One Year Bible Blog

August 4th One Year Bible Readings

2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23 ~ 1 Corinthians 1:1-17 ~ Psalm 27:1-6 ~ Proverbs 20:20-21
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs or Daily Audio Bible ~

Hungry? For Junk Food or God’s Food?
 

I know that a few of you reading this are behind on our readings. If you fall too far behind in our readings, please don’t get discouraged! Just skip ahead to today’s readings and start keeping pace with us once again. I don’t want you to stop reading the Bible just because you feel like you’re so far behind. It’s kind of like if you fell behind in eating a meal. You wouldn’t stop eating meals would you? Of course not. We need food. And likewise, we critically need the spiritual food the Bible offers us. So, please, don’t just read these blogs and not read the Bible. . . :) Skip ahead to today’s readings and jump back on board with us! Aren’t you hungry for God’s food?

Old Testament - Today we wrap up Second Chronicles. Ezra begins tomorrow!

New Testament - Today we begin Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth!

First Corinthians
Author: Paul the apostle
Place: Ephesus
Date: A.D. 55
Content: Paul had established a church in the Greek city of Corinth on his second missionary journey (see Acts 18:1-8), but things had gone very badly after his departure. He felt it necessary to write them concerning the many problems that had arisen. They were challenging his apostleship, abusing the Lord’s Supper, wondering about eating meat sacrificed to idols, going to court against one another, condoning immorality, denying the resurrection, arguing about marriage – to name a few of the problems. Paul felt that he had to deal with the situation, lest everything in Corinth fall to pieces. As Paul more or less systematically goes through these problems, he touches upon many of the fundamental teachings of the faith.
Theme: Paul’s major purpose in writing this letter was to correct some glaring abuses in the church at Corinth, showing the importance of how we live. It is not enough to say that we are Christians; we must also act like Christians. Not to do so is to bring dishonor upon the name of Christ. Paul also stresses the all-sufficiency of Christ for the believer. In Christ we are made pure, holy, and acceptable to God. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 24-25)

More commentary on First Corinthians is at these 3 links –
https://bible.org/article/i-corinthians-introduction-and-outline
https://bible.org/seriespage/7-1-corinthians-introduction-argument-and-outline
https://bible.org/article/argument-first-corinthians

Psalms - Psalm 27 verse 1 is so powerful: "The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?" How is the Lord your light and salvation today? How is the Lord your stronghold? Are you afraid of anything?

Proverbs - Proverbs 20 verse 20 today teaches us: "If you curse your father or mother, the lamp of your life will be snuffed out."  This is a great reminder to honor your father & mother! How have you learned to honor your father & mother in your life? Have there been blessings because you have honored them?

Worship Video: Today's readings in Psalm 27 reminds me of the Newsboy's song "God's Not Dead:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_OTz-lpDjw

Do you know our Living God? Click here for LIFE!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "If you curse your father or mother, your lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness." Proverbs 20:20 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you won't curse your father or mother. Pray that you will honor your father and mother. Pray for your father and mother.

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. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

August 3rd One Year Bible Readings

2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33 ~ Romans 16:10-27 ~ Psalm 26:1-12 ~ Proverbs 20:19
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs or Daily Audio Bible ~

Old Testament - Wow... I thought today's readings are some of the best we've had in a while!  King Josiah cleaned up house for God!  Unfortunately, the southern kingdom of Judah is about to meet a similar fate as the northern kingdom of Israel did.  But King Josiah goes down with a fight for the Lord in today's readings!  I wonder about this in our lives today - are we willing to fight for the Lord and his values in the way that Josiah did today?  Or, perhaps "fight" isn't quite the right word, as Jesus taught us to turn the other cheek....  but, then, considering this, should we simply be meek and mild and not fight for things of the Lord?  I don't think Jesus modeled this entirely either.  Jesus turned over some tables in the Temple and turned over some ideas about God during His life...  What can we learn about a zeal for God from Josiah and Jesus' lives?  Below is an image of King Josiah and his men destroying a pagan altar from today's readings:

Verse 15 reminds me of the old adage - "Dusty Bibles lead to dirty lives..."  :) - "Hilkiah said to Shaphan the court secretary, "I have found the Book of the Law in the LORD's Temple!" Then Hilkiah gave the scroll to Shaphan." That is amazing to think about - that finding the Book of the Law in the Lord's Temple was a big find!  Most commentaries suggest that the scroll was either the entire Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy) or possibly just Deuteronomy. Imagine if you will that the Bible was "forgotten" about for generations and then finally discovered today!

