One Year Bible Blog

November 12th One Year Bible Readings

Ezekiel 24:1-26:21 ~ Hebrews 11:1-16 ~ Psalm 110:1-7 ~ Proverbs 27:14
~ 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 - An important note from our readings in Ezekiel chapter 24 today is that Ezekiel's wife dies on the exact same day the Temple is Jerusalem was burned!  August 14, 586 B.C.  As I read these verses about Ezekiel's wife and the Temple I am reminded of a verse in the book of Job - 13:15- "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him."  Though Ezekiel's wife dies and though the Temple burned, the Lord still instructs Judah in verse 23: "You will not mourn or weep".  The Job situation is of course different in that Job was righteous and Judah was not at this time.  And there is not clear hope for Judah at this time - though there ultimately is redemption for Jerusalem.   However, again, look at Job's faith in the midst of all he was going through: "yet I will hope in him."  When times are bad - or times are good - do you hope in Him?  No matter what, will you hope in Him?

In Ezekiel chapter 25 today we begin reading God's oracles against the nations surrounding Israel.  We'll read 7 oracles over the next few days through chapter 32.  It's noteworthy that frequently in the Old Testament God's words of judgment against Israel through the prophets is often accompanied by oracles of judgments against the nations.  Below is a map that shows the oracles against the nations we read about in chapters 25 & 26 today and through chapter 32 in the coming days.  This map is helpful to see where Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon and of course Egypt are all located in comparison to Jerusalem:

New Testament - Today we read Hebrews Chapter 11, which is a great reflection of the faith of our spiritual ancestors in the Old Testament! Some call this chapter the "Hall of Faith" - as in the Hall of Fame.  :)  I would encourage you to read this chapter entirely today – and again tomorrow in its entirety. Chapter 11 opens with this critically important verse for us to memorize and take to heart: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Are you sure of what you hope for? Are you certain of what you do not see? As you read through this chapter, do you see the value in the faith of our spiritual ancestors? In what area of your life might God be calling you to step forward in faith?

Enoch in verse 5 is an intriguing example of faith coming from Genesis chapter 5's genealogy from Adam to Noah (see Genesis 5:24 at this link): "It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—"he disappeared, because God took him." For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God."  Below is a painting of Enoch being taken up to heaven by the Italian painter Sebastiano Ricci (1659-1734):

Verses 13 through 16 I think are four of the most amazing verses we've read in Hebrews and I think each of us should really meditate on what these verses might mean in our lives today:  "All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back.  But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them."  What do you think of these verses?  If these heroes of our faith died still believing what God promised them - even though they did not receive what was promised here on earth - do you think that perhaps you and I should always be faithful in our lives to God no matter what we may think we're not "receiving" here on earth?  If we're not receiving perfect health.  If we're not receiving a perfect job.  If we're not receiving a perfect family.  If we're not receiving a perfect mental state.  If not, if not, if not....  will we still believe what God promised us?  Will we still believe that God is not ashamed to be called our God?  Will we still believe that God has prepared a heavenly city for us?  Let us believe!

Psalms - Psalm 110 is a powerful Psalm today!  It is considered Messianic and some say the most prophetic of all the Psalms.  Verses 1 & 4 are the 2 verses that are believed to be most prophetic of Jesus and both verses are referenced in the New Testament, most often verse 1. 

Verse 1 -
"The LORD said to my Lord,
        "Sit in honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies,
        making them a footstool under your feet.""

Verse 4 stands today, with very similar teachings to what we've just been reading about this in Hebrews this past week or so!
"The LORD has taken an oath and will not break his vow:
       "You are a priest forever in the line of Melchizedek.""

Bible.org's commentary on Psalm 110 titled "David's Lord" is at this link.

Proverbs - Proverbs 27:14 today makes me laugh: "If you shout a pleasant greeting to your neighbor too early in the morning, it will be counted as a curse!"  This reminds me of my visit to the coffee shop in the morning before I've had a chance to drink my coffee...  those people behind the counter are already wired on their espresso shots and are just way too pleasant first thing in the morning!  :)  Any other coffee addicts out there...?  Coffee may be an idol for me that I need to not worship anymore...  really...

Worship God:  Today's readings in Psalm 110 reminded me of Third Day's fantastic song "King of Glory"!  Below is a live version of this song.  Watch this to the 2:15 remaining mark to hear Mac Powell leading an awesome reflection/prayer on the power of Jesus' name.  Who is this King of Glory!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ExnRvGk9ZA

Do you know the King of Glory?  Click here for Glory! 

