January 5th One Year Bible Readings

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~ Click on this link for today's January 5th readings ~
Genesis 11:1-13:4 ~ Matthew 5:1-26
Psalm 5:1-12 ~ Proverbs 1:24-28

Old Testament - Today in Genesis chapter 11 we read about the tower of Babel!  You can view the location of the tower at a high level below:

I probably should not confess this, but I will - verse 4 made me smile and laugh at myself a bit, which really shouldn't be funny.  This verse reminded me of myself at times: "Let's build a great city with a tower that reaches to the skies--a monument to our greatness!" This verse is obviously not one that made God happy, as we see in subsequent verses.  And I guess I have to ask myself - are there times my life or areas of my life where I am attempting to build something that will be a "monument to my greatness"?  And I'm afraid that the answer is too often yes.  Or it surely has been in the past.  I pray that I'm turning over the desire to "be great" over to God more and more these days.  I pray that I am not seeking glory for myself - but seeking glory for God.  But, I am afraid that sometimes I revert back to wanting to build a "monument to my greatness" in my work or volunteer activities or maybe even personal relationships.  And this is pride.  It was this pride that brought about the building of the tower of Babel - and it was because of pride that God stopped the building of the tower by giving the human race different languages.  In your life today - are you seeking to build monuments of greatness for yourself?  Or are you instead seeking to only glorify God?  Below is an oil on panel painting of the "Tower of Babel" by Pieter Bruegel, circa 1563:

Today is a big day in our readings!  We are introduced to Abram & Sarai!  Genesis chapter 12 is significant in that it transitions our Old Testament readings from being about the world at large to being primarily about a specific man, Abram, his family, and his descendants.  Verses 2 and 3 are an amazing promise from God to Abraham: "I will cause you to become the father of a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and I will make you a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you."  This is a powerful promise that we will see played out throughout the rest of our Old Testament readings - and into the New Testament this promise continues and is fulfilled in Jesus - and continues in us as spiritual descendants of Abram today.  I heard somewhere once that one way to paraphrase this promise is "I will bless you, so that you will be a blessing to others."  And I think about that today for our own lives.  If we have been blessed by God, is it possible that we have been blessed in part so that we will be a blessing to others?  Do you believe that you been blessed by God?  Are you passing along that blessing to others in your life?

The brief story of Abram and Sarai in Egypt is a foreshadowing of what we will see later in Genesis and into Exodus - the descendents of Abram going into Egypt to escape a severe famine - and then ultimately leaving Egypt to the north "with all their household and belongings" (verse 20).  I also was intrigued in our Matthew readings a couple of days ago that Jesus as a child went into Egypt, when Mary & Joseph fled Herod's decree to kill all boys 2 & under around Bethlehem.  Egypt plays quite a supporting role in the Bible!  Below is a map of Abram's journey that we read about today:

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Genesis titled "The Unity of Unbelief" is at this link, "The Call of Abram" is at this link, and "When Faith Fails" is at this link.

New Testament - Okay... as I said above, today is a big day my friends!  We are starting the Sermon on the Mount!  Whoo-hoo! (are you cheering here with me?? :)  And as we do, let me encourage you in a few ways on what we'll be reading here.  First of all, personally, these 3 chapters of Matthew (5, 6, 7) have been transformative for me over the years.  Before I had faith in Jesus, I would continually read these chapters and I kept thinking to myself - "This guy has got some wisdom!  I like what he's saying!"  And I do believe that the Spirit was no doubt working on me as I read these chapters.  So, I do ask that you would be sensitive to the Spirit as you read The Sermon on the Mount.  What is the Spirit speaking to you as you read?  Which verses are really jumping out at you - maybe making you think about some areas of your life that might need some tidying up...  I know that this happens to me every time I read the Sermon on the Mount.  It's probably because of reading chapter 5 today, and the Beatitudes, that I went into my pride / Tower of Babel thing above...  :)

Here's my other big request for you as you read through the Sermon on the Mount - and really all of the gospels.  Try to experience what you are reading as something more than just "historical" teachings or "historical" readings.  Try to envision yourself maybe down at your local park and maybe imagine that Jesus was actually at that park surrounded by a bunch of your neighbors and imagine that you heard Jesus actually saying these words to you and your neighbors - today.  Would this change your perception of what you are reading?  Or, maybe imagine that indeed Jesus is not just at your local park - but in your very home saying these words to you.   And truly - He is - as you are reading the Bible you are hearing directly from Jesus.  I just want to encourage you that the words you read here in the Sermon on the Mount are incredible spiritual food.  And I don't think we can come back to these 3 chapters of Matthew often enough. I pray that you will let the Spirit of Jesus speak directly into your mind and your heart as you read and meditate on the meanings of these 3 chapters of the gospel of Matthew...

We read the Beatitudes today!  I would love to share with you the Beatitudes from Eugene Peterson's paraphrase of the Bible called The Message.  I really like the way he looks at the Beatitudes -
""You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are--no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being "carefull,' you find yourselves cared for.
"You're blessed when you get your inside world--your mind and heart--put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom."   - Matthew 5:3-10 The Message

I know verses 17 & 18 probably are interpreted in different ways - but a friend of mine has encouraged me when in doubt, just stick to the text, which is wise.  So, let's look at the Jesus' words here in this text - "Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to fulfill them.  I assure you, until heaven and earth disappear, even the smallest detail of God's law will remain until its purpose is achieved."   What does the reading of this text say to you?

And now that we've looked at the text... I need to dive into a commentary on these verses... :)   I'm quoting this from Tyndale's One Year Bible Companion book - which I have found to be a very helpful commentary to our daily readings:  "In the Old Testament, there were 3 categories of law:  ceremonial, civil, and moral.  1.  The ceremonial law was related specifically to Israel's worship.  Its primary purpose was to point forward to Jesus Christ; these laws are therefore no longer necessary after Jesus' death and resurrection.  However, the principles behind these laws - to worship and love a holy God - still apply.  2. The civil law applied to daily living in Israel and these laws cannot be followed specifically today in our modern society and culture.  But the principles behind theses laws are timeless and should guide our conduct. 3.  The moral law (such as the Ten Commandments) is the direct command of God, and requires obedience.  The moral law reveals the nature and will of God, and it still applies today."   So, there you have it from one evangelical commentary.  I know probably different people reading this blog are going to interpret these verses a bit differently.  This framework of these 3 categories of laws above and their fulfillment in Jesus I personally have found helpful and agree with.  One other commentary I found related to these verses says this: "Christ does not terminate the law. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid; we establish the law. (Romans 3:31) The law will always be there to point out what sin is, but the law is not the focus, Christ is the focus. Only He can cleanse, and sanctify and change the heart and mind."  Again, I know this can be a hot topic to say the least.  I'm sure some comments will go up on this, which is great.  Favor I have to ask everyone - are there any good books or studies or websites that you can recommend that discuss Jesus & his relation to the Old Testament law?  I'm definitely interested in studying more on this in 2008.  Thanks for posting up in the Comments section below some recommendations!

Bible.org's commentary on our readings today in Matthew titled "The Beatitudes" is at this link and "A Pinch of Salt in the Recipe for Persecution" is at this link.

