Joshua 3:1-4:24
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today is a major day in our readings as the Israelites cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land!  The significance of the events in today’s readings cannot be overstated.  The Israelites 40 years in the Wilderness are over.  God’s Promise made to Abraham is being fulfilled!

I am intrigued by verse 5 in Joshua chapter 3 today as the Israelites are about to cross the Jordan – “Then Joshua told the people, “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do great wonders among you.””  I’m wondering what the Israelites did to purify themselves?  Some sort of ritual purification I’d guess – likely similar to the purification before meeting God at Mount Sinai, which included washing all their garments as well as themselves.  I also wonder what we do in our lives today to purify ourselves?  The first thought comes to mind that we are of course purified today completely by the blood of Christ.  But, then, I also know that once we have made the decision to follow Christ we will still sin on occasion.  And then, is purification needed?  Not from a salvation standpoint – but from simply having a pure heart before God?  I’m thinking that our purification today is confessing directly to God our sins and repenting.  And I think through this process God’s grace arrives in a nanosecond and purifies us.  I think we’re purified by God’s grace today.  But, I think in part we need to recognize our own need for purification and confess to God our shortcomings and repent.  Let me know what you think on this in the Comments below if you’d like.  Again, I’m not looking at this from a salvation / justification perspective – more of the sanctification perspective.  I like the thought of purification – of being pure before God.  I pray for this for each of us.  No dark corners.  No secrets.  Just a pure heart before our heavenly Father.

A watercolor painting is below for verses 16 & 17 – “Then all the people crossed over near the city of Jericho. Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the LORD’s covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by them. They waited there until everyone had crossed the Jordan on dry ground.”

Bible.org’s commentary on Joshua’s readings today titled “Crossing the Jordan” is at this link.

Got K-LOVE?  A couple of times each year, I enjoy sharing the impact K-LOVE radio has had in my life. First and foremost, I want to simply share with each of you that listening to K-LOVE has absolutely redeemed so much time I have spent in my car. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve jumped into my car thinking or worrying about x, y, or z and then some amazing song comes on K-LOVE (which is, oh, about all the time!) and I just start singing along and oftentimes worshiping God. This radio ministry has blessed my relationship with God significantly and turned me into a frequent car worshiper! I have a hunch there are many of you out there who know exactly what I am talking about here? I used to be someone who would listen to news or talk radio frequently while driving. However, I now pretty much listen to K-LOVE all of the time in the car. I can get my news easily from other news sources at different times of the day. I cannot get back the opportunity to worship God so frequently in my car that K-LOVE affords.

So, if you’re not a K-LOVE listener, I want to encourage you to please find your local station and give this ministry some time to work in your heart and life! I have a hunch you’ll soon realize how K-LOVE can redeem the time in your car significantly. You can find your local K-LOVE radio station by simply typing in your zip code at this link: https://www.klove.com/. Also, you can easily listen to K-LOVE online at klove.com or on iTunes under their Radio tab, then select “Religious” category, then K-LOVE.

If you are a K-LOVE listener, I do want to encourage you to please consider supporting their ministry. They have been doing their Spring Pledge Drive recently and I encourage you to please make a monthly pledge if you are not doing so already? Will you join me in making a gift of $10 (or more) each month to K-LOVE? You can even make a monthly pledge, one-time gift, or pledge of prayer support right now at this link: https://www.klove.com/. Thank you so much for your support of K-LOVE!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Deuteronomy 34:1-Joshua 2:24
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today we come to the end of Moses’ life in our readings!   And – we come to the end of Moses’ writings of the first five books of the Old Testament – the Pentateuch:  Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.  I will miss reading Moses’ writings – but – we only have to wait until January 1 next year when we will all embark on the Chronological or One Year Bible adventure and read Moses’ writings once again, right??  🙂  An image for Deuteronomy chapter 34 verses 5 through 7 is below: “So Moses, the servant of the LORD, died there in the land of Moab, just as the LORD had said. He was buried in a valley near Beth-peor in Moab, but to this day no one knows the exact place. Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever.”

