Category: Daily Encouragement

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  Joshua 13:1-14:15
  Luke 18:1-17
  Psalm 85:1-13
  Proverbs 13:7-8

Joshua 13:1 — A pastor and his wife called their kids together to let them know that the mother was expecting once again. Growing up with the KJV, one of the kids replied, “But mother, you’re well stricken in years!” We’ve seen Moses lead and pass on, and now it’s Joshua’s time to pass on. But there is still work to be done!

Joshua 14:6 — Notice some things about Caleb’s request of Joshua – he was asking for the scariest part of Canaan – the land of the children of Anak that scared off the other ten spies (Numbers 13:22). We have here an …

• Old promise (Joshua 14:6) given to an …
• Old man (Joshua 14:10) who was eventually buried in an …
• Old tomb (Genesis 23:19, Genesis 25:9, Genesis 49:30, Genesis 50:13) … this was where Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were buried 450 years ago!

Because of Caleb’s faithfulness, he regained the burial place of the Patriarchs and the monument to God’s faithfulness to His people. He left his descendants a legacy:

• Place of refuge (Joshua 21:13)
• Place of Miracles (Judges 16:3)
• Throne of David (2 Samuel 2:11)

Joshua 14:12 — As we talked about earlier, Caleb waited 45 years to take the mountain. That inspired the song:

I want that mountain! I want that mountain!
Where the milk and honey flow, where the grapes of Eshcol grow,
I want that mountain! I want that mountain!
The mountain that my Lord has given me.

Luke 18:1 — From FaithLife:

GEORGE MUELLER, the great Victorian Christian and social reformer, tells a story of persistent prayer in his diary:

In November 1844, I began to pray for the conversion of five individuals. I prayed every day without a single intermission, whether sick or in health, on the land, on the sea, and whatever the pressure of my engagements might be. Eighteen months elapsed before the first of the five was converted. I thanked God and prayed on for the others. Five years elapsed, and then the second was converted. I thanked God for the second, and prayed on for the other three. Day by day, I continued to pray for them, and six years passed before the third was converted. I thanked God for the three, and went on praying for the other two. These two remained unconverted.

Thirty-six years later he wrote that the other two, sons of one of Mueller’s friends, were still not converted. He wrote, “But I hope in God, I pray on, and look for the answer. They are not converted yet, but they will be.” In 1897, fifty-two years after he began to pray daily, without interruption, for these two men, they were finally converted—but after he died! Mueller understood what Luke meant when he introduced a parable Jesus told about prayer, saying, “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1).

Are you crying day and night to Him?

Psalm 85:6 — Revive us again!

We praise Thee, O God!
For the Son of Thy love,
For Jesus Who died,
And is now gone above.

Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Hallelujah! Amen.
Hallelujah! Thine the glory.
Revive us again.

Proverbs 13:7 — Riches are not obtained by accumulation.

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:
  Joshua 11:1-12:24
  Luke 17:11-37
  Psalm 84:1-12
  Proverbs 13:5-6

Joshua 11:6 — Interesting to note God’s warning against trusting in chariots and horses. In Deuteronomy 17:16, God commanded that the kings of Israel should not multiply horses. In Deuteronomy 11:4, Moses reminds the Israelites that God took care of the Army of Egypt and their horses and chariots. In today’s reading, Joshua faces a number of horses and chariots (Joshua 11:4), but God says that Joshua will hough (“to hamstring”) their horses. Not capture but disable. In 2 Samuel 8:4, David houghed most of the horses, but not all. In 2 Samuel 15:1, Absalom prepared for himself chariots and horses. In 1 Kings 4:26, Solomon built stables for 40,000 horses (a clear violation of Deuteronomy 17:16), and even worse, they were Egyptian horses (1 Kings 10:28 and Deuteronomy 17:16)! However, God is not against horses – He happens to have chariots of fire (2 Kings 6:17).

Luke 17:19 — Because of the faith of the unclean Samaritan leper, he not only had physical healing, but he also had spiritual healing too!

Luke 17:34-36 — From Jimmy DeYoung:

At the Rapture those who are Christians will be “taken” into the heavenlies to join Jesus, forever. However, when a passage is referring to the Second Coming the ones “taken” are the ones who go to “judgment” and the ones “left” will “rule and reign” with Christ in His Kingdom to come.

To better understand this principle Jesus gives us the last verse in Luke 17. When asked where the people would be “taken” the Lord said, to “where the eagles be gathered together”, verse 37.

In that context, you may want to read Job 39:27-30 which explains that where the “eagles gather together is a place of judgment.” Therefore, those “taken” in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 17 and 21 are all taken to judgment.

