June 23 Bible Reading

Mark 10 Jesus tells His disciples that it is humanly impossible for a rich man to come to God, but with then reminds them that with God all things are possible.  We must realize that it is only the Lord who can save our souls or bring us to the understanding to love Him back.  We are born enemies of the cross, but it is God who works in us to bring us to Salvation.

Psalm 48-50

Psalm 49 reminds us that there is no possible way that a man could pay for his own soul, or the soul of another.  God would not be able to take such a payment for the privilege to live forever and escape from Hell.  This idea that we could work for salvation or do things for the salvation of others is not at all backed up by Scripture, as is evidenced here.

Exodus 28&29

God is holy, and therefore must be separated from any incarnations of sin.  This would provide a challenge, then, for the people of Israel, racked with sin as they were, to come before God.  The priests, in order to overcome this extreme separation, had to go through rigorous ceremonial cleanings in order to come near to God to represent the people.  

Jeremiah 46-48

God promises Israel that He will protect them and deliver them.  Although the Lord is bringing this judgement upon them, He will provide for Israel and preserve them through this rough time.  He tells them that these events are a discipline.  When we are disciplined by God, we can trust that He will be faithful to His children and bring them through purified.  

Galatians 5&6

We must not be deceived in thinking that we would be able to earn God’s favor by keeping the law.  We have been freed from such things, not to practice lawlessness, but instead to be governed by the Holy Spirit living in us and directing us.  We are obliged to do the will of our redeemer.  Our lives ought to evidence the fact that we have been regenerated by God, and our defining characteristic ought to be love for one-another.  

1Kings 10-12

Solomon was not without warning.  God had promised that if Solomon did not obey His commands, then the country would be ripped from him.  We must pay attention to be obedient servants of God.  He is serious about our dedication to Him.  This sin of one man changed the lives of all of the citizens under him.