One Year Bible Blog

Prayers & Support for victims of Hurricane Katrina

Please pray for those suffering from the effects of Hurricane Katrina.  Now is also a good time for giving to: http://www.redcross.org/   Thanks, Mike

August 31st readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Job 37:1-39:30 ~ 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10
Psalm 44:9-26 ~ Proverbs 22:13

Old Testament - Today we begin reading four amazing chapters in the book of Job when God speaks to Job! We’ve been reading a lot so far about what Job would like to say to God. Well, stay tuned for chapters 38 through 41 in Job starting today... it appears God was indeed listening to Job and has some things to say to him! (and to us...)  I love the opening words of chapter 38 verses 1 through 6 - "Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind: "Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Do you know how its dimensions were determined and who did the surveying? What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?"

New Testament - Paul's words in Second Corinthians chapter 4 verses 16 through 18 are incredible for each of us to take to heart - "That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever."  I don't know about you, but I confess that I all too often get caught up in the troubles we can see right now.  I forget about the joys to come that will last forever.  It's sad when I forget about the joys to come.  There is so much hurt and disaster in our world (which reminds me, please pray for everyone who is suffering because of the effects of Hurricane Katrina), that I am afraid all too often I focus only on these negative things and forget that this is a fallen world where bad things happen.  Through our faith and relationship with Jesus we will one day be in heaven where there will be no more tears.  No more crying.  No more suffering.  But, this side of heaven, we will suffer.  Each of our bodies will deteriorate and we will die.  But, as Paul says in these verses above, though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day!  I pray this is the case for you.  I pray this is the case for me.  Are you experiencing renewal in your spirit every day?  Let us pray for renewal!

Psalms - Every time I read Psalm 44 verse 23 it reminds me of one of the amazing aspects of the Psalms - that the Psalms are people like us speaking to God - and in all sorts of emotional ways: "Wake up, O Lord! Why do you sleep? Get up! Do not reject us forever."  This type of verse reminds me that it's okay for us to not always talk to God in our "church voice."  It's okay to get a little bit passionate in our prayers to God.  I think God would prefer us to be real with him - where we are right now or at any given moment - rather than try to put on any special facades for God.  If ever you feel like you are at a loss for words for what you might want to say to God - how you might be needing to pray to God - surf through the Psalms...  you'll very likely find voice for what you are trying to say.

Proverbs - Today we read in Proverbs chapter 22 verse 13 – “The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!" or, "I will be murdered in the streets!" How does this Proverb speak to you? To me it is a reminder of all of the excuses I can make for not participating in God’s will for my life. I strongly believe that God has an amazing purpose and an amazing plan for each of our lives. I also believe that we can often do a very good job of refusing to participate in God’s plan for our life. We either think that God’s plan really isn’t all that good, so we’ll do things our own way. Or we are simply lazy or afraid or cowardly or who knows what. We make a million excuses for why we won’t get on with God’s plan for our life! How about you? Do you believe that God has an amazing purpose and plan for your life? Do you know what it is? If not, will you seek it? In either case, are you actively working on Kingdom things in your life these days? Are you living out in your life the call of the Gospel to actively love and serve others each and every day? Or are you making excuses?

What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings?  Please post up in the Comments section below!

Grace,
Mike

August 30th readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Job 34:1-36:33 ~ 2 Corinthians 4:1-12
Psalm 44:1-8 ~ Proverbs 22:10-12

Old Testament - Whew!  Elihu goes off on Job and his three friends today!  I did thoroughly enjoy reading the entire rant today.  :)  There is a lot of good stuff in his words today.  Chapter 34 verse 12 was awesome - "There is no truer statement than this: God will not do wrong. The Almighty cannot twist justice."  True dat Elihu!  True dat!

