One Year Bible Blog

July 23rd One Year Bible Readings

2 Chronicles 8:11-10:19 ~ Romans 8:9-25~ Psalm 18:16-36 ~ Proverbs 19:26
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on One Year Bible Online Audio or ESVBible.org: OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs or DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) ~

Old Testament - Today in Second Chronicles chapter 8 we learn that Solomon married the Egyptian Pharaoh's daughter, which was not pleasing to God and was contrary to God's Law of not marrying foreigners (in large part because they worshiped foreign gods) as you'll recall from Deuteronomy 7:3-4.  The Chronicler overall paints a very rosy portrait of both David and Solomon, ignoring many aspects of their sins that we read about in Samuel and Kings.  But, it's interesting the Chronicler mentioned this marriage. Solomon married likely for a military alliance with Egypt.  Solomon's marrying of foreign wives ultimately led to his turning his heart away from God, as we read in 1 Kings 11:1-11.  Interestingly, we see that Solomon won't allow his Egyptian wife to live in David's palace in verse 11: "Solomon moved his wife, Pharaoh's daughter, from the City of David to the new palace he had built for her. He said, "My wife must not live in King David's palace, for the Ark of the LORD has been there, and it is holy ground.""  And so he builds her a brand new palace!  Think Solomon knew something was amiss with this situation before God if he wouldn't let his Egyptian wife live in David's palace?  What about us in our lives today - when we sin, do we try to "cover it up" or "build a pretty palace" to maybe try to distract ourselves or God from our sin?  Should we instead just simply confess our sin to God and repent?

At the very end of Second Chronicles chapter 8 today we read these interesting verses 17-18: "Later Solomon went to Ezion-geber and Elath, ports in the land of Edom, along the shore of the Red Sea. Hiram sent him ships commanded by his own officers and manned by experienced crews of sailors. These ships sailed to the land of Ophir with Solomon's men and brought back to Solomon almost seventeen tons of gold."  You will see the port of Elath in the 2nd map below.  Then, the big question I had today was where is Ophir?  Well, it turns out that Ophir was likely in the land of "Sheba" from whence Queen Sheba comes to visit Solomon!  So, it is interesting to see how these last 2 verses in chapter 8 lead us to Second Chronicles chapter 9 today where we read about the Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon.  Below is about the best map I could find with the land of Sheba, and Ophir, in comparison to Israel.  The Queen obviously traveled quite a distance in those days to visit Solomon!  And I think we can now understand how she learned of Solomon - he built a fleet of ships and sailed them to her land!

In Second Chronicles chapter 9 we read about Solomon's wealth and splendor.  I think it is interesting for us to remember that Solomon likely writes the book of Ecclesiastes, which we will read later this year.  Ecclesiastes wisely teaches us that living life for one's own pleasure and for riches is meaningless - but only living for God makes life worthwhile.  I thought about Ecclesiastes when reading about all of Solomon's wealth today - and realizing that it would later all by destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar and his army from Babylon.  Solomon's wealth was yes, impressive.  But Solomon's sins and the sins of his descendants eventually took all of it away.  Let us never forget that sin kills...  Let us never forget that the wages of sin are death.  (remember where we read that recently?  You've got this memorized from Romans 6:23 correct? :) Today in Verses 22 through 24 we read - "So King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king in all the earth.  Kings from every nation came to visit him and to hear the wisdom God had given him. Year after year, everyone who came to visit brought him gifts of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules."  Below is a painting of Solomon in all of his splendor in "The Queen of Sheba before Solomon" by Nicolas Knupfer, c. 1640:

I do think map's can often give us a great overview / understanding of what we're reading about in the Bible.  I think now is a good time to show a good map of Solomon's Kingdom compared to modern day Israel, below.  Take a few minutes to really study this map and reflect upon places you recognize from today's readings and previous day's readings:

King Rehoboam's bad decision making in Second Chronicles chapter 10 is an excellent example of why we should respect our elders...  Rehoboam blew off the advice of his elders and instead heeded the foolish advice of the young men around him.  And then the kingdom was divided.   Of course, this turn of events was the will of God.  But, still, a good example I think of why we should listen to and respect our elders...

