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
In our Old Testament reading, Deuteronomy 13:1 - 15:23, we are moving from the inspirational part of Moses' final sermon, to his final reminders of all the laws and instructions God has given. Some of this is review from Leviticus. Some of it gives deeper explanation. Some of it is brand new. All of it is about the boundaries of defining a brand new culture. Israel is about to cross the Jordan and enter into a land of many tribes and religions. Everywhere they go they will run the risk of compromising who they are, and turning away from God's clear path for them. These boundaries are meant to cast a bright light on the safe way forward, where their culture will not be watered down by blending in elements from the people around them.
The first part illustrates the very serious nature of idolatry and worshiping false gods. Canaan was a polytheistic place. Every different nation and tribe had whole different sets of minor gods. There were gods for every possible area of life. It was the natural and commonplace assumption that you would worship many of these gods in order to guarantee for yourself the best life possible. Israel stood in stark contrast with this. They worshiped only one God, and this God was invisible. He had no physical form that could be represented. In fact, they were not allowed to even try to portray Him in any way. In this ancient culture that was nearly the same as having no God at all. The temptation for Israel, as they began to interact with the people of the land, would be to worship Yahweh God, but add to that the worship of various other gods. In order to draw a firm boundary protecting monotheism, God established very severe penalties for those who lead others into the worship of these other gods.
The second section delineates which animals are acceptable for eating. If you're wondering, this is where the Jewish prohibition against eating pork comes from. Interestingly enough, many of the animals designated as unclean are by and large scavengers who might prove to be unhealthy food themselves. We also get a section laying out the principle of the tithe, where the first ten percent of the produce of your annual harvest was to be used in a worship celebration thanking God for His provision.
This leads into a brief reminder of the Jubilee cycle, where all debts are forgiven every seven years, with specific instructions not to let this keep you from being generous to people as the jubilee gets closer. ("Seriously, Bill. I can't lend you that money. Next year is Jubilee, and I won't get it back. Sorry I can't help you." That sort of thing.) There is also a section about how to treat servants fairly.
The New Testament reading today is Luke 8:40 - 9:6. In the first part we see two more healings. Jesus is on the way to Jairus, the synagogue ruler's home, to heal his daughter. On the way a woman touches his clothing and is healed of her lifetime long hemorrhage of blood. It's an interesting healing because Jesus wasn't directly involved. The woman believed that Jesus could heal her, and in her faith she touched his clothing, and was healed. That says something powerful about the nature of faith in Jesus. This woman didn't even have to get Jesus' attention. Her simple trust in Jesus was enough. In the meantime Jairus' daughter had died, so when Jesus arrived everyone thought it was too late. But it's never too late for Jesus!
We also see Jesus send his disciples out in a "test run" ministry, complete with Jesus' own authority to teach, heal and cast out demons.
In today's Psalms reading (Psalms 71:1-24) we see a portrayal of a life of a faithful follower of God. God was with him when he came out of his mother's womb, and he is asking God not to abandon him as he gets to be old. Even though he has seen hard times in his life - times that he credits God for bringing to him - he still sees that God is his refuge and strength. I pray that I can grow in this attitude, accepting the difficult in my life, and still praising God for His faithfulness. Some days it seems a hard thing to do, and yet it is the height of spiritual maturity. Our lives are in His hands.
Proverbs 12:5-7, the Proverbs reading, gives us three contrasts between the righteous person and the wicked person. The plans, advice and words of a person reflect the inner nature of their heart. Choose carefully who you seek out for counsel. Choose carefully who you allow to speak into your life in a regular way. The truth of their heart overflows in their words and actions toward you, and it will impact your life.
2007 Cohort Comments
Comments (8)
Marc Schelske said
at 11:42 am on Mar 30, 2009
Good morning and welcome to the new work week. In today's reading we see Israel about to cross over into Canaan, a land with many competing gods. The text is really focused on what it takes for Israel to keep their sole focus on their one and only God. This seems like an interesting parallel for us. As we head into our work week we too are crossing into a "land" with many competing gods - money, status, security, fear, a mindset of scarcity, the need to protect number one - and we are constantly surrounded by people and organizations that "worship" these "gods." As we head into the world today, how will we keep our thoughts on the one and only God? How will we keep our lives aligned with His character? Looking forward to your thoughts.
