October Reading List

          October
❏1    1 Samuel 29-31
❏2    2 Samuel 1-4
❏3    2 Samuel 5-8
❏4    2 Samuel 9-12
❏5    2 Samuel 13-15
❏6    2 Samuel 16-18
❏7    2 Samuel 19-21
❏8    2 Samuel 22-24
❏9    Psalm 1-3
❏10  Psalm 4-6
❏11  Psalm 7-9
❏12  Psalm 10-12
❏13  Psalm 13-15
❏14  Psalm 16-18
❏15  Psalm 19-21
❏16  Psalm 22-24
❏17  Psalm 25-27
❏18  Psalm 28-30
❏19  Psalm 31-33
❏20  Psalm 34-36
❏21  Psalm 37-39
❏22  Psalm 40-42
❏23  Psalm 43-45
❏24  Psalm 46-48
❏25  Psalm 49-51
❏26  Psalm 52-54
❏27  Psalm 55-57
❏28  Psalm 58-60
❏29  Psalm 61-63
❏30  Psalm 64-66
❏31  Psalm 67-69

Junior Bible Challenge reading list.


            October
❏1   Deuteronomy 31
❏2   Deuteronomy 32
❏3   Deuteronomy 33
❏4   Joshua 1
❏5   Joshua 2
❏6   Joshua 3
❏7   Joshua 4
❏8   Joshua 5
❏9   Joshua 6
❏10 Joshua 7
❏11 Joshua 8
❏12 Joshua 9
❏13 Joshua 10
❏14 Joshua 11
❏15 Joshua 12
❏16 Joshua 13
❏17 Joshua 14
❏18 Joshua 15
❏19 Joshua 23
❏20 Joshua 24
❏21 Judges 1
❏22 Judges 2
❏23 Judges 3
❏24 Judges 6
❏25 Judges 7
❏26 Judges 8
❏27 Judges 13
❏28 Judges 14
❏29 Judges 15
❏30 Judges 16

❏31 Ruth 1-4

JUST KEEP READING.............

Day 92 - Abigail

Daily Reading:  1 Samuel 25-28


The following is a character sketch for Abigail:

Some men don't deserve their wives.  Abigail was probably the best woman Nabal could afford, and he got even more than he bargained for when he arranged to marry her.  She was beautiful and more suited than he was to manage his wealth.  But Nabal took this wife for granted.

In spite of his shortcomings, Nabal's household did what they could to keep him out of trouble.  This loyalty must have been inspired by Abigail.  Although her culture and her husband placed a low value on her, she made the most of her skills and opportunities.  David was impressed with her abilities, and when Nabal died, he married her.  

Abigail was an effective counselor to both of the men in her life, working hard to prevent them from making rash moves.  By her swift action and skillful negotiation, she kept David from taking vengeance upon Nabal.  She saw the big picture and left plenty of room for God to get involved.

Do you, like Abigail, look beyond the present crisis to the big picture?  Do you use your skills to promote peace?  Are you loyal without being blind?  What challenge or responsibility do you face today that needs a person under God's control?

Keep reading -- 273 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 91 - Saul v. David

Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 21-24

23:2 Footnote:

Through the Urim and Thummim that Abiathar the priest brought (23:6), David sought the Lord's guidance before he took action. He listened to God's directions and then proceeded accordingly. Rather than trying to find God's will after the fact or having to ask God to undo the results of our hasty decisions, we should take time to discern God's will beforehand. We can hear him speak through the counsel of others, his Word, and the leading of his Spirit in our hearts, as well as through circumstances.

23:16-18 Footnote:

As true friends, David and Jonathan were more than just companions who enjoyed each other's company. They encouraged each other's faith in God and trusted each other with their deepest thoughts and closest confidences. These are the marks of true friendship.


LIFE OF DAVID VS. LIFE OF SAUL

David was God's kind of king (2 Samuel 7:8-16).

Saul was man's kind of king (1 Samuel 10:23,24).

David was a man after God's heart (Acts 13:22).

Saul was a man after people's praise (1 Samuel 18:6-8).

David's kingship was eternal (through Jesus) (2 Samuel 7:29).

Saul's kingship was rejected (1 Samuel 15:23).

David was kind and benevolent (2 Samuel 9; 1 Chronicles 19:2).

Saul was cruel (1 Samuel 20:30-34; 22:11-19).

David was forgiving (2 Samuel 26).

Saul was unforgiving (1 Samuel 14:44; 18:9).

David repented (2 Samuel 12:13; 24:10).

When confronted, Saul lied (1 Samuel 15:10-13).

David was courageous (1 Samuel 17; 1 Chronicles 18)

Saul was fearful (1 Samuel 17:11; 18:12)

David was at peace with God (Psalms 4:8; 37:11)

Saul was separated from God (1 Samuel 16:14).

Keep reading -- 274 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 90 - David & Goliath

Daily Reading:  1 Samuel 17-20

David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.               1 Samuel 17:45

17:9 Footnote:

An army often avoided the high cost of battle by pitting its strongest warrior against the strongest warrior of the enemy.  This avoided great bloodshed because the winner of the fight was considered the winner of the battle.  Goliath had the definite advantage against David from a human standpoint. But Goliath didn't realize that in fighting David, he also had to fight God.

19:1,2 Footnote:

Is it ever right to disobey your father, as Jonathan did here?  It is clearly a principle of Scripture that when a father instructs a son to break God's laws, the son should obey God rather than man.  This principle assumes that the son is old enough to be accountable and to see through any deception.  A son's role is to be respectful, helpful, and obedient to his father (Ephesians 6:1-3), but not to follow commands or advice that violate God's laws.