New Testament - Wow... I love Paul's writings today in Romans 8 verses 12 through 14!  "So, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you keep on following it, you will perish. But if through the power of the Holy Spirit you turn from it and its evil deeds, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God."   How do these verses speak to you?  Can you imagine that these words were written for you and your life today?  Do you believe that you have no obligation whatsoever to do what sin urges you to do?  Are you led in your life today by the Spirit of God?

Bible.org's fantastic commentary on today's readings in Romans titled "Siding with the Spirit" is at this link and "From Groaning to Glory" is at this link.

Psalms - There are so many great verses today for us to meditate upon in Psalm 18!  I love verses 25 through 27: "To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity. To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the wicked you show yourself hostile. You rescue those who are humble, but you humiliate the proud."  Are you showing yourself to be faithful to God?  Are you living with integrity?  Are you showing yourself to be pure?  Is God showing you these things as well? 

I really love verse 28: "LORD, you have brought light to my life; my God, you light up my darkness."   Has Jesus brought light into your life?  Does God light up your darkness?

Proverbs - Proverbs 19 verse 26 is a great reminder of the commandment to honor thy father and mother: "Children who mistreat their father or chase away their mother are a public disgrace and an embarrassment."  So.... have you called your Mom lately??  :)  Of course I'm being facetious here with this question as it might (doesn't) relate to this Proverb, but hey, I'll let it stand...

Worship God:  Based on Psalm 18 today I think Michael W. Smith's "You are Holy" is a great song to worship God to today. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjdaZlIXyEc

Do you know our Holy God? Click here for Holiness!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed." Romans 8:18-19 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you know that your present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in you. Pray that the children of God will be revealed!

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

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our One Year Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our One Year Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

July 22nd One Year Bible Readings

2 Chronicles 6:12-8:10 ~ Romans 7:14-8:8  ~ Psalm 18:1-15 ~ Proverbs 19:24-25
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on One Year Bible Online Audio or ESVBible.org: OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs or DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) ~

Old Testament - Today in Second Chronicles we read about Solomon's dedication of the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem!  Below is "King Solomon praying before the Temple" by Neapolitan painter Giuseppe Bonito, c. 1750:

I meant to do this in yesterday's posting - show an exterior and interior image below of what's now often referred to as "Solomon's Temple." Even though it was clearly the Temple of the Lord, it's referred to as Solomon's Temple based on Solomon building it - and we'll read about some more Temple's later on in our readings in the One Year Bible this year, including Ezekiel's Temple, which is fascinating!  Anyhow, below are two images of Solomon's Temple, but let me also highly encourage you to take a few moments to check out all of the cool images of the interior and exterior of Solomon's Temple at this link.  (make sure you scroll down quite a bit on this link to see all the images)  I think this link will help you visualize the Temple much better!  Also, at the home page of that link above, you can read up on the Temple Mount area of Jerusalem today where Solomon's Temple was believed to have been located, along with the Second Temple.  And now where the Dome of the Rock mosque is located.  Very interesting stuff on that web page!  And tons of links.  Can't say I agree with it all...  but it's a website worth exploring.

New Testament - Romans chapter 7 today has some amazing teachings about struggling with sin.  I imagine that all of us at one point or another have concurred with Paul - and remember this is the apostle Paul writing this! - in verses 15 through 17: "I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience shows that I agree that the law is good. But I can't help myself, because it is sin inside me that makes me do these evil things." These verses get at Original Sin in a big way.  We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  Sin can live inside of us and make us do evil things that we hate doing.  What do you suppose - or Whom do you suppose - frees us from this bondage to sin?  Jesus.  Yes, Jesus frees us.  How?  He paid the penalty on the cross for our sins.  And he gives us the free gift of salvation and the Holy Spirit to free us from the bondage of sin.  Take a look at these verses again above from Paul.  Is sin living inside of you making you do things you hate?  Do you want to be free from this slavery to sin?  Will you pray to accept Jesus as your savior today and allow him to free you from you bondage to sin?  Please do.  It's the best decision you will ever make.  Please spend a few minutes prayerfully at this website - https://needhim.org/

Bible.org's fantastic commentary on today's readings in Romans titled "The War Within" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 18 is an amazing one!  We'll get this Psalm for the next 3 days of readings, which is great.  And then comes Psalm 19 which is off the charts awesome!   Verse 1 today is so beautiful: "I love you, LORD; you are my strength."  How often do you tell God that you love him?  One thing that one of my former pastors does when he prays publicly, which absolutely moves me, is that he closes out just about every prayer with "God we love you.  And we pray all of this in the name of your son Jesus."   The last line of course is the powerful line!  But, that second to last line... is just beautiful.  Just telling God that we love him.  I'm not sure I tell God that I love him often enough.  God may not "need" to hear it.  But I think that I need to say it more often.  I love you God!

