November 11th One Year Bible Readings
Ezekiel 23:1-49 ~ Hebrews 10:18-39 ~ Psalm 109:1-31 ~ Proverbs 27:13
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Old Testament - Ezekiel chapter 23 is interesting in its use of prostitution and lust as the metaphors for Israel's political alliances with neighboring lands. My thoughts here are that we live in a "sexualized" world in so many ways today - and perhaps things weren't so different back then. Sex is obviously something that was created as a good by God - but can so quickly and easily be twisted into something that is not good. Sex is good in the right context of marriage. Detrimental in the wrong. It seems to me that lust and the selling of sex was as prevalent back in Ezekiel's today as it is in ours. To which we may need to remember well Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 6:18 - "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body." And of course James 4:7 - "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Is there an area of our lives related to sex that you must flee from? Will you flee?
New Testament - Hebrews chapter 10 today is amazing! In verse 22 we read: "Let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting him. For our evil consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water." Great stuff! The last few words of this verse remind me of the blessing of Baptism - as an outward sign of our inner transformation and faith in Christ. Verse 24 is just pure joy & goodness: "Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds." Outbursts of love & good deeds indeed! Who are you encouraging these days to outbursts of love and good deeds? Can you think of some ways to do this? And verse 25 reminds me of the importance of finding a church community to do life with together: "And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near." Do you meet together with others in a local church? Have you found a small group, community group, or prayer group that you can spend some quality time with outside of regular church services? A group where you can encourage, warn, and pray for each other? Verse 26 and the following verses are strong reminders of the one option we have for our faith - the one true God to follow: "Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received a full knowledge of the truth, there is no other sacrifice that will cover these sins." Is there another sacrifice besides Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross that will cover our sins?
Psalms - Today in Psalm 109 verse 4 in the NIV we read these words of David – “I am a man of prayer.” Wow. I like that. And I’m not sure I can honestly say that about myself right now. Sure, I will roll out of bed and offer up some prayers. Yeah, I’ll try to say a prayer before meals. And yes, I’ll pray briefly before going to sleep. Oh yeah, maybe in church once a week too I’ll offer up some prayers. But, for me to say “I am a person of prayer” would probably not be truthful. Ouch. Don’t worry – I’m not beating myself up too badly over it. But - if I really want to realize that God is holy and a Rock and if I really want to love God and other people, then I have a hunch that being a person of prayer is a critical part of the equation. I don’t think that prayer is so much talking to God as it is really slowing down and listening to God. Sure, it’s a conversation, but I think in our fast pace world today we would do well to really slow down in prayer and listen to God. Listen for that still small voice within our hearts leading us to God’s kingdom and glory and peace. It’s there. I think it takes prayer to really hear it oftentimes. How about you? Are you a person of prayer? Do you want to be a person of prayer? When you pray, do you talk more or listen more to God? Do you want to live your life as a person of prayer?
Bible.org's commentary on Psalm 109 titled "A Prayer for the Punishment of the Wicked" is at this link.
Proverbs - Proverbs 27:13 today teaches us: "Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners." This is a great simple but important reminder to get collateral or security on debts! Particularly if the guarantee is for someone you don't know - though I'd recommend a guarantee on family loans too... :) Otherwise you may see your money "fly away" from you...
YouTube - Today's readings in Psalm 109 reminds me of Third Day's song "Call My Name:"
Comments from you - 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
Your comments on prayer made me think. I think it is good to have time in the morning and evening for prayer - personal prayer - that's biblical. Often in the psalms we read about David doing that. I admit that that regular disciplined prayer is something I find hard sometimes. But a friend of mine suggested that I look apon it as 'Making an arrangement with Jesus.' I'd be thrilled and excited to go on a date with a guy I'd been keen on for a while. It should be even more thrilling and wonderful to prepare for meeting with the Lord Jesus - to have a regular, meaningful arrangment or date with him. My father also told me that prayer can simply be a continual breathing, communication with God. It's like this story of the Highland Kitchen maid who was asked by a pastor 'What do you think Pray without ceasing means?' and she talked about how when she cleaned her face in the morning she asked God to cleanse her from sin, when she ate her breakfast she asked God to feed her from his word, when she threw out the rubbish she asked God to get rid of her sin.
