One Year Bible Blog

October 28th One Year Bible Readings

Jeremiah 51:54-52:34 ~ Titus 3:1-15 ~ Psalm 100:1-5 ~ Proverbs 26:18-19
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on One Year Bible Online Audio, ESVBible.org: OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs or DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) ~

Old Testament - We reach the end of the book of Jeremiah today! This has been a fascinating book for me to read this year! I definitely learned a lot more about prophets, the fall of Jerusalem and Babylon. I hope this has been a good learning experience for you as well?  Jeremiah chapter 51 closes out Jeremiah's prophecies, ending with his prophecies against Babylon. Tomorrow we start the book of Lamentations! And actually, we're getting a good set up for Lamentations in Chapter 52 of Jeremiah today. I think as you read the end of chapter 51, you might think - okay, this should be the end of this book, correct, as verse 64 in chapter 51 tells us - "This is the end of Jeremiah's messages." But...  chapter 52 is in here to remind readers of the fall of Jerusalem, and to segue way into the book of Lamentations.  Below is the painting "Jeremiah Laments the Devastation of Jerusalem" by Rembrandt. (1630. Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum.)

Chapter 52 is sad to read - particularly when you think back to all of the work of the Israelites in Solomon's day in creating the temple. Also I think back to the work of others earlier in the Old Testament who built up the walls of Jerusalem. All of this destroyed and burned. I read somewhere that it's speculated that the Ark of the Covenant was probably destroyed during this time period, in the fire at the Temple.  It is so sad to think about this day in Jerusalem's history...

At the very end of chapter 52 we see a few verses giving hope for Israel's line to continue. So, how has been reading the book of the prophet Jeremiah been for you this year? What have you learned from this book? How can you apply these learnings to your life today?  Whenever we reach the end of any book in the Bible, I like to take a few moments to sit back and think about what God taught me through each particular book.  I hope you can find this time to do the same whenever you reach the end of reading or studying a book in the Bible.

New Testament - Today we also finish up Paul's letter to Titus!  The very short letter to Philemon begins tomorrow. The first couple verses of Titus chapter 3 are interesting to me - "Remind your people to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not speak evil of anyone, and they must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone." Paul is reminding the church at that time to submit to governmental authority - to be obedient. And to do what is good. This reminds me of Jesus saying in the Gospels - "give to Caesar what is Caesar's. And to God what is God." So, there does certainly seem to be a call to be good citizens of the communities we live in - as we strive to be good citizens of the kingdom of God simultaneously. Do you think these two can happen simultaneously? Or are there points where there may be a conflict between our obedience to God and obedience to the world's civil laws & governments?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings titled "Instructions to Live as Good Citizens in the World" is at this link.

Psalms - Today we read Psalm 100!  I will copy this short Psalm below. Does this Psalm speak to you? Do you feel joy while reading this song? I have read much of “The Life You’ve Always Wanted” by John Ortberg (a great book!) and he has a great chapter on JOY being a spiritual discipline. It is amazing to realize that Joy is a gift from God we should be experiencing every day. I pray you are experiencing joy as a spiritual discipline! Think this Psalmist in Psalm 100 was?

Psalm 100
A psalm. For giving thanks.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

When is the last time you shouted for joy to God?  Do you regularly worship God with gladness?  Do you come before our Heavenly Father with joyful songs?  Do you know that you are God’s?  Is this fact alone worth being joyful about each and every day?

Proverbs - Proverbs 26 verses 18 & 19 are so true... "Just as damaging as a mad man shooting a lethal weapon is someone who lies to a friend and then says, "I was only joking." Please don't lie to your friends ever as a joke... this is such a bad idea...  In my past I did lose a friendship this way, which I deeply regret.  Lying jokes aren't funny at all!

Worship God:  Psalm 100 reminds me of Lincoln Brewster's song "Today is the Day!" Here is a great live version of this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B300gQkgDS0

Is Today the Day you come to the LORD?  Click here Today to meet Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs." Psalm 100:1-2 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you shout for joy to the LORD on a very regular basis! Pray that you worship the LORD with gladness and come before Him with joyful songs!

