January 11th One Year Bible Readings

You are invited to join us on the One Year Bible journey in 2008!  We currently have over 5,500 people in 54 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 readings ~
Genesis 24:52-26:16 ~ Matthew 8:18-34
Psalm 10:1-15 ~ Proverbs 3:7-8

Old Testament - Rebekah and Isaac meet and marry in today's readings!  Below is Italian painter G.B. Castiglione's oil painting titled "Meeting of Rebekah and Isaac" circa 1640:

Before the meeting & marriage - I love the very opening verse 52 in Genesis chapter 24 today: "At this reply, Abraham's servant bowed to the ground and worshiped the LORD."  This just made me think - when was the last time that I actually bowed to the ground and worshiped the Lord?  I have to confess it was a long time ago.  This may sound strange, but one time I was listening to the David Crowder song "Deliver Me" and for some reason I literally fell to the ground, bowed, and worshiped God.  It was an experience that's hard to forget.  But why is it so hard for me to get back down on the ground and worship God once again?  When was the last time you bowed to the ground and worshiped the Lord?

Genesis chapter 25 has a lot going on in it today!  We read about Keturah, the death of Abraham and the descendants of Ishmael.  In verse 19 we begin reading about Jacob and Esau.  Jacob we will read about for a large portion of the remainder of Genesis - there is actually not that many chapters we will read about Isaac.  In verse 34 we read this about Jacob & Esau: "Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate and drank and went on about his business, indifferent to the fact that he had given up his birthright."  Below is Dutch Baroque Era painter Hendrik Martensz Sorgh's beautiful "Interior with Jacob and Esau" painting from the year 1662 (the bright foreground almost takes away from the background with Esau swearing off his birthright):

In Genesis chapter 26 we can see where the old adage, "like father, like son" could have come from.  Isaac like his father Abraham told foreigners that his wife was his sister.  However, the artist Raffaello captured verse 8 from King Abimelech's perspective in this painting from the year 1519 below: "But some time later, Abimelech, king of the Philistines, looked out a window and saw Isaac fondling Rebekah."

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Genesis chapter 25 titled "The Principle of Divine Election" is at this link and commentary on chapter 26 titled "Isaac Walks in His Father's Steps" is at this link.

New Testament - Matthew's readings in chapter 8 today are powerful in so many ways.  The first section of our readings focuses on the costs of following Jesus.  And I do think that we all probably realize that there are some costs associated with faith.  However, there is also eternal reward, which outweighs all the temporary costs we might have to pay in this life.  In some ways, I do ask myself this - are we really participating in a true faith if there are no costs associated with it?  I have heard and read books and listened to speakers about how faith can bring us health & wealth & happiness.  And I know there are many times when this is true (see our Proverbs reading today for a good truth to this) - but I do think these would be dangerous goals of faith in and of themselves - we could end up serving health, wealth and happiness as mini-gods of our own design if we're not careful.  We could find ourselves following our own plans rather than God's Perfect Will for our lives.

Our faith must simply be about following Jesus and God's Perfect Plan & Will for our lives and accepting the costs - and the benefits - that come along with this Walk.  What are the costs in your life of following Jesus?  Do you believe that suffering might be part of the package in this life of following Jesus?  I do believe the costs are all worth it - no matter what they may be.  Here's a really really heavy question to put out here... but I think it is something that at some point we need to ask ourselves.  I hope you don't mind this blog bringing this question to you if you've never asked this of yourself before...  :) 

The question is this: Are you willing to die for your faith? This would be the ultimate cost in this life for any of us.  Our life.  And it may well be that this cost will never be asked of you.  But - many people in our world today are indeed paying this cost of their lives for their faith in Jesus.  There have been martyrs throughout the centuries, and there still are martyrs in our world today.  Certainly, as we proceed through this gospel of Matthew we will see that Jesus is willing to die for his faith.  So, again, it's a tough question - but are you willing to die for your faith?  I think if you can get to an affirmative answer to this question between you and God, you will be able to more readily accept all other "lesser" and temporary costs that will come your way in this life by following Jesus.  And you will know without a shadow of a doubt that the costs are well worth the reward of an eternity spent with God.  Will you follow Jesus no matter the cost?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 8 titled "Peace, Be Still" is at this link and "The Demons and The Pigs" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 10 is a prayer for rescue from attacks from the proud and wicked. Wisely, you'll note that this Psalmist is not taking punishment into his own hands - but asking God for punishment.  We would do well to remember that punishment is the Lord's...   For some reason much of this Psalm reminded me way too much of our world today - and I realized that not much has changed over 3,000 years!  Verse 4 in particular rang true to me about much of our world today: "These wicked people are too proud to seek God.  They seem to think that God is dead."  Only about 100 years ago the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche uttered those exact words - "God is dead."  And I know that this viewpoint of many expressed in this Psalm 3,000 years ago, and 100 years ago by Nietzsche, is still a viewpoint of many in our world today.  What a sad thing.  What can we do in our lives today to show the world that God is not dead?  How can we live our lives to demonstrate that God is alive?  Let us share with this hurting and dying world with all that we are that God is not dead.  Obviously, He Lives.  What are you doing with your life today to show others that He Lives?

