One Year Bible Blog

September 22nd One Year Bible Readings

Isaiah 39:1-41:16 ~ Ephesians 1:1-23 ~ Psalm 66:1-20 ~ Proverbs 23:25-28
~ 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 39 we read about Hezekiah receiving envoys from Babylon.  Unfortunately, he is a bit too hospitable with these envoys!  He believes showing off his wealth will prove that he has worldly power and that the Babylonians will respect him and Judah.  Isaiah sees that Hezekiah is relying on worldly wealth and not God, and Isaiah delivers a word from God that Judah will be exiled to Babylon  Indeed, this comes true in 115 years in the future from when Isaiah delivers this word in this chapter.  We will read more about the Babylonian exile later in this year’s One Year Bible readings.  How about us, in our lives today – do we try to impress people with our worldly wealth or toys or stuff, like Hezekiah was trying to impress the Babylonians?  And further, do we actually try to rely on this worldly stuff rather than rely on God?

You'll notice that our readings in Isaiah today take on a new tone in chapter 40.  Isaiah chapters 1 through 35 were prophesies against Judah and Jerusalem, chapters 36 through 39 were prophesies against Assyria and a foretelling of the rise of Babylon, and now in chapters 40 through 66 we will be reading about Judah and Jerusalem as if the Babylonian exile was nearly over.  This week in Isaiah chapters 40 & 42 we will read some amazing prophecies about Jesus. (I get chills reading some of the verses in these chapters realizing they were written in the 8th century B.C. . .)  Do you see a foretelling of John the Baptist today in chapter 40 verses 3 through 5: "Listen! I hear the voice of someone shouting, "Make a highway for the LORD through the wilderness. Make a straight, smooth road through the desert for our God. Fill the valleys and level the hills. Straighten out the curves and smooth off the rough spots. Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together."

Below is a great image for Isaiah 40:8 from today's readings!

New Testament - Today we begin Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus!  The map below shows where Ephesus is located, as well as other churches Paul wrote epistles to:

~ Ephesians ~
Author: Paul the apostle
Place: Rome
Date: A.D. 60 or 61
Content: Paul wrote this letter while a prisoner in Rome, his purpose being to comfort and encourage the believers in Asia Minor. He presents them with an overview of history, beginning in eternity past where God worked out his plans for the world, moving to the present where God is saving those who believe in Christ, and then to the future where all evil will be overcome. He points out that in the present there will be great conflict because our battle is with the forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12), but because we are members of Christ’s body, we have the power to withstand. Paul then deals with practical matters relating to living the Christian life: marriage, behavior, parents and children, and servants.
Theme: The basic idea in Ephesians is that God’s eternal plan is being worked out through Christ and his body, the church. When a man believes, he is in Christ and finds salvation and safety. God had planned for this from all eternity and has given to the believer everything that he needs for his Christian life, but it is for him to avail himself of the resources at his command. Paul closes the book by describing the provision that God has made for the believer so that he may withstand the worst of Satan’s attacks and when the battle is over, to be victorious. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 26) More great commentary on Ephesians is at this link.

There are so many amazing verses in Ephesians chapter 1 today!  I love verse 18: "I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people."  How does this verse speak to you?  Is your heart flooded with light today?  Do you believe that your heart can indeed be flooded with light so that you can understand your wonderful future in Christ?  I love this imagery of our hearts being flooded with light!  Let Jesus' light flood us today!

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Ephesians titled "The Hope of Glory" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 66 verses 1 & 2 are awesome!  "Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth! Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is." Do you tell the world about how glorious God is?  How do you do this?  Think these kids below might be singing & shouting joyfully to God?  Think there is anything we might be able to learn from these kids?  :)

Proverbs - Proverbs 23 verse 26 today is fantastic - "O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes delight in my ways of wisdom."  Can you imagine God saying this Proverb to you?  What does it mean to give God your heart?  How does one do this? Have you fully given God your heart?  Are your eyes delighting in the ways of God's wisdom?

Worship God: The "flood" language in Ephesians 1:18 reminded me of the Jars of Clay song "Flood" that put them on the map many years ago!  Lift Me Up!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ERhun1l3vU

Per Ephesians 1:18, has your heart been flooded by light?  Click here for God's holy flood!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will - to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves." Ephesians 1:5-6 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you have been adopted into God's family through a saving faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Pray that your predestined life in Christ brings pleasure, praise and glory to God.