I do need to pray more and make regular, quality times of prayer - but I also need to step into that place where talking to God is like breathing, where I see a flower and I praise him for making it, where I think of a child and ask him to make me like one, when I make a plan, think a thought and automatically include him in everything I do. I'm looking forward to meeting him now! It makes you long for heaven doesn't it!
Posted by: RH | November 08, 2007 at 09:54 PM
Ezekiel 23: I think to truly appreciate the message in Ezekiel 23 we have to go back and remember what has happened with the Jewish nations. The Jewish people had been divided into two nations, Judah and Israel. God blessed each of them, made them strong and rich, and offered them His protection. Both Israel and Judah committed the same sins with other countries. Assyria and Babylon sent representatives to visit with the Jewish leaders and both acted in the same manner.
Sin number one: The Jewish leaders proudly showed them all of their treasures including the gold and silver vessels that were used by the priests during worship services. They strutted their wealth and said, “Look what wonderful things I have.” They wanted to impress the foreign dignitaries with their possessions. They claimed the wonderful things God had as their own. They didn’t have anything because God had told them many times before that they and everything they had belonged to Him!
Sin number two: Because Assyria and Babylon were great Arab warring nations with many victories under their belt, the Jewish leaders and people were in awe of their success to the point that the Jews actually paid Assyria and Babylon to protect them from their enemies. Here were God’s people who had been chosen by God, protected by God, and blessed by God, paying nations that did not even recognize God to protect them and God’s treasures! They sold out God’s protection in preference of the protection of what they saw as strong, handsome earthly Arabs.
What did the Assyrian and Babylonia representatives do? They went back home and reviewed the situation. The Jewish nations had presented themselves as nations loaded with silver and gold who were so weak that they were willing to pay for protection. The Arab nations decided that they wanted more than the protection money they received – they wanted it all. They wanted all of the gold and silver they possessed and they also wanted these weak Jewish people to serve them as slaves and take care of their menial needs. The Jews did indeed prostitute themselves. They strutted “their stuff” just as a lady of the night struts herself to capture the attention of a John on the street corner. They were willing to sell out the protection of their faithful husband who was God in return for laying with first one nation and then another nation for the rewards they had to offer. Time and time again God tried to bring the Jewish “ladies” (Judah and Israel) back home where they belonged and time and time again the “ladies” returned to work the street corners of the world instead of relying on God. Finally God just gave both of these “ladies” to the Johns they preferred and let them suffer the consequences of their sins. They lost it all – they lost their beauty and wealth and they lost God’s permanent protection – for a few brief romps with the joys sin had to offer. There is a strong message here for people today. All that we are and all that we have is because of God’s love for us and the only way for our soul to receive permanent protection, which will allow us to walk on the golden streets of the Kingdom, is through the acceptance of Jesus Christ. If we offer ourselves as prostitutes to Satan for the enjoyment of worldly sinful thrills then we will eventually not only lose everything we have today and will also lose delight in the Kingdom of all tomorrows.
Psalms 109:6 is a very interesting verse, “Appoint an evil man to oppose him; let an accuser stand at his right hand.” In this psalms David is calling out BIG-time for God to take revenge and punish those that are giving him so much grief. However, David is not asking God to arrange for him to execute the revenge himself and David is not asking God to allow other righteous people to execute the revenge. Instead David is asking God to arrange for another evil one to execute the revenge against the evil ones attaching him. This is worth thinking about. Revenge belongs to the Lord and we should not neither seek to take revenge ourselves nor encourage another Christian to act in a revengeful manner.
My apologies for this being so long but for two hours God has told me to write down what He has been talking to me about this morning so finally I just gave in and let Him be the boss.
God Bless!