Psalm 10 verse 1 also stood out to me today: "O LORD, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I need you the most?"  Have you ever felt like this?  I know I have.  However, I also have realized later on that just when I thought God was no where near me, he was actually as close as could be taking care of me.  Even though it may have seemed that God was "hiding" from me, he was actually right there with me all along!

Proverbs - Today we read this in Proverbs 3:8 (just after the verse on fearing the Lord and turning away from sin): "Then you will gain renewed health and vitality." I think this is so true.  I have been a much healthier person - mentally, physically, spiritually, etc. - since I came to faith in Jesus.  Through God's wisdom and grace, I have been able to discern what is healthy for me and what is not.  I have let many bad habits go. How about for you?  Has your faith brought you renewed health and vitality?  Are there some areas in your life where you still have room to turn some bad habits over to God, and to let them go? Will you do so this year in 2008? Will you pray to God for renewed health and vitality in those areas of your life where you need God’s grace and healing?

Worship God: Based on my reflections above in Genesis 24:52, here's David Crowder Band's amazing song "Deliver Me" set to some beautiful still images!

Have you been Delivered?  Click here for Deliverance!

Please join me in memorizing 2 verses of Scripture today:
"Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones." Proverbs 3:7-8 NIV

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  Based on our readings in Matthew today, do you believe there is a cost to following Jesus?  Is it worth the cost?  Are there any limits to the cost of following Jesus that you couldn't agree to?  Would your life be too much?  At the same time, we see in Proverbs today that in addition to costs, faith brings benefits - renewed health and vitality being two mentioned in today's Proverb.  Is it fair to say that faith brings with it both costs and benefits?  Do you think that the benefits outweigh the costs?  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

[Olayiwola Matthew]

Hello,
I just found this site today and I was so happy. I am from Nigeria and it is not on the list of the 54 countries that participated in the first week of this year. I have joined the train today. Eventhough I have read the Bible through in 1 year before, It has been a difficult goal to achieve again in the last 5 years or so. I set it as one my 2008 goals again and also learned recently that one of the ways to accomplish my resolutions is to find an online community where the same goal is been pursued. I am sure this experience will be a blessing to me and to many as well
Shalom!

[Stuart Farmer]

One year bible blog is awesome and I am truly blessed having discovered it. I start off each of my days with it and meditating (except for yesterday when I awoke late and first just had to walk our dog). It gives wings to my daily reading, and the pictures are wonderful.

[nasser]

following jesus of course had a price .jesus had to pay a price to give us salvation which is death ,persecution all the way to the cross .jesus admit that it was hard on him but then with rejoice he submit himself to the father in heaven .he just obey and the cost was his death but the benfit was greater the father let overcome satan and death forever and risen to heaven sitting next to the heavenly father . meditating on the obedience jesus show us it give strong will and not limit the cost i had to pay because jesus did not limit the cost he had to pay .i pray to myself and to my family and to others to follow jesus's example and to think of the benfeit of etrnal reward instead of counting the cost that we had to pay for answering God's calling us .the holy spirit will give peace and strong will when you show him faith ,he will show blessing and peace .Amin

[Jim]

I also had the words "...he worshipped the the LORD, bowing himself to the earth".
Hit me strongly. Is there some value in bowing before God prostrate? I look at that picture of all those people just laying on their faces before God, and feel like I should do that!!! We all should be bowing (throwing) ourselves before the LORD.

I know just because you bow on the outside doesn't me your bowing on the inside and vise a versa, BUT I believe often what we do with our bodies is a sign and a humbling before the LORD.

