Day 118

Joshua 13:1-14:15

How excited God must have been to finally be giving the Israelites the towns He had promised them so many years before. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses had all been promised this land flowing with milk and honey but none of them saw the fulfillment. God must have felt like parents do when they can't wait to give a gift to their children on Christmas morning. It is certainly more blessed to give than receive! Heaven must have been full of rejoicing as the Promised Land is now being possessed by the children of Israel.


Luke 24:36-53

Jesus appearances after His death were always positive and assuring to the disciples. Here Jesus emphasizes that EVERY promise from the Old Testament has been fulfilled. Not one detail has been forgotten. The ascension of Jesus must have been a cool thing to see. Jesus is taken up to heaven and the disciples, understandably, have mixed emotions. They are sad to see Jesus go but they have a promise of the Holy Spirit. They really have no idea what this is but they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.


Psalm 52:1-9

When we trust in money and in ourselves we are unstable and our way is headed for destruction. Here the Psalmists says God will tear you from your home and bad things will happen to you when you love evil and wickedness. People get away with sin for awhile but just like Madoff of today, it catches up with you and the fun is over.

BUT when I trust in the Lord, I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God. I have plenty of food, I grow strong and I am surround by the very presence of God! Better is one day in your courts than thousands elsewhere.

Day 111

Deuteronomy 33:1 - 34:12

Today is a sad day. The Moses era is now behind us. What a special man God used. Even though he made mistakes God still said about him that "the Lord knew face to face." Moses was 120 when he died and he still had his eyesight and his strength. When God ordains you to fulfill a destiny in life He will give you the weakness and strengths that you need. What I mean by weaknesses is that Moses studdered or had some sort of speak problem but God still used him. We also see from this passage that God does order our steps and knows when we are to die. I wonder what Moses thought when God called him to climb the mountain to die? But looking ahead, the Lord has already anointed Joshua to lead the good naughty good naughty good naughty good naughty people into the Promised Land.


Luke 20:27 - 21:4

"He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive." I love this verse. God does not see death like we do. For those who are saved it really is just passing from one life to another. Those who are in Christ will never for one moment be apart from God. Not one second. For to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.


Psalm 49:1-20

Quit being jealous of all the rich people in the world. Their riches are only for a moment in the span of eternity. We have something far greater! The last verse is the clincher: a man with riches but without God is as good as an animal when he dies. Ouch.

Day 110

Deuteronomy 31:30 - 32:52

It's interesting to hear Moses' last song concerning his journey on earth. This recount is coming from one who has spent most of his life speaking face to face with God. What a powerful picture he paints of our God.

God tells Moses to go up on Mount Nebo because he's going to die there. But I love how God's grace is still present in his death. Even though Moses disqualified himself from entering the Promised Land, God allowed him to see it. What a gracious and compassionate God we serve.


Luke 19:45 - 20:26

These passages today show me that our God is simply just. I think too many times Christians began making God so much more complicated than we need to. Just like the Pharisees and Saducees were trying to trick Jesus, the simplicity of His message astounded them every time. Stick to the basics--our relationship with Christ!


Psalm 48:9-14

Thank you Lord that You are our guide until the end! We will never walk alone!

Day 109

Deuteronomy 30:11 - 31:29

This is a very sobering passage. Moses begins by clarifying the fact that the Israelites have free will. They can choose to obey or they can choose to not obey--it's completely up to them. Moses sets them up with their new leader, Joshua, and then commands them to read the law periodically, so as to not forget it. But this passage ends by Moses letting them know in advance that they are not going to choose obedience. Imagine someone laying out for you two options and then telling you that you're not going to pick the right one. Wouldn't you reconsider your decision? Unfortunately for the Israelites, they continued on their beaten path and fulfilled Moses' prophecy.


Luke 19:11-44

We should desire to be diligent with the tasks that God has given us. If it's to serve in the nursery, then that should be the best nursery ever. If it's to serve on the worship team, then we give it our all and make music to the best of our ability. As our faithfulness increases, God will give us more opportunities to be faithful.

We also read today about the Triumphant Entry. The people are excited about Christ entering and Pharisees are critical. However, our God is SO worthy of praise, He will cause the rocks to cry out and praise Him if we don't. Just like the song, "ain't no rock gonna cry in my place!"


Psalm 48:1-8

I enjoy the pictures that are created in the Psalms about the majesty of God and His dwelling, and about the power of His might and the security of His hand.

Day 108

Deuteronomy 29:1 - 30:10

I love how God is so forgiving--even in our worst sin. Though God would have to punish the Israelites by exiling them, He would also hear their repentant cries and restore them in His infinite love. What a powerful, merciful God.


Luke 18:31 - 19:10

This passage of scripture is one of my favorites. I really draw courage from the blind beggar. He desperately needed a touch from God. When he cried out for that, those around him attempted to silence him by their words. But the Bible says "he shouted all the more". I appreciate this example. Even when there are doubters among us, we are to cry out the Creator--where our help and our strength come from.


Proverbs 10:1-10

Such nuggets of wisdom. I particularly like verse 9. This gives me comfort to know that walking in integrity is a safe way to go--no matter how turbulent it may be, we are safe on that road. Walking any other way is crooked and potentially embarrassing when you are discovered.

Day 107

Deuteronomy 28:15-68

Just as God promises to bless us beyond measure for our obedience, He is a just God, and there are consequences for our disobedience. It's so easy to read this and judge the Israelites, wondering how they could disobey with such steep consequences clearly laid out. Then I realize, I'm the same way. God may not send me a prophet to explain all of the horrible consequences to me, but God does expect me to obey. I may not be exiled, but I do distance myself from my Creator when I choose not to obey His plan.


Luke 18:1-30

Love the persistent widow. May we all be persistent about the things of God and bringing them before His throne.

I also love the story of the rich ruler. I find comfort in the last part when Jesus lets us know that the things we give up for God's purposes are not given in vain. God will bless us--our sacrifices don't go unnoticed!


Psalm 47:1-9

Praise God! He alone is worthy of our praise!

Day 106

Deuteronomy 26:1 - 28:14

God promises to bless us when we obey. Why is it so hard for us, then, to obey when we have such a great reward waiting for us? I know for me, it's sometimes hard to believe that the struggle I will endure in obeying will be worth the blessing, whatever it may be. It's a trust issue--trusting that God has my best in mind. Chapter 28 is a great reminder that He does have my (our) best in mind.

Luke 17:11-37

What a statement of gratitude it was for the lone Samaritan to come back and thank Jesus. That action spoke volumes about his character. What are my actions speaking about my character? Ouch!

Psalm 46:1-11

What a mighty God we serve! Nothing is beyond His abilities or His notice. Even with this majestic, thunderous God, He calls us to "be still" and know Him. Be still.