One Year Bible Blog

October 1st One Year Bible Readings

Isaiah 62:6-65:25 ~ Philippians 2:19-3:3 ~ Psalm 73:1-28 ~ Proverbs 24:13-14
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Fall! And we're 3/4ths of the way through the Bible!  There is something about the season of Fall and the One Year Bible readings that I just love.  I think it is in part because we start to move through several Epistles in the New Testament quickly.  While we do move through these Epistles in short order – and many of them are just a few chapters – please don’t brush over them too quickly.  There are so many amazing teachings about our Christian faith and how our lives should be transformed as disciples of Jesus’ in these Epistles.  Don’t miss these teachings!  Additionally, we’re coming up to some great books in the Old Testament during this season of Fall with Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel and Daniel on deck. Last but not least, maybe I love the season of Fall and our One Year Bible readings because we have read through 3/4ths of the Bible this year and we’re now in the last 1/4th of our readings.  Maybe I love the fact that we are in the "home-stretch" of our One Year Bible readings.  I do want to congratulate each of you for making it this far.  Press on toward the finish line here in these last 3 months!  Yay God for the season of Fall!  (and for those of you participating in the One Year Bible readings in the southern hemisphere – Yay God for Spring! :)

Old Testament - Today in Isaiah chapter 63 we read about God's judgment against his enemies.  It is interesting dialogue in verses 1 through 3: ""It is I, the LORD, announcing your salvation! It is I, the LORD, who is mighty to save!"  Why are your clothes so red, as if you have been treading out grapes? "I have trodden the winepress alone; no one was there to help me. In my anger I have trampled my enemies as if they were grapes. In my fury I have trampled my foes. It is their blood that has stained my clothes."

Isaiah chapter 64 verses 5 through 7 stood out to me as a stark reminder of why Jesus came into our world as our Savior eight centuries after this was written by Isaiah - and why we still need Jesus today as our Savior... - "But we are not godly. We are constant sinners, so your anger is heavy on us. How can people like us be saved? We are all infected and impure with sin. When we proudly display our righteous deeds, we find they are but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall. And our sins, like the wind, sweep us away. Yet no one calls on your name or pleads with you for mercy. Therefore, you have turned away from us and turned us over to our sins."  Do these verses remind you of your need for Jesus?  Has Jesus saved you from your constant sinning?  Have you been saved from the "infection" of sin?  This is great wording in these verses by Isaiah - we are all "infected" with sin... praise God that Jesus saves us from this infection!  C.S. Lewis says this about Christianity being a "good infection" -

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Isaiah chapter 65 titled "The Lord's Answer: Mercy for Israel" is at this link.

New Testament - Philippians chapter 3 verse 3 is a great teaching from Paul - "For we who worship God in the Spirit are the only ones who are truly circumcised. We put no confidence in human effort. Instead, we boast about what Christ Jesus has done for us."  How do you worship God?  Do you worship in the Spirit?  Do you put no confidence in your own human efforts?  Do you today boast to others about what Jesus Christ has done for you?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Philippians chapter 2 titled "A Few Good Men" is at this link.

Psalms - Wow... Psalm 73 today is amazing!  I love it.  I actually had lunch with a good friend who said to me verse 13 almost verbatim - "Was it for nothing that I kept my heart pure and kept myself from doing wrong?"  It was so sad for me to hear him say this... but he obviously is not alone.  The Psalmist thought this too, and I imagine each of us might feel like this is at times.  Praise God that the Psalmist rallies, as hopefully do we, in verse 23 - "Yet I still belong to you; you are holding my right hand." And then I absolutely love where he goes with verse 26 - "My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever."  I can quickly think of people in our world today where this verse 26 is so applicable...  let us pray that those in time of failing health and spirit have God remain the strength of their heart!

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Psalm 73 titled "Is Your Spiritual Vision 20/20?" is at this link.

Proverbs - I like Proverbs 24 verse 14 a lot to day - "Wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short."  I don't know about you, but I want wisdom.  I want a bright future with God.  I don't want my hopes to be cut short.  I want to be with God forever.  I believe the Bible is the place I will find the wisdom I so crave.  I do not think there is really anything else that will provide the True wisdom that I so desperately crave here on this material earth other than the Bible... What about you?  Do you crave wisdom?  Do you believe that wisdom is sweet to your soul?  What out there will give you more wisdom than the Bible?  Do you look forward to finding wisdom in the Bible today, tomorrow, and every day into your golden years?

YouTube - Today's readings in Isaiah 63 verse 1 remind me of the Hillsong song "Mighty to Save:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-08YZF87OBQ

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21 (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

September 30th One Year Bible Readings

Isaiah 60:1-62:5 ~ Philippians 1:27-2:18 ~ Psalm 72:1-20 ~ Proverbs 24:11-12
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Old Testament - Today in Isaiah chapter 60 we read about Jerusalem's future glory!  Verses 4 through 6 tell us - "Look and see, for everyone is coming home! Your sons are coming from distant lands; your little daughters will be carried home. Your eyes will shine, and your hearts will thrill with joy, for merchants from around the world will come to you. They will bring you the wealth of many lands. Vast caravans of camels will converge on you, the camels of Midian and Ephah. From Sheba they will bring gold and incense for the worship of the LORD."

Beautiful imagery in verses 8 & 9 - "And what do I see flying like clouds to Israel, like doves to their nests? They are the ships of Tarshish, reserved to bring the people of Israel home. They will bring their wealth with them, and it will bring great honor to the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he will fill you with splendor."

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Isaiah titled "The Spirit-filled Servant and the Kingdom of God" is at this link.

New Testament - Our readings in Philippians chapter 2 today have some powerful verses on imitating Jesus’ humility. In verses 3 & 4 we read:  “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Are you doing nothing out of selfish ambition or vanity in your life today? Are you humble? Do you consider others better than yourself? Do you look to the interests of others?  I realize these can be hard teachings to put into practice – in fact, it seems almost impossible in our modern world.  But, let us remember that indeed all things are possible with Jesus Christ in our lives and hearts.  Let us not give up on imitating Jesus’ humility in our lives today.  I pray each of us is becoming more like Jesus in some small or significant way each and every day.  Don’t stop the transformation process.  Don’t quench the Spirit.  Let God change you.

