Week 13 Review

March 25 Judges 2-5

March 26 Judges 6-9

March 27 Judges 10-13

March 28 Judges 14-18

March 29 Judges 19-21

March 30 Ruth 1-4

Wow! What a depressing beginning to our week of readings. We started by learning that everyone who first entered the Promised Land had now died. Within one generation, the people didn’t know God or His deeds. Do you think that was because the parents didn’t model God in their own lives, or do you think that the people heard about God but chose to go their own way instead?

At any rates, Israel was turned over to marauders because they abandoned God and chose to worship other gods. Then, when the people groaned because of their punishment, God took pity on them. We find the answer for why the Israelites didn’t drive out all the people when they took the Promised land: they were a test of Israel’s faithfulness, and over and over, Israel failed the test!

As I read through these verses, it reminded me that I’m not any different than the Israelites. In times of peace and safety, I find it easy to trust God, to rest in His arms, to fall into “easy obedience”. When times get tough, my first reaction is to run around and try to “fix” the problem myself, which means that I’m turning away from God and His promises. Do you find yourself repeating this pattern, too? It’s easy to look at the Israelites and tell ourselves that we would never turn to other gods, but how true is that? Do we turn to the god of “friends” to gossip about someone rather than to the God Who hears our prayers? When we’re laid off, do we run around frantically looking for another job, or do we pray first? Do we find it easy to keep God’s commandments during the week, or do we put Him in a box marked “Sunday”? When things are good, do we take the time to thank God for His provision and mercy, or do we get cocky and think that it’s our actions that are maintaining us? We are told –

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Cor 10:31 (ESV)

Rejoice always, 17  pray without ceasing, 18  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thess 5:16-18 (ESV)

Do you eat, drink, and live for the glory of God, praying and giving thanks for everything in your life, whether good or bad?

Later in the week, we read the story of Gideon, a young man commissioned by God to deliver Israel. Like Moses before him, he told God that he was inadequate. How many times have you felt the prompting of God and told Him no because you felt inadequate? The mightiness of God is made even more manifest by the weakness of the vessel He chooses!

Next, we hear about Samson – and His call from before birth. We don’t hear much about his life, except the stories of his exploits with women. He was the strongest man ever, yet his strength went from him when he bowed to the pressure of his wife (who was being led by her people). Instead of keeping himself for God, he chose to tell his “secret” to his second wife – and is ultimately killed. He became weak when he took his eyes off the prize – his Nazarite vow. How have you become weak when taking your eyes off the prize of Christ Jesus?

At the end of the week we hear the beautiful story of Ruth. Ruth was the grandmother of David. She showed great faithfulness to her mother-in-law, saying:

But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. Ruth 1:16-17 (ESV)

What faith! These women were all alone because they had no husbands, sons or brothers to protect them. Ruth and Naomi travel to Bethlehem. Ruth gleans (follows behind and picks up what the workers left – a commandment for the Israelites).

“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. 10 And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God. Lev 19:9-10 (ESV)

She works through two harvests and catches the attention of Boaz. He tells her that she is well known because of the faithfulness she showed to Naomi. She is protected by Boaz as she continues to glean, and eventually he becomes her kinsman-redeemer – and her husband.  Ruth, the faithful one, becomes the mother of Obed and the grandmother of David.

It’s a beautiful story that shows God’s faithfulness to those who are faithful to Him. David, of course, is a part of Jesus’ lineage.

As we finish this week and look toward the beginning of Holy Week, take a moment to thank God that even when we are unfaithful, He remains faithful. As you look toward Palm Sunday and Easter celebrations, think of those you know who do not yet know the Savior. Ask a friend to come to church on Easter – it’s one of the “easy” days to get a friend to attend. If you’ve not been able to attend in a while, it’s a great time to come back!

May God bless you throughout your week, and whether you are struggling with life’s problems, or on the mountaintop and experiencing God’s blessings, may you choose to say:

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Josh 24:15 (ESV)

Blog Extra!

As you read through the Bible, I know you see God's hand at work as He protects His people, keeps His covenant promises, and even punishing them when they've disobeyed.

