One Year Bible Blog

October 26th One Year Bible Readings

Jeremiah 49:23-50:46 ~ Titus 1:1-16 ~ Psalm 97:1-98:9 ~ Proverbs 26:13-16
~ 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 - We have quite the readings in Jeremiah chapter 49 & 50 today!  The prophecies have turned from Judah and Jerusalem and are now directed toward their neighbors and toward their captors, Babylon.  The map below will give you a good overview of the Babylonian empire in the 6th century B.C.:

Jeremiah 50 does not bode well for Babylon!  It is interesting, in that King Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon have played a large role in sacking Jerusalem & Judah - to discipline them for their sins. And now the tide is coming back toward Babylon. Verse 28 really stood out to me today as a clear indication that destroying the Temple in Jerusalem was a really really bad idea for Babylon...  "Listen to the people who have escaped from Babylon, as they tell in Jerusalem how the Lord our God has taken vengeance against those who destroyed his Temple."  Below is a miniature from the 15th century French artist Fouquet that shows Nebuchadnezzar´s army attacking the Temple in Jerusalem in 586 B.C.  (though this is quite an artistic interpretation of the  Temple...)

Chapter 50 does bode well for Israel & Judah - verses 4 & 5 tell us: "Then the people of Israel and Judah will join together," says the LORD, "weeping and seeking the LORD their God. They will ask the way to Jerusalem and will start back home again. They will bind themselves to the LORD with an eternal covenant that will never again be broken." How often do we weep and seek the Lord?  Should we ever literally weep and seek God?  Can we learn something about the power of weeping from the people of Israel and Judah on how we can bind ourselves to God with an eternal covenant that will never be broken?

New Testament - Today we begin Paul's letter to Titus!

~ Titus ~
Author: Paul the apostle
Place: Uncertain
Date: A.D. 64 or 65
Content: Paul addressed this letter to an earlier associate of his whom he had left on the island of Crete to help strengthen the churches there. Titus’ task was to ordain elders and to instruct the believers in the basic doctrines of the faith. It was necessary for Paul to go into some detail regarding the qualifications for the office of elder, and to give instructions for others in the church as well. During the course of these instructions, Paul touches upon the problems that face the servant of God and how these problems may be met.
Theme: The need for proper Christian living in the midst of the evil of the world is stressed by Paul in this letter. Around us we see the hostility and corruption of the world, but we must show by our lives what the grace of God can do. Such a life will have an impact, whereas mere words will do little or nothing. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 30) A wonderful commentary by J. Hampton Keathley, III on Paul’s letter to Titus is at this link.  Below is an image for Titus chapter 1 verse 5 today as Paul wrote to Titus: "I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you."

The first two verses of this letter start so wonderfully! "This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to bring faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth gives them the confidence of eternal life, which God promised them before the world began--and he cannot lie." Do you believe everything in these two verses? Does the Truth give us the confidence of eternal life? Is this a promise of God's that you've accepted? Do you believe Paul's teaching here that God cannot lie?  Do you know that Jesus cannot lie?

The next few verses are great instructions for whom should be elders in churches. A portion of verse 8 really stands out to me: "He must enjoy having guests in his home." What a great verse! This really shows the importance of hospitality. Do you enjoy having guests in your home?  When people invite you to be guests in their home, do you understand how incredible of an invitation this truly is?  Do you allow them to share their hospitality with you?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Titus titled "Instruction Concerning Elders in the Church" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 97 verses 10 & 11 are so spiritually powerful & true: "You who love the LORD, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked. Light shines on the godly, and joy on those who do right."  I do believe that God protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked.  Honestly, I believe that God does this in our lives much more often than we even consciously realize.  I am sure there are a few moments in our life when we fully realize we were being protected by God.  But, I also have a strong belief that God protects us from unforeseen things that never entered our consciousness.  Do bad things still happen to godly people?  Yes, of course they do.  Why?  I can't answer this - I've heard C.S. Lewis' book "The Problem of Pain" gets at this a bit.  I need to read it.  We are in a fallen world.  There is evil and an enemy in this world.  Bad things do happen.  But, overall, I believe these verses above are so true.  I do believe that light shines on the godly and joy on those who do right.  Do you believe these verses above to be true?  Have you experienced the truth of these verses in your life?