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 21st One Year Bible Readings

Isaiah 37:1-38:22 ~ Galatians 6:1-18 ~ Psalm 65:1-13 ~ Proverbs 23:24
~ 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 - Great readings in Isaiah featuring King Hezekiah today!  You'll recall from yesterday's readings that King Sennacherib of Assyria's representative threw down some serious trash-talking at the walls of Jerusalem.  (see yesterday's blog entry below).  Well today in chapter 37 we read about Hezekiah seeking the Lord's help.  Hezekiah takes all of this to God in prayer.  Good move!  How often in our lives today, when challenges come our way, do we take the challenges everywhere else BUT to God?  Wouldn't it be easier to take them directly to God?  Why do we turn to alcohol or drugs or food or worrying or _______ (fill in your blank here) when we can simply take our challenges to the one true living God who can actually do something with them?  Will you model what Hezekiah did when he received distressing news from the King of Assyria, in verses 14 through 17: "After Hezekiah received the letter and read it, he went up to the LORD's Temple and spread it out before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed this prayer before the LORD: "O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, you are enthroned between the mighty cherubim! You alone are God of all the kingdoms of the earth. You alone created the heavens and the earth. Listen to me, O LORD, and hear! Open your eyes, O LORD, and see! Listen to Sennacherib's words of defiance against the living God."

Well, Hezekiah's prayer is clearly answered as we read in verse 36: "That night the angel of the LORD went out to the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 Assyrian troops. When the surviving Assyrians woke up the next morning, they found corpses everywhere." Below is an engraving of this verse by Gutave Dore.

I love Hezekiah's poem of praise in chapter 38.  Verse 16 stood out to me: "Lord, your discipline is good, for it leads to life and health." Would you agree with Hezekiah on this point?  Is God's discipline good?  Does God's discipline lead to life and health? Are you accepting God's discipline in your life today?  I found this little reminder of some "good discipline" from a school website below.  Not quite "the" Golden Rule below, but overall good stuff!  :)

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Isaiah chapter 38 titled "The Deliverance of Judah's King" is at this link.

New Testament - We finish up Paul's letter to the Galatians today.  Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus begins tomorrow!  We read some powerful teachings in Galatians chapter 6 today.  I love verse 1: "Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself."  This is such a great teaching.  And one that I have a hunch we do not follow often enough...  When was the last time you gently and humbly helped someone who is overcome by sin get back on the right track?  I know for me that it has not been recently.  And I know I've missed some opportunities in this regard.  The last sentence in this verse is powerful and reminds me that we need to be particularly careful around sexual sin I think - to make sure we don't fall into the same temptation ourselves.  One important note for all of us is to not discuss with someone of the opposite sex their struggles with sexual sin!  It is foolish to do so I believe.  Men can discuss and counsel men in the area of sexual sin.  And women, women.  But I think it is just way too risky for men to discuss or counsel women in the area of sexual sin - and vice versa.  I think we just open ourselves up potentially to temptation if we do this.  I'm sure there are exceptions to this, but generally speaking, don't go into a discussion on personal sexual sin struggles with someone of the opposite sex!  While I'm on the topic here of sexual sin, does anyone have any good book recommendations for anyone who struggles in this area? 

Bible.org's excellent commentary on today's readings in Galatians titled "Bearing Burdens: How One Sinner Relates to the Sin of Another" is at this link and "Sowing and Reaping" is at this link.  Below is an image for Galatians 6:14 in today's readings:

Psalms - Psalm 65 has some amazing verses about nature!  I love verse 8 - "Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy." When is the last time you have been inspired to shout for joy to God for the beautiful sunset he created?

Verse 7 of the Psalm says this - "You quieted the raging oceans with their pounding waves and silenced the shouting of the nations."  When is the last time you have stood in complete silence before God because of his beautiful Creation?

Proverbs - Proverbs 23 verse 24 is one of those Proverbs that simply states a fact without giving advice per se: "The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure it is to have wise children."  This is of course true.  My question for us today - are we ourselves godly children to our parents?  Are we giving our parents pleasure because we ourselves are wise children?

Worship God:  I realize I'm on a Casting Crowns kick these days, but, wow, they have some amazing worship songs!  In our Isaiah readings today, King Hezekiah reminded me that when the world comes after us with taunts and lies like he was getting from the King of Assyria, well, we either have the option to believe those lies or instead we'll choose to listen to the voice of Truth!  (as King Hezekiah did in prayer!)  Here's Mark Hall from Casting Crowns singing "Voice of Truth" solo on the piano.  This is such a beautiful song...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K5l3DMWzLo

Do you know the Voice of Truth?  Click here and receive beautiful Truth!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. People reap what they sow." Galatians 6:7 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are not mocking God in any way, shape, or form in your life. Pray that you realize that you will reap what you sow in your life. Pray that you are sowing seeds of faith, hope and love through a saving faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

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!

