One Year Bible Blog

October 1st One Year Bible Readings

Isaiah 62:6-65:25 ~ Philippians 2:19-3:3 ~ Psalm 73:1-28 ~ Proverbs 24:13-14
~ 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) ~

Fall! And we're 3/4ths of the way through the Bible!  There is something about the season of Fall and the One Year Bible readings that I just love.  I think it is in part because we start to move through several Epistles in the New Testament quickly.  While we do move through these Epistles in short order – and many of them are just a few chapters – please don’t brush over them too quickly.  There are so many amazing teachings about our Christian faith and how our lives should be transformed as disciples of Jesus’ in these Epistles.  Don’t miss these teachings!  Additionally, we’re coming up to some great books in the Old Testament during this season of Fall with Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel and Daniel on deck. Last but not least, maybe I love the season of Fall and our One Year Bible readings because we have read through 3/4ths of the Bible this year and we’re now in the last 1/4th of our readings.  Maybe I love the fact that we are in the "home-stretch" of our One Year Bible readings.  I do want to congratulate each of you for making it this far.  Press on toward the finish line here in these last 3 months!  Yay God for the season of Fall!  (and for those of you participating in the One Year Bible readings in the southern hemisphere – Yay God for Spring! :)

Old Testament - Today in Isaiah chapter 63 we read about God's judgment against his enemies.  It is interesting dialogue in verses 1 through 3: ""It is I, the LORD, announcing your salvation! It is I, the LORD, who is mighty to save!"  Why are your clothes so red, as if you have been treading out grapes? "I have trodden the winepress alone; no one was there to help me. In my anger I have trampled my enemies as if they were grapes. In my fury I have trampled my foes. It is their blood that has stained my clothes."

Isaiah chapter 64 verses 5 through 7 stood out to me as a stark reminder of why Jesus came into our world as our Savior eight centuries after this was written by Isaiah - and why we still need Jesus today as our Savior... - "But we are not godly. We are constant sinners, so your anger is heavy on us. How can people like us be saved? We are all infected and impure with sin. When we proudly display our righteous deeds, we find they are but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall. And our sins, like the wind, sweep us away. Yet no one calls on your name or pleads with you for mercy. Therefore, you have turned away from us and turned us over to our sins."  Do these verses remind you of your need for Jesus?  Has Jesus saved you from your constant sinning?  Have you been saved from the "infection" of sin?  This is great wording in these verses by Isaiah - we are all "infected" with sin... praise God that Jesus saves us from this infection!  C.S. Lewis says this about Christianity being a "good infection" -

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Isaiah chapter 65 titled "The Lord's Answer: Mercy for Israel" is at this link.

New Testament - Philippians chapter 3 verse 3 is a great teaching from Paul - "For we who worship God in the Spirit are the only ones who are truly circumcised. We put no confidence in human effort. Instead, we boast about what Christ Jesus has done for us."  How do you worship God?  Do you worship in the Spirit?  Do you put no confidence in your own human efforts?  Do you today boast to others about what Jesus Christ has done for you?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Philippians chapter 2 titled "A Few Good Men" is at this link.

Psalms - Wow... Psalm 73 today is amazing!  I love it.  I actually had lunch with a good friend who said to me verse 13 almost verbatim - "Was it for nothing that I kept my heart pure and kept myself from doing wrong?"  It was so sad for me to hear him say this... but he obviously is not alone.  The Psalmist thought this too, and I imagine each of us might feel like this is at times.  Praise God that the Psalmist rallies, as hopefully do we, in verse 23 - "Yet I still belong to you; you are holding my right hand." And then I absolutely love where he goes with verse 26 - "My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever."  I can quickly think of people in our world today where this verse 26 is so applicable...  let us pray that those in time of failing health and spirit have God remain the strength of their heart!

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Psalm 73 titled "Is Your Spiritual Vision 20/20?" is at this link.