New Testament - I love Second Corinthians chapter 4 verse 1 today.  In fact, if there is nothing else you remember from today's readings I hope you will remember the last 4 words of this verse always - "And so, since God in his mercy has given us this wonderful ministry, we never give up."  We never give up.  That is powerful for each of us to remember.  Why?  Because we will have good and bad days.  Days when we are happy.  Days when we might be feeling sad.  And there will be days when we make mistakes.  When we will stumble.  When we will fall.  But you know what has often gotten me through days like those?  This simple prayer or statement or something that fortunately comes to my mind - "I'm not giving up!"  I say this perhaps too frequently!  :)  Not really.  We perhaps cannot say it enough.  We shouldn't say it as justification for our falling short of God's plan for our life.  But, when we do fall short, I have found it helpful.  And I don't say it just to myself - as if my own will power will get me through the tough times.  I say it to God.  I say it really as a prayer.  I say it almost as a statement against the devil, who would love nothing more than for us to give up.  The devil would love it if we stumbled and stayed on the ground.  If we decided this Christianity thing was just not for us.  But you know what - don't give up!  Particularly not to a joker like the devil.  When times are tough.  When you stumble, pray it to God - "I'm not giving up."  Tell it to the devil.  Tell it to yourself.  We're not giving up!  We're never giving up....  (go frog!)  :)

Verse 7 today is indeed a wonderful reminder that we humans are but jars of clay - "But this precious treasure--this light and power that now shine within us--is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own.'"  We really do have very fragile bodies.  They are wonderful!  But they are fragile.  They break.  We will die.  As one writer puts it, "our condition is terminal."  And it's true.  This side of heaven, our bodies will eventually wear out.  But - as Paul tells us in this verse - there is light and power that shines within us when we are in relationship with Jesus!  The Holy Spirit indwells our earthen vessels.  Our jars of clay.  And hopefully we and others recognize that the glory within us is not our own.  It is of God.  And it is a glory that is available to anyone.  Free of charge.  It's grace and it beckons us to receive God's glory in our jars of clay so that we will live eternally in heavenly bodies.  For now, we are in the hands of the potter...

Psalms - Psalm 44 verse 3 is a wise statement about where the Israelites and our true strength and victory in life comes from - "They did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strength that gave them victory. It was by your mighty power that they succeeded; it was because you favored them and smiled on them." As you look back on your life and at the good things that have happened to you, do you think that these things occurred because of your own power or work alone?  Or, do you think it is possible that God's hand was blessing your life through all of those good things - even if maybe you did not notice God was there at the time?

Proverbs - Proverbs 22 verse 12 is convicting - "The LORD preserves knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the deceitful."  This Proverb reminds me that we truly need to examine our motives.  Why do we do what we do?  Why do we give?  Why do we love?  Why do we volunteer?  And this list goes on.  And I think we need to continually pray that we are doing what we do for pure motives.  Not for any hidden agendas.  Let us not let our left hand know what our right hand is doing.  Because, if we are acting with hidden agendas - selfish motives - it is deceitful.  Deceitful to others and deceitful to ourselves.  We may be tricking ourselves into thinking we are doing something for pure motives when truly there is a selfish agenda in the shadows.  God's grace and love and knowledge can of course heal us of our impure motives.  And this indeed may be a process over the course of our lifetime.  I guess this Proverb jumped out at me because I am realizing that there are times when I do not act with pure motives - particularly when it comes to doing something that on the surface looks good.  I am unfortunately oftentimes subconsciously looking for some glory.  And ultimately, I know that selfish plans will fail.  They will be ruined. How about you?  Why do you do what you do?  Why do you give?  Why do you love?  Why do you volunteer?  Is it all for the glory of God?  Or is there any hint of wanting your own glory?

What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings?  Please post up in the Comments section below!

Grace,
Mike

August 29th readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Job 31:1-33:33 ~ 2 Corinthians 3:1-18
Psalm 43:1-5 ~ Proverbs 22:8-9

Old Testament - Today in Job chapter 31 we will read what I think is one of Job's most profound pleadings.  It is a 10th century B.C. pleading that is ultimately fulfilled by a little baby born in a manger in Bethlehem who is now seated at the right hand of the Father.  Here is Job's prophetic plea in verse 35 - ""If only I had someone who would listen to me and try to see my side!"  You and I are so very fortunate that we do not need to make such a plea as this.  Jesus is in heaven seated on his throne and will receive our prayers!  Jesus listens to us!  Jesus sees our side!  It is humbling to look back toward the time of Job, and realize that Jesus had not yet walked the earth as a man and taken on the sins of the world on the cross.  Jesus had not yet risen from the grave and ascended into heaven.  Job was looking for someone to listen to him and to see his side.  You and I are blessed immensely in this regard.  We do not need to look anywhere else other than toward our Savior, Jesus.