I mean seriously I love to read and pray in my big round soft pillow chair.
But do I really want to lay down and get sore knees, or eat the rug in prayer (I mean how clean is the rug?). You know during those times when I have bowed before the LORD they were special times and also at the moment I didn't care about pains, or a dirty rug, or anything for that matter accept my LORD. I'm praying for myself that I will start praying more that way and also for my church people. WORSHIP is so important in our lives.

I cry out to God, I don't want to be phony (EVER), but I want to be a TRUE worshipper!

[Mark]

Some thoughts regarding ...

> Even though it may have seemed that God was "hiding" from me, he was actually right there with me all along!

I was pondering the subject of "hiding" when we were reading Genesis 3. After Adam and Eve sinned they hid and we see God searching for them, and calling to them, in the garden. But they are hiding.

It occurred to me that this reveals God's heart towards us. He is always looking for us. Even when we sin it does not stop God looking for us. Usually, the problem is that something (or ourselves) is hiding us from God, not that He is hiding from us.

Yet I concur that there are times when God seems to be a little distant from us. I've come to think of this like a loving Daddy who is teaching his toddler to walk. He stands just out of arms reach and beckons. If God seems distant, it is not that He is hiding from us, it is that He is teaching us something that requires this posture. He is a loving Daddy who wants us to grow as well as being intimate with us.

Purely on the basis of experience, not scripture, I find it hard to imagine that God would ever hide himself from us. So I'd be interested to hear what others think, especially if there is any scriptural precedent to the contrary.

[Nicole]

I used to feel that God would "hide" from me. That was, until I discoverered that I was not praying as much or focusing my life on Jesus. I went thru a period of time where I really felt that God didn't care about me. But then I realized it was me that was neglecting the relationship. I don't believe that God ever hides. He loves us too much.
Nicole

[Jit]

Are you willing to die for your faith?
Yes, I am willing at 69 years old.However if the question was asked when I was younger with growing children it could have been different.
It is very personal and only God knows each person's heart and answer.

[J]

Mike when you were discusing Psalm 10 verse 1 you reminded me of the footsteps in the sand peom have you ever heard it? http://www.progsoc.uts.edu.au/~wonj/me/ftstps.html

I dont think that anyone ever plans to "die for his faith". even Jesus didn't actually want to go that way - "if it is possible, take this cup from me ..", but he willing did so when there was no other alternative. i just pray that if it ever came to it, I would be ready - but I dont think I will know unless I am actually in that position. As I thought about this challenge, it occurred to me that I need to be ready at any time to do what is asked of me where I am here and now in the small things, and then possibly I would be ready to do the bigger thing!

[Ray]

Interesting contrasts in today's readings, which can be misconstrued by the "health and wealth" preachers. In Genesis, we find out that Isaac, like his father Abraham, was a wealthy man; the Lord had blessed him. In Proverbs, health to our bodies is promised if we heed the wisdom of the Lord. Yet when the teacher of the law approaches Jesus and says he will follow him wherever he goes, Jesus replies that foxes have holes and birds have nests but that he had no place to lay his head. The implication here is that we need to let go of our material things, which can be idols in our lives, and wholeheartedly follow the Lord. I think it's a strak reminder of who really is the giver of all good things.

[Anka]

Well now,Isaac follows in his fathers footsteps..I wonder if that's why in the new covenant God asks men to love their wives as Christ loved the church....Both Sarah and Rebekah agreed to put themselves on the line for their less courageous husbands.
I have read about our brothers and sisters who have paid,(some are still paying) with their life,some endure torture for their decision to follow Christ.At the beginning when I came to Christ I did hear about the teaching"God's here to make your life better on earth and give you a greater one in heaven as well"...Life with Christ was shown to me as being a win win situation...As I got older,by reading the bible,I realised it wasn't so...I have asked myself that question often times...and I have prayed to God to give me the grace to go through whatever is in store for me....Recently I have been thinking about this more and more...I'm just 30,no kids,still praying to see my parents get saved....yes I have my hopes and dreams...I choose to surrender them all to God....Jesus chose the will of the Father,by His grace so will I...
God bless you all

[Dana]