Keep reading -- 275 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 89 - Obey Better Than Sacrifice

Daily Reading:  1 Samuel 14-16

But Samuel replied: Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.
                                                                      1 Samuel 15:22,23
Footnote:

This is the first of numerous places in the Bible where the theme "to obey is better than sacrifice" is stated (Psalms 40:6-8, 51:16,17; Proverbs 21:3; Isaiah 1:11-17; Jeremiah 7:21-23; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 12:7; Mark 12:33; Hebrews 10:8,9). Was Samuel saying that sacrifice is unimportant? No, he was urging Saul to look at his reasons for making the sacrifice rather than at the sacrifice itself. A sacrifice was a ritual transaction between man and God that physically demonstrated a relationship between them. But if the person's heart was not truly repentant or if he did not truly love God, the sacrifice was a hollow ritual. Religious ceremonies or rituals are empty unless they are performed with an attitude of love and obedience. "Being religious" (going to church, serving on a committee, giving to charity) is not enough if we do not act out of devotion and obedience to God.
                                         

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Keep reading -- 276 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 88 - Samuel's Farewell Speech

Daily Reading:  1 Samuel 11-13

Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you asked for; see, the Lord has set a king over you.  If you fear the Lord and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God -- good!  But if you do not obey the Lord, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your fathers.   12:12-15

11:8 Footnote:

Judah, one of the 12 tribes of Israel is often mentioned separately from the other 11.  There are several reasons for this.  Judah was the largest tribe, and it was the tribe from which most of Israel's kings would come.  Later, Judah would be one of the few tribes to return to God after a century of captivity under a hostile foreign power.  Judah would also be the tribe through which the Messiah would come.

12:12-15 Footnote:

God granted the nation's request for a king, but his commands and requirements remained the same. God was to be their true King, and both Saul and the people were to be subject to his laws.  No person is ever exempt from God's laws.  No human action is outside his jurisdiction.  God is the true King of every area of life.  We must recognize his kingship and pattern our relationships, work life, and home life according to his principles.

Keep reading -- 277 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 87 - A King

Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 8-10

So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.  They said to him, "You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have."  8:4&5

8:4-9 Footnote:

Israel wanted a king for several reasons:

1. Samuel's sons were not fit to lead Israel.

2. The 12 tribes of Israel continually had problems working together because each tribe had its own leader and territory. It was hoped that a king would unite the tribes into one nation and one army.

3. The people wanted to be like the neighboring nations. This is exactly what God didn't want. Having a king would make it easy to forget that God was their real leader.

It was not wrong for Israel to want a king; God had mentioned the possibility in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. Yet, in reality, the people were rejecting God as their leader. The Israelites wanted laws, an army, and a human monarch in the place of God. They wanted to run the nation through human strength, even though only God's strength could make them flourish in the hostile land of Canaan.

9:3 Footnote:

Often we think that events just happen to us, but as we learn from this story about Saul, God may use common occurrences to lead us where he wants. It is important to evaluate all situations as potential "divine appointments" designed to shape our lives. Think of all the good and bad circumstances that have affected you lately. Can you see God's purpose in them? Perhaps he is building a certain quality in you or leading you to serve him in a new area.

Keep reading -- 278 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 86 - Rid Yourselves of Foreign Gods

Daily Reading:  1 Samuel 4-7

It was a long time, twenty years in all, that the ark remained at Kiriath Jearim, and all the people of Israel mourned and sought after the Lord.  And Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, "If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Phillistines."

7:2, 3 Footnote:

Israel mourned and sorrow gripped the nation for 20 years.  Th ark was put away like an unwanted box in an attic, and it seemed as if the Lord had abandoned his people.  Samuel, now a grown man, roused them to action by saying that if they were truly sorry, they should do something about it.  How easy it is for us to complain about our problems, even to God, while we refuse to act, change, and do what he requires.  We don't even take the advice he has already given us.  Do you ever feel as if God has abandoned you?  Check to see if there is anything he has already told you to do.  You may not receive new guidance from God until you have acted on his previous directions.

Samuel urged the Israelites to get rid of their foreign gods.  Idols today are much more subtle than gods of wood and stone, but they are just as dangerous.  Whatever holds first place in our lives or controls us is our god.  Money, success, material goods, pride, or anything else can be an idol if it takes the place of God in our lives.  The Lord alone is worthy of our service and worship, and we must let nothing rival him.  If we have "foreign gods," we need to ask God to help us dethrone them, making the true God our first priority.

Keep reading -- 279 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 85 - Here I Am

Daily Reading:  1 Samuel 1-3

The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"

Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

                                                                                 1 Samuel 3:10

Chapter 3 Footnote:

Although God had spoken directly and audibly with Moses and Joshua, his word became rare during the three centuries of rule by judges.  By Eli's time, no prophets were speaking God's messages to Israel.  Why?  Look at the attitude of Eli's sons.  They either refused to listen to God or allowed greed to get in the way of any communication with him.  Listening and responding is vital in a relationship with God.  

Although God does not always use the sound of a human voice, he always speaks clearly through his Word.  To receive his messages, we must be ready to listen and to act upon what he tells us.  Like Samuel, be ready to say "Here I am" when God calls you to action.

There are almost 7,000 languages in the world but only 438 languages have a Bible!  Many people are still waiting for a Bible in their own language!  I hope you are discovering, through your reading, what a treasure God's Word really is.  Lord, help us not to take it for granted!

Keep reading -- 280 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 84 - Ruth

Daily Reading:  Ruth 1-4

"The women said to Naomi:  "Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer.  May he become famous throughout Israel!  He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age.  For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth."  4:14-15

Footnote:

God brought great blessings out of Naomi's tragedy, even greater than "seven sons," or an abundance of heirs.  Throughout her tough times, Naomi continued to trust God.  And God, in his time, blessed her greatly.  Even in our sorrow and calamity, God can bring great blessings.  Be like Naomi, and don't turn your back on God when tragedy strikes.  Instead of asking "How can God allow this to happen to me?" trust him.  He will be with you in the hard times.

To some, the book of Ruth may be just a nice story about a girl who was fortunate.  But in reality, the events recorded in Ruth were part of God's preparations for the births of David and of Jesus, the promised Messiah.  Just as Ruth was unaware of this larger purpose in her life, we will not know the full purpose and importance of our lives until we are able to look back from the perspective of eternity.  We must make our choices with God's eternal values in mind.  Taking moral shortcuts and living for short-range pleasures are not good ways to move ahead.  Because of Ruth's faithful obedience, her life and legacy were significant even though she couldn't see all the results.  Live in faithfulness to God, knowing that the significance of your life will extend beyond your lifetime.  The rewards will outweigh any sacrifice you may have made.