Jesus came to the earth to be the perfect, obedient Servant, willingly dying for your sin (and for mine). We celebrate His death and resurrection during Holy Week which culminates on Easter Sunday.

If you haven't been to church in a while, why not come and show the Savior that you're thankful for His sacrifice? And when you're making your plans, be sure to ask your friends to come. For some, Easter and Christmas are the only time they set foot in the church building. It's also the only time they can hear the Good News of salvation.

We look forward to seeing you at church on Palm Sunday and Easter!

Week 12 Review

March 18 Joshua 3-6

March 19 Joshua 7-10

March 20 Joshua 11-14

March 21 Joshua 15-18

March 22 Joshua 19-22

March  23 Joshua 23-24; Judges 1

At the end of last week’s reading, we saw God telling the people to be strong and courageous. Why did He need to say that? He had brought them to the edge of the Promised Land … oh … there are people in the land, and now they had to conquer it!

But first, they had to cross the Jordan. Once again, God provided a dry surface to cross on. This time, He had the priests touch the river. After they crossed the river, every uncircumcised male was circumcised, and the day after the people first ate from the land, God’s manna ceased. Pretty powerful indication that they had arrived!

God tells the people over and over to follow His ways, to not turn to the right or the left. But already people are testing God. After the first battle, Achan decided to take some of the bounty that God had set apart for Himself. God shows the people how serious He is – Achan, his family and all his possessions are destroyed.

God tells Joshua that He has given them Ai . After the battle, Joshua reads God’s covenant to the people. They build an altar and give thanks to God. I’m sure there was quite a party! Here we are – we’ve made it to the land, and God is for us. We can do whatever we want …

… and then they find out that it doesn’t work quite that way. Even though they were the children of God, they weren’t invincible or perfect. Men from Gibeon came to Joshua and lied to him. And Joshua, God’s chosen leader …

… did not ask counsel from the Lord. 15 And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them. Josh 9:14-15 (ESV)

When the people learned of the deception, they had no choice but to honor their covenant. The Gibeonites were turned into wood cutters.

Have you ever been in a position where you just “knew” that your actions were in accord with God’s plan – but instead of praying about it, you went ahead with what you “knew” was right? How did that work out? Were you stuck with commitments you’d made, just as God’s people were stuck with their covenant? Did you remember to ask God the next time a situation like that arose? Of course, this was all in God’s plan, but I can’t help but wonder how history would have changed if Joshua had asked counsel from God.

More battles – more miracles. God is showing His power to His children! He is also showing the people already in the land that He is the only true God. He reminds His people over and over that they need not fear, because He is with them!

Have you ever been in a circumstance where a person just doesn’t like you, or always acts bitterly toward you, or in some way shows disdain for you? Have you prayed and prayed for that person, but nothing changes? I wonder if Joshua and the people felt the same way about all the peoples that they conquered. After all, weren’t they God’s chosen, on a mission from God Himself, and in the land that God promised? Why did the people of the land seem to hate them so? God provides the answer:

For it was the Lord’s doing to harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle, in order that they should be devoted to destruction and should receive no mercy but be destroyed, just as the Lord commanded Moses. Josh 11:20 (ESV)

We see here that although God has promised stuff to His people, it’s not a free walk to get them. They have to earn their promise – they must walk faithfully. God won the battles for His people, but in return, He expected the people to be obedient to Him. And when disobedience occurred, God was swift to punish.

Have you claimed God’s promises, and then expected Him to “perform” for you, even though you live a sinful lifestyle? Have you expected God to do something for you, but you don’t pray, you demand? Do you hold up your end of God’s bargain? Don’t misunderstand – salvation is a free gift which you can’t earn, work for, or be good enough for. But once you’re saved, God expects you to grow, to learn His ways, and to make changes in your life so you evidence the fruit of His Spirit.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26  Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Gal 5:16-26 (ESV)

We see the land’s division by inheritance, and after that … rest. I found these verses particularly comforting, because it reminds me that God will always do what He promises, even if I can’t always see where He is leading, and even when it seems that I go from trial to trial.

