December 31st One Year Bible Readings

You are invited to join us on the One Year Bible journey in 2008!  We currently have over 4,000 people in 35 countries around the world signed up for our free weekly email filled with commentary, encouragement, and questions for reflection.  To join us on the journey in 2008 click on this link for more details and to sign up!

~ Click on this link for today's December 31st readings ~
Malachi 3:1-4:6 ~ Revelation 22:1-21
Psalm 150:1-6 ~ Proverbs 31:25-31

Happy New Year!  Congratulations to everyone who completed the One Year Bible journey in 2007 today!  It has been awesome to go through the journey this year with each of you.  It is quite a blessing to realize that you've read through God's Word this past year!  It has been a huge blessing for me.  God has continued to transform me this past year through this journey.  Reading through the Bible in a year will change us.  For the better!  :)

Old Testament - Today we finish the book of the prophet Malachi, and it is an awesome 2 chapters we read today!  The first half of Malachi chapter 3 verse 1 is prophesying 400 years in advance of the coming of John the Baptist, who will prepare people's hearts for Jesus by preaching repentance of sins: ""Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me." This is a great thing to reflect on as we close out one year and begin anew.  Do we need a messenger from God to encourage us to repent from our sins?  Will we listen to that messenger and make way for the coming of Jesus into our hearts and lives?  The second half of verse 1 then prophesies that Jesus is indeed coming to usher in the new covenant, or the new testament: "The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming," says the LORD Almighty."  The Good News for us today is that Jesus has come already for the forgiveness of sins and Jesus is coming again in glory!

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site.

Verse 2 tells us this about Jesus: "For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal or like a strong soap that whitens clothes."  Will you allow Jesus to refine you through his holy fire?  And make you pure through his holy soap?  (Okay, I realize this is a bit cheesy wording here - has anyone ever called Jesus holy soap before?? :) Actually, would you believe it - I found an image of "Jesus soap" online, as you'll see below! How this all ties into our Malachi readings today I've lost track of... I apologize for my end-of-year giddiness... :)

Verses 6 & 7 are so powerful for us to reflect upon: ""I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already completely destroyed. Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my laws and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty."  As I reflect back upon our One Year Bible readings this year, it is so true that God does not change.  He has shown so much compassion over and over again to the Israelites in the Old Testament.  And he continues to show so much compassion to us today over and over again.  In light of God's holy and unchanging love and compassion for us, will we return to Him?  As you look back on our One Year Bible readings this year, do you agree with God's statement here that He does not change?  Do you believe that all the way from the Old Testament's Genesis to the New Testament's Revelation God does not change?

Verse 10 is one of my favorites and one of the most challenging in the Bible: "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the LORD Almighty, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!"   This verse has and will continue to be interpreted so many ways.  Check out the NIV translation of Malachi 3:10 (slightly different than the NLT version above) - "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."   It is very rare in the Bible that God says "test me" and follows it up with an incredible promise of a blessing.  In 2008, will you test God with a tithe?  In 2008, will you trust God with your tithe?

Chapter 4 verse 2 makes me smile with the metaphor of us being compared to a calf frolicking in a field: "But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture."  Do you want to be set free?  Truly free from your burdens and doing things that you do not want to do?  Will you entrust your life to the Sun (Son?) of Righteousness, Jesus?   And then - are you looking forward to leaping with joy like a calf let out to pasture??  :)   I love this metaphor...  it will stick with me.

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Malachi titled "God's Justice and Faithfulness" is at this link and "Preparing for the Day of the Lord" is at this link.

New Testament - Today we finish the book of Revelation with a glorious chapter describing the New Jerusalem in heaven, and with a clear reminder that Jesus is coming again!  Below is artist Pat Marvenko Smith's look "Through the Gate of the Eternal City" from Revelation 22:1-6 in today's readings:

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site.

Chapter 22 verses 1 & 2 are so beautiful: "And the angel showed me a pure river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, coursing down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations."   This river combines the elements of the river in the Garden of Eden - see Genesis 2:8-14 - and the river flowing from the temple in Ezekiel's vision - see Ezekiel 47:1-12.  I love this idea of this "river of life".  There are so many beautiful allusions to God and grace being like water or a river in the Bible - particularly in the Psalms.  A river that heals us. I love this.  There is a great song by Steven Curtis Chapman about diving into the river.  I think it's called "Dive" on his Speechless CD.  This song of his reminds me so much of these verses.  One of his lyrics goes something like:  "The River's deep, the river's wide, the river's water is ALIVE!  So sink or swim, I'm diving in!"  Do you want to dive into this holy river of God?  Do you want to be healed and purified by it's waters? Will you dive in?