Proverbs - I hope you don't relate too well to Proverbs 19 verse 24... but I'll confess that I have been able to relate to this in my past - "Some people are so lazy that they won't even lift a finger to feed themselves."  There were days in my past were I was literally this lazy.  What a sad state of affairs.  It's hard to say exactly why I was being so lazy - other than one clear reason:  I was not in a relationship with Jesus.  I was living for myself and myself only.  So I thought it was fine to sleep and watch TV 24 x 7.  What did it matter?  Well... it mattered a lot.  Being lazy like this is a scary place to be.  I think it allows the Enemy to move into our lives in big ways.  So - thankfully - as we know from our recent Romans readings, we can be free from our lazy ways! Being in relationship with Jesus has literally cured me of my laziness.  Don't get me wrong - I still chill out and rest on occasion - we really need to take a Sabbath day of rest once a week....  but let us not live our lives as couch potatoes!  Let us get in the game of Life!

Couldn't resist this cute potato sack race image below... :)
These 2 are definitely not lazy couch potatoes!

 

Worship God: Today's readings in Romans today reminds me of Bebo Norman's song "Into the Day:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adHdgsOfFFg

Have you stepped out into the day? Click here for the Light!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are no longer condemned. Pray that you have a saving faith in Jesus. Pray that the Holy Spirit has set you free from sin and death.

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

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our One Year Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our One Year Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

July 21st One Year Bible Readings

2 Chronicles 4:1-6:11 ~ Romans 7:1-13 ~ Psalm 17:1-15 ~ Proverbs 19:22-23
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on One Year Bible Online Audio or ESVBible.org: OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs or DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) ~

Old Testament - Today in Second Chronicles we read about the furnishings for the Temple, including the completion of the Sea in chapter 4 verses 4 & 5 - "The Sea rested on a base of twelve bronze oxen, all facing outward. Three faced north, three faced west, three faced south, and three faced east. The walls of the Sea were about three inches thick, and its rim flared out like a cup and resembled a lily blossom. It could hold about 16,500 gallons of water."  The Sea was used by the priests for their ceremonial washings.  Interestingly, the New Testament views these washing rituals as a foreshadowing of the cleansing provided to us by Jesus, as we will read later this year in Hebrews chapter 9 verses 11-14: "When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!"  Below is an image of the Sea from today's readings:

Today we also read about the Ark being brought to the Temple.  Second Chronicles chapter 5 verses 13 & 14 are incredible to consider: "The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words: "He is so good! His faithful love endures forever!" At that moment a cloud filled the Temple of the LORD. The priests could not continue their work because the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple of God."

New Testament - Great writings by Paul in Romans 7 today about the Law!  I love how he wraps up today's readings in verses 12 & 13 by saying: "But still, the law itself is holy and right and good.  But how can that be? Did the law, which is good, cause my doom? Of course not! Sin used what was good to bring about my condemnation. So we can see how terrible sin really is. It uses God's good commandment for its own evil purposes." Great theology in this chapter today!  Indeed - the law itself is holy and right and good.  But, we couldn't keep the law and sin tempted us to break the law.  And thanks to Jesus, Paul tells us in verse 6 today: "But now we have been released from the law, for we died with Christ, and we are no longer captive to its power. Now we can really serve God, not in the old way by obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way, by the Spirit."  We now serve God by the Spirit!  We are free indeed!

Bible.org's commentary on today's Romans readings titled "The Loveliness of the Law and the Ugliness of Sin" is at this link.

Psalms - In Psalm 17 David appeals to God as Judge when he is being attacked by foes.  Verse 7 is a great prayer and comfort! "Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. You save with your strength those who seek refuge from their enemies." Do you seek refuge with God from whatever might attacking you?   Do you believe that God will show you his unfailing love in wonderful ways?  Have you been saved by God's strength?  Have you sought refuge with God from your "enemies"?