Thus the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there. 44  And the Lord gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the Lord had given all their enemies into their hands. 45  Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass. Josh 21:43-45 (ESV)

At the end of the book, we hear of Joshua’s impending death. As he lay dying, he called all his tribal leaders to his side to give last words of advice. These words obviously applied primarily to Israel, but  there is an implication for us as well.

Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left, 7  that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them, 8  but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day. 9  For the Lord has driven out before you great and strong nations. And as for you, no man has been able to stand before you to this day. 10  One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised you. 11  Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God. 12 For if you turn back and cling to the remnant of these nations remaining among you and make marriages with them, so that you associate with them and they with you, 13 know for certain that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you, but they shall be a snare and a trap for you, a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good ground that the Lord your God has given you. Josh 23:6-13 (ESV)

What part of today’s society are you “clinging” to? Are you dating a non-believer, or a believer in another god? Do you cling to the “god” of wanting more? Or are you doing your best to love the Lord your God? We all have areas where we fail God. We are given wonderful promises for our obedience, and when we disobey, God is clear about His response.

But just as all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you have been fulfilled for you, so the Lord will bring upon you all the evil things, until he has destroyed you from off this good land that the Lord your God has given you, 16 if you transgress the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them. Josh 23:15-16 (ESV)

Finally – we are exhorted to choose. Will you serve the true and living God, or will you be enticed by the world? It’s a choice each Israelite had to make, and it’s a choice we make today. I pray that you will choose to serve the Lord.

And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Josh 24:15 (ESV)

What stood out for you this week? How would you summarize the book of Joshua? Please leave a comment or send me an email. I’d really like to know!

Congratulations for making it through 12 weeks of Bible reading. It’s now a habit! Keep on reading every day. You’ll be amazed at what you find in this wonderful Book. And you’ll be amazed at what you see next year that you missed when you read this year!

See you next week.

Week 11 Review

This week we’ve seen God lead His people to the edge of the Promised Land. He allows Moses to see it, but not walk into it, and then we see Moses’ death. Finally, Joshua is commissioned to lead God’s people.

Deuteronomy is replete with God’s laws, and at the beginning of the week we saw – once again – God reminding His people that they were to celebrate and worship only at a place of God’s choosing. Because God is holy, He wanted His people to worship in specific places which were set apart only to Him.

God also reminds the people that they are to separate themselves and not get caught up in what other people do.  He still wants that for His people today:

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 (ESV)

God also gives us His standard for anyone who calls themselves “prophet” – 100% accuracy! When you hear someone say “God told me …”, if it doesn’t come to pass, they are NOT speaking for God.

God prepares His people to go into the Promised Land by reminding them to be unafraid when it seems their enemies are insurmountable, and tells them to destroy everything they see that is detestable to God.  Once again, God was telling His people that they needed to be separate from the world – and that leaving “just a little” world in their lives would destroy them. Over and over God tells His people to purge evil – and over and over they allow it to creep back into their lives, with dreadful consequences.

God tells the people that when a man is punished by hanging on a cross, he must be brought down by day’s end, for any man hanging overnight is cursed. I couldn’t help but think forward to Jesus’ death and the hurry to bury him in the borrowed tomb (Matthew 27:57).

Moses set forth rules for divorce and remarriage. The Israelites were allowed to give a certificate of divorce for practically anything. During Jesus’ ministry, this practice was questioned, and Jesus explained why Moses gave the rule:

And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” 4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” 7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” 8 He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9  And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” Matt 19:3-9 (ESV)

And then … another covenant. God demands that the people worship Him with their hearts and not just follow rules. As Christians, we are also expected to worship with our hearts. We rejoice that we have been chosen by God!

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Eph 1:4 (KJV)

God then gives the people two choices: obey or disobey. For each action, God gives consequences – for obedience, blessing; for disobedience, curses. We need to remember that although God is loving, He is also both just and righteous. We reap the consequences of our obedience as well as our disobedience. A Christian does not have a “free ride” to do whatever they wish. We are to live holy, exemplary lives. When we fall into sin, we need to expect that God will punish us. When we turn away from our sin and ask forgiveness, God takes those sins “as far as the east is from the west”. We don’t escape the punishment for our deeds, but we do receive forgiveness. We will see (and we have seen) this pattern in the Israelites over and over. Obedience – God’s mercy and peace. The goodness leads to complacency and disobedience creeps in. God punishes, and the people repent.