In Job chapters 32 and 33 Elihu becomes angry at Job and his friends and presents his case.  In chapter 32 verses 6 through 10 today we read - "Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said (to Job), "I am young and you are old, so I held back and did not dare to tell you what I think. I thought, `Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.' Surely it is God's Spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent. But sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice. So listen to me and let me express my opinion."

New Testament - I love Paul's words in Second Corinthians verse 3 - "Clearly, you are a letter from Christ prepared by us. It is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on stone, but on human hearts."  That is a great concept!  We are living letters from Jesus sent out to the world!  Have you ever thought of yourself as a letter from Jesus?  I have not, but I like it!  It's also interesting to realize that the Spirit living within us as Christians professes and gives witness to the glory of God oftentimes without us even realizing it.  I heard a quote once that said something like, "Who you are is so strong that I cannot hear a word you are saying."  Basically this quote means that the inherent nature of who we are overshadows our very words.  It's more important than our words - and people notice our inherent nature!  Be it good or be it not so good...  So, if the Spirit of Jesus is within us I do believe that the Holy Spirit gives witness and gives glory to God to others that we come in contact with - even if we don't say a word!  This is the letter that we are from Christ to the world.  The letter that is written on our hearts.  And of course there is St. Francis of Assisi who said, "preach the Gospel at all times - use words only when necessary."  Again, the Spirit of Jesus within us preaches the Gospel to the world even without us consciously saying words.  Don't get me wrong - sometimes words are exactly what are needed.  But oftentimes our very presence through the Spirit of Jesus living within us is more than enough.  So, let us go forth into our world this week as living letters from Jesus to a hurting and dying world that so needs the Good News of the Gospel!  You are a letter from Jesus!

Psalms - I think Psalm 43 verse 5 starts off with a couple of questions that then answer themselves by the end of the verse - "Why am I discouraged?  Why so sad? I will put my hope in God!  I will praise him again--my Savior and my God!" I would agree with what this verse is getting at.  If I find myself to be discouraged or sad, it comes as no great surprise to me that I have been putting my hope in things other than God.  I have been perhaps even praising false idols.  And the sure fire way to be freed from the discouragement or sadness?  To put my hope once again in God and God only.  And to praise him again!  I think this Psalm verse is a great reminder to make sure we are not placing our hope in anything other than God.  For anything other than God will only leave us empty in the end.

Proverbs - I love Proverbs 22 verse 9 - "Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor."  It reads like an additional Beatitude from the book of Matthew / Sermon on the Mount.  And it's so straightforward.  Blessed are those who are generous.  Why?  Because they feed the poor.  Doesn't get more straightforward than that!  Although, I will say that we can be generous not only with our money, but in so many ways that we live our lives.  We can be generous in spirit - to feed the poor in spirit.  We can be generous with our time - to feed those who are time-starved.  We can be generous with our encouragement - to feed those who are feeling down.  We can be generous in our prayers - to feed those who may not yet know how to pray.  And yes, of course, we can be generous with our finances - to feed those who are physically hungry.  What are some ways that you are generous with the poor?

What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings?  Please post up in the Comments section below!

Grace,
Mike

August 28th readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Job 28:1-30:31 ~ 2 Corinthians 2:12-17
Psalm 42:1-11 ~ Proverbs 22:7

Old Testament - Job chapter 28 is incredible!  Could be my favorite chapter of Job so far this year.  I kind of forgot about this chapter from my previous readings of this book.  It seems to me to a large degree this chapter builds up and gets at one of the most important points in the Old Testament Wisdom / Poetry Books (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon) in the closing verse 28 of this chapter - "And this is what God says to all humanity: `The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.'"  Beautiful!  We do hear this theme over and over again in the other Wisdom / Poetry books of the Old Testament.  It is a powerful and true point.  I love the way Job builds up to this point early on in this chapter 28.  Verses 12 through 14 I found to be particularly great - ""But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? No one knows where to find it, for it is not found among the living. `It is not here,' says the ocean. `Nor is it here,' says the sea."  So, how about for you?  Where do you find wisdom?  Where do you find understanding?  What does it mean to you that the fear of the Lord is true wisdom?  Do you believe this is true?  Do you believe that forsaking evil is real understanding?

