Bible In 90 Days – Day 70

Reading: Matthew 16:1 – Matthew 26:56

Take Away(s):

• Even Me? 16:23. I wonder how many times God could have said this to me? God, all I can say is forgive me.
• Pride 18:3-4. I think sometimes we are so prideful that we just can’t have the child-like heart like Jesus calls for in this passage.  We are so wrapped up in our desire to “know” and “understand” and “control”, that we just can’t have the wonder that a child has in things.  I pray that I would have the WONDER.
• Lone Ranger. 18:20. We need each other.  I think sometimes solitary is the last thing we need.  There is power in numbers.
• Heart. 18:35. Forgive me Lord when I forgive on the outside, but don’t on the inside.  You know my heart…help me to model Yours.
• We Forget. 19:25-26. How often we forget that the same God who created the entire universe can do ANYTHING in our lives.  We are so dependent on our abilities that we figure we can cover somethings for God.  When we do this, we really diminish GOD.
• Service vs. Servant. 20:25-28. One of the thoughts that came to mind when I read this, was service versus servant.  I think sometimes we equate service to being a servant.  They are different.  Throughout the Bible, God looks at the heart (in Israel…in us today) – we can serve without having a heart for those we serve.  Being a servant involves heart.
• Hard. 22:30. I love my wife.  God brought us together and our 22.5 years together have been a true gift from God.  This verse is hard, but God’s ways are not ours…
• Theology. 22:37. In my bible, I previously circled the word MIND and wrote “Greek: Thinking and discussing God.”  Theology is not just for seminary grads – we all must be theologians.  Knowing and discussing God’s amazing Word makes us better worshipers.
• Convicted. 23:25-28. I don’t think anyone can read these verses and not be convicted.
• Imagine. 25:21, 23. Imagine…just imagine.  Now live.
• Help Me. 26:10-13. Sometimes I have the attitude of the disciples…
• Me? 26:56b. Have you ever read this and wondered what you would do?  For all our Monday-morning quarterbacking and second guessing the disciples…I think we’d have run too.

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Bible In 90 Days – Day 71

Reading: Matthew 26:57 – Mark 9:13

Take Away(s):

• Connection? Matt 276-10.  It goes without saying that the chief priests KNEW the law and the prophesies.  When I read this, I wondered it some of them thought to themselves, “This sounds a lot like something I’ve read before?”
• Time Alone. Mark 1:35. Jesus did it…we need to also.  Even if you’re not a morning person (I’m not!), we all need concentrated time alone with God.
• Wrong Things. Mark 7:8, 13. Forgive me God when I do this.  Help me to discern “my traditions” from Your ways.

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Bible In 90 Days – Day 69

Reading: Matthew 1:1 – Matthew 15:39

Take Away(s):

• Fulfillment 2:6, 15, 18, 23.  Let the fulfillment of what i just read over the past 68 days begin!
• Life-giving. 4:4. God’s word is life-giving!
• Go Fish. 4:18-22. Jesus didn’t call Peter and Andrew and tell them that He was going to make them great evangelists or church planters or healers…he called them to be fishers of men.  I’m listening to a podcast series by Andy Stanley called “Go Fish.”  If you listen to podcasts (if you’re not…start!), check this series out.
• Be-Attitudes! 5:3-12. There is so much meat in this short passage…Oh, to simply scratch the surface on any one of these!
• Pointers & Reflectors. 5:16. We are to shine in such a way so we make God and Christ shine – not us.  Our tendency is to just the opposite!
• Not Just about Love. 5:19-20. When i read this, in my mind, I thought loving others is key to shining for Christ, but obedience of God is just as important.  You can’t please God without both.  Saying, “It’s all about Love” without obeying the whole of God’s commands is not loving God wholly.
• Unlike. 5:46-48. If we are not different, we’re not like Christ.
• “WHEN” not “IF”. Chapter 6. I think we often miss the fact that verses 2, 5, and 16 say “when” not “if” – as Christ Followers, we are to give to the needy, pray, and fast.  I need to work on the third one…
• We Want Both! 6:24. If we’re honest, I think most of us would like to try and serve both. God, please help me to always be honest and conscious in this area.
• No Real Benefit. 6:27. Worrying just doesn’t provide any benefits…yet it is something that we do – thinking it does.  I like to say that I don’t worry, but I do…
• Foundational Stuff. 7:24-25. In reading these verses, we see that chapters five through seven are simply foundational for Christ Followers.  I’m so glad that I’m not expected to have them all checked off before I can call myself a Christ Follower.  If that were the case, I’d never make it…none of is would.
• I Forget Sometimes. 9:12-13. I think we forget who Christ came for…I know I do at times.  It is safe in our circle of Christian friends.  We need to take risks sometimes…  In the Andy Stanley, “Go Fish” podcast, he challenges to pray each day for boldness in sharing about Christ.  I need to make that a practice.
• Truth. 12:34b. Can you imagine if we thought about this before we acted/spoke as a default?