Proverbs - I like Proverbs 19 verse 22 today!  "Loyalty makes a person attractive. And it is better to be poor than dishonest."  It is an interesting combination of proverbs in one verse.  I do agree that loyalty is an attractive quality in people.  Are you loyal to God?  And I wholeheartedly agree that it is better to be poor than dishonest.  Dishonestly is a sin that breeds so many other sins and wrong-thinkings in our life.  It's to be avoided - even if it means being materially poor.  You will be wealthy in God's eyes because of your honesty!

Worship God:  Romans 7 verse 6 I think correlates very well with this video of The David Crowder Band's "Everything Glorious":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81dK2Vu1IUs

Is everything glorious in your life? Click here for Glory!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God." Romans 7:4 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are alive in Christ. Pray for the body of Christ. Pray that you are bearing fruit for God.

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

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our One Year Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our One Year Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

July 20th One Year Bible Readings

2 Chronicles 1:1-3:17 ~ Romans 6:1-23 ~ Psalm 16:1-11 ~ Proverbs 19:20-21
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on One Year Bible Online Audio or ESVBible.org: OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs or DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) ~

Old Testament - Today we begin the book of Second Chronicles!  Are you ready to read about the reign of King Solomon?  Let's go!

~Second Chronicles~
Author: Unknown
Date: Fifth century B.C.
Content: Second Chronicles contains the history of Judah that was begun in First Chronicles. It deals with the glory of Solomon's reign, with a special emphasis being placed upon the glory of the temple. This emphasis is made because a priest point of view pervades the book. The remaining kings of Judah are discussed, with a stress upon how the religious affairs of the nation were going. Hezekiah is given mention because during his reign an extended revival took place. The destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the people to Babylon are described, and the book ends with the Persian king's decree to let the people return home.
Theme: Judah's history is described from a religious point of view in this book. The righteous kings are commented on and the evil kings are named so that all can see who is responsible for the rise and fall of the nation. The religious leaders and their ultimate failure to remain true to God added to the sin of Judah - until God allowed his own chosen people to plunge themselves into ruin, as an example for all time that God will not tolerate sin. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers "The One Year Bible Companion" pp. 7-8) More commentary on Second Chronicles is at this link.

Today in 2 Chronicles chapter 1 we read about King Solomon asking for wisdom and knowledge from God. In verse 7 we read these words from God to Solomon - "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." In verse 10 we will read this amazing response from Solomon to God: "Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?" Solomon could have asked God for anything - more wealth, more power, more strength, more whatever, but he simply asked for wisdom and knowledge. Why? Because he wanted to lead God's people well and distinguish between right and wrong. Amazing. How would you or I answer this question today? What if God came to you today and said the same thing to you from verse 5 - "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." What would you ask for? Would you ask for Wisdom? Would you ask for Knowledge? If so, God offers these to you and me right now. Where? I believe wisdom and knowledge is offered to us through study of the Bible and by living in a loving and right relationship with God. We can receive the gift of God's wisdom today! If we would answer this question from God differently - maybe wanting more money, or power, or fame, or whatever - do you think we might forfeit gaining wisdom? So, again, what if God were to say to you right now this same statement he said to Solomon? "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." What do you ask for?  Below is a portrait by artist Guy Rowe of Solomon praying to God for wisdom:

New Testament - Today in Romans chapter 6 verses 17 & 18 we read: "But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." Do you believe that you were ever a slave to sin? Is it possible that you are still a slave to sin now? How can you be freed from being a slave to sin? Or, better yet, Who do you think can free you from being a slave to sin? Are you wholeheartedly obeying the teaching to which you have been entrusted? Where can you consistently find the teaching to which you have been entrusted? Do you consider yourself a slave to righteousness? Do you like the idea of being a slave to righteousness?

Today we read Romans 6:23! I pray that this is a verse of Scripture that you have truly memorized, meditated upon, and fully understand and agree with:

Bible.org's fantastic commentaries on today's Romans readings titled "An End to the Reign of Death" is at this link and "The Stupidity of Sin" is at this link.

