July 7 - The Point

Overview of: Mark

Today's Reading:
Mark 7:1 – 9:13
"Religion, Faith, and Jesus"

Focus Verses: Mark 7:6-8, 13
6 He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 7 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' 8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men. - - - 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."

Insight:
Jesus consistently confronted and denounced the religiosity that embraced external regulations, but missed God's heart and intent. What good did it do to have washed hands if your heart was filled with deceit and hate? Can lips really honor God if hearts are far from him?

You have missed the point of God's commands, Jesus told them, and reduced them to shallow rule-keeping. Worse, you have twisted God's commands and come up with ways to use them as a justification for doing the very things God condemns.

When Jesus ministered to the people of Tyre, Sidon, and Decapolis, he was taking hope and healing to people the Jews had written off as unclean. By doing this he was directly confronting the self-centered interpretations of the Mosaic Law and Abrahamic covenants that turned them into reasons to condemn an discard the Gentiles. God had promised Abraham that his descendants would bless all the nations. Jesus was living out God's covenant with Abraham when he healed the Syrophoenician woman's daughter and restored the hearing of the deaf man in Decapolis.

Response and Action:
I must be on guard against practicing religion that misses the point of God's intent. I must be careful to not replace God's heart and purposes with shallow tradition. To truly honor God, I must understand and live out his redemptive purposes in the world. As a follower of Christ, I must practice true religion that crosses barriers and shares God blessing. God's commands are intended not to cut us off from the world, but rather to help his people live in a way that blesses and saves others.

O God, save me from empty and self-deceived religion. Help me to discover true religion that loves you and lives for you. Help me to pursue holiness for the purpose of being ready to share your hope and redemption with the world around me. Help me to love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, that I might live out your redemptive promise to bless to bless and save. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.

Old Testament for Today: Genesis 12:2-3
2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
In Context: Genesis 12:1-8

Proverb for Today: Prov. 8:35
"For whoever finds me (wisdom) finds life and receives favor from the LORD."

Recommended Reading:
Jesus Without Religion
by Rick James

July 6 - Tell Them

Overview of: Mark

Today's Reading:
Mark 5:1 – 6:56
"Power and Provision"

Focus Verses: Mark 5:17-20
17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. 18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

Insight:
The man Jesus healed was an outcast from society. His condition had driven him away from family and friends and left to fend for himself among graves and near pig herds. It's completely understandable that he would want to leave his past behind and go with Jesus. The prospect of a new start in a new place must have seemed more desirable than going back to broken relationships and a shattered reputation. Yet Jesus told him to go home to his family and friends, and to show and tell them how much God, in his mercy, had done for him.

What a shock and wonder it must have been to family and old friends to see him healed and restored to his right mind. How much more healing and renewal did the man experience as a result of going home? What a powerful testimony of Christ's power it must have been to all who heard his testimony.

Response and Action:
I must look to Christ for the healing and renewal I need. Following Jesus is not a withdrawal from my world, but rather an engaging testimony to it. I must tell my family and friends about how God's mercy is restoring my life and what God is doing for me. My changed life is a message of God's saving power.

O God, by the power and grace of Christ Jesus, make me new. Forgive my sins, heal the wounds of my failure, take away the guilt of my transgressions, strengthen me in my weakness, free me from my bondage to sin, and restore my life. Give me the courage to be honest about my problems and needs, and help me give witness to the ways you are helping me to overcome them. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.

Old Testament for Today: Psalm 103:2-5
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
In Context: Psalm 103

Proverb for Today: Prov. 6:23
"For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life..."

Recommended Reading:
Miracles
by C. S. Lewis

Reading Schedule for July 6 - 11

July 6 - Mark 5:1 – 6:56
July 7 - Mark 7:1 – 9:13
July 8 - Mark 9:14 – 10:52
July 9 - Mark 11:1 – 12:44
July 10 - Mark 13:1 – 14:72
July 11 - Mark 15:1 – 16:20


You're invited to read through the Bible with Dave Burkum. Six readings each week will take you through the entire New Testament and key passages of the Old Testament. The 2008-09 Useful Breath reading can be downloaded by clicking the link in the right column.

July 4 - Faith Family

Overview of: Mark

Today's Reading:
Mark 3:1 – 4:41
"Questions, Teachings, and a Miracle"

Focus Verses: Mark 3:31-35
31 Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you." 33 "Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked. 34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."