Nate Burton said
at 1:31 pm on Mar 30, 2009
That's a good challenge for me today, Marc. Thankfully, the [economic] situation at my office seems to be improving as of late and I feel blessed. At the same time, I'm also subconcioustly less dependent on God for my day to day needs. I guess my faith returns to the "worldly" process when it's working well, and only goes to God when times are rough. Something for me to think about. In general, I find myself wanting to be less selfish and more Christ centered in those other areas, but I worry that in a moment of challenge, I'll just respond to protect myself instead of living out the fruit of the spirit in that situation. I guess I just know myself too well...
Jacqui my friend, our prayers are still with you and your family. I trust that God is still at work in your situation, please let us know how we can further support you here. It is amazing that you include us in even the most difficult aspects of your journey. Honesty is what really makes this space more than just the ideological banter that I wander around in most of the time.
I know that there are still many people out there who are checking in from time to time. I hope you feel welcome to interject, please let us know, even by individual email if necessary, if there's something we can do to make you feel more comfortable here. I know I ramble about a lot of stuff, so if I sound at all too high-minded or anything, call me out!
Nate Burton said
at 1:31 pm on Mar 30, 2009
Marc, thanks for sticking with me on some of those NT vs OT questions that kept popping out of my head. I still don't feel like I have solid answers to some of those questions, but one thing you alluded to made sense to me, the idea that God was perhaps using the Israelites to incite real-time justice on earth, while in the NT, God reserves that judgement solely for Himself to enact after this physical life is over. I think that and the idea that God worked corporately instead of individually have started to make a lot more sense out of some stuff I was reading. I am now starting to see more of God's grace and forgiveness in those OT stories as well. Long story short, that makes them more relatable & helpful to me.
Jim Huddart said
at 3:42 pm on Mar 30, 2009
I'm glad you referred to different kinds of gods Marc. Too often gods are thought of as statues or spirit beings, but in reality money, possessions, clothes, looks, personal well being, work, alcohol, drugs and even food can all become gods to us. As a matter of fact, anything that we become obsessed with has the likelihood of becoming a god. It becomes a god because we allow that to take more of our attention and time than we give to the one and only real God. I guess I should say I instead of we because I can't speak for any of you, but there is at least a fair chance that I am not completely alone in this area.
Lord, may you always be first and foremost. May nothing ever take priority over You. Thank You in Jesus' name. Amen!
Jacqui Wheelhouse said
at 10:50 pm on Mar 30, 2009
I have no idea what you are talking about Jim. LOL!
Jacqui Wheelhouse said
at 11:03 pm on Mar 30, 2009
Nate, thank you for checking in with me. I appreciate all the prayers. Paul shared with the kids on the weekend and there has been a huge weight lifted from my heart. The truth always sets us free. It's one day at a time with our little ones and they are open and sharing about their feelings. I think when the actual transition occurs, it will be much more real and then there will be some adjusting and support needed for their little hearts. God is faithful and I am leaning on Him and trusting He will work it all together for His good, like we talked about on the weekend. Great words of encouragement when things don't appear as we had hoped. I know I am loved. Continue to pray for Paul's heart to be open to God's perfect and unfailing love. Pray for the little's to be able to express their hearts in whatever space they are in and pray for my heart to be open and available to the work God is doing in me. Weeding is needed in my garden of the soul. I love my husband and want good things for his life.
Sorry to ramble but it seemed that you were inquiring and I wanted to share as the others that are here have been on the journey with our family.
Marc Schelske said
at 8:46 am on Mar 31, 2009
Glad to be in the conversation with you, Nate. These are hard questions. As I've shared with Rich, in my studies of Christian writers and thinkers since the 2nd century, it's clear that a whole lot of intelligent people before us have struggled with these exact same issues. But I think there is a great reward in struggling through them.
Marc Schelske said
at 8:47 am on Mar 31, 2009
Jim - thanks for your comment. Me TOO! It's weird when even spiritual pursuits (ie. being a pastor, having a good sermon, etc.) can become one of those distracting gods.
Jacqui - praying for you and yours.
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