Psalms - Today we read Psalm 16, which I absolutely love!  I could probably share with you some thoughts on just about every verse in this Psalm. Verse 1 tells us: "Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge."  Do you believe that God will keep you safe if you come to Him for refuge? And verse 2 is so true: "I said to the LORD, "You are my Master! All the good things I have are from you.""  Everything good thing in our life - absolutely everything good thing in our life - comes from God.  Do you believe this? Verse 3 reminds me to rejoice for and pray for our pastors and spiritual mentors: "The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them!"  Do you appreciate your pastors / ministers / priests and spiritual mentors?  And do you appreciate other godly people you know too?  Are they true heroes?  Do you pray for these folks regularly? If not, will you?

And verse 11 is a powerful closing to this Psalm 16 and perhaps a prayer for us to pray fervently: "You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever."   Do you want to be shown the way of life from God?   Do you want to be granted the joy of God's presence?  Do you want the pleasure of living with God forever?  Have you prayed to God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit to give you these things in your life?  Will you pray this prayer?

Proverbs - Proverbs 19 verse 21 is so true : "You can make many plans, but the LORD's purpose will prevail." I am so amazed by how God's purpose continues to steer the course of my life - tossing to the side my frivolous plans that were not part of His purpose.  I think we do well to realize that God absolutely has a purpose for our lives - and that we very likely do not know what it is.  :)  Well, that's not always true.  I do think many of us have a good indication of what God's purpose is for our lives.  But I think perhaps more of us do not.  And that's okay.  I believe that if we stay close to God in a loving relationship and seek to live godly lives, God's purpose can't help but take over the course of our life.  Without our even realizing it at times.  There was that movie several years back called Mr. Holland's Opus, where the lead character realized that "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans."  I submit that "God's purpose is what happens if you are seeking after Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength."  Let us pray that God is the Master Planner in our life today!  And let us also pray that God will reveal to us if we are ignoring His plans for us in any way and if we are perhaps in danger of planning to build a "tower of Babel" in our life in the place of God...

YouTube:  Today's readings in Romans today remind me of TobyMac's song "Made to Love You:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2NDIq82H5s

Were you made to love God? Click here for Love!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you truly understand that the wages of sin is death. Pray that you also truly know that through a saving faith in Jesus, your sins have been forgiven and that the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus. Pray for everyone you know to come to know this as well. Pray for revival in your city.

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

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our One Year Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our One Year Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

July 19th One Year Bible Readings

1 Chronicles 28:1-29:30 ~ Romans 5:6-21 ~ Psalm 15:1-5 ~ Proverbs 19:18-19
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on One Year Bible Online Audio or ESVBible.org: OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs or DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) ~

Old Testament - We finish up the book of First Chronicles today!  Second Chronicles begins tomorrow! Today's readings are a nice transition from the reign of King David to his son Solomon. 

Our readings today set the transition scene nicely in First Chronicles 28 verses 1 & 2: "David summoned all his officials to Jerusalem--the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of the twelve army divisions, the other generals and captains, the overseers of the royal property and livestock, the palace officials, the mighty men, and all the other warriors in the kingdom. David rose and stood before them and addressed them as follows: "My brothers and my people!""  One thing that really stood out to me in David's address to his officials today was his absolute passion for God's Temple!  David was so passionate about making sure the Temple was prepared for his son Solomon to build it.  Yes, true, God gave David the plans for the Temple. :) But... what about us in our lives today... does God give us any "plans" for our lives today?  What about the Bible?  Is the Bible a "plan" for our lives today that we should follow?  Below is an image from today's readings of David addressing his officials:

I love David's prayer of praise to God today in 1 Chronicles 29 verses 10 through 12: "O LORD, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and ever! Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Riches and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and it is at your discretion that people are made great and given strength."  Have you ever prayed a prayer of praise like this to God?  Would you like to?  You could do so right now!

New Testament - Wow... I don't know what it is about Romans this year, but it is speaking to me like never before.  For those of you that have gone through the One Year Bible multiple times, you probably know how this is.  One year a book will kinda sorta speak to you - God's Word always does.  And then the next year a book will just blow you away with its wisdom.  Romans is one of those books for me this year...  Paul's words in Romans 5 verses 6 through 8 today spoke to me right away: "When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, no one is likely to die for a good person, though someone might be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."  This is so powerful to think about.  Jesus died for us sinners.  Think about how selfless this is. Would you die for someone right now?  Perhaps your family or maybe someone who is especially good, as this Psalm says.  But would you die for a liar, a thief, a cheat, or a hopeless addict?  Maybe so...  but probably not.  Jesus came for us.  He died for us.  Us thieves.  Us liars.  Us cheat.  Us addicts.  He came to save us!  Have you been saved by Jesus?

