April 8

April 8
One Year Bible Readings:
Deuteronomy 32:28-52
Luke 12:35-59
Psalm 78:56-64
Proverbs 12:24
Supplemental Reading for The One Year Bible.
The following are excerpts from Mike’s One Year Bible Blog.

Deuteronomy:
These words of Moses today in Deuteronomy chapter 32 verse 47 stood out to me - "These instructions are not mere words--they are your life!"   Wow.  
Q: Do you think this way about the Bible?  Are these mere words you read in the Bible?  Or are they your very life?

Luke:
In Luke chapter 12 verse 40, Jesus is speaking about his second coming at the end of the age - "You must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected."  But, this verse also always seems to speak to me about the end of my life here on earth as well.  One of 2 things will happen during our life that will bring our earthly life as we know it to an end - 1.  Jesus' second coming (which no one knows the day or hour) or 2. we will die.  I know it's not something we all want to think about... but someday our earthly bodies will die.  And I guess when I read verse 40 above, it makes me realize that not only do we not know the day or hour when Jesus' 2nd coming will be.  We also don't know the day or the hour of the end of our life either.  So...  this verse then speaks to me clearly - you must be ready all the time!  And, I don't view this as something to be anxious over.  But, I do think it's serious for us to consider.  I don't know about you - but sometimes I'm a procrastinator.  And when it comes to our faith in Jesus, there is no luxury of procrastination.  We must have faith in Jesus, be living for Jesus, and really, be willing to die for Jesus - today.  Now.  Not tomorrow.  Today.  
Q: Are you ready all the time? Are you looking forward to Jesus coming again in Glory?
 
Chapter 12 verse 48 is also a powerful teaching from Jesus for us today - "But people who are not aware that they are doing wrong will be punished only lightly. Much is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is given."  This is convicting...  think about it.  The more we begin to know about Jesus and God and the Bible, the more we essentially have been "given."  And when this holy knowledge has been given to us - much is required.  Much is expected.  Maybe in our past we were not aware of our sins.  Maybe we were not aware of sin at all really. Today, if we have been blessed with the knowledge of living by Jesus' teachings, we should not be acting as we did in the past when we did not know any better.  
Q: Have you been given much?  How are you living up to what is required of you?

Psalm:
Psalm 78 verse 57 is a metaphor that I pray is never used upon any of us! :)  "They were as useless as a crooked bow."
Q:  Can you imagine a worse insult?  Well, yeah, I suppose there are worse.  But coming from a Psalmist, this is no good. What does it mean to be a crooked bow?  What does it mean to be a straight bow?  How is your bow these days? Crooked, and perhaps focused on things of this world?  (and thus basically useless)  Or straight, and focused on advancing the Kingdom of God in your life and the lives of others around you?  (and thus very useful)

Proverbs:
Proverbs chapter 12 verse 24 is great wisdom for each of us today - "Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave."   I do think each of us are called to be "leaders" in various aspects of our lives.  Leaders in the home.  Leaders at school.  Leaders at work.  Leaders at our church.  Even if maybe you don't think you are a "leader" per se - maybe you're not comfortable with public speaking or whatever - I think you're still a leader.  At the very least, we obviously have to lead our own lives.
Q: In all of the areas you are called to be a leader in your life, are you working hard?  Or, by chance, are you being lazy in some areas?  Will you work hard and become a leader?  Will you work hard and walk the path of leadership?

Copyright © 2004-2012 One Year Bible Blog