One Year Bible Blog

November 19th One Year Bible Readings

Ezekiel 39:1-40:27 ~ James 2:18-3:18 ~ Psalm 118:1-18 ~ Proverbs 28:2
~ 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 39 continues the destruction of Gog! See yesterday's posting below for more details on who and what Gog may be.  Verse 25 stands out to me in today's readings: "So now the Sovereign LORD says: I will end the captivity of my people; I will have mercy on Israel, for I am jealous for my holy reputation!"  We see that the exile is coming near to an end.  Ezekiel and Jeremiah have been two pretty heavy books with prophecies against Israel.  This chapter continues to show the redemption and return of the exiles from Babylon to Israel is soon coming.  It is interesting that God is jealous for his holy reputation in the verse above...  are we ourselves also jealous for God's holy reputation?  Should we be?

Ezekiel chapter 40 is very interesting!  It begins the vision and description of what many call "Ezekiel's Temple."  Essentially, this temple has not been built.  Some say that this temple will be built in the future - during Christ's millennial reign.  Some say it's a heavenly temple.   Some say it was the vision for the temple that should have been built during Ezra's days in 517 B.C., but was not.  It is fascinating to look at various theories on the various temples.  An interesting look at a potential scale model of Ezekiel's temple and it's history is at this link.

New Testament - James chapter 2 today continues in the strong words about good deeds accompanying a living faith.  James' arguments are summed up in verse 26: "Just as the body is dead without a spirit, so also faith is dead without good deeds."  Another very interesting verse in this chapter that always jumps out at me is verse 19 - "Do you still think it's enough just to believe that there is one God? Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror!"  I had someone once tell me that they believed in God - but that they realized that so do the demons.  The difference of course is that the demons are not indwelled by the Holy Spirit, as are those who have faith in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Still, a bit of a scary verse to think about, no?  Not necessarily for our own lives, perhaps, but maybe for others we know.  Let us pray that we and others we know not only know God, but know Jesus and are filled with the Holy Spirit!

James 3 verses 9 and 10 are powerful reminders on the danger of what can come out of our mouths: "Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!"  How true is this...  Reminds me of the old saying of being "two-faced".   Or maybe having a forked-tongue?  The key here to how we can control the tongue I believe is answered in verse 13 - "If you are wise and understand God's ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don't brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise!"   If we can focus on wisdom and what's going on inside our hearts and minds, we won't have to worry about what comes out of the mouth!

Psalms - I came across a wonderful speculation on Psalm 118!  Commentaries suggested that Jesus and the disciples sung this psalm/hymn at the end of the Last Supper.  Matthew chapter 26 verse 30 tells us - "When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."   This adds a bit of a new dimension to this Psalm!  The reason for this speculation is because this is the final Psalm in the Egyptian Hallel of Psalms 113 through 118.  These Psalms were used in Jewish liturgy at the great religious festivals of Passover, Tabernacles, Dedication, Weeks, New Moon.  At Passover Psalm 113 & 114 were sung before the meal and Psalms 115 - 118 were sung after the meal.  Perhaps, even after the Last Supper by Jesus and the disciples?  Below is Russian artist Simon Ushakov's "The Last Supper" from the year 1685 -

Verse 8 in this Psalm stands out to me big time: "It is better to trust the LORD than to put confidence in people." Kind of strong words I know...  but what do you think?   Might people, on occasion, let you down?  Obviously, we know the answer to this one.  People will let us down.  Even our closest friends and family at some point will let us down.  However - I don't think this means we give up on investing and loving friends and family!  It just means we should not be surprised when someone let's us down.  That's human nature.  None of us is perfect this side of heaven - you will obviously let people down too.  Realizing this, I think all of us should be prepared to forgive others and to ask for forgiveness of others.  However, what do you think on this question:  Will God ever let you down?  Will Jesus ever let you down?  Please know He won't!  In fact, I believe that He's holding you up right this very moment...

Proverbs - Proverbs 28 verse 2 today is a great reminder for us to pray for our leaders in power nationally, locally, and worldwide.  "When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But with wise and knowledgeable leaders, there is stability."  How often do you pray for your leaders?  Will you cover them with prayer today?