Psalms - I love Psalm 5 verse 3: "Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly."  This is a great reminder to pray in the mornings - before we start the hustle and bustle of the day.  I know that many of you are reading the One Year Bible readings in the morning, which I think is a great way to start your day!  I do see a huge positive difference in my day if I do pray to God in the morning and pray specifically about the upcoming day - and pray for others that I will interact with that day as well.  Praise God for the morning!

Actually, while I'm talking about the morning here, let me go off on a tangent if you don't mind... :)  I honestly have lived much of my life as a "night owl."  I went to bed late and woke up late.  And I had all kinds of good "reasons" of why I was a night owl.  But, I will be honest here - I don't think being a night owl was good for me.  I honestly believe there is so much wisdom in the old adage of "early to bed, early to rise, helps make a person healthy, wealthy and wise."  I personally think that being a night owl was a lack of discipline on my part.  I don't mean to say all this to make you other night owls out there feel guilty...  :)  But, I do want to encourage you, in that if you think you are stuck being a night owl the rest of your life, I don't think it is true.  I believe you can make the transition to being a morning person.  I am an example of someone who has transitioned from being a late-night person to an early-to-bed person.  (well, yes, I'm still a bit in the transition phase sometimes it seems...)  And I am here to tell you, mornings rock!  Early mornings are so beautiful and peaceful!  They really are an amazing time of the day to connect with God...   Praise God for the morning!

Proverbs - Our readings in Proverbs 1:24-28 today is a great reminder to not ignore an opportunity to gain wisdom when the opportunity comes, or we may regret it later.  Is wisdom knocking on your door today?  Will you let Wisdom enter in? 

Worship God:  Psalm 5:3 reminded me of the wonderful worship song "Great is Thy Faithfulness."  I couldn't find the right version of this on song on YouTube.  However, I found a wonderful song called "Great is Your Mercy" with Donnie McClurkin and several other singers.  This video is actually 10 minutes and 30 seconds long!  But trust me, it is worth the time! Enjoy!

Can you sing "Great is Your Mercy" to God?  Click here to sing!

Please join me in memorizing 2 verses of Scripture today:
"You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14,16 NIV

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  Based on our Psalm 5 reading today, what do you do in the morning to set your mind and heart on God?  Is it prayer, reading the Bible, reading other devotions?  If you wouldn't mind posting up in the Comments section below, I'd love to hear what others are doing?  It always encourages me - and oftentimes gives me other ideas of things I might want to be doing as well.  Thanks!  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

[Terry]

Matthew 5:17-18 have special meaning for me since 3 years ago I came out of a legalistic and abusive religious organization where the 'law' was everything - to the exclusion of the grace and love of god. That is one reason why this Bible study is a wonderful experience for me. And I very much appreciate your commentary on the ceremonial, civil, and moral aspects of the law. There are VERY MANY people out there who have had experiences like mine who need to hear this. For many reasons they will not take part in this study and that is sad. You can say they are 'snake-bit' and need much prayer to recover from the bondage of legalism. From time to time as the Spirit of God leads, I will share the comments here with those of them who will hear it.

[Mark]

> what do you do in the morning to set your mind and heart on God?

I'm not as consistent as I'd like to be, but I often start by chatting and singing to God. I usually go straight to the shower in a rather sleepy state and start singing something worshipful. Then as I start to come round that usually develops into a thankful dialogue with Jesus.

Some mornings I go for a run first. When I started running again a few years ago, I asked Holy Spirit to be my running partner. There's many times I slow down my pace enough to chat with Him or to worship, and there's many times on my run I hear from Him or experience visions.

But I (try to) always sit down for half an hour or so after my shower with a cup of hot tea and my Bible in a quiet and peaceful household (the kids are still sleeping). I ask God to lead me in those times. Sometimes I'm led to pray, sometimes I'm led to my Bible, sometimes I scribble furiously as I tune in to God's words for me for the day.

The thing I really want to do is establish an awareness of God's presence for the whole day. I don't always do so well, but I'm improving.

I'm trying to fit the One Year Bible plan into additional time that adds to, rather than replaces, my exisitng time with God. It's been fairly easy during the holidays but I think when I get back to work next week I'll need to make an appointment in my diary each day, perhaps on many occasions it will be last thing before I go to bed.

[Jim]

Enjoy reading all your thoughts on the daily reading. Mike commenting
on being a night owl has been true of me for many, many years. I really didn't want to pay to much attention to Psa. 5:3 as I am not a morning person at all. But I do think it is something to strive for.

My biggest problem(s) are:

1. Getting to bed AND ASLEEP at a decent hour.
Sometime when I HAVE to get up early I have thought it would make it easier to get to sleep early - Not so!

2. When I do get up staying awake is a huge thing!
When I do get up early, unless I'm moving (an I'm not a jogger) I will more than likely doze off.

I do love the quietness of early morning there seems to be nothing like it AND I do think there is enough scripture to atleast support praying in the morning.

So do pray for a miracle or some practical steps to get me up and out of bed earlier and without falling back to sleep.

Great comments.

[Cory]

I use the Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle. It's a Daily Office (fixed-hour prayer) guide available in hard-cover print and online at Explore Faith (http://explorefaith.org ) We do them at meals as a family when possible. (My 4 and 2 year olds both know the Lord's Prayer.) We're finding it to be a simple way to abide in Jesus throughout the day.

[Nate]

The thoughts on praying in the morning has inspired me. I tend to rush around in the mornings to get to work and I'm up late studying the Word. I Honestly don't begin really praying with God until I'm on my way to work. My goal is to set aside 5 morning minutes for one on one prayer with no distractions. I strongly believe this prayer time will set my day and just maybe I can slowly become more of a morning person.

[Anka]

In the garden of Gethsemane,Jesus prayed father let them be one,as we are one...In today's reading (6The LORD said, "Behold, they are one people, and they all have (G)the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them)we can see just how powerful a tool unity is,so much that God decides to destroy it.Satan uses the same tactic which is so evident in the christian community today....we make denominational names for ourselves,adhere to different doctrines.
11"Many (A)false prophets will arise and will mislead many.

12"Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold.

13"(B)But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved
Since we are talking about the law...I once heard a commentary on this verse.Centuries ago,the church took a dramatic turn,legalisation of christianity.The early christians were considered a sect of Judaism and went through persecution...http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ac60
In 325AD,christianity became a state religion,division began among "christians".Many atrocities were commited in the name of the church which included persecuting those who questioned it's authority to change the worship days,feast days and doctrines of the "judaic sect"
Well,today a lot of people think Jesus did away with the law,the Jews who reject Jesus as the messiah say He broke the Law of Moses and encouraged His followers to follow suit..........................18"For truly I say to you, (W)until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

19"Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least (X)in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven......His words say otherwise.....the least of the commandments shouldn't be broken,this says to me,all of it should be kept.There's a saying that the world's becoming churchy and the church worldly...this sounds like"most people's love growing cold" to me...add this to "many are called,few are chosed".This is very scary to me...I'd rather keep the law,knowing that by Grace I was saved....but I have to watch and pray because the enemy won't just sit down and watch everyone who takes that alter call go to the Father.Like Israel's work load was increased in egypt so our work hours never seem enough.We are too busy trying to survive the day to pray for each other...or love one another...unity,don't even go there,we've all got our own schedules.
I feel an urgency to store God's work in my heart and I prefer to put my day in God's hands early in the morning,read His instructions before I come up with my worldly ones.I thank God for His Grace,love and mercy....we have used His name in vain for years,yet He still says"come let us reason together"...and He still calls us.
Please know most times I post,I am saying my mind out loud so I can hear...and repent....
God bless you all

[Anka]

http://www.keyway.ca/htm2001/20010301.htm
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Articles/Torah_Observance/torah_observance.html
http://www.jerusalemperspective.com/Default.aspx?tabid=27&ArticleID=1441
http://cometozion.org/Torah%20Scholar.htm
A few sites that talk about Jesus and the law....

