April 3

April 3
One Year Bible Readings:
Deuteronomy 23:1-25:19
Luke 10:13-37
Psalm 75:1-10
Proverbs 12:12-14
Supplemental Reading for The One Year Bible.
The following are excerpts from Mike’s One Year Bible Blog.

Deuteronomy:
There are quite a few miscellaneous and interesting regulations in our readings today!  :)  All in all, very good advice of course. Deuteronomy chapter 25 verse 4 tells us this wise advice - "Do not keep an ox from eating as it treads out the grain."  I think it is quite fair for an ox to eat while he's working!

Luke:
Luke chapter 10 verse 20 is an incredible teaching from Jesus for us to heed even today - "But don't rejoice just because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered as citizens of heaven."  I do think that sometimes we rejoice over the wrong things - secondary things.  The primary thing is our relationship with Jesus.  And then there are secondary good things that perhaps we do or are involved with in the Kingdom.  But, don't rejoice over those.  Rejoice that you are in an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ.  That is the one thing that matters.  Today in Luke chapter 10 verse 21 we read – “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” What a great opening line – Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit! In your life today - are you full of joy through the Holy Spirit? Do you want to be? I read a great commentary from the One Year Bible companion on this verse with this wonderful
Q & A - “What was Jesus’ relationship to the Holy Spirit? Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, baptized by the Holy Spirit, anointed by the Holy Spirit, guided by the Holy Spirit, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and filled with the Holy Spirit. He lives in union with the Holy Spirit, and was dependent upon the Holy Spirit.”
Q: What is your relationship with the Holy Spirit today? Are you dependent upon the Holy Spirit in your life?

Psalm:
Psalm 75 verse 7 is so powerful and so true... I need to hear this over and over again - "It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall."  You and I do not judge.  Well, we might try to judge, but it's all in vain if we do.  And we risk turning judgment onto ourselves when we do.  God alone judges.  God alones decides who will rise and who will fall.  We do not.  God is God.  We are not.  This is a very good thing to always remember! :)

Proverbs:
Proverbs chapter 12 verse 14 is a beautiful Proverb - "People can get many good things by the words they say; the work of their hands also gives them many benefits."  I think it is safe to say that we should speak and work and there will be benefits!  :)  It is true I think that work is a very good thing.  I'm sure you're probably like me at times and dream about winning the lottery.  This seems like it would be ideal.  We wouldn't have to work.  We could just do what we wanted.  Trust me - this would be a curse.  We need work.  I think it blesses us immensely to work.  And indeed it gives many benefits - and not just $.  The benefits include confidence and skills and friendships and socialization and this list could go on.  The work of our hands gives us many benefits.  Forget the lottery.  You don't want that trouble.  :)  Let us get to work!

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