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you are living by faith. Pray that you are sure of what you hope for. Pray that you are certain of what you do not see. Pray that you are living by faith in Christ alone!

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!

November 11th One Year Bible Readings

Ezekiel 23:1-49 ~ Hebrews 10:18-39 ~ Psalm 109:1-31 ~ Proverbs 27:13
~ 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 - Ezekiel chapter 23 is interesting in its use of prostitution and lust as the metaphors for Israel's political alliances with neighboring lands.  My thoughts here are that we live in a "sexualized" world in so many ways today - and perhaps things weren't so different back then.  Sex is obviously something that was created as a good by God - but can so quickly and easily be twisted into something that is not good.   Sex is good in the right context of marriage.  Detrimental in the wrong.  It seems to me that lust and the selling of sex was as prevalent back in Ezekiel's today as it is in ours.  To which we may need to remember well Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 6:18 - "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body."  And of course James 4:7 - "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."  Is there an area of our lives related to sex that you must flee from?  Will you flee?

New Testament - Hebrews chapter 10 today is amazing!  In verse 22 we read: "Let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting him. For our evil consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water."  Great stuff!  The last few words of this verse remind me of the blessing of Baptism - as an outward sign of our inner transformation and faith in Christ. Verse 24 is just pure joy & goodness: "Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds." Outbursts of love & good deeds indeed!  Who are you encouraging these days to outbursts of love and good deeds?  Can you think of some ways to do this?  And verse 25 reminds me of the importance of finding a church community to do life with together: "And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near."  Do you meet together with others in a local church?  Have you found a small group, community group, or prayer group that you can spend some quality time with outside of regular church services?  A group where you can encourage, warn, and pray for each other? Verse 26 and the following verses are strong reminders of the one option we have for our faith - the one true God to follow: "Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received a full knowledge of the truth, there is no other sacrifice that will cover these sins."  Is there another sacrifice besides Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross that will cover our sins?

Psalms - Today in Psalm 109 verse 4 in the NIV we read these words of David – “I am a man of prayer.”  Wow. I like that. And I’m not sure I can honestly say that about myself right now. Sure, I will roll out of bed and offer up some prayers. Yeah, I’ll try to say a prayer before meals. And yes, I’ll pray briefly before going to sleep. Oh yeah, maybe in church once a week too I’ll offer up some prayers. But, for me to say “I am a person of prayer” would probably not be truthful. Ouch. Don’t worry – I’m not beating myself up too badly over it. But - if I really want to realize that God is holy and a Rock and if I really want to love God and other people, then I have a hunch that being a person of prayer is a critical part of the equation. I don’t think that prayer is so much talking to God as it is really slowing down and listening to God. Sure, it’s a conversation, but I think in our fast pace world today we would do well to really slow down in prayer and listen to God. Listen for that still small voice within our hearts leading us to God’s kingdom and glory and peace. It’s there. I think it takes prayer to really hear it oftentimes. How about you? Are you a person of prayer? Do you want to be a person of prayer? When you pray, do you talk more or listen more to God? Do you want to live your life as a person of prayer?

Bible.org's commentary on Psalm 109 titled "A Prayer for the Punishment of the Wicked" is at this link. 

Proverbs - Proverbs 27:13 today teaches us: "Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt.  Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners." This is a great simple but important reminder to get collateral or security on debts!  Particularly if the guarantee is for someone you don't know - though I'd recommend a guarantee on family loans too...  :)  Otherwise you may see your money "fly away" from you...

YouTube - Today's readings in Psalm 109 reminds me of Third Day's song "Call My Name:"

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

Have you called on Jesus' Name?  Click here and call on Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. " Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you are spurring on others in your life toward love and good deeds each and every day. Pray that you meet together with Christ's body, the church, regularly. Pray that you are encouraging others and being encouraged as the Day of Christ's return is approaching!

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!

November 10th One Year Bible Readings

Ezekiel 21:1-22:31 ~ Hebrews 10:1-17 ~ Psalm 108:1-13 ~ Proverbs 27:12
~ 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 - In Ezekiel chapter 21 today we read about the Lord's sword of judgment! Which, in this case is Babylon and King Nebuchadnezzar.  I did not realize until today that there is actually a "sword song" in the Bible - a song that warriors may have sung and even danced to before going out to battle.  Unfortunately, this sword song in verses 9 through 11 was being sung for Jerusalem because of her many sins... "A sword, a sword is being sharpened and polished. It is sharpened for terrible slaughter and polished to flash like lightning! Now will you laugh? Those far stronger than you have fallen beneath its power! Yes, the sword is now being sharpened and polished; it is being prepared for the executioner."