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Philippians titled "The Ultimate in Humility - Leaving the Comfort Zone" is at this link.

Psalms - I'll admit.  I pay attention every single time the Bible talks about serving the poor.  And it is a lot.  And I think it is for a reason.  Here it is again in Psalm 72 verses 12 & 13, speaking about Israel's king - "He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them."  What about us today?  Does this Psalm speak to us?  Should we perhaps be "kingly" in this regard?  Do we rescue the poor when they cry to us?  (do we even listen for their cry?)  Do we help the oppressed and those who have no one to defend them?  Do we feel pity for the weak and needy?  Do we rescue them?  Do I?  Do you? 

Verse 20 tells us - "This ends the prayers of David son of Jesse." And below is a painting of an older King David... perhaps playing a Psalm he wrote...?

Proverbs -  Today in Proverbs chapter 24 verse 12 we read – “If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?”  This reminds me of the old adage that we are “either part of the problem or we are part of the solution”.  If we say “we knew nothing about this” related to some issue in our world today, do you think that God will know if this is truth or a lie?  What is going on in our world today where you feel like you perhaps should be taking some action on being part of the solution?  What is an atrocity that you are being called to help solve?  Do you think you should now move forward and be part of the solution?  If you do nothing – if you say you “knew nothing about this” – will you then instead be part of the problem?  Will you move forward on being part of the solution to issues in our world that God is calling you to?

YouTube - Today's readings in Isaiah, Psalms and Proverbs all remind me of the Steven Curtis Chapman song "Yours:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCZMs9DZShc

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21 (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

September 29th One Year Bible Readings

Isaiah 57:15-59:21 ~ Philippians 1:1-26 ~ Psalm 71:1-24 ~ Proverbs 24:9-10
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Old Testament - Today in Isaiah chapter 57 verses 20 & 21 we have a chance to think about that sometimes elusive word "peace": ""But those who still reject me are like the restless sea. It is never still but continually churns up mire and dirt. There is no peace for the wicked," says my God."  I don't know about you, but I know I have gone through many days of my life without true peace - and many days with true peace.  And I do honestly believe that there is no peace in our lives apart from God.  When we live our lives solely for our own selfish motives, we live a very chaotic un-restful un-peaceful life I believe.  But, when we turn our lives over to God, when we embrace God, when we love God, and when we are obedient to God's will for our lives, we come to know true peace!  And it is indeed a peace that surpasses all understanding.  I pray that each of us is walking in the light of God's peace this very day.  And tomorrow.  And the next day.  Please, don't ever step out of the peace of God and back into the chaos of living for yourself.  I know this can seem to be a glib saying at first glance, but there's a whole lot of truth to this one:

Today in Isaiah chapter 59 we read about warnings against sin - which were written for Israel in 8th century B.C.  Do you think we should heed these warnings today as well?  Any of these warnings in chapter 59 sound like they could have been written for our modern day?   In verses 9 & 10 today we read - "It is because of all this evil that deliverance is far from us. That is why God doesn't punish those who injure us. No wonder we are in darkness when we expected light. No wonder we are walking in the gloom. No wonder we grope like blind people and stumble along. Even at brightest noontime, we fall down as though it were dark. No wonder we are like corpses when compared to vigorous young men!"  When I read these verses above and look at this image below, I for some reason think of people in our world today who are addicted to pornography.  Pornography is a horrific sin that indeed turns vigorous young men into "corpses" of themselves.  Pornography sells you "vigor", but it delivers just the opposite - death.  I pray that if anyone reading this is addicted to pornography that you'll run for your very life to counseling.  Seriously.  Your life is too short and precious to walk around like a corpse any more!  Go for God!  You likely can't pull out of the addiction on your own.  You'll need help - immediately.  Find an addiction counselor in your town ASAP.  Please don't walk in the darkness of this deadly addiction anymore...

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Isaiah chapter 57 titled "God's Condemnation or God's Comfort" is at this link.

New Testament - Today we begin Paul's letter to the church in Philippi!  See # 5 on the map below -

~ Philippians ~
Author: Paul the apostle
Place: Rome
Date: A.D. 61
Content: Paul wrote this letter from prison in Rome to some very dear friends in Philippi as a response to their sending some money to him in order to meet his needs. He begins by expressing his confidence in them and then describes dome of the problems he faces in Rome. Whether he will die or not he does not know, but if death does come, he will rejoice in the presence of Christ. If he remains, he will continue to serve God by serving the churches. The example of Christ’s humility is set before the Philippians as an example to follow. False teachings are to be vigorously rejected. Two quarreling sisters are admonished to make up and all believers are admonished to set high ideals for themselves because God will supply all that one needs in life.
Theme: In this very personal letter of Paul the theme of rejoicing may be seen throughout. If one lives, he may rejoice because God loves him. Christ died for him, and all things are given to him by God for his life. If one dies, then he may rejoice by being in Christ’s presence forevermore. This does not mean that Christians will have no problems, however. Even as Jesus had to endure the cross, so we must be ready to follow that example of submission to God, if it must be. But we are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:2) and should live with that thought constantly before us. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 27)  More great commentary on Philippians is at this link.

Today in Philippians chapter 1 verse 21 we read this powerful statement of Paul's:

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Philippians titled "Paul's Perspective on Life and Death" is at this link.

Psalms - Today in Psalm 71 verses 6 through 8 we will read - "Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother's womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you! My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection. That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long."  This is so true that God has cared for each of us since we were in our mother's womb!  This is a beautiful thing to realize.  There is an interesting thought in these verses - if our live is an example to many - and well, yes, it really is no matter what we actually do.  Hopefully our life is a good example - but there could be seasons of bad example too... If our lives are good examples to many, why is this so?  I agree with the Psalmist - it is simply because of God in our lives.  Is God literally your strength and protection?  Do you praise God unceasingly?   Do you declare God's glory all day long?   How do you do so?