Worship God:  Ezekiel 39:25 reminded me of the fantastic song "Blessed Be Your Name" by Matt Redman!  Here's the Newsboys performing a great live version of this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLycgKxlgc0

Do you know our God of blessing?  Click here and praise his name!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." James 2:26 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that your faith is fully alive. Pray that your saving faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior produces the fruit of loving deeds.

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 18th One Year Bible Readings

Ezekiel 37:1-38:23 ~ James 1:19-2:17 ~ Psalm 117:1-2 ~ Proverbs 28:1
~ 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 37 starts with a fascinating vision!  This vision of the valley of dry bones is an allusion to the exiled Israelites.  As God brings life and breath into the bones, he will do the same for the exiles, and bring them back to their home land.  In a sense, bring them back to life!

Verse 14 sums up the purpose of this vision nicely - "I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I am the LORD."  Again, we hear the words, as we have so often in Ezekiel - "then you will know that I am the Lord."  Today in our lives, do we know that the Lord is the Lord?  (please forgive this picture below... when I saw it I couldn't help posting it up...  sometimes you just have to put all kinds of different facts & info out there for people who pull into your parking lot. :)

Verses 15-23 are great - discussing the reunification of the two kingdoms of Israel since the time of Solomon.  Israel will become one kingdom again.  And verses 24 through 28 point toward the coming Messiah, Jesus.  Verse 26 stands out - "And I will make a covenant of peace with them, an everlasting covenant."  Have you entered into this covenant of peace with God?  The everlasting covenant?  Have you opened the door to Jesus in your heart?  Do you hear him knocking?   Maybe late at night, do you hear Jesus knocking?  Offering you an everlasting covenant of peace?  Will you open the door of your heart?

Ezekiel chapter 38 is very interesting, with a prophesy against Gog of the land of Magog.  It will help you to know that Gog is mentioned in Revelation chapter 20 verses 7 & 8 as follows - "When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth--Gog and Magog--to gather them for battle.  In number they are like the sand on the seashore."  This can help give some context for this chapter.  This may be an end-times type of prophecy from Ezekiel.   Verse 22 tells us - "I will punish you and your hordes with disease and bloodshed; I will send torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and burning sulfur!" And, again, we close this chapter with some familiar powerful words from God - "Thus will I show my greatness and holiness, and I will make myself known to all the nations of the world. Then they will know that I am the LORD!"

New Testament - James' verses today again are all so powerful...  I am enjoying this book immensely.  Chapter 1 Verse 27 is a great reminder to care for the poor amongst us - "Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us."  Are you caring for those in their time of trouble?  Are you refusing to let the world corrupt us?  Do you care for orphans and widows?

James chapter 2 verse 17 is a famous one - "So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all--it is dead and useless."  Or, paraphrased, faith without works is dead.  It's important of course to remember that works alone do not save us - only faith does through the grace of God.  But, works naturally come through that saving faith.  They are a natural by-product and demonstrate that we have a true and living faith.

Psalms - Psalm 117 is the shortest of all the Psalms - and the shortest chapter in the entire Bible.  This Psalm is said to basically be one long Alleluia.  :)  Actually verse 1 has a very important message - "Praise the LORD, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth."  This demonstrates that God was very interested in the salvation of the Gentiles and all the nations in the Old Testament.  And not just in the New Testament as we get to the book of Acts.  This was part of the plan all along...

Proverbs - Proverbs 28 verse 1 today teaches us: "The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions."  This can only cause us to ask ourselves - are we running with no one chasing us?  Or are we bold like lions?

YouTube - Psalm 117 today reminds me of Michael W. Smith's song "A New Hallelujah!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBxOkruKpqI

Do you know the Lord of Hallelujah's?  Click here and sing Hallelujah forever!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you do not merely listen to the Word. Pray that you do what the Word says!