Insight:
Jesus was a controversial figure. Crowds pursued him, Pharisees plotted against him, his own family questioned his mental stability, and the teachers of the Law accused him of being satanic. Some, however, believed and followed him, desiring to do God's will. Jesus called them his brothers and sisters.

Response and Action:
Jesus remains a controversial figure today. He still elicits strong reactions. There are those who oppose him, dismiss him, ignore him, and despise him. But I love and him and trust him. I will follow him and be a part of the family who desire to do God's will.

O God, help me to turn away from what is wrong and do what is right. Help me to follow Jesus--to listen and to follow where he leads. By the power and grace of your Holy Spirit, help me to delight in his will and walk in his ways to the glory of his name. Amen.

Old Testament for Today: Psalm 1:1
1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
In Context: Psalm 1

Proverb for Today: Prov. 4:18
"The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day."

Recommended Reading:
Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections on Discipleship
by N. T. Wright

July 3 - He Prayed

Overview of: Mark

Today's Reading:
Mark 1:1 – 2:27
"Jesus and the Kingdom Mission"

Focus Verses: Mark 1:35-37
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"

Insight:
The demands and distractions of life make it hard to have consistent and uninterrupted prayer times. Jesus made it his practice to pray early in the morning before most people were up. He also found a quiet and private place to pray.

Response and Action:
I will set aside time for prayer and find a place where I can be alone with God. If Jesus needed to commit himself to prayer, how much more do I!

O Lord, thank you for hearing my prayers. Thank you for the ways Jesus teaches me to pray and models commitment to prayer. Help me to make daily prayer a priority. Help me to be consistent and wholehearted in my prayers. Help me to find the right times and the right places for prayer. Amen.

Old Testament for Today: Psalm 5:1-3
1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing. 2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. 3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
In Context: Psalm 5

Proverb for Today: Prov. 3:5-6
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Recommended Reading:
Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship With God
by Dallas Willard

July 2 - Faith AND Doubt

Overview of: Matthew

Today's Reading:
Matthew 27:11 – 28:20
"Crucifixion and Resurrection"

Focus Verses: Matthew 28:16-19
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Insight:
Faith and doubt live closer together than most people think. In fact, they actually depend on each other. You cannot wrestle with doubts unless you are considering what to believe. You cannot have faith unless you wrestle through the doubts and questions that surround it.

Here at the conclusion of Matthew's gospel, the disciples worship Jesus, but some have doubts. Who can blame them? They had seen Jesus beaten and crucified and his lifeless body buried in a tomb. It must have been absolutely mind boggling--almost unbelievable--to now look into his face and hear his voice.

I'm glad Matthew included this important detail and didn't hide their doubt from us. As the disciples accepted Jesus' authority, obeyed his command, and experienced his ongoing presence in their lives, their doubts seem to have faded and their faith increased.

Response and Action:
I will be honest about my doubts. It is possible to be with Jesus and worship him and still have doubts. Like the disciples, I can wrestle through my doubts and grow in my faith as I worship Jesus, accept his authority, live in obedience to him, and cultivate my awareness of his presence in my life.

O Lord, increase my faith. Thank you for your mercy to those who doubt. Show yourself to me in new ways everyday. Confirm the truth of your word as I live by it. Guide me and give me a growing awareness of your abiding presence. Help me to discover the solid ground of faith as I put your words into practice. Amen.

Old Testament for Today: Isaiah 53:1-2
1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
In Context: Isaiah 53

Proverb for Today: Prov. 2:3-5
"...if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

Recommended Reading:
Faith AND Doubt
by John Ortberg

July 1 - Yes, It Is as You Say

Overview of: Matthew

Today's Reading:
Matthew 26:1 – 27:10
"Jesus' Meal, Betrayal, and Arrest"

Focus Verses: Matthew 26:63-66
63 ...Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64" Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered.

Insight:
If Jesus did not believe himself to be the Christ, the Son of God, or had been misunderstood, or misrepresented, his trial before the high priest would have been the perfect time for him to set the record straight. Instead of backing away from the questions, Jesus said, "Yes, I am the Christ. And you will see me in my glory at the right hand of God the Father." It's clear that the high priest and the crowd understood Jesus' words to be a clear affirmation of his claims to deity and Messiahship because they considered them to be blasphemy.