Proverbs - Interesting Proverb chapter 24 verse 10 - "If you fail under pressure, your strength is not very great."  I think sometimes we forget that pressure is where we grow.  God will not give us more than we can handle.  Our key is to not fail under pressure.  Stay with the healing / fine tuning / pruning that God is placing you under - even if it comes with pressure.  For at the end of the pressure is transformation.  Let us not fail under the high pressure systems of life that will periodically come our way...

YouTube - Today's discussion in Isaiah above about pornography reminded me of the movie starring Kirk Cameron called Fireproof.  Have you seen this movie yet?  It is terrific! It is an awesome movie about marriage and God. Kirk's character does struggle with pornography in the movie, but is redeemed. Please see the movie soon if you can. Below is the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5lSu6GkC2k

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21 (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

September 28th One Year Bible Readings

Isaiah 54:1-57:14 ~ Ephesians 6:1-24 ~ Psalm 70:1-5 ~ Proverbs 24:8
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Old Testament - Today we read Isaiah chapter 55, which is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible! I went to a wedding several years ago in Napa, California and God led me to a church in that town on a Sunday morning where the pastor preached an incredible sermon from Isaiah 55.  It is a beautiful chapter for all of us who are Thirsty. Let us drink deeply of God’s Word today!  Verse 1 tells us - "Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink--even if you have no money!"  Are you drinking freely of the Bible this year?  Even if you have no money, do you believe that God is inviting you to drink deeply of his True and Holy Water, His Word?  Are you thirsty?

Verse 6 is fantastic... Will you seek? Will you call?

In verses 10-12 we read:

“10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.”

How do these above verses resonate with you, based on our One Year Bible readings? Particularly verse 11 above – is God’s Word accomplishing something in you this year through reading the Bible each day? Is the Bible “watering” you? Are you Thirsty? Do you feel that you are going out in joy and being led forth in peace? Have the mountains and hills burst into song before you?  Are the trees of the field clapping their hands in your life today?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Isaiah chapter 55 titled "God's Exhortation to Receive His Grace" is at this link.

New Testament - We wrap up Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus today!  His letter to the church in Philippi begins tomorrow!  Ephesians chapter 6 verse 7 stood out to me today - "Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."  I realize the context of this verse is that Paul was writing it to slaves.  However, I think this verse works very well today for any of us that work a full time job.  I'm sure you've probably seen movies or TV shows that make fun of working and basically encourage folks to work as little as possible when they are on the job.  I think this is a horrible idea!  I had a friend tell me once that if you are acting like a slacker at one job - perhaps a job you really don't like and are trying to get out of - you'll end up acting like a slacker at your next job, even if your next job is your dream job.  You'll goof up that dream job because it will be hard to break habit the habit of being a slacker...  So - I think each of us would do well to take to heart Paul's words here in verse 7.  Are you working at your job with enthusiasm?  Are you working each and every day as though you are working for the Lord?  As such, are you not "stealing time" from your employer by surfing the net, socializing excessively, doing errands, arriving late, and this list could go on...  If Jesus was your boss, would you act the same way at work that you do now?  Well, is Jesus perhaps really your "boss" even if he isn't the one signing your pay checks per se...?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Ephesians titled "Spiritual Warfare" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 70 verse 4 is awesome - "But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "God is great!""  Indeed, I think as Christians we should be filled with joy & gladness.  Yes, there will be tough times.  And suffering.  But overall, I pray we are filled with joy and gladness.  And then the second sentence in this verse reminds me of an older Relient K song with lyrics that go something like this - "Your voice has broken my defense.  Let me embrace salvation!"  I like that thought.  Let us embrace salvation.  Let us love salvation.  Let us literally cling to salvation...

Proverbs - Proverbs 24 verse 8 today is a great reminder that we should not get in the habit of planning evil.... :)  -  "A person who plans evil will get a reputation as a troublemaker."  Okay, so I put a smiley face there, because probably none of us consciously decide we're going to plan something evil.   However, I wonder if any of us maybe do get in the habit of planning things that really are outside of God's will for our life?  This isn't evil on the surface.  And we may not get a reputation as a troublemaker.  But, if we are planning things and doing things that are outside of God's will for our life and how He wants us to spend our time, then we are essentially going against God's will.  God's perfect will.  I will confess that I all too often plan and do things that I know are outside of God's will for my life.  And maybe I do these things so I get a good "reputation" among people...  Well, perhaps my good reputation among people is actually a bad reputation to God because I'm doing things outside of his will...  And I guess I've been thinking about this lately and thinking about how often I'm wasting God's time that he has blessed me with.  And so maybe I'm getting the reputation of being a troublemaker in heaven...  How about you?  What's your reputation in heaven?  Forget about your reputation here on earth... that really does not matter at all. What's your reputation with God?  Let us pray that our reputation with God is not:

Worship God:  My comments in the Proverbs section above today reminded me of the great Aaron Shust song called "Give Me Words to Speak."  His song includes this lyric: "Calloused and bruised. Dazed and confused. My Spirit is left wanting something more. Than my selfish hopes.  And my selfish dreams. I’m lying with my face down to the floor. I’m crying out for more!"  Awesome song!  Here's a live version with Aaron on the keys!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7Xk6sc62EY

Has God ever given you words to speak?  Click here and speak to God!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21 (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

September 27th One Year Bible Readings

Isaiah 51:1-53:12 ~ Ephesians 5:1-33 ~ Psalm 69:19-36 ~ Proverbs 24:7
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Old Testament - Isaiah chapter 53 is one of the most powerful chapters of the Bible - and one of the saddest to really meditate upon.  Isaiah chapter 53 is all about Jesus!  This is a powerful chapter to read...  I'm sure you likely caught that this chapter was about Jesus when you first read it, but if not, please re-read the chapter again and do you see how Isaiah is prophesying Jesus' passion and death?  It is astounding to realize these words of Isaiah's were written in 8th century B.C.  Verse 5 tells us: "But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed!"  Do you believe that the words of Isaiah's in chapter 53 today are about Jesus?  Do you believe that Jesus was wounded and crushed for your sins?  Was he beaten that you might have peace?  Are you healed because Jesus was whipped and then murdered on a cross?