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 17th One Year Bible Readings

Ezekiel 35:1-36:38 ~ James 1:1-18 ~ Psalm 116:1-19 ~ Proverbs 27:23-27
~ 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 36 is an awesome chapter looking at the restoration of Israel, post-exile.  I like that there are prophecies to the mountain and hills and valleys in this chapter!  Great verses.  Verses 8 & 9 stood out to me - "But the mountains of Israel will produce heavy crops of fruit to prepare for my people's return--and they will be coming home again soon! See, I am concerned for you, and I will come to help you. Your ground will be tilled and your crops planted."   I like that God is concerned for the mountains and he wants them to be fruitful.  If He is concerned for the mountains, think how much more He is concerned for each of our lives...   Think He wants our lives to be fruitful as well?

Verse 22 shows God's grace - "I am bringing you back again but not because you deserve it.  I am doing it to protect my holy name."  The first sentence shows grace in that God is bringing them back, even though they are undeserving.  The second sentence you might not initially see the grace in it - but, God is protecting his holy name so that ultimately all people's in all nations will come to faith in him - and not idols, which deliver nothing and lead to the grave.  If God did not bring the Israelites back and protect his name, the rest of the world would see no reason to turn from their idols. 

Verses 26 & 27 sound very New Testament / new covenant - "And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command." Do you have a new heart?  With new and right desires?  Do you have a new Spirit in you?

New Testament - Whoo-hoo!  Today we begin the book of James!

~ James ~
Author: James
Place: Uncertain
Date: A.D. 45-49
Content: The book of James was written to Jewish Christians in order to provide them with some practical instructions in the Christian life. It contains many short proverbial sayings and reflects in a remarkable way the teachings of Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount. The problems addressed show the kind of difficulties that were troubling the church. We read of pride, discrimination, greed, lust, hypocrisy, worldliness, and backbiting. James writes to correct these evils by showing that faith without works is dead; that is, mere profession of faith is not enough. True faith will issue forth in a good life as surely as a good tree bears good fruit and not thistles.
Theme: James stresses the need for Christian living both to show the reality of one’s inner faith and to show the world that the Gospel does in fact change lives. If a person says he is a Christian but is no different than when he was an unbeliever, what benefit has there been either for him or for the needy world? But in fact the Gospel does change lives and if we will commit ourselves to Jesus, we will find that from our living faith will flow living deeds of love and kindness. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 31-32) A great overview of the book of James and the other “Non-Pauline Epistles” by J. Hampton Keathley is at this link. (scroll down just below his commentary on Hebrews to get to his commentary on James)

Today in James chapter 1 verses 2 – 4 we read: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Are you facing a trial of some kind in your life today? Do you see the wisdom in considering this trial pure joy? Do you think it is possible that this trial will develop perseverance in your life? Maturity? Completeness? Will you persevere in this trial? Will you persevere with pure joy?

I like verse 17 today - "Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights.  Unlike them, he never changes or casts shifting shadows."  Think about this for a bit - God is a God of no shadows.  Pure light.  Unchanging.  No shadows.  I like that thought of no shadows a lot...  Of course, this means we can't hide out in God's shadows either!  :)  Praise God for his unchanging, un-shadowed & pure Light!

And verse 18 is an awesome closing to the James readings today - "In his goodness he chose to make us his own children by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his choice possession."  Congratulations to you for diving into God's true Word today - the Bible!  Please continue to accept the gift of God's true word by reading the Bible each day....  this will bless and change your life immensely.   Do you realize that you are God's choice possession?  Do you realize that you are a child of God?

Psalms - Psalm 116 verses 1 & 2 are amazing- "I love the LORD because he hears and answers my prayers.  Because he bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath!" How is your prayer life these days?  Do you believe God bends down and listens to your prayers?  And answers them?   Will you pray as long as you have breath?

Proverbs - Proverbs 27:23-27 are pretty much just agricultural advice.  :)  Agriculture was obviously a huge part of the B.C. economy - and still is today.  So, a few proverbs verses on agriculture certainly makes sense!

Worship God:  Ezekiel 36:8 reminded me of the fantastic worship song "Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble" by Delirious!  Here's a great live version of this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIR5zFSkWUY

Do you know our Risen Lord?  Click here to fling wide the heavenly gates!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James 1:2-3 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray for joy in the Lord when trials come your way, knowing that the the trials - though they may test your faith - will produce perseverance in 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!