Prayer is something that I am constantly working on in my personal life...getting in deeper and more personal with God. And the scripture that says "Abraham's servant bowed to the ground to worship the Lord" impacted me this morning. Other times in the bible this type of prayer mentioned, as well as "laying prostrate before the Lord." The picture that was posted of the people kneeling and laying was great, because I think it taught me today that prayer is not something that is to be done in an EXACT way. Some people are kneeling low, some just on their knees, some laying flat against the ground. So many times I want to do just exactly what is in the Bible, but forget that it is individuals that had relationships with God, just as I have. Yes, "Abraham's servant" bowed to the ground, but David stood tall with arms to the heavens, while others were on their knees, one with arms outstretched etc. It is not about how or where I pray, but what I am praying about...how deep am I letting God in?? And yes, while I do see the humility in praying these ways, the picture helped me realize it is more about the prayer than the situation/setting. Where is my heart when I am praying...is my posture and mindset one that is ready to be fully given to God in that moment?? These are just a few of my thoughts, things I want to think about over the next several days and put into greater practice in my prayer life!

[Linda]

Matthew 8:33-34
33 The herdsmen fled to the nearby town, telling everyone what happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, but they begged him to go away and leave them alone.
The Lord is showing me this is how I sometimes react to Him working in my life. He does a great thing (gets rid of great violence) and at the same time removes a source of sin (pigs - unclean animals not suppossed to be arround Jews) Then I won't allow him into the "town" or into an intimate part of me, because I am afraid of what he might "take away". He has to continually remind me that, HIS ministry is not to TAKE AWAY, but to fill to overflowing until there is no longer room for those "sinful" things, or things that may not be considered sin, but they are keeping from me living in the fullness of the Life in Christ.

[John]

Gen 26

Cannot believe what I missed last year :(

Gen26:4-5
"I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because Abraham obeyed me and kept my requirements, my commands, my decrees and my laws." NIV

Wait a minute. Abraham was a man, and he was flawed. He delayed obeying God, he lied in Egypt, and to some degree doubted God whith the whole Hagar/Ishmael fiasco.

Why is God telling Isaac that Abraham followed God's way to the letter? Is God not telling the Truth? Is this a contradiction in the Bible? What gives?

Earlier in Gen15:6
Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

It is not a lie. It is not a contradiction. When God credits (imputes) righteousness due to faith and belief in Him - God does not see your sins. It is as if they do not exist. It is why Abraham could walk blameless/perfect before the Lord because "God is Sufficient" (Elshaddai).

It is the same way for a "believer" - one who accepts Jesus Christ as his/her Lord and Savior - when God views us after Salvation He does not see us - He sees Jesus.

Col1:22
"But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—" NIV

The Devil throws up all our sins before God and reminds us of our past - God says "What sins?"

[Jenny]

the story of Jacob and Esau gets very interesting. My former pastor used to say Esau was more a hairy, rugged, manly-man; whereas Jacob preferred to stay at home and work with his mom...maybe a bit of a sissy, haha. It was wrong of Jacob to do this to Esau and later trick his father...and we see in the next generation how this happens with Jacob's children.

In Matt, when Jesus told the man to follow him the man replied: "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Most likely his dad was still alive but advanced in years and the man wanted to stay til his father died n bury Him. But as Jesus taught, to follow Him you must forsake all else, even family if need be. This could be a consequence of following Jesus. relatives that dont approve, perhaps even disowning you, losing friends, etc. I fortunately have many believing relatives, but i know others not so fortunate. The costs of following Jesus for me or most of us is minor...most of us wont have to give up of lives...but could I? I say yes, of course, because to die is gain and to die for Christ would be an honor. But if the situation actually came about...could I? When I was in Israel we visited some of the colusseum ruins where they used to put Christains to death for sport...usuaslly tie them up and let out lions. Ughhh...i really wouldnt want to do that! could I? I think in those circumstances God would give us His power. Of course the benefits outweigh the costs, in this life and more assuredly in the life to follow!
I believe people can see God alive in the true believers..the changes in our lives, the power God manifests in us, the miracles they see in our lives, our hearts our actions, we should be "different"...if we are living a godly life, others will see Christ in us. Just as I saw in others before i resubmitted to Him, just as others know and recognize things in me that cause them to praise God, even if I dont even say anything, they see God's work and the fruit in believers' lives. Of course the ppl so far gone to say God is dead...most likely they have denied the spirit so many times, that they may be at a very dangerous spot...
It is not God who is dead, but those who do not know Him who are dead, spiritually.
The miracle of the demons entering the swine (pigs)...I was there too, called Kursi. Got a pic and was on the very cliff the swine went over the edge.
I think we have all felt God was hiding or far away...its not Him who moved away, it was us. When we feel God is far and away, we should take a look at our lives...where have we moved and why? He is a prayer away! Sometimes it may simply be emotions, which we cant trust, we dont "feel" God...but it doesnt mean He is gone from us. We must cling to His promise He will NEVER leave us nor forsake us! Us...his true followers. He is good and loves us sooo dearly!

