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

The Old Testament reading is Deuteronomy 5:1 - 6:25. As with all of Deuteronomy keep in mind the context of what you're reading. This is Moses' final speech reminding Israel of everything God had done with them, and all He had called them to, just before they cross the Jordan and head into the promised land.

Today's reading begins with a recap of the Ten Commandments. It's the same as the presentation in Exodus with the exception of the framing. In Exodus the Ten Commandments are framed within the context of the creation. God created and that gave Him the authority to give the commandments. In the 4th commandment, He rested and that was the basis for the Sabbath command. In Deuteronomy both of these are framed in the context of the Exodus. God brought Israel out of Egypt and slavery through His power. He bought them as His own - that gave Him the authority to give the commandments. The fourth command, again, is framed on the basis of being freed from slavery.

Chapter six is the high point of Deuteronomy and one of the most important chapters in the Old Testament. It is the core of the Jewish faith, and is central even to Jesus' teachings in the New Testament.

It begins, in verse 4, with the shema. This is the central prayer of the Jewish faith. You'll also recognize it as the core of the Great Commandment. That leads into instructions to pass all these words on to your children, to build your life on them, to define yourself by them. And then comes a vital reminder. Moses tells the people that when they get into the new land, when they find themselves with land and comfort, they will run the risk of feeling like they don't really need God. So Moses warns them to keep their focus - to keep the commands, to let God's word define them. If they do this, they will be living within the covenant and they will experience God's blessing.

There's some really good stuff here for us. Acknowledging that God alone is God. Serving Him wholeheartedly. Allowing His word to define our lives, and the lives of our families. Passing on His way of life as our legacy. Keeping our focus, never becoming comfortable. It's really the central core of the spiritual journey.

Luke 7:11-35 is our New Testament reading. There are two parts. The first is the resurrection of the son of the widow of Nain. This act of power really impacted Jesus' reputation, and more and more people were hearing about him.

The second part is a lengthy passage about John the Baptist and Jesus' interactions. At this point John had been in Herod's prison for a while. He heard the reports of Jesus' work, but was losing heart in prison, and sent his disciples to find out for sure if Jesus was the messiah. The rest of the passage is Jesus' response to John, and Jesus' affirmation of John's ministry to the people.

The Psalms reading is Psalms 68:19-35. This is the second half of the 68th Psalm. It continued with the image of God as the great warlord, clearing the way for His children. Verse 19 is a powerful image to me. "Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." Think about that. God daily bearing our burdens.

Proverbs 11:29-31 is the Proverb reading. These three verses close out the 11th chapter. Don't bring unnecessary trouble to your family. Be foolish, and you will end up serving those wiser than you. Righteousness bears fruit. Winning souls is wise. (This seems to be our first Old Testament mention of New Testament style evangelism!). The ungodly can expect to receive due compensation for their choices.

2007 Cohort Comments