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 Rebecca St. James performing a great live version of this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ0PjTYDwS8

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

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22 (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

[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!

[Luch]

2 cor 11:1-2 Paul says of his 'corinthian spiritual children' "I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy'....I guess there is a difference between worldly jealousy and godly jealousy. He goes on to say, "I betrothed you to one husband'. Let's be jealous to maintain God's reputation.