In Job chapter 29 today we read about his former blessings, including these in verses 7 through 10 - "Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place among the honored leaders. The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming. The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths. The highest officials of the city stood quietly, holding their tongues in respect."

New Testament - Wow... I absolutely love and appreciate Paul's words today in Second Corinthians chapter 2 verses 14 through 16 - "But thanks be to God, who made us his captives and leads us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those being saved and by those perishing. To those who are perishing we are a fearful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved we are a life-giving perfume."  What great imagery!  Our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God!  I love it.  It does get sad - but true - in verse 16 when Paul says that to those who are perishing we are a fearful smell of death and doom.  Why do you suppose this is?  I think it because when someone is living their life completely enslaved to sin and they encounter the light - the fragrance - of the Gospel, they either will embrace it or push it away.  Unfortunately I am afraid some folks - perhaps even us in our past - are so enslaved to sin that the sin literally makes us fear / flee from the light and fragrance of the Gospel.  Unfortunately sin can ensnare someone such that the Gospel is the fragrance of death and gloom because that is where the sin is leading someone who is enslaved to it - to death and gloom.   Sad... and this reminds us of how urgent it is for us to pray for others who are enslaved to sin.  Let us pray the fragrance of the Gospel and the grace of God will turn them back toward the Savior of the World who can free them forever - Jesus Christ.  Jesus - is there a name more fragrant?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Second Corinthians titled "The Sufficiency of God Through his Spirit" is at this link.

Psalms - Today we read Psalm 42 verse 1, which is one of my favorite verses in the Bible! "As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for you, O God."  Wow. That is so right on.  Lately these days I have been longing for God more than ever - and I love that.  I am thankful for that.  There have been seasons in my life - which can certainly be called "dry" seasons - where I have not longed for God.  Where I have not longed for the true Living Water.  I just love the picture this Psalm verse paints in my mind - a deer in the wilderness is fleeing from hunters.  It is literally dying of thirst as it runs.  It is tired.  It is weary.  It is running from death.  And it needs water.  It pants for streams of water.  Like this deer, I pray that I long for God in the same way.  As I flee from sin.  As I am tired.  As I am weary.  As I run from death.  I need God.  I long for God.   How about you?  Do you long for God these days as a deer longs for water?  Are you consistently drinking from the true Living Water?

Proverbs - Great wisdom in Proverbs 22 verse 7 today - "Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender." This Proverb reminds me of some of the "Get Out of Debt" seminars and books that are out there.  I haven't read any of the books, but I did run sound for a half day seminar a while back, and I found it to be really good.  It is true that we are so caught up in a cycle of debt here in the U.S. - and I imagine in other countries too.  The thing I remember from the half day seminar is that we will never get out of debt if we cannot control our "appetites."  If we cannot stop buying and spending and consuming beyond what we really need, we'll continue to be in debt.  And once we are in debt, we are indeed slaves to the lender.  Slaves to our credit card companies.  Pretty scary when you think about it.  I pray that if you are struggling with debt, you do check out a seminar or book - don't buy the book if you can help it!  :)  Get it from the library.  We need to stop our impulses to "BUY NOW" or "DON"T MISS OUT" on x, y or z.  Let's get out of debt and get out of slavery to our lenders.  Literally cut up that credit card if that's what you need to do to control your out-of-control spending...

What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings?  Please post up in the Comments section below!

Grace,
Mike

August 27th readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Job 23:1-27:23 ~ 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11
Psalm 41:1-13 ~ Proverbs 22:5-6

Short post today.  Back to a full post tomorrow!  :)

Psalms - Today in Psalm 41 verse 1 we read – “Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble.” For some reason this verse really opens up my heart. Something about the word “weak.” Maybe this verse really speaks to me because I myself feel weak at times. And yet, I am so blessed in so many ways. And I realize that there are so many others out there in this world who may not have the blessings that I have, and who are struggling through an extremely tough cycle of weakness. And I wonder – what am I doing to help those who are weak? Do I really have regard for the weak? Do you? What in our life really demonstrates that we have regard for the weak? Are we investing time or finances into the weak? Are we praying for the weak? Are we loving the weak?

What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings?  Please post up in the Comments section below!