Just before Moses dies, he encourages both the people and their new leader, Joshua.

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deut 31:6 (ESV)

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deut 31:8 (ESV)

Who are the “them” that you fear or dread? Lack of a job? Not enough money? Parenting skills? Past sins that God has forgiven, but that you can’t seem to forget about? We have the promise of God. If He could bring two million people through a desert, feeding them for 40 years, and then bring them into a land that had been promised to them, why would He leave you in your time of trouble?

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19 (ESV)

There was one verse that really stood out for me this week. It reminded me that no matter where we start, God uses us. When we first met Moses as a man, he was timid and didn’t think that he had much to offer. But at the end of his life, we read that…

And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, 11 none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, 12 and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel. Deut 34:10-12 (ESV)

Whom the Lord knew face to face … what an honor! From his miraculous salvation as a baby, to stuttering man, to bold prophet, Moses stands as an inspiration to us today. Although his lack of faith kept him from setting foot in the Promised Land, he was known by God! And it was God Who buried Moses. No one knows the location of his grave (Duet. 34:5-6).

In our final reading this week, we see God’s commission of Joshua – and His first command to him – GO! Take the land…

Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. Josh 1:6-7 (ESV)

Twice this week we’ve read similar words. First Moses tells the people, and then Joshua, to be strong and courageous. Then God tells Joshua, twice, to be strong and courageous.

I needed the reminder that God wants me to be strong – and to do what He commands. I needed to remember that God is with me and has promised to take care of me.

What stood out for you this week? Was a verse particularly helpful? Did one passage help you get through a day? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Please leave a comment on the blog.

As always, if you have prayer requests, feel free to email me or leave a comment on the blog. If you have questions about this reading – leave them! You may do so without leaving your name. The purpose of this blog is to dialog about what we’ve read, and to learn more about God’s Word – together!

I will see you next week. God bless you as you undertake the challenge to read the Bible through in 2012.

Week 11 Readings

March 11 Deuteronomy 16-19

March 12 Deuteronomy 20-23

March 13 Deuteronomy 24-27

March 14 Deuteronomy 28-30

March 15 Deuteronomy 31-34

March 16 Joshua 1-2; Psalm 105

Week 10 Review

March 4 Numbers 29-32

March 5 Numbers 33-36

March 6 Deuteronomy 1-3

March 7 Deuteronomy 4-7

March 8 Deuteronomy 8-11

March 9 Deuteronomy 12-15

We finished Numbers this week. At the end of the week we read about vows. Maybe you wondered why single or married women’s vows could be canceled by a husband or father, but a man’s were not cancellable. Seems sort of unfair, doesn’t it ladies? And gentlemen -- what a responsibility you had! But when we step back to remember that  God made male and female roles, and He made the man as a covering, a leader for us women. So, if a woman was subject to a man’s authority (and a widowed or divorced woman was not), then the man could step in to help a woman who spoke rashly. From our American 21^st century perspective it seems sexist, but it’s the way God designed things.

Moving along, the Exodus was recapped, as was God’s reminder that the Israelites were to drive out the inhabitants of the land. He wanted His people to be a separate people and not intermingle with foreigners. He wanted them to remain pure to the ways He had set down. He wanted them to be set apart as His chosen ones. He was fulfilling His promises to them, and He wanted them to fulfill their promises to Him.

See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and to their offspring after them.’ Deut 1:8 (ESV)

God recapped His wonderful promises to the people.  He reminded them that He was there for them, but He also showed them that if they disobeyed, there would be consequences.

