Category: Daily Encouragement

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Leviticus 13:1-59
  Mark 6:1-29
  Psalm 39:1-13
  Proverbs 10:10

Leviticus 13 — I came across a sermon transcript, “Why is this in the Bible?” from First Presbyterian, Jackson, Mississippi. In summary:

The ceremonial ritual uncleanness of this passage ultimately points to … what? The problem of sin. And thus moral uncleanness and cleanness is being illustrated in ritual or ceremonial cleanness or uncleanness. And you remember what the psalmist says in Psalm 24:3: “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully …”

What is that passage talking about? It’s talking about our own state of sanctification and the enjoyment of the presence of God, and that principle from Psalm 27 is illustrated in the ceremonial code. Those who are covered in sin, who are contaminated by the fall, cannot enjoy unhindered fellowship with God.

Mark 6:3 — “… the son of Mary …” – Jesus was in His own country (Nazareth), teaching in His synagogue, and the neighbors still implied that He was illegitimate, not the son of Joseph.

Mark 6:26 — Herod was sorry he “had” to execute John the Baptist, similar to Pilate’s “sorrow” over “having” to execute Jesus (Matthew 27:24).

Psalm 39:5 — ”Every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Think on this.”

Proverbs 10:10 — Haven’t heard the word “prating” before? Vocabulary.com not only gives you a definition but shows you usage examples in current literature.

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:
  Leviticus 11:1-12:8
  Mark 5:21-43
  Psalm 38:1-22
  Proverbs 10:8-9

Leviticus 11:4 — Welcome to the dietary law! Some people differentiate the Mosaic law into three types:

• Moral Laws (universal to all people, e.g. Ten Commandments)
• Civil Laws (explanations of the moral laws – “what if someone accidentally …”
• Ceremonial Laws (laws relating to the Temple, specific to Israel)

CARM.org divides the 613 laws into 34 categories under these three categories; however, the lines do appear arbitrary at times.

A better system for analyzing the law is “dispensationalism” – the idea that God deals with different people in different ways at different times. It also means that God is not fair (“why can’t Joshua eat bacon if Noah could and Peter could?”), but He is just and has a plan! God replaced the 613 commands of the Mosaic Law with over 800 commands for the New Testament believer!

Speaking of bacon – here’s the overview of when people could and could not eat bacon:

Leviticus 11:44 — Even though the Mosaic Law doesn’t apply to our dispensation, the principle of the Ceremonial Law (showing the distinction between clean and unclean) is a picture of the distinction between holy and unholy. While God has removed the division between clean and unclean animals, He has not removed the distinction between holiness and unholiness. We are still required to be holy, because He is holy (Leviticus 20:7, 1 Peter 1:15-16).

Mark 5:22 and 35 — While Jesus had an adversarial relationship with the religious leaders, especially the Pharisees, individuals like the ruler of the synagogue had faith in Jesus. Groups of people are unlikely to follow Jesus, but thankfully individuals are always welcome.

Psalm 38:3 — Do you have no rest in your bones because of sin? A) Be grateful that your Father is rebuking you (Hebrews 12:6), and B) Repent from your sins (1 John 1:9).

Proverbs 10:8 — Continuing contrasts between wisdom and foolishness.

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:
  Leviticus 9:7-10:20
  Mark 4:26-5:20
  Psalm 37:30-40
  Proverbs 10:6-7

Leviticus 10:1 — We’ve seen over the last few days that God was clear in how He demanded worship. Here, two sons of Aaron disobeyed Exodus 30:9 and died.

Mark 4:38 — ”Carest thou not that we perish?” is a line in Master the Tempest is Raging.

Mark 4:41 — Ben Everson used this verse for his song “What Manner of Man Is This?“

Mark 5:19 — This is the 4th time that Jesus says “Go” – even today we’re told to “Go and tell!”

Psalm 37:40 — How can we have deliverance and salvation? By works? Nope – trusting in the LORD!

Proverbs 10:7 — While the wicked may be in power now, their name shall rot.

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:
  Leviticus 7:28-9:6
  Mark 3:31-4:25
  Psalm 37:12-29
  Proverbs 10:5

Leviticus 7:29 — We’re making our way through the offerings of Leviticus, and currently we are in the peace offerings. These are optional unlike the others. If you’re a bit overwhelmed by the offerings, Wayne Stiles has a one-page PDF overview that you can download to better understand what they are and why they matter. “The offerings in Leviticus served as God’s gracious provision for how one could regain and sustain fellowship with God.” I like his blog because he makes extensive use of Israeli geography.

Leviticus 8:17 — They were commanded to burn the bullock for the sin offering “without the camp” in Exodus 29:14. In the New Testament, Hebrews 13:12 explains how this command was fulfilled. The Institute for Creation Research (ICR) has a good overview of the phrase “without the camp.”