Grace,
Mike

August 26th readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Job 20:1-22:30 ~ 2 Corinthians 1:1-11
Psalm 40:11-17 ~ Proverbs 22:2-4

Old Testament - Today in Job chapter 21 verses 7 through 13 we read these words of Job - ""The truth is that the wicked live to a good old age. They grow old and wealthy. They live to see their children grow to maturity, and they enjoy their grandchildren. Their homes are safe from every fear, and God does not punish them. Their bulls never fail to breed. Their cows bear calves without miscarriage. Their children skip about like lambs in a flock of sheep. They sing with tambourine and harp. They make merry to the sound of the flute. They spend their days in prosperity; then they go down to the grave in peace."   How do these words of Job speak to you?  Is there truth in these words?   If the wicked go to the grave in peace, what happens to them after the grave?  Honestly, I'm not so sure about the wicked living to a good old age and going to the grave in peace...  I personally would not take this chance.  I think living a wicked life leads to inner conflict and an unhealthy life and potentially an early grave.  I understand why Job said these words in his circumstances, but I personally would not bet on a wicked life delivering a long lifetime of wealth or peace...

New Testament - Today we begin Paul's Second Letter to the church in Corinth!  Below is "The Apostle Paul", by the artist Rembrandt van Ryn, 1657 - Widener Collection -

~ Second Corinthians ~
Author: Paul the apostle
Place: Ephesus
Date: A.D. 57
Content: Paul’s earlier letter to the Corinthians had not settled all of the problems. It had some good effect upon them but much more remained to be done. In particular, Paul had to settle the problem concerning his own authority. Deep suspicions had been aroused concerning him, for what reasons we do not fully understand. But in great anguish Paul writes to reestablish his own apostolic authority. He also attempts to deal with some more practical matters, like supporting the poor believers elsewhere.
Theme: Triumph over adversity is seen throughout this letter. It is a very personal one, written by one who loved his people but had been deeply wronged by them. As Paul catalogs the experiences of his life and the nature of the Christian ministry, it is possible to see the grace of God at work bringing good from evil. Satan is active, seeking to destroy God’s work, but God is greater still, establishing those who trust in him. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 25)

More commentary on Second Corinthians is at these 3 links –
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=1203
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=1830
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=1831

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Second Corinthians chapter 1 titled "Why Bad things happen to God's people" is at this link.

Psalms - Today Psalm 40 verse 16 stood out to me for it's pure joy and praise - "But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The LORD is great!""  Does this verse resonate with you today?  Have you searched for God in your life?  Are you filled with joy and gladness because of that search?  Do you love God's salvation?  Do you shout praises to God for all he has done for you?

Maybe if verse 16 does not resonate for you today, hopefully verse 17 can encourage you - "As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord is thinking about me right now. You are my helper and my savior. Do not delay, O my God."  Do you believe that God is thinking about you right now?  Do you believe that God is your helper and your savior?

Proverbs - Proverbs 22 verse 2 is a great reminder that our wealth or status does not affect who we are in God's eyes or in God's very hands - "The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD made them both."  As we are all created by God, we should not ever consider ourselves better than anyone - nor lesser than anyone - because someone else has a different set of finances than we do.  If you think about it, every single person you meet has a different set of finances than you do.  Some are richer, some are poorer.  And yet we all have this in common - God made us.  How might this affect how you view others in this world?  Do you literally and consciously realize that God made each and every one of us?  Below is Michelangelo's "Creation" from the Sistine Chapel in Rome, circa 1505-1513 -

What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings?  Please post up in the Comments section below!

Grace,
Mike

August 25th readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Job 16:1-19:29 ~ 1 Corinthians 16:1-24
Psalm 40:1-10 ~ Proverbs 22:1

Old Testament - Whew... Job hits some rock bottom lows in chapter 17 today.  Job's words in verses 11 through 16 are about as despairing as a person can get - "My days are over. My hopes have disappeared. My heart's desires are broken. They say that night is day and day is night; how they pervert the truth! I might go to the grave and make my bed in darkness. And I might call the grave my father, and the worm my mother and my sister. But where then is my hope? Can anyone find it? No, my hope will go down with me to the grave. We will rest together in the dust!"

