Scripture reading is the only way into the fullness of God.
Without God’s word, we are powerless against the devil and subject to the world. Jesus said, in His prayer to the Father, before being offered up as our sacrifice:
“I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes, I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.” (John 17:15-19)
Today, more than ever, we need His truth in His word. Jesus used the word of God to defeat Satan on the Mount of Temptation. Reading aloud God’s word sanctifies us especially when we don’t feel like it. This is when I need to read and hear God’s word the most.
WATCH That I May Know Him Week 23 PODCAST
GOSPELS
Mark 10 – 16
This week, we finish Mark. There is so much movement and faith in these seven chapters. Mark, being the first gospel written, is concise and powerful as we open our hearts in faith.
EPISTLES
1 Corinthians 9 – 16
We will finish 1 Corinthians this week. Paul sets the standard for ministry and service, as well as the examples of Israel’s failing in the wilderness. Idolatry, conscience, and the Lord’s supper are addressed. Spiritual gifts, unity, diversity of the body, and love are set forth. Then in Chapter 15, Paul lays forth the resurrection and future glory that we shall have. “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love” (1 Corinthians 16:13, 14).
TORAH
Deuteronomy 26 – 33
Deuteronomy this week begins with instructions on bringing the First Fruits and tithing. Chapters 27 and 28 are instructions on the blessings and curses that are to be read by Israel on two mountains: Mount Ebal, for reading the curses, and Mount Gerizim, for the blessings, so that all Israel might choose to obey. This happens in Joshua Chapter 8. In Chapter 29 the covenant is renewed in Moab, followed by a plea to choose life. Moses is already instructing Israel on how to return, informing them that they will turn away from the Lord.
Joshua the new leader is charged by Moses and anointed by God in Chapter 31. Moses is given a song from the Lord to teach all Israel so that when they depart from God and He is forced to judge their rebellion they will have a witness to their guilt and His promise of restoration. Chapter 33 is Moses’ final blessing on Israel, including all the 12 tribes and Levi.
POETRY
Psalm 93 – 98
These Psalms all deal with the theme “The Lord reigns!” Psalm 95 is a call to worship and the famous quotes found in Hebrews 3 and 4, “Today, if you will hear His voice: Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, as in the day of trial in the wilderness, when your fathers tested Me; They tried Me, though they saw My work. For forty years I was grieved with that generation, and said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts, and they do not know My ways’. So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’” (Psalm 95:7-11)
PROPHETS
Ezekiel 7 – 12
Ezekiel prophesies of imminent judgment upon Israel, “Behold the day! The Day has come!” (Ezekiel 7:10). In Chapter 8 he is taken in a vision from Babylon to inside the temple in Jerusalem to witness the image that provokes the Lord to jealousy. He is brought through the temple to see the many abominations of elders of Israel, as they believed the Lord did not see their struggles and needed to turn to other idols. From this, the Lord declares that He will slay the wicked in Chapter 9.
Chapter 10 is the description of the glory of God departing from the Temple. In chapter 11, God judges wicked counselors in Jerusalem for persuading the people to not follow the Lord’s decrees to build. Then Ezekiel witnesses the two counselors’ death during his vision. But God immediately promises restoration, with the promise of a new spirit and new heart being given to man. He declares again a new covenant and being born from above. Chapter 12, Ezekiel portrays Judah’s exile and the Lord deals with the lies that are circulating that declare all His words are delayed and postponed.
