November 19th One Year Bible Readings

Ezekiel 39:1-40:27 ~ James 2:18-3:18 ~ Psalm 118:1-18 ~ Proverbs 28:2
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Old Testament - Ezekiel chapter 39 continues the destruction of Gog! See yesterday's posting below for more details on who and what Gog may be.  Verse 25 stands out to me in today's readings: "So now the Sovereign LORD says: I will end the captivity of my people; I will have mercy on Israel, for I am jealous for my holy reputation!"  We see that the exile is coming near to an end.  Ezekiel and Jeremiah have been two pretty heavy books with prophecies against Israel.  This chapter continues to show the redemption and return of the exiles from Babylon to Israel is soon coming.  It is interesting that God is jealous for his holy reputation in the verse above...  are we ourselves also jealous for God's holy reputation?  Should we be?

Ezekiel chapter 40 is very interesting!  It begins the vision and description of what many call "Ezekiel's Temple."  Essentially, this temple has not been built.  Some say that this temple will be built in the future - during Christ's millennial reign.  Some say it's a heavenly temple.   Some say it was the vision for the temple that should have been built during Ezra's days in 517 B.C., but was not.  It is fascinating to look at various theories on the various temples.  An interesting look at a potential scale model of Ezekiel's temple and it's history is at this link - and another take is at this link.

New Testament - James chapter 2 today continues in the strong words about good deeds accompanying a living faith.  James' arguments are summed up in verse 26: "Just as the body is dead without a spirit, so also faith is dead without good deeds."  Another very interesting verse in this chapter that always jumps out at me is verse 19 - "Do you still think it's enough just to believe that there is one God? Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror!"  I had someone once tell me that they believed in God - but that they realized that so do the demons.  The difference of course is that the demons are not indwelled by the Holy Spirit, as are those who have faith in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Still, a bit of a scary verse to think about, no?  Not necessarily for our own lives, perhaps, but maybe for others we know.  Let us pray that we and others we know not only know God, but know Jesus and are filled with the Holy Spirit!

James 3 verses 9 and 10 are powerful reminders on the danger of what can come out of our mouths: "Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!"  How true is this...  Reminds me of the old saying of being "two-faced".   Or maybe having a forked-tongue?  The key here to how we can control the tongue I believe is answered in verse 13 - "If you are wise and understand God's ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don't brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise!"   If we can focus on wisdom and what's going on inside our hearts and minds, we won't have to worry about what comes out of the mouth!

Psalms - I came across a wonderful speculation on Psalm 118!  Commentaries suggested that Jesus and the disciples sung this psalm/hymn at the end of the Last Supper.  Matthew chapter 26 verse 30 tells us - "When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."   This adds a bit of a new dimension to this Psalm!  The reason for this speculation is because this is the final Psalm in the Egyptian Hallel of Psalms 113 through 118.  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.  Perhaps, even after the Last Supper by Jesus and the disciples?  Below is Russian artist Simon Ushakov's "The Last Supper" from the year 1685 -

Verse 8 in this Psalm stands out to me big time: "It is better to trust the LORD than to put confidence in people." Kind of strong words I know...  but what do you think?   Might people, on occasion, let you down?  Obviously, we know the answer to this one.  People will let us down.  Even our closest friends and family at some point will let us down.  However - I don't think this means we give up on investing and loving friends and family!  It just means we should not be surprised when someone let's us down.  That's human nature.  None of us is perfect this side of heaven - you will obviously let people down too.  Realizing this, I think all of us should be prepared to forgive others and to ask for forgiveness of others.  However, what do you think on this question:  Will God ever let you down?  Will Jesus ever let you down?  Please know He won't!  In fact, I believe that He's holding you up right this very moment...

Proverbs - Proverbs 28 verse 2 today is a great reminder for us to pray for our leaders in power nationally, locally, and worldwide.  "When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But with wise and knowledgeable leaders, there is stability."  How often do you pray for your leaders?  Will you cover them with prayer today?

Worship God:  Ezekiel 39:25 reminded me of the fantastic song "Blessed Be Your Name" by Matt Redman!  Here's a great live choir version of this song:

Do you know our God of blessing?  Click here and praise his name!

