April 4

April 4
One Year Bible Readings:
Deuteronomy 26:1-27:26
Luke 10:38-11:13
Psalm 76:1-12
Proverbs 12:15-17
Supplemental Reading for The One Year Bible.
The following are excerpts from Mike’s One Year Bible Blog.

Deuteronomy:
Later this year in the One Year Bible when we read Galatians, you'll note that Paul powerfully references today's readings in Deuteronomy chapter 27 verse 26:  "'Cursed is anyone who does not affirm and obey the terms of these instructions.' And all the people will reply, 'Amen.'" One of the best things we can ever do when studying the Bible is simply let Scripture interpret Scripture.  So here we go on Galatians chapter 3 verses 10 through 12: "But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law."  So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life." This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, "It is through obeying the law that a person has life.""  
Q: How do these verses from Galatians speak to you?  Do you agree that we cannot be made right with God by trying to keep the law?  Do you think the way of faith is very different from the way of law?
 
Since we're in the Easter/Good Friday season, let me continue on with a few more verses here from Galatians chapter 10, continuing with verses 13 and 14: "But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith."  
Q: Has Jesus rescued you from the curse pronounced by the law?  Do you believe that Jesus took upon himself the curse for your wrongdoing?  Have you received the promised Holy Spirit through faith?
 
Luke:

Today in Luke chapter 10 we read about Jesus visiting Mary & Martha and Martha becoming upset with Mary for sitting at Jesus' feet and not helping her work in the kitchen.  To which Jesus says to Martha in verses 41 & 42 - "But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it--and I won't take it away from her."  
Q: What do you think is the one thing worth being concerned about Jesus is referring to?  Is this really the only one thing you are concerned about in your life today?  Or are you possibly being distracted by other "details"?  Did you personally identify more with Mary, who sat at Jesus' feet, or Martha, who became upset because of her busyness?  Which one of the two would you like to identify with more?  Do you think that sometimes as Christians we can get too busy and miss out on spending time at the feet of Jesus?  Will you examine your daily schedule and look for ways that you are "overbooking" yourself, and thus missing out on quiet time with the Lord?  Will you resolve to be more like Mary and spend some quality time with Jesus - particularly during this Easter season?

Psalm:

I love Psalm 76 verse 4's reflection on God! "You are glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains."  I wonder how often we look at nature and forget that God created nature?  I think so often we can look at a beautiful sunset or a mountain or a forest or an ocean and temporarily forget that God created these beautiful things.  If God created these beautiful things, then doesn't it stand to reason that God is more glorious and more majestic than all of his created things?  I've said this one before on this blog:  before I believed in Jesus or really even God, I honestly think I was evangelized by creation.  Meaning - I would look at a starry night with my friends and say things like, "How could there be so many stars up there like that and there not be a God?  Things like that can't just happen by chance!"   Praise God for his creation that was evangelizing me toward Him!  
Q: Has creation ever evangelized you?  Do you think creation might be able to evangelize your friends who do not yet know God?  Let us pray that we don't ever end up worshiping creation instead of the Creator.  Let us be impressed and thankful and admire creation - but let us give the glory and the worship to the Creator, God, who is more glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains...

Proverbs:

Proverbs 12 verse 15 teaches us today:  ""Fools think they need no advice, but the wise listen to others."  This is a great opportunity for each of us to ask ourselves whether we think we need no advice or whether we are open to listening to others...
Q: Do you listen to others? Do you listen more than you talk?
 
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