September 20th One Year Bible Readings

Isaiah 33:10-36:22 ~ Galatians 5:13-26 ~ Psalm 64:1-10 ~ Proverbs 23:23
~ 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 35, which is a wonderful glimpse of God's Kingdom Come!  The preceding Chapter 34 is a message of judgment to the nations during the end times.  And then Chapter 35 is a message of hope for those who love, believe in and are obedient to the Lord. I love verse 8 in chapter 35: "And a main road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-hearted people will never travel on it. It will be only for those who walk in God's ways; fools will never walk there."  I like that concept!  The Highway of Holiness! If you could take the Highway of Holiness right now, would you?  Do you look forward to walking on the Highway of Holiness in the future?  In the midst of our often chaotic and un-holy world, will you seek only the Highway of Holiness for your life today and forevermore? 

As I mentioned above, Isaiah chapter 34 is a message of judgment.  An interesting thing to note about the "the horned owl, the hawk, the screech owl, and the raven" listed in verse 11 and the owl and the vulture in verse 15 is that these are all unclean birds per Deuteronomy 14:11-18.  In verse 8 today we read - "For it is the day of the LORD's vengeance, the year when Edom will be paid back for all it did to Israel."

In Isaiah chapter 36 today you probably noticed that we've read this story about Sennacherib threatening Jerusalem before.  In fact, much of Isaiah chapters 36 through 39 are sometimes verbatim of Second Kings 18:13 through 20:19.  The compiler of Second Kings may have utilized Isaiah chapters 36 through 39 as a source, or it is also thought that both may have drawn from another common source.  Today in chapter 36 we are in the year 701 B.C., and we get some bold boasts before the walls of Jerusalem by King Sennacherib of Assyria's representatives...  Verse 20 includes this boast, which didn't make God too happy: "What god of any nation has ever been able to save its people from my power? Name just one! So what makes you think that the LORD can rescue Jerusalem?"

New Testament - I love Paul's teaching in Galatians 5 verses 22 & 23 today - "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."  It is incredible I think for each of us to really meditate on this question - does the Holy Spirit control your life?  I think so often - even after coming to faith in Christ - we still try to hold onto the controls of our life!  I know I do.  And yet, when I finally realize that I should instead "let go, and let God", my life gets 100 times easier.  I don't stress and worry about things any more.  When I let myself be controlled by the Holy Spirit I finally realize that this is where true LIFE is at!  It's not in hanging on so tightly to the steering wheel...   Then, as we truly let the Holy Spirit control our lives, we begin to see amazing fruits being born in us!  Do you see these fruits in your life today?  Love?  Joy?  Peace?  Patience?  Kindness?  Goodness?  Faithfulness?  Gentleness?  Self-control?  How are you doing on letting the Holy Spirit control your life these days?  Who is holding on to your steering wheel - you or the Holy Spirit?  Will you now let go of that steering wheel?  Will you "let go, and let God."  Will you let the fruits of the Spirit fully grow in your life?

Bible.org's terrific commentary on today's readings in Galatians titled "The War Without And the War Within" is at this link.  Below is a great image for Galatians 5:16 from today's readings!

Psalms - Psalm 64 verse 10 is beautiful - "The godly will rejoice in the LORD and find shelter in him."  Do you consider God a shelter for your life?  When storms come into your life, do you find shelter in God?  How about the Bible?  Is the Bible a sort of shelter in your life?  Do you find refuge in the Bible?

Proverbs - Today in Proverbs 23:23 we read: “Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding.” What does this Proverb mean to you?  Can you “buy the truth” or is this perhaps a metaphor?  Why shouldn’t you sell it?  Why get wisdom, discipline and understanding? Why is discipline good to get?  What is truth?  Where can you find truth? Is the Bible Truth?  Will you learn from this Truth in some way each day for the rest of your life?

