through the rest of the New Testament.

Do you want God to reveal who you really are?

October 1 - Luke 1; John 1:1-14: God Sends a Messenger to Prepare His Chosen People for the Light

Today’s Reading: Luke 1; John 1:1-14

The Message

English Standard Version

We made it to the New Testament!
The Gospels chronicle the same time period, so we will read all four books concurrently. We will not read them in strict chronological order but by story content (for example, Jesus' teachings on the Sabbath will push Matthew 12:1-21 out of order but will keep it with other passages on the Sabbath). If this sounds confusing, use the links above to read each day's section in your browser.
Blessings on your reading!

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Zechariah doubted God's angel but praised God when John was born.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

The Word was God. The Word created everything.
Luke used first-hand reports to legitimize the teachings.
Zechariah and Elizabeth were barren. An angel said they would have a son named John—a revivalist preparing Israel for God. Skeptical, Zechariah was struck mute.
Gabriel told Mary, David's descendant, that she, a virgin, would carry the Son of God, the eternal ruler of Jacob's house.
Mary, Elizabeth, and Zechariah praised God for their good fortune.
John showed everyone how to find the Light. The Light moved into the neighborhood but His neighbors rejected Him because He was too much like the Father.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God moved into the neighborhood.

God was in the Garden at the beginning. When God came to Israel in the wilderness they asked that He use Moses as an intermediary. God not only came back to Earth, He came in human form and lived among His Chosen People. God wanted to set His relationship with Israel right, so He came to live with them. He also came to make us what we should be—"God-begotten" (John 1:13, The Message). This means Jesus came to help us understand we are much greater than the son or daughter of humans. By submitting to Him we become our true selves—children of God. God came to Earth in human form to set our relationship right and make us what we should be—Children of God.

John's purpose was to show the way to Jesus—the Light made flesh.

John was the fulfillment of what we read yesterday. He came with two purposes: call Israel to God and show them where to find Jesus. He would turn many people back to God and prepare them to meet Jesus. God provides His Chosen People messengers to show the way to Him.

Luke's purpose in writing his Gospel was to confirm what was taught.

Luke, a doctor, wanted to give assurance to the new Christians who believed in Jesus as the Word made flesh but were unsure if what was being said about Him was true. Luke wrote to dispel doubt and clear up the matter for everyone by using what would be considered court-approved evidence—word of mouth.

Mary, Elizabeth, and Zechariah understood how awesome God was to them.

I love Elizabeth's welcome of Mary, Mary's praise for carrying the Son of God, and Zechariah's praise when John was born. They all knew God had been good to them and His Chosen People and praised Him for it. Praise God because He is awesome!

Do you know how awesome God is to you?

Hallelujah! June 15 - Psalms 134, 146-150: Praise God, Everyone! Hallelujah!

Today’s Reading: Psalms 134, 146-150

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Notice all of the instruments used to praise God.

Psalm (P)Synopsis

Psalm 134

Come bless God, everyone! May God bless us in turn!

Psalm 146

Hallelujah! Praise God! Do not trust in humans who are limited. Trust in the trustworthy, generous, gracious God who defends orphans and widows. God is in charge! Hallelujah!

Psalm 147

Hallelujah! Praise to our God is beautiful and fits Him perfectly! God put Israel back together from captivity! So we thank the God who controls the earth! Praise God! He has defended Jerusalem and helps them through the winter like no other nation on earth. Hallelujah!

Psalm 148

Hallelujah! Praise God, earth! Animals, elements, plants, weather, people old and young! Let them praise God because He is the only one worthy of praise! Hallelujah!

Psalm 149

Hallelujah! Praise God with dancing, instruments, and new songs because He arrays us in salvation! Lovers, warriors, praise God for defeating your enemies! Hallelujah!

Psalm 150

Hallelujah! Praise God everywhere for He is great! Get all of the instruments together; it's time to praise God! Hallelujah!

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Hallelujah! God is worthy of praise! Hallelujah!