Comments from you - 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!

October 27th One Year Bible Readings

Jeremiah 51:1-53 ~ Titus 2:1-15 ~ Psalm 99:1-9 ~ Proverbs 26:17
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on One Year Bible Online Audio, ESVBible.org: OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs or DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) ~

Old Testament - Jeremiah Chapter 51 dives into Babylon's destruction! Lately we've been basically just looking at Babylon the city & empire and Nebuchadnezzar from the historical perspective - though, certainly seeing where and how God has been interacting with Babylon. I think it might be a good point here to consider the spiritual connotations of Babylon. A great place to begin this conversation is in Revelation Chapters 17 & 18 where Babylon is discussed.  I won't go into trying to interpret these two chapters of Revelation today... :) We have yet to get to Revelation later this year in the One Year Bible! But, these two chapters may give you some more insight into the spiritual meaning of the term Babylon. If you do want to read more about Babylon in context of these two Revelation chapters, check out this link for an interesting commentary.  Below is an image of Babylon before its destruction...

It is interesting in the middle of Jeremiah 51 we have a few verses of a hymn of praise to God - verses 15 through 19. Again, in verse 18, idols are mentioned and can be assumed as one of the prime reasons of Babylon's destruction: "Idols are worthless; they are lies! The time is coming when they will all be destroyed." Do you believe that idols are worthless? Are they lies?  What are some of our modern day idols that are worthless and lies?  Are you rejecting worshiping any and all of our modern day idols and focusing your worship and time and love toward God and Jesus?  Please, leave those worthless idols behind... and don't pick them up ever again!

The other thing to note in this chapter is that earlier in Jeremiah we read about the coming destruction of Jerusalem - but always with the note of ultimate redemption. In this chapter with Babylon, and other chapters discussing Babylon, there is no redemption for Babylon. This city will not be restored...  Below is artist John Martin's "Fall of Babylon" from Illustrations from the Bible, 1835:

New Testament - Titus chapter 2 today is full of great wisdom from Paul!  Please let these verses sink in. Verse 14 stands out: "He (Jesus) gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing what is right."  Do you believe that Jesus gave his life to free you from every kind of sin? To cleanse you? And to make you his very own? Are you totally committed to doing what is right?  Has Jesus' life, death and resurrection freed you from sin?

In Titus 2:11 we read: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all people.” Do you believe this? What does God’s grace mean to you?  How have you experienced God’s grace in your life?  Has God’s grace brought salvation to your life?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Titus titled "The Foundation, Means, and Motivation for godly Behavior" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 99 is a great psalm of praise! This Psalm mentions the word Lord 7 times. I like verse 6 a lot: "Moses and Aaron were among his priests; Samuel also called on his name. They cried to the LORD for help, and he answered them." These were obviously some godly men in the Bible. Do you believe if you cry out to the Lord for help, He will answer you too?

I love Psalm 99 verse 3 - "Let them praise your great and awesome name. Your name is holy!" I think sometimes in our modern world we can forget that God's name is holy.  Jesus' name is holy.  These holy names change things.  They change everything.  If ever you are ever feeling like you are being confronted by evil - maybe even in your sleep in a dream - call upon Jesus' name and watch the evil flee from you immediately.  It is true... Jesus' name is holy!  God's name is holy!  I don't know if anyone has a CD by Vineyard Worship with Kathryn Scott singing on it?  It's called "Hungry, Live in London".  This is a great CD and they have a wonderful song that includes lyrics saying, "You are the sovereign I AM, your name is holy!"  Beautiful tune...  And so true. 

Proverbs - Proverbs 26:17 makes me chuckle. I don't know what it is about this Chapter 26 of Proverbs, but the analogies are cracking me up lately.  (I didn't post up the vomit analogy a day or two ago... you'll have to look that one up...) Today's verse tells us - "Yanking a dog's ears is as foolish as interfering in someone else's argument."  Why would you ever yank a dog's ears?? :)  And thus, why would you interfere in someone else's argument?  This is of course a true and effective proverb analogy!  Let that sleeping dog lie!