Response and Action:
I believe Jesus' claim to be the Son of God. I accept his authority. I believe he has risen from the dead, he has ascended into heaven and is seated at the Father's right hand, where he lives and reigns with the Holy Spirit and the Father, one God now and forever. He will come again to judge the living and the dead, and his Kingdom will have no end.

Thank you, O God, for Jesus, your Son who came to live among us, full of grace and truth. Help me to grow in my relationship with him. Help me to follow him wherever he leads. Amen.

Old Testament for Today: Psalm 29
1 Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. 3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
In Context: Psalm 29

Proverb for Today: Prov. 1:7
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."

Recommended Reading:
The Incomparable Christ
by John R. W. Stott

June 30 - Hypocrisy and Me

Overview of: Matthew

Today's Reading:Matthew 23:1 – 25:46
"Woes, Warnings, and Watching"
Focus Verses: Matthew 23:27-28 27 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

Insight:
In reading this chapter, it's easy to stand on the sidelines and watch with smug satisfaction as Jesus comes down hard on the teachers and Pharisees. We might even catch ourselves chiming in, "Yeah, take that you hypocrites!" Of course, the minute we do, we betray our own duplicity. It's easy to read Scripture and apply it to others before applying it to ourselves. How quick we are to see the sins of others, but blind the same failings in ourselves! Jesus condemned the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, and all the more because they refused to recognize it. What should we expect Jesus say to us when we refuse to see our own hypocrisy?

Response and Action:
I need to identify and acknowledge the ways I am a hypocrite. I do not want to say one thing, but do another. I want to be honest, real, and consistent. I do not want to present myself as better than I am. I want to be more concerned about how I truly am and what I truly need, than how I appear to others or what others think about me.

O God, have mercy on me, a sinner. You see all my hidden faults and know all my secret sins. I've got a long way to go in my pursuit of holiness. Thank you for loving me where I am and giving me the grace and guidance to rise above my weakness and failure. Help me to live with humility before you and before the people around me. Help me to love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Grant me integrity that my life might be a proof, not a pretense, of my devotion to you. Amen.
Old Testament for Today: Psalm 26:4-5
4 I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites; 5 I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked.
In Context: Psalm 26

Proverb for Today: Prov. 30:11-12
"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever."

June 29 - Party Invitation

Overview of: Matthew

Today's Reading:
Matthew 21:1 – 22:46
"Triumphal Entry, Temple, and Teaching"

Focus Verses: Matthew 22:8-10
8 "Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9 Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.' 10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

Insight:
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a wedding feast where everyone is invited. The invitation is sent to palace dwellers and street people, to the good and the bad alike. The invitation is not given on the basis of merit or status; it springs from the king's heart to celebrate and honor his son.

There are several ways to disrespect the king's invitation. The first is to be too busy (Mt. 22:5) to accept the invitation--to not consider the invitation important enough for your time and attention. The second is to have utter contempt (Mt. 22:6) for the king and his invitation--to just rob and abuse his messengers. The third disrespectful response is to accept the invitation, but refuse to do what is expected (Mt. 22:11) of the king's guests--refusing to wear the special white wedding clothes the king provides.

Response and Action:
I want to accept God's invitation to celebrate and honor his son, Jesus. I realize that I do not deserve to be invited to such a celebration; I consider it an awesome privilege. Nothing in my life is more important than my wholehearted response to this invitation. As I accept the invitation to join in the Kingdom, I will also accept the King's expectations for those he has welcomed. I want to be transformed, to put on Christ, to be renewed and clothed in the righteousness the King offers me.

Thank You, O God, for inviting me to the party! Thank you for your gracious invitation to everyone. Help me to celebrate and honor your son, Jesus. By the power and grace of your Holy Spirit, clothe me in the new garments of Christ's righteousness. Lead, teach, transform, shape, and strengthen me, that I might delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Old Testament for Today: Psalm 145:7-8
7 They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. 8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
In Context: Psalm 145

Proverb for Today: Prov. 29:6
"An evil man is snared by his own sin, but a righteous one can sing and be glad."