Mark 4:21 — Hide it under a bushel? NO!

Psalm 37:23-24 — The chorus of “The Steps of a Good Man” from Mac Lynch of the WILDS comes word for word from Psalms 37:23-24. Another version is recorded by the wife of a pastor friend of mine.

Proverbs 10:5 — Compare to Mark 4:25, a passage we read just a few minutes ago. God rewards diligence!

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:
  Leviticus 6:1-7:27
  Mark 3:7-30
  Psalm 37:1-11
  Proverbs 10:3-4

Leviticus 6:1 — As we tour through the legal code of Israel, we are entering Contract Law. If someone makes an agreement, but then reneges on it, it is not only a sin against his fellow man, but also against the LORD (see Leviticus 6:6). Sin affects man and God.

Leviticus 7:26 — This command about not consuming blood is found in Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 3:17, 17:10-12, 14, 19:26; Deuteronomy 12:16, 23, 25; 15:23; Ezekiel 33:25; Acts 15:20, 29, 21:25 … so, by the time Jesus says in John 6:53-56 that we are to drink His blood, the people are confused.

Mark 3:7 — Yesterday, Jesus performed a miracle in the synagogue, but today He withdraws to the lake. Notice that He has crowds from many, many miles around.

Psalm 37:4 — The Herbster Trio song “Delight Yourself in the Lord” is based on this verse.

Proverbs 10:4 — While the Bible talks much about care for the poor, it also teaches that becoming rich is a blessing for the diligent. Especially because it gives the ability to give (Ephesians 4:28).

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:
  Leviticus 4:1-5:19
  Mark 2:13-3:6
  Psalm 36:1-12
  Proverbs 10:1-2

Leviticus 4:2 — Sinning through ignorance. Centuries earlier, Job was concerned about his children sinning in ignorance (Job 1:5).

Leviticus 5:3 — A “clean” person became “unclean” by touching an “unclean” person. The opposite was not true, however. The “unclean” person did not become “clean” by being touched by a “clean” person. The only exception happened 1,400 years later (Matthew 8:3)!

Mark 2:13 — I had the opportunity to travel with Jimmy DeYoung to Israel, and we stayed by the sea side of Galilee.

Mark 2:17 — I’m glad that Jesus came to call me to repentance!

Psalm 36:7 — Lovingkindness – again we see the root word hesed. Discover the Word points out how this word is exemplified in Ruth 3:10: she chose to stay loyal to Naomi, an act of kindness, a choice of love. John MacArthur discusses hesed as well:

… the Hebrew word “chesed” is often translated “loving kindness”. That is the attribute of God that we want to focus on. God is possessed by an innate goodwill toward sinners, an innate kindness. God is by nature merciful, tender-hearted, compassionate. God withholds judgment. God grants benevolent favors because it is His nature. It is a reason to praise Him. It is a reason to honor Him. It is a reason to worship Him …

Proverbs 10:1 — We have moved from the introductory contrasts, to the pithy saying section. Twenty-six of the thirty-two verses in this chapter use “but” as a contrast, which is a key feature of antithetical Hebrew poetry.

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:
  Leviticus 1:1-3:17
  Mark 1:29-2:12
  Psalm 35:17-28
  Proverbs 9:13-18

Congratulations! We’ve completed three whole books of the Bible! We’re 1/8 of the way through the year as well … don’t worry, other books in the Bible are shorter!

Leviticus 1 — What were the characteristics of burnt offerings? God had a detailed process:

• Personal
• Cattle
• Male
• Without Blemish
• Voluntary
• At the tabernacle
• Physical touch
• Atonement
• Personally killed
• Blood sprinkled
• Cut in pieces
• Burned
• Washed for a sweet savor

Leviticus 3:17 — The Israelites were forbidden from eating blood because the life was in the blood (Leviticus 17:11).

Mark 1:30 — A major religion teaches that their clergy must remain unmarried; however, we see that Simon (later Peter) had a mother-in-law. Most people with a mother-in-law also have a wife.

Mark 1:34 — Again, Jesus orders the devils to not speak (as we discussed yesterday).

Mark 2:4 — As Vic Eliason used to say, “The press caused problems even back then.”

Patch the Pirate has a song, “The Quartet that Raised the Roof.”

Psalm 35:17 — Are you hurting? Pray this prayer with the psalmist!

Proverbs 9:13 — Solomon warns against the Foolish Woman’s house of “hospitality” – by vs. 18, the guests are now in the depths of hell.

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:
  Exodus 39:1-40:38
  Mark 1:1-28
  Psalm 35:1-16
  Proverbs 9:11-12

Exodus 39:14 — The names of the tribes of Israel were engraved over the heart of the High Priest. God says that He has graven our names on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16).

