Daily Reading Passages
Click below for access to the passages. Biblegateway.com is an excellent site with many versions of the Bible. The link below opens in NIV. Youversion.com is a new site that allows you to annotate your own Bible, make notes, and comments once you create an account. That link opens in the TNIV version. Other versions are available at both sites.
Coaching Comments
Today's Old Testament reading bridges from the ancient and larger-than-life pre-history that sets up the beginning of the story to the historical narrative of the family of Abraham that gives us the context for the entire rest of the Bible. (Genesis 11:1-13:4)
First, we get the story of the Tower of Babel, a strange little tale about the reach of humanity's pride. That's followed by the genealogy of Shem. Remember that Shem is one of Noah's sons. This chapter of "begats" is important because it is Shem's family line that brings us to Abraham (and thus the nation of Israel) and ultimately to Jesus Christ. A side note here: The descendants of Shem were called "Shemites." Over time this became "Semites." This is the origin of our modern term "semitic" (and "anti-semitic.") Also note in this genealogy the rapidly dwindling life-spans. We're approaching the 120 years that God declared in Genesis 6:3.
After this we transition out of the mysterious fog of the ancient narratives and into the patriarchal history. We begin with an introduction to Abraham (Abram, at this point) and his family, and God's strange call. There's a great lesson in contrasts here. God calls Abram to get up and go without a plan or destination in mind. Abram says yes, and gets a reputation for being a man of amazing faith. But then in Egypt we get to see this same guy make ridiculous decisions out of fear. It's the same struggle we face, I think. Some moments we're heroes of faith; other moments (lots of them), we're weenies.
Back in the New Testament reading, we're served up part one of the "Sermon on the Mount." Most likely this wasn't a single sermon delivered all in one sitting. It's much more likely a collection of Jesus' teachings that Matthew compiled together. In today's reading we get three famous passages: the beatitudes, Salt & Light, and the Heart of the Law. Normally we take these verses a few at a time and dig deeply into them, but reading the whole thing through in one sitting like this makes me very aware of how utterly different the life Jesus teaches is from the life of our culture. This new way of being (living in the Kingdom of God) is upside-down and counter-cultural to living in the kingdom of this world. An important reminder as I make decisions and am influenced by what often gets referred to as "common sense."
The Psalms reading today is the 5th Psalm. This one is a great personal meditation. Take it, write it in your journal, and reflect on it. Memorize it. Put a star by it in your Bible. Whatever it takes to keep you coming back to it with some regularity. It highlights the idea of starting our day by being attentive to God's presence. It reminds us that everything that happens in our lives comes by God's "great mercy." And it closes with a prayer for protection. Really it's the daily reminder that I need.
In our reading from Proverbs we continue the "morality play" about Lady Wisdom. These verses portray the consequences for ignoring wisdom in our life choices, and tells us that there are times when it is just too late. We've headed too far down a path to not face consequences. So, take that as a warning: look for wisdom while you can! The rest of Proverbs is going to try to put us on the path to that wisdom.
2007 Cohort Comments
Comments (8)
Ken Null said
at 8:24 am on Jan 5, 2009
Matthew 5:11 jumped out at me this morning. One of my greatest fears is that people won't like me, so I avoid talking about God around certain people because I am afraid I will be "persecuted". I should be "happy" and "glad" that I am a follower of Jesus. How do I get rid of that fear?
Marc Schelske said
at 12:09 pm on Jan 5, 2009
Good morning, everyone! Welcome to a new week.
Key - wow! What a great and vulnerable way to start off your sharing here. I know that so many of us share that same fear. Thanks for sharing that. I guess for me, the thing that is helping me process through that fear is the whole idea of blessing & serving. If I am interacting with folks in a way that is about caring for them, that shows they are loved and valued - any potential God-talk grows out of that. It's just part of my loving them. On the other hand, there have been times in my life when my God-talk grew out of a desire to correct people, to change their beliefs, even to show my own rightness. That kind of God-talk is understandably not perceived as loving. Maybe that's a starting place. I'm willing to put up with a lot from someone who I perceive is caring for me. Maybe the same is true of the people around us? Maybe if they perceive that we love them, care for them and want to serve them in practical ways, our God-talk will be less intimidating?
Jacqui Wheelhouse said
at 2:27 pm on Jan 5, 2009
Still tracking, just not commenting regularly. Good to see you here Ken!!
Ethan Morrow said
at 3:06 pm on Jan 5, 2009
Hey all,
I made it a goal of mine to do this at new years, and here i am! January 1 went by so fast, so i'm getting caught up! I'm mainly focusing on parts, due to my time. But I read todays, and I have never started to read the bible in a planned out way. And wow, what a great experience. What Ken said was totally true for me too. And its what stuck out for me. Ken, you said, "One of my greatest fears is that people won't like me, so I avoid talking about God around certain people because I am afraid I will be 'persecuted'. I should be 'happy' and 'glad' that I am a follower of Jesus." That is what went through my mind while reading this too.
Ken Null said
at 8:09 pm on Jan 5, 2009
Marc and Ethan. Your comments made me glad I'm trying this. Thank You!
LuDell Parrett said
at 12:47 am on Jan 6, 2009
Glad to see new faces traveling these pages with us! Thanks for sharing from your hearts... I know that I too struggle with witnessing to those I work with. I wimp out at times when I should speak up and share. I ask for stronger faith and resolve to be the child of God He has made me to be overtly in all situations, not just those where it seems safe or convenient.
It's interesting that Abram was willing to have his wife be added to the pharaoh's harem to protect himself from harm -- and then he was given livestock and gifts because of his "sister" being accessible to the pharaoh. It almost sounds like he "sold her" into a wrong relationship with the pharaoh to protect his safety and then he financially benefited from the arrangement. I wonder what the diseases were that pharaoh and his household suffered -- and how was it that pharaoh came to know that Sarai was Abram's wife? What a mess we sinful creatures produce when we don't trust God and we try to work things out our own way! And yet -- I am encouraged through the mistake that Abram made -- because He was such an example of faith and grew to be the Father of Israel. I thank God that He allows us to see the mistakes of those who have walked before us; for this give us hope that even through our selfish minds and misguided mistakes God can work good and use us to His will. Sinful that I am Lord, I ask that you use my life to Your will and glory. Thank You for Your love and grace!
Carl Shelton said
at 4:23 am on Jan 6, 2009
Ken and Ethan welcome! This is my third year reading with the group. I'm from Ohio and found Marc's blog sometime before the bridge wiki started. Though I've never seen any of you in person I have found good friendships here and consider you all as part of my church family.
Marc Schelske said
at 3:36 pm on Jan 6, 2009
Hey Ludell - your thoughts about Abraham are interesting - and one of the reasons that the Old Testament is such an encouragement to me. I was raised thinking of these "big names" like Abraham and David, as "heroes" of the faith. But they were normal people too. Normal sinful people. It's so encouraging to be reminded that God did His great work through broken people. Maybe that leaves room for us?
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