No Scheduled Reading
March 29, 2009
On Discipleship Journal’s “Book-at-a-Time Bible Reading Plan” there are no assigned readings after the 28th of each month. Use this time to meditate more deeply on something that was significant in the past month, to catch up on any missed readings, or to revisit favorite or recently read passages.
I’m going to see if I can get ahead a little and will post again on the first of next month.
Grace and peace to you!
Care for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow
March 28, 2009
Scripture
19 When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. 21 When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. 22 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this. (Deuteronomy 24:19-22)
Observation
God cares for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow; one way that he showed this care was to see that they had food to harvest and eat. The LORD ties the Israelite’s treatment of these people to their state while in Egypt. Once the Israelites were without power, now – they are to treat with respect, dignity, and love those who are powerless.
Application
I need to remember that this life is not about amassing all that I can for myself. I also need to care for the needs of those around me. And I need to pay close attention to those who are powerless or marginalized. The LORD specifies the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow – but I will take this as anyone who is in need of assistance, help, or a hand-up.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for all the ways that you provide abundantly for me. Give me eyes to see the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow as your treasured children. Help me be generous toward them, even if that means I have a little less than I might have otherwise had. Amen.
Do Not Ignore It
March 27, 2009
Scripture
1 If you see someone else’s ox or sheep straying, do not ignore it but be sure to take it back to its owner. 2 If the owner does not live near you or if you do not know who owns it, take it home with you and keep it until the owner comes looking for it. Then give it back. 3 Do the same if you find someone’s donkey or cloak or anything else they have lost. Do not ignore it. 4 If you see someone’s donkey or ox fallen on the road, do not ignore it. Help the owner get it to its feet. (Deuteronomy 22:1-4)
Observation
Here we see concrete application of the Golden Rule: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” I am struck by the simplicity of this command. If you see something that isn’t yours return it to the owner; if you don’t know whose it is, don’t keep it when another comes to claim it. I love the command, “Do not ignore it.” Here we come into the realm of sins of omission. Sin is not only doing things that are wrong, sin also encompasses not doing the good we know we should.
I long for the days when followers of Jesus are again known as people who do the good that Jesus talked about. Not just known for not doing bad things, but known for treating others in a way that values and affirms their personhood, that gives them dignity, and shows them love!
Application
Today, I will strive to act out the good that I see needs to be done. I will not ignore it.
Prayer
Precious, loving Jesus. Give me the grace to live out the golden rule – that I can truly do to others as I would have them do to me. Amen.
God Speaks
March 26, 2009
Scripture
18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their people, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. (Deuteronomy 18:18)
Observation
I am amazed that the people of Israel didn’t want to hear from God directly. I wish that today I could hear the audible voice of God. Of course, I am thankful for the gift of the Holy Spirit who speaks to us and intercedes for us – but to have that kind of experience where all of God’s people heard God’s voice – I long for this! I know that if I heard God this way, I would have a greater sense of the majesty and awesomeness of God than I do now.
God has chosen to speak through human beings – and I am thankful for this. I know there are times when preaching, I have received a word from God for the people I am preaching to. It is a weighty task to stand before a group of people and say with confidence I have a word from God for you. This has been one of the stranger aspects of pastoral ministry for me. It is humbling and scary, but exhilarating at the same time. I am thankful for those prophets who came before me who have spoken the word God has given – and I am amazed that God chooses to speak through sinful (but forgiven) people!
Application
I will listen for God’s word – not just for myself but for when God gives me a word for another. Then, when I have heard that word, I will do my best to be faithful and I will deliver it.
Prayer
God who speaks, thank you for still speaking through the power of your Holy Spirit. Speak to your people today the words of life that we need to hear. Speak, Lord, for your servants are listening! Amen.
Ten Percent is Not Enough
March 25, 2009
Scripture
22 Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. (Deuteronomy 14:22)
Observation
Tithe: the tenth part of agricultural produce or personal income set apart as an offering to God or for works of mercy, or the same amount regarded as an obligation or tax for the support of the church, priesthood, or the like.
I recently attended a seminar that focused on generosity, and an interesting question was raised. In our lives, when have we prayed enough? when have we read the Bible enough? when have we witnessed enough? But as a Christian, when have I given enough? and the answer is 10%.
Just like we don’t put a limit to how much we should dig into God’s word – I don’t think there should be a ceiling on how much we are willing to give of our money. God may be calling us to give more than 10%, I think God wants us to increase our generosity. For some people 10% seems an unattainable goal; for these people maybe giving an additional 1% over what was budgeted last year. I think that could work for all of us. When we start to rely on ourselves to provide – and limit what we are willing to give God, we set ourselves up for problems.