[R]

Mike you stated:
>>
"Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to fulfill them. I assure you, until heaven and earth disappear, even the smallest detail of God's law will remain until its purpose is achieved." What does the reading of this text say to you?>>

The Apostle Paul told Timothy that the Law was written for Law Breakers,
“Now we know that the law is good, provided one uses it legitimately. We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral and homosexuals, for kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching based on the glorious gospel of the blessed God that was entrusted to me. “(1 Timothy 1:8-11 HCSB)

Since none of us can keep the Law and it is also stated that if you break one of the laws you have broken them all the only way we can be exempt from the Law is to be fully submitted to Jesus, to be in Christ. I believe that if we get caught up in trying to work the Law in our lives we will fail. The only way we can keep any part of the Law, and it is not just the Ten Commandments, is to walk continually in the Will of God; and the only way we can do that is to be submitted to Jesus Christ; so when God looks at us He will not see our human frailty but He will see His First Born Son, Jesus Christ, the only one who could keep and fulfill the Law.

[Birdie]

Eugene Peterson's paraphrase "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you." is something very real to me. When my dear husband died, I really did and still do feel embraced by God.

As for books relating Jesus to the OT I would recommend Eugene's Peterson's "Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places."

Birdie

[Amy Beth]

I just found your blog yesterday, and I am so excited. I know that it was in God's plan. I want to say that I thoroughly enjoy your insight on the daily readings.

I know that your blog will help me stay interested in reading my Bible everyday.

Thank you!
Blessings,
Amy Beth <><

[Jenny]

(Whoa..i set a record for the longest comment ever! Haha!)
Gen 12 has a good example of trusting God. Abram and Sarai lied to the Egyptians. Didnt they trust the Lord to protect them? Then the Egyptian man rebuked Abram. Its very a hard, painful thing to be rebuked by nonbelievers! I've been there. Its shameful. We should trust God that He will take care of us no matter what...we are to be honest.

The Beatitudes are definitely wonderful. Each one deserves careful observation.
"blessed is the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." ...the poor in spirit, the spiritually humble, those who realize their lack of self-sufficiently, who see their need for Christ, have done away with pride and give up control of their lives, surrender it to the Lord.

"Blessed is those who mourn for they shall be comforted"....I used to think this meant mourning for pain like losing a loved one. I never felt blessed when my loved ones died. But no, this means the one who mourns over their sinful nature...when God reveals your heart to you and you see yourself for what you are, an undeserving sinner...you will mourn, big time! But God will comfort you and bless you with eternal life and so much more. This mourning is necessary for true repentance!

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth". I thought i had this one covered b'cos i was always a quiet, meek person.....No, meekness is seeing your complete need for the Lord in your life, the person controlled by the spirit. As my pastor said before, he refers to it as Me=eek!... we see how helpless we are and are completely dependent on the spirit.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." ...this is pretty self explanatory...we who have a deep desire for things of God. When we become born again, our desires change! hanging out with friends doesnt sound as appealing as going to Sunday night church....Its not cause I have a ritual and must go to church for self-righteousness’ sake, (put my hrs in at church). Its cause I cant wait to get there! I cant wait to be in parise and worship with other believers, I cant wait to hear what God has to say to me...I want it more then anything. This is evidence of a changed heart. Nonbelievers dont understand, they want to go out and drink...they wonder why I dont go out and have fun...I do! My fun is just different from their fun! I would be miserable in company of drunk ppl! I love going to church or hanging out with Godly friends, or spending a night in reading the word! As we get older in the faith, may our desires for the Lord continue...if we have a dry spell, ASK God to restore your hunger and thirst for Him. He WILL!

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy”. We are to be merciful toward others! The same measure we use to judge others, God will use to judge us. WE should be merciful, because God has been merciful to us! We should be quick to forgive and seek to restore. (remember the story about the man who owed tons of money, and the lender forgave him his debt. The borrower then went to ppl who owed him a small amount of money, they didn’t have it, and he would not forgive their debt. The word goes on…Look, you owed so much and you were forgiven it, yet those that owed you just a lil amount, you didn’t forgive them! By the measure you forgive, you will be forgiven!)

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Now I know nobody, but nobody but Christ has a pure heart. Once we accepted Christ’s atonement for our sins, HIS sacrifice, God looks on us as covered by the blood, He sees us redeemed and pure. I don’t know about you guys, but this is a toughie for me to wrap my head around. But I know Christ can and did do it, and I have 100% faith, though I don’t understand.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” I, like I’m sure many, thought this meant someone who brings peace between quarreling ppl. I was often in the middle of fights between my sisters and had to make peace between them therefore I thought I was a peacemaker (e-hem…pride!) The only peacemaker is Christ…He is the bridge from sinful man to God. So who are “peacemakers”?...this passage doesn’t seem to be referring to Christ because Christ is speaking this to believers. My former pastor said this was referring to those who lead others to Christ. We know only the Spirit can bring others to Christ, but perhaps when we witness and share with others…
Anyone else have a thought on this?

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” My pastor used to say…this doesn’t mean persecuted for being annoying ‘whoa is me, I am persecuted.’ no you weren’t persecuted for righteousness sake, u were persecuted for being annoying…..haha.

Referring to v. 11, when I have been persecuted for righteousness sake, I’ve never had my feelings hurt, in fact, I literally felt the Lord take the arrow for me! The arrow missed me completely b’cos it is not us, but Him they are persecuting :( . Now of course, the persecution most of us endure is nothing!! There are so many being tortured, imprisoned and murdered today for His sake. Being excluded n made fun of…that’s nothing!

v.13…we are the salt of the earth! Salt is used as a preservative and for flavoring. Let us not lose of salt and become useless. We are the life in this dying world….we are lights to those in the dark. We who are saved are shining for Christ!...its all to lead others to the true Light!

v.12 shows the importance of our hearts, not our acts. Has anyone hated someone? I have…we have all broken the law, if not by act, by our hearts. I have broken all 10 in my heart! But Christ came not to condemn, but to save. He wants to show us that He is looking into our hearts! I will ask my dad about a book reference for you bible dude. My dad knows tons of books!
Regarding the morning thing, I feel there is tremendous ways God speaks to us in the morning. I am a major night owl, but i am kinda forced to b'cos i have a job that i work afternoon to late nights /early morning. I feel energized and my best at night, alertness wise, so i do my exercising at night and usually my readings. No matter when we do our studies, i know we will be blessed. but of course we should have the Lord with us throughout the day. in prayer, listening to worship music and i love to listen to Christian talk stations like kwave. Like exercise i think the best time is the time that you make sure you're gonna stick with it! That’s my take =)

[Johnnie]

Good morning Mike,

You wrote -- Based on our Psalm 5 reading today, what do you do in the morning to set your mind and heart on God?
>>My answer: My time in the morning is to read His word. Before reading His word, I say a short prayer asking for God's revelation knowledge and wisdom. All I want is something from His heart to my heart. Sometimes all I have to say is, "The entrance of your word brings light -- light my path today Lord."

