A Quarter Through the Journey - Day 92 Month 4-2 Week 14-1

Today's Reading (Bible in 1 year)


Numbers 4:29-5:10 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%204%3A29-5%3A10&version=NASB1995

Psalm 74:12-23 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2074%3A12-23&version=NASB1995

Isaiah 65:13-25 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2065%3A13-25&version=NASB1995

Luke 8:16-39 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%208%3A16-39&version=NASB1995


A Quarter Through the Journey


Good Morning Friends.  I do not say friends lightly because you’ve been travelling with me and listening to my thoughts, meaning you know me as deep or deeper than many I’ve grown to develop friendships with outside of this blog.  If you have been tracking with me since I started this reading year, I’m pleased to let you know that we have just completed the first ¼ of the Bible.  I have found the Bible come alive through the words I have read and because I’ve been going slowly and writing each day, I am finding things that are very new and that is wonderful.  


I hope you are able to continue the challenge to read on for the rest of the year.  I would be thrilled to have readers responding to my writing with what they have learned each day.  I am convinced that God has something unique for everyone in each reading.  I’m sure if there are 50 people who do the reading each day, God has 50 different things that will be revealed.  The last thing I want to say in this introduction is regarding the books of Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.  I know these are tough books to read but they have been included in the Bible.  I suspect it gives us a contrast on what we would need to do if we had to rely  on “works” to achieve God’s approval instead of Jesus who has fulfilled  all those laws for us.


1. In Isaiah today, we read "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.”  The part that feels so new to me, is “the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.”  In the new Heavens and New Earth, there will be no memory of the past.  I suspect that means there will be no memory of pain and suffering.  What a great thing to imagine.  Sylvia has C-PTSD that has negatively impacted her for years.  It will be gone!  No one will suffer from that or any trauma from remembering war, abuse, accidents, losses, sadness, starvation, illness or death.  It’s like a clean slate.  


2. Also, in the Isaiah portion we read today, there is a portion(Isaiah 65:20) that I found curious so I have asked my theologically trained brother to explain it to me.  All that to say, though my faith is solid, sometimes I have questions about some of the things written in scripture.  If you find that too, that’s ok and I want to encourage you that there are some mysteries in scripture that do not always provide a plain and simple explanation.  My brother did send me a response and I think it’s too much for today’s writing because it gets into the depths of eschatology(theology concerned with the final events of history) that I am not equipped to explain.  I will say though, it’s a time when being 100 years old is like living in one’s youth.  Imagine being 100 but being physically like you’re in your teens without the baggage of youth. That seems like a wonderful time to live in.


If you want a further explanation, I’d be happy to explain to the best of my ability.  Let me know in the comments or send me an email.  My email address is below.


3. In Luke 8:39, Jesus gives us a hint about his final directions on earth.  He sends the former demon possessed man back to his own home, though the man wanted to go with Him.  The words are “Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.”  In today’s church we call that person a “National” missionary (one who is already in his own country or culture) to share Jesus' good news and hope.  Therefore, everyone who is a Jesus follower who has not been sent to a different culture or country to share Jesus' message, is a “national.”


Have a great day!

Steve

steve.d.pauls@gmail.com


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