Month: April 2025

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Deuteronomy 26:1-27:26
  Luke 10:38-11:13
  Psalm 76:1-12
  Proverbs 12:15-17

Deuteronomy 26:15 — Obedience brings blessing.

Deuteronomy 27:4 — Joshua 8:30-35 has the fulfillment of this command in regard to the Mount Ebal altar. When we get to Joshua 8, we’ll discuss if it’s been found!

Deuteronomy 27:15-25 — Why are these commands singled out? Verse 15 refers to the idols “in a secret place.” Verse 16 refers to a secret mockery of parents. Verse 17 is an action done in secret. Many of these actions were done in secret. The notorious sins did not need extra condemnation, but the “sins of the heart” that allegedly wouldn’t get caught needed some extra attention. Achan thought he wouldn’t get caught either (Joshua 7:21).

Luke 10:40 — Three times as many evangelicals identify with Martha instead of Mary. We’ll see why in the next chapter, but here’s the quote from Christian Today:

Tellingly, busy Martha was the Bible character evangelicals were most likely to say they identified with (43 percent).

“She was selected almost three times more than her contemplative sister Mary, indicating that busy lifestyles are a widespread feature of contemporary discipleship,” the Alliance said.

Luke 11:1 — The church is in need of being taught how to pray. The Washington Post reports that in Wisconsin only 5 minutes a day is spent on “religious activities” (prayer), as opposed to 34 minutes on housework, 37 minutes on personal grooming, 2 hours and 42 minutes spent watching television, and 5 hours and 16 minutes on leisure.

Finishing up our excerpt from Christian Today:

Although 87 percent agreed that every Christian needs to spend time alone with God on a daily basis, and that without that their faith will suffer, 42 per cent said that they find it difficult to find time on a regular disciplined basis to pray and read the Bible …

Luke 11:9 — What do we need to do in our prayer life? Ask – Seek – Knock. Repeatedly (vs. 8).

Psalm 76:7 — The anger of the Lord isn’t a common topic. Job, the oldest book in the Bible, talks about His anger (Job 4:9). God was angry with the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 32:10, Numbers 11:2, Numbers 32:13). The kings failed to lead their people to avoid His anger (2 Kings 13:3 and 17:18). The Psalmists recorded His anger (Psalm 78:59, 89:38). The prophets warned of His anger (Isaiah 13:5 and 9, Isaiah 51:20; Jeremiah 32:29; Lamentations 2:2; Ezekiel 7:8; Daniel 8:19; Habakkuk 3:12). Jesus was angry at those who defiled His Father’s house (Matthew 21:12-13). Paul warned about God’s anger (Romans 2:5).

Proverbs 12:15 — Rehoboam should have listened to his father’s advice (1 Kings 12:8).

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Deuteronomy 23:1-25:19
  Luke 10:13-37
  Psalm 75:1-10
  Proverbs 12:12-14

Deuteronomy 23:1 — While other cultures used eunuchs in their civil or religious structure, God explains that doing so was not His plan for Israel. Circumcision, not castration, was His mark of holiness. Paul suggests that those who belabor circumcision under the New Covenant might as well go all the way to castration (Galatians 5:12).

Deuteronomy 23:6 — Interestingly, Ammonites and Moabites were prohibited from having their peace sought. Ezra 9:12 prohibits seeking the peace of the inhabitants of the land given to Israel, while Jeremiah 29:7 authorizes the people to seek the peace of Babylon.

Deuteronomy 23:15 — This contradicts the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. In 1854, Joshua Glover, an escaped slave, was captured in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Supreme Court held the Fugitive Slave Act unconstitutional, which was overturned in Ableman v. Booth.

Deuteronomy 24:1 — Again, another “what if” or “secondary will” passage. Jesus reiterated that this was not God’s “primary will” (Matthew 19:8).

Deuteronomy 24:22 — Moses reminds the children of Israel that they were bondmen (slaves). Thus, they are held to account.

Deuteronomy 25:9 — Who in the Bible gave their shoe as sign that they would not redeem someone? Naomi’s near kinsman (Ruth 4:8).

Luke 10:14 — It seems that there are different punishments for sin depending on 1) the offense, and 2) the knowledge.

Luke 10:25 — The ageless question: How can I have eternal life? The Rich Young Ruler will ask this question in eight chapters. The Lawyer asked the question today. Both were disappointed in the response they received.

Luke 10:33-35 — What’s the moral of this story? That we should be kind to people that are prejudiced against us? While that is admirable, we can see ourselves in the man that fell among thieves, was stripped of raiment, wounded, and left half dead (vs. 30). Sin has taken away our clothing, our health, and our possessions. The religious leader won’t help us (vs. 31). The religious follower can’t help (vs. 32). But the Man that we despised (Isaiah 53:3) had compassion on us (vs. 33), took us, helpless as we were, tended to us, gave a down payment of His resources to provide for us (the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 1:13-14), and has unlimited resources to provide for our needs! This is love that brings salvation!

Psalm 75:7 — Today is an election day in my hometown, and this is a great verse for successful and unsuccessful political candidates. Government is ordained by God (Romans 13) and is communicated from God.

Proverbs 12:13 — God will deliver the just and will ensnare the wicked with their own deeds!

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.