Every psalm today has the same theme. It isn't new and I've commented on it several times, so there is not much to add other than seconding their statements and going back to read them again. Praise God! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Praise God! Hallelujah!

April 22 - Psalms 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, and 21: David, in a Civil War, Praises God

Today’s Reading: Psalms 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, and 21

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

David is spending this time of civil war sharing his pain and pleasure with God.

Psalm (P)Synopsis

Psalm 6

David asks God to stop all of the fighting because he is tired and has cried a river of tears. He exclaims to his enemies to watch out—God has answered his prayers.

Psalm 8

God is wonderful! Everything shouts praises to Him. It makes David see his smallness and wonder why God even cares for him or would put humans in control of the earth. Creation calls out to God!

Psalm 9

David bellows God's praises for helping him defeat his enemies. God sets things right. David calls on God to be kind to him and to defeat his enemies through their own snares, their own holes, and their own wickedness.

Psalm 10

Where is God? Why has He not set things right when His enemies come and mock Him? The ones who obey God feel abandoned. In spite of that they know God will save them because God sets things right. He will end the reign of terror.

Psalm 14

God wants to find His Chosen People, the wholly-for-God folk. But they cannot be found. They have gone after fake shepherds who have taken them into the slaughterhouse. God can still save them!

Psalm 16

David asks God to keep him safe. He has not gone to the god-market looking for a god for the right price. David has chosen God and God alone! God has proven loyal and true and David will always walk His path.

Psalm 19

Everything in the world praises God, even if there are no words! The sun is like God's Word—giving light to the world and warming the hearts. God's Word is better than any precious thing in the world. God's Word prevents us from falling into troubles, from taking control over our lives and bringing them into the pit. May everything I do be from the Word of God!

Psalm 21

God gives strength to kings. They have good, long lives because of God. God in return arrays them in splendor, making them beautiful in the world. He saves them from their enemies and causes the evil ones to be wiped clean off the face of the earth. No one can have strength outside God!

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

David cries out to God when he feels tired of fighting.

David wants God to stop the fighting. He feels abandoned by God. However, when he cries out to God he expects salvation—God will set things right. When you are tired of fighting, call on God to set things right.

God's creation cries out that He has made it!

Everything in the world tells of God's majesty. The skies, the oceans, outer space all report His greatness. They may not speak English but by their very existence they show how silly and inane atheist's discussions of God become. The heavens declare the glory of God and the skies show His work!

God has made man the keepers of his earth.

We must make sure we remember this aspect of God's plan. God, from the beginning, has given man dominion over the earth. We are in charge of making sure the earth is replenished. Consider this TED talk from Allan Savory where he confesses a grand mistake they made 50 years ago by taking grazing animals from large areas of Africa's grasslands to set up national parks: They are now re-grazing the land as God would (although he calls it "nature") and seeing untold results. We are God's caretakers of the earth.

The wicked will be caught in the traps they set up for God's people.

In a hopeful though sobering psalm, David calls on God to save him by having people who set traps for him fall into their own traps. The schemers are punished by their own schemes. The ones who dig holes fall into them. God will punish evil doers in the same way they seek to punish God's people. Don't be one of the schemers, trappers, or hole-diggers!

God will set things right if the righteous will obey Him.

Psalm 14 provides a hard take on God's predicament—He wants to set things right if only He could find people willing to be wholly for Him. Unfortunately, they have gone after false gods, false shepherds. They will be punished unless they turn their lives around. God can set things right in our lives if we wholly give ourselves to Him!

Don't go shopping for a god.

In our consumer-driven society, we shop for everything. I like that. We need more parts of our society to embrace the idea that they should compete instead of having a "right" to our business. However, one thing that does not need competition is our god. God is our god and He alone is worthy of being our god.

Don’t just go shopping for a god.
   Gods are not for sale.
I swear I’ll never treat god-names
   like brand-names. (16:4, The Message)

God is more precious than anything on earth.

God is more precious than silver. God is more precious than gold. God is more precious than diamonds. God is sweeter than honey. How wonderful is our God!

God's Word keeps us out of danger—chew on it!