Recommended Reading:
Kingdom of God Is a Party
by Tony Campolo

Reading Schedule for June 29 - July 4

June 29 - Matt. 21:1 – 22:46
June 30 - Matt. 23:1 – 25:46
July 1 - Matt. 26:1 – 27:10
July 2 - Matt. 27:11 – 28:20
July 3 - Mark 1:1 – 2:27
July 4 - Mark 3:1 – 4:41


You're invited to read through the Bible with Dave Burkum. Six readings each week will take you through the entire New Testament and key passages of the Old Testament. The 2008-09 Useful Breath reading can be downloaded by clicking the link in the right column.

June 27 - It's Possible

Overview of: Matthew

Today's Reading:
Matthew 19:1 – 20:34
"Teachings and a Miracle"

Focus Verses: Matthew 19:23-26
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?" 26 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Insight:
Wealth can be an obstacle to living with a "kingdom of heaven" perspective. The comfort, privilege, and power that accompany material possessions, are often in conflict with Kingdom values. You cannot serve both God and money. If Jesus is Lord of our lives, our money should serve his kingdom and his righteousness. This is difficult and counter to the prevailing attitudes of the world, but with God's grace and guidance, it is possible.

Response and Action:
I recognize that I am very blessed. I live in a wealthy nation and I have many possessions. I must be careful to never let wealth and blessing possess me. My money, my house, my car, and everything else I own must be used to serve and honor God. Following Jesus and living by his Kingdom values requires that I open my eyes to the needs of people around me. Good stewardship requires generosity and concern for others.

O God, help me to love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help me to seek first your Kingdom and your righteousness. Give me eyes to see all that I have as a gift from you to be used to honor and serve you. Teach me to hold on to Jesus with all my might, and to be open-handed and generous with my possessions. Amen.

Old Testament for Today: Ecclesiastes 5:10-11
10 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. 11 As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?
In Context: Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

Proverb for Today: Prov. 27:23-24
"Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations."

Recommended Reading:
Neither Poverty Nor Riches: A Biblical Theology of Possessions
by Craig L. Blomberg

June 26 - The Christ

Overview of: Matthew

Today's Reading:
Matthew 16:1 – 18:35
"Lord, Christ, Healer, Teacher"

Focus Verses: Matthew 16:13-17
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" 14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.

Insight:
Ever since the birth of Jesus, people have had many ideas about just who and what he is. When Jesus asked his disciples to recount some of the things they had heard people say about him, they had no trouble producing a variety of answers. "But what about you," Jesus asked, "What do you say?" Peter didn't have to go on hearsay and speculation; he had face-to-face, day-to-day experience with Jesus. This experience caused him to believe that Jesus was the Christ, the promised Messiah, God's anointed deliverer. He saw Jesus as the only Son (sharing God's divinity and authority) of the only true, living, and eternal God.

Response and Action:
Who do I say Jesus is? I believe Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the World. I believe he is Lord, the only begotten Son of God--light from light, true God from true God, of one being with the Father. I will acknowledge him in all my ways. My life is the truest expression of what I say I believe. Whatever I say about Jesus must be confirmed in my actions, choices, and attitudes.

O God, help me to follow your Son, Christ Jesus, with a whole heart. Help me to live out my faith in my words and in my deeds. Make my path straight as I make every effort to acknowledge Jesus to be my Savior and my Master each and every day. Amen.

Old Testament for Today: Isaiah 52:10
10 The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.
In Context: Isaiah 52

Proverb for Today: Prov. 26:12
"Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him."

Recommended Reading:
The Incomparable Christ
by John Stott
Who Was Jesus?
by Scot McKnight

June 25 - Little to Give

Overview of: Matthew

Today's Reading:
Matthew 14:1 – 15:39
"Feeding the 5,000 and the 4,000"

Focus Verses: Matthew 14:13-16
13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food." 16 Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."

Insight:
The story of Jesus feeding the five thousand is better known than the circumstances that led up to it. I've always thought it was important to notice that it took place when Jesus was trying to get away from the crowds. He had just been told about the murder of John the Baptist and wanted to be alone. Yet, when the crowds found him out he was "filled with compassion" instead of being indignant. Rather than being upset with the people for their lack of regard for his needs, Jesus focused on their needs—healing their sick and providing them with food.

Response and Action:
The selfless love Jesus displays in this event is more impressive to me than the miracle of multiplying a small amount of fish and bread. The way he was able to produce feelings and acts of compassion out a heart that was grieving and longing for solitude is, to me, a greater miracle than producing abundant food from a little boy's lunch. Maybe that's the point of this story! None of us ever really have what it takes to meet the needs of others. We don't have the emotional strength, the time, the answers, or the patience to really meet needs. I will look to God to multiply the little I have. Through Jesus, I can be a blessing to others, even when the circumstances leave me with little to offer on my own.

