O how the mighty have fallen! Like the Israelites, our region has discovered what can happen when there are (“New York”) Giants in the land. And Bill (“Joshua”) Belichick wasn’t able to inspire them to be “strong and courageous” enough. I won’t comment publicly anywhere else, so I thought I’d sneak it in here. 18-1 never looked so bad.

Week number SIX! I didn’t hear from anyone this week. I hope you are all still reading. Get through those plagues (in Exodus). Deliverance is coming!

Category 1 – NT – Gospels

• Day 1 – Matthew 12:38-50
• Day 2 – Matthew 13:1-23
• Day 3 – Matthew 13:24-43
• Day 4 – Matthew 13:44-58
• Day 5 – Matthew 14:1-21
• Day 6 – Matthew 14:22-36

For category 1 readers , your question for possible reflection, application and comment on the blog is this: Jesus gave His disciples an interesting response to their question, “Why are you teaching in parables?” (Matthew 13:10ff). What was Jesus’ stated motive for teaching in this fashion, and what can we learn and apply in regard to our own ministry among the lost?

Category 2 – NT History & Epistles

• Day 1 – Acts 18:1-17
• Day 2 – Acts 18:18-28
• Day 3 – Acts 19:1-22
• Day 4 – Acts 19:23-41
• Day 5 – Acts 20:1-12
• Day 6 – Acts 20:13-38

For category 2 readers , your question for possible reflection, application and comment on the blog is this: The story of Apollos reminds us that we can know the truth, but not know it as well as we should. What practical steps (other than our Bible reading plan) could you take to know “the way of God more accurately?”

Category 3 – OT Poetry & Wisdom

• Day 1 – Psalm 29
• Day 2 – Psalm 30
• Day 3 – Psalm 31
• Day 4 – Psalm 32
• Day 5 – Psalm 33
• Day 6 – Psalm 34

For category 3 readers, your question for possible reflection, application and comment on the blog is this: Consider from Psalm 32 the list of effects that David says unconfessed sin might have in a believer’s life. Have you ever experienced such things, and how has forgiveness and a cleansed conscience brought relief? As you recall, be sure to praise the Lord for those times of refreshing.

Category 4 – OT Historical & Prophetic

• Day 1 – Exodus 16-18
• Day 2 – Exodus 19-20
• Day 3 – Exodus 21-23
• Day 4 – Exodus 24-26
• Day 5 – Exodus 27-29
• Day 6 – Exodus 30-31

For category 4 readers, your question for possible reflection, application and comment on the blog is this: Here is a hard one…In 1 Corinithians 10:1-4 we read that the water from the rock (as Paul says) was Christ. What does Paul mean? How does this relate to our lives (i.e., in what ways do we experience the same provision, and how should we respond to God as a result)?

Week number five, and I trust you are finding your regular reading a genuine blessing. I would love to see more comments. Do you have a “Bible Reading Buddy.” This addition of regular encouragement is an excellent way to remain consistent. All of you are my Bible reading buddies by default–because if I don’t read, I can’t very well post and comment each week. I am willing to ask and encourage some of you regularly if you ask.

Here are this week’s readings!

Category 1 – NT – Gospels

• Day 1 – Matthew 10:1-20
• Day 2 – Matthew 10:21-42
• Day 3 – Matthew 11:1-19
• Day 4 – Matthew 11:20-30
• Day 5 – Matthew 12:1-21
• Day 6 – Matthew 12:22-37

For category 1 readers , your question for possible reflection, application and comment on the blog is this: I would very much like to hear your thoughts and reflections on the doubt expressed by John the Baptist regarding the person of Christ, and the detailed and very public response given by Jesus in Matthew 11:7-19

Category 2 – NT History & Epistles

• Day 1 – Acts 15:1-21
• Day 2 – Acts 15:22-41
• Day 3 – Acts 16:1-15
• Day 4 – Acts 16:16-40
• Day 5 – Acts 17:1-15
• Day 6 – Acts 17:16-34

For category 2 readers , your question for possible reflection, application and comment on the blog is this: Peter had received a vision, and then the converts dsicussed at the Jerusalem council epxerienced miraculous signs. But how did the council confirm their decisions (see Acts 15:15-19)? What does this say about how we should make decisions?

