Bible Reading for Feb 3 & 4

While I would love to write about these texts there is only so much time in a day. As I am preparing to teach tomorrow I am out of time. Thus, here is today's and tomorrow's texts. Please pray for me as I teach tomorrow and for the students I get the privilege to teach. I teach at 10:10 and 3:30 tomorrow. 

February 03, 2013            Exodus 22–23, Matt 22:1–22, Psalm 18:35–38, Prov 3:28–29

February 04, 2013            Exodus 24–25, Matt 22:23–40, Psalm 18:39–43, Prov 3:30–32

Doing Good For Goodness Sake

February 02, 2013            Exod 20–21, Matt 21:23–46, Ps 18:25–34, Prov 3:25–27

Today is Groundhog Day. In Serbia they celebrate the presentation of Christ in the Temple on this day (Feb. 2^nd by their calendar, the 10^th by ours). Rather than a groundhog, they think a bear comes out of hibernation and if he sees his shadow he goes back to sleep for 40 more days. While these customs do not prove to be very accurate we know that God is in control and we praise Him all the more.

Several years back there was a silly movie called Groundhog Day. In the movie the man had to learn what the last verse we will look at today says, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.” While we cannot live over any day we have lived, let us learn from the days we have lived and live in the present moment with wisdom, purity, and love.

Exodus 20-21

As you read each of the 10 commandments, how does each apply to you today?

Which of these do you have the hardest time keeping?

How did Jesus summarize these commandments? (Matt. 22:37-39)

Chapter 21

What was the meaning of the pierced ear in their culture?

The basic concept with these laws is the punishment must fit the crime.

Read Matthew 5:38-42 to see what Jesus teaches us for today.

What do verses 22-23 teach us about God’s view of the unborn?

Matthew 21:23-46

The religious leaders tried to trick Jesus. How did He show His wisdom with his answer?

What is the meaning of the parable of the two sons?

What is the meaning of the parable of the land owner?

In what ways had the nation rejected God? Christ?

In what ways has our nation? You?

Psalm 18:25-34

David lists many things about how God is and what He does, what does he say?

How did this lead him to worship and how does it lead you to worship?

Proverbs 3:25-27

The Lord is to be our confidence. What do you find our confidence and significance in today?

We are to do good to those we can, do you do this?

Pray today about where you fall short in your pursuit of God.

List some attributes of God and praise Him for it.

Who can you show goodness to today?

Holy Is The Lord

February 01, 2013            Exod 17–19, Matt 21:1–22, Ps 18:18–24, Prov 3:22–24

Exodus 17-19

Why is it that we forget the blessings of the Lord so quickly?

The people complained against Moses again. Why is it that we are so apt to complain about our leaders? Who are they ultimately angry with here?

It says they tempted God, in what way? Are you guilt of this as well?

Moses is a great example here because rather than try to handle the situation himself, he turned to God.

Sometimes God fights for His people (the Red Sea) and sometimes He fights through His people as we see in this battle. What are we to learn from this battle?

How is God your Banner?

Chapter 18

What was the wisdom of Jethro here? How does this apply to your life?

Chapter 19

What was the purpose of the Law? Why did God give the people the Law?

The Law (1) revealed God’s glory and holiness (Dt 5:22–28); (2) demonstrated the sinfulness of man (Rom 7:7, 13; 1 Tim 1:9ff.; James 1:22-25); (3) marked Israel as God’s chosen people (Ps 147:19f.; Eph 2:11ff.; Acts 15); (4) gave Israel a Godly standard to live by and remain in the promised land (Dt 4:1ff; 5:29ff. Judg 2:19–21); (5) prepared Israel for the coming of Christ (Gal 3:24); and (6) illustrated in various forms and ceremonies the person and work of Christ (Heb 8-10).

What could the law not do?

In short the Law cannot save you, because none of us can live up to the standards.

In this Chapter Moses goes to the mountain three times, is there any significance to that?

God said they much obey His voice and keep His covenant.  If they did o they would be His special possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. This is the theme for the whole book, perhaps the whole Old Testament.

Do you obey the Lord and keep His covenant?

Matthew 21:1-22

What is the significance of the Triumphal Entry? Why are the people so excited? How did the public opinion change so quickly, for Jesus will be put to death only a few days later?

What stands out to you about the cleansing of the Temple?
Is this how you visualize Jesus?

What does this teach us about our worship today?

Psalm 18:18-24

David said that the Lord delivered him because He delighted in him. That is a beautiful thought. Does the Lord delight in you? Are you His child?

David speaks of his righteousness, but we know he was very sinful from time to time. What does this teach us about the nature of God?

Proverbs 3:22-24

Verse 24 speaks of sweet sleep, how can one have good sleep?

If you can’t sleep why is this (I don’t think there is one answer here)?

Pray today to understand the holiness of God.

Pray that you can put into action the holiness you are called to live.