O God, give me a heart to look beyond my own needs and to see the needs of others. Dear Jesus, bless and multiply my meager resources so that I can bless and help others. When I feel too empty or weak to share, fill my heart and hands with good things to give. Amen.

Old Testament for Today: Psalm 145:15-18
15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. 16You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. 17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. 18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
In Context: Psalm 145

Proverb for Today: Prov. 25:25
"Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land."

Recommended Reading:
Transforming Power: Biblical Strategies for Making a Difference in Your Community
by Robert C. Linthicum

June 24 - Always Time for Good

Overview of: Matthew

Today's Reading:
Matthew 12:1 – 13:58
"Jesus' Authority and Teachings"

Focus Verses: Matthew 12:9-12
9 Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, 10 and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" 11 He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."

Insight:
It is always right to do good. Jesus clearly counters any suggestion that God has more concern about rituals or laws than he has for the people they are intended to help.

Response and Action:
I need to be careful to notice anytime laws are moral precepts are used as a way to stop anyone from doing what is good. God's instructions and commands are not an end in and of themselves, but instead are intended to serve the very best interests of people. When applying and interpreting the commands of scripture, I will always consider what would be the most redemptive, caring, and helpful for all involved.

O God, help me to seek you and obey you with all my being. Help me to understand your word and to be obedient to your commands. Help me to grasp the spirit and heart behind your commands in order that I might apply and obey them for the right reasons and the right attitude with the right ends in mind. Amen.

Old Testament for Today: Psalm 140:6
6 O LORD, I say to you, "You are my God." Hear, O LORD, my cry for mercy.
In Context: Psalm 140

Proverb for Today: Prov. 25:11
"Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter."

Recommended Reading:
What's So Amazing About Grace?
by Philip Yancey

June 23 - Loving God More

Overview of: Matthew

Today's Reading:
Matthew 10:1 – 11:30
"The Apostles and John the Baptist"

Focus Verses: Matthew 10:37-39
37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

Insight:
It seems counterintuitive, but loving God more than anything or anyone, including yourself (especially yourself), is actually the best and most loving thing you can do for others and yourself. It's in losing our lives in surrender to Jesus that we find our deepest and richest self. The life I find, by loving Jesus above all else, fills me and enriches me in ways that result in my being more ready and more able to give more love to others. Jesus calls me to love him most because it prepares and teaches me how to love others best.

Response and Action:
I will put Jesus first in my life. By putting him first I hope to become the truest, deepest, and most loving person I can be. By loving him more than others, I hope to be able to love others more.

O Christ, help me to love you above all else. Help me to find myself in you. By the power and grace of your Spirit and the guidance of your word, lead teach, transform, shape, and strengthen me, that I might become more and more able to serve and love others. Amen.

Old Testament for Today: Psalm 126:5-6
5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
In Context: Psalm 126

Proverb for Today: Prov. 23:23
"Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding."

Recommended Reading:
The Life You've Always Wanted
by John Ortberg

June 22 - Desiring Mercy

Overview of: Matthew

Today's Reading:
Matthew 8:1 – 9:38
"Miracles and the Call to Follow"

Focus Verses: Matthew 9:10-13
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Insight:
The question: "Why does Jesus eat with sinners?" The answer: "Mercy." Religion that has lost sight of redemption is very far from what God desires. God desires mercy! Having a zeal for rules is not the same thing as having a heart for God. The whole point of identifying sin is to help sinners find redemption and forgiveness. Even the mosaic laws regarding sacrifice were intended to accomplish mercy. We’re all spiritually sick and in need of a doctor. Only the arrogant, blind to their own sinfulness and need for forgiveness, can look at the sins of others with contempt.

Response and Action:
I will lift up my eyes to God and look to his hand for mercy and redemption. I will follow Jesus' example of merciful fellowship and redemptive friendship. I will eat with sinners. I will not love religion at the expense of loving people. I will stay humble by always remembering that I am a sinner saved by the mercy and grace of God.