Today's word that really struck me...Psalm 5:12, "For you bless the godly, O Lord, surrounding them with your shield of love." I'm so glad he shields me with His love!!!!

Shalom,
Johnnie

[Kelly]

Hey all! I was definitely not a morning person at the start of the new year. I know I mentioned that I just graduated from college--let's just say that I was enjoying the time to lounge. But, after a few days, I started to feel sluggish and lazy. And then, when I found this blog I just knew that I had to change. I usually have trouble falling asleep, so I started taking a herbal sleeping pill, and I'm in bed by the same time every night. I also set my alarm so I wake up at a decent hour. So far, it has worked wonderfully! I wake up eager each morning to see what God is going to show me. This morning I woke up crabby because I kept getting woken up last night. So, instead of hurrying to my devotions, I took a little extra time to focus and surrender my day to Him. I think that as important as it is to spend time with God, it is also equally important to do it in the right frame of mind.
What stood out for me in today's reading was definitely The Message's paraphrase of the beatitudes, particularly:"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are--no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought."
Well, time for me to go. Hope you all have a wonderful day!
Kelly

[Gina]

Funny, (well, probably not) my pastor just did a sermon Wed. night on this same subject of "making a name for ourselves" - letting ourselves receive the glory and not God! I know I struggle wtih pride - and lately, the subject keeps coming up everywhere...I'm glad God is helping me work through this now. There was a time when I didn't even know I was being prideful! At least now, I can recognize it.

"I will bless you to be a blessing" - I will always believe that our belssings come from God in order for us to bless others! We shouldn't try to hold on to anything for just ourselves! And Yes, God has blessed me in amazing ways...and as I grow with Him, I am learning to be less selfish with my time, money, gifts etc....

I love the way The Message paraphrases the Beatitudes! Especially the first verse...You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule." - Again PRIDE! When you get to the end of yourself and realize that you can't do it...that's when we realize that God was there all the time just waiting for us to get ourselves out of the way!!

Morning time...Oh I am so NOT a morining person! But like you said...transition is possible! I am trying that now. I used to get up and, since I work from home, go right to the computer and work to get it over with. That wasn't a bad thing, but then I got busy in the evening and then got tired and found that more often than not, I wasn't spending time with God! I do retain better at night and enjoy studying and reading better in the evening, but I just know that sometimes I would not do it. Thus....I have committed to to this reading every morning. So far so good! LOL! I also use a few devotionals - My Utmost For His Highest (which was mentioned a few weeks ago) and one called "Jesus Calling".

Psalm 5:3 was awesome..."in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation" - I really thing it's important not only to ask God for the desires of our heart, but to expect Him to answer! Hebrews says to "approach the throne with confidence" - We have to trust God, not worry and wait on Him...He will not leave us hanging!

Psalm 5:7 was great too! "But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house" - just a reminder that only by His grace and mercy can we enter His house...it has nothing to do with ourselves.

[Beverley]

Hi, this is my first day of joining of you all. I've been reading the One Year Bible from Jan 1st but I didn't know you were here! I seem to have an older version though as it's not for new believers and doesn't have any extra notes?

I am also a night time person and can easily not go to bed AT ALL! But if I do (at 3-4am) then obviously it's hard for me to get up before about 11am. I'm not really sure 'how' to change though?

So, as I also have children I don't seem to 'have time for God' (!!!) until late in the evening again. This was partly the reason I want to work through the Bible, to get a relationship (at all) with God and to have a focus to spend 'some' time with Him, before the day disappears and I haven't met with Him at all!

I'm finding there is a lot of reading here for me to do and as I have ADHD I want to read ALL the links and everything but it's a bit much for me to take in.

I feel a little inadequate knowing that my relationship with God is seriously lacking and I'm not putting Him first in my life, but instead seeing if there's anything left over for Him! The more I'm typing, the more I realise this is true (and very sad) Please pray for me!

It's good to be here anyway, I really hope that I can say I've read my Bible and changed my life

[Mae]

I loved reading The Message in Matthew!!!! I'm really going to print that and put it in several places as a true reminder! "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God". Isn't that encouraging???????? I really love it!!! I also love verse 16 "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven", for several reasons that really touched my heart deeply. One of the main reasons is because my husband hasn't been saved yet. He isn't a reborn Christian ... but I do know that he's coming closer and closer. He prays, that means he knows that 'someone' is listerning. A couple of weeks ago he watched a dvd from Kent Hovind, he was very excited about it. And he's going to watch more of Kent Hovind. I'm hopefull! I know that me being God's child will help. My husband sees me changing in front of him. I'm shining and he'll see God. I'm sure that one day, God will touch him and he'll let himself be saved.

Oh yes! Praise God in the morning, amen!!! I pray directly when I wake up, I want God to be the first to talk to. I love my morningprayers, when it's still dark, I'm covered up in my blanket and I can talk to my Father. I love that moment of the day. I also love doing my readings in the morning to. I can't do that on Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays because I'm working in the mornings then. But I really love my morningprayers, I need that start of the day. When I'm being rushed out of bed for some reason, I always go back to bed and have my 'regular start'. Same when I go to bed, I pray before I fall asleep, I love that! I talk to God at 6.30am and 11.00pm ... I really want God to be the first and the last one to talk to every day ...
I love Psalm 5:9 "Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow". I don't know yet why it touched me ... I don't have enemies. Well, I do have other human beings not liking my sweet little me (LOL). Need to think about it why this verse stood out for me so clearly.

[Anka]

On the questions should christians follow the law..Let everyone be convinced in his heart....I believe there are people who use the law like the teachers of the law in the OT...legalistically. I see Jesus didn't break the law,nor did the disciples...I know we tend(as christians)to argue over many things...tithe or not,law or not....the good news is Jesus saved us,the rest ....we study,so we may be approved....so I'll just keep digging....Thanks for the commentaries....I scanned through them but will study them more this weekend cos it's kinda late...
God bless you all

[Jit]

I would like to thank many who share their personal stories and experiences in living the faith and edifying me in the process.
Please continue to pray and ask God for enlightment from your daily reading of the rich and plentiful commentaries posted in each day's reading

[G]

Based on our Psalm 5 reading today, what do you do in the morning to set your mind and heart on God?

Well, for me I hardly have any time in the morning. I wake up at 7:00 and have to leave home to go to school at around 7:55. In that period I have to change, wash my face, put makeup on, eat breakfast, and brush my teeth.

However, I always have 10-15 minutes of extra time if I hurry, which is what I try to do.