We are now called friends of God as Paul tells us in verse 11: "So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God--all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God."  Do you rejoice in knowing that you are a friend of God?  If someone were to look at how you interact with others and how you spend your time and your days, would they know that you are a friend of God?  Do you often spend quality time with God like you would with any other friend?  Do you think spending time with God is more valuable than anything else you could do in this world?

Paul's contrast of Adam and Jesus in today's readings is so powerful for us to meditate upon... Verses 18 & 19 stood out to me today: "Yes, Adam's one sin brought condemnation upon everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness makes all people right in God's sight and gives them life. Because one person disobeyed God, many people became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many people will be made right in God's sight."

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Romans titled "From the Curse to the Cure" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 15 verses 1 & 2 today are awesome: "Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts."  Psalm 15 was written for those that wished to have access to God in his Temple in Jerusalem.  However, I do believe that today, through Jesus, anyone can worship God anywhere - in a church or in our homes or wherever we find ourselves.  However, I do think there is truth in these Psalm verses in that we can worship God beautifully by living a blameless life (not perfect life - only Jesus was perfect this side of heaven - we will need to confess sins & repent), doing what is right, and speaking the truth from sincere hearts.  I do believe these are acts of worship that demonstrate our friendship with God and our growth in becoming more like his son Jesus in our lifetimes.  Do you seek to lead a blameless life?  Do you seek to do what is right?  Do you speak the truth from a sincere heart?  Do you seek to worship God in some way each and every day?  How?

Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 19 verse 19 teaches us today: "Short-tempered people must pay their own penalty. If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again."  This is an interesting Proverb to think about.  What it says to me is that sometimes people can only learn things on their own.  They have to make their own mistakes.  Pay their own penalty.  And then they'll learn.  If we don't let them go through this process, and we "rescue them" once, we'll have to rescue them again.  Interesting to consider this in light of verse 18: "Discipline your children while there is hope. If you don't, you will ruin their lives."  This verse to me indicates that we can actually "rescue" people with godly discipline early in their lives.  We can "rescue" our children through godly discipline and save them much ruin later in their lives.  Do you agree with both of these Proverbs?   Do you see the wisdom in godly discipline for our children?  Do you think this graph below shows how godly discipline can both send people on the upward road and also save people from ultimate ruin?

YouTube - Based on our readings in Romans chapter 5 verses 6 through 6 (shown above), I think you'll appreciate this 5 minute YouTube sermonette by Josh Harris.  It's called "The Room," based on a dream Josh had several years ago.  Josh wrote about this dream in his book "I Kissed Dating Goodbye".  Here are a few words from Josh about this dream and this video you're about to watch:  ""The Room" is a dream I had while visiting Puerto Rico for a Billy Graham crusade when I was 19. People often ask if I really had the dream, and the answer is yes. I woke up deeply shaken, grabbed my computer, and began to type.  The dream became an article, and the premise was this: What if there were a room of files that cataloged your every thought and action? Could you bear to review them? "The Room" touches on the universal themes of guilt and redemption. How does a person find forgiveness for the wrongs they've committed or for the good they've left undone? Is our past something we can leave behind or forget? How can any of us know true forgiveness from a God who is holy and just? "The Room" points to our need for a Savior who can rescue us from the punishment our sins deserve. Jesus Christ is that Savior. And "The Room" is a story that helps explain what he accomplished when he died on the cross for the sins of the world. I hope that it will point you to the Savior who died for you."  If you'd like to read the full text of "The Room" it's online here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjvelbJCoNA

Have you allowed God into your "Room"? Click here and let Him in!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you know the full expanse of God's love for you and the full cost Jesus paid for your sins on the Cross. Pray that you know that while you were still a sinner, Christ died for you. Pray that you have been saved from your sins through saving faith in Jesus.

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

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our One Year Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our One Year Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!