Please join me in memorizing a verse of Scripture today:
"The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."  James 3:17 NIV

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

[Mae]

Psalm 118:5 / In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and He answered by setting me free.

Like I've told before (probably hundreds of times LOL): I absolutely LOVE the Psalms! This verse stands out for me today. This is the Dutch translation: "Toen ik het heel erg moeilijk had, heb ik de HERE aangeroepen. Hij heeft mij antwoord gegeven en mij bevrijd. Ik kon het allemaal weer aan". It's soooo beautiful and reminds me of the day I was reborn. I didn't know where to turn, I didn't know whom to trust, I didn't know who could help me, I didn't know who could have my back. But then I cried to the Lord and He answered me. He set me free ... He told me to do my share of work in reference to the chaos I had and then to let go of it and give it to him. And I did ... that's the real freedom: do what you need to do and then give it to the Lord and trust Him that He'll take care of it.

... He answered by setting me free ...

[Jenny]

James is right on! I have said this to nonbelievers when i talk to them...they say, 'i believe in God'. But, the demons believe! satan believes! they know Christ is God, the messiah, the ONLY way man can be saved...they are for sure not saved! You must receive the gift of Christ and salvation. Be born again of the spirit! Mere belief is nothing....we must surrender our wills and lives and allow Christ to dwell within us!

So true, one of the things you learn in life, every person will let you down...we arent perfect. We will let others down too. Of course this isnt the end all, just know this and know Christ never ever lets us down. He is our hope. Sometimes He is all we have and then we realize, He is all we need! The two people I loved the most in the world, i needed the most, died within two yrs of each other (the second was my mom). Christ delivered me through that.....of course i miss them terribly (i will see my mom in heaven!! =) ..but ppl die, friends leave, nothing in life is certain, nothing! EXCEPT Christ Jesus, the same today, yesterday, and forever. He will never leave, never die, never fail! Mark my words! =)

James speaks of the tongue being so small, yet so wicked. So true! We've been talking about this at church this past week....the tongue is the most destructive thing!! With the same moutth comes out blessings and cursings...i wont lie, i'm guilty! Father, forgive for this! May only words of good and blessing proceed from my mouth. I need your help every day in this. .

God is jealous of His holy name! I can understand this maybe like the way you feel inside when you hear peopele take the Lord's name in vain...use it as a curse word! is it just me or does it make your ears burn, your heart tear, makes me feel sick!? Jesus is my heart, my best friend, my Father, its hurts to hear His name blasphemed...just as if someone were to curse my mom's name...how much more my precious Jesus!

I love Psalms

"The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me....It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people".

What a wonderful maker...what a wonderful Father!

[Sue]

James is so convicting, isn't he?

He must have seen it all--being a skeptic about his own brother. . . and then it was revealed to him that in fact, all that Jesus had said was true!

I think when we have been passionate about something and truth is revealed, our ability to convey the truth is sometimes more analytical and when James says ~

"Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."

~ I am made more and more aware of my responsibility when I present myself as a "mentor" to younger women and children.

It also makes me recognize how very necessary it is for us to pray for those who ARE our teachers, because they are so much more vulnerable to pride and lusts of the flesh because (particularly if they are good teachers) the flattery received can be very persuasive.

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Okay, now, I would like to (no flattery intended) compliment Mike for his efforts in providing us with such excellent resources here. Those articles about the temple have been saved for future reference and to understand the current reading and--oh, I am so tickled:

I have been to Bill Gothard's seminars (first time in 1975) and had forgotten what a wonderful influence he had been on my thinking. Of late I have been very focused on the necessity of loving God with all my heart, and mind, and soul, and strength--from radio broadcasts encouraging "praying always" and from scripture instructing us on (Philippians 4:8) being filled with the fruit of the Spirit, and now this book "Our Jealous God!" I am so jazzed. I went to Amazon and ordered a copy of it. I KNOW it is going to be very helpful in my determination to love God more fully.

Thanks all for sharing, and may God bless you abundantly!

[Lenore]

The music was especially meaningful to me this morning. Having my devotions with you is just like going to church each day. I appreciate it!