Verse 7: "He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth."

Verse 8: "From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins--that he was suffering their punishment?"

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Isaiah chapter 52 and 53 titled "The Triumph of the Suffering Servant" is at this link.  Below is a great image for Isaiah 53:6 from today's readings:

New Testament - Ephesians chapter 5 is such an incredible chapter!  I know I won't do it justice in this blog posting.  There is so much I could dive into in nearly every verse.  Actually, I will share this with you.  I met with my Pastor a couple of days ago.  And he shared with me that he is currently memorizing the entire book of Ephesians!  I had shared with him that I'm just starting to memorize Scripture verses - and to invite you along with me on this journey at the bottom of each daily blog posting. Well, you know how Pastors are - they're always a step ahead!  And my Pastor is memorizing the entire book of Ephesians...  wow.  He shared with me that as he's memorizing Ephesians he is amazed how some of the words and meanings of words of Scripture are coming alive to him in new ways!  I believe it.  I'm curious if anyone reading this today has ever memorized an entire book of the Bible?  Or even a chapter?  Please post up in the comments below if you have?  I have actually downloaded 1 Corinthians 13 onto my Blackberry and I am hoping to memorize that chapter soon!  Okay, back to Ephesians chapter 5.  You know how I enjoy posting up YouTube videos these days, so I of course loved reading verses 19 & 20, which you'll see in this image below!  :)

Ephesians 5:1-2 touches on a theme I've been thinking a lot about lately - living a life of love! - "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (NIV)  Have you ever meditated on what it means to live a life of love?  I have occasionally.  But I'm starting to camp out on this thought a lot more these days.  I think it's in large part due to the impact 1 Corinthians 13 has had on me this past year.  And it certainly fits in well with Jesus saying the 2 most important commandments are to love God and love people.  But perhaps most significantly, I've been trying to live out this thought of "living a life of love" in real life a bit more these days.  I definitely don't have it all figured out by a long shot!  But I think living a life of love is something we should all seek.  Not strive for.  But seek.  Or maybe "receive" is the better word.  I think we can receive from Jesus the ability to live a life of love.  I don't think we can get there on our own power.  So, there's a lot more I could write about what I've been thinking about in regards to living a life of love.  But let me at this point just encourage you to think about this concept.  Living a life of love.  Do you want to live a life of love?  Think you can do this on your own?  Or will you invite Jesus and the Holy Spirit into this process each and every day?  How does 1 Corinthians 13 speak to you these days?

Ephesians chapter 5 verse 17 really stood out to me today: "Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do."  I am wondering how often each of acts thoughtlessly?  I am afraid in my case it is far too often.  I can sometimes sleep-walk through my day - or even days - or even weeks...  and miss the point of life completely when doing so!  Paul teaches us here to try to understand what the Lord wants us to do.  Why would we want to try to understand this?  I think in large part so we no longer act thoughtlessly!  I'm afraid we are far too often a thoughtless people in how we live our lives & how we waste so much time in our very short lives this side of heaven...  How about you?  Are you acting thoughtlessly at all these days?  Will you seek to understand what God wants you to do?   And then will you go do it and leave your thoughtless ways behind?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Ephesians titled "The Meaning of Christian Marriage" is at this link.  Below is a nice image for Ephesians 5:21 from today's readings:

Psalms - I love Psalm 69 verse 33 today - "For the LORD hears the cries of his needy ones; he does not despise his people who are oppressed."  God hears the cries of his needy ones.  Perhaps the question is then, do we hear the cries of God's needy ones?  Do we hear the cries of those starving today? Sick from lack of clean water?  Suffering from HIV / AIDS?  Spiritually poor?  Needing a friend?  How is the soil of our hearts if we are not hearing these cries?  Should we be hearing these cries?  And if we do hear them, what then should we do?   Remember Jesus' words in Matthew chapter 25 verses 34-36:  "‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’"   

Proverbs - Proverbs 24 verse 7 is actually a bit convicting for me - "Wisdom is too much for a fool."  I'm not sure if you've ever experienced this, but there have been times when I honestly have not been able to read or digest the Bible.  I mean, there are times when I can kind of work my way through reading the Bible, but nothing is sticking.  And obviously the Bible is wisdom...  I then wonder if at times I am a fool?  I don't think I'm a chronic fool...  :)  But, truly, sometimes I do dumb stuff or live in a dumb season and in retrospect I was acting like a fool in those seasons. And in those foolish seasons wisdom was too much for me...  I do ultimately think Jesus / God / the Bible / wisdom brought me out of those foolish seasons.  But let us pray that we don't enter into seasons of life where we are acting like a fool, and where wisdom is too much for us.  Being a fool is no way to live this beautiful life God has called us to!