Worship God:  The "Haven in a Storm" image above in the Psalms reflection reminded me immediately of the incredible Casting Crowns song "Praise You in This Storm."  I don't know what it is about all these storm songs on the radio that are resonating with me lately - MercyMe's "Bring the Rain" being my current favorite song - other than I know this:  It's not a matter of "if" storms will come in our life.  It's a matter of "when."  Storms will come.  And when they do, we have the option to try to weather the storms all on our own.  Or we have the option to invite God into the storms with us.  Well, I believe God's already there with us in the storms even if we don't realize it - so, I think we can simply open our hearts and praise God in the storms!  He will never abandon us or leave us.  Even in the midst of the worst storms this fallen world might bring, God is there with us.  Will you praise God in the storms?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr7i5L6kFT0

Do you believe there is a God who is worthy of being praised even in the midst of storms in your life?  Click here to get to know God of heaven and earth who is worthy of being praised in the storms!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you are demonstrating the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life today. Pray that you have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control through a saving faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

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!

September 19th One Year Bible Readings

Isaiah 30:12-33:9 ~ Galatians 5:1-12 ~ Psalm 63:1-11 ~ Proverbs 23:22
~ 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 - Today in Isaiah chapter 30 we read about blessings for God's people!  You'll notice in verses 12 and 15 the term "Holy One of Israel" is used for God.  An interesting thing to note about this term "Holy One of Israel" is that it occurs a total of 26 times in the book of the prophet Isaiah - and only 6 times elsewhere in the rest of the Old Testament!  (I think it is such a beautiful term - maybe in part because my church sings a wonderful song occasionally w/ these lyrics: "For I am the Lord your God.  The Holy One of Israel.  Your Savior.  I am the Lord - do not fear - I am the Lord".  Anyone else's church sing this song?)  Some scholars over history have challenged whether the entire 66 chapters of the book of Isaiah were really all written by the same person, Isaiah.  Well, the continuity of the use of the term "Holy One of Israel" throughout the book has been the strongest argument for the unity of the book of Isaiah.

New Testament - Galatians chapter 5 is a great teaching on our freedom in Christ!  Verse 1 is so very powerful: "So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law."  Has Jesus set you free?  Has He set you free from the slavery of sin?  Has He set you free from the slavery of the law?  If you are not yet free, today will you hand over the controls of your life to Jesus and let Him once and for all set you free!

I also love verses 5 & 6 - "But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive everything promised to us who are right with God through faith. For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, it makes no difference to God whether we are circumcised or not circumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love."  I like that thought of eagerly waiting to receive everything promised to us who are right with God through faith.  Are you eagerly waiting for everything promised?  Do you have the hope of glory?  And then the last sentence of what is important is powerful - faith expressing itself in love!  Not faith expressing itself in hate....  Faith expressing itself in love.  Is your faith expressing itself in love?  This reminds me of the old song - "They will know we are Christians by our love.  By our love.  Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love."  Amen!

Bible.org's fantastic commentary on today's readings in Galatians titled "The Goal of the Gospel" is at this link.  Below is a great image for Galatians 5:6 from today's readings:

Psalms - Psalm 63 is beautiful!  So many amazing verses...  The imagery in verse 1 is fantastic - "O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water."  Do you earnestly search for God in your life?  Each and every day?  Does your soul literally thirst for God?  Does your whole body long for God in this dry and weary land....

Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 23 verse 22 reminds me of the Ten Commandment to honor your father and mother! "Listen to your father, who gave you life, and don't despise your mother's experience when she is old."  I do think that listening to our parents and not despising their experience when they are old is very honoring.  Are you listening to your parents these days?  Are you not despising their experience?

Worship God:  Based on my Galatians 5 verse 6 reflection above, you knew I'd find "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love" on YouTube right?  :)  Here's the song performed by Jars of Clay set to a powerful video with U.S. and worldwide poverty statistics and some related Scripture verses.  Please watch this video and see if God speaks to you in any new ways about loving others who are living in poverty:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqa0dJhhmxk

Is God's precious love flowing through you to others?  Click here if you haven't yet received God's saving love!

Do Something:  If the video today moved you to love others in a more active way, I encourage you to look for volunteer needs within your local church.  Perhaps it's serving with an internal ministry or an external ministry.  Secondly, I encourage you to find a way to love others outside of the church walls by volunteering with a local nonprofit in your community.  A great way to find volunteer opportunities in communities throughout the United States is through VolunteerMatch.org.  All you have to do is type in your zip code at this website link and they will show you volunteer opportunities in your neighborhood!  Will you please take just 5 minutes to explore VolunteerMatch.org at:  https://www.volunteermatch.org/

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you have been set free from the slavery of sin through a saving faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior! Pray that you know that you are truly free indeed, and that you will never go back to the yoke of slavery to sin. Pray that you will stand firm in your faith in 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!