YouTube:  As I mention Kathryn Scott and her song "Your Name is Holy," here's another group performing this song live:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSvHuRN0OLI

Who do you Belong to?  Click here to belong to Jesus!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own." Proverbs 26:17 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you won't involve yourself in quarrels that are not your own. Pray that you will realize when you don't "have a dog in the fight."

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

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!

October 26th One Year Bible Readings

Jeremiah 49:23-50:46 ~ Titus 1:1-16 ~ Psalm 97:1-98:9 ~ Proverbs 26:13-16
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on One Year Bible Online Audio, ESVBible.org: OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs or DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) ~

Old Testament - We have quite the readings in Jeremiah chapter 49 & 50 today!  The prophecies have turned from Judah and Jerusalem and are now directed toward their neighbors and toward their captors, Babylon.  The map below will give you a good overview of the Babylonian empire in the 6th century B.C.:

Jeremiah 50 does not bode well for Babylon!  It is interesting, in that King Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon have played a large role in sacking Jerusalem & Judah - to discipline them for their sins. And now the tide is coming back toward Babylon. Verse 28 really stood out to me today as a clear indication that destroying the Temple in Jerusalem was a really really bad idea for Babylon...  "Listen to the people who have escaped from Babylon, as they tell in Jerusalem how the Lord our God has taken vengeance against those who destroyed his Temple."  Below is a miniature from the 15th century French artist Fouquet that shows Nebuchadnezzar´s army attacking the Temple in Jerusalem in 586 B.C.  (though this is quite an artistic interpretation of the  Temple...)

Chapter 50 does bode well for Israel & Judah - verses 4 & 5 tell us: "Then the people of Israel and Judah will join together," says the LORD, "weeping and seeking the LORD their God. They will ask the way to Jerusalem and will start back home again. They will bind themselves to the LORD with an eternal covenant that will never again be broken." How often do we weep and seek the Lord?  Should we ever literally weep and seek God?  Can we learn something about the power of weeping from the people of Israel and Judah on how we can bind ourselves to God with an eternal covenant that will never be broken?

New Testament - Today we begin Paul's letter to Titus!

~ Titus ~
Author: Paul the apostle
Place: Uncertain
Date: A.D. 64 or 65
Content: Paul addressed this letter to an earlier associate of his whom he had left on the island of Crete to help strengthen the churches there. Titus’ task was to ordain elders and to instruct the believers in the basic doctrines of the faith. It was necessary for Paul to go into some detail regarding the qualifications for the office of elder, and to give instructions for others in the church as well. During the course of these instructions, Paul touches upon the problems that face the servant of God and how these problems may be met.
Theme: The need for proper Christian living in the midst of the evil of the world is stressed by Paul in this letter. Around us we see the hostility and corruption of the world, but we must show by our lives what the grace of God can do. Such a life will have an impact, whereas mere words will do little or nothing. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 30) A wonderful commentary by J. Hampton Keathley, III on Paul’s letter to Titus is at this link.  Below is an image for Titus chapter 1 verse 5 today as Paul wrote to Titus: "I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you."

The first two verses of this letter start so wonderfully! "This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to bring faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth gives them the confidence of eternal life, which God promised them before the world began--and he cannot lie." Do you believe everything in these two verses? Does the Truth give us the confidence of eternal life? Is this a promise of God's that you've accepted? Do you believe Paul's teaching here that God cannot lie?  Do you know that Jesus cannot lie?

The next few verses are great instructions for whom should be elders in churches. A portion of verse 8 really stands out to me: "He must enjoy having guests in his home." What a great verse! This really shows the importance of hospitality. Do you enjoy having guests in your home?  When people invite you to be guests in their home, do you understand how incredible of an invitation this truly is?  Do you allow them to share their hospitality with you?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Titus titled "Instruction Concerning Elders in the Church" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 97 verses 10 & 11 are so spiritually powerful & true: "You who love the LORD, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked. Light shines on the godly, and joy on those who do right."  I do believe that God protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked.  Honestly, I believe that God does this in our lives much more often than we even consciously realize.  I am sure there are a few moments in our life when we fully realize we were being protected by God.  But, I also have a strong belief that God protects us from unforeseen things that never entered our consciousness.  Do bad things still happen to godly people?  Yes, of course they do.  Why?  I can't answer this - I've heard C.S. Lewis' book "The Problem of Pain" gets at this a bit.  I need to read it.  We are in a fallen world.  There is evil and an enemy in this world.  Bad things do happen.  But, overall, I believe these verses above are so true.  I do believe that light shines on the godly and joy on those who do right.  Do you believe these verses above to be true?  Have you experienced the truth of these verses in your life?

