February - Reading 25

Good afternoon -

Today's scheduled scriptural readings, the last in our February block, are:

Matthew 21:12-22

Acts 28:17-31

Psalm 47

Leviticus 26-27

May God bless the reading of His word.

 

Good evening -

Tonight we finished the third book of Jewish law, Leviticus. In the reading tonight we see God's promise that if the people follow the Law, they will be rewarded and be prosperous. If they disobey, they will be driven away from their lands and punished. God also promises that they can make ammends to Him by confession (26:40). The text cites in verse 41 what is to be said in Romans 2:28 & 29, "A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God."

There is much to explore in Matthew tonight. The cleansing of the temple is a powerful story. The merchants that Christ drives out were people who sold animals for sacrifice. Christ's anger is because they had become so interested in gaining profits that they had actually set up within the temple area!
Next we see more scriptural support for the love Christ had for children and the Old Testament support He uses for them.
Finally, the story of the fig tree. Christ uses this as an example of the power of prayer, but there definitely seems to be a bit more to the story than this. Many see this story as a representation of the swiftness of Judgement. Others interpret it as Christ's anger at the Jews. It rides on the heels of the story of the cleansing and preceeds the story of the high priest questioning Christ's authority. I leave it to the reader.

We also finish the Book of Acts tonight. Paul remains in Rome teaching ANYONE who came to him to learn of the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are unclear where Paul goes from here. This two year wait is for his trial before Caesar. Scholars have gleaned some clues from the pastoral letters that Paul was released and went to Asia Minor, Crete, and Greece, but unfortunately, we have no more of Luke's account from this perspective.

Any of you who have kept up with the reading schedule should be commended. We are one-sixth of the way through the Bible now. It continues to be a blessing for Margie and me and I hope it has for you as well.

May God bless you

- Clint

 

I'm glad to see your resolve, AFG!

 

I'm glad you're still in there as well, Gwyneth. Also, you have our deepest condolences on the loss of your mother. Many of us here have also lost parents. My own father passed away in 1999.

Philippians 1

19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

 

Our Scriptures when we resume on March 1 will be:

Matthew 21:23-32

Romans 1:1-17

Psalm 48

Numbers 1-2

 

Our Scriptures when we resume on March 1 will be:

Matthew 21:23-32

Romans 1:1-17

Psalm 48

Numbers 1-2

 

Our Scriptures when we resume on March 1 will be:

Matthew 21:23-32

Romans 1:1-17

Psalm 48

Numbers 1-2

 

Our Scriptures when we resume on March 1 will be:

Matthew 21:23-32

Romans 1:1-17

Psalm 48

Numbers 1-2