September 18th One Year Bible Readings

Isaiah 28:14-30:11 ~ Galatians 3:23-4:31 ~ Psalm 62:1-12 ~ Proverbs 23:19-21
~ 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 the Lord continues his messages of woe against Jerusalem and Judah through the prophet Isaiah!

Isaiah chapter 29 verses 15 and 16 I found to be so powerful to consider... "Destruction is certain for those who try to hide their plans from the LORD, who try to keep him in the dark concerning what they do! "The LORD can't see us," you say to yourselves. "He doesn't know what is going on!" How stupid can you be? He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you. You are only the jars he makes! Should the thing that was created say to the one who made it, "He didn't make us"? Does a jar ever say, "The potter who made me is stupid"?"  How true are these words?  Have you ever tried to hide your plans from God?  Did it work out?  How apropos the point in verse 16 is where some people said: "God didn't make us!"  Ever hear words like this today from others?  How sad is this?  Will you pray for others in your life today who may feel that God didn't make them?  Will you pray for those in your life today that do not believe in God?  Will you pray for them to learn that indeed the potter who made them is not stupid?  Will you pray that they learn that the Potter who made them is God who loves them so very dearly!

New Testament - I love Paul's teachings today in Galatians chapter 4 verses 3 through 7! "And that's the way it was with us before Christ came. We were slaves to the spiritual powers of this world. But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because you Gentiles have become his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, and now you can call God your dear Father. Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, everything he has belongs to you."  Do you believe these teachings of Paul's to be true?  Are you a child of God?  Has God sent the Spirit of Jesus into your heart?  Do you today call God your dear Father?  Do you believe that everything God has belongs to you because you are his child?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Galatians titled "The Contribution of the Mosaic Covenant" is at this link, "The Inferiority of Immaturity" is at this link, and "Paul Gets Personal" is at this link.  Below is a great image for Galatians 3:28 from today's readings:

Psalms - Today we read in Psalm 62 verse 11 - "God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you." This is a powerful verse - no pun intended. . .  :)  Really, think about it. Where does power come from? Who gives power? Who takes it away? I think it is such a blessing when we truly understand this verse and then live it out. When we realize that we really have no power of our own. Any power - any thing - we have comes from God and God alone. And thank God for that. It's when we start believing we create or own or control power that we begin to get prideful or we'll misuse the power given to us. I think a great teaching on where power truly comes from comes from Jesus when he is before Pilate in John chapter 19 verses 10 & 11 - "“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above."" Where do you think your power to do anything at all comes from? Do you believe it was given to you from above? If so, how might truly realizing this change how you live your life? How might it change how you utilize the power given to you?  Below is a great image for verses 7 and 8 from Psalm 62:

Proverbs - Today's Proverbs verses 19-21 in chapter 23 are very applicable to each of our lives today in this modern world... "My child, listen and be wise. Keep your heart on the right course. Do not carouse with drunkards and gluttons, for they are on their way to poverty. Too much sleep clothes a person with rags." How do these verses speak to you?  Is your heart on the right course?  Do you avoid carousing with drunkards & gluttons?  Think this Proverb has some value for our lives today in this modern world?  Is gluttony or drinking at times portrayed as "good" or hip or cool in our world today...?  Do you realize the danger and poverty that this lifestyle can lead to?

Worship God: Rich Mullins' song "Creed" with the line of "I did not make it, though it is making me" is a great reminder of us being made by the Potter per our Isaiah readings:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LR2hFP1yb4

Do believe in God the Father?  Click here and get to know the Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth!

Book Recommendation:  I'm going to go out on a limb here with a book recommendation for a book that I have not yet read.  I own it!  :)  But haven't yet found the time to read it.  This book did come highly recommended to me by a trusted friend. The book is called "Rich Mullins: An Arrow Pointing to Heaven" by James Bryan Smith.  The book is described as a "devotional biography," giving readers an insight into Rich's life, but more importantly, allowing the readers to learn what was most important to Rich - urging people to draw near to God.  If anyone has read this book, please post up reviews in the Comments section below for others?  Thanks.

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you truly are living as if you know that you and all of your fellow Believers are one in Christ Jesus. Pray that you don't discriminate against anybody in any way, even subtly or subconsciously. Pray that you truly know that there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for all who are one in Christ 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!