“When you father children and children’s children, and have grown old in the land, if you act corruptly by making a carved image in the form of anything, and by doing what is evil in the sight of the Lord your God, so as to provoke him to anger, 26 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that you will soon utterly perish from the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess. You will not live long in it, but will be utterly destroyed. 27 And the Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord will drive you. 28 And there you will serve gods of wood and stone, the work of human hands, that neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. 29  But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30 When you are in tribulation, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, you will return to the Lord your God and obey his voice. 31 For the Lord your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them. Deut 4:25 -31 (ESV)

What precious promises! That’s exactly what did happen to Israel. They were scattered for many years, and within some of our lifetimes, God brought the nation back into existence. He remembers His covenants and His promises. If He can bring 2 million people out of bondage and bring them into a new land hundreds of miles away (without a GPS, map, or the need to ask directions), if He can give them daily food and water, and if He can protect them while they are scattered around the globe – can He help you with your problems today?

Deuteronomy is one of the most-quoted texts in the New Testament.  Did you notice the verse that Jesus quotes to when asked about the greatest commandment?

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Deut 6:5 (ESV)

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. Matt 22:36-38 (ESV)

Why do you think that God spent so much time telling the people to turn away from idols; to turn from the way of the people; to turn only to Him? What temptations do you think the Israelites might have seen that we would see today? How did their society compare to ours? 

Jesus quoted Deuteronomy when He was being tempted in the wilderness:

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deut 8:3 (ESV)

“If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” Matt 4:3-4 (ESV)

God reiterates precious promises – and warnings – to His people.

“And if you will indeed obey my commandments that I command you today, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, 14  he will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain, that you may gather in your grain and your wine and your oil. 15  And he will give grass in your fields for your livestock, and you shall eat and be full. 16 Take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them; 17 then the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you, and he will shut up the heavens, so that there will be no rain, and the land will yield no fruit, and you will perish quickly off the good land that the Lord is giving you. Deut 11:13-17 (ESV)

As I read this passage I was saddened that the Israelites couldn’t seem to stay in God’s good graces long enough to receive the bounty of His promises. But then I began to think about my own sin-riddled life. I live under His promise as well. How well do I keep the law (we are not under the law in Christ, but the commandments God set forth are the rules He wants us to live by(  – starting with that first and greatest commandment? It’s easy to look back with disdain and say that we would have behaved differently. In reality, though, I’m just like them!

Finally, God had a long discussion with the people about temptation. He reminded them that proper worship is where and how God chooses, not where and how we choose. He told the people to stay away from other religions and to refrain from even asking how they worship, lest their curiosity would turn their hearts from Him. He reminds the people that they should only worship Him, even if they experienced peer pressure. Those commands hold even today! You may be tempted to look at this religion – or that ministry – that seems to promise something you don’t see in Christianity. Please stay away! The God Who covenanted with Israel and sent His only begotten Son to die for you so that you can receive the free gift of salvation tells us that looking at any other religion is sin which can lead you into idolatry.

As we read through the Bible, I hope you notice that things haven’t changed all that much since the fall. People kill, rape, lie, cheat, steal, turn from God and create idols. We have been offered a free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ if we choose to turn to him. Friend, if you have not yet received  the free gift of God, do it today! Accept the fact that you are a sinner and separated from the God of the universe. Acknowledge that His Son, Jesus Christ, came to earth, born of a virgin, leading a sinless life, and choosing to walk to Calvary to die. He would have died just for you because He loves you so much. Telll Him that you are sorry for the sins you’ve committed and ask Him to forgive you. He promises that no matter what you have done, He WILL forgive! Once you’ve accepted His free gift of salvation, tell someone! Email me – write the pastor – tell a friend! You’ve been saved from hell! Then go to church and study His Word to learn more about what the Christian walk looks like. You will learn that church members are just like you. We still sin. We still struggle. We still complain and get angry at God. We still hurt. But under all the humanness you see, you’ll see something else, as well. You’ll see us trying to live by the greatest commandment. You’ll see us helping each other instead of cutting each other down. You’ll see grace.

Did anything in particular stand out for you? Do you have insights from this week’s reading that you would be willing to share? I look forward to hearing from you. Please email me with questions or with comments. This is a forum for people to learn more about the Bible, and there is no “dumb” question.

See you next week!