Okay, so Ezekiel Chapters 21 & 22 are the types of chapters where you might you think about stereotypes of the Old Testament - a "grouchy/mean" God perhaps one might say about these two chapters...   However! - context of course is key to keep in mind.  We must also know the book of Jeremiah or Ezekiel prior to these chapters.  God has been slow to anger, compassionate, asking - no, begging - people to repent.  And they have not.  And things just keep getting worse and worse and worse.  Check out chapter 22 verses 1 through 16 for how bad the sins of Jerusalem have gotten...  All of this reminds me that the consequences for sin are very real.  Let us never forget the truth of Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

And, once again, in verse 30 of chapter 22 we see God's compassion and God seeking an opportunity to stop the coming judgment: "I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn't have to destroy the land, but I found no one." No one was found...  This verse makes me think about this - sometimes I think we tell ourselves, "What difference does it make?  What difference does it make if I'm good or bad?  What difference does it make if I serve and love others in need?"   Check out verse 30 above again.  Think one person could have made a difference then?  What about now?  Will you make a difference today?  Will you stand in the gap?

New Testament - Hebrews chapter 10 is powerful today!  I did come across a great learning, which I hadn't really picked up before.  In verse 9 we read this about Jesus: "He cancels the first covenant in order to establish the second."  At first glance you might think, wow, the old / first covenant is over.  Things like the Ten Commandments don't matter anymore.  Well, not so fast!  Tyndale's One Year Bible companion tells us that this verse refers to the doing away (canceling) of the system of sacrifices contained in the ceremonial law.  However, this does not mean canceling / eliminating God's moral law (the Ten Commandments).  Only through faith in Christ we can fulfill the moral law, as Jesus lives in us.  Good to know, eh?  I'd never really picked up this distinction before of Jesus canceling the ceremonial law but not the moral law.  Do you see this distinction?  As I've done some more reading on this, I realize this is a bit of a contentious point for many Christians.  Check out this great overview of the Mosaic Law in light of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection - including a disagreement on my point above about the moral law - at bible.org at this link.

Psalms - I love Psalm 108 verse 1 today: "My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises! Wake up, my soul!"   Is your heart confident in God?  Do you sing God's praises?  Is your soul awake?  Or does your soul need a wake up call?  Where do you suppose you can find that wake up call for your soul?  The Bible?  Jesus?  The Holy Spirit?  God?  Will you answer the call today?  Will your soul wake up?

 

Proverbs - Proverbs 27:12 reminds us that it's good to be a defensive driver on the roads!  :)  "A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences."  Honestly, I do think that we do well when we are "defensive" drivers or defensive walkers or defensive workers or this list could go on.  I am afraid that all too often we can drive or walk or work like we are #1 and there is no one else in this world...  well, guess what?  The person you crash into with your car, or get in a fight with when you walk, or get in an argument with when you work is thinking the exact same thing - except they are thinking that they are #1!  This is where Jesus wisely encouraged us to consider others before ourselves.   Imagine if our world operated this way - in Jesus' way of humility and service to others - instead of everyone thinking they are #1?  How would our world be different if this was the case?  Are you helping our world be different?  Are you humbling yourself to be a #2 or #3 or #4 instead of being #1 all the time?  Think this is prudent?  A good way to foresee the dangers ahead?  And a good way to take precautions?   Or are you going on blinding as a #1 and suffering the consequences?  (I have to admit - this kiddo below does appear to be #1 in his household at this very moment... and suffering any consequenses is probably not going to happen in this case!  :)

YouTube - Today's readings in Hebrews reminds me of the Big Daddy Weave song, "What Life Would Be Like:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdbPynNI9Xo

Do you know what life would be like with Jesus?  Click here to find out!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul." Psalm 108:1 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that your heart is steadfast for God. Pray that you sing and make music with all of your soul for Jesus!

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!