Pat
Posted by: Pat | November 08, 2007 at 09:54 PM
haha...I love that running man figure! Flee from sexual immorality, reminds me of how Joseph did that when the king's wife tried to force herself on him. she said, no one will know, but He said, God will know! and he literally ran! Of course she caused all kinds of drama but I think he's such a great example. We arent animals without self-control and if will fall into that, we need God's help!
I too love Heb 10:24 "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works". Thats so beautiful...wouldnt the world be so much better if we all strived to be like this? Instead of all the hate, jealousy, and revenege people plot, let's love one another and another very crucial thing we MUST do, we who are of God's love, forgive one another! Dont hold grudges. If someone wrongs you, go out of your way to be kind to them (not just to heap hot coals on their head) but to please the Lord.
For instance, road rage, who doesnt get it? Our sin nature response is to curse or whatever...I caught myself and got in the habit of blessing them. now if someone cuts me off or flips me off or whatever, i smile and wave and say God bless you! Even if they cant hear me, it pleases God. I get myself into the habit, so it becomes a natural response for me....I really mean it in my heart too, and not being condescending....it takes some time tho ;)
I too could use a boost in my prayer life, for sure! In one sense, i'm always talking with the Lord, all day. But to stop amidst it all and devote all my time to the Lord, slow down, hear Him...I definately need to improve there! Its a hard thing to slow down in life, but I know our enemy loves to give us that excuse, because prayer is the ultimate defeat for satan!
Posted by: Jenny | November 08, 2007 at 09:54 PM
That reading today was JUST what I needed to hear - about how we can come boldly before God to talk to Him about our needs. I've been going through a phase lately of feeling we do that too easily - somehow I think too many of us treat God as a 'buddy-buddy' figure, or otherwise disrespect Him, and I'm so ultra-wary of doing that, I'm almost hesitant to come before Him at all at times, so this was a boost of encouragement to hear. Again, ironically, on prayer - I've been listening to a lot of sermons on the topic lately, because like Miss, I feel I talk to God all day long in many ways, but on review, what I discovered was that I was treating God disrespectfully and in fact at times almost flippantly by asking Him to just let me rant and rave about everything in my day and throw it His Way to make me feel better. An example in question would be watching the News and invariably something come on about someone from a certain false religion that makes a lot of headlines these days, and I'd start criticizing their viewpoint (to God)or saying something rather unloving and having a monologue with God about how I see them and being very judgemental etc. However, I've recently come to feel that not only is my viewpoint errant to start with, but the way I bring it to GOd doubly so. I think if we could get a balance somewhere between how the Orthodox Jews revere Him, and how we as redeemed, justified Christians are supposed to revere Him, we'd be doing well. Ultimately I now try and ensure I give Him time to talk to me by listening to more of His Word than I provide Him with words of my own, and sitting quietly before Him even if only for 5 mins or so. Interestingly a pastor I listen to a lot said recently about how he'd noticed that the only time they discovered he didn't have time was when they wanted to pray. Suddenly it would be the LAST thing he'd want to do, and yet if it was some other task or someone else he wanted to talk to, finding the time was never an issue, and I also find that to often be the case. Shows just how important it is, when Satan kicks in at the outset to try his best to prevent us even starting off. So I think all in all, the most important thing is to remember it IS a relationship, and to perhaps not think of it as a duty, but as necessary as breathing (I'm hearing that one a lot lately too)!! As Max Lucado put it (and possibly someone before him), "Pray without ceasing - if necessary, use words!" Blessings, Romayne
Posted by: Romayne | November 08, 2007 at 09:55 PM
Thanks so much for the One Year Bible Blog. I've looked in starting in June and I regret missing so much. Today it is my daily web page and I'm looking forward so much for the 2003 edition. The COMMENTS section has also provided so many blessings to my thinking. Thank you and may God Bless You!
