Daily Bible Reading

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

<...

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...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we read of the old covenant’s directions for the worship center, which I hope reminds us of the importance of our worship gatherings. May we see the value God places on excellence, and how important it is that we gather together regularly in our worship center in honor of Christ, bringing him our best. As we read of the cries of “hosanna” in Matthew 21, may we always have a deepening desire to gather with God’s people to worship Jesus Christ.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Remember that Israel was “exiting” Egypt without the benefit of Egypt’s courts, laws, and regulations. God is gracious to provide a set of civil codes to allow the Israelites to adjudicate the inevitable problems and disputes that will arise. In our New Testament reading we are preparing for the meaningful events of the Passion Week, as Christ’s earthly ministry moves toward its culmination. How thankful we should be that Christ willingly gave his life as our substitute.

— Pastor Mike

<...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we review some of the most enduring and influential words that have ever been written. They were also the first words that God wrote to us. Recall that Moses, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, pens the first five books of the Old Testament during the wilderness wanderings, which take place after God inscribes these words on the stone tablets. May they bring fresh conviction and encouragement to us today.

— Pastor Mike

Exodus 19-21

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

As we commence with the lingering theme of “grumbling” in our Old Testament reading, I trust that we will be challenged to replace our critical tendencies with thanksgiving. Even in “the wilderness”, when God isn’t granting us all we want, I pray we will remember that God is faithful to provide us with all we need.

— Pastor Mike

Exodus 16-18

Bread from Heaven

16 They set out from Elim, and all the congregation o...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

May today’s reading remind us that we are not our own. May it prompt us to be thankful for the leadership and provision of God in our everyday lives. May it also cause us to remember the high value God places on our earthly promises and covenants. Praying that your time in the word continues to make an impact in your life throughout the day.

— Pastor Mike

Exodus 13-15

Consecration of the Firstborn

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we read of the dramatic and sobering first Passover. It is the archetype of Christ’s own sacrifice almost 1,500 years later, and should remind us that the central tenet of Christianity is serious and profound. How wrong moderns are to see Christianity as a happy philosophy for life improvement. How deeply grateful we should be for the costly forgiveness found in Christ.

— Pastor Mike

Exodus 11-12

A Final Plague Threatened

11 The Lord s...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Exodus continues the record of God’s stern treatment of Pharaoh’s nation. May we learn to be sensitive, as opposed to hardhearted, when we find ourselves on the wrong side of God’s will. Today in Matthew we read some amazingly potent words from Christ. Don’t read them too quickly. Take your time, and let each paragraph make its impression on you the way God intended.

— Pastor Mike

Exodus 9-10

The Fifth Plague: Egyp...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

How often we forget the way temporal disasters can yield eternal blessings. Terrible “plagues” can bring men and women to their knees to penitently consider sin, personal culpability, and the universal need for repentance. Obviously many don’t, but how many there are who do, and just ponder for a moment the unending relief that is enjoyed by some because a painful trial led them to reach out for God’s grace.

— Pastor Mike

Exodus 7-8

Moses an...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

What a terrific reminder that God’s work can take place even through the most unlikely vessels. If God made us and graciously chooses to utilize us for his purpose, our job is to step up by faith, trusting that God can and will work even through our obvious limitations and impediments. May that truth encourage you today as you read of Moses’ encounter with God.

— Pastor Mike

Exodus 4-6

Moses Given Powerful Signs

4 The...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

As Exodus begins to unfold we see the birth of a deliverer who foreshadows the ultimate Deliverer – the one who frees us from the tyranny and consequences of sin. How grateful we can be for the extension of God’s grace through the redemptive work of Christ, which extends even to the Canaanite woman of Matthew 15.

— Pastor Mike

Exodus 1-3

Israel Increases Greatly in Egypt

1 These are the names of the sons of Israe...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

So much of the fascinating richness of these prophetic words regarding the sons of Jacob is enhanced each time we read through the entire Bible, for each year we can appreciate more and more the unfolding of these promises throughout both the Old and New Testament writings. How great it is to serve a God who sees the end from the beginning.

— Pastor Mike

Genesis 49-50

Jacob Blesses His Sons

49 Then Jacob call...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

I am praying that your time in God’s word today fuels your love for the Lord, and deepens your respect for his power. May you remember afresh what it means to worship God and live for Christ wherever you go and whatever you do this day.

— Pastor Mike

Genesis 46-48

Joseph Brings His Family to Egypt

46 So Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, and offere...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

I pray that the dramatic story of Joseph and his brothers is an encouragement to you today. May the hope of right prevailing over wrong motivate us all to be resolute about our calling in this world. May the overwhelming evidence of Christ’s divinity as recorded by Matthew also spur us on to promote his reputation and advance his cause in our world today.

— Pastor Mike

Genesis 44-45

Joseph Tests His Brothers

44...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

May we all see something of God’s redemptive work in our relationships. It is so good to read of the beginnings of God’s work of restoration and reconciliation in the lives of Joseph and his brothers. Good also, is the teaching from Christ regarding the indomitable growth and ultimate success of God’s kingdom, even in the face of its regular rejection by so many.

— Pastor Mike

Genesis 42-43

Joseph’s Brothers Go to Egypt<...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

I am grateful for the vindication that eventually comes to those who walk faithfully with God. May our hearts be encouraged as we read God’s word today and recognize that, while it may take more time than we’d like, the good is always rewarded and the injustice is always made right.

— Pastor Mike

Genesis 41

Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams

41 After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, 2 an...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we are reminded of the sins and temptations that abound in our world. May our relationship with Christ be proved genuine by the “good fruit” Jesus spoke of in Matthew 12, which God has promised to produce in and through the lives of his regenerate people. Praying that your life demonstrates the holiness that often proves costly in a world wired to please itself.

— Pastor Mike

Genesis 38-40

Judah and Tamar

38 It happened...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

As we read of the power of envy and jealousy in the life of Joseph, may we allow the Holy Spirit to bring great conviction when these destructive sins take root in our own hearts. May we learn to rejoice in the blessings and advancement of others. May we sincerely learn to love our brothers and sisters in Christ, and replace coveting with mutual rejoicing and thanksgiving.

— Pastor Mike

Genesis 36-37

Esau’s Descendants