Proverbs - I like Proverbs 24 verse 14 a lot to day - "Wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short."  I don't know about you, but I want wisdom.  I want a bright future with God.  I don't want my hopes to be cut short.  I want to be with God forever.  I believe the Bible is the place I will find the wisdom I so crave.  I do not think there is really anything else that will provide the True wisdom that I so desperately crave here on this material earth other than the Bible... What about you?  Do you crave wisdom?  Do you believe that wisdom is sweet to your soul?  What out there will give you more wisdom than the Bible?  Do you look forward to finding wisdom in the Bible today, tomorrow, and every day into your golden years?

YouTube - Today's readings in Isaiah 63 verse 1 remind me of the Laura Story song "Mighty to Save:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg5bn39Fl9M

Do you know our God who is Mighty to Save?  Click here to be Saved!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh." Philippians 3:3 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you worship by the Spirit of God. Pray that you glory in Jesus Christ. Pray that you put no confidence in the flesh.

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!

September 30th One Year Bible Readings

Isaiah 60:1-62:5 ~ Philippians 1:27-2:18 ~ Psalm 72:1-20 ~ Proverbs 24:11-12
~ 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 - Today in Isaiah chapter 60 we read about Jerusalem's future glory!  Verses 4 through 6 tell us - "Look and see, for everyone is coming home! Your sons are coming from distant lands; your little daughters will be carried home. Your eyes will shine, and your hearts will thrill with joy, for merchants from around the world will come to you. They will bring you the wealth of many lands. Vast caravans of camels will converge on you, the camels of Midian and Ephah. From Sheba they will bring gold and incense for the worship of the LORD."

Beautiful imagery in verses 8 & 9 - "And what do I see flying like clouds to Israel, like doves to their nests? They are the ships of Tarshish, reserved to bring the people of Israel home. They will bring their wealth with them, and it will bring great honor to the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he will fill you with splendor."

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Isaiah titled "The Spirit-filled Servant and the Kingdom of God" is at this link.

New Testament - Our readings in Philippians chapter 2 today have some powerful verses on imitating Jesus’ humility. In verses 3 & 4 we read:  “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Are you doing nothing out of selfish ambition or vanity in your life today? Are you humble? Do you consider others better than yourself? Do you look to the interests of others?  I realize these can be hard teachings to put into practice – in fact, it seems almost impossible in our modern world.  But, let us remember that indeed all things are possible with Jesus Christ in our lives and hearts.  Let us not give up on imitating Jesus’ humility in our lives today.  I pray each of us is becoming more like Jesus in some small or significant way each and every day.  Don’t stop the transformation process.  Don’t quench the Spirit.  Let God change you.

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Philippians titled "The Ultimate in Humility - Leaving the Comfort Zone" is at this link.

Psalms - I'll admit.  I pay attention every single time the Bible talks about serving the poor.  And it is a lot.  And I think it is for a reason.  Here it is again in Psalm 72 verses 12 & 13, speaking about Israel's king - "He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them."  What about us today?  Does this Psalm speak to us?  Should we perhaps be "kingly" in this regard?  Do we rescue the poor when they cry to us?  (do we even listen for their cry?)  Do we help the oppressed and those who have no one to defend them?  Do we feel pity for the weak and needy?  Do we rescue them?  Do I?  Do you? 

Verse 20 tells us - "This ends the prayers of David son of Jesse." And below is a painting of an older King David... perhaps playing a Psalm he wrote...?

Proverbs -  Today in Proverbs chapter 24 verse 12 we read – “If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?”  This reminds me of the old adage that we are “either part of the problem or we are part of the solution”.  If we say “we knew nothing about this” related to some issue in our world today, do you think that God will know if this is truth or a lie?  What is going on in our world today where you feel like you perhaps should be taking some action on being part of the solution?  What is an atrocity that you are being called to help solve?  Do you think you should now move forward and be part of the solution?  If you do nothing – if you say you “knew nothing about this” – will you then instead be part of the problem?  Will you move forward on being part of the solution to issues in our world that God is calling you to?

YouTube - Today's readings in Isaiah, Psalms and Proverbs all remind me of the Steven Curtis Chapman song "Yours:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-ERm0_tuKM

Do you believe than anything is truly yours?  Click here and hand it over to God!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." Philippians 2:14-15 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you do everything without complaining or arguing. Pray that you are blameless and pure in this crooked and depraved generation. Pray that you shine like a star in the universe, through your saving faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord & Savior.

