Day 154...(Judges 3,4; Proverbs 2; Mark 3)..."Twelve Disciples and One Big Family"

What was the name of the twelve disciples? Mark gives us a concise listing in chapter three. This is a great reference for all the gospels and the twelve.

"He appointed twelve—designating them apostles that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him."

Are we not all one big family? Jesus teaches His family is anyone who does the will of God. In addition to bloodlines, we are family as we do God's will. We all are a part of God's family! The church can help us expand our notion of family.

Day 153...(Judges 1,2; Proverbs 1; Mark 2)...""We have never seen anything like this!"

The speed of Mark continues with a reference to "immediately." This word will be common in the gospel of Mark. One remark seems to capture the early ministry of Jesus..."We have never seen anything like this!" This is evident as they raise a man through the roof! And then off his mat!

Quick theological issues emerge about fasting and keeping the Sabbath. And one measure of how "thinking out of the theological box" challenges the establishment when Jesus eats with sinners. In all issues Jesus expands the teaching about the Kingdom of God, in the face of rigid legalism. More to come in this growing tension. The images of new wine and new wineskin sum up Jesus' teaching of the Kingdom and the inflexibility of the Pharisees.

Day 152...(Mark 1)..."Mark introduces Jesus Quickly!"

Mark is the first gospel. The shortest gospel in being only 16 chapters. And add one more...the fastest moving gospel. In just one chapter, we move from John the Baptist, baptism, the wilderness, Jesus healing, and the calling of the first disciples. How did Jesus stay so purposeful so quickly? He took time to reflect and pray.

Here is the passage..."Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons."

Jesus knew people would come by the thousands. He also knew His purpose was greater than responding to everyone that came to Him. Jesus stayed focused on God's purpose. These passages of Jesus taking time to reflect and pray is a great model for us to follow.

Day 151...(Matthew 28)..."Fear and Joy at Once?"

The two Mary's went to the tomb and there was an earthquake. From the devastation of Haiti we know how tramautic this event could be? Yet...the fear turned to joy with the prospect of resurrection instead of a natural disaster. I noticed also that both women named Mary had fear and joy in tandem. In this reading of Matthew 28, I am pondering these simultaneous emotions of being afraid and joyful.

In the drama of God's work this combination of fear and joy seem to be in tandem. Is not the trust of God the reason for joy? And the reason our fears do not get the best of us? I am going to ponder this tandem of fear and joy along the way. Does God not reveal Himself to us in such times?

By the way...we are now out of the Psalms for the first time in 150 days.

Day 150...(Psalm 150; Matthew 27)..."Following the Crowd of Disipleship"

The crowd chanted "Hosanna, Glory to God in the Highest" and then only a week later..."Barrabas" and "crucify Him." How quickly a crowd can change directions. The disciples a small group would also be fickle in this time. They would eventually have staying power at Pentecost through discipleship. What is the lesson? Be leary of following a quickly forming crowd. Follow instead a crowd which forms through discipleship.

Jesus teaches earlier in Matthew 7 that "wide is the gate that leads to destruction and many follow this path." Fast growing crowds can be fickle and short-lived. Jesus challenges those who follow Him to be disciples. Disciples form a crowd over time. And the crowds of disciples become strong and dedicated.

We in the church like crowds. The best crowds are not the sudden ones but the ones who grow through discipleship. I see this patten small groups of disciples over time produce exponentially into a crowd. Bishop Dick Wills describes this as "growing larger by growing smaller."

Day 149...(Psalm 149; Matthew 26)..."Why do you come to me with Swords and Clubs?"

In Matthew 26, we have the well known passages of Jesus' anointed with costly oil, the preparation of the Upper Room, The Last Supper, Jesus in Gethsemane, betrayal, arrest, and trial. I was more aware this in this reading of what Jesus said when the mob to arrest arrived.

"At that time Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled."

