Daily Bible Reading

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

In Joshua 21:45 we are reminded again that all we are reading in these Old Testament chapters is a testament to God’s faithfulness —”Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.” We count on the God who keeps his promises. From his promise that in the end he will work everything out in our lives for good, to the reality that trusting in Christ gives us a full entrance into the New Jerusalem. God will always do what he...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

We may want to skim these descriptions of the allotment of land to the tribes of Israel, but consider how significant this was—for God was literally fulfilling his promise to Abraham, which he made way back in Genesis 12. God specifically said that he would settle Abraham’s descendants in the land through which he was taking Abraham as a sojourner. God keeps his promises. (And this was only “phase one” as Hebrews 11:12-16 tells us!)

— Pastor Mike

Joshu...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

A reading of the calling of the disciples is both a comfort and a challenge. It is comforting to see that God uses the simple things to shame the wise. May he utilize each of us to do something great for his glory. It is also a challenge to think about the great privilege and responsibility of being someone commissioned by Christ to do work for him. May we never be slack in representing him, serving him, and speaking for him in this generation.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

We read lots of names and geographical directives in Joshua today. While these details may seem distant and disconnected from our modern lives, let us all seek a heightened anticipation of the allotment of lands that will one day take place when the curse is lifted, our bodies are glorified, and Christ is seated on his rightful throne, leading us all in the New Jerusalem. That day is coming. May it come quickly.

— Pastor Mike

Joshua 14-15<...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Luke 4 is rich with insights regarding temptation, sin, and Christ’s sinlessness. May we read these verses with care today and find great comfort in a perfect Messiah, as well as motivation and wisdom in learning to stand strong against the schemes of the Tempter.

— Pastor Mike

Joshua 11-13

Conquests in Northern Canaan

11 When Jabin, king of Hazor, heard of this, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shi...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Neglecting our due diligence in prayer, planning, and investigation is regrettably brought to the forefront in our reading of Joshua 9. May we never be presumptuous in our lives. God would have us seek him to discern his wisdom in every circumstance. In Joshua 10 we are reminded that the God who made the world and its laws has the ability to suspend them at will. The God who animates every molecule in the universe can easily put any combination of them on “pause” at his pleasure. While he rarely breaks nature’s laws, let us n...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

After such a great victory at Jericho comes the devastating defeat at Ai in Joshua 7. At the outset of God’s work in the land of Israel the people are dramatically reminded that God is a God who detests compromise, just as he showed the church at the outset of her missions work in the New Testament when he broke out against Ananias and Sapphira. May we avoid compromise and deception at all costs.

— Pastor Mike

Joshua...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

There is so much going on in today’s chapters from Joshua. God is preparing this new generation to do the work he has called them to ceremonially, spiritually, and practically. The Lord shows his strong provision for his people in the way he brings the fall of the stronghold of Jericho. The battle is clearly the Lord’s. In Luke 2, we see God sending Christ for us to do what we are incapable of doing—namely, fulfilling all righteousness and perfectly satisfying the justice of God.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

It is hard not to be motivated by the heartening words of God to Joshua as he is commissioned to take the reigns of leadership in the face of the daunting task of the conquest of the promised land. May we take hold of the divine strength and courage to face whatever challenge God has called us to, as we all work to spread the knowledge of God and the lordship of Christ in this world.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we read familiar words in Luke 1, which I trust will help us relive the humble deference shown by Mary when she was told of God’s plan for her life. We should also praise God when we read the final chapters of Deuteronomy, knowing that the culmination of God’s work through Moses is the arrival of Jesus, the son of David and the son of God.

— Pastor Mike

Deuteronomy 33-34

Moses’ Final Blessing o...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Our Old Testament reading shows us that God always has a succession plan. God will not leave his work without the resources and personnel it will require. Sometimes it is helpful for us to think and pray about what will happen when we are called home. God wants his earthly work to move forward when each of us is gone. May God richly bless those who will one day take our place in life, work, and ministry.

— Pastor Mike

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Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we read Mark 16, the ending of which is one of the few places in the Bible where multiple verses of the ancient manuscripts are significantly conflicted. Virtually every edition of the Bible transparently declares this. May this exception remind us that unlike other ancient works the New Testament is blessed with a massive body of ancient manuscripts, which in almost all cases bring to us a crisp and agreed-upon record of what the authors penned.