The ones “left” are the ones who will join Jesus to rule and reign. At the Rapture, a different event from the Second Coming, separated by at least seven years, the ones “taken” are the Christians.

Psalm 84:2 — What is your heart longing for?

Proverbs 13:6 — There doesn’t seem to be a middle way between righteousness and wickedness.

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:
  Joshua 9:3-10:43
  Luke 16:19-17:10
  Psalm 83:1-18
  Proverbs 13:4

Joshua 9:14 — 

“When we neglect prayer, we can be easily deceived and make wrong decisions. And when leaders do not pray, they also fail the people under them.”

GraceValley.org

Joshua 10:13 – What happened here? BlueLetterBible.org lists seven theories of what happened, as well as cautioning against “reports of a ‘missing day’ in ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Hindu sources … [and] the story of a Yale astronomer who found that the earth was twenty-four hours out of schedule.”

Reverence for God’s Word should encourage us to suspend judgment until more evidence is available. In the meantime, no single explanation can be made a test of orthodoxy.

(Donald H. Madvig, “Joshua,” The Expositors Bible Commentary, p. 304)

Joshua 10:32 – Lachish now entered into the Israelite orbit. “Among cities in ancient Judah, Lachish was second only to Jerusalem in importance (Biblical Archaeology Review).” Lachish is mentioned twenty-four times in the Old Testament.

Luke 16:20 – 

In the story, Lazarus never speaks. He is silent; he’s only there for contrast. He is not the object of the story. The story is not about his experience; it’s not about heaven. It is about the rich man’s experience in hell.

John MacArthur

Luke 17:10 – Serving the Lord is not doing Him a favor; it is but our reasonable service (Romans 12:1).

Psalm 83:18 – Not that they may be like the Most High (Isaiah 14:14), but that they may know Who is the Most High.

Proverbs 13:4 – Will you be a sluggard, or will you be diligent?

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:
  Joshua 7:16-9:2
  Luke 16:1-18
  Psalm 82:1-8
  Proverbs 13:2-3

Joshua 7:21 – Did you notice the illogicality of sin? What would you do with a Babylonish garment? You can’t wear it in public, and if you hide it under your tent, it will deteriorate. Sin relies on coveting, not on honest work.

Joshua 8:1 – If you get your feelings, followers, and focus right, your fruit will follow!

Joshua 8:28 – Join Dr. Bryant Wood of Associates for Biblical Research (ABR) as they search for the Lost City of AI.

Joshua 8:30 – We read earlier about Moses’ command to the Israelites to read the blessings and curses. Here it is fulfilled!

Luke 16:9 – Jesus says to take of your perishable time, talent, and treasure, and reach people who can be new citizens of heaven who will welcome you into everlasting habitations!

Psalms 82:2 – Those who take a position of importance will be held responsible (Luke 12:48). Beware of promotion!

Proverbs 13:3 – When in doubt, say nothing! Beware of the tongue!

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:
  Joshua 3:1-4:24
  Luke 14:7-35
  Psalm 80:1-19
  Proverbs 12:27-28

Welcome to Day 101! We’re into the triple digits of faithfully reading the Bible!

Joshua 3:13 — Did you catch the phrase “Lord of all the earth?” We serve a big God!

Joshua 3:17 — God was demonstrating to Joshua that just as He was with Moses, He would be with Joshua (Joshua 3:7). How? With the same miracle that He used to lead Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 14:22). This miracle would also signify Elijah and Elisha’s transition at the same place (2 Kings 2:8, 14).

Joshua 4:3 — At the Ark Encounter, they “add 12 stones at the base of the life-size Noah’s Ark. These stones signify that it was built to remind future generations and the whole world of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the truth of God’s Word.”

Luke 14:15 — Many people like to name drop the famous people they have been with. This man was able to eat dinner at the home of one of the chief Pharisees; but far more special, he ate with the LORD Jesus the Messiah! He heard the teaching and wanted to say something to this distinguished guest. But the distinguished guest was criticizing the other guests who were fighting for the seats at the main table. And if that wasn’t enough, he’s criticizing the guest list! The unnamed host of Luke 14:15 tried to make a spiritual comment. Maybe he thought, “I may not be the chief Pharisee, but even the mediocre Pharisees should be at the upcoming heavenly feast.” Jesus proceeded to say that all the proper guests of the kingdom will be distracted with lands (Luke 14:18), goods (Luke 14:19), or relationships (Luke 14:20), and be replaced with not just the poor, maimed, halt, and blind (Luke 14:13, 21), but even those out in the highways and hedges. Jesus then left the feast (Luke 14:25) and said, “If you want to come with me to the kingdom, be willing to give up your family, yourself, and be horribly crucified. Don’t follow me. Sit down and do the math – are you willing to give up everything?”