Verse 8 is powerful for us to reflect upon, where we see an angel speaking to John after he fell to worship the angel:  ""No, don't worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this scroll. Worship God!"" My thought here is that do we sometimes worship other people in our life?   And does this worship of other people ultimately take away from our worship of God?  Meaning, I think it might sometimes be tempting for us to "worship" our pastors or ministers or spiritual mentors.  But, should we do this?  I think we would do well to remember that these people in our life are simply servants of God, like this angel.  They are not God.  We are called to give our hearts and minds and souls and worship to God and God only.

Verse 20 (almost) closes out the book of Revelation with these words: “Come, Lord Jesus!” Are these three words a prayer of your heart? Should they be? It’s only recently that I started praying these words from my heart, and it is an amazing thing to truly pray and truly desire. Come Lord Jesus!

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Revelation chapter 22 titled "The Epilogue" is at this link and "Famous Last Words" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 150 is a wonderful end to the Psalter filled with a call to Praise God with all that we are!  Give it up for God and God only!

Proverbs - Proverbs 31:25-31 are a continued great look at what a godly woman does.  I really like verse 30 which seems so opposite of what our culture is often selling us today: "Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised."  I think this holds so true for women and men - our beauty or good looks or outer appearances do not last.  They are not eternal.  What matters is what's inside - our relationship with and love of God and other people.  So, I think this is a great reminder for us to focus on what's inside - which is what's eternal.  And yes, our culture will continue to try to sell us on the latest fads to look better on the outside.  Will you refuse to buy into that which will not last?  Do you realize that holiness is beautiful?  This picture below comes from Memphis, Tennessee:

Comments from You and Question of the Day:  This is unrelated to our Bible readings today, but I'm curious.  Are you someone who makes New Year's resolutions?  Do you have any resolutions for 2008 that you would be willing to share in the Comments section below?  Honestly, I'm not someone that really makes New Year's resolutions.  However, I guess in the back of my mind I do have a bit of a resolution that I'm continually working on - and that's to pray more.  To somehow grow closer to realizing Paul's teaching that we should "pray without ceasing". (1 Thessalonians 5:17)  Obviously reading and studying the Bible on a daily basis in 2007 is also a bit of a resolution for me.  :)  For a wonderful list of 15 Refusals (rather than Resolutions) that a Christian professor offers up check out this link.  So, what say you?  Do you have any resolutions or refusals for 2008?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

Comments

[Molly]

Mike,

Thanks for leading us on this journey. May you continue to have anointing!

Molly

[Stacey]

Yes, Mike thank you again for your daily contribution to my life's edification. May God richly bless you and this ministry.

Regarding Malachi and the whole tithe: I read this for so many years with a real sense of conviction from the Holy Spirit--and did nothing about it. Then I repented and followed what I believe to be the Lord's request on my life. New King James from James 4:17 17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Now I can read this and other passages and know that I am not guilty of the sin of not doing what the Lord asks of me. I also don't judge others and their tithing habits because I know that His sheep hear His voice and will follow Him. It reminds me of when Jesus was restoring Peter in John 21:21 and Peter says "but Lord what about him?" Jesus's answer "...you must follow me". So if you read Malachi and feel a tug of conviction, don't turn away. It is the Lord calling you to the higher walk financially. So follow Him and don't get hung up on results. The blessings are truly innumerable and unquantifiable. If we hear His voice, listen and do what He asks, then He will continue to speak to us. If you turn away...well, that is what the nation of Israel did and we have read the results for months. Ouch. The poured out blessings: a life full of grace, forgiveness, mercy, direction and hope. Ultimately: "well done, you've been a good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your master" Matt 25:14+

May God bless you all richly

[Frank]

Mike,

Your discipline and consistency has been a huge blessing to me! God is really using you with this blog. You provided the encouragement I needed over the past year to take on and complete this life changing journey. Thanks again and God bless you!