Today we begin the book of Joshua!

~Joshua~
Author: Probably Joshua
Date: Either fourteenth century or twelfth century B.C.
Content: After the death of Moses, the leadership of the nation passed into the hands of Joshua and he was their commander-in-chief throughout the entire time of conquest when Israel was taking over the land. While still in the plains of Moab, Joshua mobilized his forces and prepared them for battle. There were three campaigns fought, one in the north, one in the central region, and one in the south, and all described, though not fully. After the initial victories, the land was divided among the various tribes of Israel. Joshua then exhorted the people and died in peace.
Theme: The book of Joshua shows that God is true to his promise. He had promised his people a land and they were now entering in to possess it. However, it was not automatic; God required of them that they actively engage in warfare in order to gain what he had given them. God’s judgment upon the sin of the Canaanites in the form of Israel’s armies is also a prominent feature. (Above commentary is from “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 3-4)More commentary on Joshua is at this link.

Today in Joshua chapter 1 verse 9 we read one of my favorite verses in the Bible – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Incredible verse!  God spoke these words to Joshua just before he was about to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.  And I do believe these words can apply to us today in our lives as well.  Do you believe it is possible that God has commanded you to be strong and courageous?  In what areas of your life might you need to really hear this command from God?  Do you believe that God will be with you wherever you go?

In verse 8 – just one verse prior to the verse above – we read –  “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”   How does this verse speak to you today?  Is it possible that you should not let the Bible depart from your mouth?  Do you meditate on the Bible day and night, so that you are careful to do what is written in it?  Do you believe meditating and following the truth of God as described in the Bible will allow you to be prosperous and successful?

Today in Joshua chapter 2 we read about Rahab protecting the two Israelite spies.  Verses 4 through 6 tell us: “Rahab, who had hidden the two men, replied, “The men were here earlier, but I didn’t know where they were from. They left the city at dusk, as the city gates were about to close, and I don’t know where they went. If you hurry, you can probably catch up with them.” (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them beneath piles of flax.)”

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of the importance of loving our children well and modeling for them life in Christ.  This reminded me of the great song by Steven Curtis Chapman about his daughter called “Cinderella:”

Are you dancing with God? Click here to dance!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray for strength. Pray for courage. Pray that you will not be terrified, nor discouraged. Pray that you know that the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go, now and forevermore.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  How has your journey through the first 5 books of the Bible, the Pentateuch or the Books of Law, been for you this year?  Have you ever read all 5 of these books in a row before?  Are there any new insights you have learned from Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy this year?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Deuteronomy 33:1-29
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Old Testament – Allright, I don’t know about you, but I’m getting a little teary eyed reading about Moses’ final blessings of the tribes today!  It reminded me of Jacob’s blessings of his sons in Genesis Chapter 49 – though, it seems to me that Moses’ blessings were a bit more positive overall than Jacob’s, no?  Jacob’s were a bit more realistic though perhaps… as we’ll read later this year in the One Year Bible.  The other thing about reading Moses’ final blessings of the tribes today that makes me sad is the realization that we are in the 2nd to last chapter of the Pentateuch! (The first five books of the Bible – the books of the Law.)  Tomorrow we’ll read about the death of Moses in Deuteronomy chapter 34 and then it’s onto the Promised Land with Joshua!

An image is below for Moses’ blessing of the tribe of Joseph in verse 17: “Joseph has the strength and majesty of a young bull; his power is like the horns of a wild ox. He will gore distant nations, driving them to the ends of the earth. This is my blessing for the multitudes of Ephraim and the thousands of Manasseh.”” (I’m not sure why the image below says “unicorn” – it doesn’t look like a unicorn to me! 🙂

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of the Sanctus Real song “Whatever You’re Doing:”

Is God doing something inside of you? Click here for inner transformation!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Deuteronomy 32:28-52
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

These words of Moses today in Deuteronomy chapter 32 verse 47 stood out to me – “These instructions are not mere words–they are your life!”   Wow.  Do we think this way about the Bible?  Are these mere words we read in the Bible?  Or are they our very life?