November 9th One Year Bible Readings

Ezekiel 20:1-49 ~ Hebrews 9:11-28 ~ Psalm 107:1-43 ~ Proverbs 27:11
~ 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 - Ezekiel chapter 20 verse 12 stands out to me today: "And I gave them my Sabbath days of rest as a sign between them and me. It was to remind them that I, the LORD, had set them apart to be holy, making them my special people."  I like learning this - the Sabbath days of rest were given as a sign between God and his people.  How are you doing on taking a day of rest each week?  Would taking a day of rest each week - a Sabbath day - benefit your relationship with God?  And with others?  Would it benefit perhaps the other 6 days of your week?  Below is a great painting titled "The Sabbath Rest" by the Jewish Polish painter Samuel Hirszenberg from the year 1894:

After verse 12 above, we read this from God in verse 13: ""But the people of Israel rebelled against me, and they refused to obey my laws there in the wilderness. They wouldn't obey my instructions even though obedience would have given them life. And they also violated my Sabbath days. So I threatened to pour out my fury on them, and I made plans to utterly consume them in the desert." The thing that stood out to me in this verse was "they also violated my Sabbath days."  I don't get too caught up on which day of the week we take a Sabbath - as some may work weekends and have Mondays off, for example.  Whatever the day is for you - do you have 1 day a week that you consider a Sabbath?  Why might this be a smart thing to do?  A healthy thing to do?  A faithful thing to do?

In Ezekiel 20:40 we read: “There I will require your offerings and your choice gifts, along with all your holy sacrifices.” What are your offerings, choice gifts and holy sacrifices to the Lord?  Your life, your thoughts, your finances?  Do you give a percentage of your income to your local church, ministries, and nonprofits?  Would this perhaps be a "holy sacrifice" if you did so?  Would this be a bold act of faith?

New Testament - Hebrews chapter 9 verses 27 & 28 today teaches us: "And just as it is destined that each person dies only once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ died only once as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people."  This stands in stark contrast to the old covenant where the High Priest had to atone for the people's sins over and over and over again.  With faith in Jesus, our sins are forgiven all at once - for eternity - and Christ does not need to forgive us of our sins over and over and over again.  Faith in Christ is the one and only thing that matters.  Do you believe this?

Psalms - Psalm 107 today is a wonderful Psalm of thanksgiving!  Okay, be honest, who started busting out singing the Michael W. Smith worship tune "Forever" when you read verse 1? - "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever."  I did!  That's a great tune... based on a great verse in a great Psalm. 

Psalm 107 repeats a verse four times - starting with verse 6 here - ""LORD, help!" they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress."  (then see verse 13, verse 19, and verse 28 - same verse) This is a great reminder to pray - and yes, it's great to pray during times of distress of course.  But, how about praying during times of happiness & joy?  Or even times of just regular blahs?  I recently read much of the book "The Life You've Always Wanted" by John Ortberg (great book!), and it has a great chapter on prayer.  It is so true that one of the best ways to truly know and love God is through prayer.  Simple prayer.   5 minutes a day.  Do you pray to God 5 minutes a day?  When the storms of life come, do you cry out for help to Jesus?  Do you know that he will always be there for you in the midst of the storm?

Proverbs - It is interesting to read Proverbs 27:11 as if God was writing this to each of us:  "My child, how happy I will be if you turn out to be wise! Then I will be able to answer my critics."  Are we spending our lives striving to be wise in God's eyes or the world's eyes?  Do you think that God will be happy if you are wise?  Do you want godly wisdom?  Where will you find it?  Below is an image of a young Jesus growing in wisdom with Scripture - think this made God happy?

Worship God: Today's readings in Hebrews reminded me of the fantastic Jason Castro song "You Are:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUkCrSTYGA8

Can you sing to Jesus, "You Are the One?"  Click here and sing to the One!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant." Hebrews 9:15 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that Jesus Christ is your mediator and that you have been called to receive eternal life. Pray in faith that Jesus Christ died as a ransom for your sins and that you are now living a new eternal life in 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!