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Keep reading -- 281 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 83 - War Against the Tribe of Benjamin

Daily Reading:  Judges 19-21

"In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit."

                                                                                   Judges 21:25

19:1-21:25 Footnote:

What is the significance of this tragic story? When the Israelites' faith in God disintegrated, their unity as a nation also disintegrated. They could have taken complete possession of the land if they had obeyed God and trusted him to keep his promises. But when they forgot him, they lost their purpose and soon "everyone did as he saw fit". When they stopped letting God lead them, they became no better than the evil people around them. When they made laws for their own benefit, they set standards far below God's. When you leave God out of your life you may be shocked at what you are capable of doing.

The time period of the judges ends in a bloody civil war that sets the stage for the spiritual renewal to come under Samuel.

21:25 Footnote:

During the time of the judges, the people of Israel experienced trouble because everyone became his own authority and acted on his own opinions of right and wrong. This produced horrendous results. Our world is similar. Individuals, groups, and societies have made themselves the final authorities without reference to God. When people selfishly satisfy their personal desires at all costs, everyone pays the price.

It is the ultimate heroic act to submit all our plans, desires, and motives to God. Men like Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson are known for their heroism in battle. But their personal lives were far from heroic.

To be truly heroic, we must go into battle each day in our home, job, church, and society to make God's kingdom a reality. Our weapons are the standards, morals, truths, and convictions we receive from God's Word.

We will lose the battle if we gather the spoils of earthly treasures rather than seeking the treasures of heaven.

Keep reading -- 282 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 82 - Samson and Delilah

Daily Reading:  Judges 16-18


Footnote:

1. Delilah was a deceitful woman with honey on her lips and poison in her heart. Cold and calculating, she toyed with Samson, pretending to love him while looking for personal gain. How could Samson be so foolish? Four times Delilah took advantage of him. If he didn't realize what was happening after the first or second experience, surely he should have understood the situation by the fourth time! We think Samson is foolish, but how many times do we allow ourselves to be deceived by flattery and give in to temptation and wrong beliefs? Avoid falling prey to deceit by asking God to help you distinguish between deception and truth.

2. Although God did not completely abandon Samson (16:28-30), he allowed Samson's decision to stand, and the consequences of his decision followed naturally. We may choose to be close to God or to go our own way, but there are consequences resulting from our choice. Samson didn't choose to be captured, but he chose to be with Delilah, and he could not escape the consequences of his decision.

3. In spite of Samson's past, God still answered his prayer and destroyed the pagan temple and worshipers. God still loved him. He was willing to hear Samson's prayer of confession and repentance and use him this final time. One of the effects of sin in our lives is to keep us from feeling like praying. But perfect moral behavior is not a condition for prayer. Don't let guilt feelings over sin keep you from your only means of restoration. No matter how long you have been away from God, he is ready to hear from you and restore you to a right relationship. Every situation can be salvaged if you are willing to turn again to him. If God could still work in Samson's situation, he can certainly make something worthwhile out of yours.

Chapters 17-21 are characterized in my Bible as "The Moral Failure of Israel."  This is a footnote regarding those chapters:

This section shows Israel falling into idolatry, moral decline, and petty fighting. Israel, the nation that was to set the example for spiritual living, had instead become morally depraved. When Israel did serve God, and that was seldom, it was often from selfish motives. Selfish obedience does not bring us far. Genuine obedience is motivated by a love and reverence for God himself.

17:2 Footnote:

Micah and his mother seemed to be good and moral and may have sincerely desired to worship God, but they disobeyed God by following their own desires instead of doing what God wanted. The attitude that prevailed in Micah's day was this: "everyone did as he saw fit". This is remarkably similar to today's prevailing attitudes. But God has given us standards. He has not left our conduct up to us and our opinions. We can avoid conforming to society's low standards by taking God's commands seriously and applying them to life. Independence and self-reliance are positive traits but only within the framework of God's standards.

To know what is really right and to have the strength to do it, we need to draw closer to God and his Word.

Chapter 18 Footnotes:

The Danites had been assigned enough land to meet their needs (Joshua 19). However, because they failed to trust God to help them conquer their territory, the Amorites forced them into the hill country and wouldn't let them settle in the plains. Rather than fight for their allotted territory they preferred to look for new land in the north where resistance from the enemy wouldn't be so tough. It was while they were traveling north that some of their men passed Micah's home and stole some of his idols.

Did the tribe of Dan have the right to kill the citizens of Laish? No. God had commanded Israel to clean out and destroy certain cities because of their idolatry and wickedness, but Laish did not fall under that judgment. It was not within the assigned boundaries of Dan, and its people were peaceful in contrast to the warlike Canaanites. But the tribe of Dan had no regard for God's law. God's law said to destroy a city for idolatry (Deuteronomy 13). The Danites themselves were guilty of this sin. This story shows how far some of the tribes had wandered away from God.

Keep reading -- 283 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 81 - Sin, Judgment & Repentance

Daily Reading:  Judges 13-15

Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.                                                                                       Judges 13:1

13:1 Footnote:

Once again the cycle of sin, judgment, and repentance began (3:8, 9, 14, 15; 4:1-4; 6:1-14; 10:6-11:11). The Israelites would not turn to God unless they had been stunned by suffering, oppression, and death. This suffering was not caused by God, but resulted from the fact that the people ignored God, their Judge and Ruler. What will it take for you to follow God? The warnings in God's Word are clear: If we continue to harden our hearts against God, we can expect the same fate as Israel.

15:1 Footnote:

Samson's reply in 15:11 tells the story of this chapter: "I merely did to them what they did to me." Revenge is an uncontrollable monster. Each act of retaliation brings another. It is a boomerang that cannot be thrown without cost to the thrower. The revenge cycle can be halted only by forgiveness.

Proverbs 25:21-22 says this:

"If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you."

Footnote:

God's form of retaliation is most effective and yet difficult to do. Paul quotes this proverb in Romans 12:19-21. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus encourages us to pray for those who hurt us. By returning good for evil, we are acknowledging God as the balancer of all accounts and trusting him to be the judge.