New Testament - We wrap up Paul's first letter to the Corinthians today!  What an amazing book!  I have been blessed immensely by it this year.  I hope you have too.  I like Paul's instructions to the church in Corinth in chapter 16 verses 1 through 3 today - "Now about the money being collected for the Christians in Jerusalem: You should follow the same procedures I gave to the churches in Galatia. On every Lord's Day, each of you should put aside some amount of money in relation to what you have earned and save it for this offering. Don't wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once."  I love this last sentence!  It made me smile.  Paul knows how us humans are - back then and now - we like to procrastinate!  Do things at the last minute if we can.  Well, I concur with Paul that our giving to our churches should be a regular thing.  With each pay check we should "put aside some amount of money in relation to what you have earned."  Really, as I think about it, giving of money to our churches with each paycheck is an act of worship.  We are worshiping God with our finances.  Let us not wait to give to our churches.  Let us give faithfully and regularly with each paycheck God blesses us with.

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in First Corinthians titled "Paul's Closing Words" is at this link.

Psalms - Okay, so the U2 fans out there will know that the band released a song called "40" in 1983 on their "War" album, inspired by Psalm 40.   The band took most of the lyrics for this song straight from the early verses of this Psalm - and I quote here from the song, not the Psalm per se - "I waited patiently for the Lord, He inclined and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit; Out of the miry clay.  He set my feet upon a rock; And made my footsteps firm. Many will see; Many will see and hear." The full lyrics from the song and some commentary are at this link.  The song also could have also been called "6" because the refrain is from Psalm 6 verse 3 - "How long, O LORD, how long?"  A quote from Bono on the song from the link above is this - ""'40' became the closing song at U2 shows and on hundreds of occasions, literally hundreds of thousands of people of every size and shape t-shirt have shouted back the refrain pinched from 'Psalm 6': 'How long to sing this song.' I thought of it as a nagging question - pulling at the hem of an invisible deity whose presence we glimpse only when we act in love. How long...hunger? How long...hatred? How long until creation grows up and the chaos of its precocious adolescence has been discarded? I thought it odd that the vocalising of such questions could bring such comfort; to me too.""   Has anyone heard U2 play "40" in concert before?  I did once back on the Joshua Tree tour way back in 1987.  It's a beautiful song - written really by David!  Okay, enough U2 for one post...  :)

Proverbs - Beautiful Proverb verse 1 to start off the 22nd Chapter of Proverbs!  "Choose a good reputation over great riches, for being held in high esteem is better than having silver or gold."  Do you believe this Proverb to be true?  Which do you seek after more - a good reputation or money?  You know though, the more I think about this Proverb I have some concerns about it.  Only in that if we seek after having a good reputation, then we may really be focusing on ourselves and how other people look at us, rather than focusing on Kingdom things.  We may decide to do something because it's "popular", rather than it being "right."  We may give to the poor with blazing trumpets because this will help our reputation - but Jesus clearly said we should not do this.  Does this make sense?  I mean given the choice of a good reputation or being rich, this Proverb is clearly true.  But it's not enough.  That's why we need to read the entire Bible to get the full context of everything else that surrounds any 1 particular verse in the Bible, like this one.  One verse is not enough.  It's truth.  But not enough.  We need the entire Bible.  Good for you for going through the One Year Bible this year!  Please do keep up your study of the entire Bible beyond just this year.  We need the entire Bible for our entire life...

What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings?  Please post up in the Comments section below!

Grace,
Mike

August 24th readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Job 12:1-15:35 ~ 1 Corinthians 15:29-58
Psalm 39:1-13 ~ Proverbs 21:30-31

Old Testament - Wow.  There are some great words of wisdom from Job in today's readings.  I love the poetry of his words today.  A lot of it reminds me of the book of Ecclesiastes, which we'll read later this year.  Below is an illustration of Job and his three friends from the Book of Hours of Etienne Chevalier by the 15th century French painter, Jean Fouquet -

New Testament - Today in First Corinthians chapter 15 verses 42 through 44 and 49 we read – “So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. . . And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.” Have you thought much about heaven? Have you considered life after death? Do you believe that there will be a resurrection of the dead? Do you believe that your body will be raised imperishable? That your body will raised in glory? In power? Do you believe that there is a spiritual body, just like we now know our earthly body? Are you looking forward to bearing the likeness of Jesus in heaven?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in First Corinthians 15 titled "A Refresher Course on the Resurrection of the Dead" is at this link.

