November 15th One Year Bible Readings

Ezekiel 31:1-32:32 ~ Hebrews 12:14-29 ~ Psalm 113:1-114:8 ~ Proverbs 27:18-20
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Old Testament - I think Ezekiel chapter 31 starts out with a trick question from God to Egypt in verse 2: "Son of man, give this message to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and all his people: "To whom would you compare your greatness?""  The proper answer to this question is probably somewhere along the humble lines of, "no one - I am not great at all.  I wouldn't dare compare myself to others.  Everything I am and have comes from you God."  Think Pharaoh would answer the question in this humble way?  :)  Better yet - maybe we should ask ourselves this question today as well.  And think about how we would answer it.  What if someone stops you on the street tomorrow and asks you this question.  What would be your reply?   Here it is.  I ask this of you now: "To whom would you compare your greatness?"

Ezekiel chapters 31 & 32 are great studies on pride... pride of a nation, and pride of individuals.  And the dangers of pride - where pride will ultimately lead someone.   In chapter 32 verse 19 God asks the rhetorical question (not a trick question this time) - "`O Egypt, are you lovelier than the other nations? No! So go down to the pit and lie there among the outcasts.'"  Today in our lives, do we ever struggle with pride?  Do we compare ourselves to others?  Do we consider ourselves lovelier than others?  My hunch is that we too often do...

New Testament - Hebrews chapter 12 verse 14 starts out strong with: "Try to live in peace with everyone, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord."  I love this!  If we seek to live in peace with everyone and live a clean and holy life people around us will see the Lord.  This is very powerful to think about...  You've probably heard this said before: "You may be the only Bible anyone ever reads".  Or "you may be the only Jesus anyone ever meets."  (not you being Jesus of course, but Christ within you shining through you!)  Are you living in peace with everyone?  Are you seeking to live a clean and holy life?  Are others seeing the Lord in you?  Are others reading the Bible through you?

Verse 28 stands out to me today: "Since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be destroyed, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe." This is an interesting phrasing - worship God with holy fear and awe.  It reminds me a lot of a lyric in Chris Tomlin's single, "Indescribable."  He sings - "humbly we fall to our knees and say, "you are amazing God!""  That one word "humbly" jumped out at me in this song.  It seems to me that there should be some reverence, holy fear, awe, and humility as we worship God?  And maybe not just take worship and our relationship for God lightly?  But be thankful for the opportunity to worship God?  Just some questions...  Because then verse 29 tells us "For our God is a consuming fire."  Which reminds me of a great Third Day song....  :)

Psalms - Psalm 113 & 114 today are very interesting and important Psalms!  These are 2 of 6 Psalms, 113 to 118, that form the "Egyptian Hallel."  These Psalms were used in Jewish liturgy at the great religious festivals of Passover, Tabernacles, Dedication, Weeks, New Moon.  At Passover Psalm 113 & 114 were sung before the meal and Psalms 115 - 118 were sung after the meal.  As you read these two Psalms today, do you sense joy in the Lord's work?  Justice?  Glory?  Power?  Does reading these two Psalms make you want to celebrate and give thanks for the Lord and all he has done throughout history and in your life?

Proverbs - This week in Proverbs 27 verse 19 we read: “As water reflects a face, so a person's heart reflects the person.” How is your heart these days? Take a minute and really reflect on this question. How is your heart? Your heart toward others? Toward your family? Toward God? Toward Jesus? Is your heart full of love? Overflowing with love? (if maybe not, please read First Corinthians chapter 13 for a good refresher on love) What is your heart reflecting to others you come in contact with these days? Are you reflecting love to others? Are you reflecting Jesus?

Worship God:  Hebrews 12:29 of course reminded me of the fantastic Third Day song "Consuming Fire."  Here is a great live version of this song!

Do you know our God who is a Consuming Fire? Click here for His flame to burn down deep in your soul!

Please join me in memorizing a verse of Scripture today:
"As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart." Proverbs 27:19 TNIV

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you from today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

Grace, love, peace, and joy!
Mike

Comments

[Anka]

He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,
and he who looks after his master will be honored....This verse reminds me what my attitude should me towards my consultant at work....many times as residents,we do work that's not really related to our field,work overtime...Yet our training is really not what it should be...I guess many people have complaints against their bosses,maybe rightly so...Like the word in Hebrews said"endure hardship like disciple"by our attitude the grace of God will be shown and we can as Mike said be the bible that people read....
God bless you all

[Peggy]

Proverbs 27 verse 19 Really made me stop and think about "How is my heart?" Wow! I had to be honest in this area, my heart has not been very good lately. Thank you for reminding me, I prayed to God that he would heal my heart, and that I would be less judging, and more loving. Thank You again. Have a Blessed day! Peggy

[Mae]

"As water reflects a face, so a person's heart reflects the person." How is your heart these days? Take a minute and really reflect on this question. How is your heart? Your heart toward others? Toward your family? Toward God? Toward Jesus? Is your heart full of love? Overflowing with love?

This really stands out for me today ... I ask myself this question very often, just to be sure that I live with an open and honest heart. My heart towards my family, relatives, God and Jesus is a question that doesn't really have to be asked. Towards them my heart is definitly overflowing with love. Thinking about them makes my heart glow, thinking about them makes me feel happy and I want to treasure them in my heart forever. But then there are people that dislike me or people that I have a heart time liking. I always ask God for strength to love them. He'll help me to love them, He'll help me to find a place in my heart for them. It's not easy, but with God's help I know I can accomplish this. It's important to have a good heart ... indeed, it reflects your person."

[Vance]

QUESTION:
(from AMPLIFIED BIBLE):

Ezekiel 31:2

Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude: Whom are you like in your greatness?

ONLY APPROPRIATE ANSWER:

A. Call, Divine
1. TO REPENTANCE

ALL VERSES IN CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH VERSION (CEV)unless otherwise noted.

a. Jeremiah 35:15

You refused to listen to my prophets, who kept telling you, "Stop doing evil and worshiping other gods! Start obeying the LORD, and he will let you live in this land he gave your ancestors."

b. Ezekiel 33:11
Tell them that as surely as I am the living LORD God, I don't like to see wicked people die. I enjoy seeing them turn from their sins and live. So if the Israelites want to live, they must stop sinning and turn back to me.

c. Hosea 6:1-3

1
Let's return to the LORD. He has torn us to shreds, but he will bandage our wounds and make us well.
2
In two or three days he will heal us and restore our strength that we may live with him.
3
Let's do our best to know the LORD. His coming is as certain as the morning sun; he will refresh us like rain renewing the earth in the springtime.

B. Wisdom’s Call
Proverbs 1: 20,32, 33

20
Wisdom [ NOTE ] shouts in the streets wherever crowds gather.
32
Sin and self-satisfaction bring destruction and death to stupid fools.
33
But if you listen to me, you will be safe and secure without fear of disaster."

[ NOTE ]
Wisdom: In the book of Proverbs the word "wisdom" is sometimes used as though wisdom were a supernatural being who was with God at the time of creation.
C. Divine Ability To raise up children from stones

Luke 3:8

Do something to show that you really have given up your sins. Don't start saying that you belong to Abraham's family. God can turn these stones into children for Abraham.
[ NOTE ]

[ NOTE ]
Children for Abraham: The Jewish people thought they were God's chosen people because of God's promises to their ancestor Abraham.
[ MY NOTE ]
Past promises, past deliverances cannot provide current promises, current deliverances.

Vance