April 5, Reading Notes

Deuteronomy 28

Notice the proportion of verses given for the blessing and the proportion given for the curse. What does that tell you? Zig Ziglar said, "The fear of loss is greater than the desire for gain." It seems that God might believe that too. It is also interesting in the NT that Hell and judgment are spoken of quite a bit.

Look for key verses for why God will bring the curse on them.

Both the blessing and the curse are the active work of God. I have met some people against whom, it has appeared to me, God's hand was set to not let them get up. I've discussed this with one of these people because I have never known the Lord to be this hard. My concern was that he had done something awful and the Lord wasn't letting him get up until he repented, confessed and in all ways possible, made peace with God. The stuff that tumbled out on the table was interesting and it explained why all the money that had been given to this person to help him make a new start had accomplished nothing. Interestingly, it wasn't one event, but rather, a heart that constantly would not trust God. I still don't know about the other case. God showed favor and kindness to the worst people in the Bible when they repented and humbled themselves before Him. That's the key.

These curses seem very hard and very theoretical until you read the pages ahead, from Judges to the end of Malachi. Then you see God constantly trying to help people and people resisting and rebelling. God's judgment always seems harsher in the theoretical, as it did to Jeremiah, but when you are working in the harvest with the future recipients of that judgment, you understand that God's judgment is just, as Jeremiah did.

Luke 11:14-36

In the reading for yesterday, did you notice what Jesus was doing just prior to the disciples asking Jesus how to pray? Apparently Jesus took time everyday to get away from the disciples, a stone's throw, and do it Himself.

Luke 11:14-26

We've read this before in Matthew and Mark. What is interesting to me here, is that although this accusation toward the source of Jesus' power came from the scribes and Pharisees, here in Luke, it is in the mouth of the people.

Since the figures of speech mirror reality, I wonder what the "armor" is in verse 22?

Vs. 24-25 seem to be a description of reality in the spiritual world. Even among the demons, having rebelled against God's purpose for them, they can't be completely free of human connection since they were made, back when they were angels, to serve God by serving us.

Luke 11:27-36

In this context of people warping their perception of Jesus, He addresses the permanent result of a person resisting his purpose and not being willing to accept the truth. In a sense, this is what happened in the angelic world and their spiritual damage became permanent. This is what happens to us too.

Vs. 27-28 Warped religious sentimentality. I've seen people do this in crowds. I think Jesus handled this one pretty nicely.

Vs. 29-32 Warped religious desire for miracles and signs. Jesus mentioned this one early in His ministry. John 2-4 happened in His first months in ministry. Note John 2:25 and John 4:48.

Vs. 33-36 Warped religious insight. The insight of the truth of Christ is meant to be out on the street to free people. If a person's insight becomes twisted to exclude the street and freeing people and reinterpreting the mission of Christ, that person's "light" makes them dark and blind.

This last warning was directed toward the people and the religious leaders. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6:23), Jesus used this same illustration to warn His disciples that it could also happen to them. There's no better way to keep your eye clear than following Him in the Harvest and using the truth for what the truth was meant to be used for.

Psalm 77

This is a good psalm for strength in waiting on the Lord. Since I'm in a time of waiting, this really lets me know that the feelings are normal and understood by God and that I need to wait well, in hope, knowing that my heart is being strengthened in the waiting. God says to keep on crying out, to not be comforted by anything other than God's answer. The psalmist looked to an example of God being gracious and kind to the most undeserving, and showing favor to stubborn people. The idea is, "If He did it for them, He'll do it for me too." In that example, God used His power and shook the elements for these people. Isn't it funny that the people and the event that the psalmist took comfort in, is the same stuff we're reading in the OT? Note verse 20.

Proverbs 12:18

It takes confidence and personal depth in God's love to have the steadfastness and gentleness to speak the truth in love. I think I'm getting there, but some days, in some situations, I'm still the other guy.

If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.” 

I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.

If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.

I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.

Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.