Proverbs - Proverbs 26:13 today is a powerful teaching: "The lazy person is full of excuses, saying, "I can't go outside because there might be a lion on the road! Yes, I'm sure there's a lion out there!"" In addition to lazy, I wonder if we can sometimes use the word "worried" or "anxious" in place of lazy in this Proverb? Are we afraid of lions out there?  Can we instead rely on the one true "Lion" who will be with us wherever we go?  (yes, think C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia here... :)

Worship God:  Speaking of the Chronicles of Narnia, below is a great video for the song "Remembering You" by Steven Curtis Chapman from the movie.  There are a lot of great clips from the movie in this video.  Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDX6f39ZAqY

Are you remembering God?  Click here if you have yet to meet Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted." Titus 1:15 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray for purity in your life. Pray that you have been made pure by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ.

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

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!

October 25th One Year Bible Readings

Jeremiah 48:1-49:22 ~ 2 Timothy 4:1-22 ~ Psalm 95:1-96:13 ~ Proverbs 26:9-12
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on One Year Bible Online Audio, ESVBible.org: OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs or DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) ~

Old Testament - Jeremiah chapter 48 is not a very happy chapter... at first glance it's tough to figure out what is going on in this chapter. Why is God so angry at Moab? I think verses 28 - 30 let us in on why: "You people of Moab, flee from your cities and towns! Live in the caves like doves that nest in the clefts of the rocks. We have heard of the pride of Moab, for it is very great. We know of her loftiness, her arrogance, and her haughty heart. I know about her insolence," says the LORD, "but her boasts are false; they accomplish nothing." It sounds like pride and boasting was a major factor here obviously. Along with idol worship as we see in verse 13: "At last Moab will be ashamed of her idol Chemosh, as Israel was ashamed of her gold calf at Bethel."  I do think we see sadness from God in this judgment upon Moab in verse 31: "Yes, I wail for Moab; my heart is broken for the men of Kir-hareseth." And ultimate redemption comes in the last verse, 47, of this chapter: "But in the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Moab," says the LORD."  This chapter may give us the opportunity to pause and reflect on if there are areas in our life where we are boasting? Boasting in prideful ways? Are we arrogant, lofty, displaying a haughty heart toward others?

Chapter 49 does not bring good tidings to the Ammonites or Edomites. Verse 16 again gives us a good look into why this judgment is coming upon Edom: "You are proud that you inspire fear in others. And you are proud because you live in a rock fortress and hide high in the mountains. But don't fool yourselves!"  Pride. Again. Pride. Think Pride is something that has been a temptation of humans since the Fall? Think this temptation continues today?  Verse 6 does give the hope of redemption for the Ammonites: "But afterward I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites," says the LORD."   This map below will give you a quick snapshot of the location of the Ammonites, Edomites, and Moabites from today's readings:

New Testament - We wrap up Paul's second letter to Timothy today!  Titus begins tomorrow!  Second Timothy chapter 4 verses 3 & 4 give a good warning for each of us today: "For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths." Do we do this? Do we "look for" or "shop around for" teachers that we really like? Teachers that may only tell us what we want to hear? That may not challenge us with Truth? That may offer strange myths?  (okay, so this animated teacher guy below is probably a solid teacher - I came across a scary image about false teachers with a wolf growling as one image option for below...  but I just kind of liked this guy better for some reason today.  Wow... here I am shopping around for my teacher!  This guy below is probably telling me what I want to hear! :)  Okay, okay, I'll put up the scary wolf image below too!)