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Bible In 90 Days – Day 68

Reading: Zechariah 11:1 – Malachi 4:6

Take Away(s):

• All Hail! Zechariah 14:9 Foreshadow of Philippians 2:9-11!
• Just as good is NOT good! Malachi 1:6-14. Offering God our second best is wrong…and sin.  Father, forgive me for the times when I give You second best.  Help me make the choice, through the power of Your Holy Spirit, to offer You all my BEST…it is from You anyway!
• Ultimate Accountability. Malachi 2:7-9.  This was written to the priests. They had apparently forgotten Who they were accountable to for their actions as priests.  May I NEVER forget Who I am accountable to as a worship leader, teacher, and elder (and a human being!).
• Divorce. Malachi 2:13-16. I generally read two versions of the Bible: NIV and ESV. Interestingly, verse 16 reads differently in each version.  My ESV is a Study Bible and provides interesting commentary on the differing views (even stating, “The Hebrew text of this verse is one of the most difficult passages in the OT to translate, with the result that the two main alternative translations proposed for this verse are strongly disputed.”)  Either way one accepts the translation, God is not pleased with divorce “because of the destructiveness and pain that inevitably result.”
• Tithe. Malachi 3:10-13. From my Study Bible: “God is challenging the people to give the tithe that they owed him and then watch to see if he would be faithful to his promise. God promises to meet all their needs, but not necessarily all their “greeds” .” Awesome and providential God – help me to continue to have the obedience and faith in this.  Thank You for Your provision.

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NOTE: So today’s reading actually included the first four chapters of Matthew.  I wanted to make a defined break between the Old and New Testaments, so those chapters will be included in Day 69’s notes.

Bible In 90 Days – Day 66

Reading: Obadiah – Nahum

Take Away(s):

• Blissful Jonah 1:1-6. There are probably many things that can be written about this passage, but the one thing that came to mind for me was how we can be simply and blissfully content in our sin – just as Jonah was.  People all around us can see our condition, but we just ignore it and them.
• Matter of Fact? Jonah 1:10. Another observation about sin – sometimes we treat sin – which is disobeying God – with a matter of fact attitude.  Jonah knew he was disobeying God…and apparently shared that with his fellow shipmates!
• Breakable. Jonah 2:7-9. Sometimes we have to be broken to be changed.  Thank You for the times You have broken me God.  I can say that now…it was hard then.  You know what is best for me and use all things to refine me and shape me into the person You would have me be.
• Misplaced Concerns. Jonah 4:10-11. We are so foolish sometimes.  Just like Jonah, we are concerned for things that just aren’t worth it…at the expense of things that should command our complete and undivided concerned attitude.
• Messiah. Micah 5:2 Messiah!  Jesus!
• They Knew – So Do We. Micah 6:8.  Written for Israel, but a picture of what God expects of us too.  I love how this says, “He has SHOWED you…” – its not that God simply gave a message to a prophet, He showed them in many ways what was good and what He required of them.  My study Bible explains as: The Lord desires the primary forms of love—justice (do justice), mercy (love kindness), and faithfulness (walk humbly)—as the expressed response of his people to his redemptive acts. Words to live by!