Just as God was generous with me – he did not withhold his only Son – I want to live and give generously!
Application
I just finished our taxes. I will look at what we gave this year, and budget to give an additional percent in 2009. That’s pretty doable, I think.
Prayer
Generous God, you have given abundantly to me – help me to not be stingy, but to pass on to others the blessings you have given to me! Amen.
Obedience Leads To Strength
March 24, 2009
Scripture
8 Observe therefore all the commands I am giving you today, so that you may have the strength to go in and take over the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 9 and so that you may live long in the land that the LORD swore to your ancestors to give to them and their descendants, a land flowing with milk and honey. (Deuteronomy 11:8-9)
Observation
I find the connection between God’s commands and strength for the task interesting. It’s not follow the commands so you will be worthy, or holy, or good enough. God tells the people to observe all the commands so that they may have the strength to enter the land and take control of it.
There have been times in my life when I haven’t been keeping God’s commands and I do know that this sapped my strength. Many things seemed more difficult – Psalm 32 says hidden or unconfessed sin feels like when the summer heat has drained a person’s strength. Sometimes it has felt like I didn’t have the strength to do the things that could make my life better – like reconnecting with friends who are good influences, loving my wife well, reading the Bible, spending time in prayer. I think this is what God was hoping to protect the Israelites from – by instructing them to follow and observe the Law, he was hoping to keep them focused on the things that would keep them strong enough to do the task God had laid out for them. If the people stop obeying the commands, the job will become difficult; similarly if people stop the work of possessing the land it is likely that they will become too weak or distracted to accomplish the task.
I’ve seen it in my own life: obedience and discipline are cyclical partners. When I am disciplined obedience is easier; when I am obedient to the calling God has placed on my life, discipline is more likely to follow. But when either of these fall – the other is often right behind it. I have seen this in the discipline of exercise, of regular Bible reading, of prayer. When I regularly am doing these things – obedience comes much more naturally and I have a lot more energy for all of my tasks. I think God knew this before he brought the people into the land… chances are, he did!
Application
Strength comes from obedience, which in turn creates more strength. I will continue to strive for discipline so that obedience is easier – yielding more strength.
Prayer
Holy God, help me to be obedient – that I may have the strength necessary for the tasks you have for me. Amen.
Tell it like it is
March 23, 2009
Scripture
17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigners residing among you, giving them food and clothing. 19 And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. 20 Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. 21 He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. (Deuteronomy 10:17-21)
Observation
Moses can’t help but break into a passage that sounds like worship as he describes the God he knows intimately. As he is re-telling what happened to the people of Israel after Egypt and calls them to continued faithfulness his words sound like they could come from the psalms!
“God of gods, Lord of Lords, the great God, mighty and awesome”
When you have walked closely with God, like Moses did, there is no need for objective distance. And if there were, are not these words still true?! Or better said, is it possible for Moses to talk about God in any other way than he describes God here?
Application
When I have a real experience of God, I will strive to have this change reflected in other areas of my life: my faith should look different; my prayers should sound different; and, I need to live different as a result. I want to speak out of experience – and not using hyperbole – and say that ‘the LORD my God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome’!
Prayer
God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome – give me a sense of who you truly are. And as I experience you for who you are, let this knowledge spill over into the rest of my life! Amen.
It’s Not About You
March 22, 2009
Scripture
7 The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.8 But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. (Deuteronomy 7:7-9)
Observation
God’s choice of Israel was never about them. It wasn’t about Abraham, or Isaac, or Jacob if anything it was in spite of them. God chose this group to be his people so there could be no doubt about the greatness of God. Not only was there to be no question about God’s greatness – but also his love and faithfulness were clearly demonstrated.
There are times throughout the history of this people when they turn their focus to themselves and deceive themselves into thinking that they themselves are the reason for their successes. How far this is from the truth – in their lives or my own!
Application
When things go well for me – I will try to not let it go to my head. It’s likely the success had little to do with me – but with God’s love and faithfulness. When failures come, I will investigate and see where I am responsible – but I will also look for a way that God can show himself as faithful.
Prayer
I am grateful, good God, that it is you who chose me and loved me first – not because of what I’ve done or who I am, but because of who you are and what you do. Help me to put aside my pride, and see you and me in the correct ways. Give me your eyes to see things as they truly are. Amen.
Day of Rest
March 21, 2009
There is no assigned reading for the Book-at-a-Time Bible Reading Plan.
Each seventh day, and some days at the end of the month the plan has provided a day of reflection. Please use these days to meditate more deeply on something that was significant in the past week, to catch up on any missed readings, or to revist favorite or recently read passages.