November 16th One Year Bible Readings

Ezekiel 33:1-34:31 ~ Hebrews 13:1-25 ~ Psalm 115:1-18 ~ Proverbs 27:21-22
~ 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 33 today we see Ezekiel appointed as the Watchman of Israel - once again.  You'll recall this happened previously in chapter 3 of Ezekiel as well.  The difference is that now we're in the post-destruction of Jerusalem & the Temple, so we'll quickly start to see more of a message of hope & redemption, in addition to continued calls for repentance.  I think in verse 11 we start to see this shift in the Lord's wanting to restore Jerusalem & Israel again: "As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?"   The call for repentance...  Are there areas in your life where God may be calling you to "Turn!"?  Will you Turn?

Verse 32 stands out to me today when God talks about how the exiles view Ezekiel's messages: "You are very entertaining to them, like someone who sings love songs with a beautiful voice or plays fine music on an instrument. They hear what you say, but they don't do it!"  This makes me think even of ourselves - maybe even in our churches...  Do we sometimes go to church looking for a good "performance" from the church or musicians or pastors?   And maybe miss the gospel message?  Do we applaud the performance?  Even hear what is said?  But don't do anything about it...?

Ezekiel chapter 34 reminds me a lot of the famous and beautiful Psalm 23 - "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want... "   However, before we get to God being the Good Shepherd - and hear about the Good Shepherd to come - there is some rebuking of the "shepherds" of Israel at that time, that may also have a message for us.   In verses 3 & 4 we read:  “You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured.” Could this verse speak into our lives in some way? Is it possible that we eat fine food and wear fine clothes at the expense of others in need? Are we consistently strengthening the weak? Healing the sick? Binding up the injured? 1.2 billion people in the world live on less than $1 a day. Are you doing something to care for these brothers and sisters on a consistent basis?  What are you doing?

New Testament - We wrap up the book of Hebrews today, and start James tomorrow!  Hebrews chapter 13 verse 2 has always stood out to me - "Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!"   Powerful eh?  When we show hospitality to strangers, we may be entertaining angels!  Something to definitely keep in mind...  Below is an engraving from the 16th century by Georg Pencz of Abraham entertaining angels from Genesis:

Verse 7 I think is a great reminder for each of us to rejoice in and show some appreciation for those that helped bring us to faith and to study the Bible - "Remember your leaders who first taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and trust the Lord as they do."  Is there someone right now that this verse makes you think of?  Can you send them a card or a quick email of encouragement to thank them for the impact they have had on your spiritual life?

Verse 8 is infamous and powerful and please memorize this one: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." This is an easy verse to memorize, no?  Say it with me.   Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."   Yep, I think you got it.  :)

Psalms - Today in Psalm 115 verse 1 we will read – “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory.” (Chris Tomlin fans out there will recognize this as one of his many awesome worship tunes. . .) I don’t know how this verse strikes you, but it strikes me hard. Which is good. I think sometimes I do things for my own glory. And this verse, and really the entire Bible, is clear that the glory is God’s and not ours. Yeah, sure, we will live our lives full of “glorious” moments when we are loving God and loving people. But, we should not be living our lives to build up our own fame or our own glory. As Rick Warren states so well in the 1st sentence of the 1st chapter of his book “Purpose Driven Life”- “It is not about you.” And this is true. It is about God. And this is good news! Really. I have tried to live my life in the past where it was all about me. And this was a miserable way to live life. I pray that you see the incredible wisdom in this verse - “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory.” How are you living your life? Are you living your life to advance the fame and glory of God? Are you doing this by loving God and loving other people with all that you are? Or, are you by chance living your life to advance the fame and glory of yourself? And if so. . . how’s this going for you?

Proverbs - Proverbs 27 verse 21 I think carries forward our theme from the opening of Psalm 115 again very succinctly - "Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised."   When you are praised, where should the glory go?

Worship God:  Ezekiel 34:4 today reminded me of this great video below of the African Children's Choir singing "Walking in the Light!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-cwM54SiPk

Are you walking in the Light of God?  Click here for the Light!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever! Pray that you are walking in Jesus' Light today 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!