There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger
   and directs us to hidden treasure.
Otherwise how will we find our way?
   Or know when we play the fool?
Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
   Keep me from stupid sins,
   from thinking I can take over your work (19:11-12, The Message)

Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart be acceptable in God's sight!

April 19 - 1 Samuel 28-31; Psalm 18: Saul Joins Samuel; David Saves His Family

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 28-31; Psalm 18

The Message

English Standard Version

Congratulations! You have completed 10 books of the Bible (that's two whole hands!)

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Saul finally hears a word from God—but it's not what he expected.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Saul, not receiving a word from God when the Philistines camped against him, went to a witch to speak to the dead Samuel. Samuel said Saul and his sons would die in battle.
The Philistine army did not want David's men with them. David's men returned to find their city ransacked and their wives and children kidnapped. David asked God if he could catch them. Everyone was returned safely. A quarrel broke out among the men as to who should share the spoils. David instructed them to share equally.
Israel's army was defeated and Saul with his sons were killed.

Psalm (P)Synopsis

Psalm 18

David praises God for saving him and helping him through his troubles. God is a steady rock in a world that wobbles terribly. God brought him out of terrible oppression and gave him a great reward in return. David thanked God for saving him and his family!

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Saul has resorted to violating God's Law to receive a message from Him.

God forbade sorcerers and witches. Saul knows this but is desperate for a message from God. Since his pride has prevented him from repenting and asking God to save him, he must go to a witch to speak to Samuel. When we leave God we resort to desperate acts.

David consults God before going after his wife and children.

There is no time to lose. If he leaves now he can catch them before it's too late. Yet David takes time to ask God if he would be able to find them. What great faith David has to first ask God before taking on such an emotional chase. We should always consult God before doing any task, no matter how urgent.

David sets things right when he shares the spoils with all of his men.

Two hundred of David's men were unable to continue the chase for their wives and children. The men who fought the raiders wanted to cut them out of the spoils since they did not do the heavy lifting. David would not hear of it, instead insisting that they share equally among all who played a part in rescuing their loved ones. God sets things right when His Chosen People share with all their brothers and sisters—not only those who do the work.

God is worthy of great thanksgiving!

As a transition from David's calls for justice against his enemies, this psalm presents a wonderful song of praise to God for redemption. God is worthy of our praise!

Is God your bedrock under your feet?

April 8 - 1 Samuel 1-3: God Blesses Hannah and Calls Samuel

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 1-3

The Message

English Standard Version

Today we begin 1 Samuel. This book begins with the birth of Samuel, continues through the kingdom of Saul and ends with David becoming king.

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Compare the faith of Hannah, a barren woman, and Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of God.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

There was a man, Elkanah, who had two wives. Hannah, his favorite wife, had no children and was crushed by her barrenness. One year, while praying, she promised to dedicate her firstborn son to God. So God gave her a son. And Hannah dedicated him to God. When Hannah gave Samuel over to God she prayed a great song of joy. She visited him once a year.
Samuel served Eli in the tabernacle from a small boy. Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were wicked men—embarrassingly bad for God. So God took Eli's priesthood promise and gave it to Samuel.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God blesses Hannah with a son because she vowed to give him to God.

God realizes Hannah was serious about her vow. So God gave her a son. And she fulfilled the vow. God blesses us when we whole-heartedly vow to use what God has given us to set things right on the earth.

Hannah's prayer is worthy of a Psalm.

Hannah's song is both a great prayer to God and a jab at Peninnah (Elkanah's other wife). Peninnah has taunted Hannah for not having any children. The prayer comes from a heart long burdened with wanting a son and now must give him over to God, only to see him once a year. Yet she is not bitter or resentful of her vow. This may be why God gives her more children.

Hophni and Phinehas' sins were so great God took away Eli's part of the priestly promise.

What should not be lost in this story is God's punishment of Eli. Since Eli has not taught his children to honor God he now shares in the punishment—his family's priesthood ends with them. God's promises can be revoked when we do not obey Him.

What do you think of Hannah's prayer?