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Keep reading -- 284 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 80 - God Rescues

Daily Reading:  Judges 9-12

9:22-24 Footnote:

Abimelech was the opposite of what God wanted in a judge, but it was three years before God moved against him, fulfilling Jotham's parable.  Those three years must have seemed like forever to Jotham.  Why wasn't Abimelech punished sooner for his evil ways?

We are not alone when we wonder why evil seems to prevail.  God promises to deal with sin, but in his time, not ours.  Actually it is good news that God doesn't punish us immediately because we all have sinned and deserve God's punishment.  God, in his mercy, often spares us from immediate punishment and allows us time to turn from our sins and turn to him in repentance.  Trusting God for justice means 1. we must first recognize our own sins and repent, and 2.  we may face a difficult time of waiting for the wicked to be punished.  But in God's time, all evil will be destroyed.

"God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem, who acted treacherously against Abimelech."

9:23 Footnote:

This evil spirit was not just an attitude of strife, it was a demon.  It was not Satan himself, but one of the fallen angels under Satan's influence.  God used this evil spirit to bring about judgment on Shechem.  First Samuel 16:14 records how God judged Saul in a similar way.

10:1-5 Footnote:

In these verses we read about two men who judged Israel for a total of 45 years, yet all we know about them besides the length of their rules is that one had 30 sons who rode around on 30 donkeys.  What are you doing for God that is worth noting?  When your life is over, will people remember more than just what was in your bank account or the number of years you lived?

10:11-16 Footnote:

These verses show how difficult it can be to follow God over the long haul.  The Israelites always seemed to forget God when all was well.  But despite being rejected by his own people, God never failed to rescue them when they called out to him in repentance.  God never fails to rescue us either. We act just like the Israelites when we put God outside our daily events instead of at the center of them.  Just as a loving parent feels rejected when a child rebels, so God feels great rejection when we ignore or neglect him.  We should strive to stay close to God rather than see how far we can go before judgment comes.

Keep reading -- 285 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 79 - Gideon

Daily Reading:  Judges 5-8

Remember when the Lord told the Israelites to completely destroy certain groups of people and they didn't do it? Now we are seeing how they are reaping from their disobedience.

"Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help." 6:6

Footnote:

Again the Israelites hit rock bottom before turning back to God. How much suffering they could have avoided if they had trusted him! Turning to God shouldn't be a last resort; we should look to him for help each day. This isn't to say life will always be easy. There will be struggles, but God will give us the strength to live through them. Don't wait until you're at the end of your rope. Call on God first in every situation.

6:14-16

The Lord turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?"
"But Lord, " Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." The Lord answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together."

Footnote:

"I will be with you," God told Gideon, and God promised to give him the strength he needed to overcome the opposition. In spite of this clear promise for strength, Gideon made excuses. Seeing only his limitations and weaknesses, he failed to see how God could work through him.
Like Gideon, we are called to serve God in specific ways. Although God promises us the tools and strength we need, we often make excuses. But reminding God of our limitations only implies that he does not know all about us or that he has made a mistake in evaluating our character. Don't spend time making excuses. Instead spend it doing what God wants.

Somewhere along the way, Gideon got brave! God told him to tear down the altar of Baal and he did it!

Footnote:

After learning what Gideon had done, the townspeople wanted to kill him. Many of those people were fellow Israelites. This shows how immoral God's people had become. God said in Deuteronomy 13:6-11 that idolaters must be stoned to death, but these Israelites wanted to stone Gideon for tearing down an idol and worshipping God! When you begin to accomplish something for God, you may be criticized by the very people who should support you.

Was Gideon testing God with the fleece or was he simply needing more encouragement?

Footnote:

Today the greatest means of God's guidance is his Word, the Bible. Unlike Gideon, we have God's complete, revealed Word. If you want to have more of God's guidance, don't ask for signs; study the Bible.

I want to leave you with this footnote for Chapter 7. Remember in this chapter that God has reduced Gideon's army to 300 men. Why? So that it would be obvious that God is the one who handed the Midianites over to him. They didn't win the battle in their own strength. I love that because I know I am so limited when I do things in MY own strength. There's no way I can be the wife, mother, Christian, friend, etc. I need to be if I try to do it all on my own. Thank you, Lord, that I don't have to!

Footnote:

Are you facing a battle?

God can give you the strength you need for any situation.

And don't be startled by the way he helps YOU!

Like Gideon, you must LISTEN to God and be ready to take the first step.

Only after you begin to obey God will you find the courage to move ahead.

Keep reading -- 286 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 78 - Military Failure of Israel

Daily Reading:  Judges 1-2

"By faithfully obeying the Lord, Joshua led the Israelites to military victory. After his death, however, the tribes failed to clear the inhabitants from the land, so the Lord withdrew his promise to help drive the people out and bless the Israelites in battle. The new generation abandoned God and worshiped idols. This part of Judges shows what can happen when we neglect to teach our children to follow the Lord."  NIV footnote

Footnote:

The book of Joshua tells of a swift and thorough conquest of enemy armies and cities, while the book of Judges seems to suggest a more lengthy and gradual conquest. When the Israelites first entered the promised land, they united as one army to crush the inhabitants until they were too weak to retaliate. Then, after the land was divided among the 12 tribes, each tribe was responsible for driving out the remaining enemy from its own territory. The book of Judges tells of their failure to do this.

Some tribes were more successful than others. Under Joshua, they all began strong, but soon most were sidetracked by fear, weariness, lack of discipline, or pursuit of their own interest. As a result, their faith began to fade away, and "everyone did as he saw fit" (17:6). In order for our faith to survive, it must be practiced day by day. It must penetrate every aspect of our lives. Beware of starting out strong and then getting sidetracked from your real purpose -- loving God and living for him.

Judges 2:10-19


10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. 11 Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served the Baals. 12 They forsook the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They aroused the LORD’s anger 13 because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. 14 In his anger against Israel the LORD gave them into the hands of raiders who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist. 15 Whenever Israel went out to fight, the hand of the LORD was against them to defeat them, just as he had sworn to them. They were in great distress.

16 Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders. 17 Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. They quickly turned from the ways of their ancestors, who had been obedient to the LORD’s commands. 18 Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the LORD relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. 19 But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.

