OVERVIEW
I live because I am fed by what He says.
God’s daily bread for us is found in the word of God. When we read to Him His word, He speaks to us out of His word. We live by every word that comes out of the mouth of God. It’s funny, we read His word and He speaks to us. So simple but profound.
When we hear His voice, we pause and acknowledge His voice as we would anyone speaking to us. We listen. This brings faith to our hearts, hope to our souls, and transformation to our lives.
GOSPELS
Matthew 15 – 21
Jesus is now being persecuted by the Pharisees and Sadducees as they seek a sign. Peter declares that Jesus is the Christ and then forbids Jesus to die. It’s at the Mount of Transfiguration and the valley of despair where Jesus’ glory is seen and an anxious father pleads for help. “Who then is the greatest” (Matt. 18:1)? Unforgiveness, the Rich Young Ruler, and the request of the mother of Zebedee’s sons come up as everyone is jockeying for position. Chapter 21 begins the triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the beginning of the Passion Week.
EPISTLES
Romans 15 – 16
In Romans, Paul calls us, “who are strong, to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Romans 15:1). Strength from the scriptures and comfort from God will carry us. Paul asks for prayer for his upcoming trip to Rome and promises that the God of peace will crush Satan under our feet shortly.
1 Corinthians 1 – 5
Paul addresses the gifting of Corinth and the temptation to glory in our own strength. He addresses our “natural – soulish” man in Chapter 2 and our “carnal – fleshly” man in Chapter 3. We are building on the foundation of Christ, and our works will be revealed by fire. He calls us stewards of the mysteries of God and fools for Christ’s sake. We have many teachers but not many fathers. In Chapter 5 Paul must address sexual immorality and calls the Corinthians into lives of the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
TORAH
Genesis 15 – 21
Abraham’s faith continues to mature from Ishmael’s birth to Isaac’s birth: 14 years of promise and problems. God’s covenant with Abraham is made, and 14 years later is made clearer with the sign of circumcision, name changes, and Isaac (Laughter) promised. Sodom is destroyed, Lot is rescued, and Abraham finds himself in impossibility with King Abimelech. Still, he glorifies God, is strengthened in his faith, and becomes fully persuaded that GOD is ABLE!
POETRY
Job 15 – 21
What began with good intentions on the part of Job’s friends has become a full-fledged argument accusing Job of wickedness. Job continues to defend himself against their accusations, calling all of them “miserable comforters.” Inside these words are many of the same arguments that we have with ourselves and each other.
PROPHETS
Isaiah 15 – 21
Isaiah turns to make proclamations against the nations: Moab (Job’s descendants of pride), Syria, Israel, Ethiopia, Egypt, and the fall of Babylon. In all these proclamations are rich exhortations for us in conviction and repentance, but with promise. Theoretically seeing ourselves in the character of these nations allows us to escape from their set ways as we pray, “Deliver me.”
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