New. And a little shorter!

You can now access this blog by just typing Bible365project.com into your favorite browser.  Ain't that nifty. Imagine all the new things you can accomplish with all that extra time.  I plan on learning Hungarian. 

April 24th: Deuteronomy 8-9, Ecclesiastes 3 and John 20

I'm amazed that God wants to provide for us. Take a look at the Deuteronomy 8 and compare it with John 20. In the John passage, Jesus let's Thomas touch his wounds. He knows the doubt. He understands the apprehension. And he helps Thomas through it. That's huge. Just as huge as appearing to Mary in her lowest moment of sorrow.

On the other hand, God watches out for the Israelites feet. Feet? Yes. He provides them with 40 years of Doc Scholls. Take a look, Deut 8. Their clothes didn't wear out and feet didn't swell. That is crazy. Food? Check. Water? Check. Happy feet? Got it.

God asked told them to schlepp through the desert and he looks out for their feet. It's awesome.

April 23rd: Deuteronomy 6-7, Ecclesiastes 2 and John 19

God was about to give the Israelites this awesome new land. They stood on the edge, about to go in to a land rich with good things. God would give them cities, farms, stuff and infrastructure. It was about to be "the good life." Which has nothing to do with the state motto of Nebraska in case you wanted to know. And God knew this good life could cause problems. It could lead them away from Him. So what does He do? God encourages them remember Him. He gives them practical steps for things they could do everyday that would remind them of His words. Bind the Law to their face. Lash it to their arms. Teach the kids. Morning. Noon. Night. When you get up. When you go to bed. All. The. Time. Remember it. If they did, they would stay in the of the Good Life.

We live in a land flowing with resources. We have the "good life." What can we do? Short of suggesting that I strap a Bible to my face...and maybe that's not such a bad idea...what are some things you can do? What do you suggest?

April 22nd: Deuteronomy 5, Ecclesiastes 1 and John 17

Interesting-non-first-read-through-the-Bible-fact.

It's a long way from the high-priest's house to the garden where Jesus was praying with the disciples. Judas would have had a lot of time to think about what he was doing. Like fifteen minutes at a minimum. He would have walked down into the Kidron valley and then about half way up the Mount of Olives. That's quite a hike probably closer to half an hour. I wonder what he thought about during the hike. I wonder if he kept his head down as he walked past the temple. I wonder if he checked the upper room first. I wonder if he saw the colt that Jesus rode into Jerusalem. I wonder if he bumped into any of the women or friends of Jesus. I wonder if they asked him what he was doing. Why he wasn't with Jesus?

How devastatingly sad.

April 21st: Deuteronomy 4, Proverbs 31 and John 15-16

Ready? Here come the excuse.

I started school again. Rockin fifteen credit hours.

Sorry to skip out on a couple of days. I'll try and prioritize a little better.

A: I could have skipped Leviticus and Numbers and just jumped right into Deuteronomy. It's like the cliff notes of the Torah.

B: That's some good advice about government. Booze and politics don't mix. Although, that might explain tax code.

C: I wonder what Paul thought when he read John 16:1-3. I wonder if he cried a little. I wonder if he set the scroll down, said, "That's me. He's talking about me." What a tremendously sad moment that would have been and yet what a huge testament to Jesus' ability to transform a life.

April 20th: Deuteronomy 3, Proverbs 30 and John 13-14

"Surely I am too stupid to be a man.
I have not the understanding of a man."

Crap. I'm almost 29 and I find myself thinking this. When it comes to people, it sure is easy to be a fool. Seems like there is a lot of wisdom that I need to get. Seems like I still make a ton of mistakes when it comes to dealing with people. And by "people," I mean Christians. I get along with non-Christians just fine. They tend to not be so back-stabby. They tend to not be so selfish. Of course, maybe it's just me. Maybe it's just me being tired and frustrated.

The helper that Jesus talks about in John 14? I could use a little extra of that right now. Of course, I'll just take option B... that Jesus can come back and put an end to all this.

April 19th: Deuteronomy 2, Proverbs 29 and John 12

In the twelfth chapter of the book with his name, John writes:

"Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God."

That's still probably one of the hardest problems within the leadership of the our religious leadership. Yes, this passage was specifically about the pharisees. But I see how it becomes a problem now with our pastors. I get it. There is the prestige, the notoriety, the free lunches...it's addicting. And I'm not being sarcastic. OK, maybe a little with the sandwich comment, but seriously, I get how this happens.

And it's brilliant on Satan's part. He get's the men and women who love Jesus to forget why they got into ministry in the first place. Why? All for a couple of free Reubens. They are good. All toasty and tangy... STOP! NO! Focus Jon! Focus!

To all the pastors who toil in obscurity, ministering tirelessly: Thank you. Keep up the good work.