King Josiah's words in verse 21 are wonderful repentful words - "Go to the Temple and speak to the Lord for me and for all the remnant of Israel and Judah. Inquire about the words written in the scroll that has been found. For the Lord’s great anger has been poured out on us because our ancestors have not obeyed the word of the Lord. We have not been doing everything this scroll says we must do.” Have you ever had ah-ha experiences like this in your life?  Where you realize finally what God wants you to do - and you realize that you have not been doing it?  Well, fortunately God is a God that Psalm 145 verse 8 tells us, "is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love."  There is room for repentance with God!  When you have these ah-ha moments like King Josiah did, will you turn in repentance and humble yourself before God?

Verses 29 & 30 demonstrate true leadership from King Josiah! - "Then the king summoned all the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem. And the king went up to the Temple of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem and the priests and the Levites--all the people from the greatest to the least. There the king read to them the entire Book of the Covenant that had been found in the LORD's Temple."

 

New Testament - We finish up Romans today! Tomorrow we embark on First Corinthians!  Romans has been a powerful book for me to read and study this year.  I hope it has been for you as well?  I love the closing words in this book today from Paul in Romans 16 verses 25 through 27: "God is able to make you strong, just as the Good News says. It is the message about Jesus Christ and his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they might believe and obey Christ. To God, who alone is wise, be the glory forever through Jesus Christ. Amen." Do you believe that God is able to make you strong?  Are there areas of your life currently where you feel weak?  Will you turn these areas over to God completely, so that he can strengthen you?  To God, who indeed alone is wise, be the glory forever through Jesus Christ!  Amen.

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Romans titled "Watching Out for Wolves" is at this link.

Psalms - Today in Psalm 26 verse 2 we read: "Put me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and affections." What a powerful reflection from David - God, test my motives and affections.  What are your motives?  Why do you do what you do in life?  Whom are you doing it all for?  What are your affections?  Who do you pledge your loyalties to?  Who do you give your heart to?  Where are you investing your time, treasure and talents?   Have you ever asked God to test your motives and affections?

Verse 8 of this Psalm reminds me of my church and I pray it reminds you of your church as well: "I love your sanctuary, LORD, the place where your glory shines."  Wow... the place where God's glory shines!  Yes, I do believe this happens in our churches - even if we maybe don't notice it sometimes.  When we come together as the body of Christ each week, God's glory shines! Will you take a moment to really pay attention to God’s glory shining in your church as you attend a service this upcoming weekend?

Proverbs - Proverbs 20 verse 19 is quite a Proverb!  Perhaps convicting for some of us - "A gossip tells secrets, so don't hang around with someone who talks too much."  This Proverb reminds me of something I posted up recently - I find all too often that we all too often talk about "nothing."  Or, even worse than talking about nothing is that we talk about others.  We gossip.  We tell secrets.  There is so much wisdom in "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."  Keep our mouths shut.  You'll be appearing wise this way!  :)  Do you gossip?  Do you hang around someone that talks too much?  Think this is good for your relationship with God?  Think this is good for your relationship with others?

Worship Video:  Today's readings in Romans reminded me of Matt Maher's song "Turn Around:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IbgbfmQogo

Are you lost & need to be found? Click here and turn around!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much." Proverbs 20:19 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you won't participate in gossip. Pray against gossip in your church, family, and place of work.

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. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

August 2nd One Year Bible Readings

2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13 ~ Romans 15:23-16:9 ~ Psalm 25:16-22 ~ Proverbs 20:16-18
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley's terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs or Daily Audio Bible ~

Old Testament - Well, it was bound to happen.  Assyria conquered Israel.  They were bound to go after Judah / Jerusalem soon enough.  Tough to stop an ego / power like that.  It's "never enough".  So, we get the bold boasts before the walls of Jerusalem by King Sennacherib of Assyria's representatives in Second Chronicles 32.  Verse 14 includes this boast, which probably didn't make God too happy: "Name just one time when any god, anywhere, was able to rescue his people from me! What makes you think your God can do any better?"