November 8th One Year Bible Readings

Ezekiel 18:1-19:14 ~ Hebrews 9:1-10 ~ Psalm 106:32-48 ~ Proverbs 27:10
~ 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 - Ezekiel chapter 18 is a powerful chapter!  What we are seeing in this chapter is the Old Covenant - which I do believe was compassionate & "fair", but different from the New Covenant, which I believe is compassionate & graceful (which may not necessarily be "fair" - but which is good news - Gospel - for us sinners!).  Verse 30 is a good look at the Old Covenant: "Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign LORD. Turn from your sins! Don't let them destroy you!"   Verse 4 of course stands out too with: "And this is my rule: The person who sins will be the one who dies." You read this at a high level and you'll get a bit nervous, no?  :)  Indeed this is the Old Covenant:  your actions will dictate your death or your life.  It's up to your actions.  It's up to you.  You'll get what you deserve.  And this is certainly "fair."  However, this changes through Jesus Christ's atonement for our sins once and for all on the cross.  Under the New Covenant, through God's gift of grace, we now simply need to have faith that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, died for our sins and rose from the dead.  As we've been reading in Hebrews currently - we simply need to have faith in Christ as our High Priest.  God's grace and our faith becomes the key (regeneration).  Not our actions on their own.  This being said, after our salvation (justification) through grace and faith, God is very interested in our actions and wants us to live a life of holiness (sanctification).   This is a lot of theology here... and more than I can blog on without goofing it up - actually I probably already have.  :)  Check out a good overview of justification and sanctification (and regeneration!) on bible.org at this link.    Also, I'll copy this image below, which I found interesting.  I may not agree with every point on this image, but overall I find this useful:  (though, I'd say you could take a thick black magic marker and just write "Jesus" and "Grace" all over this image below too, and that would really be all you need to know :)

Verse 32 can be argued to be the single most important point in all of the book of Ezekiel - "I don't want you to die, says the Sovereign LORD. Turn back and live!"  This is a powerful verse.  Think this verse shows us that God is compassionate?  Think this might be the single most important point in the book of Ezekiel?  Think this verse can apply to our lives today? Are their areas of sin in your life which God is calling you to turn back from?  Calling you to turn toward true Life?  And to be free from the slavery of sin?  Will you turn back?  Will you repent?

Ezekiel Chapter 19 is a funeral song and allegory about the land of Judah and Jerusalem.  Jerusalem is the lioness and the lions are two of her sons, two kings - one who ended up trapped and deceived by Egypt and the other by Babylon.   The last sentence of verse 14 is a sad one...  "This is a funeral song, and it is now time for the funeral." As we know, it is now time for the funeral for Jerusalem in Ezekiel's time.  However, of course, there is the redemption to come and the continuation of the house of David.  The promise to Abraham won't die here!  There is another Lion of Judah yet to come...

New Testament - Hebrews chapter 9 is a fairly brief reading today on the Old Covenant rules for approaching God.  We also read today about the ark of the covenant. Below are a couple of good images of the tabernacle, which you'll recall details about from our readings in Exodus chapters 26 & 27 earlier this year:

 

One thing that stands out in my mind when reading this chapter today is that just after Jesus dies on the cross there is an earthquake, which shakes the Temple in Jerusalem where the Most Holy Place was located at the time of Jesus' death.  The curtain separating the Most Holy Place from the rest of the Temple is torn in two.  This is incredible imagery that shows that no longer is the Most Holy Place and an earthly high priest the only way to God.  Jesus has torn that veil in two and Jesus is our new and eternal High Priest ushering in the New Covenant!

Psalms - Psalm 106 verse 39 stood out to me today, speaking about the Israelites: "They defiled themselves by their evil deeds, and their love of idols was adultery in the LORD's sight."  I think this Psalm verse stands the test of time with our modern world today.  Do you believe that we still defile ourselves with our evil deeds today?  Do you believe that our love of idols is adultery in God's sight?  How can we stop defiling ourselves with evil deeds and stop loving idols in our modern world today?  Who can save us from ourselves?

Proverbs - Proverbs 27:10 is interesting and not something I would think of on my own: "Never abandon a friend--either yours or your father's. Then in your time of need, you won't have to ask your relatives for assistance. It is better to go to a neighbor than to a relative who lives far away."  I would of course think it's better to ask a distant relative for help than a friend.  But, this Proverb tells us differently...  Why do you suppose this is?  I guess as I think about it, it is probably because when our "time of need" comes we will first turn to our neighbors in our local community - to call the fire department or call the police or call the paramedics or whatever the case may be.  We'll need our neighbors during that time of need initially.  And then, longer term, yes we'll need our relatives who live far away.  But that unforeseen time of immediate need is just one more reason to live in loving community with our neighbors!  And let us always be ready to serve our neighbors when they need us.  Do you really know your neighbors?  Are you a good neighbor?

Worship God:  Today's Proverb reminds me of JJ Heller's song "What Love Really Means:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpVGiq3NssM

Do you know what love really means?  Click here for LOVE!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you — better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away." Proverbs 27:10 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you will never forsake your friends when disaster comes their way. Pray that you will be a good neighbor. Pray that you won't be forsaken by your friends and neighbors might disaster strike you.

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!