Proverbs - Proverbs 26:13 today is a powerful teaching: "The lazy person is full of excuses, saying, "I can't go outside because there might be a lion on the road! Yes, I'm sure there's a lion out there!"" In addition to lazy, I wonder if we can sometimes use the word "worried" or "anxious" in place of lazy in this Proverb? Are we afraid of lions out there?  Can we instead rely on the one true "Lion" who will be with us wherever we go?  (yes, think C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia here... :)

Worship God:  Speaking of the Chronicles of Narnia, below is a great video for the song "Remembering You" by Steven Curtis Chapman from the movie.  There are a lot of great clips from the movie in this video.  Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDX6f39ZAqY

Are you remembering God?  Click here if you have yet to meet Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted." Titus 1:15 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray for purity in your life. Pray that you have been made pure by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you from today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

Grace, love, peace, and joy!
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our One Year Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our One Year Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

October 25th One Year Bible Readings

Jeremiah 48:1-49:22 ~ 2 Timothy 4:1-22 ~ Psalm 95:1-96:13 ~ Proverbs 26:9-12
~ 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 - Jeremiah chapter 48 is not a very happy chapter... at first glance it's tough to figure out what is going on in this chapter. Why is God so angry at Moab? I think verses 28 - 30 let us in on why: "You people of Moab, flee from your cities and towns! Live in the caves like doves that nest in the clefts of the rocks. We have heard of the pride of Moab, for it is very great. We know of her loftiness, her arrogance, and her haughty heart. I know about her insolence," says the LORD, "but her boasts are false; they accomplish nothing." It sounds like pride and boasting was a major factor here obviously. Along with idol worship as we see in verse 13: "At last Moab will be ashamed of her idol Chemosh, as Israel was ashamed of her gold calf at Bethel."  I do think we see sadness from God in this judgment upon Moab in verse 31: "Yes, I wail for Moab; my heart is broken for the men of Kir-hareseth." And ultimate redemption comes in the last verse, 47, of this chapter: "But in the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Moab," says the LORD."  This chapter may give us the opportunity to pause and reflect on if there are areas in our life where we are boasting? Boasting in prideful ways? Are we arrogant, lofty, displaying a haughty heart toward others?

Chapter 49 does not bring good tidings to the Ammonites or Edomites. Verse 16 again gives us a good look into why this judgment is coming upon Edom: "You are proud that you inspire fear in others. And you are proud because you live in a rock fortress and hide high in the mountains. But don't fool yourselves!"  Pride. Again. Pride. Think Pride is something that has been a temptation of humans since the Fall? Think this temptation continues today?  Verse 6 does give the hope of redemption for the Ammonites: "But afterward I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites," says the LORD."   This map below will give you a quick snapshot of the location of the Ammonites, Edomites, and Moabites from today's readings:

New Testament - We wrap up Paul's second letter to Timothy today!  Titus begins tomorrow!  Second Timothy chapter 4 verses 3 & 4 give a good warning for each of us today: "For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths." Do we do this? Do we "look for" or "shop around for" teachers that we really like? Teachers that may only tell us what we want to hear? That may not challenge us with Truth? That may offer strange myths?  (okay, so this animated teacher guy below is probably a solid teacher - I came across a scary image about false teachers with a wolf growling as one image option for below...  but I just kind of liked this guy better for some reason today.  Wow... here I am shopping around for my teacher!  This guy below is probably telling me what I want to hear! :)  Okay, okay, I'll put up the scary wolf image below too!)

In the close of this 2nd letter to Timothy, we are reading some of Paul's final written words! They are amazing. It's great to see some basic human needs in these closing words in verse 13: "When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers." It's also sad to see how Paul's been left pretty much alone and abandoned by many. Verse 22 are some beautiful closing words, and it's my prayer for each of you as well: "May the Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all."  Indeed.  Grace...

Psalms - Psalm 95 verses 4 & 5 remind me of the Chris Tomlin song "Indescribable": "He owns the depths of the earth, and even the mightiest mountains are his. The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too." Have you heard this song by Chris?  It is a very joyful modern day psalm! Bible.org's commentary on Psalm 95 titled "A Warning about Worship" is at this link.

Wow.. Psalm 96 today is amazing!  I love verse 1: "Sing a new song to the LORD! Let the whole earth sing to the LORD!" And I love the imagery in verse 12: "Let the fields and their crops burst forth with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise."