November 15th One Year Bible Readings

Ezekiel 31:1-32:32 ~ Hebrews 12:14-29 ~ Psalm 113:1-114:8 ~ Proverbs 27:18-20
~ 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 - I think Ezekiel chapter 31 starts out with a trick question from God to Egypt in verse 2: "Son of man, give this message to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and all his people: "To whom would you compare your greatness?""  The proper answer to this question is probably somewhere along the humble lines of, "no one - I am not great at all.  I wouldn't dare compare myself to others.  Everything I am and have comes from you God."  Think Pharaoh would answer the question in this humble way?  :)  Better yet - maybe we should ask ourselves this question today as well.  And think about how we would answer it.  What if someone stops you on the street tomorrow and asks you this question.  What would be your reply?   Here it is.  I ask this of you now: "To whom would you compare your greatness?"

Ezekiel chapters 31 & 32 are great studies on pride... pride of a nation, and pride of individuals.  And the dangers of pride - where pride will ultimately lead someone.   In chapter 32 verse 19 God asks the rhetorical question (not a trick question this time) - "`O Egypt, are you lovelier than the other nations? No! So go down to the pit and lie there among the outcasts.'"  Today in our lives, do we ever struggle with pride?  Do we compare ourselves to others?  Do we consider ourselves lovelier than others?  My hunch is that we too often do...

New Testament - Hebrews chapter 12 verse 14 starts out strong with: "Try to live in peace with everyone, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord."  I love this!  If we seek to live in peace with everyone and live a clean and holy life people around us will see the Lord.  This is very powerful to think about...  You've probably heard this said before: "You may be the only Bible anyone ever reads".  Or "you may be the only Jesus anyone ever meets."  (not you being Jesus of course, but Christ within you shining through you!)  Are you living in peace with everyone?  Are you seeking to live a clean and holy life?  Are others seeing the Lord in you?  Are others reading the Bible through you?

Verse 28 stands out to me today: "Since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be destroyed, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe." This is an interesting phrasing - worship God with holy fear and awe.  It reminds me a lot of a lyric in Chris Tomlin's single, "Indescribable."  He sings - "humbly we fall to our knees and say, "you are amazing God!""  That one word "humbly" jumped out at me in this song.  It seems to me that there should be some reverence, holy fear, awe, and humility as we worship God?  And maybe not just take worship and our relationship for God lightly?  But be thankful for the opportunity to worship God?  Just some questions...  Because then verse 29 tells us "For our God is a consuming fire."  Which reminds me of a great Third Day song....  :)

Psalms - Psalm 113 & 114 today are very interesting and important Psalms!  These are 2 of 6 Psalms, 113 to 118, that form the "Egyptian Hallel."  These Psalms were used in Jewish liturgy at the great religious festivals of Passover, Tabernacles, Dedication, Weeks, New Moon.  At Passover Psalm 113 & 114 were sung before the meal and Psalms 115 - 118 were sung after the meal.  As you read these two Psalms today, do you sense joy in the Lord's work?  Justice?  Glory?  Power?  Does reading these two Psalms make you want to celebrate and give thanks for the Lord and all he has done throughout history and in your life?

Proverbs - This week in Proverbs 27 verse 19 we read: “As water reflects a face, so a person's heart reflects the person.” How is your heart these days? Take a minute and really reflect on this question. How is your heart? Your heart toward others? Toward your family? Toward God? Toward Jesus? Is your heart full of love? Overflowing with love? (if maybe not, please read First Corinthians chapter 13 for a good refresher on love) What is your heart reflecting to others you come in contact with these days? Are you reflecting love to others? Are you reflecting Jesus?

Worship God:  Hebrews 12:29 of course reminded me of the fantastic Third Day song "Consuming Fire:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fK9_7ldUvs

Do you know our God who is a Consuming Fire? Click here for His flame to burn down deep in your soul!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you are living at peace with others. Pray that you are pursuing holiness in your life, through a saving faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and by His grace. Pray that others see the LORD through your pursuit of holiness and by God's grace.

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!