[Anka]

I remember the last time I wrote my new years resoultion;it was 3 years ago.My first resoultion was to get closer to God,the next year I gave my life to Christ and without my realising it until about 6months into the new year,all the other things I purposed to do,I did.Talking about seeking the Kingdom of God 1st and all other things will be added huh.
I had more study bibles than I could comfortably carry about.I wanted to have many versions of the bible so I could do an indepth study of the bible,so God provided a laptop then later on in January,2006,I found this site.A lot has happened on my journey,I finally got baptised,then God weaned me off commentaries so I could concentrate more on His word....all in all I've been truly blessed by everyone.By Mike when guests criticised him and he responded with so much patience and love...by stories of people prasing God inspite of sickness,death,etc...by the commentaries that gave me a lot of insights to my very many questions.I really look forward to seeing everyone I've met here and new folks on the blog.God bless you all and looking forward to seeing you all in the future and in heaven.
6"For I, the LORD, (Q)do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed."
This verse preceeds the tithing one...I guess many people believe that Jesus came to do away with the law and new convenant means out with the old....Well Jesus himself said (Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil)and (Luke 16:17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail)....during my journey this year,I found out that there's so much of the law christians decided to ignore...my prayer is that we all take off the denominational eye glasses and open up our hearts to hear what God has to say.....and apply it to our lives.
God bless you all

[Jenny]

haha, Jesus is holy soap...honestly never thought of that. thats appropiate, I mean He cleanses us and washes us of our iniquities =)

I agree, we should not worship anyone but the Living Lord. People are all imperfect, pastors, teachers, they are just ordinary ppl God has used b'cos that is their calling. I greatly admire some ppl, but we are all born into a fallen nature except Christ.

I love that song....Come Lord Jesus, Come. we sing it at church...i really just pour out my soul to the Lord on that one. Kutless also has a great version of that. ("All who Are Thirsty").

Malachi 3:16 stood out for me:" Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name."
How awesome....God listens to our conversations. Did u know when God overhears believers talking about HIm and giving Him glory and just talking about what He done in our lives it blesses His heart?! aww, thats such a blessing for me!

That old saying, there only certainties in life are death and taxes, well I disagree and say the only certainty in life is found throughout God's word; eg. Rev. v13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." amen to that!

Ps 150..think david is telling us to praise God? ;) I had just an awful night at work...i was in tears and had to leave early and I was listening to kwave 107.9 on my way home. i was very upset and a beautiful song came on which i am reminded of:
"Blessed be Your name, when the sun's shining down on me.
When the world's 'all as it should be'. Blessed be Your name.
Blessed be Your name, On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering, Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord. Blessed be Your name. Blessed be the name of the Lord,
Blessed be Your glorious name! You give and take away, you give and take away...my heart will chose to say, Lord blessed be Your name!!"

I broke out into praise through the tears and the pain. this life is temporary...He is eternal.
Let's praise Him in the good and the bad!!!
haha...had to end this year with a very long comment. I was thoroughly blessed by God's word this year!! I will not be writing any more comments til next year ;) see ya tomorrw =).

[Ms Martin]

I am so glad to have found this site! I have found the One Year Bible life changing. I resolve to read it again this year with my son.

I agree with you on the tithing. Ten years ago I was in a very dark season of my life. My children and I were homeless, jobless, carless, husband/fatherless etc. Fortunately my folks came to our rescue regarding shelter. As God provided, we were able to get a $6/hr job, a junk car, a 500 sq ft single wide, and public assistance (medicaid and food stamps). At that point I "tested" God and tithed. I tithed food stamps by donating 10% of what I received to a food bank in the form of groceries. I tithed my gross wages by giving to my new church home (and the occasional non-profit).

I didn't do it because I expected great things in return. I wasn't awaiting the storehouses of heaven to pour down wealth I didn't do it to manipulate the Creator of all we see and know into giving me a nice car and a big house. I did it because I believed that if I loved God and wanted to please Him, I should do the things He likes. Get Him something from His wish list instead of a suprise-Me gift. I still believe that's the way to go.

Ten years later I am still a believer in tithing. I do presently live in the biggest house I've ever lived in and have greater vehicle assets than ever before. I have a way better job. But the improved financial picture is not why I still tithe. I do so because it is the way things are designed to work. That's just how He rolls....

[Mae]

Again great readings today! A couple of verses really stood out for me today ...

Malachi 3:17-18 ) "They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not. ~ Wonderful to hear the powerfull words "I will spare them"! I love the idea that God will spare us, because we love Him, we serve Him, we praise Him and have faith in Him. We live throughout His word and we know He is thankfull for that. This morning in church I prayed for wisdom, I really want to have the wisdom to do the right thing. I know and realize I'm still a baby in this and I still need to be fed with milk, it just takes time before I can have regular food ... I just have to be patient.

Revelation 22:16 ) "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star." ~ Strongly spoken ... 'the bright morning star'. This really spoke to me when I read it.

Proverbs 31:30 ) Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Okay, there's nothing much to add here, eh?

Wishing all of you a Happy Newyear! Be safe and have a wonderful evening & night! My bells are ringing way before midnight hits all of you ... how weird is that, eh?