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Bible In 90 Days – Day 67

Reading: Habakkuk – Zechariah 10:12

Take Away(s):

• I’ve said this…we all have! Habakkuk 1:12-13.  We naturally question God…His ways are not our ways – His thoughts are higher than ours.  BUT ITS HARD GOD!
• Worthless STUFF – False Comfort. Habakkuk 2:18-20. How often we value our STUFF (our idols…) and think it can give us any true satisfaction or real comfort.  If we’re honest, we all do this in varying degrees – sometimes just to escape our problems.  Forgive me Lord…
• Even Today. Habakkuk 3:2. We can – and should – pray Habakkuk’s prayer today.
• Amazing. Zephaniah 3:17. Can you imagine the God who created everything in sight at this very moment will sing over YOU…ME as His children! Mind boggling.  Paraphrase of my study bible’s comment puts it best: God is not aloof or emotionless – He bursts forth in joyful divine celebration over us. Again, mind boggling!!
• Right Reliance. Zechariah 4:6. Succinct guidance about where our reliance should be: in the Holy Spirit.  How we often trust in everything BUT Him.  Lord, I pray that my default would be a reliance on You and that I would be aware of the choice and have the courage to make the right one.

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Bible In 90 Days – Day 65

Reading: Joel 1:1 – Amos 9:15

Take Away(s):

• Show Joel 2:13. “Rend your heart and not your garments.” It’s easy and very convincing to have an outward response to sin…well convincing to everyone other than God.  He sees our hearts and tells us to have a response at hour heart not our outward expression.  God, I can think of times when I’ve “shown” remorse for my sin – and not had a broken heart for my sin. I pray that You would forgive me.  May Your Holy Spirit convict me immediately when I am tempted to “show” rather than have an inward – heart change.
• INSTEAD. Amos 5:21-24. When I read this, besides being convicted about the stance of my heart when I worship or even when I do anything for the Lord, my mind went to this song by Jon Foreman, Instead of a Show.  I read where he said this song is based on Isaiah (probably 1:11-17), but it fits with this passage in Amos also.

• Plumb Line. Amos 7:7-8. Our “plumb line”: 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.” Matthew 22:37-40.

Bible In 90 Days – Day 63

Reading: Ezekiel 47:13 – Daniel 8:27

Take Away(s):

• Integrity Daniel 1:8. Daniel took a stand about his commitment to God and was honest about his stance before his superior.  It’s one thing to take a stand in your heart or express it to those who agree with your stand.  Integrity is when you express that to the one who may or may not agree with your stand as Daniel did.  I pray that I would have the courage to make the same choice, O Lord.
• Purpose. Daniel 2:29-30. Daniel knew his ability to know and interpret wasn’t to building himself up – although he could have certainly leveraged that result.  His ability was to further God’s purposes.  How often we look at the “angles” rather than the purpose.

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Bible In 90 Days – Day 64

Reading: Daniel 9:1 – Hosea

Take Away(s):

• Sin = Shame? Daniel 9:7a. We all sin. The question is, do we have the word “shame” in our mind when we sin?  We tend to categorize our sin – it’s a human defense mechanism: we rationalize.  The truth is, all sin is seen equally in the eyes of God – it’s hard for us to get that.  We tend to think that shame is reserved for the heinous sins or those that hurt others – when, all sin should evoke a ominous shame in our hearts.  Imagine standing before God and confessing your sin – in the light of His perfection and holiness – shame WOULD manifest itself…regardless of the sin.
• Sin Affects More Than Me. Hosea 4:1b-3. As I read this, the sense that my sin effects more than just ME.  Just as Israel’s sin and unfaithfulness affected the land – so our affects those around us.