In the opposite of a Nicodemus conversion at night, they came to avoid the crowd too...but their motive was to make the arrest look more suspicious. Jesus' Word to them makes this clear. Evil does often lurk in the shadows and not in the light of day. They could have arrested Jesus without clubs and without resistance.

Day 148...(Psalm 148; Matthew 25)..."Three Lessons"

I love Matthew 25. It is a unified chapter with three strong varied teachings of the Kingdom. It speaks to the heart of a fruitful disciple. There are three distinct lessons. Matthew, chapter 24, has three distinct lessons

Teaching one: Ready or not!

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.


Teaching two: Use it or lose it!

"For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him."

Teaching three: How we treat others is a reflection of how we love Jesus.

'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

Day 147...(Psalm 147; Matthew 24)..."A Good Answer for the End of Time"

What is the best answer to the question..."when will the end of time come?" The best answer is four simple words..."I do not know." Why is the best answer? If Jesus did not know...how are we to know! In the name of Biblical scholarship, how could anyone claim to know when Jesus says so clearly...

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

One biblical message is clear..."be ready, no one knows the day or hour!"

Day 146...(Psalm 146; Matthew 23)..."Hypocrisy not Welcome!"

Jesus show mercy to the humble but no mercy to the hypocrites. Is this issue not prominent in the church today? We are touched by persons who come humbly, even though they are imperfect. Yet...when a person comes proud, we are less merciful. Jesus sets a tone for humility in all of His teachings. One of the "common thread" messages of the Bible is God resists the proud. In Proverbs and in the Gospels. Here is the passage...

"For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Day 145...(Psalm 145; Matthew 22)..."Jesus Answers Silence the Critics"

Jesus is presented with tough questions. He not only answers them but He also silences His critics. After answering an absurd and seemingly question about a women who married seven brothers who died one at a time...Jesus blew them away with..." "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living." Ironically, the Sadducees did even believe in Heaven...what hypocrites!

About taxes....

"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

In response to the unanswerable law question from a lawyer...

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Jesus walked on water, He fed multitudes with loaves and fishes, He gave sight to the blind, and...He answered unanswerable questions with silencing truth!

Day 144...(Psalm 144; Matthew 21)..."One Week, One Quarter of the Gospel, One for all Time"

Our reading leads us into Jerusalem today, as Jesus comes into "Hosanna, Glory to God in the Highest!" Jesus spends a high drama week of parade, celebration, anger, washing feet, the Last Supper, betrayal, arrest, denial, the trial, the cross, and resurrection. One week which comprises twenty-five percent of the Gospel. (21 chapters before and 7 after the entrance into Jerusalem)
One week that is also timeless and changes our lives even today.

In all the Gospels this one week will dominate. As we move through all the significant stories and teachings, think about all that was recorded about one week. And then, think about all Jesus did not recorded in the Gospels. The Gospel of John will allude to this fact in saying..."And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book" (John 20:30)

Surely Jesus did many signs, wonders, miracles, and teachings not in the Book. Holy Week helps us view this special seven day period in the life of our Lord. All this in one week, imagine all that happened in the life of Jesus during His three year ministry. Then imagine the difference Jesus has made in the last 2000 years and in our lives now. Jesus is timeless. He is "the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow." (Hebrews 13:8) We engage one week, one quarter of the Gospel, and One for all time."

Day 143...(Psalm 143; Matthew 19, 20)..."Grace is Enough"

The parable of the workers in the vineyard troubles many who believe this is a story about working for fair wages. A casual reading does leave this conclusion. This parable is not about wages but grace. Those who come to know the Lord in the 11th hour receive grace just like those who come early in life.

Is this parable unfair? Only for those who come late to know God. They would have missed out on the joy of serving the Lord all those years! Jesus' Kingdom is often upside down from the world view. How true with this parable!

In our life journey grace if offered all of our life. The most blessed people show up early. And one other note they do not resent those who come late!

Day 142..(CATCH UP DAY)

As I was assimilating this reading plan of the Bible, I made a few miscalculations of chapters and books. Today can be a catch up day, if you need one. Matthew 19 is not on the reading schedule tomorrow, so that can be read today or tomorrow. I also scaled back the Old Testament reading for a few days to allow more emphasis on the New Testament. Enjoy.

Day 141...(Psalm 141, Matthew 18)..."Surprise Answers for Questions"

Today we read of answers and some surprising for the Kingdom of Heaven. (KOG)

Who is the greatest part one? Children.
Who is the greatest part two? Those who come as a child.
Who is the greatest part three? Servant.

Which sheep out of 100 hundred matters the most? The Lost One.

How many times should we forgive? 490 7x70.

Day 140...(Psalm 140; Matthew 17)..."A Reason We Should Help in Haiti"

As if we needed a reason to help with the loss of life and devastation in Haiti, a passage in today's reading states succinctly..."I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy." God seeks us to help the cause of the needy.

One of the greatest themes of the Bible is faith. Yesterday, I examined the need to "think lofty." Today we can add faith as indispensable in thinking big. Faith is more than wishful thinking or hoping God will do it without our help. Faith requires our obedience, commitment, faithfulness to the Lord in His plans and not ours.

The passage says we cannot do great things for God because of our lack of faith...""Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."


A relevant example would be God would want us to think big in helping Haiti. We are to champion those who are poor and in trouble. Does God want us to "think big" for self-serving reasons...absolutely not. Faith and obedience to God's higher purposes belong together. In our giving together through UMCOR, prayers, and help we can accomplish great things for the Lord.

Day 139...(Psalm 139; Matthew 16)..."Lofty Thoughts for Small Thinkers"

In my estimation "thinking too small" about the difference God makes in our lives is one of the greatest shortcomings of today. The reading of Psalm 139 is a great remedy for days we think too small.
Here are a few excerpts...

"You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD."

"Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there;if I make my bed in the depths, you are there."

"even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you."

"How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand."

Awesome!!!

Jesus also lifts us out of small thinking by saying... "the gates of Hell will not prevail against the church." He also challenges the disciples small thinking by saying the miracle of feeding 5000 was not about bread! His message is about not following "yeast" of the Pharisees.

Day 138...(Joshua 24,; Psalm 138; Matthew 15)..."Famous Passages"

Three passages capture my attention today.

of the most famous passages is in Joshua 24. I have seen passage in many homes..."But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

Another famous saying originated from Matthew..."the blind leading the blind." Here is the passgae..."If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."

A famous Holy Communion line is also in the passage today..."Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. We are not worthy but thanks be to God the Sacrament is still offered to us.

Day 137...(Joshua 22,23; Psalm 137; Matthew 14)..."Gory to Glory to Story"

Today's reading includes some gory images..."infants against rocks" and John the Baptist is beheaded. Thank goodness for the glory that later appears in the feeding of the 5000 with five loaves and two fish, and Jesus walking on the water. And even a little humor...Peter sinking like a rock.

The Bible is speaks to all of life. I do not understand the "gory" but I am inspired by the "glory" and lifted to new heights by "story" of feeding five thousand and Jesus walking on the water!

Day 136...(Joshua 20,21; Psalm 136; Matthew 13)..."Sow What!"

Obviously, there is an intensification in Psalm 136 today. The Psalm states 26 times..."His love endures forever." There is a praise and worship song which builds around this line.

So What! Sow good seed. Matthew 13 is one of the strongest chapters in the Bible to teach. You can pick your parable. They are abundant.

Sower
Treasure in the Field
Net
Mustard Seed
Pearl
Yeast

All of them reveal some of the mystery about the Kingdom of God. So what? Sow the good seeds of the Kingdom of God.

Day 135...(Joshua 18,19; Psalm 135; Matthew 12)..."Famous Sayings in the Bible"

As those who may not read the Bible attest...these sayings are familiar out of Matthew. What are these sayings?

#1 Saying..."When your ox is in a ditch" (A Sheep in this case)
Actual passage..."If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath,
will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more
valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good
on the Sabbath."

#2 Saying..."A house divided against itself cannot stand"
Actual passage..."Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every
city or household divided against itself will not stand."

Day 134...(Joshua 16,17; Psalm 134; Matthew 11)..."Losing Weight"

As the new year begins, so many have a goal of weight loss. I know I have a few pounds to lose. (By the way I remember why they call it pound cake, as you gain a pound every piece! And then you want to pound the scales)

Seriously, losing the weight of burdens is even better than weight loss and Jesus tells us how...

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Wow...rest for the soul. Is there any better rest? Jesus always offers the best!

Day 133...(Joshua 14,15; Psalm 133; Matthew 10)..."How Wonderful is Unity"

Maybe some teams win championship because there is unity. I think you might be hard pressed to find a champion without unity. Alabama may be the latest example of what unity can do. Teamwork and unity are important in sports. In the church and in our lives, unity is a prelude to blessing. The Psalmist says it like this...

"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard,running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore."

In these days, when you have unity that is a blessing and a wonderful sign in which to build a team to attempt great things for God.

Day 132...(Joshua 12,13; Psalms132; Matthew 9)..."New Wine...New Wineskins"

We are a little more than a week into the 2010. How are those resolutions going? Jesus teaches that change must be done in both spirit and form in His metaphor of the wine skins. New wine cannot be stored in old wine skins because they become inflexible and will burst. New wine skins allow for change. Obviously, the best combination is new wine and new wine skins.

Lasting change requires new habits in a new routine. Both the willingness and discipline. There is nothing superficial about change. It requires body, mind, and spirit in synergy. Only God can bring the deepest change of the heart. Only God can change the heart.

Every time I read this passage I wrestle with my own needs to change. A pep talk never hurts motivation but change requires more than determination. Jesus' Words about change are the best.
Jesus' power and grace are required for spiritual changes of the heart.

Day 131...(Joshua 9,10; Psalm 131; Matthew 8)..."When the Sun Stood Still"

History documents a day when the sun was altered for a day. The Bible is not a book of science but it is interesting to note the reference to a day the sun stopped. Was this to allow Israel more time to win a battle? Was it to give relief from the heat? Joshua is most interesting reading in chapter ten. Here is the account...

"On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of Israel: "O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon." till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, as it is written in the Book of Jashar.

The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a man. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!"

What an awesome thought that time stood still!

Day 130...(Joshua 7,8; Psalm 130; Mathew 7)..."The Difference of Wise and Foolish and the need of Mercy"

The readings today lead to a conclusion of "wise and foolish." Israel, under Joshua's leadership, is weakened by Achan's violation of the holy covenant. (And Achan was stoned) Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount with the parable of the "Wise and Foolish Builders." In so many of the readings of the Bible two outcomes are possible. First, a wise outcome of following the covenant or commandments of God. Second, a foolish outcome of disobedience. How many stories of the Bible have these two themes? Is this not the first human story of Adam and Eve? Is this not the human story?

In regard to Achan's stoning is this because sins that lead a whole people astray lead to a stiffer penalty? Psalm 130:3 says "Lord if you kept a record of all sins who could stand?" I am a bit bewildered by the lack of mercy for Achan but notice the hope with this passage. Jesus does say in Matthew 7..."not everyone who says 'Lord' will enter the kingdom. So many Biblical teachings deal with wise, foolish, and the need of mercy. The "rock solid" teaching today is about destruction that comes from building on the sand.

Day 129...(Joshua 5,6; Psalm 129; Matthew 25)..."A Time to Toot Your Own Horn"

Joshua brings down the walls of Jericho. How? Excuse the puns! He had to have everyone "toot their own horn." They also found a remedy for "hitting the wall!' Seven times around got them through the wall.

On a completely different note, Jesus teaches do not "toot your own horn" about prayer, service, or fasting...and "your Heavenly Father Who sees in secret will reward you openly."

Matthew 6, also, has so much wonderful teaching which cannot be captured in a short blog. These including treasures in Heaven and how not to worry by "seeking first the Kingdom." The application of chapter six can inspire to set priorities, allegiance to God, while reducing worry and stress.

So much profound, inspiring, and interesting reading and so little blog.

Day 127...(Joshua 3,4: Psalm 128; Matthew 5)..."God does Amazing Things!"

Matthew five opens the Sermon on the Mount. Every line has a great message of major Kingdom of God themes. Among these include...the attitude of the Kingdom, shining for the Kingdom, striving toward perfection in every area of life, forgiveness, love of enemies, and going the extra mile. Matthew 5-7 can change your life. I cannot stop reading or thinking of these challenging teachings of Jesus.

In Joshua today, stones help commemorate the crossing of the River Jordan. What a great introduction to this miracle of God stacking up the water..."Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you."

We are challenged to follow and serve God who still does amazing things!

Day 127...(Joshua 1, 2; Psalm 127; Matthew 4)..."The River Region"

I hear the Montgomery, Autauga, and Elmore region referred to as the "river region." In today's Joshua reading I noticed how there was a crossing of Israel over the River Jordan. Jesus was baptized in river Jordan. After Jesus' trials in the desert, He began preaching and healing as people came for healing across the River Jordan. This "River Region" is precious real estate in the Kingdom of God. Within a few miles Jesus is baptized, He sends Satan away after a series of testing in the desert, and He begins a ministry of preaching saying..."repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."

Psalm 127 says it so convincingly..."unless the Lord builds the house it will not stand." The theme of building God's way or destroying through disobedience continues.

Day 126...(Deuteronomy 34; Psalm 126; Matthew 3)..."Two Leaders get out of the Way."

As we continue to transition into 2010, imagine the transition in our reading today. Moses sees from the mountaintop the "promised land." He sees it but does not enter. How would it have felt to be Moses? Moses then dies with the satisfaction of a leading millions through the wilderness. Exit Moses and enter Joshua. Leadership transitions are all throughout the Bible.

Another transition is John the Baptist prepares for Jesus. The Baptizer then yields to the the One greater than he. Jesus. John says he not worthy to carry His sandals. In another gospel he says..."He must increase I must decrease." What a great moment when Jesus was baptized by John and then got out of the way. Good leaders know when to get out of the way, and in this case, let God work.

Have we ever considered part of leadership is getting out of the way? Leaders always have to weigh out when to assert influence and when to get out of the way. In God's realm, we always have to be prepared even to get out of the way for the Lord to work. What do you think?

Day 125...(Deuteronomy 33; Psalm 125; Matthew 2) ..."Jesus' Parents Back and Forth"

Moses blesses the tribes of Israel. Blessing is a great theme in the Old Testament. Does this not also connect with the many teachings of blessing and curse from Deuteronomy.

I love the mountain images in the Psalm today. The Lord surrounds His people like mountains.

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people
both now and forevermore.

Jesus birth does not go without noticed by Herod. He uses worship of the "King of the Jews" as a excuse to spy. When tricked, he turns to violence. Joseph and Mary follow the path from Israel to Egypt and back to Israel. Jesus' birth is tied to the earlier Scripture.

Day 124...(Deuteronomy 32; Psalm 124; Matthew 1)..."Matthew Begins!"

Whew!!! We made it to the New Testament! When I arranged this reading schedule, I decided to start the new year with Matthew. A new year represents a great time for pick up new readers with resolutions to read through the Bible each day. How about reading through the New Testament in 2010?

Matthew opens with a focus on genealogy. Notice the orderly account of fourteen generations from Abraham to David, David to exile, and exile to Jesus. After this long wait for Jesus can we imagine how precious the word are...

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."

What a great thought for 2010! God is with us! Amen!