One Year Bible Blog

January 15th One Year Bible Readings

Genesis 31:17-32:12 ~ Matthew 10:24-11:6 ~ Psalm 13:1-6 ~ Proverbs 3:16-18
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or ESV.org: OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs or Daily Audio Bible ~

Old Testament - Today's Genesis chapter 31 readings take us through Laban's pursuit of Jacob and his family and Laban & Jacob's treaty.  In this chapter we read about Rachel taking Laban's "household gods", which were worthless idols - and yet both Laban and Rachel were very attached to idols, which was common in pagan religions of that time.  Idols were often family heirlooms that were passed down from generation to generation and could sometimes signify that someone would receive their family's estate if they received the idols.  People believed idols could bring blessings - and Laban obviously wanted them back.  Though, I think he wanted more than just his idols back - I think he also wanted control over Jacob and his family back.  In verses 33 & 34 we read: "Finally, Laban went into Rachel's tent. Rachel had taken the household gods and had stuffed them into her camel saddle, and now she was sitting on them. So although Laban searched all the tents, he couldn't find them."  Rachel was cunning like her husband Jacob!  Below is a fresco painting from 1729 by the Venetian artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo titled "Rachel Hiding the Idols":

Verse 42 stood out to me in today's readings as Jacob spoke to Laban: "In fact, except for the grace of God--the God of my grandfather Abraham, the awe-inspiring God of my father, Isaac--you would have sent me off without a penny to my name."   I like seeing that Jacob is realizing that the grace of God has blessed him!  I wonder if sometimes in our lives the grace of God is blessing us, and we don't realize it?  Do you ever have those moments when you look back on a day, or a week, or even a year and realize that God's grace was so there - and yet... you didn't realize it at the time?  Will you try to live more like Jacob in this verse - and recognize awe-inspiring God's grace more and more frequently in your life?  And can you give praise to God for this ever-present ever-dependable gift of grace that is available to you?

In Chapter 32 we see Jacob preparing to meet his brother Esau.  And - we see Jacob praying to God an amazing prayer!  Verse 10 is beautiful: "I am not worthy of all the faithfulness and unfailing love you have shown to me, your servant. When I left home, I owned nothing except a walking stick, and now my household fills two camps!" Do you believe that God has been showing faithfulness and unfailing love to Jacob in our readings?  Do you believe that God is showing faithfulness and unfailing love to you today?  Below is an engraving by the artist Gustave Dore of Jacob praying to God here in chapter 32 (I love this image!):

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Genesis chapter 31 titled "The Difference between Legality and Morality" is at this link.

New Testament - Matthew chapter 10 closes out today with what might be considered some "hard teachings" of Jesus.  I think what stands out in my mind in reading these teachings is that while Jesus is certainly the Prince of Peace, he also has come into a world that is full of darkness - and the darkness fights against Jesus' light.  So, if we decide to align ourselves with Jesus, and his eternal goodness and light, the darkness will also then fight against us - just as it fights against Jesus.  As students and servants of Jesus, we will face the same persecutions that Jesus did.  And while this is certainly true, think about the alternative - not following Jesus... and not walking in the light of God's love.  I'd much rather spend 1 day in Jesus' light than 1 thousand days elsewhere...  How about you?

Verse 38 is the first mention of the word cross in the gospel of Matthew: "If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine."   What strikes me about this verse is that Jesus is teaching that we do have a cross to bear.  And we have a choice to make of whether we will take up the cross and follow Jesus.  So, now may be a good time to ask yourself - what is your cross in your life?  Do you think you know what it is?  If not, will you ask Jesus to reveal to you what your cross is?  And then, will you bear it daily?  And will you follow Jesus daily?

