Daily Bible Reading

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

God values the bond of our word. In a culture where lying, deception, and exaggeration are all but celebrated, may we as God’s people be distinctive by the concern we give to keeping our promises. May we, as Psalm 15 reminds us, be willing to keep our vows even when it is costly.

— Pastor Mike

Numbers 30-31

Men and Vows

30 Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the people of Israel...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

In our Old Testament reading today I trust we will be challenged by the review of the varied gifts and offerings that please God. And may our look at the Transfiguration in Mark 9 remind us that our Triune God is worthy of all of them. I pray, as Malachi 1 reminds us, that we will reflect the purity of our theology by the quality of what we offer to the Lord.

— Pastor Mike

Numbers 28-29

Dail...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

We jump back into the fascinating story of Balaam, the “prophet for hire”, and the failure of Balak’s plan to foil the progress and success of God’s people. What a great reminder to us that “When a man’s way pleases the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Pr.16:7). Unfortunately that doesn’t last long, as the Israelites fall to sin with the daughters of Moab in Numbers 25. May we learn from both the care of God and the carelessness of God’s people in these instructive...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Here in Numbers 21 is the source of Christ’s illustration to Nicodemus regarding the faith his crucifixion will call for – “as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes / trusts in him may have eternal life” (Jn.3:13-14). Let us look to the source of our forgiveness (i.e., the substitutionary death of Christ) and not the assumed value of our good deeds.

— Pastor Mike

Numbers 2...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today in Mark 7 we read some powerful words from Christ regarding the hypocrisy of drawing near to God with our words, customs, and traditions, while failing to draw near to him in the truthfulness of our spirit, heart, and behavior. Let us never justify our disobedience to God’s word because we “feel spiritual” or because we “have Christian customs”, which we think will counterbalance our sin.

— Pastor Mike

Numbers 18-20

Duties of Priests and Levites

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The Bible has so much to say about the sin of rebellion and insubordination – which is not a popular topic for Christians in the twenty-first century church. May we be receptive to the repeated warnings in the Bible about the devastation caused by rebellions, which always seem to start with the seeds of envy, jealousy, and complaining.

— Pastor Mike

Numbers 16-17

Korah’s Rebellion

16 Now Korah the son of Izhar, son of Kohath...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

This pivotal scene in Numbers 14 seals the future of an entire generation. As the writer of Hebrews exhorts us, let us learn from this dreadful decision of disregarding God’s promise and allowing the fear of man to govern the decision-making process. When God’s word is clear may we “not harden our hearts as they did in the rebellion” (Heb.3:15).

— Pastor Mike

Numbers 14-15

The People Rebel

14 Then all the congregation raised a lou...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

May we be reminded of the offense of complaining as we identify with those in the desert in Numbers 11. And let us anticipate the victory we have over the grave as we read of Christ saying “Talitha cumi” in Mark 5, showing us a foretaste of his power to one day call us forth from death into a state of permanent life, no longer subject to disease, decay, or discomfort.

— Pastor Mike

Numbers 11-13

The People C...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Every time we revisit a record of the Passover celebration may we gratefully recall the work of Christ, who gave himself as our substitute so that we might be accepted before God and freed from the power and penalty of our sin. May our hearts be encouraged as we read of Christ’s power over all rival authorities in our reading of Mark 5.

— Pastor Mike

Numbers 8-10

The Seven Lamps

8 Now the Lord s...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

May our reading today in the Book of Numbers encourage us to be generous stewards of the material blessings God has mercifully entrusted to us. May we be reminded of the joy of giving, and of the powerful way God uses our gifts to bring glory to himself and his work on earth. “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift” to us (2 Corinthians 9:15).

— Pastor Mike

Numbers 7

Offerings at the Tabernacle’s Consecration

7 On the day...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

God shows his concern for restoration, restitution, marital fidelity, and expressions of devotion and commitment in today’s Old Testament reading. I am praying that our reading in the Gospel of Mark will remind us to be faithful and sincere in “throwing the seed” of a biblical gospel and trusting God for this “seed” to find prepared hearts.

— Pastor Mike

Numbers 5-6

Unclean People

5 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Command the people of Israel...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Even in the desert, the required work was not accomplished in a haphazard way. God is a God of order and not confusion. In Mark’s Gospel we see the unique hazard of the first-century audience of Christ—wrongly assigning the work of the Messiah to Satan. It was catastrophic for them to see all of Christ’s ministry first-hand and then to summarily reject it, going on to blaspheme in assigning it all to hell’s power.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Parts of the Book of Numbers may be a bit challenging to read, with all the seemingly endless lists of hard-to-pronounce names, but remember how important it was throughout the Bible to chronicle the lineage and heritage of God’s people. This was key to demonstrate, as God continued to keep his covenant promise to Abraham and his descendants. Not to mention the special honor you would have if one of the listed people were you.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

We are reminded today of the folly and severity of idolatry. May we know that as God’s people we must always seek to keep first things first, loving God as we ought – with all of our heart, soul, strength and mind. And may we derive great comfort from the grace, kindness, and forgiveness we see demonstrated in the life of Christ, found in our reading of Mark chapter two.

— Pastor Mike

Leviticus 26-27

Blessings for Obed...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The centrality of worship, the seriousness of blasphemy, rules of criminal justice, and the wisdom of both the sabbatical year and the year of jubilee are just a few of the insights we gain from today’s reading. May our New Testament text, which focuses on the power, authority, and sovereignty of Christ motivate us to live wholeheartedly for him today.

— Pastor Mike

Leviticus 24-25

The Lamps

24 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

After surveying the high standards for the Old Testament priesthood we are led to review the “feasts” of Israel in Leviticus 23. This is a helpful reminder of the appropriateness of breaks, rests, celebrations, and convocations that bring us out of the everyday activities of our various occupations to be recharged, refreshed, and refocused on the goodness and provision of God.