Posted by: Art | November 08, 2007 at 09:55 PM
Ezekiel 23:1-49
The following is one of the passages that truly caught my eye and imagination:
For when she left Egypt, she did not leave her spirit of prostitution behind. She was still as lewd as in her youth, when the Egyptians satisfied their lusts with her and robbed her of her virginity. (Verse 8-NLT)
The phrase, “For when she left Egypt,” implies to me that this “prostitution” this idolatry was a “seed” implanted in Jacob/Israel long before she got to Egypt. Sin is so very insidious and we can think we have uprooted it when we have only mowed the lawn and cut it back. Could this have entered into the household when Rachel stole her father Laban’s household gods? (Genesis 31:19)
We just don’t roll out of bed one morning and commit a sin. We don’t just begin sacrificing our children on our altars of self-interest, expending our children to satisfy the things we brought into existence because of our own lusts. The seeds of our idolatry, the seeds of every kind of deviant behavior we can think of, the seeds of our “little” sins lie hidden in our hearts.
We can pull out our little lawn mowers, place chemicals around the “plant” and try to burn it out; however, if even one little speck of the root remains, it will grow back—in time. When it appears above the surface we are shocked and amazed and justify it away, but it has always been there.
The images from the Books of the Law dealing with the removal of “leprosy” or leaven from the home before Passover, clarify to me how diligent one must be to rid our “temple” and homes from sin. Once it is found it must be swept out and examined, then reexamined over time to check for recurring outbreaks. (Leviticus 13-14)
We must remember that a seed and its eventual root system is underground and we never know it’s there unless we have planted it. What is under the surface looks nothing like the mature plant. To find the true root of our sin we need prayer, revelation and trust that God is working things out in our lives.
Posted by: Ramona | November 08, 2007 at 09:56 PM
EZEKIEL 23 (CEV - Contemporary English Version)
25
I am angry with you, so I will let them be very cruel. They will cut off your nose and ears; they will kill your children and put to death anyone in your family who is still alive.
26
Your clothes and jewelry will be torn off.
27
I will stop your wickedness and the prostitution you started back in Egypt. You will never want to think about those days again.
28
I, the LORD God, am ready to hand you over to those hateful enemies that you find so disgusting.
29
They will cruelly take away everything you have worked for and strip you naked. Then everyone will see you for the prostitute you really are. Your own vulgar sins
30
have led to this. You were the one determined to have sex with men from other nations and to worship their idols. 31
You have turned out no better than your older sister, and now you must drink from the cup filled with my anger.
32
I, the LORD God, gave your sister a large, deep cup filled with my anger. And when you drink from that cup, you will be mocked and insulted.
33
You will end up drunk and devastated, because that cup is filled with horror and ruin.
34
But you must drink every drop! Then smash the cup to pieces and use them to cut your breasts in sorrow. I, the LORD God, have spoken.
35
You have completely rejected me, and so I promise that you will be punished for the disgusting things you did as a prostitute.
46
So I, the LORD God, now say to these sisters: I will call together an angry mob that will abuse and rob you.
47
They will stone you to death and cut you to pieces; they will kill your children and burn down your houses.
48
I will get rid of sinful prostitution in this country, so that women everywhere will be warned not to act as you have. 49
You will be punished for becoming prostitutes and for worshiping idols, and you will know that I am the LORD God.
HEBREWS 10 (CEV)
19
My friends, the blood of Jesus gives us courage to enter the most holy place
20
by a new way that leads to life! And this way takes us through the curtain that is Christ himself.
21
We have a great high priest who is in charge of God's house.
22
So let's come near God with pure hearts and a confidence that comes from having faith. Let's keep our hearts pure, our consciences free from evil, and our bodies washed with clean water.
23
We must hold tightly to the hope that we say is ours. After all, we can trust the one who made the agreement with us.
38
The people God accepts will live because of their faith. [ NOTE ] But he isn't pleased with anyone who turns back."
39
We are not like those people who turn back and get destroyed. We will keep on having faith until we are saved.
[ NOTE ]
The people God accepts will live because of their faith
Or
The people God accepts because of their faith will live.
MY NOTE:
I tire of people I know who constantly repeat, in their own words, this false idea: “God in the OT is not the same as
Jesus Who is Merciful in the NT.” Or, they will say something like this: “The OT does not apply to us because Jesus established a new covenant. The God in the OT is angry; Jesus in the NT is full of grace.”