Proverbs - Today in Proverbs 26:12 we read: “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” This is an impactful verse for me. It reminds me of the need for true humility in our lives – and realizing where true wisdom comes from in our lives – God. Are we sometimes wise in our own eyes?  If so, could this lead to trouble?  Do you ever pray to God to keep you humble?  Do you joyfully accept being humble in your life at all times?  Will you pray to God to give you the strength to remain humble?

Worship God:  I realize that I'm posting up 2 Chris Tomlin videos 2 days in a row.  But since I mentioned his song "Indescribable" in the Psalm 95 reflection above, I want to share a live version of this song from The Netherlands Youth Day at a stadium.  I don't think I mentioned this in yesterday's posting - but if you ever get a chance to see Chris Tomlin live, please take the opportunity!  It is always a powerful worship experience!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6bfUf9S7wY

Is God Indescribable to you?   Click here to get to know Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction." 2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you preach the Word in your life at all times - and use words when necessary. Pray that you are prepared in season and out of season to preach the Word. Pray that you will correct, rebuke and encourage others in your life with great patience and careful instruction.

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!

October 24th One Year Bible Readings

Jeremiah 44:24-47:7 ~ 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17 ~ Psalm 94:1-23 ~ Proverbs 26:6-8
~ 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 - Jeremiah 44:28 stood out to me in today's readings: ""Only a small number will escape death and return to Judah from Egypt." This verse reminds me that God is continuing to preserve the line - the house of David. God will destroy most of the Israelites in Egypt for their unfaithfulness & idol worship, but he will preserve a remnant! We see this over and over in the Bible - even Noah & the flood comes to mind, pre-David of course.  Verses 29 and 30 in this chapter continues: "And this is the proof I give you, says the LORD, that all I have threatened will happen to you and that I will punish you here: I will turn Pharaoh Hophra, king of Egypt, over to his enemies who want to kill him, just as I turned King Zedekiah of Judah over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. I, the LORD, have spoken!"  Based on these verses, below is an image of Pharaoh-Hophra taken prisoner in the war with Amasis:

Jeremiah 45 is a short chapter. Baruch is the person who has basically written this book of Jeremiah. He was Jeremiah's secretary and wrote down everything. However, apparently being secretary for a prophet is a high stress job too. Baruch is sounding a bit burdened in this chapter... To which God gives him words of comfort, along with a brief warning in verse 5 - "Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don't do it!"  Are we seeking great things for ourselves? Should we do it.... ? Whom should we be seeking great things for?  Why do we seek great things for our own selves?  Why do we sometimes even walk over others to try to prove our "greatness".... ?  Think God likes to see this type of behavior from us?

Jeremiah chapter 46 starts about 6 chapters of prophecies against various nations. Starting with Egypt in 46 and Philistine in 47 today. In chapter 46 verses 3 through 5 today we read: ""Buckle on your armor and advance into battle! Harness the horses, and prepare to mount them. Put on your helmets, sharpen your spears, and prepare your armor. But look! The Egyptian army flees in terror. The bravest of its fighting men run without a backward glance. They are terrorized at every turn, says the LORD."

New Testament - Second Timothy chapter 2 verse 22 is so very true: "Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. " Notice that first word - Run. Flee. Go the other way. U-turn. Don't hang around. Run.  Do you run from things that stimulate lust in your life? Do you really Run?  How fast?

Verse 22 continues on with some encouraging words - "Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts." I like that - pursue faith. Pursue love. Pursue peace. And - "enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts." I do pray you have some relationships like this in your life? They can provide you such great rest and rejuvenation. A small group in your church may be a great way to find these types of relationships if you don't have them currently. Community can be messy & tough & scary at times - but it's so worth it! Please pursue community with other believers. And please do continue to have relationships with others who may not be believers in your life too. Be cautious in that sometimes those old relationships can bring us down or pull us back to old habits if we are not careful.  That is why we most definitely need to have a community of those who call on the Lord in our lives as well.  In community, let us pursue faith! Pursue love! Pursue peace! With pure hearts!