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of the MercyMe song “All of Creation:”

Are you singing with all of creation? Click here and sing!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Deuteronomy 31:1-32:27
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

“Be strong and courageous!” is the encouragement & exhortation we hear 3 times in chapter 31 today.  It was said by Moses to the Israelites in verse 6, then by Moses to Joshua in verse 7, and finally by God to Joshua in verse 23.  Why do you think this was said 3 times?  Why would the Israelites and Joshua need to be reminded to be strong and courageous?  And if these words were needed back then, do you think perhaps we might need to hear them still today?  Do we need to be reminded oftentimes to be strong and courageous?  Today, this side of the Cross, where does our strength and courage truly come from?  Below is Joshua being commissioned by Moses in a Fresco in the Sistine Chapel by Luigi Signorelli, circa 1481:

Today in Deuteronomy chapter 31 verses 10-12 we read – “Then Moses commanded them: “At the end of every seven years, in the year for canceling debts, during the Feast of Tabernacles, when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose, you shall read this law before them in their hearing. Assemble the people – men, women and children, and the aliens living in your towns-so they can listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and follow carefully all the words of this law.” Incredible verses! I like that Moses was setting up a way for God’s Word to continue to be taught & heard by God’s People every 7 years! I think this gets at a couple of things – 1. We humans are very forgetful. We may hear something once, but we need to hear it over and over again – particularly if it is God’s Word. 2. There is always a new generation of people coming up behind us. It is so important to educate this new generation about God’s Word. So – how do these verses above speak to you today? Are you hearing or reading God’s Word on a consistent basis? I know the answer is yes, for this year, as you’re in the One Year Bible! And I know that many of you have been reading the One Year Bible for many years now. However, I know not everyone will read the OYB every year. Here’s a suggestion – what about committing to reading the entire Bible – in the One Year Bible or Chronological or other format – once every 7 years? Thus, if you live to be 101, you’ll have read the Bible through at least 10 times (not counting those early years :). Just a thought to keep in the back of your mind – please consider reading the entire Bible at least once every 7 years. Though, I would encourage you to at least read some portion of the Word each and every day, in each and every year. Next question – are you somehow involved in teaching others the Word? Are you encouraging your friends or family members to read God’s Word? Maybe consider inviting your family & friends to participate in the One Year Bible next year? Are you somehow involved in teaching the younger generation coming up behind you to learn God’s Word? Maybe through your church you can get involved in Sunday school ministries or maybe there is a younger person in your community that you can mentor and disciple?

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of the JJ Heller terrific song “Your Hands:”

Are you in God’s Hands? Click here for His Hands!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Deuteronomy chapter 29 verse 29 is intriguing today – “There are secret things that belong to the LORD our God, but the revealed things belong to us and our descendants forever, so that we may obey these words of the law.”  I think this is good for us to remember – there are secrets of God that we will not know this side of heaven.  And I don’t think we need to worry or speculate on what these secret things might be, because “the revealed things belong to us.”  God has revealed himself to us in the Bible!  His very Word.  He has revealed himself in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  And he reveals himself in the life of the body of Christ today – the church.  We have everything we need to know to love & follow God.  And I think God’s secrets can remain secret to us this side of heaven – I don’t know about you, but I like a little mystery in God!  🙂

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminds me of Micah Tyler’s song (with a fun/silly video here 🙂 “Praise the Lord!”

Is the devil trying to get you? Click here and Praise the Lord!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Deuteronomy 28:1-68
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

I love the blessings for obedience that open up our Deuteronomy chapter 28 readings today!  I actually first heard these read at a wedding several years back.  The best man in the wedding read these verses as a blessing to the bride & groom.  Somehow I missed the “obedience” to God’s commands part of the blessing… Obedience is quite a word I think for Christians to consider.  I’m not sure that it is a popular word for us sometimes.  I do believe that we are called to obedience as followers of Jesus.  Jesus himself was of course obedient – obedient even to death on a cross.  Is there an area of your life where you feel God might be calling you to obedience?  Will you obey?  Below is a little obedience humor for you… 🙂

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Deuteronomy reminded me of the Switchfoot song “Always.” Here’s a nice live acoustic version of this song:

Is God always yours? Click here for Always!