It's great to see that Hezekiah took all of this to God in prayer in verse 20 - "Then King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to God in heaven."  Good move!  How often in our lives today, when challenges come our way, do we take the challenges everywhere else BUT to God?  Wouldn't it be easier to take them directly to God?  Why do we turn to alcohol or drugs or food or worrying or whatever - can we simply take our challenges to the one true living God who can actually do something with them?  Below is a painting of "The destruction of Sennacherib and his army" by the artist Rubens (1577-1640), which is currently at the Alte Pinakothek Museum in Munich -

Hezekiah later in this chapter receives envoys from Babylon.  You'll recall from our Second Kings readings (full details are in Second Kings 20:12-20) that unfortunately, Hezekiah 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 from when Isaiah delivers this word. 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?

New Testament - Paul's words in Romans 15 verse 30 stood out to me today - "Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit."  The thing that stood out to me in these verses is Paul's encouragement to his brothers and sisters in Christ in Rome to pray for him.  Not only to pray for him - but to "join me in my struggle."  That is pretty powerful to consider.  That we can actually join someone in their struggle - in their work for the Kingdom of God - by praying for them!  And I'll be honest - I do not do this enough.  I rarely join my pastors and family and friends and spiritual mentors in their struggle by praying to God for them.  I rarely join my missionary friends in their struggle by praying for them.  I rarely join my brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted in other countries for being Christian by praying for them.  I simply do not pray for others enough.  And in not doing so, I honestly think I am missing out on something powerful.  I am missing out on joining them in their struggle for the Kingdom of God!  My selfishness in not praying for others doing Kingdom work in this world is my loss.  But - this actually sounds selfish - "my missing out - my loss."  Sometimes I guess I try to trick myself into doing something good (praying for others) by attaching a selfish reason (so I won't miss out).  The truth here is that our pastors and priests and missionaries and spiritual mentors need us to take up the struggle with them by praying to God for them.  Even Paul needed this prayer coverage - and he asked for it!  I am afraid that too often our pastors and priests and missionaries and others doing God's work may not ask us for our prayers.  But they need them!  So - are you regularly praying for others in your life who are in ministry?   Are you joining them in their struggle?  Will you begin today / tonight by praying for someone in your life that you know who is in ministry?  Will you take up the struggle with them?

Below is a great image for Romans 15:32 today -

Psalms - Psalm 25 verse 22 really stood out to me today: "O God, ransom Israel from all its troubles."  As I read this, the Christmas carol, "O Come O Come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel" comes to my mind.  Indeed, God would answer this prayer of King David's and send his Son to ransom Israel!

Proverbs - I love Proverbs 20 verse 17!  What a great analogy - "Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth."  Stealing is obviously a sin.  And the spoils of this sin may taste sweet at first - but quickly turn to inedible gravel in our mouths.  Well, I think this analogy works really with any sin we might commit.  For one brief moment it seems sweet.  But it quickly rots!  Why do we sin in the first place?  I think we're obviously looking for something.  We're thinking the sin is going to deliver us something we're missing.  But, of course, it doesn't deliver.  It's empty.  And sin can only pay the wage of decay and death.  Only God can deliver what we mistakenly look to sin to deliver.  Will you repent of sins you are committing?  Will you instead turn to God to deliver what you are looking for?  He will deliver.   Will you stop building upon any mountains of sin in your life that turn quickly to nothing but mountains of gravel?

Worship Video: King Hezekiah's prayer to God in our 2nd Chronicles readings today reminded me of Chris Tomlin's fantastic song "How Great Is Our God:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-ZtKzw-ipo

Do you know how great our God is? Click here for His Greatness!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me." Romans 15:30 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray for your pastors and spiritual mentors on a regular basis. Join them in their struggles of ministry by praying for them.

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. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

August 1st One Year Bible Readings

2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21 ~ Romans 15:1-22 ~ Psalm 25:1-15 ~ Proverbs 20:13-15
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs or Daily Audio Bible ~

Old Testament - We have great readings today in Second Chronicles chapter 30 about King Hezekiah inviting all of Israel and Judah to celebrate the Passover of the Lord!  Yeah, sure, they ended up celebrating it a month later than normal because not enough priests had been purified, nor enough folks gathered in Jerusalem at the original time.  But, in light of the Passover not being widely celebrated in many years, this was huge. I love Hezekiah's letter that he wrote - and verse 9 in particular: "For if you return to the LORD, your relatives and your children will be treated mercifully by their captors, and they will be able to return to this land. For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful. If you return to him, he will not continue to turn his face from you."  Think these words of Hezekiah's could apply to us in our lives today as well?  Do you need to return to the Lord in any area of your life?  Is there a sin that you are still indulging in that is hampering your relationship with God?  Will you confess and repent of that sin?  Will you return to the Lord?  For the Lord your God is indeed gracious and merciful...

