When we celebrate the 4th of July, let’s honor God by reading His word!
The Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol of American Independence and was cast with the inscription, “Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the inhabitants Thereof.” Leviticus 25:10
This week we celebrate the 4th of July and our nation’s independence, and our Jubilee and freedom in Christ. The Bible is man’s source of justice, law, order, love, peace, and above all Freedom. All Western society is built on the laws of the Bible and continues to call us back to God’s provision of freedom for all men.
We are finishing Luke. We begin this week with John, Philippians, Colossians, and into 1 Thessalonians. The book of Judges has begun, Psalms continues, as does Ezekiel. This will be a powerful week together in the scriptures.
Luke 22 – 24
Passover, New Covenant in Christ’s blood, prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, His arrest, and crucifixion. But Sunday’s coming! RESSURECTION! Jesus finds His disciples and opens their understanding to be able to comprehend the Scriptures!
John 1 – 4
John writes the fourth and final gospel long after the first three were written, and some sixty years after the resurrection. John speaks from his inner circle and revelatory discovery of Christ. The Christmas Story is the Word made flesh, his introduction as the “Lamb who takes away the sin of the World!” Ministry starts with a wedding and changing water into wine. The new birth is expressed as being born from above; Nicodemus is baffled. John the Baptist recognizes Jesus as the Bridegroom. Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well and gives her living water for eternal life. The entire city believes.
Philippians 3 – 4
Philippians 3 is my favorite chapter because we learn of the journey into resurrection life and perfection, its cost and provision. Here, Paul shares the true riches we have in Christ. Chapter four is practical living out faith, free from strife and worry, and with the promise that we can do all things in Christ who strengthens us. Generosity is our key to an abundant harvest and a sweet-smelling aroma to God.
Colossians 1 – 4
Colossians runs in the lines of Ephesians, with the Mystery of God in the first two chapters and walking out our relationships with one another in the second half. Having read Ephesians last week, I am sure you will see many of the same truths in the same order but also expanded with different emphases.
1 Thessalonians 1, 2
In one of Paul’s first epistles, Paul recounts the Thessalonian’s conversion, their relationship together, and the persecution they have endured. A very tender beginning.
Judges 1 – 9
The cycles of apostasy, seven of them, are recorded in the book of judges that spans four hundred years. Israel begins having been delivered into God’s provision and protection. They then go into idolatry and forget the Lord. This, in turn, brings them into captivity, and bondage to their neighbors. In the servitude, they cry out to the Lord and He sends them a deliverer “Judge.” The famous repeated statement, “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. They forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and Asherahs.”
Psalm 116 – 121
The big news is that we are about to read Psalm 119. This is the longest Psalm/chapter, in the Bible. Using the Hebrew letters, each letter is represented in eight verses, all about the Word of God. It is an acrostic poem consisting of 176 verses, with 22 stanzas, each having eight verses. The 22 stanzas each begin with one of the 22 Hebrew letters of the alphabet. It has become my favorite Psalm. After Psalm 119, we begin the Psalms of Ascent.
Ezekiel 30 – 34
Ezekiel continues his prophecy against Egypt. He then speaks to Watchmen and God’s judgment, and irresponsible shepherds and God who is the true Shepherd. There are rich warnings and insights into God’s dealing with His covenant people. Chapter thirty-four ends with the covenant of peace that the Lord will make after all the destruction. “You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God,” says the Lord God. Ezekiel 34:31