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Back to my Deuteronomy chapter 28 reflections on obedience – do you think about “obedience” very often when it comes to your relationship with God?  Do you think obedience is a very popular concept amongst Christians today?  Do you think there are blessings that come along with obedience?  Have you experienced blessings in your life because of obedience?  Conversely, do you think there are consequences to disobedience?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Deuteronomy 26:1-27:26
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Later this year in the One Year Bible when we read Galatians, you’ll note that Paul powerfully references today’s readings in Deuteronomy chapter 27 verse 26:  “‘Cursed is anyone who does not affirm and obey the terms of these instructions.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’” One of the best things we can ever do when studying the Bible is simply let Scripture interpret Scripture.  So here we go on Galatians chapter 3 verses 10 through 12: “But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.”  So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life.””  How do these verses from Galatians speak to you?  Do you agree that we cannot be made right with God by trying to keep the law?  Do you think the way of faith is very different from the way of law?

As we’re in the Easter/Good Friday season, let me continue on with a few more verses here from Galatians chapter 10, continuing with verses 13 and 14: “But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.”  Has Jesus rescued you from the curse pronounced by the law?  Do you believe that Jesus took upon himself the curse for your wrongdoing?  Have you received the promised Holy Spirit through faith?

Today in Deuteronomy chapter 26 verses 1 & 2 we read about the offering of first fruits: “When you arrive in the land the LORD your God is giving you as a special possession and you have conquered it and settled there, put some of the first produce from each harvest into a basket and bring it to the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored.”

Worship Video:  Today’s readings remind me of Third Day’s song “Soul on Fire:”

Are you a soul on fire? Click here for Fire!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Deuteronomy 23:1-25:19
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

There are quite a few miscellaneous and interesting regulations in our readings today!  🙂  All in all, very good advice of course.  Deuteronomy chapter 25 verse 4 tells us this wise advice – “Do not keep an ox from eating as it treads out the grain.”  I think it is quite fair for an ox to eat while he’s working!

 

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of Matthew West’s awesome song “Don’t Stop Praying:”

Have you stopped praying? Click here and pray!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Deuteronomy 21:1-22:30
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

It is interesting to read about the cleansing for an unsolved murder in Deuteronomy chapter 21.  I think God makes it crystal clear here that murder is such a horrible crime that affects the entire land and community.  The Ten Commandments are obviously clear on “do not murder.”  These verses in Deuteronomy go into a bit of what happens to the land when one is murdered.  Interesting to think about these verses on murder – and then realize that Jesus, whose blood was wholly innocent, was murdered on a cross.  Was Jesus’ murder unsolved?  Who is guilty for this murder of Jesus?  Whose sins put Jesus on the cross?  Thankfully, whose sins does Jesus’ blood cover?  Who does Jesus rescue and redeem through His innocent blood shed on a cross?

Deuteronomy chapter 22 has various rules & regs, including sexual purity.  It makes sense that there needed to be rules & regs for 1 million+ Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years – and for them as they are now about to enter the Promised Land.  Essentially, these rules & regs kept the peace.  But, hopefully more than that, they kept the Israelites minds & hearts focused on God and not on sin.  I think the rules & regs for sexual purity are obviously still so needed today.  Our culture can take us quickly into the depths of sexual impurity.  Depths that are so dark – even though the culture doesn’t tell you about the darkness of sexual impurity as it is selling you the shiny lie.  Sexual sin unchecked is incredibly dangerous.  If you are struggling with it, please flee.  Run to God and Jesus.  Humble yourself in confession & repentance.  And allow Jesus to heal & transform you.  Sexual purity is something we must pursue diligently each and every day.  Don’t start to go down any slippery slopes.  It gets dark quickly….

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of the Terrian song “Honestly, we just need Jesus:” 

Do you need Jesus? Click here and meet Him!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!