During this Advent and Christmas season my routine has been doing the daily devotion thing in this little blue book I got from my church. Then after that I pray, read the Bible, or just think about what I read in the blue book.

With the Christmas season ending, my routine will change, but I'm going to try to find some new thing to do.

[Cheryl]

The first thing I do when I wake up, is pray. Normally my eyes are still not ready to read, but prayer is a necessity. If I miss a day of morning prayer and also bible reading (later morning), I am not as centered in Christ that day, which shows in my attitude towards others. People frequently ask me how I stay so calm (I'm a special ed teacher) and I tell them I pray and read the bible and this is what centers me on what is important in life (Christ).

[Pat]

I start out each day at the kitchen table with the Lord, His Word, and a pot of coffee. A couple of hours spent with the Lord each morning just makes the rest of my day go smoothly. However, I must say that this is a routine that just seemed impossible to initiate until after I retired. That’s one of the many things I love about retirement.

God Bless!
Pat

[R]

Matthew 5:1-26

One of the many amazing things I’ve discovered when reading through the Bible are all the many things I discover after thinking, “I already know that.” Sometimes the things I uncover may not be things I’ve never seen before or understood previously, sometimes it may be a deeper depth of understanding. I’ve come to learn that I should NEVER think I really know a text or the story because there have been too many “surprises” turning up in my daily reading.

For the first time in all my years of going through the Book, I realize that Jesus spoke this message to his disciples, people willing to climb up an incline; a steep hill, a mountain to hear what He had to say. I also know from my years of concert going and opera viewing that the best seats to hear anything is not on ground level with the speaker, especially when there is no amplification system, but above the speaker because sound waves travel out and up. These folks wanted to here Jesus, expected to here and wanted to be taught. These folks were active listeners. Expect to receive from God and you will. This kind of stuff is what motivates me to read through the Word year after year after year.

SEEING THE crowds, He went up on the mountain; and when He was seated, His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: (Matthew 5:1-2 AMP)

Jesus’ disciples were part of the crowd, but not everyone in the crowd was Jesus’ disciple. Wow!! Are we just part of the crowd giving the appearance of discipleship; or, are we willing to climb the mountain and give to Jesus our ears so we can actively listen to what He is saying?

[Bill]

GENESIS 11:1-13:4

It was at Babel ( i.e. Babylon ) where all false religion originated. It was a religion in the sense that they were trying to reach heaven by some other way than God's way. Not to interject too much conspiracy theory here but it is my belief that the New World Order when fully implemented will be Babel revisited and set the stage for the rise of the prophesied Antichrist. I have an image on file of a poster of the European Union which had an image of the unfinished tower of Babel on it. HTML is not allowed here or else I would post it. Another symbol of the New World Order is an image of a pyramid without the capstone in place. You can see it on the back of a U.S. dollar bill. The day is coming when the world will again be ONE and the people of the earth will be deceived by the false religion of Antichrist and the False Prophet. Part of Satan's plan will be the attempt to undo what God did when He divided the world into nation-states at Babel.

Israel is, of course, a chosen nation by virtue of God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. For this reason Christians should be strong supporters and friends of the nation of Israel. It boggles my mind that some Christians will believe replacement theology, that is, that the Church has replaced Israel in God's prophetic plan for the world and that all of the promises to Israel now belong to the Church. Yes, we Gentile believers are the spiritual seed of Abraham but some have forgotten that we are branches that have been "grafted in" with the natural branches to God's olive tree which is Israel ( Romans 11:1-32 ). God promised that through Abraham all the nations of the earth would be blessed. That blessing comes to we Gentiles through Jesus Christ who was a Jew for it was from the Hebrew race that God would forth the messiah of Israel, the Savior of the world and the Redeemer of mankind. It is on the throne of David in Jerusalem where He will one day reign over the nations.

MATTHEW 5:1-26

The Beatitudes, or the Sermon On The Mount, teaches us how the Lord wants us to live in relation to other people and what he looks for when he searches our hearts. I have a lot of cross references written in the margins of my Bible on this passage and so I will just post some of them rather than make lengthy comments that most people here already know and understand:

V.3 - " Blessed are the poor in spirit... - " Psalm 51:17; Proverbs 16:19; Isaiah 57:15 & 66:2

V.4 - " Blessed are they that mourn..." - Isaiah 61:2-3; Revelation 7:17 & 21:4

V.5 - " Blessed are the meek..." - Psalm 25:9 & 37:11

V.6 - " Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness..." - Isaiah 65:13

V.7 - " Blessed are the merciful..." - Psalm 41:1; Hebrews 6:10; James 2:13

V.8 - " Blessed are the pure in heart..." - 1 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Peter 1:22

V.9 - " Blessed are the peacemakers ..." - Romans 12:18; Hebrews 12:14; James 3:18

V.10 - " Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake..." - 2 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 3:14

The scribes and Pharisees were self-righteous hypocrites who thought that they kept the law perfectly and were thereby justified before a holy and righteous God. How wrong they were! Though the law has moral standards of conduct by which Christians should take heed but none of us have kept the law perfectly which is why we need a Savior who is Christ the Lord. Thank God the righteousness of Jesus Christ exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees and that we have His righteousness imputed to us by faith in Him ( Romans 10:1-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21 ).

PSLAM 5:1-12

Verse 3 stresses the importance on morning devotions I think. In the past whenever I skipped them for one reason or another it seemed like I often had a bad day all around. When I did have them I felt like I was better prepared to go out and face the world. When I used to come home from work in the evening I was often so stressed out I didn't feel up to Bible study. The morning is definitely the time to have quiet time with the Lord, before all of the other distractions, pressures and cares of life have time to occupy your attention or consume your thoughts. Directing our thoughts toward the Lord first thing in the morning through meditating on God's Word and by prayer will help us stay focused for the rest of the day.

PROVERBS 1:24-28

Men reject the Word of God to their own destruction ( v.27 ). In doing so they refuse God's overtures to make peace with Him and to be reconciled to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ ( v.24 ). It is a frightening thing to watch the ungodly despise God's Word they way they do knowing the judgment that they will one day be facing because of it. In that day it will be too late to seek the Lord, to believe on and to call upon the name of the Lord for salvation
( v.28 ).

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:

1. Based on our Psalm 5 reading today, what do you do in the morning to set your mind and heart on God? Is it prayer, reading the Bible, reading other devotions? If you wouldn't mind posting up in the Comments section below, I'd love to hear what others are doing?

I have daily Bible study and prayer in the morning. Usually I starting around 7:00am, sometimes a little earlier and sometimes a little later, but it is always my determination that it be the first activity of my day. It extends for an average of about 2 hours. I include the devotional entitled ' Our Daily Bread ' which is published by RBC ministries in my readings. I am also using the Youth With A Mission ( YWAM ) Personal Prayer Diary / Daily Planner. If I can stick to this plan I should be able to make intercessory prayers for every nation of the world by the end of the year.

[Judy]

I just want to praise God for this Bible blog. I am going through one of the most difficult times in my entire life. To look for hope I searched for a daily Bible reading and found this blog. Im been reading along with each of you and these Bible readings have been such a help. Ive been a christian for many years and a Sunday School teacher, so I have read scriptures for years, but this bible study has really been a blessing. I could count the times on one hand that I have ever asked people to pray for me, but if there is anyone out there who has ever gone through really difficult times and would pray for me, please do.