Worship God:  I'm sure many of you have heard on K-LOVE recently "By His Wounds" by Mac Powell, Mark Hall, Steven Curtis Chapman and Brian Littrell. This song is based on Isaiah 53 verse 5 from today's readings. It is a beautiful song about our beautiful Savior Jesus. Here's a live version of the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCqQxsnq9ys

By His wounds, have you been healed?  Click here to be healed!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 (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

September 26th One Year Bible Readings

Isaiah 48:12-50:11 ~ Ephesians 4:17-32 ~ Psalm 69:1-18 ~ Proverbs 24:5-6
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Old Testament - Isaiah chapter 49 verse 6 is sometimes referred to as "the great commission of the Old Testament"!  Here it is: "You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."  Paul and Barnabas quote this verse in part in Acts 13:47.  The preceding 5 verses (1-5) in chapter 49 are considered the second servant song in Isaiah and are thought to refer to Jesus, the coming Messiah.  Isaiah chapter 50 verses 4 through 9 in today's readings are considered the third servant song (out of a total of four) in Isaiah.  It's interesting, when I initially read these verses in chapter 50 I really thought they were solely about the prophet Isaiah.  But, as we all know by now from our readings in Isaiah - and we'll see this again in big ways in our coming day's readings - Isaiah often had the coming Savior of the world, Jesus, on his mind when he was writing this incredible book of the Old Testament in the eighth century B.C.!  I love this painting below of Isaiah writing about Jesus...

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Isaiah chapter 50 titled "The Lord Can and Will Help Those Who Trust Him" is at this link.  Below is a nice image for Isaiah chapter 48 verse 17 from today's readings:

New Testament - Wow.  It is rare that I will copy & paste 8 verses in a row here on this blog - because you can simply read the verses by clicking on the link above.  However - I think these 8 verses of Paul's in Ephesians chapter 4 verses 17 through 24 bear repeating here and warrant our re-reading and really meditating on these verses.  Please take a few minutes to really reflect and pray on these verses - "With the Lord's authority let me say this: Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They don't care anymore about right and wrong, and they have given themselves over to immoral ways. Their lives are filled with all kinds of impurity and greed. But that isn't what you were taught when you learned about Christ. Since you have heard all about him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness--righteous, holy, and true."

Powerful verses above, eh?  I love this teaching - there must be a spiritual renewal of our thoughts and attitudes!  Has there been a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes?  Is there currently a daily spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes?  Or are you maybe on "cruise control" these days?  A great teaching I heard once is that "you are either moving forward or you are sliding backwards.  There is no stable middle ground."  I believe this to be true in our spiritual life.  We are either moving forward - continually renewing our thoughts and attitudes and displaying our new nature - or we are sliding backwards.  Backsliding as some may say.  I pray that each of us today will really take to heart these teachings of Paul's in Ephesians.  Let us throw off our old evil nature and our former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception!  Let us each and every day spiritually renew our thoughts and attitudes through Christ Jesus our Lord!

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Ephesians titled "Leaving Our Old Ways Behind" is at this link.  Below is a great image for Ephesians 4:25 from today's readings -

Psalms - Psalm 69 verse 16 today is such a true statement that maybe we need to be reminded of today - "Answer my prayers, O LORD, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Turn and take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful."  God does answer our prayers - perhaps not in the way we "want" Him to, but always in the way that is ultimately best for us and the Kingdom.  His unfailing love is wonderful.  His mercy is so plentiful.  But, yet, somehow I think I sometimes forget all of this.  Why?  I think I forget about God's love & mercy when I am not praying to him.  How about you?  Are you needing a reminder today about God's unfailing love and his mercy?  Are you praying to God for these very things?  Will you allow God to demonstrate both his love and mercy to you today?  Will you offer up prayers and allow God to answer in his perfect way?

I love this image below for Psalm 69 verses 17 and 18 from today's readings!

Proverbs - Proverbs 24 verse 5 seems to go against some of our modern world's teachings about strength being the key to success - "A wise man is mightier than a strong man, and a man of knowledge is more powerful than a strong man."  Which do you believe to be true?  The world that says strength is mightier?  Or the Bible that says wisdom is mightier?  Let us seek ever-increasing godly wisdom in our lives each day!

Worship God:  Psalm 69:16's call to prayer reminded me of Bebo Norman's wonderful song that he wrote as a prayer to God called "Beautiful You."  I'm not sure if you've ever had a chance to see Bebo perform live?  If he ever rolls through your town try to see him!  It is a great worship experience!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji__VSnZxoA

Do you know our eternal "Beautiful You"?  Click here to know Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 (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

September 25th One Year Bible Readings

Isaiah 45:11-48:11 ~ Ephesians 4:1-16 ~ Psalm 68:19-35 ~ Proverbs 24:3-4
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Old Testament - In yesterday and today's Isaiah chapter 45 readings we read about King Cyrus of Persia!  Verse 13 says this about Cyrus in today's readings: "I will raise up Cyrus to fulfill my righteous purpose, and I will guide all his actions. He will restore my city and free my captive people--and not for a reward! I, the LORD Almighty, have spoken!"  The interesting thing to note here is that Cyrus was not Jewish - he was a Gentile ruler who was raised up for the purpose of freeing the Israelite captives from exile in Babylon and allowing them to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.  In yesterday's readings in chapter 45 verse 1 Cyrus was even referred to as "God's anointed."  This is the only place in the Bible where a Gentile ruler is said to be anointed.  It's also very interesting to note that Isaiah is calling Cyrus by name some 150 years before Cyrus ruled!  Isaiah prophesied from 740 to 681 B.C. and Cyrus ruled from 559 to 530 B.C.  Some Bible commentaries suggest that Cyrus read these prophesies of Isaiah during his reign and was so moved by them that he decided to indeed fulfill them.  In any case, Cyrus played a pivotal role in our spiritual history - allowing the promise of Abraham's many descendants to continue to the fulfillment of the coming Messiah in Jesus!  Below is a replica of a Bas-Relief from the 6th century B.C. found in Pasargade, the capital city of Persia founded by Cyrus II. It depicts "Cyrus the Great" (as Cyrus is commonly referred to):

Isaiah chapter 45 verses 22 & 23 are powerful and foreshadow Jesus' ministry here on earth: "Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other. I have sworn by my own name, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will confess allegiance to my name." These verses are also foreshadowing of the book of Revelation that we will read later this year.  We read Paul quoting these verses to describe Jesus in Romans 14:11 and Philippians 2:10-11.  Do you believe that all the world should look to God for salvation?  Is there another god?  Is Jesus God?  Do you believe that one day every tongue will confess allegiance to the name of Jesus and every knee will bow to Jesus?