Footnote:

Despite Israel's disobedience, God showed his great mercy by raising up judges to save the people from their oppressors. Mercy has been defined as "not giving a person what he or she deserves." This is exactly what God did for Israel and what he does for us. Our disobedience demands judgment! But God shows mercy toward us by providing an escape from sin's penalty through Jesus Christ, who alone saves us from sin. When we pray for forgiveness, we are asking for what we do not deserve. Yet when we take this step and trust in Christ's saving work on our behalf, we can experience God's forgiveness.

Throughout this period of history Israel went through seven cycles of

1. rebelling against God,

2. being overrun by enemy nations,

3. being delivered by God-fearing judge,

4. remaining loyal to God under that judge, and

5. again forgetting God when the judge died.

We tend to follow the same cycle -- remaining loyal to God as long as we are near those who are devoted to him. But when we are on our own, the pressure to be drawn away from God increases. Determine to be faithful to God despite the difficult situations you encounter.

Keep reading -- 287 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 77 - Choose For Yourselves This Day

Daily Reading:  Joshua 22-24


"...You have done all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded, and you have obeyed me in everything I commanded. For a long time now -- to this very day -- you have not deserted your brothers but have carried out the mission the Lord your God gave you."

22:2-4 Footnote:

Before the conquest had begun, these tribes were given land on the east side of the Jordan River. But before they could settle down, they had to first promise to help the other tribes conquer the land on the west side (Numbers 32:20-22). They had patiently and diligently carried out their promised duties. Joshua commended them for doing just that. At last they were permitted to return to their families and build their cities. Follow-through is vital in God's work. Beware of the temptation to quit early and leave God's work undone.

"But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now."

23:8 Footnote:

Joshua was dying, and so he called all the leaders of the nation together to give them his final words of encouragement and instruction. His whole message can be summarized in this verse: "Hold fast to the Lord your God." Joshua had been a living example of those words, and he wanted that to be his legacy. For what do you want to be remembered, and what do you want to pass on to your children and associates? You can leave them nothing better than the admonition to hold on to God and to the memory of a person who did.

"So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant." 24:13

LOVE that verse! God blesses us with so much!

"Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

24:15 Footnote:

The people had to decide whether they would obey the Lord, who had proven his trustworthiness, or obey the local gods, which were only man-made idols. It's easy to slip into a quiet rebellion -- going about life in your own way. But the time comes when you have to choose who or what will control you. The choice is yours. Will it be God, your own limited personality, or another imperfect substitute? Once you have chosen to be controlled by God's Spirit, reaffirm your choice every day.

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Keep reading -- 288 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 76 - Promises Fulfilled

Daily Reading:  Joshua 19-21

Not one of all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.       Joshua 19:45

Footnote:

God proved faithful in fulfilling every promise he had given to Israel.  Fulfillment of some promises took several years, but "every one was fulfilled."  His promises will be fulfilled according to his timetable, not ours, but we  know that his word is sure.  The more we learn of those promises God has fulfilled and continues to fulfill, the easier it is to hope for those yet to come.  Sometimes we become impatient, wanting God to act in a certain way now.  Instead, we should faithfully do what we know he wants us to do and trust him for the future.

Keep reading -- 289 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 75 - Allotments

Daily Reading:  Joshua 16-18

So Joshua said to the Israelites:  "How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?"  Joshua 18:3

16:1 Footnote:

Although Joseph was one of Jacob's 12 sons, he did not have a tribe named after him. This was because Joseph, as the oldest son of Jacob's wife Rachel, received a double portion of the inheritance. This double portion was given to Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, whom Jacob considered as his own (Genesis 48:5). The largest territory and the greatest influence in the northern half of Israel belonged to their tribes.

17:14,15 Footnote

Notice the two contrasting attitudes toward settling the promised land. Caleb took what God gave him and moved ahead to fulfill God's plan for him (14:12). He was confident that God would help him drive out the wicked inhabitants and that he would soon fully occupy his land. In contrast the two tribes of Joseph were given rich land and lots of it, but they were afraid to drive out the inhabitants and take full possession of it. Instead they begged for more land. But Joshua asked them to prove their sincerity first by clearing the unclaimed forest areas. They agreed, but they failed to carry through (Judges 1:27).

18:3-6 Footnote

Joshua asked why some of the tribes were putting off the job of possessing the land. Often we delay doing jobs that seem large, difficult, boring, or disagreeable. But to continue putting them off shows lack of discipline, poor stewardship of time, and, in some cases, disobedience to God.  Jobs we don't enjoy require concentration, teamwork, twice as much time, lots of encouragement, and accountability. Remember this when you are tempted to procrastinate.

18:8 Footnote:

Making decisions by casting lots was a common practice among the Hebrews. Little is known about the actual method used in Joshua's day. Dice may have been used. Another possibility is that two urns were used: one containing tribal names; the other, the divisions of the land. Drawing one name from each urn matched a tribe to a region. The Urim and Thummim (explained in the note on Leviticus 8:8) may also have been used. No matter how it was done, the process removed human choice from the decision-making process and allowed God to match tribes and lands as he saw fit.

Leviticus 8:8 Footnote:

What were the Urim and Thummim? Little is known about them, but they were probably precious stones or flat objects that God used to give guidance to his people. The high priest kept them in a pouch attached to his breastpiece. Some scholars think the Urim may have been the "no" answer and the Thummim the "yes" answer. After a time of prayer for guidance, the priest would shake one of the stones out of the pouch, and God would cause the proper one to fall out. Another view is that the Urim and Thummim were small flat objects, each with a "yes" side and a "no" side. The priest spilled both from his pouch. If both landed on their "yes" sides, God's answer was positive. Two "no" sides were negative. A "yes" and a "no" meant no reply. God had a specific purpose for using this method of guidance -- he was teaching a nation the principles of following him. Our situation is not the same, however, so we must not invent ways like this for God to guide us.

It's tempting to wish we had a Urim and Thummim sometimes! But we do have the Holy Spirit to guide us...may we learn to listen to His still, small voice.

