Tag: But First Bible

Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.

Our two readings today are from Exodus 37-38 and Matthew 23:23-39.

My goal with this podcast is not just to give you my thoughts and reflections on the bible, but I want to be able to point you in the right direction so that you can dig deeper in God’s word on your own. And so today I want to highlight my top two Bible reference books.

I was recommended these books as an 18 year old. They are big and thick and would take a longtime to read through! But just like a dictionary, they are not meant to be read through, but to be dipped in and out of depending on what you want to look up.

What are the books? Both of them are published by IVP and they are called:

• The New Bible Dictionary
• The New Bible Commentary

They will cost you about $40 each. John Stott says: “I doubt if there is any better value for money today than the New Bible Dictionary and the New Bible Commentary. As basic books for every thinking Christian’s library they are indispensable.”

The New Bible Dictionary is a “comprehensive A – Z of Bible terms, place names, books, people and doctrines”. The New Bible Commentary is “a one-volume commentary on the whole Bible”.

I use them pretty much every week. The paper versions have more or less fallen apart, but I now also have a digital copy of both books. You could go to www.logos.com to download the digital, or order the paper ones online.

Continue reading “Feb 5 – Exodus 37-38; Matthew 23:23-39 – GOD’S DWELLING PLACE”

Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.

Our bible readings for today are Exodus 34-36 and Matthew 23:1-22.

According to McCrindle Research, 65% of Australians say they are negatively influenced by hypocrisy: where Christians fail to practise what they preach.

But here’s the thing, religious hypocrisy isn’t new! In fact, Jesus was against religious hypocrisy as well. In Matthew 23, Jesus speaks out against the religious leaders of his day. Most of the chapter is made up of a series of woes – or judgments – that Jesus pronounces over the Pharisees and other religious leaders for their hypocrisy.

Have a look at, Matthew 23:1–12

[1] Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, [2] “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, [3] so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. [4] They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. [5] They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, [6] and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues [7] and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. [8] But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. [9] And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. [10] Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. [11] The greatest among you shall be your servant. [12] Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (ESV)

They preach, but do not practice.
They place heavy burdens on people, but don’t lift a finger.
The deeds they do? They do to be seen and noticed
They love titles, but don’t love Jesus.
They exalt themselves, putting themselves at the centre of their religion.

Continue reading “Feb 4 – Exodus 34-36; Matthew 23:1-22 – RELIGIOUS HYPOCRISY”

Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.

Our Bible readings for today are Exodus 31-33 and Matthew 22:23-46.

It’s Sunday – I hope and trust you’re able to get along to a gathering with God’s people somewhere near you today. Here are four questions for you to ask of one of the passages from today.

1. What do we learn about GOD?
2. What do we learn about PEOPLE?
3. What do we learn about God’s plan to save people through JESUS?
4. What should be our RESPONSE?

Continue reading “Feb 3 – Exodus 31-33; Matthew 22:23-46 – WEEKEND EDITION”

Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.

Congratulations, you’ve made it to February! Before we get into our readings for today, I thought I’d share a few podcast stats with you.

During January there were over 8500 downloads! 80% of listeners were based in Australia, 10% in the United States, 5% in the UK & New Zealand, and the other 5% spread across 79 different countries. 65% of people listened via an Apple device and January 1 remains the most listened to episode.

Thank you for following along with this podcast, I’ve been encouraged by the work God has been doing in so many of you through reading his word together. If you ever have any questions or are looking for a church, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via a message on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

Okay, today’s readings are from Exodus 27-28 and Matthew 21:23-46.

Two days ago we saw God’s covenant confirmed with Moses and the people in Exodus 24. Straight after that we are introduced to the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus 25. This was basically a gold-covered wooden chest that was to contain the tablets where God gave the law to Moses and a bunch of other things.  Exodus 25 also introduces us to a table of bread and a golden lampstand. In Exodus 26 we are introduced to the tabernacle. The Tabernacle was like a portable temple or dwelling place for God. In the tabernacle were housed the ark of the covenant, the table for bread, the golden lampstand and a number of other things.

The tabernacle was really significant, it was a tangible expression among the people of Israel of God’s presence with them.

I want to focus in on the three things mentioned in Exodus 27 from today’s reading.

Continue reading “Feb 1 – Exodus 27-28; Matthew 21:23-46 – THE TABERNACLE”

Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.

Today’s readings are from Exodus 25-26 and Matthew 21:1-22.

One of the things we’ve been noticing in Matthew’s gospel is the idea of promise and fulfilment. Matthew wants to show his readers the connections between God’s promises in the Old Testament and how they find their fulfilment in Jesus Christ.

I’m going to read part of our Matthew 21 passage, and as I read I want you to keep an ear out for the Old Testament quotes. If you’ve got time, look up those quotes in the Old Testament and consider the significance of them.

If your bible has cross-references in the margins, you can use those to work out where the quotes are from. If you don’t, just go to esv.org or the ESV App and you can click on all the references in each verse.

Continue reading “Jan 31 – Exodus 25-26; Matthew 21:1-22 – THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY”

Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.

Today our readings are from Exodus 22-24 and Matthew 20:17-34.

Okay as we track with the narrative of Exodus, we have seen that God has now rescued his people from slavery in Egypt and in Exodus 19 he calls them to obey him and keep a covenant with him. A covenant is a relationship that God establishes with his people. As part of a covenant, God makes promises, and then God calls his people to remain faithful to Him.

In Exodus 20 God gives his people the Ten Commandments, laws that God is calling his rescued people to obey and help remain faithful to Him. And then in Exodus 21-23 God fleshes out a bunch of those laws with further details.

In Exodus 24 we have the confirmation of God’s covenant with Moses and the Israelites. God’s people commit to walk in obedience to the God who saved them.

Continue reading “Jan 30 – Exodus 22-24; Matthew 20:17-34 – BLOOD OF THE COVENANT”