Have mercy on me, O God, a sinner. Thank you for the hope and healing that you offer to me through Jesus. Thank you that he emptied himself and lived among us, touching us and sharing our humanity. Help me, through the presence of your Holy Spirit, to live out the mercy of Jesus in my daily life. Help me share hope, healing, and redemption with everyone around me. Amen.

Old Testament for Today: Psalm 123
1 I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven. 2 As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he shows us his mercy. 3 Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt. 4 We have endured much ridicule from the proud, much contempt from the arrogant.
In Context: Psalm 123

Proverb for Today: Prov. 22:4
"Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life."

Recommended Reading:
Living Faith: A Guide to the Christian Life
by John Schwarz

Reading Schedule for June 22 - 27

June 22 - Matt. 8:1 – 9:38
June 23 - Matt. 10:1 – 11:30
June 24 - Matt. 12:1 – 13:58
June 25 - Matt. 14:1 – 15:39
June 26 - Matt. 16:1 – 18:35
June 27 - Matt. 19:1 – 20:34



You're invited to read through the Bible with Dave Burkum. Six readings each week will take you through the entire New Testament and key passages of the Old Testament. The 2008-09 Useful Breath reading can be downloaded by clicking the link in the right column.

June 20 - Needs and Giving

Overview of: Matthew

Today's Reading:
Matthew 5:1 – 7:28
"Sermon on the Mount"

Focus Verses: Matthew 6:1-4
1 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Insight:
Righteous living that honors God includes giving to the needy and having compassion for those in poverty. A readiness and willingness to help others is a testimony of gratitude and trust toward God. It is possible to give in a selfish way if the goal is to be noticed and praised by others. It is best to give in quiet and secret ways to keep personal motives in check. God knows and sees when we are caring and openhanded toward others, and God rewards those who are gracious and generous.

Response and Action:
My trust in and gratitude to God move me to be a giver. I will give a significant portion of all I have and receive as an act of worship and faith. I will open my eyes to the needs of others. I will open my hands and be generous to help those in need. I will open my heart to the leading of God's Spirit and let him lead me in the ways of compassion and justice. I will do this in quiet and secret ways because I am doing out of reverence for God. I want God to be praised and honored, not me.

O God, help me to love you with all my heart, and with all my soul, and with all my strength. Help me to love my neighbor as myself. Give me a heart of compassion and a readiness to share with others. Teach me to be generous and cheerful in my giving. Help me to always remember that caring for the needs of others is an act of thanksgiving and worship toward you. Thank you, O God, for being generous and compassionate toward me. Amen.

Old Testament for Today: Psalm 112:4-5
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. 5 Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.
In Context: Psalm 112

Proverb for Today: Prov. 20:12
"Ears that hear and eyes that see—the LORD has made them both."

Recommended Reading:
Just Generosity: A New Vision for Overcoming Poverty in America
by Ronald J. Sider

June 19 - Righteousness

Overview of: Matthew

Today's Reading:
Matthew 3:1 – 4:25
"Jesus' Ministry Begins"

Focus Verses: Matthew 3:15 & 4:10
3:15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness."

4:10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'

Insight:
Jesus' baptism was an act of submission to God. It was an act of witness declaring Jesus' full surrender to God the Father. His submission to God was how righteousness would be fulfilled in his life.

Jesus' victory over temptation in the wilderness was an act of resistance. In every case, Jesus saw that giving in to temptation would be a failure to submit to God. He resisted and renounced every temptation, recognizing them for the satanic snares they were.

Response and Action:
Jesus' submission to God and his resistance in the face of temptation remind me of the words of James 4:7 -- "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Like Jesus, I want to live a righteous life that honors God. I will submit myself to God (a pledge I made when I was baptized), pursue righteousness, and hide God's word in my heart. I will guard against temptation, recognize it for what it is, and resist it.

O God, I desire to honor you this day in thought, word, and deed. Help to turn away from what is wrong and do what is right. Help me to love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Lead me away from temptation, and deliver me from evil. By the power and grace of your Holy Spirit, lead, teach, transform, shape, and strengthen me, that I might delight in your will and walk in your ways to the glory of your name. I pray in the name of Jesus, my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Old Testament for Today: Deuteronomy 6:13-15
13 Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. 14 Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; 15 for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land.
In Context: Deut. 6:4-19

Proverb for Today: Prov. 19:8
"He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers."

Recommended Reading:
Renovation of the Heart
by Dallas Willard