Keep reading -- 290 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 74 - Faithful to the End

Daily Reading:  Joshua 13-15

When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, the Lord said to him, "You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over."                   Joshua 13:1

13:1 Footnote:

Joshua was getting old -- he was between 85 and 100 years of age at this time. God, however, still had work for him to do. Our culture often glorifies the young and strong and sets aside those who are older. Yet older people are filled with the wisdom that comes with experience. They are very capable of serving if given the chance and should be encouraged to do so. Believers are never allowed to retire from God's service. Those past retirement age should not assume that age alone disqualifies or excuses them from serving God.

13:7 Footnote:

Much of the land was unconquered at this point, but God's plan was to go ahead and include it in the divisions among the tribes. God's desire was that it would eventually be conquered by the Israelites. God knows the future, and as he leads you he already knows about the victories that lie ahead. But just as the Israelites still had to go to battle and fight, we must still face the trials and fight the battles of our unconquered land.
What are our unconquered lands? They may be overseas missionary territories, new languages in which to translate the Bible, new missionary areas in our neighborhoods, interest groups or institutions that need redemptive work, unchallenged public problems or ethical issues, unconfessed sin in our lives, or underdeveloped talents and resources. What territory has God given you to conquer? This territory is your "promised land." Our inheritance will be a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1) if we fulfill the mission God has given us to do.

"So the Israelites divided the land, just as the Lord had commanded Moses." Joshua 14:5

14:5 Footnote:

The land was divided exactly as God had instructed Moses years before. Joshua did not change a word. He followed God's commands precisely. Often we believe that almost is close enough, and this idea can carry over into our spiritual lives. For example, we may follow God's Word as long as we agree with it, but ignore it when the demands seem harsh. But God is looking for leaders who follow instructions thoroughly.

14:6-12 Footnote:

Caleb was faithful from the start. As one of the original spies sent into the promised land, he saw great cities and giants, yet he knew God would help the people conquer the land. Because of his faith, God promised him a personal inheritance of land (Numbers 14:24; Deuteronomy 1:34-36). Here, 45 years later, the land was given to him. His faith was still unwavering. Although his inherited land still had giants, Caleb knew the Lord would help him conquer them. Like Caleb, we must be faithful to God, not only at the start of our walk with him, but through our entire lives. We must never allow ourselves to rest on our past accomplishments or reputations.

15:4 Footnote:

Notice that these boundaries and descriptions of the promised land are very specific. God was telling Israel exactly what to do, and he was giving them just what they needed. There was no excuse for disobedience.

There were a lot of good notes in this reading!! I want to encourage you to keep going -- no matter where you are -- just keep reading!! If you are far behind in your reading and would like some extra encouragement, ideas on ways to catch up with your reading or prayer, please send me a message so we can talk about it.

May we be like Caleb -- faithful to the end!!

Keep reading -- 291 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 73 - The Sun Stands Still

Daily Reading: Joshua 10-12

So the sun stood still, 

and the moon stopped, 

till the nation avenged itself on its enemies...

Joshua 10:13

10:12-14 Footnote:

How did the sun stand still? Of course, in relation to the earth the sun always stands still -- it is the earth that travels around the sun. But the terminology used in Joshua should not cause us to doubt the miracle. After all, we are not confused when someone tells us the sun rises or sets. The point is that the day was prolonged, not that God used a particular method to prolong it.

Two explanations have been given for how this event occurred: 1. A slowing of the earth's normal rotation gave Joshua more time, as the original Hebrew language seems to indicate. 2. Some unusual refraction of the sun's rays gave additional hours of light. Regardless of God's chosen method, the Bible is clear that the day was prolonged by a miracle, and that God's intervention turned the tide of battle for his people.

10:32 Footnote:

Notice that every Israelite victory, the text gives the credit to the Lord. All of Israel's victories came from God. When we are successful, the temptation is to take all the credit and glory as though we did it by ourselves, in our own strength. In reality, God gives us the victories; and he alone delivers us from our enemies. We should give him the credit and praise him for his goodness.

11:15 Footnote:

Joshua carefully obeyed all the instructions given by God. This theme of obedience is repeated frequently in the book of Joshua, partly because obedience is one aspect of life the individual believer can control. We can't always control our understanding because we may not have all the facts. We can't control what other people do or how they treat us. However, we can control our choice to obey God. Whatever new challenges we may face, the Bible contains relevant instructions that we can choose to ignore or choose to follow.

11:18 Footnote:

The conquest of much of the land of Canaan seems to have happened quickly (we can read about it in one sitting), but it actually took seven years. We often expect quick changes in our lives and quick victories over sin. But our journey with God is a lifelong process, and the changes and victories may take time. It is easy to grow impatient with God and feel like giving up hope because things are moving too slowly. When we are close to a situation, it is difficult to see progress. But when we look back we can see that GOD NEVER STOPPED WORKING.

Keep reading -- 292 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 72 - Seek God in All Things

Daily Reading:  Joshua 7-9

The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.                                          Joshua 9:14


9:14-17 Footnote:

When the leaders sampled these men's provisions, they saw that the bread was dry and moldy, the wineskins were cracked, and the clothes and sandals worn out. But they did not see through the deception. After the promise had been made and the treaty ratified, the facts came out -- Israel's leaders had been deceived. God had specifically instructed Israel to make no treaties with the inhabitants of Canaan (Exodus 23:32; 34:12; numbers 33:55; Deuteronomy 7:2; 20:17,18). As a strategist, Joshua knew enough to talk to God before leading his troops into battle. But the peace treaty seemed innocent enough so Joshua and the leaders made this decision on their own. By failing to seek God's guidance and rushing ahead with their own plans, they had to deal with angry people and an awkward alliance.

This is a good reminder to seek God in ALL areas of our lives, big and small.

8:2 Footnote:

Why did God allow the Israelites to keep the plunder and livestock this time?  Israel's laws for handling the spoils of war covered two situations.  1.  Cities like Jericho which were under God's ban (judgment for idolatry) could not be looted.  God's people were to be kept holy and separate from every influence of idolatry.  2.  The distribution of plunder from cities not under the ban was a normal part of warfare.  It provided the army and the nation with the necessary food, flocks, and weapons needed to sustain itself in wartime.  Ai was not under the ban.  The conquering army needed the food and equipment.  Because soldiers were not paid, the loot was part of their incentive and reward for going to war.