In the close of this 2nd letter to Timothy, we are reading some of Paul's final written words! They are amazing. It's great to see some basic human needs in these closing words in verse 13: "When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers." It's also sad to see how Paul's been left pretty much alone and abandoned by many. Verse 22 are some beautiful closing words, and it's my prayer for each of you as well: "May the Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all."  Indeed.  Grace...

Psalms - Psalm 95 verses 4 & 5 remind me of the Chris Tomlin song "Indescribable": "He owns the depths of the earth, and even the mightiest mountains are his. The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too." Have you heard this song by Chris?  It is a very joyful modern day psalm! Bible.org's commentary on Psalm 95 titled "A Warning about Worship" is at this link.

Wow.. Psalm 96 today is amazing!  I love verse 1: "Sing a new song to the LORD! Let the whole earth sing to the LORD!" And I love the imagery in verse 12: "Let the fields and their crops burst forth with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise."

Proverbs - Today in Proverbs 26:12 we read: “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” This is an impactful verse for me. It reminds me of the need for true humility in our lives – and realizing where true wisdom comes from in our lives – God. Are we sometimes wise in our own eyes?  If so, could this lead to trouble?  Do you ever pray to God to keep you humble?  Do you joyfully accept being humble in your life at all times?  Will you pray to God to give you the strength to remain humble?

Worship God:  I realize that I'm posting up 2 Chris Tomlin videos 2 days in a row.  But since I mentioned his song "Indescribable" in the Psalm 95 reflection above, I want to share a live version of this song from The Netherlands Youth Day at a stadium.  I don't think I mentioned this in yesterday's posting - but if you ever get a chance to see Chris Tomlin live, please take the opportunity!  It is always a powerful worship experience!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6bfUf9S7wY

Is God Indescribable to you?   Click here to get to know Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction." 2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you preach the Word in your life at all times - and use words when necessary. Pray that you are prepared in season and out of season to preach the Word. Pray that you will correct, rebuke and encourage others in your life with great patience and careful instruction.

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

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!

October 24th One Year Bible Readings

Jeremiah 44:24-47:7 ~ 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17 ~ Psalm 94:1-23 ~ Proverbs 26:6-8
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on One Year Bible Online Audio, ESVBible.org: OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs or DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) ~

Old Testament - Jeremiah 44:28 stood out to me in today's readings: ""Only a small number will escape death and return to Judah from Egypt." This verse reminds me that God is continuing to preserve the line - the house of David. God will destroy most of the Israelites in Egypt for their unfaithfulness & idol worship, but he will preserve a remnant! We see this over and over in the Bible - even Noah & the flood comes to mind, pre-David of course.  Verses 29 and 30 in this chapter continues: "And this is the proof I give you, says the LORD, that all I have threatened will happen to you and that I will punish you here: I will turn Pharaoh Hophra, king of Egypt, over to his enemies who want to kill him, just as I turned King Zedekiah of Judah over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. I, the LORD, have spoken!"  Based on these verses, below is an image of Pharaoh-Hophra taken prisoner in the war with Amasis:

Jeremiah 45 is a short chapter. Baruch is the person who has basically written this book of Jeremiah. He was Jeremiah's secretary and wrote down everything. However, apparently being secretary for a prophet is a high stress job too. Baruch is sounding a bit burdened in this chapter... To which God gives him words of comfort, along with a brief warning in verse 5 - "Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don't do it!"  Are we seeking great things for ourselves? Should we do it.... ? Whom should we be seeking great things for?  Why do we seek great things for our own selves?  Why do we sometimes even walk over others to try to prove our "greatness".... ?  Think God likes to see this type of behavior from us?

Jeremiah chapter 46 starts about 6 chapters of prophecies against various nations. Starting with Egypt in 46 and Philistine in 47 today. In chapter 46 verses 3 through 5 today we read: ""Buckle on your armor and advance into battle! Harness the horses, and prepare to mount them. Put on your helmets, sharpen your spears, and prepare your armor. But look! The Egyptian army flees in terror. The bravest of its fighting men run without a backward glance. They are terrorized at every turn, says the LORD."

