July 8th One Year Bible Readings

1 Chronicles 5:18-6:81 ~ Acts 26:1-32 ~ Psalm 6:1-10 ~ Proverbs 18:20-21
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on OneYearAudioBible.org or DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) ~

Old Testament - Today in First Chronicles chapter 5 we read about the tribes east of the Jordan River.  This map will give you a good overview of the territory of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh east of the Jordan.  (along with the rest of the tribes)

Today in First Chronicles chapter 6 we read a genealogy of the Levites, the priestly tribe.  I love that the temple musicians were included in the genealogy today!  Check out verse 32: "They ministered with music before the tabernacle."  Nice touch to include the artists.  Think God likes music? And how true is this - that music ministers to us?  I pray this is true for you.  I know music ministers to me in such a profound way. Particularly Christian and worship music.  Secular music I used to love - and it can still be interesting to listen to.  But the only music these days that truly seems to "minister" to me is Christian music or praise and worship music.  Certainly the music I sing in church every week!  Is music ministering to you these days?

New Testament - Today in Acts 26 verses 24 & 25 we read: “At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane." "I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable.””  Have you ever questioned your sanity when thinking about Christianity? :) Don’t worry – I think it is okay if you have. I honestly think that Christianity is the most logical thing of all time – but, I do understand why many in the world may view Christianity as crazy. (or that maybe even we ourselves at times have thought “this is crazy”) The bottom line is this – I believe every human being has faith in something. We may have faith in Jesus. Or we may have faith in a “cosmic being.” Or we may have faith in crystals. Or we may have faith in atheism. (yes, I believe atheism is too a faith – in nothingness – but a faith nonetheless.) Or we may have faith in altruism or government or nature. We all have faith in something. Faith is our human nature. I believe the statistic is that 85%+ of the world’s population believes in something beyond themselves. We are spiritual beings. And if then we are spiritual beings, then I think it is perfectly logical for us to seek out who our Maker truly is. And to seek out whom our Savior truly is. And to seek out what will lead us to Eternal life. I’ve gone through this seeking phase big time in my early life. And I do believe it was the Holy Spirit that led me to Jesus ultimately. And now, once in relationship with Jesus, I believe that Christianity is the most logical faith there is. Do you believe what Paul says to Festus in these verses? Do you believe that Christianity is true and reasonable?  I believe even Spock would find Christianity logical! :)

Bible.org's commentary on today's Acts readings titled "Paul's Appeal to Aggripa" is at this link.  Below is an image of Paul´s Defense Before Agrippa by C.F. Vos:

Psalms - As I read Psalm 6, it seems very penitential to me - like David was making a confession of sins and praying for forgiveness from God.   As you read through these verses, have you ever felt like this?  I have.  And it ain't fun.  But, it's part of the healing process.  I do think we need to allow ourselves to get fully broken before God before we get fully healed.  We can't mask over or hide from God what's really going on - we have got to put it all out there on the table before God, for him to be able to truly fix it.   However - there is great encouragement and confidence from David in this Psalm in verse 9: "The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD will answer my prayer." The Lord will hear your plea!  The Lord will answer your prayer!  Please plea and pray to him if you need to.  He will listen and answer.

Proverbs - I love Proverbs 18 verse 20 today: "Words satisfy the soul as food satisfies the stomach; the right words on a person's lips bring satisfaction."  This is so true.  I of course first think of God's Word, the Bible, in the first part of this Proverb.  God's Word truly does satisfy, nourish and feed our souls!  And then the 2nd part of this Proverb reminds me of Psalm 19 verse 14: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." How are the words coming out of your mouth these days?  Are they pleasing in God's sight?

YouTube Video: Today's readings remind me of Tenth Avenue North song on the radio these days called "Love is Here:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt8lGpnDWKM

Do you believe Love is Here?  Click here for Love!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping" Psalm 6:8 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that those who do evil would not be near to you today. Pray that God would save evil-doers. Pray that evil-doers would turn from their sins and repent.

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

God bless,
Mike

Comments

[Frederick Y]

Psalm 133

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
It is like the precious oil upon the head,
running down upon the beard,
upon the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the LORD has commanded the blessing,
life for evermore.

I remember this Psalm when I read today's OT about the allocation of cities to the Levites among his brothers' land. It is a beautiful picture of brotherly love and a holy love among the Israelites toward the LORD.

Re Mike: about the music in church. I love the musicians in my church who lead the worship of the whole Congregation. They are marvelous and they deserve to be 'mentioned' in Bible.

[Lesley Pettitt]

I remember when I loved secular music before I was a believer in Jesus now I just love all of the worship music, it is beautiful, to sing praises to our most wonderful Lord, I have found that I have lost interest in secular music now, sometimes I listen to it but not for long because it does not interest me like it used to. What a change Jesus has made in my life since I have become to know him. How wonderful that we have the Bible to read, it is the best book ever. Thank you for the bible blog it is so helpful. I look forward to it every day.

[anonymouse s]

I am a very very strong believer in our God our Redeemer we are very involved in our church and live christian lives we like to identify in all that happens in our lives the lesson that God may b teaching us, and in all i do i talk to my God while he is constantly holding my hand. But i dont understand why one has to be broken first????