Keep reading -- 293 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

71 - Memorial Stones

"He said to the Israelites, 'In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, What do these stones mean? tell them, 'Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground. For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.' "              4:21-24

4:21-24 Footnote:

The memorial of 12 stones was to be a constant reminder of the day the Israelites crossed the Jordan River on dry ground. Their children would see the stones, hear the story, and learn about God. Do you have traditions -- special dates or special places -- to help your children learn about God's work in your life? Do you take time to tell them what God has done for you -- forgiving and saving you, answering your prayers, supplying your needs? Retelling your story will help keep memories of god's faithfulness alive in your family.

5:11, 12 Footnote:

God had miraculously supplied manna to the hungry Israelites during their 40 years in the desert. In the bountiful promised land they no longer needed this daily food supply because the land was ready for planting and harvesting. God had miraculously provided food for the Israelites while they were in the desert; here he provided food from the land itself. Prayer is not an alternative to preparation, and faith is not a substitute for hard work. God can and does provide miraculously for his people as needed, but he also expects to use their God-given talents and resources to provide for themselves. If your prayers have gone unanswered, perhaps what you need is within your reach. Pray instead for the wisdom to see it and the energy and motivation to do it.

6:3-5 Footnote:

Why did God give Joshua all these complicated instructions for the battle? Several answers are possible: 

1. God was making it undeniably clear that the battle would depend upon him, and not upon Israel's weapons and expertise. This is why priests carrying the ark, not soldiers, led the Israelites into battle. 

2. God's method of taking the city accentuated the terror already felt in Jericho. 

3. This strange military maneuver, was a test of the Israelites' faith and their willingness to follow God completely. The blowing of the trumpets had a special significance. They had been instructed to blow the same trumpets used in the religious festivals in their battles to remind them that their victory would come from the Lord, not their own military might.

6:26 Footnote:

This curse was fulfilled in Kings 16:34 when a man, Hiel, rebuilt Jericho and consequently lost his oldest and youngest sons.

Keep reading -- 294 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 70 - Joshua

Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.     Joshua 1:9

1:16 Footnote:

If everyone had tried to conquer the promised land his own way, chaos would have resulted. In order to complete the enormous task of conquering the land, everyone had to agree to the leader's plan and be willing to support and obey him. If we are going to complete the tasks God has given us, we must fully agree to his plan, pledge ourselves to obey it, and put his principles into action. Agreeing to God's plan means both knowing what the plan is (as found in the Bible) and carrying it out daily.

2:8-13 Footnote:

Many would assume that Rahab - a pagan, a Canaanite, and a prostitute - would never be interested in God. Yet Rahab was willing to risk everything she had for a God she barely knew. We must not gauge a person's interest in God by his or her background, life-style, or appearance. We should let nothing get in the way of our telling people about God.

I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR

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I thought this guy was awesome!  What did you think?

Keep reading -- 295 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 69 - Words for Life

Daily Reading:  Deuteronomy 32-34

Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you -- they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.           32:46-47

32:46, 47 Footnote:

Moses urged the people to think about God's word and teach it to their children. The Bible can sit on your bookshelf and gather dust, or you can make it a vital part of your life by regularly setting aside time to study it. When you discover the wisdom of God's message, you will want to apply it to your life and pass it on to your family and others. The Bible is not merely good reading -- it's real help for real people.

33:6-25 Footnote:

Note the difference in blessings God gave each tribe. To one he gave the best land, to another strength, to another safety. Too often we see someone with a particular blessing and think that God must love that person more then others. Think rather that God draws out in all people their unique talents. All these gifts are needed to complete his plan. Don't be envious of the gifts others have. Instead, look for the gifts God has given you and resolve to do the tasks he has uniquely qualified you to do.

33:27 Footnote:

Moses' song declares that God is our refuge, our only true security. How often we entrust our lives to other things -- perhaps money, career, a noble cause, or a lifelong dream. But our only true refuge is the eternal God, who always holds out his arms to catch us when the shaky supports that we trust collapse and we fall. No storm can destroy us when we take refuge in him. Those without God, however, must forever be cautious. One mistake may wipe them out. Living for God in this world may look like risky business. But it is the godless who are on shaky ground. Because God is our refuge, we can dare to be bold.

34:4,10 Footnote:

Moses was the only person who ever spoke with God face to face. He was called Israel's greatest prophet. Yet even this great man was not allowed to enter the promised land because he disobeyed God. No matter how good we are, or how much we've done for God, we sometimes disobey him. The result of our disobedience is that we will be disciplined. God disciplined Moses severely, but still called him his friend. When you experience the sting of God's discipline, respond as Moses did: Don't turn away in anger, embarrassment, or resentment. Instead, turn toward God with love, openness, and a desire to do better.

34:10-12 Footnote:

Moses, the man who did not want to be sent to Egypt because he was "slow of speech", delivered the three addresses to Israel that make up the book of Deuteronomy. God gave him the power to develop from a stuttering shepherd into a national leader and powerful orator. His courage, humility, and wisdom molded the Hebrew slaves into a nation. But Moses was one person who did not let success go to his head. In the end, God was still Moses' best friend. His love, respect, and awe for God had grown daily throughout his life. Moses knew that it was not any greatness in himself that made him successful; it was the greatness of the all-powerful God in whom he trusted. There were many great and powerful prophets during the time of the kings. But it would be more than a thousand years before one greater than Moses would appear -- Jesus!

Lots of good stuff today! We finished another book and have read 229 chapters!

Keep reading -- 296 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV

Day 68 - Choose Life

Daily Reading:  Deuteronomy: 29-31

For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.       30:16

29:1 Footnote:

At Mount Sinai, 40 years earlier, God and Israel had made a covenant (Exodus 19,20). Although there were many parts to the covenant, its purpose can be summed up in two sentences: 

 God promised to bless the Israelites by making them the nation through whom the rest of the world could know God. In return, the Israelites promised to love and obey God in order to receive physical and spiritual blessings. 

 Here Moses reviewed this covenant. God was still keeping his part of the bargain (and he always would), but the Israelites were already neglecting their part. Moses restated the covenant to warn the people that if they did not keep their part of the agreement, they would experience severe discipline.