[Mae]

Wow, there's a lot to read in Genesis today! A lot of things happened there! Many memorable verses to read and this one stood out for me 24:60 "Our sister, may you become the mother of many millions! May your descendants be strong and conquer the cities of their enemies.” And mother of many millions she is!

When I read Matthew 8:22, I thought "This is harsh!" ... "But Jesus told him, “Follow me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead". I was kind of shocked to read this. I mean, it's the disciple's father ... So this is "following Jesus and God's Perfect Plan & Will for our lives and accepting the costs - and the benefits - that come along with this Walk"? My father is a religious man, he always was and always will be. However he was never saved. But he does pray, he does worship the Lord and to me my father is not spiritually dead. So if it were me instead of the disciple ... hmmmmmmmmm ... I don't know ... I think eventually I would follow Jesus, because I know my heavenly Father is on that path to. But to turn my back to my earth father just like that. Shees, it's a headscratcher!!! The question "Are you willing to die for your faith?" is easy to answer. Easier than to act on "Follow me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead". Like I said, eventually I will follow Him, but it won't be that easy. I've only been saved for 5 months, things will defenitly change in the future. It's hard for me that I have loved ones around me that haven't been saved (FYI, my mother was saved last night in the midweek service, I took her to church with me). My husband, my father and my brother are unsaved. Which makes it hard for me time to time. I know I'm the key and I have faith that they will be saved some day. God is teaching me how to be patient. He showed me that things will be fine, by saving my mother last night. I'm so happy for her! She seems so relieved and I know she feels relieved! Okay, I'm rambling now. The thing is that I will do anything at any cost for The Lord. I will do it, I know I will! The hard part is that I still have loved ones that aren't saved yet. But it will not change the fact that I follow Jesus.

Psalm 10:5 made me think about some of my relatives "Yet they succeed in everything they do. They do not see your punishment awaiting them. They sneer at all their enemies". I'm happy for them that they succed in everything they do. They have succesfull jobs, which they deserve because they have worked very hard for it. But my heart aches when I see them laughing at the people who have less money. Because they cannot afford designer clothes, they cannot afford to go to the beauty salon weekly. For my relatives it's so important how they look from the outside: with their blings, DKNY-outfit and a big Mercedes. They always show off when they have something new ... and I can't stand that! And not because of jealousy or envy ... not at all! But just because I don't care! I don't care about brands! Sure, the car is great ... yes, I do like DKNY ... yes, I do like jewelery. But it's not the most important thing in my life. Eventually God will look into my heart and not what kind of car I'm driving. And YES, I work hard for my money and YES, I'm happy when I can buy myself 2 pairs of boots. But I will NOT laugh or judge other people for not wearing the expensive brands. It hurts me that those relatives join the church and not see where they go wrong. I pray for them ... all the time ... hoping they will see Him ...
Verse 1 "O Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I am in trouble?", made me think about "Footprints":

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed
he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to him, and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he
questioned the LORD about it:
"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me."
The LORD replied:
"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."

I always think about this when I go through a hard time. I have a card with this on it and I keep it near me in my time of need. When I think about it and read it, I know God is carrying me.

[Jenny]

Oh, i wanted to comment on some of those teachings out there, the name it, claim it guys, etc. Like, If you have ailments, its because of lack of faith and anything you want can be yours if you have enough faith.
God decides what is best for us! NOT us!!! I willl just say it, these name it, claim it, "faith teachings"...the ones I have seen, are a crock and a lie! we cant believe everything we see/hear...test the spirits!! um, trust in God and have a new mercedes? No way!! our relationship with God is NOT to get things done our way, but get things done HIS way! He may not want us to be rich, he may let us get sick....His purpose is PERFECT and His ways are NOT our ways! lets not focus on our "faith" as our god, but Christ Jesus our Lord. May HIS will be done, not ours! A great book I recommend for believers who are looking for discernment in these areas is: Christianity in Crisis by Hank Henograff. It exposes a lot of the wolves in sheep's clothes out there!
I was taking some state exams and asked ppl to pray for me, one girl wrote me: 'have enough faith and its yours!' No....God doesnt operate that way...yes we are to have faith, but these teachings are going way too far and are used by satan himself to get us to focus on ourselves, our posessions, our needs, our wants, and to take our eyes off Christ. This is dangerous, we musn't buy into every wind and doctrine that blows through...we must discern, test the spirits, know our Bible. the great deceiver is out there and is in many churches today and behind many pulpits.