[Andrew]

Way behind here: just my two cents on Christian life under the law - this is from something I wrote elsewhere:

Life under the law and life in Christ are different worlds. This is particularly clear in Col 2:13-15:

"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." (Col 2:13-15 NIV)

The phrase "having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross" seems to suggest that the law is cancelled by its being nailed to the cross. But some translations render this differently. TNIV has:

"He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross." (Col 2:14 TNIV)

The rendering "having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross" makes it clear it is not the law in general that is nailed to the cross, but the specific charges against us. We are individually freed of the charges against us, our sins are forgiven, nailed to the cross. We are free.

[Laverne]

One book I found to be invaluable while studying is Paradise to Prison Studies in Genesis by John J. Davis

As soon as I open my eyes I thank God for a new day. Then I lay there for a minute not saying anything just being at His gate with gladness....and a open heart

[Jan]

God promises there will be JOY IN THE MORNING. I am not a morning person per se; I have had to become a morning person for most of my jobs. I go to bed around 11:00pm to midnight. I like to go to sleep with the Word in my heart, but I know it is good to start out your day that way also. The thing I would like to do is set aside a special time of at least 30 min. 3 times per day (praying on the rooftops as some did in Biblical days).

Mike, in regard to your/our pide issue, that is why the Word tells us to judge ourselves that we won't be judged. Introspecting & having checks in our spirits/conviction is what partly keeps us obedient & on the Narrow Path.

[Roslyn]

I've always been a morning person---bedtime at about 9pm. I find so much peace and beauty in the quiet of the early morning at 4 or 4:30. I can think, feel and absorb...my mind soars to God unemcumbered by the cares of the previous day. And the morning is fresh!

This is when I do my bible reading and my reflection ending with St. Francis' prayer "Lord make me an instrument of your peace..."

I like the line, Mike.
...the law is not the focus----Christ is!!! Lots of times, people are stuck with the law and are unable to go beyond it. Christ and His human-ness is what we should be focusing on in our lives.

[Roslyn]

The beatitudes indeed speak directly to our hearts. I like most----

"You're blessed when you found you lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you."

Having lost my husband (my best friend) years ago, and living in a foreign land at the time with a 2-year old baby----it certainly was the worst of times and the best of times but I found myself wrapped in faith and walking with God every step of the way. My daughter and I could not have survived through those difficult times if not for the gift of faith and genuine friendships. His constant love made all things possible!!!

[R]

MIke--I am a morning person. Even when I want to sleep in my body’s alarm clock begins ringing at 5am.

I do my reading time is in the morning. I have a second read through the bible program that I usually use first. Then I read a chapter in Proverb, and finaly a come to the BLOG.

What I post, whether A.M or P.M, usually comes out of my Devotion/quit time. When I read the Word in the morning, there seems to always be a verse, a passage or passages that dwell in my mind all day, which I then mediate on. I am a journaler and what I journal usually winds up here, or at least part of my thoughts get posted here.

Genesis 11-13:4

The whole earth had a common language and a common vocabulary. When the people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. Then they said to one another, "Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly." (They had brick instead of stone and tar instead of mortar.) Then they said, "Come, let's build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens so that we may make a name for ourselves. Otherwise we will be scattered across the face of the entire earth."
(Genesis 11:1-4 NET.)

Mike’s words about building a name for oneself has really hit home and has caused me to think about broken relationships held up to the light of the story of the tower of Babel. Could shattered relationships really be the product of trying to build a name for oneself? Are our us-four-and-no-more groups really be about lifting up ourselves to get a name? Did God come down and scatter the relationships because we were going in a direction we were not suppose to be going, up and not out?

On January 1st my first post began with a quote from the Book of Ecclesiastes,

Wisdom or money can get you almost anything, but it's important to know that only wisdom can save your life. Notice the way God does things; then fall into line. Don't fight the ways of God, for who can straighten out what he has made crooked?
Enjoy prosperity while you can. But when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. That way you will realize that nothing is certain in this life. (Ecclesiastes 7:12-14)

My focus was on the statement, Notice the way God does things; then fall into line. Funny how what comes out of our mouths, in this case, what is typed out on the keyboard, comes back to hold us accountable, ouch!

[Londa]

What am I doing during my devotional time to set my mind and heart on God? At the suggestion of a Bible Study leader and dear friend, I light a candle. That represents God's presence to me and helps me to keep focus.

[Londa]

Just read a commentary that observed that when God called Abram to the Canaan - it was a very indirect route - though it led him by life-sustaining rivers. We may take longer routes, but as long as we stay by God's word, - even if the route is longer, we'll be OK.
Then, also - Abram got there - then there was famine! Abram then used his intelligence and went to Egypt for a time - but then returned to where he knew God wanted him to be. Hmmmmm - see more application. God's word is always true!

[Pam]

In the mornings I read a different scripture and try to reflect on it during the day. I also subscribed to Klove's daily devotional scriptures. It's amazing how often it comes into use at work.

[Chip]

Jesus summarized the Old Testament Law - in all its forms: the Ten Commandments, Mosaic Law, Prophets, etc. - as “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, and all your strength” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” In fact, I would go so far as to say that Christ perfected the Law in these two commands. After all, what was Old Testament Law, but an imperfect and imcomplete code by which to fulfill these two commands? As Christ points out in the Sermon on the Mount, fulfillment of His Ultimate Command - Love - goes much beyond the Law than any human could ever possibly fulfill on his own, as Jesus implied when He said, “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” The Pharisees followed the Law in the utmost legalistic sense; yet Jesus indicates here that without faith in the One to whom the Law pointed, true righteousness could not be attained.

[Jan]

Mark said: "When I started running again a few years ago, I asked Holy Spirit to be my running partner. There's many times I slow down my pace enough to chat with Him or to worship, and there's many times on my run I hear from Him or experience visions."

I know how precious this experience/relationship is...when jogging I talk to Him & hear from Him also. I really miss it now because when I get off work, it is too dark to go jog. Those are very special times between He & I & I especially miss jogging with Him & talking to Him also.

I truly know how you feel...He is a very loving jogging partner to jog with!

[Laura]

I've really enjoyed reading everyones posts today. I don't always have time to reply, but I thought today I would comment on how important posts are. This is our fellowship. Because we are doing this bible study online it would be very impersonal if no one ever responded.

Jan, I like your thoughts on running, I'm a runner too and find it to be a very spiritual time to connect with God in addition to praying at a certain times. Mornings are a good time to pray for me to start out the day. I read through this study whenever I have a chance. I works swings so mornings are usually best for reading too.

Ramona, thanks for that verse in Ecclesiastics 7:12-14 It remindes us that both prosperity and hard times are from God. Very important point to remember.

I just want to say it's been nice to meet you all online. God bless you all, I'm looking forward to this one year study and getting to know more about you all and reading all your thoughts. Blessings.... Laura

[R]

Again this morning the words that I read earlier in the day came back to my mind as I rode the train to work.