— Pastor Mike

Leviticus 22-23

22 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to Aaron and his so...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Again in Leviticus the Lord shows himself to be extremely serious about the holiness of his people. As we read about the resurrection and commission of Christ in Matthew 28, may we not forget the gravity of sin that led to such extreme suffering on the cross, and Christ’s desire to see all his disciples “observe all that he commanded them” (v.19b).

— Pastor Mike

Leviticus 20-21

Punishment for Child Sacrifice

20 The Lord spoke to M...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Beyond the ceremonial regulations, we find many of the moral concerns of God throughout the book of Leviticus – most of which are reiterated in the New Testament after the abolition of the ceremonial rules. May we be careful not to confuse the fulfilled precepts regarding ceremonial “uncleanness”, with the overarching moral dictates that Paul says God will always “avenge” (1Th.4).

— Pastor Mike

Leviticus 18-19

Unlawful Sexual Relations

18 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Don’t forget that all of these practical health concerns in Leviticus were addressed not just out of a concern for wellbeing, but more importantly in this context, to show us something of their parallel to our need of a remedy for sin. After all, disease and death have their origins in man’s rebellion against God. But as we draw near to him in worship, these “defects” are ultimately promised to be “atoned for” by the crucifixion of the Messiah (Mt.27).

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The leprosy procedures continue, which, as I wrote yesterday, should remind us of God’s grace in providing a remedy for the sinfulness of our sins. Especially as we identify with Peter’s anxieties and fears when he fails to stand up for Christ in Caiaphas’ courtyard. May our forgiveness motivate us to be courageous in our holiness today.

— Pastor Mike

Leviticus 14

Laws for Cleansing Lepers

14 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “This shall be the...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The procedures regarding leprosy may seem like a gross addition to the Bible, but they should remind us of the blight of sin and our need for cleansing. If we could only imagine the repulsive pollution our transgressions cause in the eyes of a perfectly holy God. Praise him that there is a remedy available which can “cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

— Pastor Mike

Leviticus 13

Laws About Leprosy

13 The Lord spoke to Moses an...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The account of Nadab and Abihu, like the New Testament account of Ananias and Sapphira, should be an ample reminder that if God were not gracious we would be dead and judged a million times over. Thank God for his mercy, and may his kindness not only lead us to repentance, but may it also lead us to live circumspect lives.

— Pastor Mike

Leviticus 10-12

The Death of Nadab and Abihu

10 Now Nada...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The religious leaders in Israel are commanded to be extraordinarily careful about the way they approach the Lord. I pray that today you and I will see the holiness of God in a new way. Of course all of these ceremonial laws were made obsolete with the coming of Christ, but the message behind these symbols will remain throughout eternity. There is nothing ordinary about God.

— Pastor Mike

Leviticus 7-9

7 “This is the law of the...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

In Matthew 25, as we near the completion of the objectives included in Christ’s first coming, Jesus reminds us of the importance of being prepared for his second coming. I pray that you and I are ready today. May we avoid the indictment of “slothfulness” (v.26) and may Christ find us busy about the work of reaching, teaching and training when he returns.

— Pastor Mike

Leviticus 4-6

Laws for Sin Offerings

4 And the Lord s...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Right out of the gate in Leviticus we see an intense picture of the substitutionary atonement of Christ. May we all remember that Christ died so that we could live. He suffered so that we could be blessed. He took the just response from the father so that we could receive God’s forgiveness.

— Pastor Mike

Leviticus 1-3

Laws for Burnt Offerings

1 The Lord called Moses and spoke to him from the tent o...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

As we finish reading the book of Exodus I trust we have a renewed appreciation of the concern God has for us to understand his inherent “separateness.” God is holy and we must never assume that he is simply “the man upstairs” or some other trivialized version of today’s humanized deity. May we all seek to exalt God in our thinking as more complex and more transcendent than all the popular caricatures of him.

— Pastor Mike

Exodus 39-4...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we finish reading what is arguably the most scathing recorded indictment by Christ. Here Jesus shows his deep disdain for the hypocrisy of saying one thing and doing another. May we avoid reading the remainder of Matthew 23 with someone else in mind. Instead may God’s Spirit bring conviction where it’s needed, and may there be a new passion to shrink the gap between our godly reputations and the reality of our lives.

— Pastor Mike

Exodu...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

God again shows himself in Exodus to be not only holy, but also amazingly merciful. God could have been done with sinful people on so many occasions, but like a compassionate father, God is gracious and forgiving. Praise God for the “renewed covenant” and for the way he takes his stumbling people and persistently calls them to get back up.

— Pastor Mike

Exodus 34-36

Moses Makes New Tablets

34 The Lord said to Moses, “...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The brief description of Oholiab and Bezalel in Exodus 31 should call on us to be thankful for the derived skills and talents that God variously endows on his people. No matter what the excellent craft may be, if it is in fact excellent, it is a gracious gift granted by God. This truth should fuel obedience to the prompt of Christ in Matthew 22, to love our generous God with all of our heart, soul and mind (v.37).

— Pastor Mike

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Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

May today’s reading in Exodus remind us of the intention of Christ found in Revelation, that we are to be a kingdom and priests to our God (Revelation 5:9-10). Because of the costly work of Christ we have access and entrance into a genuine relationship with God. And as John wrote, “We are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

More details on the Old Testament worship center today. And with them, more reminders concerning the impossibility of unmitigated fellowship with God in our present fallen state. How grateful we should be for the mediation of Jesus Christ, who suffered at the hands of sinful people to save sinful men and women so that we can one day worship, serve, and enjoy God in his fullness.

— Pastor Mike

Exodus 27-28

The Bronze Altar

2...