New Testament - Romans 15 verses 2 and 3 definitely give us much to think about: "We should please others. If we do what helps them, we will build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn't please himself."  That's a bit of a counter-intuitive statement compared to what our culture preaches.  We should please others?  I think our culture would say instead, "We should please ourselves!  It's all about you!  You are #1!"  and so on.  This is the beauty of the Gospel.  It is counter-cultural in so many beautiful ways.  It's the great revolution.  It turns the world upside down.  The last shall be first.  Blessed are the peacemakers.  Rejoice when you are persecuted.  We should please others.  So, are you living your life to please others?  Are you doing what helps them?  Are you building them up in the Lord?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Romans titled "Pleasing Others and Praising God" is at this link.  Below is a great image for Romans 15:5 -

Psalms - Psalm 25 has some amazing verses today!  I think I could write some reflections and questions on each of the verses today...  Maybe a good thing for each of us to do is to re-read this Psalm today and really reflect on what the verses are saying to our hearts.  David wrote this Psalm as a prayer for God's mercies when he was suffering affliction for his sins and when enemies were seizing this occasion to attack him.  It's a very penitential Psalm.  One that we might need to pray to God from time to time as David did. I do like verse 5 a lot and I believe it will speak to each of you going through the One Year Bible this year - "Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you."  Do you believe that reading God's Word each day is allowing you to be led by God's truth?  Are you being taught each day?  Then - that last sentence in verse 5 is amazing.  I cannot honestly say that all day long I put my hope in God.  I pray that I do... but I think sometimes I drift away from putting my hope in God and I put my hope in myself - or maybe even sometimes I lose hope!  I get discouraged about a situation.  I get stressed.  I worry. If we put our hope all day long in God, do you think we would get discouraged, stressed, or worried?  I don't think we would...

Psalm 25 verse 15 really stood out to me today - "My eyes are always looking to the LORD for help, for he alone can rescue me from the traps of my enemies."  I have come to realize more and more lately that the Enemy is indeed constantly setting traps for us.  I don't mean to scare anyone here - but I think this is something very important for us to realize.  It has been said that the greatest trick the Devil can play on us is to make us think that he does not exist.  If we don't think the Devil exists, then we logically won't think that he's setting any traps for us.  Let me assure you - this is clearly Biblical - the Devil exists.  Evil exists in this world.  Temptation exists.  And evil does not rest.  However - the good news - God is so much bigger and stronger and brighter (and this list can go on) than the Devil - the Enemy.  David says in this Psalm that his eyes are ALWAYS looking to the Lord for help.  Why?  Because God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit alone can rescue us from the traps of the Enemy.  Again, the traps are out there for us in this modern world.  The temptations and dark alleys and wrong turns call to us unceasingly.  But - again, great news here - we can be saved from all of that nonsense; all of that darkness; indeed all of that death, through a relationship with Jesus.  Jesus saves.  Jesus saves us from ourselves.  From our sin.  And from the Enemy that sets traps for us.  Like David in this Psalm, are your eyes always looking to the Lord for help?  Please don't ever take your eyes off God and His mercies, power, and strength.

Proverbs - Proverbs 20 verse 15 is so true for our modern world: "Wise speech is rarer and more valuable than gold and rubies."  I hope I don't come off sounding too critical or judgmental here, but I seem to notice that people today talk more and more about "nothing."   I mean, I guess it just seems to me that so many of us - myself included - major in minor things.  Meaning, we will know every single statistic about our local sports team and talk about these stats all the time.  Which then makes me wonder - do we invest as much time into know God's Word, knowing God's Will, as we do in knowing stats?  Or knowing gossip on celebrities?  Or knowing what's going on with the latest TV reality show?  I guess this Proverb today just rings so true for me - Wise speech is rarer and more valuable than gold and rubies.  It is rare.  And it is valuable.  What type of words are coming out of your mouth these days?  Is it wise speech?  Or is it perhaps on occasion a whole lot of nothing?  Let us invest our words thoughtfully each day in wise speech.  Let us share with others that which is more valuable than gold and rubies.