2 Timothy 3:1-5 are 5 powerful verses that deserve to be meditated upon by each of us: "You should also know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control; they will be cruel and have no interest in what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from people like that."  How do these teachings of Paul resonate with you?  Do you see parallels in today's modern world with these teachings?  Are there some people in your life today that you should literally stay away from?

Okay, and then verses 16 and 17 just make One Year Bible bloggers like myself smile.... :) "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do."  Do you believe these verses to be true? Do you believe that Scripture is inspired by God? And useful to teach us what is true? And make us realize what is wrong in our lives?  Is God's Word fully equipping you for every good thing God wants you to do?

Psalms - Psalm 94 verse 14 is fantastic today  - "The LORD will not reject his people; he will not abandon his own special possession." I love this thought - that God will not reject us. He will not abandon us. We are his own special possession.  Do you believe that you are God's own special possession?

Bible.org has a wonderful commentary on Psalm 94 titled "The Psalmist Speaks When Society Sins" at this link.

Proverbs - Proverbs 26 verse 7 is powerful for us to consider: "In the mouth of a fool, a proverb becomes as limp as a paralyzed leg." This makes me realize that sometimes the messenger can be as important as the message...  If we are messengers in some sort of way for God - by how we live our lives, love others, serve others, etc. - how are we doing?  Are we worthy messengers?  Or are we diluting the message in some ways?  Ultimately God's Word and message will proceed forward with or without us.  But it's obviously such a blessing for us to be part of God's message - participating in God's process of redeeming the world.  Let us pray we are good messengers for God in our lives today!

Worship God:  Today's readings, and really many of our recent days readings, are reminding me of Chris Tomlin's amazing song "Made to Worship."  Related to this song, I heard a recent sermon by Dr. Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian in New York City about how the first 2 of the Ten Commandments are so critical for us to fully understand and live out.  God is God.  Worship God.  No false idols.  If we really get this and really live it out, well then the rest of the 8 Commandments are a lot easier to actually keep.  It's when we mess up on the first two commandments, and when we start worshiping created things rather than our Creator - well, that's when we very easily mess up on the other 8 commandments.  If you're worshiping money more than God, then it's a lot easier to lie, cheat and steal!   Put God back in his proper place - as your God.   And worship God only.  And, then, well, why lie, cheat or steal?  You wouldn't want to do that while worshiping God.  I hope this makes sense?  It was stunning to me to really think about it while listening to Dr. Keller's sermon.  And Chris in this video talks a bit before the song about how "you and I are made to worship.  We're great worshipers!"  And I agree with him on this.  The question is that who or what are we worshiping?  I do think all humans on the planet are great worshipers.  However, we're not all worshiping God above all else...  And that's where the problems come in!  Apologies on this long set up to this video.  :)  You and I are made to worship God the Father, God the Son, Jesus, and God the Holy Spirit!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5FmNqozk6k

Who or what are you worshiping these days?  Click here to worship God!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that all God's people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are being taught, rebuked, corrected and trained by the Bible, so that you will be thoroughly equipped for good works. Pray that you wholeheartedly believe that all Scripture is God-breathed.

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!

October 23rd One Year Bible Readings

Jeremiah 42:1-44:23 ~ 2 Timothy 2:1-21 ~ Psalm 92:1-93:5 ~ Proverbs 26:3-5
~ 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 - The three Jeremiah chapters today are quite eventful!  It is intriguing that the Israelites ask Jeremiah for a message from God - and that whatever they hear back they will do and obey. But then they don't obey! Are we like this at times... ?  We promise promise promise God that we'll listen & change...  but then do we?  If you are going through struggles in your life today will you call out to God?  Do you trust that He will answer in His own unique and perfect way and timing?  And then will you trust and obey?

Jeremiah chapter 42 gives a good overview of the day's readings, with these closing 2 verses in this chapter from Jeremiah: "And today I have told you exactly what he said, but you will not obey the LORD your God any better now than you have in the past. So you can be sure that you will die from war, famine, and disease in Egypt, where you insist on going." Jeremiah delivered the message from God... but knew that the message would go unheeded.

Chapter 43 reminds me that when we are disobedient to God's will that our disobedience can affect not only ourselves, but others around us too. Mind you, Egypt was not a "house of the holy" - but the Israelites disobedience is going to bring destruction to themselves and Egypt. They're carrying their disobedience and curse on to others.  Jeremiah 43's verses 9 & 10 stood out: ""While the people of Judah are watching, bury large rocks between the pavement stones at the entrance of Pharaoh's palace here in Tahpanhes. I will surely bring my servant Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, here to Egypt." Interesting that God calls Nebuchadnezzar his "servant". Would God have said this about the Israelites at this time? Called them his servants?