Mike—looking at the Map you inserted in today’s comments I couldn’t help but observe that Haran, where Abram and the gang hung-out for ten years until dad died, seems like a spike in the journey that lead away from Canaan. It is like a spike on an EKG reading heralding a warning of danger to come.

I’ve often wondered each time I’ve read through this story what would have happened if Haran had never been a stopping point in this journey. If Abram had arrived in Canaan, the land God would promise to his descendents, but not him, would they have had enough grain/hay and what ever else grows, to stave off the effects of the famine? If Abram had trusted God, in spite of the famine, so that God would prove to him that He would meet all their needs, how would the rest of the story turn out.

Abram seemed to be conflicted by two fears pulling inside of him like a perverted game of tug-of-war. Unable or unwilling to trust God in the midst of the famine, fear of starving to death drove him to a country that presented him with another fear, fear of death from the hands of Pharaoh. One fear drove him smack into the other. Fear is a rough taskmaster and allowing it to drive one’s decisions and choices oft times leads to bad choices and regrets.

Fear drove Abram to “pimp” his wife to feed himself and his household. He offered up his wife as a sacrifice to save his own life. Can today’s families find themselves doing the same thing? Are we offering up our husbands, wives, children on the alter of a idolatrous god of fear? We may even find ourselves pimping the gospel, offering up half-truth, like Abram, about our situations to avoid or stave off the death of our finances, the death of relationships, family and friends while we construct an alter of justification for doing our deeds: comprise and sin. Finally, if Abram hadn’t gone down to Egypt, would we be reading about Hagar, Sari’s Egyptian hand maiden and the boy Ishmael in the chapters to come, and, the fall-out from that relationship, would we still be reaping the effects today?

I wonder about these things because I think about the consequences of my actions and or inactions of following God whole-heartedly. Thank God that He redeems, restores and reconciles us back to Him. Yet walking in His perfect will is so much easier than walking in His Permissive will. All unnecessary bumps are removed when we obey.

[Deb]

re: "I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to fulfill them."

IDEA: When we are driving and the light turns red, we stop (hopefully!). We have fulfilled the law, but we have not done away with it!

Mike: Thanks for a fresh new one year Bible reading. You put alot of work and the Spirit into it.Thanks for pointing out that the moral law still applies (it was NOT nailed to the cross as some claim.)
The Message was unique-thanks!

[Timothy]

"There he built an altar and worshipped the Lord." Worship is an interesting concept. What does it really mean to "worship?" For Abram, he built an altar. It would seem to me that he offered a sacrifice on that altar. It also seems to me that killing an animal and placing it on the altar really meant to take something that you derive your life's sustenance from (cow - milk and/or meat). For people sacrificing their animals, they are really saying to God, I trust you to take care of me, because I am giving to you something that I acually need to live on. Therefore, to sacrifice something - to worship - is to lay one's very existence on God's lap. It is to say, "I depend upon You." Therefore, worship is really telling God you depend upon Him - trust.

I think this theme is established here in Genesis and continues all throughout the entire Bible.

It's why idolatry is so bad. It's the exact opposite of trusting God. It's actually trusting in oneself - making oneself God.

I just love reading through the Bible. And, even though I just found out about this blog 2 days ago, I love it too.

Thanks for everyone's comments.

[Frank]

"a monument to our greatness"

I struggle with this as well. I am a young professional and I am doing a lot of planning and dreaming about what I want to accomplish at work and in life. The tower story really centers my motivations and humbles me before God. Everything I do should be for the glory of God but this concept just flies in the face of "worldly success" and everything we are taught growing up.

"Sermon on the Mount"

I also feel like the Holy Spirit is at work each time I review these passages. I feel like this speaks to the heart of what life is all about. It's beyond powerful.

[Rob]

It occured to me that today's four readings are in a pattern (ABBA if you like that sort of thing)

Genesis - a warning to the church about pride and not listening to God
Matthew - an encouragement of what the true church looks like and the blessings it receives
Psalms - an encouragement of what the true church looks like and the blessings it receives
Proverbs - a warning to the church about pride and not listening to God

Amazing how God can speak even through the ordering of a one-year bible plan. It helps me (who like Frank above struggles with monuments) try to live a lifecloaser to that of Jesus.

Rob

[Jeannine]

I try to read part of the daily readings in the mornings and the rest at night. We're doing the one year bible with a group from my church (APC Bonn, Germany) and one member suggested from his experience to break the readings up and read OT and Psalm in the morning and NT and proverbs in the evening.
So, I'm trying it and so far I really like it. Gives a good structure to the day :)

[T]

Hello! I found your site via google. And then I told others about it hoping that it will encourage others to read their bible.

I liked reading your insights after I read today's verses. I usually read when Im eating my breakfast in the morning. That "pride" thing you wrote about reminded me to be humble today.

The only verse that spoke was Matt. 5, v. 16 about the light that we're to shine so that they may see our works. Since Jesus is the "light", we have to go out into the "darkness" and be good examples to others. That reminded me of what christians are supposed to do.

[Mark]

"Let's make a name for ourselves!" With who? Who were they -- or should I say -- who am I trying to impress? As I read about the great tower, I wonder if mankind was trying to impress God? In the beginning, God said: "Let us make man in OUR image." It seems that ever since then, man has been devoted to try to create a god in MAN'S image. Yes, this passage certainly kicks at the feet of my proud flesh. I rejoice though that the next chapter reveals the great hope - being one of God's chosen ones. I have been called out of this land, the land of my fathers and God has invited me to a land that he will reveal to me. This world is not my home, I am a resident alien, with citizenship in heaven.

Mike, I appreciate you posting the Beatitudes using the Message. I feel particularly challenged about "getting my inside world put right so that I can accurately see God in the outside world!

Proverbs: It seems that wisdom is more spiritual than mental. Anyone can gather knowledge -- but God is the dispenser of wisdom.

I enoy reading the posts and comments - happy to be a part of God's kingdom! God bless and strengthen you today.

In His Name,
Mark

[Ruth]

I read the Daily walk bible in the morning and the one year bible at night with my family.

I really enjoyed the comment on the Tower of Babel I must be very careful in everything that I do for the Kingdom of God that I don't try to set up a kingdom for myself. I don't ever want to thing that I can do anything without God. I want to always realize that every good and perfect gift comes from Him, without out Him I am nothing.

Ruth

[Betty]

First, I really enjoy your site and am grateful to have been told about it! I really enjoy reading other people's insight into the Word-it brings out thoughts and meanings I wouldn't have thought of. Thank you for being obedient to the Spirit that called you to do this.

I am glad you included the Message paraphrase! It was enlightening to read it-I think it really opened up the meaning of the verses for me. I bought the Message for my son and daughter-in-law hoping it would inspire them to read the Bible more, but maybe I should read it myself and see what other insights I might glean from it.

The verse that jumped out at me today was Matthew 3:13-not the part about being the salt of the earth, but about losing our saltiness. I need to reflect on it a little longer, but to me it says to beware losing our ability to relate to the unbelievers around us or we are no longer of any use in our witness. Think about what salt does in cooking-it can actually sweeten a dish (think corn or oatmeal without salt). If we lose that ability to "sweeten" (or make better) our lives and those around us because of the work of the Holy Spirit within us-we are no longer any different from the unbelievers. Wow!