Worship Video: Today's readings in Second Chronicles reminded me of Britt Nicole's song "You:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iduL7r_8sWs

Are you coming back to You? Click here to make your heart more like the ultimate You!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." Romans 15:1-2 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are bearing with the failings of the weak every days. Pray that you are building up your neighbor. Pray for strength - to serve.

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. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

July 31st One Year Bible Readings

2 Chronicles 29:1-36 ~ Romans 14:1-23 ~ Psalm 24:1-10 ~ Proverbs 20:12
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs or Daily Audio Bible ~

Old Testament - We are re-introduced to King Hezekiah of Judah in today's readings!  The quantity of the Chronicler's writings about the reign of Hezekiah is second only to the reigns of David & Solomon.  We'll be reading about Hezekiah again in the coming days.  Reading about Hezekiah today was such a breath of fresh air after the atrocities of King Ahaz in yesterday's readings...  Hezekiah is a hero!  He re-opens the Temple!  He reinstitutes the sacrifices to God!  You'll recall from our readings in Second Kings chapter 18 verses 5 through 7 we got an overview of who Hezekiah was - "Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was never another king like him in the land of Judah, either before or after his time. He remained faithful to the LORD in everything, and he carefully obeyed all the commands the LORD had given Moses. So the LORD was with him, and Hezekiah was successful in everything he did."  Below is a coloured woodcut from Henry VIII´s Great Bible, from the year 1538, of King Hezekiah burning pagan idols:

New Testament - Paul's writings in Roman's chapter 14 about the dangers of criticizing and judging others are powerful!  I love verses 12 & 13: "Yes, each of us will have to give a personal account to God. So don't condemn each other anymore. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not put an obstacle in another Christian's path."  Wow...  that is something for each of us to consider.  That we ourselves can actually put obstacles in another Christian's path toward God!  Do you think that you have ever done this in your life?  I do think that I have.  Never intentionally. But, when I have stopped loving and serving others and instead began judging and criticizing others, I do believe I have placed obstacles in other people's paths!  Not to mention my own path!  Let us pray that we are not obstacles to others by judging and criticizing...

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Romans titled "Love and Liberty: Liberties Love Won't Take" is at this link.  Below is a great image for Romans 14:8 from today's readings -

Psalms - Psalm 24 is a beautiful Psalm!  Check out this brief snippet of commentary on this Psalm from bible.org: "The Israelites have returned from a battle with the Canaanites. They are proceeding up to the sanctuary on the holy mount to give praise to Yahweh for the great and mighty victory in battle, carrying with them the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of Yahweh’s presence with them. As they approach the gate, they are met by the Levites who function as gatekeepers. It is their part to ask who may enter the sanctuary of the Lord; and it is the priests’ part to answer with the stipulations from the Law. Whoever meets these qualifications may enter and fellowship with Yahweh... The psalm then concludes with the worshipers calling to the gates to make way for Yahweh to come in to His sanctuary, for why should the King of Glory stoop to go under a doorway? "   (also, any Chris Tomlin fans out there will definitely recognize this Psalm - on his CD "Arriving" I think the 2nd or 3rd to last song is called "King of Glory" based on this Psalm - it's the best song on this overall fantastic CD in my humble opinion! :)

Proverbs - Proverbs 20:12 today teaches us:  "Ears to hear and eyes to see--both are gifts from the LORD."  Amen!  It is interesting that this Proverb doesn't mention our mouths to talk...  Seems like this Proverb is really a good reminder that listening and seeing are amazing gifts.  Gifts that allow us to listen to others and enjoy God's beautifully created world.  And yes, I do believe our mouths are gifts too for communication to others.   But it is interesting that we have 2 ears and 2 eyes, and just 1 mouth.  Think there is a message in this math equation for us?  :)

YouTube:  Based on Psalm 24, here is Chris Tomlin and Jesse Reeves talking about the song "King of Glory" and how it relates to Psalm 24.  This is a powerful song...  Who is this King of Glory!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M59h6hDG40Q

Do you know the King of Glory? Click here to meet Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." Romans 14:8 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are living for the Lord today. Pray that you will die in the Lord. Pray that you belong to the Lord.

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. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!