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!

September 29th One Year Bible Readings

Isaiah 57:15-59:21 ~ Philippians 1:1-26 ~ Psalm 71:1-24 ~ Proverbs 24:9-10
~ 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 - Today in Isaiah chapter 57 verses 20 & 21 we have a chance to think about that sometimes elusive word "peace": ""But those who still reject me are like the restless sea. It is never still but continually churns up mire and dirt. There is no peace for the wicked," says my God."  I don't know about you, but I know I have gone through many days of my life without true peace - and many days with true peace.  And I do honestly believe that there is no peace in our lives apart from God.  When we live our lives solely for our own selfish motives, we live a very chaotic un-restful un-peaceful life I believe.  But, when we turn our lives over to God, when we embrace God, when we love God, and when we are obedient to God's will for our lives, we come to know true peace!  And it is indeed a peace that surpasses all understanding.  I pray that each of us is walking in the light of God's peace this very day.  And tomorrow.  And the next day.  Please, don't ever step out of the peace of God and back into the chaos of living for yourself.  I know this can seem to be a glib saying at first glance, but there's a whole lot of truth to this one:

Today in Isaiah chapter 59 we read about warnings against sin - which were written for Israel in 8th century B.C.  Do you think we should heed these warnings today as well?  Any of these warnings in chapter 59 sound like they could have been written for our modern day?   In verses 9 & 10 today we read - "It is because of all this evil that deliverance is far from us. That is why God doesn't punish those who injure us. No wonder we are in darkness when we expected light. No wonder we are walking in the gloom. No wonder we grope like blind people and stumble along. Even at brightest noontime, we fall down as though it were dark. No wonder we are like corpses when compared to vigorous young men!"  When I read these verses above and look at this image below, I for some reason think of people in our world today who are addicted to pornography.  Pornography is a horrific sin that indeed turns vigorous young men into "corpses" of themselves.  Pornography sells you "vigor", but it delivers just the opposite - death.  I pray that if anyone reading this is addicted to pornography that you'll run for your very life to counseling.  Seriously.  Your life is too short and precious to walk around like a corpse any more!  Go for God!  You likely can't pull out of the addiction on your own.  You'll need help - immediately.  Find an addiction counselor in your town ASAP.  Please don't walk in the darkness of this deadly addiction anymore...

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Isaiah chapter 57 titled "God's Condemnation or God's Comfort" is at this link.

New Testament - Today we begin Paul's letter to the church in Philippi!  See # 5 on the map below -

~ Philippians ~
Author: Paul the apostle
Place: Rome
Date: A.D. 61
Content: Paul wrote this letter from prison in Rome to some very dear friends in Philippi as a response to their sending some money to him in order to meet his needs. He begins by expressing his confidence in them and then describes dome of the problems he faces in Rome. Whether he will die or not he does not know, but if death does come, he will rejoice in the presence of Christ. If he remains, he will continue to serve God by serving the churches. The example of Christ’s humility is set before the Philippians as an example to follow. False teachings are to be vigorously rejected. Two quarreling sisters are admonished to make up and all believers are admonished to set high ideals for themselves because God will supply all that one needs in life.
Theme: In this very personal letter of Paul the theme of rejoicing may be seen throughout. If one lives, he may rejoice because God loves him. Christ died for him, and all things are given to him by God for his life. If one dies, then he may rejoice by being in Christ’s presence forevermore. This does not mean that Christians will have no problems, however. Even as Jesus had to endure the cross, so we must be ready to follow that example of submission to God, if it must be. But we are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:2) and should live with that thought constantly before us. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 27)  More great commentary on Philippians is at this link.

Today in Philippians chapter 1 verse 21 we read this powerful statement of Paul's:

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Philippians titled "Paul's Perspective on Life and Death" is at this link.