It is certainly true that in John 1 (CEV) God says:
17
The Law was given by Moses, but Jesus Christ brought us undeserved kindness and truth.
Yet to interpret that verse as “God of OT as separate from, as different from, Jesus of the NT” is wrong. Why? Because of the words of the Lord Jesus Himself.
John 10 (CEV)
30
and I am one with the Father.
31
Once again the Jewish leaders picked up stones in order to kill Jesus.
32
But he said, "I have shown you many good things that my Father sent me to do. Which one are you going to stone me for?"
33
They answered, "We are not stoning you because of any good thing you did. We are stoning you because you did a terrible thing. You are just a man, and here you are claiming to be God!"
So, the anger that the Father feels against persistent, consistent, “determined refusal to listen” sin is the SAME feeling that the Lord Jesus has. For Jesus and the Father are one and the same!
However, the opposite is also true. God the Father sent many, many people—prophets, judges, leaders—to warn His people. He even warned them Himself by His Manifest Presence of Glory. He is a very longsuffering and patient God. So it is with the Lord Jesus!
The difference is that Jesus paid for all of our sins on the cross. The mercy we have in the Lord Jesus is available to all—no matter how bad they have been or are at this time. All people must repent and receive His Goodness.
2 Corinthians 5 (CEV)
18
God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.
19
What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace.
I like verse 19 in the Amplified Bible:
19
It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor).
Finally, about following the Holy Spirit. There is the fact of the holiness of God and the price of disobedience.
I heard this meditation on Romans 8:5-8 that really blessed and challenged me:
God and the Holy Spirit have the same objective in mind: to kill you.
The devil has come to “steal, kill, and destroy” you. When the Holy Spirit deals with you, He will kill the flesh, and He will not apologize. If you are determined to be attached to your flesh, He will wound you.
The mind set on the flesh is death. The mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.
He will not stop bothering you, because He loves you too much. He will harass you in the nicest possible way, but He will harass you. If you ignore all of that—what He will do, He will just leave you to all of your own devices. So He will just say, “Fine, time is on My side. I will just go on vacation for a year. See you in 12 months. See you in 6 months.” He just leaves you alone.
The thing is, if you don’t respond continuously to the Holy Spirit, what you are saying is: “I would like to be left alone.” And of course, being the gentleman that He is, He will say, “OK. How does 3 months sound?”
If you don’t respond, you are always saying something to God.
Vance
Posted by: Vance | November 08, 2007 at 09:56 PM
Hebrews 10: 37-39
37 “For in just a little while,
the Coming One will come and not delay.
38 And my righteous ones will live by faith.
But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”
39 But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.
Posted by: Diana | November 11, 2007 at 05:11 AM
I read through the bible reading kind of too fast.But wath caught my heart was the "being a person of prayer part".I realy like it and it sounds very much like me.
Posted by: Ang | November 11, 2007 at 05:02 PM
I enjoyed the reading for today. The part that stands our for me was being a man ,(woman) of prayer. Prayer is so important in relationship with our heavenly father. Many times I e to remind the children of the importance of communication with the father. And the Awesome thing about the communication is hearing God talk back to me............What a relationship; when two hearts come together. I love you daddy God, not so much for what you've done but for who you are.
Posted by: Theresa | November 11, 2007 at 05:03 PM
I used to have trouble with sexual sin and I prayed and asked God to help me not be so tempted. God answered me with a thought, "Then don't be a temptress. It made me realize that I needed to change my wardrobe, which had never occurred to me as a new Christian. When I started dressing differently, I did not get the "looks" from the opposite sex that tempted me. I was glad I listened to hear His answer. It was a life-changer for me, and now I can conscentrate on my prayerlife and not feel tested every day. It was such an easy solution, but not one that would have occurred to me. I thank God that He cares enough for me to communicate with me! Thanx for this site. Bonnie
Posted by: Bonnie Lofting | November 11, 2008 at 12:04 AM