For the week beginning Sunday, February 26, 2012

Today	Read
Sunday	Deut 6-8
Monday	Deut 9-11
Tuesday	Deut 12-14, Ps 50
Wednesday	Deut 15-17
Thursday	Deut 18-20
Friday	Deut 21-23, Ps 51
Saturday	Deut 24-26

 

Why is reading the Bible every day important?

Reading the Bible every day helps us to to grow to know God better. What we do daily becomes part of our life rhythm, forming how we feel and think.


Some days, we may feel pressed for time, and quickly skim the text. When we give more of our time and attention to the Scriptures, this Daily Bible reading deepens our relationship with Christ as we

• Read prayerfully;
• Study about the text for a fuller understanding of its meaning; and
• Think about how we can live its lessons.

Our Daily Readings will guide us through the entire Bible in 2012. Each Sunday, our Pastors’ sermons will be from the texts that we have read during the preceding week.

For the week beginning February 19, 2012

Sunday	Num 22-24
Monday	Num 25-27
Tuesday	Num 28-31
Wednesday	Num 32-34
Thursday	Num 35-36, Ps 47
Friday	Deut 1-3, Ps 48
Saturday	Deut 4-5, Ps 49

 

For the week beginning February 12, 2012

Sunday	Num 7-8, Ps 39
Monday	Num 9-10, Ps 40
Tuesday	Num 11-12, Ps 41-42
Wednesday	Num 13-15
Thursday	Num 16-18
Friday	Num 19-20, Ps 43.44
Saturday	Num 21, Ps 45-46

 

Numbers 4-6

Numbers 4-6

Numbers 1-3; Psalm 38

Numbers 1-3;  Psalm 38

Leviticus 25-27

Leviticus 25-27 

Leviticus 25

The sabbatical year is a model for an extended rest. It is a time for stepping back and away from the intensity and familiarity of routine; a to refresh and renew.

No record exists that the Jubilee year was observed. Consider its positive possibilities if we kept it, or something similar to it.

Leviticus 26

Verse 5 comforts, even as it challenges our experience of living though this current drought in central Texas.

Curses? Jesus teachings reminds us that even as God loves us, there are consequences created from our actions and inactions. Pain and suffering are not caused by a loving God; however, they may be something that we have inadvertently produced ourselves.

Jesus is God’s gift to us of a new, final, and eternal covenant.

Leviticus 27

This chapter teaches us to respect and appreciate the essence of the value of all that we dedicate to God.  Verses 30-33 are examples of the command to tithe.

Questions

• When do you take an extended (at least a few days) break from your usual life work?
• How do you describe the joy that you feel in tithing?

Leviticus 22-24

 Leviticus 22-24 

We handle with care the Holy things that we give to God. As we become more cultural informal, we are conscious of not becoming casual with the Sacred. These restrictions detail specific conditions important to an ancient faith community. We interpret them to identify appropriate expressions of our attitude toward God; attitudes preceding actions. We read instructions particular to priests, realizing that the mind-set of each Christian is important in her, or his, Worship of God. Purity of heart and mind toward God brings our best to Worship.

Observing weekly Sabbaths, and annual sacred times, keeps us in a faithful rhythm of consciously living  our relationship with God. Our life choices may present what we excuse as schedule challenges at the expense of honoring God. The convenience of opportunities available 24/7 distract us from consistently giving our first attention and efforts to Worship. Our shared expressions of faithfulness, primarily in and through Worship, is vital to our soul-care. That is why Worship is the central act of the Church.

Punishment for offenses is less radical now than it was then. Jesus’ teaching, 

You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you that you must not oppose those who want to hurt you. If people slap you on your right cheek, you must turn the left cheek to them as well. When they wish to haul you to court and take your shirt, let them have your coat too. When they force you to go one mile, go with them two. Give to those who ask, and don’t refuse those who wish to borrow from you. (Matthew 5:38-42, CEB)

recasts retributive justice in a startling way. The love that Jesus taught and lived stretches and reforms our innate inclination toward revenge.

Questions:

• In what ways do keep worshiping God a central expression of your faith?
• In what ways are living like Jesus to reframe systems of justice?

For the week beginning February 5, 2012

Sunday	Lev 14-15, Ps 36
Monday	Lev 16-18
Tuesday	Lev 19-21, Ps 37
Wednesday	Lev 22-24
Thursday	Lev 25-27
Friday	Num 1-3, Ps 38
Saturday	Num 4-6