[Gina]

Genesis 26:32 stood out for me today. Esau says "Look I am about to die" - when he is hungry and asking Jacob for some stew. I totally believe this is an exageration! He probably wasn't about to die...And don't we say things like that all the time? When lunch time rolls around we will say "Hey where's lunch, I'm starving" No - we aren't really starving....we may feel hungry but starving? Well, it was a remider to me to be careful of what comes out of my mouth. Would exagerating be a form of lying? I beleive for me it is. I know it's so easy to exagerate things when telling a story...we are, more often than not, very casual with our words and I think we need to be more aware.

On the flip side of that exageration, it lead Esau to give up his birthright. I know I have been in situations where I "felt" something so strongly that I would do anything to get it! And then of course later regreting it. It's that instant gratification that we all want...not really thinking of what the long term effects will be.

I love in Matthew 8:32...Jesus says "Go"...just one word. It just brought a smile to my face that all it takes is one word from Jesus and we can me saved, healed, changed, etc...! What an awesome God we serve!

Would I die for my faith? I say yes. But in my mind, I think...It's probably unlikely that I will have to be faced with that. So it becomes easier to say yes! Although the little girl from the Columbine shooting probably didn't think she would ever have to face that either...she chose Jesus, and was shot to death...for Him. What a powerful testimony! I'm not afraid of death at all. I want to be with Jesus! It's just a tough thing to call when you are not faced with it.

Leaving your family for Jesus...this is close to my heart. One of my best friends and I had this conversation a couple of years ago. Her words to me were " Even if I were to get saved, I could never tell my parents because I just couldn't dissappoint my dad like that." WOW - how sad that has made me....I tried to explain to her, but her family "religion" is just so engrained in her....it would be a disgrace to the family if she left that religion. When we were growing up, she wasn't even allowed to date someone if they were not this religion. She was even afraid to tell her parents that I was a born again christian....that I had walked away from the other! It is so sad and hard to see that. Knowing that they care more about religion...the rules and rituals of it all...more than Jesus Himself! They are so blinded to who Jesus really is....I often ask.."do you think there will be denominations in Heaven? Like a room full of Baptists, a room full of Methodists, a room full of Catholics....she just giggles....WHY??? Why do some people just not get it??? My step-father is the same way right now...he was diagnosed with cancer over the summer...my mom just got saved last Feb. so she has been talking with him about Jesus....well, he says that she's is being pushy...and he has his religion...he doesn't need to take it as far as she has. There we go again...religion! I hate religion! It messes everything up!

How do we show our faith? PRAY!! I think it's all based on prayer! We also have to live it out in front of them...they need to see the change in us. Make them want what we have!

Psalm 10 is a good reminder to seek humbleness...pride is such an easy thing to get sucked into...if we remember what God says about pride and how he feels about it...I think it will help us to be less prideful.

[Brandie]

I don't see why every young man and girl gets upset when we don't have someone that loves us physically. Isaac was 47 yr young when he married. My gpa was 41 yr young when he married my gma.

Crazy, that the Lord told Rebekah about her 2 babies before they got here. I didn't get that memo :)

Why would one brother aks another for his birth right?

I should obey Jesus and have faith in him when a storm approaches. My worst fear is a thunder storm with tornadoes ekks. I have common sense to tell me to jump in the cellar. But that fear still jumps in my heart and stomach to make the anxiety run all over my body and make me stupid.

Psalms
In my life I show my little boy all about Jesus. We talk about him and where our loved ones go when they pass away. I tell him that his kingdom is on the clouds cause thats what I believe. Its just nice to look up at the clouds and know that Jesus is there looking down at you.

Proverbs 3:7-8
I must trust in the Lord and shun evil and this will bring health to my body and nourishment to my bones.

I don't thik I have ever bowed down and worshiped God.
Yes, I would follow Jesus no matter the cost. I was sent here to disciple for Jesus and be a mommy to "E"
I agree with Jenny it is not God who is dead it is those that are here that have forgot about him.

