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This is a podcast sharing thoughts and insights for the accompanying the daily reading schedule for the book, Reading the Bible Cover to Cover in 365 Days.
Welcome to day 321 of Reading the Bible Cover to Cover in 365 Days!
Let us pray:
O Lord, thank You for Your Word that shows us Your love. Help us receive Your love as we read today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Let’s see what Jesus is teaching in Luke chapter 10!
Jesus sends seventy men out to heal the sick and minister to the people. They had a similar experience as the twelve disciples. They were ecstatic when they came back to tell Jesus about it. Before they went, He gave them instructions. Twice, He told them to tell the people, “The kingdom of God has come close to you.” The power they were operating in was God’s power. This power is also available to us and is something we can meditate on today.
In verses 18-19, Jesus said, “I saw Satan falling like a lightning [flash] from heaven. Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.” Even though this is something to praise God for, Jesus told them that something was much more wonderful than all this – and that is that our “names are enrolled in heaven.” We are chosen to know Jesus, believe in Him, and love Him and the Father. We could have been chosen for something else. Let us praise God today that He chose us to know Him.
We have just read about Tyre and Sidon in Ezekiel and the destruction God planned for them because they sinned against His people. In verse 13, Jesus said that Chorazin and Bethsaida were in worse shape than Tyre and Sidon because the many miracles they witnessed were not enough to soften their hearts to believe in Him. Again, I love how our reading plan combines the New and Old Testaments for a better understanding of God’s Word.
Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. While we know this story and have read it many times, remember that Samaritans were considered pagan people. And yet, Jesus tells of the compassion in the heart of a Samaritan that far exceeded that of a priest and a Levite from the priestly tribe. Let us pray for more compassion to see where God would like to use us in someone else’s life.
Last, we read the story of Mary and Martha. Martha was a server. She was too busy and overly occupied, according to the Word. We may fall into this category as well. I know I do. She asked Jesus to intervene and tell her sister to help her, but the Lord told her that Mary chose the good portion. She chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and be fed by Him. May we be like Mary today and allow Jesus to feed our souls.
I’m excited to dive into the book of Revelations again today! John, the disciple, writes this book. It is a book of divine revelations given to him. I encourage you to read the introduction in your Bible because it will outline the different interpretations. Some believe the book relates to the first century alone. Some see it as primarily historical. Some view it as the ageless struggle between good and evil – God and the enemy. While others think the first three chapters are historical, and the rest is yet to be fulfilled. Then there is the question about the interpretation of the thousand years. Some think of it as figurative, and some regard it as literal. Whatever your view, we study this book repeatedly and continue to find new truths we can apply to our lives. Jesus is the main character and theme in this book.
Chapter 1 is an introduction. We are embarking on holy ground as we read this first chapter and beyond. John is given a message to be relayed to the seven churches in Asia. At the time of his vision, he was banished to the island of Patmos for spreading the Word of God. In verse 3, he writes, “Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who reads aloud [in the assemblies] the word of this prophecy; and blessed (happy, to be envied) are those who hear [it read] and who keep themselves true to the things which are written in it [heeding them and laying them to heart], for the time [for them to be fulfilled] is near.” We will study this chapter and learn more about God’s heart through His Son Jesus, Who reveals the mysteries of His kingdom through His servants, the angels giving John these visions.
John hears Jesus say He is “the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.” And he was instructed to write down everything he saw in his vision and send his writing to the seven churches in Asia.
Several references from the Old Testament are given at the end of verses 13-17. I encourage you to take a few minutes and look them up. You will again see how the Old Testament and New Testament are so intertwined. John sees Jesus, Whose hair and head were white as snow, Whose eyes were like fire, His feet glowed like bronze in a fiery furnace, and Whose voice sounded like many waters. We can only imagine the power of God. I imagine we would be extremely frightened by His might and power, yet He told John not to be afraid. As mighty as He is, He is always thinking of our comfort.
In verses 17 and 18, He said, “I am the First and the Last, and the Ever-living One [I am living in the eternity of the eternities]. I died, but see, I am alive forevermore; and I possess the keys of death and Hades (the realm of the dead).” Jesus died and is alive and all-powerful forever. He explains that the seven stars John saw are the seven ministers of the churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches to whom the message was to be given. May we see His magnificent love and power as we read the words in this book.
Let’s see what Ezekiel is writing in chapter 29!
The Lord told Ezekiel to prophesy against Egypt. He was given this prophecy one year before the final siege of Judah. As we know, Egypt held The Israelites captive for 400 years, yet Judah still believed they could rely on them in times of trouble. God warned them not to rely on any other nations. They were to depend on Him and Him alone. But the people became desperate and asked for Egypt’s help to fight Babylon. The people’s hearts had grown cold, and all their actions led them into Babylonian exile.
Meanwhile, the Egyptians were filled with pride. God told Ezekiel to speak against the Pharaoh because he believed he was invincible. Verse 3 says, “My river Nile is my own, and I have made it for myself.” He was another leader who thought he was god-like. God promised destruction would come to them, and they would never rise to a great stature again.
In verse 17, Ezekiel starts prophesying against Tyre again. This prophecy came about 16 years after the one about Egypt. God rewarded Babylon with the wealth of Egypt because there was almost nothing gained from Tyre. We have to remember that God used Babylon as His instrument to bring judgment to His people and all the surrounding nations. No less than three times does God say, “They shall know (understand and realize) that I am the Lord God [Who demands loyalty and obedient service].” May we come to fully understand and realize that God is the Great I AM.
Chapter 30 goes on to tell about the destruction God plans for Egypt. He will destroy their idols and show them He is the Lord, God of all, and they will fear Him. The Lord is against Pharaoh and will make him defenseless against the strong arm of Babylon. And again, we read, “They shall know (understand and realize) that I am the Lord [the Sovereign Ruler, Who calls forth loyalty and obedient service].” God is still in control of the nations today. May we all turn our hearts to Him.
Let’s see what we can learn from Psalm 140!
David writes this psalm. His enemies are hunting him – likely when Saul sought his life. He was on the run for his life. But his confidence in God’s watch over him is strong, as he writes in verse 7, “O God the Lord, the Strength of my salvation. You have covered my head in the day of battle.”
I love the last part of the last verse of this psalm, “the upright shall dwell in Your presence (before Your very face).” Our everyday prayer can be to dwell in God’s presence.
Let us pray:
O Lord, thank You for Your Word that continues to teach us more about Your love for us. Father, help us receive Your love in all its fullness. Help us praise and worship You more every day. May we sit at Your feet and dwell in Your presence, most gracious God. In Jesus’ name, amen.