Psalm 80:19 — Three times in this chapter the people cry out to the LORD. As we read in Jeremiah 17:14, the LORD is capable of saving. How can we be saved? By calling on the LORD (Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13)!

Proverbs 12:28 — Eternal life is the result of the way of righteousness. The Righteous One is the Way (John 14:6)!

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 34:1-Joshua 2:24
  Luke 13:22-14:6
  Psalm 79:1-13
  Proverbs 12:26

Deuteronomy 34:1 — The view from Mount Nebo today:

Deuteronomy 34:10 — Jacob saw God face to face (Genesis 32:30). Gideon saw the Angel of the LORD face to face (Judges 6:22). One day the LORD will plead with His people face to face (Ezekiel 20:35). So why does the Lord say He knew Moses face to face? Perhaps because we see the phrase “And the LORD spoke unto Moses” 105 times in the Bible. God spoke to others in the Old Testament as well, but as far as I can tell no one as much as Moses.

Moses only had 5 books of the Bible and limited access to God. We have 66 books and unlimited access to His throne. What are you waiting for?

Joshua 1:2 — The LORD told Joshua to Go (Joshua 1:2), take the Gift (Joshua 1:3), a Great gift (Joshua 1:4), with His Guarantee (Joshua 1:5). We have a similar guarantee (Matthew 28:20).

Also note the LORD told Joshua twice (Joshua 1:6, Joshua 1:9) to be strong and of good courage!

Joshua 1:8 — The only place the word “success” is found in the KJV Bible is in this verse. By meditating on the Torah – the only books of the Bible that Joshua had – he could be prosperous and successful. How exactly?

• Be strong (Joshua 1:6)
• Go straight (Joshua 1:7)
• Be searching (Joshua 1:8a)
• Be submitting (Joshua 1:8b)

Joshua 2:10 — Isn’t it great to hear that people are testifying not of how wonderful they are but of how amazing the LORD is? This leads people to recognize who the LORD is (Joshua 2:11).

Also notice the LORD’s earthly ownership (Joshua 2:9a), emotional ownership (Joshua 2:9b), and eternal ownership (Joshua 2:11).

Luke 13:26 — Sobering words from our Lord.

Luke 13:31 — Jesus had an interesting relationship with Herod as well as the Pharisees. Here it seems that the Pharisees are trying to protect Jesus, and in Luke 14:1, one of the chief Pharisees is hosting Jesus.

Psalm 79:8 — An echo of Psalm 51.

Proverbs 12:26 — Seduce:

to attract (someone) to a belief or into a course of action that is inadvisable or foolhardy.

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 33:1-29
  Luke 13:1-21
  Psalm 78:65-72
  Proverbs 12:25

Deuteronomy 33:5 — John MacArthur has an interesting insight:

King in Jeshurun. Since Moses is nowhere else in Scripture referred to as king, most interpret this as a reference to the Lord as King over Israel. However, Moses is the closest antecedent of the pronoun “he” in this clause, and the most natural understanding is that Moses is being referred to as a king. Moses certainly exercised kingly authority over Israel and could be viewed as a prototype of the coming King. Thus, united in the figure of Moses, the coming Prophet like unto Moses (18:15) would be the Prophet-King.

Deuteronomy 33:22 — Many equate this with the taking of Laish, but there are other interesting observations:

The tribe of Dan headed one of the four groups of three tribes each into which the Children of Israel were organized for travel through the desert on the way from Egypt to Canaan (described in the Book of Numbers). On the one hand, as an older child, Dan led the group, but on the other hand, his was the last group to travel, and, among other things, it was responsible for taking in all the stragglers who couldn’t keep up.

When the Twelve Tribes settled in Canaan, Dan continued to be a border tribe. On the one hand, this is a very responsible position, protecting others from attack and from harm. On the other, it is away from the heart of the country, the center to which all around relate as leader.

Deuteronomy 33:26 — This is the third time Moses uses the word “Jeshurun.” From GotQuestions:

The name Jeshurun means “upright one” or “blessed one.” In the parallelism of Isaiah’s poetry, Jeshurun is a synonym for Jacob in the previous line. So we see that Jeshurun is a poetic reference to the nation of Israel. It is a term of endearment; the Greek Septuagint translates Jeshurun as “beloved one,” using a form of the word agape. The name Jeshurun is used four times in the books of Deuteronomy and Isaiah. In each case the name occurs in a poetic setting and refers to Israel, God’s beloved people.