Psalms - Today in Psalm 71 verses 6 through 8 we will read - "Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother's womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you! My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection. That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long."  This is so true that God has cared for each of us since we were in our mother's womb!  This is a beautiful thing to realize.  There is an interesting thought in these verses - if our live is an example to many - and well, yes, it really is no matter what we actually do.  Hopefully our life is a good example - but there could be seasons of bad example too... If our lives are good examples to many, why is this so?  I agree with the Psalmist - it is simply because of God in our lives.  Is God literally your strength and protection?  Do you praise God unceasingly?   Do you declare God's glory all day long?   How do you do so?

Proverbs - Interesting Proverb chapter 24 verse 10 - "If you fail under pressure, your strength is not very great."  I think sometimes we forget that pressure is where we grow.  God will not give us more than we can handle.  Our key is to not fail under pressure.  Stay with the healing / fine tuning / pruning that God is placing you under - even if it comes with pressure.  For at the end of the pressure is transformation.  Let us not fail under the high pressure systems of life that will periodically come our way...

YouTube - Today's discussion in Isaiah above about pornography reminded me of the movie starring Kirk Cameron called Fireproof.  Have you seen this movie yet?  It is terrific! It is an awesome movie about marriage and God. Kirk's character does struggle with pornography in the movie, but is redeemed. Please see the movie soon if you can. Below is the trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5lSu6GkC2k

Do you think you are Fireproof?  Click here for a Fireproof faith!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you are living for Christ. Pray that you are not living for the world. Pray that you are looking forward to dying because you know that you will live in eternity in heaven with Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior.

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!

September 28th One Year Bible Readings

Isaiah 54:1-57:14 ~ Ephesians 6:1-24 ~ Psalm 70:1-5 ~ Proverbs 24:8
~ 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 - Today we read Isaiah chapter 55, which is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible! I went to a wedding several years ago in Napa, California and God led me to a church in that town on a Sunday morning where the pastor preached an incredible sermon from Isaiah 55.  It is a beautiful chapter for all of us who are Thirsty. Let us drink deeply of God’s Word today!  Verse 1 tells us - "Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink--even if you have no money!"  Are you drinking freely of the Bible this year?  Even if you have no money, do you believe that God is inviting you to drink deeply of his True and Holy Water, His Word?  Are you thirsty?

Verse 6 is fantastic... Will you seek? Will you call?

In verses 10-12 we read:

“10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.”

How do these above verses resonate with you, based on our One Year Bible readings? Particularly verse 11 above – is God’s Word accomplishing something in you this year through reading the Bible each day? Is the Bible “watering” you? Are you Thirsty? Do you feel that you are going out in joy and being led forth in peace? Have the mountains and hills burst into song before you?  Are the trees of the field clapping their hands in your life today?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Isaiah chapter 55 titled "God's Exhortation to Receive His Grace" is at this link.

New Testament - We wrap up Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus today!  His letter to the church in Philippi begins tomorrow!  Ephesians chapter 6 verse 7 stood out to me today - "Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."  I realize the context of this verse is that Paul was writing it to slaves.  However, I think this verse works very well today for any of us that work a full time job.  I'm sure you've probably seen movies or TV shows that make fun of working and basically encourage folks to work as little as possible when they are on the job.  I think this is a horrible idea!  I had a friend tell me once that if you are acting like a slacker at one job - perhaps a job you really don't like and are trying to get out of - you'll end up acting like a slacker at your next job, even if your next job is your dream job.  You'll goof up that dream job because it will be hard to break habit the habit of being a slacker...  So - I think each of us would do well to take to heart Paul's words here in verse 7.  Are you working at your job with enthusiasm?  Are you working each and every day as though you are working for the Lord?  As such, are you not "stealing time" from your employer by surfing the net, socializing excessively, doing errands, arriving late, and this list could go on...  If Jesus was your boss, would you act the same way at work that you do now?  Well, is Jesus perhaps really your "boss" even if he isn't the one signing your pay checks per se...?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Ephesians titled "Spiritual Warfare" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 70 verse 4 is awesome - "But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "God is great!""  Indeed, I think as Christians we should be filled with joy & gladness.  Yes, there will be tough times.  And suffering.  But overall, I pray we are filled with joy and gladness.  And then the second sentence in this verse reminds me of an older Relient K song with lyrics that go something like this - "Your voice has broken my defense.  Let me embrace salvation!"  I like that thought.  Let us embrace salvation.  Let us love salvation.  Let us literally cling to salvation...