New Testament - Second Timothy chapter 2 verse 22 is so very true: "Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. " Notice that first word - Run. Flee. Go the other way. U-turn. Don't hang around. Run.  Do you run from things that stimulate lust in your life? Do you really Run?  How fast?

Verse 22 continues on with some encouraging words - "Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts." I like that - pursue faith. Pursue love. Pursue peace. And - "enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts." I do pray you have some relationships like this in your life? They can provide you such great rest and rejuvenation. A small group in your church may be a great way to find these types of relationships if you don't have them currently. Community can be messy & tough & scary at times - but it's so worth it! Please pursue community with other believers. And please do continue to have relationships with others who may not be believers in your life too. Be cautious in that sometimes those old relationships can bring us down or pull us back to old habits if we are not careful.  That is why we most definitely need to have a community of those who call on the Lord in our lives as well.  In community, let us pursue faith! Pursue love! Pursue peace! With pure hearts!

2 Timothy 3:1-5 are 5 powerful verses that deserve to be meditated upon by each of us: "You should also know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control; they will be cruel and have no interest in what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from people like that."  How do these teachings of Paul resonate with you?  Do you see parallels in today's modern world with these teachings?  Are there some people in your life today that you should literally stay away from?

Okay, and then verses 16 and 17 just make One Year Bible bloggers like myself smile.... :) "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do."  Do you believe these verses to be true? Do you believe that Scripture is inspired by God? And useful to teach us what is true? And make us realize what is wrong in our lives?  Is God's Word fully equipping you for every good thing God wants you to do?

Psalms - Psalm 94 verse 14 is fantastic today  - "The LORD will not reject his people; he will not abandon his own special possession." I love this thought - that God will not reject us. He will not abandon us. We are his own special possession.  Do you believe that you are God's own special possession?

Bible.org has a wonderful commentary on Psalm 94 titled "The Psalmist Speaks When Society Sins" at this link.

Proverbs - Proverbs 26 verse 7 is powerful for us to consider: "In the mouth of a fool, a proverb becomes as limp as a paralyzed leg." This makes me realize that sometimes the messenger can be as important as the message...  If we are messengers in some sort of way for God - by how we live our lives, love others, serve others, etc. - how are we doing?  Are we worthy messengers?  Or are we diluting the message in some ways?  Ultimately God's Word and message will proceed forward with or without us.  But it's obviously such a blessing for us to be part of God's message - participating in God's process of redeeming the world.  Let us pray we are good messengers for God in our lives today!

Worship God:  Today's readings, and really many of our recent days readings, are reminding me of Chris Tomlin's amazing song "Made to Worship."  Related to this song, I heard a recent sermon by Dr. Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian in New York City about how the first 2 of the Ten Commandments are so critical for us to fully understand and live out.  God is God.  Worship God.  No false idols.  If we really get this and really live it out, well then the rest of the 8 Commandments are a lot easier to actually keep.  It's when we mess up on the first two commandments, and when we start worshiping created things rather than our Creator - well, that's when we very easily mess up on the other 8 commandments.  If you're worshiping money more than God, then it's a lot easier to lie, cheat and steal!   Put God back in his proper place - as your God.   And worship God only.  And, then, well, why lie, cheat or steal?  You wouldn't want to do that while worshiping God.  I hope this makes sense?  It was stunning to me to really think about it while listening to Dr. Keller's sermon.  And Chris in this video talks a bit before the song about how "you and I are made to worship.  We're great worshipers!"  And I agree with him on this.  The question is that who or what are we worshiping?  I do think all humans on the planet are great worshipers.  However, we're not all worshiping God above all else...  And that's where the problems come in!  Apologies on this long set up to this video.  :)  You and I are made to worship God the Father, God the Son, Jesus, and God the Holy Spirit!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5FmNqozk6k

Who or what are you worshiping these days?  Click here to worship God!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that all God's people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are being taught, rebuked, corrected and trained by the Bible, so that you will be thoroughly equipped for good works. Pray that you wholeheartedly believe that all Scripture is God-breathed.

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

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!