— Pastor Mike

D...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

In Mark 15 Jesus recites the words of Psalm 22 as he is being crucified. Christ is echoing this important psalm and not crafting a question to which he doesn’t know the answer. Christ knows that he is the Lamb of God and that he is incurring the penalty for our sins as our substitute. And yet he is joining in with the pain of the psalmist in Psalm 22. Our salvation was costly. Let us live today as though it is.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Reading the “cursings” of Deuteronomy 27 is a sobering exercise. May it help to guard us from joining in with our world in praising those who do evil. Let us remember that godliness includes “despising the vile person” (Ps.15:4). While the world is busy heaping “approval on those who practice” sinful things (Rom.1:32), may the “cursings” in today’s Old Testament reading help us perceive the sinfulness of sin.

— Pastor Mike

Deuteronomy 26-27

Offerings of Firstfruits and Tithes...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today in Mark 14 we are in the thick of the unfolding drama of Christ’s crucifixion. Please take time to thank God for his orchestration of our redemption. Thank Christ for his humble willingness to endure the scorn and pain we deserve. Thank the Holy Spirit for his active involvement in seeing it all through, and for his indwelling presence that makes our thanksgiving possible.

— Pastor Mike

Deuteronomy 23-25

Those Excluded from the Assembly

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Don’t be afraid of them (Dt.20:1). How many times does God have to tell his people this basic truth? The fear of anyone or anything except God is nothing but a losing proposition. God would have us fear him alone. We should wake up each day wanting to please the Lord, with little concern for what people think. Trust in the care of your heavenly Father and live fearlessly in the face of a threatening world.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

We should be inspired by the extravagance of the woman with the alabaster flask in Mark 14. While prudence and thrift can be important general principles, there are appropriate times to seek to bring glory to Christ by pulling out all the stops and going over the top. We have many great examples in church history of resolute men and women who produced extreme and amazing works of art, music, and architecture for the glory of God.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

In the book of Deuteronomy we read a reiteration of the dietary restrictions for the Old Testament Israelites. When Christ came he rescinded this ceremonial set of rules (as we recently read in Mark 7:19). Acts 10 sheds light on the role these food regulations played in distinguishing the Jews of the Old Testament and that the abolishment of these rules should remind us of our need to reach the world for Christ.

— Pastor Mike

Deuteronomy 14-16

...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Our reading today starts with the simple and oft repeated principle that if we love God we will purpose to do what he asks. As John wrote in the New Testament, how can we say we love him and not do what he says? May this truth be made even more urgent in our hearts as we read of Christ expounding on the signs of the end of the age in Mark 13.

— Pastor Mike

Deuteronomy 11-13

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

What a terrific text today in the eighth chapter of Deuteronomy. God’s people are told that when things are going well they should never be tempted to think that their progress and prosperity came to them simply because they worked hard or were so talented. God is the giver of all good things. How often we must be impressed with the fact that we are only humble recipients of God’s varied gifts and blessings. Without him we can do nothing.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The word “Deuteronomy” means the “second” giving of the “law.” And in chapter five we have the restatement of the central commands that God himself inscribed for his people on tablets of stone. Let us always remember that God is a Father who cares greatly about the holiness of his people. And as we read the Gospel of Mark let us also be thankful for the way Christ provided us with the perfect human template of holiness, which is applied to all of us who trust in him.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

What a great reminder in today’s Deuteronomy reading that God is an impartial God, who is willing to discipline even Moses for his disobedience. In our Mark reading we should be impressed with the wise and insightful way Jesus dealt with his enemies as they questioned his authority. May God grant us the kind of godly shrewdness that allows us to be unencumbered by those who hate God’s truth.

— Pastor Mike

Deuteronomy 3-4

The D...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

As we launch into Deuteronomy let us remember the cost of not trusting God. Israel’s lack of confidence in God when they were tested at Kadesh-barnea should remind us to walk by faith and not by sight, especially when the going gets tough. May we trust him and his unfailing promises as we go about our work today.

— Pastor Mike

Deuteronomy 1-2

The Command to Leave Horeb

1 These are the words that M...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

In our Old Testament reading today we finish the book of Numbers with a reminder of the mercy of God and of his provision for those inevitable problems the people will face in Canaan. In our New Testament reading we are challenged to consider our ambitions and to rightly understand the biblical meaning of “greatness” in God’s economy. This time in God’s word is needed each day to recalibrate our thinking as we continue to live as sojourners and exiles in this world (1Pt.2:11).

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

As some of the tribes of Israel begin to settle east of the Jordan River and we read the account of God’s leading from Egypt to the promised land, let us take time to chronicle God’s provision and providence in our own lives. God is faithful and good to provide our needs and to sovereignly lead our lives. May we be more faithful to thank him for it.

— Pastor Mike

Numbers 32-33

Reuben a...

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...