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.
Mae

[Caryn]

It is with a sense of great accomplishment and gratefulness that I comment today. A year ago I started reading the One Year Bible blog without much hope of finishing, because of the times I'd failed before. Although I skipped out most of Ezekiel because I got really behind at one stage, I got through the rest. YAY!

Knowing that there was a community of readers doing this with me, and being able to interact with you all through comments was a key ingredient for me. Thank you to all who posted.

Mike, thank you so much. Your commitment to this blog is admirable, and your humility is inspiring. I think you must be one of Jesus' heros when I see how many lives you are touching daily through your obedience to Him.

Having read the whole Bible now, I have a much better idea of God as the beginning and the end, God working through history, God unravelling His love-plan and God reaching out to us. I have a much better understanding of Israel and the Jewish nation, and how they are a precious part of the fact that I am a Christian today. Praise You, Lord for drawing near to us. Praise You for The Message.

[Brandie]

When I was in high school i made resolutions...but now that I have a family I don't...just because its tough enough to make it through the day remembering when to take Ethan every two hours to the bathroom or watch him making sure he hasn't .2 in his underwear..so no we don't make resolutions..hehe...:)

I am glad that the Lord doesn't change..have you ever heard that song by Montgomery Gentry Some people change...there are people that don't change as well...:(

[CC]

I don't make resolutions, but I do try to set at least 5 goals for the coming year. I'll write down some realistic goals that I can try to achieve in the next year, then I put away the list till the end of that year and do it again the following New Year's Eve. I'm surprised and very pleased each time--I usually end up accomplishing at least 3 of the goals I set for myself, without even realizing it until I look at the list! It's a great way to see how far you've come, and how you can strive towards new goals. I've found that writing things down helps motivate me to actually follow through on things I've planned.
Anyway, have a happy and blessed New Year!

[Jenny]

My pastor made a good point this morning...he was laughing at the whole resolutions deal. This is why its silly, its stuff we are resolving to do by own will. No wonder they fail! I'm sure we all made attempts to start doing this this or stop doing that, but if its own accord we will most likely fail. But if we do things thru His strength and might, He will not fail.

[Emma]

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to say that the One Year Bible has been such a huge blessing to me this last year - to anyone thinking about doing it, I would say DO IT! It has kept me rooted in God's Word, even at times when I was tired and didn't feel like it, becuase I knew I was on this journey with thousands of other people from around the world :-)The weekly comments have been amazing, and have continually made me think and reflect. I have decided to spend this year on a different Bible plan, but hope to come back to this one next year perhaps?!

Will continue praying for Mike - you've done such a great job!!

Blessings to you all,
love Emma

[Patsy Ray]

Happy New Year to you Mike and to all of you who have accompanied Mike on the journey through the Scripture this year! I have just finished my third year taking this journey with you and will continue to journey with you as long as you have this ministry and the Lord grants me days to walk this path. May God bless you and continue to bless you for your dedication, loyalty and work you put forth each day to bring the Scripture into so many homes and may the Lord bless each of you that have set aside time each day to read His Word.

God Bless!
Patsy Ray

[Kit MacLachlan]

I am not a NY resolution maker generally, but this year I resolved to follow the one year Bible - and I amanged to keep it up - a first for me. thank youso much Mike for helping this process with daily encouragements and comments. i have really enjoyed the whole year, and am looking frorward to doing it all again. thanks too to all the fellow travellers. i dont contribute very often to comments, but enjoy reading those of others!!
every blessing to all . .

[Ron]

Thanks Mike this past year had some great times, and some lows for me personally. I believe my walk with Christ has moved in a positive way. Thanks and God bless.
Ron

[art]

Instead of resolutions for 2008, I have been writing down the blessings of 2007. For sure, there have been many. I enter the year 2008 A.D. with a humble spirit of thankfulness.

Thank you, Mike, for all that you do, and for all who post comments throughout the year. You have been a great blessing to all.

May the new year bring you good health, happiness, and peace through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

[Chad]

Thanks for this blog, it was great reading it this year. I've never made it all the way through until now, but the website and this blog proved to be a great tool in helping people like me to not be intimidated and take things one day at a time.

I'm looking forward to reading all the way through again in 2008!

[Cheryl]

I New Year's resolution was to read the entire bible and I accomplished this with the help of you and your blog. This experience has enriched my life and opened my eyes. Now I have content to go with all the scriptures people throw out to me. More importantly, I have a better understanding of Christ and what He means to me. Thank you!!