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site.

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Isaiah titled "The Lord's Superiority to the gods of Babylon" is at this link.  Below is an image from Isaiah 46:4 from today's readings:

New Testament - Great teachings from Paul today about unity in the body of Christ!  Chapter 4 verses 4 through 6 are beautiful - "We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and in us all and living through us all."  Do you believe these words of Paul's?  Do you believe that all of us in Christ are all one body?  That we have the same Spirit?  And that we have been called to the same glorious future?  I like that last piece of verse 6 - God the Father is living through us all!  Do you realize that God the Father, who is indeed over you, and is also literally living through you?  This is powerful to consider...

Verses 14 and 15 I think are so important for each of us to meditate upon: "Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth. Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church."  The thing that these verses remind me of is that indeed at some point we are all "children" in our faith.  When we are new to Christianity we are certainly children who need others to lead us, disciple us, and help show us the way.  And I guess as I think about this, we should always be like children before God - but I don't think we should always be children before humans.  Because if we remain as children before humans, then we are at risk of "forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has cleverly lied to us and make the lie sound like the truth."  Has this ever happened to you?  I know it has happened to me and it's scary to think about.  I once heard a church pastor say that his most important job was to help his congregation become "self-feeders" when it comes to their faith.  I thought this was fantastic and very wise!  This pastor did not want his congregation to always rely on him and what he had to say on Sundays as their only source of spiritual food.  This pastor wanted his congregation to be able to spiritually grow in other ways outside of Sunday services - through Bible study, small groups, and other spiritual disciplines.  So, this may be a good time to ask - are you a "self-feeder" when it comes to your faith?  Can you grow in your faith and find food for yourself spiritually outside of what you hear at church?  If you're new to the faith, I wouldn't stress about this - but think about it.  I do think each of us should aim to become "self-feeders."  Why?  Well, if we don't then we are so reliant on the words of other people that we could be misled down wrong paths.  The one thing that I think really is critical for each of us in our journeys of becoming self-feeders is reading, studying, and really meditating upon Scripture.  If we can become well grounded in Scripture then we can filter through the lens of the Bible what others are telling us.  It is amazing how much "spiritual stuff" or rules or rituals that I hear is so "important to practice" from others that I don't see in the Bible!  In fact, as I'm typing all of this, I will also say that I sincerely hope you don't take anything I say on this blog as Truth - it's a blog trying to draw out some practicalities and questions and reflections and commentary based on the Truth, the Bible - but what I write is not the Word.  As Paul writes in verse 15 today, instead of remaining forever children in our faith before people, let us "hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church."

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Ephesians titled "The Calling and the Conduct of the Christian" is at this link.  Below is a great image from Ephesians 4:3 from today's readings -

Psalms - Today in Psalm 68 verse 20 we read – “Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.” Do you believe God is a God who saves us? How did / does God do this saving? Do you believe that escape from death comes from God and his Son? I’ve been reflecting on this “death” aspect of our fallen world a bit lately, which has been sad to reflect upon. I had an experience with a few friends very recently where I was reminded of how self-destructive we can be in our lives. I think that without Jesus we can oftentimes not know where to turn for an escape from death – we do not know where to turn from an escape from our own self destructive behaviors. My friends need Jesus. I need Jesus. The world needs Jesus. Our God is a God who saves. From God and Jesus comes escape from death. May these last few months of 2007 bring us, our friends, and families closer to the God who saves!

Proverbs - Proverbs 23 verses 3 and 4 can be looked at literally or metaphorically - "A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables."  Has your house been built by wisdom?  Has your life been built by wisdom?  Is your house strong through good sense?  Is your life strong through good sense?  Is your house filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables through knowledge?  Through knowledge, is your very life filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables?  Below is the famous Dutch Post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh's "The White House at Night" from the year 1890:

Worship God:  Isaiah chapter 45 verse 23 reminded me of the fantastic Brian Doerksen song "Come, Now is the Time to Worship" which includes the lyrics: "One day every tongue will confess you are God.  One day every knee will bow.  Still the greatest treasure remains for those who choose you now!"  I just found a wonderful live version of this song performed by the Oslo Gospel Choir in May 2005 at the St. Jan Church in Gouda, The Netherlands.  This is a great song!  Clap your hands!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Naj8HmIqOE8

Has your tongue confessed who God is?  Click here and bow your knee!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 (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

September 24th One Year Bible Readings

Isaiah 43:14-45:10 ~ Ephesians 3:1-21 ~ Psalm 68:1-18 ~ Proverbs 24:1-2
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Old Testament - Isaiah's word's in chapter 44 verses 18 & 19 today are classic Old Testament very direct words!  "Such stupidity and ignorance! Their eyes are closed, and they cannot see. Their minds are shut, and they cannot think. The person who made the idol never stops to reflect, "Why, it's just a block of wood! I burned half of it for heat and used it to bake my bread and roast my meat. How can the rest of it be a god? Should I bow down to worship a chunk of wood?"  I wonder about us in our lives today - do we create idols of our own today?  Maybe our idols are not made out of chunks of wood these days.  But do we create idols perhaps out of other people?  Do we create idols out of material goods?  Do we create idols out of our careers?  Do we create idols out of how we spend our time?  Are you bowing down and worshiping any "chunks of wood" in your life today?  Please turn any idols you might have over to Jesus and allow him to heal you from worshiping those idols in your life!

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Isaiah titled "Dead Idols or the Living God" is at this link and "The Knowledge of the Lord" is at this link.  Below is a great image from Isaiah 44:3 from today's readings:

New Testament - Wow, Paul's opening verse 1 in chapter 3 of Ephesians today reminded me that Paul literally wrote this letter to the church in Ephesus while he was in prison in Rome!  "I, Paul, am a prisoner of Christ Jesus because of my preaching to you Gentiles."  I think if we keep this fact in mind, Paul's words in this letter become all that more poignant and powerful.  Could you ever imagine yourself being a prisoner of Jesus because of your preaching the Word to others?  I think this is something we should really consider.  Would you go to jail for Jesus?  Why or why not?  If you would go to jail for Jesus, then I challenge you to consider ways in your life that God may be asking to you indeed be like Paul "in chains for the Gospel" - even if you won't "literally" be going to jail any time soon.  (I pray not!) Maybe those chains are that you don't spend as much time doing something that is counter-productive to the Gospel.