As for starting my day, I try to read from "Streams in the Desert" (or some other devotional) and I always spend some time in prayer. This is when I ask God to show me how to serve Him today. This is when I ask Him to make me salt and light to those around me for His glory. I don't think I could get through the day without my prayer time. I read the Bible online at night when I have more time to play.

Thanks and keep up the good work.

[R]

Genesis 11:1-13:4

Although we can focus upon the tower and people trying to make a name for themselves by building a monument to their greatness, the forth verse adds another layer besides the sin of “pride,” direct disobedience to a command of God uttered in the ninth chapter of Genesis, 7As for you [Noah and family], be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it." There intent was to “hang-out” together (This will bring us together and keep us from scattering all over the world). Sin is never a “single” issue state of mind it is always a conglomerate of ideas and behaviors that are wrong. We don’t just role out of bed and commit a sin, it is several stepping stones of sin that lead to murder, adultery, rape, robbery, etc. The interesting that what was found in the land of Babylonia crept into society from the folks who came out of the Ark. It doesn’t take long for sin to take hold and overcome a people.

In chapter 12 Abram receives a call. I’ve always been fascinated by this because in the King James version it states, 1Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Did this call come before or after Terah, Abram’s father took them out of Ur? Was Abram ten years late in arriving in Canaan, thus arriving just in time to meet the famine in the land? Why did he bring his nephew Lot, if God said not too? These questions always come up when I read this part because after reading through the bible for the past 20 years, every year, some of the things that Abram faced seemed to be caused by people he should not have taken, from places he should never have gone too. However, because God knows the beginning from the end, he always provides an escape for our wrong decisions. The escape will cost us added time and headaches because God’s Perfect will is always better than His Permissive will.

I’ve sometimes thought about Abram being the kind of husband I would want. He is fearful and used Sarai, his wife, as a shield to protect his life, or so he thought. Sort of like the father who doesn’t want to deal with the bill collectors “dogging” him for bills that he chose to make, by sending his wife or kids to the door or phone to tell them he’s not home. In short Abram didn’t take responsibility for his family. He “pimped” his wife in the original sense of the word. Boy or boy, God can use anybody. And because I know the end of the story, I know that He will work with us until we get it right.

Matthew 5:1-26

From Mike’s posting of the “Beatitudes” as it appears in the Message and my readings in both the NLT and NIV today, I saw something for the very first time, the mental, emotional and physical state one needs to be in to be “blessed” is one of total dependence on God. Until one realizes their need for Him, until one mourns over their situation and the situations of others around them, until one is gentle and lowly, etc, you will always relay on your own skill and cunning to get what you want.

I’m not so sure if we can “do” anything to get to the place where we can “walk” the Beatitudes, I’m thinking and will ponder this idea probably for the next couple of days. I’m thinking that it is total surrender and submission to God that brings about this “Blessing.”

It is only at that point of surrendering everything one has within their power to do, will God come into our lives and “Bless” us. When we try to make a name for ourselves, we are trying to use things that don’t belong to us to impress each other and God. Yet God is not impressed with the things we do because God is the one who gave us the things we are using to try to impress Him. It is only when we surrender our wills and trust completely in Him that God will invite us to be co-labors with Him. We’ve done it backwards; we’ve tried to invite the Creator of the Universe to become co-laborers with us.

Psalm 5:1-12

The eleventh verse of the Psalm has caught my attention, But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Protect them, so all who love your name may be filled with joy.

This rejoicing talked about in this Psalm is being done in the midst of danger, pain, confusion and every painful and distressful human condition. One does not have to take refuge when there is nothing to be protected from. But David, the psalmist is saying the we are to sing joyful praises, in the midst of our distress and despair. He petitions God to protect those in despair singing joyful praises so that those who love the name of God will be filled with joy. This is some statement.

Here it is implied that our happiness, our state of mind, our joy is not determined by circumstances, but our joyful statement of mind will bring about our protection. O how I’ve been guilty of trying to moan and groan my troubles away!
Proverbs 1:24-28

Wisdom surrounds us, yet we choose not to hear her. A conscience decision is make on our part to ignore her, yet when our own paltry wisdom fails us, we cry out in desperation for the advise and counsel of that which we not only have ignored but out right rejected and reviled. Then it is too late.

As for the Devotion question: My prayer time and devotion can be anytime. I read in the morning and at night. When I go to work and I’m not getting a ride from my neighbor, the subway has been a great prayer closet and study time for me. I don’t know how or why but it seems that I have the ability to shut things out when I’m on the subway. I try to keep a journal with me at all times because I never know when God will speak to me in such a way that I can write things down.

When I come home at night, which is on the subway, I ponder again what I’ve read during the day. Once I get in the house, I pick up the One-Year-Bible, read it again, and then begin to write down my thoughts in Microsoft Word.

[Connie]

About pride and the tower!...Well, being ill for the past three months has taught me a great lesson about pride! Never been sick for over two weeks in my life prior to this trial..but, Praise God for showing me that I do not need to DO DO DO all the time! While I claim to "DO" projects, missions, etc. in the name of the Lord--He has shown me in stillness that my ambition to "do" for Him is often greater than my ambition to just "be" for Him. And lately, I've been asking myself, Are my activities about self-exaltation and feeling good about what I've done for Him, instead of just loving what He's done for me? For the first time, I can't sink any self-worth into my "doing" because illness has a way of taking that from you--instead, I'm learning to sit and contemplate His creation from my balcony, without a prayer agenda, without petitioning him about what He'd like me to "do." I've found that being in Nature-His creation, brings me closer to Him. Like tonight, even though it was cold outside, I sat in front of the patio door and flicked on the balcony light, so I could contemplate the beauty of His snow sparkling on the wooden planks outside and on the overhang of branches.

[Dawn]

What do you do in the morning to set your mind and heart on God?

Yikes...not much. I'm definitely, as Mike said, a night owl more than an early bird. On the mornings I have to get up early, I am in a great big rush, and usually pray or listen to a sermon in the car on my (short) commute to work. On the mornings I don't have to get up, I consider it a luxury, and I sleep in and lounge with my girls as long as possible. It is at night when I read, write, etc.

I know I can change this. I'm trying to add more exercise to my life which I hope will energize me and motivate me to get out of bed and have that quiet time with God.

Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?

I love the insights about the law. I often used to get confused about some of the laws in the old testimant (or the Jewish laws) that we don't keep today as Christians. Having the breakdown of ceremonial, civil, and moral law really helped me to understand the purposes of the laws and the ones that are important to keep.

It's only day four, and I'm learning a lot from the blog. The funny thing is that I'm learning about passages in the Bible that I've read dozens of times, but having the background, context, history, insight, etc. broken down for me is helping me "get it" and I'm applying it as though Jesus was right here sharing it with me (the important part.)

[jen]

I really like the song "Great is Thy Faithfulness."

I also like The Messages version of the Beatitudes
I am happy to say I have been truely blessed because of Him
and I pass that blessing on to others regularly

bless you Mike for doing your blog and bringing people to the Lord