Chapter 44 is a great reminder of why it's a bad idea to pursue idols in our life instead of God! Verse 7 asks "Why are you destroying yourselves?" I love this verse. Why are we destroying ourselves? We bring upon self-abuse, self-destruction, when we pursue things that are not of God. Think about it. They may bring a quick temporary pleasure, but in the long run are they building us up or destroying us? Why are we destroying ourselves?

New Testament - 2 Timothy 2, verse 9 has a great verse for us One Year Bible readers! :) "But the word of God cannot be chained." Amen!  Well, I suppose in theory one individual Bible could be chained (as you sadly see below), but not all Bibles.  God's living and active Word overall cannot be chained!

2 Tim 2 is a great chapter today... just jam packed with wisdom. Verse 4 stands out: "And as Christ's soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army." How often do we become tied up in affairs of this life.... ? Every day? Every hour? More often than that... ? If we are constantly "distracted" by the affairs of this life, do we lose sight of Jesus? Do we distract ourselves so much so that we can't serve Jesus well?

Verse 21 is a great closing verse today: "If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for his purpose. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work." Will you keep yourself pure?  Have you ever realized that you are indeed a utensil for God's use?  :)

Psalms - Today in Psalm 92 verse 4 we read a joyful verse! “For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.” When was the last time you reflected upon God’s deeds? When was the last time you reflected upon God’s work of his hands? Do you think this might be a good daily habit? Do God’s deeds make you glad? Do you sing for joy regularly for the work of God's hands?

Bible.org's commentary on Psalm 92 titled "Worship - Our Delight and Our Duty" is at this link.

Proverbs - In Proverbs 26 today I think we have a catch-22! Someone correct me if I'm wrong here in verses 4 & 5 - "When arguing with fools, don't answer their foolish arguments, or you will become as foolish as they are. When arguing with fools, be sure to answer their foolish arguments, or they will become wise in their own estimation."  So do we not answer their foolish arguments.... or do we? :) I can see the wisdom in both verses in different circumstances... Let me know what you think on this one in the Comments below!

Worship God:  The wisdom of so many verses in Second Timothy chapter 2 today reminded me yet again of the power of the Gospel to transform our lives.  The power of Jesus to transform our lives!  And so, I'm reminded of Brandon Heath's popular song "I'm Not Who I Was."  I'm not sure if you've seen this video set to this song, but do yourself a favor and watch it all the way through.  It is a grace filled song with a grace filled video to go along with it!  Are you who you were?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrGfA6y9fNI

Are you who you want to be?  Click here to say "I'm Not Who I Was"!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly." 2 Timothy 2:16 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you will avoid godless chatter in your life. Pray that you will not indulge in gossip. Pray that you won't become ungodly by allowing godless chatter to infect your life in any way, shape or form.

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!

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!

October 22nd One Year Bible Readings

Jeremiah 39:1-41:18 ~ 2 Timothy 1:1-18 ~ Psalm 90:1-91:16 ~ Proverbs 26:1-2
~ 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 - Jeremiah chapter 39 brings the fall of Jerusalem! :( It is sad to read about king Zedekiah's fate. But, he was forewarned many times by Jeremiah of the coming destruction. It is interesting that King Nebuchadnezzar sought out Jeremiah and told his soldiers to free Jeremiah - and give him the option of staying in Judah or coming to Babylon, where he would be taken care of. Almost seemed like Nebuchadnezzar feared God more than Zedekiah?  Actually, in Jeremiah 40:2, we do see that the Babylonians did have a good understanding of God's prophecies and they seemed to believe them: "The captain of the guard called for Jeremiah and said, "The Lord your God has brought this disaster on this land, just as he said he would. For these people have sinned against the Lord and disobeyed him. That is why it happened." Is it possible in our lives today that sometimes others can see more clearly than we can of how God is moving in our lives?  Below is an image of the fall of Jerusalem from today's readings:

Jeremiah chapter 40 continues with Gedaliah being appointed governor of Judah by Babylon. Gedaliah seems to be a good sort, as he invites the people living in the country side to: "Settle in any town you wish, and live off the land. Harvest the grapes and summer fruits and olives, and store them away." (v. 10). However, things don't go well too long for Gedaliah, which is sad...  Ishmael enters the scene in chapter 40 and into chapter 41, and ultimately murders Gedaliah. This definitely made me sad! Things seemed to be getting a bit peaceful in Judah, and prosperous to a degree. And then evil enters the scene once again... How many times have we seen this scenario play out over history?  Below is an image of Ishmael's treachery to the remnant of Judah in 41:6 -

New Testament - Today we begin Paul’s second letter to Timothy, which was likely the last letter Paul ever wrote. Some call this letter Paul’s “last will and testament!”

~ Second Timothy ~
Author: Paul the apostle
Place: Probably Rome
Date: A.D. 66 or 67
Content: This letter was probably the last letter that Paul ever wrote, and he addressed it to his former associate Timothy. It is a personal letter that expresses Paul’s deepest feelings and the assurance that though his earthly life might end, God had eternal life waiting for him in heaven. Paul also reflects upon the faithfulness of God (who led him through his entire life) and upon the coming desperate days when men would depart from the truth, refusing to acknowledge God as Lord. He exhorts Timothy to stand firm in the face of the coming persecutions.
Theme: The sovereign control of God over all things is the basic theme of this book. Although distress has come and will continue to increase, God is in control and those who trust him will have nothing to fear. Paul also adds his own testimony of faith, describing how he fought for the truth and will be rewarded by God in the end. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 29-30)  .

Second Timothy chapter 1 verse 6 is a very important teaching of Paul's that each of us should consider in our own lives: "This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you."  Do you notice that Paul says "fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you"?  What does this say to you?  This says to me that when God gives us spiritual gifts, they don't typically come in full bloom all at once!  The gifts are given, and then we are to partner with the Spirit of God in fanning the embers of the spiritual gifts into full flames!  This is really powerful to think about.  I think sometimes we think that once we're saved, that's it.  We're done.  We've got all we need and there's nothing more to do except wait for heaven.  Well...  I think once we're saved the spiritual adventure really begins!  God's gives us spiritual gifts.  He gives us Kingdom work to do on this side of heaven!  Do you believe that you have spiritual gifts?  Do you know what they are?  If not, do you suppose that perhaps your spiritual gifts are currently embers and now is the time for you to "fan into flames the spiritual gifts God gave you"?  Let us fan the flames folks!

Psalms - Today in Psalm 91:11-12 we read the words quoted by Satan to Jesus during the temptation in the desert: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” As you read this Psalm, do these words apply to Jesus only? Or to those who trust in the Lord as well? Do you believe that the Lord is guarding you in all your ways? Do you believe this is possible? (I hope your answer is yes!)

Do you recall Jesus’ response to Satan in Matthew 4:7: “It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” What do Jesus’ words to Satan tell you about these words in the Psalm? Can we believe these words of the Psalmist, and also not put God to the test at the same time? As an example, is driving over the speed limit putting God to the test? Is deciding to skip church one week (or for many weeks) because we have some chores to catch up on / or fun stuff to do / or because we’re just tired, putting God to the test in some ways?  Think we just might look like this little guy below to God when we come up with all of our excuses of why we don't go to church...?  :)

Bob Deffinbaugh with Bible.org has commentary on Psalm 90 titled "Place for Pessimism" at this link and his commentary on Psalm 91 titled "A Psalm of Safety" is at this link.

Proverbs - Proverbs 26 verse 2 is a great reminder to not curse anyone!  We are not the judge.  God is.  We cannot truly curse anyone.  Any curse we offer is an unfair curse.  "Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an unfair curse will not land on its intended victim."  Why do we ever behave like fluttering sparrows or a darting swallows by giving unfair curses?  Do we realize that any curse we attempt to impose will not land on our intended victim, but could come right back on ourselves like a boomerang?

Worship God:  Today's readings in 2 Timothy 1 reminded me of Tenth Avenue North's great song, "Love Is Here:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sBuajPzBTw

Is Love here for you?  Click here for Love!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. " Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray you are numbering your days aright. Pray that you are wholeheartedly seeking a heart of wisdom through a 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!