29:5 Footnote:

Just as the people of Israel did not notice God's care for them along their journey, we sometimes do not notice all of the ways that God takes care of us -- that all of our daily needs have been supplied and we have been well fed and well clothed. Worse yet, we mistakenly take the credit ourselves for being good providers instead of recognizing God's hand in the process.

29:9 Footnote:

What is the best way to prosper in life? For the Israelites, their first step was to keep their part of the covenant. They were to love God with all of their heart, soul, and strength. We, too, are to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33); then true success in life will follow as a blessing from the hand of God.

30:19,20 Footnote:

Moses challenged Israel to choose life, to obey God, and therefore continue to experience his blessings. God doesn't force his will on anyone. He lets us decide whether to follow him or reject him. This decision, however, is a life-or-death matter. God wants us to realize this, for he would like us all to choose life. Daily, in each new situation, we must affirm and reinforce this commitment.

Keep reading -- 297 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV.

Day 67 - His People

Daily Reading:  Deuteronomy 29-31

And the Lord has declared this day that you
are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands.             Deut. 26:18

26:18 Footnote:

Moses said that because the Israelites were now God's people, they needed to start obeying God's commands.

27:9,10 Footnote

Moses was reviewing the law with the new generation of people. When we decide to believe in God, we must also decide to follow his ways. What we do shows what we really believe. Can people tell that you are a member of God's family?

27:15-26 Footnote:

Sometimes looking at a list of curses like this gives us the idea that God has a bad temper and is out to crush anyone who steps out of line. But we need to see these restrictions not as threats, but as loving warnings about the plain facts of life. Just as we warn children to stay away from hot stoves and busy streets, God warns us to stay away from dangerous actions. The natural law of his universe makes it clear that wrongdoing toward others or God has tragic consequences. God is merciful enough to tell us this truth plainly. Motivated by love and not anger, his strong words help us avoid the serious consequences that result from neglecting God or wronging others.

But God does not leave us with only curses or consequences. Immediately following these curses, we discover the great blessings (positive consequences) that come from living for God (28:1-14). These give us extra incentive to obey God's laws. While all these blessings may not come in our lifetime on earth, those who obey God will experience the fullness of his blessing when he establishes the new heaven and the new earth.

Keep reading -- 298 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV.

Day 66 - Principles of Discipline

Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 23-25

When the men have a dispute, they are to take it to court and the judges will decide the case, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty.  If the guilty man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall make him lie down and have him flogged in his presence with the number of lashes his crime deserves, but he must not give him more than forty lashes.  If he is flogged more than that, your brother will be degraded in your eyes.   25:1-3

Footnote:

At first glance these verses appear irrelevant today.  But a closer look reveals some important principles about discipline.  Are you responsible for the discipline of a child, a student, or an employee?  Three important points will help you carry out your responsibility:

1.  let the punishment follow quickly after the offense;

2.  let the degree of punishment reflect the seriousness of the offense; and

3.  don't overdo the punishment.  

Discipline that is swift, just, and restrained makes its point while preserving the dignity of the offender.

Keep reading -- 299 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV.

Day 65 - In War and Peace

Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 20-22

When the Lord your God delivers it into your hand, put to the sword all the men in it.   20:13

20:13-18 Footnote:

"Put to the sword" means to kill. How could a merciful and just God order the destruction of entire population centers? He did this to protect his people from idol worship, which was certain to bring ruin to Israel (20:18). In fact, because Israel did not completely destroy these evil people as God commanded, Israel was constantly oppressed by them and experienced greater bloodshed and destruction than if they had followed God's instructions in the first place.

2:8-11 Footnote:

These are practical laws, helpful for establishing good habits for everyday living.

Verse 8: Since people used their flat roofs as porches, a guardrail was a wise safety precaution.

Verse 9: If you plant two different crops side by side, one of them will not survive, since the stronger, taller one will block the sunlight and take most of the vital nutrients from the soil.

Verse 10: A donkey and an ox, due to differences in strength and size, cannot pull a plow evenly.

Verse 11: Two different kinds of thread wear unevenly and wash differently. Combining them reduces the life of the garment.

Don't think of God's laws as arbitrary restrictions. Look for the reasons behind the laws. They are not made just to teach or restrict, but also to protect.

Keep reading -- 300 days left!

All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV.

Day 64 - Laws for Ruling the Nation

Daily Reading:  Deuteronomy 17-19

When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, "Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us," be sure to appoint over you the king the Lord your God chooses.  He must be from among your own brothers.  Do not place a foreigner over you, one who is not a brother Israelite.    
                                                                  Deuteronomy 17:14-15

17:14-20 Footnote:

God was not encouraging Israel to appoint a king to rule their nation. He was actually against the idea because he was their King, and the people were to obey and follow him. But God knew that the people would one day demand a king for selfish reasons -- they would want to be like the nations around them (1 Samuel 8). If they insisted on having a king, he wanted to make sure they chose the right person. That is why he included these instructions both for the people's benefit as they chose their king and for the king himself as he sought to lead the nation according to God's laws.

17:18-20 Footnote:

The king was to be a man of God's Word. He was to

1. have a copy of the law made for his personal use,

2. keep it with him all the time,

3. read from it every day, and

4. obey it completely.

Through this process he would learn respect for God, keep himself from feeling more important than others, and avoid neglecting God in times of prosperity. We can't know what God wants except through his Word, and his Word won't affect our lives unless we read and think about it regularly. With the abundant availability of the Bible today, it is not difficult to gain access to the source of the king's wisdom. What is more of a challenge is following its directives.

"Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead." Deuteronomy 18:10

18:10-13 Footnote:

The Israelites were naturally curious about the occult practices of the Canaanite religions. But Satan is behind the occult, and God flatly forbade Israel to have anything to do with it. Today people are still fascinated by horoscopes, fortune-telling, witchcraft, and bizarre cults. Often their interest comes from a desire to know and control the future. But Satan is no less dangerous today than he was in Moses' time. In the Bible, God tells us all we need to know about what is going to happen. The information Satan offers is likely to be distorted or completely false. With the trustworthy guidance of the Holy Spirit through the Bible and the church, we don't need to turn to occult sources for faulty information.

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All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV.