Weekly Bible Readings – Jan 21 thru Jan 27
Here are this week’s readings. We finish the sermon on the mount, get to read about the conversion of the Apostle Paul, are encouraged in the Psalms, and read about the history of God’s dealings with Jacob, who is renamed Israel. Enjoy your reading, and make sure you are keeping it practical by considering applications and truths beyond the single question in each section! Make the Scripture “profitable” or “useful” as God intends (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Category 1 – NT – Gospels
- Day 1 – Matthew 5:33-48
- Day 2 – Matthew 6:1-15
- Day 3 – Matthew 6:16-24
- Day 4 – Matthew 6:25-34
- Day 5 – Matthew 7:1-14
- Day 6 – Matthew 7:15-29
For category 1 readers , your question for possible reflection, application and comment on the blog is this: What is the “rock” and the “sand” that Jesus is referring to at the end of the Sermon on the Mount (7:24-27), and how does that relate to the gospel message?
Category 2 – NT History & Epistles
- Day 1 – Acts 8:1-25
- Day 2 – Acts 8:26-40
- Day 3 – Acts 9:1-19
- Day 4 – Acts 9:20-43
- Day 5 – Acts 10:1-23
- Day 6 – Acts 10:24-48
For category 2 readers , your question for possible reflection, application and comment on the blog is this: When Saul was converted, the church was understandably reluctant to accept him. Consider how this acceptance eventually took place. What character qualities were necessary for Barnabas to have done what he did for Saul? Do you strive to possess those qualities. Do you know of examples where repentant sinners were not recieved by a church, or where someone had to stand up for them for it to happen?
Category 3 – OT Poetry & Wisdom
- Day 1 – Psalm 13
- Day 2 – Psalm 14
- Day 3 – Psalm 15
- Day 4 – Psalm 16
- Day 5 – Psalm 17
- Day 6 – Psalm 18:1-24
For category 3 readers, your question for possible reflection, application and comment on the blog is this: Psalm 15 is one of my favorites. Consider each of the character qualities David mentions for the man/woman who enjoys the intimacy of sharing a tent with God. How are you doing in your pursuit of those qualities? Which is your weakest area, and what practical steps can you take to grow in that area?
Category 4 – OT Historical & Prophetic
- Day 1 – Genesis 31
- Day 2 – Genesis 32-33
- Day 3 – Genesis 34-35
- Day 4 – Genesis 36
- Day 5 – Genesis 37-38
- Day 6 – Genesis 39-40
For category 4 readers, your question for possible reflection, application and comment on the blog is this: One topic for discussion might be the righteousness or injustice of Simeon’s and Levi’s dealings with the Shechemites over their treatment of their sister Dinah. Was what they did right or wrong? Are there other Scriptures that mention this event? Another topic might be the “renaming” of Jacob to Israel, and what significance that had in God’s redemptive plan.
Enjoy your reading and blogging!
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Here are my quick thoughts…
For category 1, the rock is not Jesus. That is a metaphor used in the Bible, but in this context Jesus clearly says that the “rock” is only a foundation on a house, and is compared to someone who hears AND OBEYS God’s word. If you hear and obey, you’re wise like the man who built his house on the rock. Hearing and obeying builds a life that will withstand the storms, just like building a house on a rock. In contrast, if you hear the Word but don’t obey it, you will be building a life that will not be able to withstand the storms of life. You will be like the fool who builds a house on sand, and watches it wash away in the storm. We need to be hearers and doers.
For category 2, what humble and courageous man Barnabas must have been to have approached Saul like he did. He showed him a measure of kindness when everyone else was so fearful they were running. And then he had the courage to step up and tell the church to accept him. He was definitely not the type of man to show personal favoritism.
For category 3, I have always been challenged by the words in Psalm 15 that the godly man “swears to his own hurt, and does not change.” It is a challenge of personal integrity to keep your promises even when keeping them ends up costing you something (time, money, reputation, etc.). But the godly man keeps his word always; his yes is yes, and his no means no. I think this should be true in both the little and big things of life.
For category 4, I think God was not pleased with Simeon’s and Levi’s actions against the Shechemites. They were taking justice into their own hands. It was a difficult situation because the family of Jacob did not have legal jurisdiction over the Shechemites, nor did the two people groups live by the same laws. In such a case we must leave justice to the Lord, who rectifies all wrongs in the end. This is hard, but God’s displeasure over their taking justice into their own hands is stated in the blessing (or curse?) given to them through their father Jacob at his death. See Genesis 49:5-7.