Deuteronomy 32:27 — Are you leaning on the everlasting arms?

Luke 13:1 — From David Guzik:

There is a similar incident before the ministry of Jesus, Pilate wanted to build an aqueduct from the Pools of Solomon to the city of Jerusalem. To pay for it, he demanded money from the temple treasury, money that had been dedicated to God-and this outraged the people. When the Jews sent a delegation to beg for their money back, Pilate sent into the crowd soldiers dressed as common people, and at a certain signal they took out daggers and attacked the people asking for the money.

Luke 13:7 — I heard a message in my teens on this passage: “Are You a Waste of Dirt?”

Psalm 78:68 — We’ve read earlier about the place God would put His name – Mount Zion!

Proverbs 12:25 — Take time to hear a good word and be glad!

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 32:28-52
  Luke 12:35-59
  Psalm 78:56-64
  Proverbs 12:24

Deuteronomy 32:29 — What does wisdom do? It helps people understand what’s really important.

Deuteronomy 32:35 — This was the text for Jonathan Edward’s famous sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.”

Despite the fact that he had delivered “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” to his own congregation with little effect, he felt led to use it again at Enfield.

His techniques were unimpressive. He always read his sermons in an even voice, but with great conviction. He shunned shouting and theatrical antics. Impressing the listener with the power of truth and his desperate need for God was Edwards’ goal.

Nothing in his style or presentation could account for what happened that day at Enfield. An eyewitness, Stephen Williams, wrote in his diary, “We went over to Enfield where we met dear Mr. Edwards of Northampton who preached a most awakening sermon from these words, Deuteronomy 32:35, and before the sermon was done there was a great moaning and crying went out through ye whole House…. ‘What shall I do to be saved,’ ‘Oh, I am going to Hell,’ ‘Oh, what shall I do for Christ,’ and so forth. So yet ye minister was obliged to desist, ye shrieks and cry were piercing and amazing.”

Enrichment Journal

Luke 12:37 — The Lord will serve His servants! In John 13:5, Jesus demonstrates this Himself.

Luke 12:46-48 — This image of Jesus conflicts with the “soft and gentle” motif that we are presented with (Luke 12:51 reiterates this point). Few beatings, many beatings, or being cut in sunder! It seems as if the Lord is emphasizing that this is worth paying attention to!

Psalm 78:58 — Which of the Ten Commandments was this that they violated? Now you know why we’ve emphasized learning the mnemonics!

Proverbs 12:24 — Most business books (e.g. “How to Be Successful”) are just restatements of Proverbs with recent illustrations.

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 31:1-32:27
  Luke 12:8-34
  Psalm 78:32-55
  Proverbs 12:21-23

Deuteronomy 31:7 — We’ll see a theme in this chapter: be strong! In Numbers 13:28, the spies said the people of the land were “strong.” But in Deuteronomy 11:8, Moses commanded the people of Israel to “be strong” as he did in Deuteronomy 31:6. He also told Joshua the same thing in Deuteronomy 31:7 and again in Deuteronomy 31:23. It was the LORD, though, who commanded Joshua to “be strong” in Joshua 1:6 and 1:9, just before the officers answered Joshua by also encouraging him to be strong (Joshua 1:18). Finally, in Joshua 10:25, it’s Joshua himself encouraging the people with the admonition to “be strong!”

Deuteronomy 31:11 — Every 7 years the Israelites would spend 14 hours listening to the Law. Once Joshua arrived at Mount Ebal, he read the entire Law … yes, every word (Joshua 8:34-35)! Josiah had it read to him (2 Kings 22:10). Later after the Exile, the returning exiles discovered this commandment and followed it in Nehemiah 8:18 – possibly for the first time since Joshua!

Deuteronomy 31:12 — Four duties: hear, learn, fear, obey.

Deuteronomy 31:19 — Now you know why we try to include Scripture songs!

Deuteronomy 32:18 — Have you noticed how many times we’ve referred to the Rock so far? In the New Testament, Paul will expound this in 1 Corinthians 10:4.

Luke 12:8-9 — Half of churchgoers have never heard of the Great Commission. Far fewer can identify it. Do you share Jesus with others, or do you deny knowing Him?

Luke 12:15 — Which of the Ten Commandments is covetousness? If you need a refresher, try the finger-based mnemonic videos! There are several – find one that works for you!

Psalm 78:35 — Did you catch Who was their Rock?

Proverbs 12:22 — Again we see Solomon focusing on the power of the tongue!

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.