Category 3 – OT Poetry & Wisdom

• Day 1 – Psalm 23 (you probably have this one done already!)
• Day 2 – Psalm 24
• Day 3 – Psalm 25
• Day 4 – Psalm 26
• Day 5 – Psalm 27
• Day 6 – Psalm 28

For category 3 readers, your question for possible reflection, application and comment on the blog is this: Help one another reconcile and apply the truths of Psalm 27, and what appears to be competing or opposite emotions. The Psalmist is high one minute, anticipating and enjoying the presence of God, but crying out for help amid his enemies the next. How does this relate to our lives?

Category 4 – OT Historical & Prophetic

• Day 1 – Genesis 50 (what a great chapter!)
• Day 2 – Exodus 1-3
• Day 3 – Exodus 4-6
• Day 4 – Exodus 7-9
• Day 5 – Exodus 10-12
• Day 6 – Exodus 13-15

For category 4 readers, your question for possible reflection, application and comment on the blog is this: God twice speaks of Moses’ unwillingness to speak for Him (4:10ff, and 6:28ff). How does this apply to responding to our own fears, and what can we learn about God’s grace and His eternal purposes?

Here we go with week #4. Hope you are all keeping up with your commmitments. Do you have a “Bible Reading Buddy?” I encourage you to find one, maybe family or friend, to hold you accountable and to interact with. I count all of you my reading buddies, because if I forget to post your schedule, I’m sure you’ll let me know (and I have to read ahead to do it well). Speaking of interaction, I would really like to hear your thoughts and insights, either in response to a question given, or in relation to other things in the week’s readings. Be blessed!

Category 1 – NT – Gospels

• Day 1 – Matthew 8:1-13
• Day 2 – Matthew 8:14-22
• Day 3 – Matthew 8:23-34
• Day 4 – Matthew 9:1-13
• Day 5 – Matthew 9:14-26
• Day 6 – Matthew 9:27-38

For category 1 readers , your question for possible reflection, application and comment on the blog is this: Consider Jesus’ sharing of the gospel message, calling disciples unto Himself in 8:18-22. Obviously He did nothing wrong, but people were turned away. What applications for church life and personal evangelism can you make?

Category 2 – NT History & Epistles

• Day 1 – Acts 11:1-18
• Day 2 – Acts 11:19-30
• Day 3 – Acts 12
• Day 4 – Acts 13:1-25
• Day 5 – Acts 13:26-52
• Day 6 – Acts 14

For category 2 readers , your question for possible reflection, application and comment on the blog is this: Peter’s denial of Christ, and Jesus’ gracious restoration of Peter is familiar to most. Consider the lessons Peter should have learned in Acts 10, described again in chapter 11, and compare it to his actions described in Galatians 3:11ff. What happened, and in what way can these events encourage and strengthen you?

Category 3 – OT Poetry & Wisdom

• Day 1 – Psalm 18:25-50
• Day 2 – Psalm 19
• Day 3 – Psalm 20
• Day 4 – Psalm 21
• Day 5 – Psalm 22:1-11
• Day 6 – Psalm 22:12-31

For category 3 readers, your question for possible reflection, application and comment on the blog is this: Consider the ways that God’s Word works on your heart according to Psalm 19. To encourage others, share a praiseworthy fruit of God’s word “changing” something in your life in one of the ways the Psalmist lists (like, “making wise the simple,” “enlightening your eyes,” or “rejoicing your heart”).

Category 4 – OT Historical & Prophetic

• Day 1 – Genesis 41
• Day 2 – Genesis 42-43
• Day 3 – Genesis 44-45
• Day 4 – Genesis 46-47
• Day 5 – Genesis 48
• Day 6 – Genesis 49

For category 4 readers, your question for possible reflection, application and comment on the blog is this: As I read the account of Joseph (which is my favorite OT account) it is very clear that Joseph had an abiding trust and hope in the goodness and sovereignty of God. But I have always wondered whether God was honored by the manner in which Joseph played on his brother’s emotions and fears. What do you think and why?