Bible In 90 Days – Day 62

Reading: Ezekiel 36:1 – Ezekiel 47:12

Take Away(s):

• Name 36:21-23. When I read this passage, I thought about the third commandment from Exodus 20:7.  Some think that this means don’t use God’s name when you swear; but in actuality, it refers to someone doing something less than honorable in God’s name or invoking God’s name to support an action where the person is being dishonest.  The result is God’s name( or His reputation) being maligned.
• New & Different. 36:26-28. Another passage with a new and different relationship between God’s people and Him.  A preview of what was made possible through the ultimate and final sacrifice of God’s son for all sin.  Praise God!
• How Else to Answer? 37:3. When I read this, it just struck me funny – how else would Ezekiel answer?  “Yeah right, God!” – I don’t think so!  Fast forward.  God promises that He will never leave us or forsake us.  He promises that His plans are for our good. He promises that He will not give us more than we can bear through Him.  At times – our reaction is “Yeah right, God!”…instead of “O Sovreign Lord, You Alone know” (v3b).  Forgive our lack of faith God!
• Unwelcome no more!. 44:7. Foreigners and the uncircumcised were not to enter God’s sanctuary back then.  Israel was firm in following this early on, but as time progressed, they slipped.  In the New Testament, things changed – all may come (praise God!).
  

Bible In 90 Days – Day 61

Reading: Ezekiel23:40 – Ezekiel 35:15

Take Away(s):

• Just? 33:20. I wrote this yesterday, I’ll write it again: Sometimes my “justice” is far off from His.
• Our Shepherd. 34:11-12. How comforting to think that this is not just something that God thought and did in the Old Testament or with the Israelites.  Thank you for being my Good Shepherd, O Lord!

Bible In 90 Days – Day 59

Reading: Lamentations 1:1 – Ezekiel 12:20

Take Away(s):

• Fierce 2:3. Fierce: “violent in force, intensity, etc.” I think sometimes we forget that the God we sin against has this type of hatred for sin.  Praise His name that he doesn’t hate us…He hates our sin.  Imagine the fierce anger with sin that sent His only Son to die in our place.  FIERCE LOVE!
• Responsive Trust. 3:22-24. How can the writer say “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.”?  The statement about His great love, compassion, and faithfulness are from a heart that has experienced them and heard about them in the lives of ancestors of old.  How can we say this?  The same way – we’ve probably experienced them and heard about them in the lives of those we know.  It is easy to forget these testimonies in the midst of trials, but we must cling to the TRUTH of God’s unchanging character! THANK YOU GOD!!
• Thankfully Different Now. 3:39-42. As I read this passage, i was doing fine until the final four words in verse 42.  Praise God this is not true of my sins that I confess to God: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9.
• Thankfully Different Now – Too!. Ezekiel 7:3-4. Another passage to be thankful that it is not true under God’s new covenant: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” John 3:16-18.
• Secrets. Ezekiel 8:7-13. When I read this passage, I was convicted of the “secrets” I keep from God.  Foolish me – He knows and sees all – nothing is hidden from Him. Confession + repentance = forgiveness.  Feeling bad isn’t enough…

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Bible In 90 Days – Day 60

Reading: Ezekiel12:s1 – Ezekiel 23:49

Take Away(s):

• Whitewash. Ezekiel 13:10. I pray that I would be immediately convicted if I whitewash the way things truly are with people I love and lead. God, give me the wisdom, discernment, grace, and boldness in this area.
• Just. Ezekiel in general. As I read this, the language and wrath of God seems harsh.  But – God is just.  Sometimes my “justice” is far off from His.
• He uses ALL. Ezekiel 21. Just another reminder that God can use ANYONE for His purposes – Babylon in this case.  Whenever I read a passage about this, I am reminded of what Jesus said to Pilate in John 19:

¹⁰“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”

¹¹Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

Bible In 90 Days – Day 57

Reading: Jeremiah 34:1 – Jeremiah 47:7

Take Away(s):

• Obedience – No Matter What. 42:6. “Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the LORD our God” – can we say this of ourselves…can I say this of myself?  Sometimes I think it is tempting to condition our obedience based upon how we think a situation will go or how people will react.  Praise god for His mercy and grace…and forgiveness – it is never ending!

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Bible In 90 Days – Day 58

Reading: Jeremiah 48:1 – Jeremiah 52:34

Take Away(s):

• Cherished. 512:5. Cherished…the opposite of “forsaken”.  As mush as God judged His chosen people, he will not forsake them.  As much as I SERIOUSLY BLOW IT, He will not forsake me.  Simply amazing love that is incomprehensible.  How quick I am to forsake when wronged – even in the slightest.  May I desire…strive to be like you amazing God!