Exodus 39:30 — A religion that denies the inerrancy of the Bible and calls the sufficiency of Scripture a foolish doctrine has put the words “Holiness to the Lord” on each of their “temples.”

Interestingly, the next time that the phrase “Holiness to the LORD” is used is in Isaiah 23:18 when it refers to the merchandise of Tyre that will become spoil for those who dwell before the LORD.

Mark 1:12 — We read earlier in Matthew 3:7 that many of the Pharisees and Sadducees came to investigate John the Baptist. Interestingly, after Jesus is publicly acknowledged by John and by His Father, Jesus is immediately taken into the wilderness. We’ll notice that Jesus would not have fulfilled all of the Messianic prophecies at this time, so the Sanhedrin could charge Him with blasphemy if He publicly claimed to be Who He really was. They could also attempt to execute Him prematurely. Thus, in our future readings we’ll see Jesus be very guarded about His identity and start His public ministry with 40 days of silence.

Mark 1:24-25 — As we were saying, Jesus is telling the demons not to share Who He is.

Mark 1:28 — “region of Galilee” … The Gospel Coalition (TGC) shares 7 Differences between Galilee and Judea in the time of Jesus.

Psalm 35:10 — Remember our previous discussion of anthropomorphism? Here’s a great example: “All my bones shall say”.

Proverbs 9:11 — How can you have long life? Read Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 4:40, 5:16, 5:33, 6:2, 11:9, 11:21, 22:7, 25:15, 32:47; 1 Kings 3:14; Proverbs 3:2, 3:16, 4:10, 9:11, 10:27, 28:16; and Ephesians 6:3.

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:
  Exodus 37:1-38:31
  Matthew 28:1-20
  Psalm 34:11-22
  Proverbs 9:9-10

Exodus 37:1 — Many people say the Bible is just a book written by humans, nothing special. Although humans were involved in the writing, it was really God accomplishing His will through the means of human skill and ingenuity. That’s special! Consider this: God directed a human being, Bezaleel (Exodus 31:2), to do His will (Exodus 31:6) as a man filled with the Spirit of God (Exodus 31:3). Bezaleel made for God and for His people an object (the Ark) out of earthly materials (Exodus 37:1) and was assisted by Aholiab, a skilled worker (Exodus 38:23).

Another human being several years later, Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:1), also received the Word of the LORD (Jeremiah 1:2) and was commanded by God to obey it (Jeremiah 2:2). Interestingly, Jeremiah made an object of great significance (the scroll) out of earthly materials (Jeremiah 36:2). He too had an assistant by the name of Baruch, a skilled writer (Jeremiah 36:4).

While God will not tell you to make a supernatural Ark or to write another book of the Bible, God may use your skill and earthly materials, if you will do His commands, to make a difference today.

When D.L. Moody was just starting in the ministry he heard a preacher say, “The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully surrendered to Him.” Moody that night said, “By God’s grace I’ll be that man!” It is said that Moody shook two continents for God, and over a million souls came to Christ under his preaching and ministry. Moody had little formal education, and he was not a polished speaker. But God greatly used his life.

Paul Chappell

Matthew 28:2 — 

Low in the grave He lay, Jesus, my Savior.
Waiting the Coming Day, Jesus, my Lord.

Up from the grave He arose!
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes!
He arose the victor from the dark domain
and He lives forever with His saints to reign!
He Arose! He Arose! Hallelujah, Christ Arose!

Matthew 28:19-20 — It is not the Great Suggestion. It Is the Great Commission! May we make His last command our first concern!

Psalm 34:22 — ”None of them that trust in Him shall be desolate!”

Proverbs 9:10 — Our good friend Patch the Pirate has a great song featuring this verse verbatim.

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:
  Exodus 35:10-36:38
  Matthew 27:32-66
  Psalm 34:1-10
  Proverbs 9:7-8

Exodus 35:21, 22, and 29 — We see “willing” used 4 times in this passage. As 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

Matthew 27:51 — We read in Exodus about the elaborate preparations for the Tabernacle, including the coverings and curtains designed to keep people and the elements out. When Jesus was crucified, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom signifying that mankind could once again personally and without a mediator connect with his Maker.

Matthew 27:57 — Jesus, crucified between two thieves (vs. 38) who probably targeted rich men, was buried in the tomb of a rich man (vs. 60) in fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 53:9.

Psalm 34:3 — J. W. Pepper has an arrangement of “O Magnify the Lord” (based on this verse), complemented with “All Creatures of Our God and King.”

Psalm 34:6 — A well-known Christian leader would write this verse under his autograph. I always appreciated the humility of this leader – recognizing that he was merely a poor man saved by the Lord.

Proverbs 9:8 — When rebuked, do you hate or love the one bringing the rebuke? That tells us if you are wise or foolish.

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.