Psalms - Today in Psalm 39 verse 5 we read – “My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath." This is a powerful verse for each of us to meditate upon. How does this verse speak to you? Do you feel like life moves fast sometimes? If so, how are you spending your time? Are you being intentional about how you invest your time? Are you being intentional about your work? Your friends? Your finances? Volunteering? Serving others? Loving others? Watching TV – or better yet, not watching TV? :) If life really is “but a breath” – are you spending your breath wisely? With your breath are you constantly loving God with all your heart and loving your neighbor as yourself?

Proverbs -  Today in Proverbs 21 verse 31 we read – “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.” How does this Proverb speak to you? For me it is a reminder that anything we do in our life is dependent on the Lord. If we want to be successful in life – in our jobs, ministries, marriages, friendships, anything – we will only be successful if the Lord is with us. So, how do we know if the Lord is with us? My first suggestion is prayer. I believe we should commit every thing we do to prayer. I will admit that lately my prayer life has not been very good. And I’ve noticed the effects of it. I want victory is so many areas of my life – but it seems like I am too often “saddling up” the horse without seeking the Lord’s guidance and wisdom and blessing. How is your prayer life these days? Are you committing everything you do to prayer? Are you earnestly seeking through prayer the Lord’s guidance, wisdom and blessing, knowing that victory rests only with the Lord?

What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings?  Please post up in the Comments section below!

Grace,
Mike

August 23rd readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Job 8:1-11:20 ~ 1 Corinthians 15:1-28
Psalm 38:1-22 ~ Proverbs 21:28-29

Old Testament - In Job chapter 10 today we read his plea to God, including this in verses 18 through 22 - "`Why, then, did you bring me out of my mother's womb? Why didn't you let me die at birth? Then I would have been spared this miserable existence. I would have gone directly from the womb to the grave. I have only a little time left, so leave me alone--that I may have a little moment of comfort before I leave for the land of darkness and utter gloom, never to return. It is a land as dark as midnight, a land of utter gloom where confusion reigns and the light is as dark as midnight.'"

New Testament - Beautifully true words from Paul today in First Corinthians chapter 15 verses 3 & 4 - "I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me--that Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, as the Scriptures said."  And then there are some interesting words from Paul in verses 17 through 19 - "And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless, and you are still under condemnation for your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ have perished! And if we have hope in Christ only for this life, we are the most miserable people in the world."  He immediately follows up these verses with this statement in verse 20 - "But the fact is that Christ has been raised from the dead. He has become the first of a great harvest of those who will be raised to life again."  This is quite a chapter from Paul about the Resurrection of Jesus and the Resurrection of the dead.  I think the key question we each need to ask ourselves is: do you believe that Jesus was born on this earth 2,000 years ago, is the Son of God, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for your sins, and on the third day rose from the dead?  This is the question on which all of Christianity - and your personal faith in Jesus - hinges.  So, what say you?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in First Corinthians 15 titled "A Refresher Course on the Resurrection of the Dead" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 28 today reminds me of the season of Lent!  This Psalm of David is powerful.  Verses 4 & 5 speak so much to our human condition - "My guilt overwhelms me--it is a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds fester and stink because of my foolish sins."  Does this verse speak to you in any way, shape or form?   If so, please consider then verse 18 - "But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done." Will you today confess your sins to God?  Will you admit that you are truly sorry for your sins?  Will you pray for healing from your sins?  Will you make confession of your sins to God a regular practice?

Proverbs - Proverb chapter 21 verse 29 today is subtle but powerful - "The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright proceed with care."  Have you ever seen folks that put up a bold front, but don't have much behind it all?  And then seen those that are so humble and maybe even seem quiet, but then deliver incredible fruits.  As Jesus said - you'll know a tree by its fruit.  A bad tree cannot produce good fruit and a good tree cannot produce bad fruit.  This Proverb is a great reminder that the front / the sales pitch / the first impression is not the fruit.  It's what comes next and what is delivered with quality and consistency that comes next.  Do you put up a bold front at times?  Or do you make it a habit to instead proceed with care?

What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings?  Please post up in the Comments section below!

Grace,
Mike