Proverbs - Proverbs 24 verse 8 today is a great reminder that we should not get in the habit of planning evil.... :)  -  "A person who plans evil will get a reputation as a troublemaker."  Okay, so I put a smiley face there, because probably none of us consciously decide we're going to plan something evil.   However, I wonder if any of us maybe do get in the habit of planning things that really are outside of God's will for our life?  This isn't evil on the surface.  And we may not get a reputation as a troublemaker.  But, if we are planning things and doing things that are outside of God's will for our life and how He wants us to spend our time, then we are essentially going against God's will.  God's perfect will.  I will confess that I all too often plan and do things that I know are outside of God's will for my life.  And maybe I do these things so I get a good "reputation" among people...  Well, perhaps my good reputation among people is actually a bad reputation to God because I'm doing things outside of his will...  And I guess I've been thinking about this lately and thinking about how often I'm wasting God's time that he has blessed me with.  And so maybe I'm getting the reputation of being a troublemaker in heaven...  How about you?  What's your reputation in heaven?  Forget about your reputation here on earth... What's your reputation with God?  Let us pray that our reputation with God is not:

Worship God:  My comments in the Proverbs section above today reminded me of the great Aaron Shust song called "Give Me Words to Speak."  His song includes this lyric: "Calloused and bruised. Dazed and confused. My Spirit is left wanting something more. Than my selfish hopes.  And my selfish dreams. I’m lying with my face down to the floor. I’m crying out for more!"  Awesome song!  Here's a live version with Aaron on the keys!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7Xk6sc62EY

Has God ever given you words to speak?  Click here and speak to God!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost." Isaiah 55:1 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are thirsty for the Lord. Pray that you come to Lord daily with your thirst. Pray that you receive freely Living Water from Jesus on a daily basis and forevermore.

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!

September 27th One Year Bible Readings

Isaiah 51:1-53:12 ~ Ephesians 5:1-33 ~ Psalm 69:19-36 ~ Proverbs 24:7
~ 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 - Isaiah chapter 53 is one of the most powerful chapters of the Bible - and one of the saddest to really meditate upon.  Isaiah chapter 53 is all about Jesus!  This is a powerful chapter to read...  I'm sure you likely caught that this chapter was about Jesus when you first read it, but if not, please re-read the chapter again and do you see how Isaiah is prophesying Jesus' passion and death?  It is astounding to realize these words of Isaiah's were written in 8th century B.C.  Verse 5 tells us: "But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed!"  Do you believe that the words of Isaiah's in chapter 53 today are about Jesus?  Do you believe that Jesus was wounded and crushed for your sins?  Was he beaten that you might have peace?  Are you healed because Jesus was whipped and then murdered on a cross?

Verse 7: "He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth."

Verse 8: "From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins--that he was suffering their punishment?"

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Isaiah chapter 52 and 53 titled "The Triumph of the Suffering Servant" is at this link.  Below is a great image for Isaiah 53:6 from today's readings:

New Testament - Ephesians chapter 5 is such an incredible chapter!  I know I won't do it justice in this blog posting.  There is so much I could dive into in nearly every verse.  Actually, I will share this with you.  I met with my Pastor a couple of days ago.  And he shared with me that he is currently memorizing the entire book of Ephesians!  I had shared with him that I'm just starting to memorize Scripture verses - and to invite you along with me on this journey at the bottom of each daily blog posting. Well, you know how Pastors are - they're always a step ahead!  And my Pastor is memorizing the entire book of Ephesians...  wow.  He shared with me that as he's memorizing Ephesians he is amazed how some of the words and meanings of words of Scripture are coming alive to him in new ways!  I believe it.  I'm curious if anyone reading this today has ever memorized an entire book of the Bible?  Or even a chapter?  Please post up in the comments below if you have?  I have actually downloaded 1 Corinthians 13 onto my Blackberry and I am hoping to memorize that chapter soon!  Okay, back to Ephesians chapter 5.  You know how I enjoy posting up YouTube videos these days, so I of course loved reading verses 19 & 20, which you'll see in this image below!  :)

