Day 583 - Acts 2 & Psalm 25

 Julie

This is where they are baptized in the Holy Spirit. I still really don't understand even this discussion of them speaking in tongues but understanding each other. Is speaking in tongues the fact that they all speak a different language but can understand, or is it a language that is spoken between the speaker and God? I kind of feel like most denominations gloss over this part and I would assume because they are not sure what to make of it either.

He is asking God to teach him his path and show him how to follow God.

Michelle

My understanding of them speaking in tongues is that they are speaking in languages not their own.  If I recall correctly, when the people were split early on by God, they were scattered, and their languages changed.  So, when the Holy spirit falls on them, they begin to speak and understand as they did in ancient times.  I am not certain this is correct, but that is what I am getting from it.  Other things that stand out to me in this reading are that now it is Peter who seems to lead the disciples and addresses the people.  He shares what God has said about these times.  He speaks of words from David and how he was a prophet from God and how his words are relevant for the time.  At the end it speaks about how many were baptized and added to the believers' numbers and that they took care of each other and continued to add to God's people daily.

David seems to be praying to God to show him the path he should be on and to guard his life.  He seems to be asking telling God that he will follow him and praise him forever.

Day 582 - Acts 1 & Psalm 24

 Julie

The apostles finally understand that all of the things that happened had to in order for Jesus to fulfill his prophecy and that everything that happened had been spoken about a long time before Jesus. The death of Judas seemed a little bizarre in the explanation. The first few verses of Acts talking about the Holy Spirit and people receiving it, even being baptized in it. From what I have experienced there is confusion around what this means. I know that different demonination interpret this part very differently. The Apostolic or Presbyterians believe that this is why they can speak in tongues because they have been baptized by the Holy Spirit and they are speaking in their own way to God. He says they will get "power" when they are baptized by the Holy Spirit and be his witnesses. If I remember correctly this type of thing is mentioned a few times in Acts and it even says that they will be able to perform the same acts as Jesus. 

If we lift up ourselves and are righteous God will protects us and do for us.

Michelle

I didn't know that Jesus had shown himself after resurrection for 40 days to the disciples.  The parts that stand out to me in this reading are:  First, Jesus says, "...But in a few days you will be baptized by the Holy Spirit".  Second, he says, "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority."  We often struggle with knowing God's timing of things.  Something the devotional points out is verse 14 which says, "They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers".   It's interesting because it talks about family being split in their beliefs and how Mary prayed for hers constantly, and how in the end Jesus' brothers were there praying with her.  Something else in this reading speaks of replacing Judas.  You are right that his death is bizarre sounding.  

If we trust in God alone, and not in idols or false gods, we will ascend to God's place.

Day 581 - Psalm 23

 Michelle

This is a very popular psalm.  It is David talking about how God is always with him and how he leads him to calm and refreshes him.  He speaks of comfort and being guided along the right paths.  Reading this today, I think I needed to hear it.  I am feeling like I need some calm and refreshment.  I feel the need to get away from it all and find some peace and quiet.  I guess it's saying that I need to seek that in God.

Julie

The Lord will lead us to greener pastures if we will just let him.

Day 580 - Psalm 22

 Michelle

I think he is asking God to be near to him and give him help as no one else is helping him.  It also seems like he is praising God for all he does, or has done.  

Julie

It almost felt like he was asking God why he was having to wait for help and then praising. I am not sure if I read that right. I feel like we do this sometimes where we ask why it is taking so long, but then we remember that we should be praising him as well.

Day 579 - John 21 & Psalm 21

 Michelle

I don't recall this story about Jesus and the disciples catching fish after he was resurrected.  I also do not recall hearing about the death of Simon Peter and Jesus telling him that his death would glorify God.  But that is what it seems is referenced in the end of this chapter.  It's also interesting that it says Jesus did so many things that even if they wrote every one down, there wouldn't be enough room for all the books.  

The psalm seems to be about all the Lord has given to the king.  I am assuming it's king David.  

Julie

I don't recall this either. I wonder why John is referring to himself in the way that he does in this book. That's what the explanation says anyway is that "the one that Jesus loved" was John. Is this an assumption because of the way the last few verses are written?

I would assume the same.

Day 578 - John 20 & Psalm 20

 Michelle

This goes through the empty tomb and Mary Magdalene seeing Jesus and their interaction.  It also speaks about him appearing to his disciples and I am guessing this Thomas is the doubting Thomas?  Anyway, what stands out to me is when Jesus says, "because you have seen me you believe; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed".  It seems like he is saying that those people are more blessed because they have not held back their belief until seeing signs, but have so much faith they don't need the signs.  I wish I could say I started with that much faith, but I am one who needed signs and sometimes still looks for them.  I know that isn't right, but it's the truth.  I want to have blind faith all the time, but I sometimes find myself questioning what I believe.  

This psalm sounds like David is seeking protection for others.  He is asking God to protect them and that he give them the desires of their hearts.  

Julie

You have to give yourself some credit in your belief. I know that you say that you need signs and I think that we all do sometimes to really understand what we are looking or waiting for, but that it not what this is. He says, blessed are those that have not seen and  yet have believed, we have done that...you have done that. You do believe and have not had to touch his hands and needed physical proof that this happened. We have chosen to take on faith all of things that we are told in the Bible. So really you have more faith that you are giving yourself credit for. Do we all still struggle with that? Sure we do. We are human and questioning is ok, it's how we find answers.

May the Lord answer our prayers and calls for help.

Day 577 - John 19 & Psalm 19

 Michelle

It still just baffles me that Pilate didn't find any reason to crucify Jesus, yet the Jewish leaders just wanted him killed.  In this reading it says that the Jewish leaders had a law that he must die because he claimed to be the Son of God.  I don't recall this specific law in our reading so far.  And maybe it's not listed in the bible.  This reading goes on to tell about the crucifixion and what they did to Jesus.  I wonder if this is how they treated all those that were being crucified or if it was just Jesus whom endured this level of treatment.  The rest of this reading goes through Jesus' death and burial.  Some things that stand out to me are that he died before they had the chance to break his legs and force his death and that they stabbed him to make sure he was dead.  These seem extreme to me but such was the times I guess.  Also the burial talks about Joseph of Arimathea and that he kept his discipleship secret like all the others.  When you read about all that he went through for the people and yet they still don't all believe.  It's just heartbreaking in a way.  But then I remember that we choose to believe and there are many that make constant bad choices in their lives, and this is just another of those choices.

This psalm seems to be speaking to God's word and how his words or decrees are shown through the work of his hands.  In the skies and the heavens, and how it's all more precious than gold and sweeter than honey.

Julie

This is definitely a difficult one to wrap your head around. I believe that they treated him extra harsh and did more to him than they usually did to others. There was such hate in people about him that really does not make sense. In regards to the "law" about calling himself the Son of God, I don't believe that there was a literal law about that in the Bible and what they are talking about is something that is one of the first 5 books because that is where they took there "laws" from. I found this site where they listed what they call the 613 Mitzvot, or laws of the Torah (which is the first five books of the Bible,) it's the way things are worded that they felt that Jesus was breaking the law.

I like the way that you summarized that.