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Ephesians titled "Paul's Imprisonment, his Prayers, and his Praise" is at this link.  Below is a great image for Ephesians 3:18 from today's readings:

Psalms - I always like the idea and reminder to sing to God!  Do you sing to God at places other than church?  Maybe in your car?  Maybe at home with the headphones on?  Do you "sing" to God with the way you live your life?  Here's verse 4 in Psalm 68 today which I love - "Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the LORD-- rejoice in his presence!"  How do you sing your praises to the Lord each day?  Is it done as passionately as this fella below?  :)

Below is a great image for Psalm 68 verse 9 from today's readings:

Proverbs - Proverbs 24 verses 1 & 2 today are powerful - "Don't envy evil people; don't desire their company. For they spend their days plotting violence, and their words are always stirring up trouble." Have you ever found yourself desiring the company of evil people?  Have you ever found yourself envying them?  The bottom line to both of these things are these three words: waste of time.  Really.  Spending your time with people who do evil - those whose words stir up trouble - is simply a waste of your time.  Envying evil people?  Waste of your time as well.  Don't waste your time!  Our life is short and precious.  Spend your time loving and serving God and other people.  I have to share with you here that being careful who you spend your time with can be very challenging in some ways.  Obviously I think all of us can see the wisdom of staying away from people who are truly evil.  But what about people who are somewhere in between being holy and being evil - which, oh, includes all of us...  :)  There are obviously people who are in different phases of life, or on different points on a spectrum between good and evil if you will.  And this gets tough to know if you're "compromising" too much by spending time with folks who perhaps don't care about God at all, don't care about the poor at all, and don't really care about much of anything besides themselves - but yet they are not "evil" people per se.  I will confess that I do purposely avoid spending time with people who I spent A LOT of time with in my past.  This was my past where I drank too much.  Stayed out way too late.  Didn't care about God.  Didn't care about the poor.  Only cared about myself.  And you know what, praise God that I was saved from that lifestyle by Jesus - and through a godly friend who still would spend some time with me back then and eventually brought me to the point where I could give my life over to the Lord.  So, I guess what I'm saying is this - we do need to spend time investing in others who don't know the Lord.  That is not a waste of time.  But, it gets tricky to realize when we are "going back to our old ways / old self" and when we're really loving people where they are at.  I don't have this fully figured out right now, as you may guess by this long post...  :)  But I'm cognizant of it.  Our hours each and every day are so very precious...  I do pray for wisdom and discernment in this area!  How are you spending your time these days?  Wisely?  Please don't waste your very precious time that God has given you this side of heaven...

Worship God:  Psalm 68:4 took my mind to many great worship songs.  It seems like "Awesome God" by Rich Mullins, and performed here by Michael W. Smith is a great one to share with you today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38V8jnN1Kpw

Do you know our awesome God?  Click here to meet God!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 (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

September 23rd One Year Bible Readings

Isaiah 41:17-43:13 ~ Ephesians 2:1-22 ~ Psalm 67:1-7 ~ Proverbs 23:29-35
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Old Testament - Today in Isaiah chapter 42 we read some amazing prophecies about Jesus!  Verses 1 through 4 in Isaiah 42 are known as the "Servant Song," in which the servant is the coming Messiah, Jesus.  There are 3 other servant songs in Isaiah we'll read in the coming days.  The nation of Israel, as well as the Messiah, are both often called "servant".  The nation of Israel was to be a kingdom of priests and the Messiah is the high priest who atones for the sins of the world. In Isaiah chapter 42 verse 1 today we read: “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations.”  Verses 1 through 4 are quoted in part in Matthew 12:18-21.  Do you see the prophecies about Jesus as you read today's chapter 42?  Is this chapter and its prophecies encouraging to you?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Isaiah titled "The Lord is the Gracious Redeemer" is at this link.  Below is a great image for Isaiah 43:2-3 from today's readings:

New Testament - Today in Ephesians chapter 2 verses 8 through 10 we read: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (NIV) Have you been saved by grace through faith?  Do you believe that salvation is a gift that cannot be earned?  Have you ever felt that you had to work for your salvation?  What does Paul say about works related to salvation in these verses?  Do you believe that you are God’s very workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works?   Do you believe that God has prepared good works for you to do in advance?  Are you participating in God’s plan for you life?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Ephesians titled "The Guilt of Men and the Grace of God" is at this link.  Below is a great image from Ephesians 2:10 from today's readings:

Psalms - Psalm 67 verse 2 today sounds very Great Commission-ish: "May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere." It's interesting to read this verse when just recently I was reading a review in my local newspaper about a book that "exposes" evangelical Christians. This book really dives into how "successful" evangelical Christians are in "recruiting" young adults ages 20 to 35 with their ministries.  And this book reviewer - and the book author - were very disdainful of Christianity.  Saying it threatened secular society...  and this just made me realize that the more we do indeed make God's ways known throughout the earth - the more we introduce people to God's saving power among people everywhere - well, then the secular world will push back big time with books and reviews like the one I read.  And the secular world will even push back in more severe ways as well.  This makes me realize that indeed our efforts to make God's was known - God's love, grace, mercy, salvation, call to repentance - are being noticed by others! But hopefully more than just being noticed by others, let us pray that our Kingdom work actually introduces others to God's only son Jesus, who transforms hearts and lives for eternity!

Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 23 verses 29 through 35 is one of the largest portions of Proverbs that we will read on one day this year in the One Year Bible.  I'm sure you've noticed that usually our Proverbs readings each day are one or two verses.  Well, these 7 verses today are well worth presenting together all at once!  I pray these verses speak to each of us powerfully about the dangers of overdoing alcohol and being out late partying: "Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks. Don't let the sparkle and smooth taste of wine deceive you. For in the end it bites like a poisonous serpent; it stings like a viper. You will see hallucinations, and you will say crazy things. You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast. And you will say, "They hit me, but I didn't feel it. I didn't even know it when they beat me up. When will I wake up so I can have another drink?"  This is so very true!  I have to share with you here that I have really been convicted lately of how dangerous alcohol can be for so many people in our society.  Recently I've had a couple of good friends share with me their struggles with alcohol - and they are heartbreaking stories.  Alcohol abuse can literally destroy lives and relationships, as we all know.  I'm not a prohibitionist.  But, I do see so much truth in this Proverb and I think we all need to recognize the danger of alcohol abuse - not to mention the dangers of drugs.  Please please please, don't ever let the sparkle and smooth taste of wine deceive you!  For in excess it can indeed bite like a poisonous serpent...

Worship God: Wow, I forgot how powerful Isaiah chapter 43 is until studying it a bit more just now.  Next year I'm going to have to give some more commentary on this chapter!  I recalled while reading Isaiah 43 an incredible worship song a church I used to attend sang called "Do Not Fear (Isaiah 43)."  Fortunately YouTube has this song associated with a video!  This song seriously would nearly bring me to tears for some reason every time we sang it.  I guess because it just reminded me of the sovereignty of God in such a beautiful way.  So, check out this video and worship along with the words that will come up in the video! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23jeSAlB_GE

Do you fear?  Click here to have God save you from your worldly fears!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 (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

September 22nd One Year Bible Readings

Isaiah 39:1-41:16 ~ Ephesians 1:1-23 ~ Psalm 66:1-20 ~ Proverbs 23:25-28
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Old Testament - Today in Isaiah chapter 39 we read about Hezekiah receiving envoys from Babylon.  Unfortunately, he is a bit too hospitable with these envoys!  He believes showing off his wealth will prove that he has worldly power and that the Babylonians will respect him and Judah.  Isaiah sees that Hezekiah is relying on worldly wealth and not God, and Isaiah delivers a word from God that Judah will be exiled to Babylon  Indeed, this comes true in 115 years in the future from when Isaiah delivers this word in this chapter.  We will read more about the Babylonian exile later in this year’s One Year Bible readings.  How about us, in our lives today – do we try to impress people with our worldly wealth or toys or stuff, like Hezekiah was trying to impress the Babylonians?  And further, do we actually try to rely on this worldly stuff rather than rely on God?

You'll notice that our readings in Isaiah today take on a new tone in chapter 40.  Isaiah chapters 1 through 35 were prophesies against Judah and Jerusalem, chapters 36 through 39 were prophesies against Assyria and a foretelling of the rise of Babylon, and now in chapters 40 through 66 we will be reading about Judah and Jerusalem as if the Babylonian exile was nearly over.  This week in Isaiah chapters 40 & 42 we will read some amazing prophecies about Jesus. (I get chills reading some of the verses in these chapters realizing they were written in the 8th century B.C. . .)  Do you see a foretelling of John the Baptist today in chapter 40 verses 3 through 5: "Listen! I hear the voice of someone shouting, "Make a highway for the LORD through the wilderness. Make a straight, smooth road through the desert for our God. Fill the valleys and level the hills. Straighten out the curves and smooth off the rough spots. Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together."

Below is a great image for Isaiah 40:8 from today's readings!

New Testament - Today we begin Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus!  The map below shows where Ephesus is located, as well as other churches Paul wrote epistles to:

~ Ephesians ~
Author: Paul the apostle
Place: Rome
Date: A.D. 60 or 61
Content: Paul wrote this letter while a prisoner in Rome, his purpose being to comfort and encourage the believers in Asia Minor. He presents them with an overview of history, beginning in eternity past where God worked out his plans for the world, moving to the present where God is saving those who believe in Christ, and then to the future where all evil will be overcome. He points out that in the present there will be great conflict because our battle is with the forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12), but because we are members of Christ’s body, we have the power to withstand. Paul then deals with practical matters relating to living the Christian life: marriage, behavior, parents and children, and servants.
Theme: The basic idea in Ephesians is that God’s eternal plan is being worked out through Christ and his body, the church. When a man believes, he is in Christ and finds salvation and safety. God had planned for this from all eternity and has given to the believer everything that he needs for his Christian life, but it is for him to avail himself of the resources at his command. Paul closes the book by describing the provision that God has made for the believer so that he may withstand the worst of Satan’s attacks and when the battle is over, to be victorious. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 26) More great commentary on Ephesians is at this link.

There are so many amazing verses in Ephesians chapter 1 today!  I love verse 18: "I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people."  How does this verse speak to you?  Is your heart flooded with light today?  Do you believe that your heart can indeed be flooded with light so that you can understand your wonderful future in Christ?  I love this imagery of our hearts being flooded with light!  Let Jesus' light flood us today!

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Ephesians titled "The Hope of Glory" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 66 verses 1 & 2 are awesome!  "Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth! Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is." Do you tell the world about how glorious God is?  How do you do this?  Think these kids below might be singing & shouting joyfully to God?  Think there is anything we might be able to learn from these kids?  :)

Proverbs - Proverbs 23 verse 26 today is fantastic - "O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes delight in my ways of wisdom."  Can you imagine God saying this Proverb to you?  What does it mean to give God your heart?  How does one do this? Have you fully given God your heart?  Are your eyes delighting in the ways of God's wisdom?

Worship God: The "flood" language in Ephesians 1:18 reminded me of the Jars of Clay song "Flood" that put them on the map many years ago!  Lift Me Up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?_ERhun1l3vU

Per Ephesians 1:18, has your heart been flooded by light?  Click here for God's holy flood!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 (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