[Brad]

Costs and Benefits:

Following God is the most important thing that we can do. I study the Bible to become wise, so that I do not use following God as an excuse for failure in other areas in life. Some people might look at me and see failure--I lost my job as a public school teacher, I live at home and am 29 years old, I am not married, and I am not rich in possessions (though I do have a few nice things).

However, I am very blessed. God lives within me and I know without doubt He exists and is guiding my path. I have doubted whether I am truly following God properly, due to my seeming lack of worldly prosperity and my seeming failures in worldly pursuits. I look at Abraham and at Isaac and read about their material wealth and I start to wonder why God has not provided me with more material wealth.

Do you believe that a poor man is despised by God? Do you think that the poor man is probably paying for his lazy ways and his own sinfulness?

I would tuly like to support a wife and children. I took a job teaching in order to do this. I prayed to the Lord daily for guidance in my life and work. I even told my supervisors that I lived for God. This did not save my job.

I am now registered to take an Apprentice Electrician test on January 29th and am poised to start a new career that I have knowledge of primarily through Internet study and testimonies.

Here I am, using time I have been given to read God's Word, the responses of others to this Word, and writing my own response. I wonder sometimes--wouldn't it be better if I was working and earning money right now?

My answer = No! I serve God, not money. I do wish to be diligent in doing right and do want to have monetary support before even finding a wife (if God wills that I should marry).

May God bless you all this day and throughout your lives as you seek His will and serve Him truly--not as you desire to serve Him, but as He desires you to serve.

[Kyle]

Thanks for the One Year Bible Blog! This has been a real blessing to me! I appreciate the artwork, photos, and comments! It's powerful to think about the cost of following Jesus today in Matthew 8! We are to put Jesus before everything, even our life! Wow! One critique on a comment though. You say, "as we proceed through this gospel of Matthew we will see that Jesus is willing to die for his faith." Jesus is the object of our faith. He didn't die for his faith, but died for our sins. Even though Jesus' death is an example for us, we need to be careful to look beyond the example to the sacrifice of atonement.
Thanks again for your dedication to this powerful ministry of the Word.

[Darlene]

Good morning,I found this site by accident or was it God's will. This has been a tremendous blessing for me because I have tryed many time to read the Bible through within the year. But with an online community I am very hopeful that this year 2008 I will meet my goal.It is my joy now to rise early in the morning to read and study God's word.

[R]

Matthew 8:18-34

In today’s New Testament passage a common picture is presented, a battle if you will, the Spiritual Realm verses the Natural or Physical Realm Verses 18-22 presents a dilemma, choosing between following Jesus, which would automatically place you in the Realm of the Spirit or following after living breathing dead folk. It seems that Jesus is implying that each is mutually exclusive—you can’t operate in both worlds. You are either in one or out of the other.

In verses 23-27 Jesus shows us that the Spiritual Realm has power and authority over the Natural. Speaking to the wind is one sure way of getting yourself declared at best mentally ill and at worse insane.

The power of the Spiritual Realm can clearly been seen in the two demoniacs. Even the demonic spirits have power over physical strength and power but Jesus has power and authority over them all.

It’s not the Physical that we should be in awe of it is the Spiritual.

[Bill]

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:

“ Based on our readings in Matthew today, do you believe there is a cost to following Jesus? Is it worth the cost? Are there any limits to the cost of following Jesus that you couldn't agree to? Would your life be too much? At the same time, we see in Proverbs today that in addition to costs, faith brings benefits - renewed health and vitality being two mentioned in today's Proverb. Is it fair to say that faith brings with it both costs and benefits? Do you think that the benefits outweigh the costs? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? “

Salvation itself won’t cost me anything because Jesus paid the price for my redemption with His own blood. Following Him though is another thing and , yes, the cost of discipleship can be high. He may ask you to do something you may not want to do. It may cost you a career, a relationship, and maybe even your very life which would be the worst thing that could happen to you from an earthly perspective but not from God’s point of view. Being willing to die for Christ is not too much to ask of me because He died for me. I would just hope and pray that if it comes down to that I will, by His power and strength working in me, go as lamb to the slaughter just as He did and that He would be glorified in it. I didn’t put my faith in Jesus Christ for the fringe benefits though the Lord has blessed me abundantly in all things. I wasn’t even thinking of that when I got saved. I was thinking about Him shedding His blood on the cross to pay my sin debt which I could never possibly pay even if I died a thousand deaths. Any small sacrifice that I can do in serving Him cannot approach what He has done for me. The Bible promises rewards for those who count the cost of following Jesus. We will reign with Him and be given crowns. The greatest reward though will be seeing His face and hopefully hear Him say: “ Well done, thou good and faithful servant:” - Matthew 25:21-23.