Ephesians 5:1-2 touches on a theme I've been thinking a lot about lately - living a life of love! - "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (NIV)  Have you ever meditated on what it means to live a life of love?  I have occasionally.  But I'm starting to camp out on this thought a lot more these days.  I think it's in large part due to the impact 1 Corinthians 13 has had on me this past year.  And it certainly fits in well with Jesus saying the 2 most important commandments are to love God and love people.  But perhaps most significantly, I've been trying to live out this thought of "living a life of love" in real life a bit more these days.  I definitely don't have it all figured out by a long shot!  But I think living a life of love is something we should all seek.  Not strive for.  But seek.  Or maybe "receive" is the better word.  I think we can receive from Jesus the ability to live a life of love.  I don't think we can get there on our own power.  So, there's a lot more I could write about what I've been thinking about in regards to living a life of love.  But let me at this point just encourage you to think about this concept.  Living a life of love.  Do you want to live a life of love?  Think you can do this on your own?  Or will you invite Jesus and the Holy Spirit into this process each and every day?  How does 1 Corinthians 13 speak to you these days?

Ephesians chapter 5 verse 17 really stood out to me today: "Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do."  I am wondering how often each of acts thoughtlessly?  I am afraid in my case it is far too often.  I can sometimes sleep-walk through my day - or even days - or even weeks...  and miss the point of life completely when doing so!  Paul teaches us here to try to understand what the Lord wants us to do.  Why would we want to try to understand this?  I think in large part so we no longer act thoughtlessly!  I'm afraid we are far too often a thoughtless people in how we live our lives & how we waste so much time in our very short lives this side of heaven...  How about you?  Are you acting thoughtlessly at all these days?  Will you seek to understand what God wants you to do?   And then will you go do it and leave your thoughtless ways behind?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Ephesians titled "The Meaning of Christian Marriage" is at this link.  Below is a nice image for Ephesians 5:21 from today's readings:

Psalms - I love Psalm 69 verse 33 today - "For the LORD hears the cries of his needy ones; he does not despise his people who are oppressed."  God hears the cries of his needy ones.  Perhaps the question is then, do we hear the cries of God's needy ones?  Do we hear the cries of those starving today? Sick from lack of clean water?  Suffering from HIV / AIDS?  Spiritually poor?  Needing a friend?  How is the soil of our hearts if we are not hearing these cries?  Should we be hearing these cries?  And if we do hear them, what then should we do?   Remember Jesus' words in Matthew chapter 25 verses 34-36:  "‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’"   

Proverbs - Proverbs 24 verse 7 is actually a bit convicting for me - "Wisdom is too much for a fool."  I'm not sure if you've ever experienced this, but there have been times when I honestly have not been able to read or digest the Bible.  I mean, there are times when I can kind of work my way through reading the Bible, but nothing is sticking.  And obviously the Bible is wisdom...  I then wonder if at times I am a fool?  I don't think I'm a chronic fool...  :)  But, truly, sometimes I do dumb stuff or live in a dumb season and in retrospect I was acting like a fool in those seasons. And in those foolish seasons wisdom was too much for me...  I do ultimately think Jesus / God / the Bible / wisdom brought me out of those foolish seasons.  But let us pray that we don't enter into seasons of life where we are acting like a fool, and where wisdom is too much for us.  Being a fool is no way to live this beautiful life God has called us to!

Worship God:  I'm sure many of you have heard on K-LOVE "By His Wounds" by Mac Powell, Mark Hall, Steven Curtis Chapman and Brian Littrell. This song is based on Isaiah 53 verse 5 from today's readings. It is a beautiful song about our beautiful Savior Jesus. Here's a live version of the song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWnSX3X7wbw

By His wounds, have you been healed?  Click here to be healed!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people." Ephesians 5:3 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that there is not even a hint of sexual immorality in your life today. Pray that there is not even a hint of any kind of impurity nor of greed in your life today. Pray that you are living as one of God's holy people, through your saving faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

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!