GENESIS 24:52-26:16

It appears to me that anti-Semitism, which is has dogged the Jews for hundreds of years, was foretold through the blessing given by Rebekah’s family to her in the presence of Abraham’s servant: “…let thy seed possess the gate of those which HATE them”
( 24:60 ).

Not only was the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah appointed by God Himself but there was also obviously physically attraction there as well: ( 24:64-67 ). This is one reason why a lot of people marry and there is nothing wrong with that but it shouldn’t be the only quality we look for in a mate. Rebekah was no doubt a beautiful woman to behold because as the Scriptures says, “…she was fair to look upon” ( 26:7 )

Abimelech apparently did not forget his lesson in biblical morality that God taught him in his previous dealing with Abraham and Sarah, Isaac’s father and mother, which is that adultery is not a light thing with God ( 26:10-11 ).

MATTHEW 8:18-34

When Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee He gave evidence that He was the Son of God and fulfilled that which was written of Him in the Old Testament Scriptures:

" Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? WHO HATH GATHERED THE WIND IN HIS FISTS? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and WHAT IS HIS SON‘S NAME, if thou canst tell?"

- Proverbs 30:4 ( KJV )

If Jesus can do that then He also can calm the storms that rage all around me and in me in the form of spiritual conflict.

Demons are real and they can possess the bodies of both human beings ( v.28 ) and animals ( v.32 ). This is how the serpent in the Garden of Eden was able to speak with Eve. Note that the demon possessed men dwelled among tombs ( v.28 ). People under demonic influence often have a morbid fascination with death. The demons knew that Jesus was the Son of God (v.29 ) and they feared Him, and for good reason. The Devil and his angels are destined for the Lake of Fire ( Revelation 20:10 ).

PSALM 10:1-15

The “ time of trouble” ( v.1 ) can be applied to economic calamity. Often it is caused by the rich who control and manipulate the money supply by their “devices” ( v.2 ) and it is the poor who suffer the most from it ( v.2 ). The passage also reminds me of the greedy, money-driven, materialistic society we live in today ( v.3 ). Materialistic people usually don’t give God much thought ( v.4 ) and feel self-sufficient. They feel secure in the wealth that they have accumulated and feel that that they are safe from financial “adversity “ ( v.6 ).

PROVERBS 3:7-8

The worldly wise, the high-minded intellectual types usually do not fear God because they think religion is only for us “uneducated “ Christians. For Christians departing from evil may mean having to leave a college or university that is blatantly anti-God.

[jen]

In relation to Psalms I have felt like this and I have been so grateful when I was reminded that He was right there oh how i pray that i would remember always that he is right there it would certainly help me I know

[Skip]

Would I die for my faith? I can say yes, and pray that when or if the time ever comes for me to prove it, that Jesus will give me the strength to stand up to my adversaries. I believe there is a cost to following Jesus but the cost is miniscule in comparison to what the reward will be when we leave this life. One of the costs for me is that I have always felt that I do not belong here. I’ve always felt very uncomfortable with life in general. I never really fit in with people and always feel like I’m an outsider; even with my best friends and some family members. I’ve always felt that I’m not from here, that I belong elsewhere, in a different time, a different place. I use to think I was a-bit nutty, I even thought about past lives and that maybe I was still mentally living in a past life, but I came to realize that there are no past lives. I am where and when God wants me to be. It’s true though that I don’t belong here. I belong with Jesus. This planet, this life is just a short sojourn until I return home to Jesus where I belong. I am merely a visitor to this strange alien planet, attempting to make God known to others, mainly through my actions and working to fulfill His purpose for my being here at this time, in this place before returning home.

I’m home sick, but I know I still have work that needs to be accomplished.

Yours in Christ,
Skip

[S]

Another thought regarding ...

I recently went through a very rough season in my life and very much disliked questioning "Where is God" because I didn't feel he was with me. I began reading John Ortberg's book "God Is Closer Than You Think" and in the book it mentioned that if you feel like God is not close.... "Who moved?". Ouch, that statement hit me over the head like a ton of bricks!!!

In hindsight, as written earlier by "Mark"... "even though it may have seemed that God was "hiding" from me, he was actually right there with me all along!"