Matthew 11 starts off with an interesting question from John the Baptist to Jesus in verse 3: "Are you really the Messiah we've been waiting for, or should we keep looking for someone else?"  I read an interesting commentary that said this is the beginnings of where we see that people are starting to wonder if Jesus is really the Messiah, because he hadn't overthrown the Roman government.   Many in Jerusalem were expecting a Warrior-King Messiah that would free the Jewish people from the oppression of Rome.  And Jesus' ministry of "only" preaching, teaching, and healing was bringing up the questions of, "are you really the Messiah?"   People were starting to wonder... Instead of the Warrior-King, they are seeing a Suffering-Servant, which was not what was expected.  What do you personally believe the answer to John's question was and is?  Is Jesus the Messiah?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 11 titled "The Question of John the Baptist" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 13 is thought to be a prayer by David for recovery from a grave illness, based on verse 3: "Restore the light to my eyes, or I will die."  Yet, even in the midst of this serious illness, David amazingly proclaims in verse 5: "But I trust in your unfailing love."  How about you?  When you are sick or in the midst of a very challenging or sad situation, do you trust in God's unfailing love?  Always?  No matter what is going on around you?  Do you trust that God will ultimately restore the light to your eyes?

Proverbs - I love Proverbs chapter 3 verse 17!  "She (wisdom) will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying."   Amen!  What a great choice of words - delightful paths and satisfying ways.  Do you believe that wisdom will lead you down delightful paths and that wisdom proves to be always satisfying to you?  What if we do not pursue wisdom in our lives - might our paths be miserable and might we be always hungry and never satisfied?  Let us ever pursue the wise path of true Delight in our lives!

Worship Video: Today's readings in Matthew chapter 10 and 11 today about Jesus remind me of the beautiful Jason Castro song, "You Are:"

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

Is Jesus the One for you?  Click here for the One!

Please join me in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32-33 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you acknowledge Jesus before men in all ways in all of your days.

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  Based on the reflection in Proverbs above on Wisdom, what are some ways that you pursue Wisdom in your life these days?  Do you believe reading the Bible for 15 to 20 minutes a day is one way to pursue Wisdom?  What are some "delightful paths" (per our Proverb above) that Wisdom has led you down in your life?  Also, 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. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today and also consider financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

January 14th One Year Bible Readings

Genesis 30:1-31:16 ~ Matthew 10:1-23 ~ Psalm 12:1-8 ~ Proverbs 3:13-15
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or ESV.org: OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs or Daily Audio Bible ~

Old Testament - Today's Genesis chapter 30 readings bring us the account of several of Jacob's sons and a daughter being born to Leah, Bilhah, Zilpah, and Rachel.  We also read about Jacob gaining wealth and wanting to leave his father-in-law Laban’s house to go back home in Genesis chapter 30. In verse 37 we read: "Now Jacob took fresh shoots from poplar, almond, and plane trees and peeled off strips of the bark to make white streaks on them."  It seems in this verse and the ones that follow that Jacob is getting a bit superstitious - and not really asking God for help.  Later Jacob does admit that God did do the work of increasing his wealth, and that he didn't do it on his own with his superstitions, as we see in Chapter 31 verse 9 when Jacob is speaking to his wives Rachel & Leah: "In this way, God has made me wealthy at your father's expense."  I think it's great to see that Jacob starts to realize more and more that God is in control.  I wonder for us, today, do we sometimes act like Jacob with the sticks - and rely on superstition or our own power, when we should be relying solely on God?  Are there maybe areas in our work life or personal life where we think we are running the show?  Are we really?  Or is God?  Will we let our superstitions go, and embrace the reality that God is in control?   And - who better is there to be in control, really?  :)  Actually - I'll share with you a quote someone shared with me once when I was really trying to micromanage a situation - and was worrying and fretting way too much about the situation.  The quote is simply this: "Let go and Let God." Let us let go of what we are hanging on so tightly to if it is not of God - and let us instead let God run the show.  Are there areas in your life where you need to "Let go and let God"?  Below is a painting by Spanish painter Jusepe de Ribera from the year 1632 of "Jacob and Laban's Flock":

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Genesis chapter 30 titled "The Battle of the Brides" is at this link and commentary on chapter 31 titled "Jacob gets Laban's Goat" is at this link.

New Testament - In Matthew chapter 10 Jesus sends out the twelve disciples!  Verse 7 stands out: "Jesus sent the twelve disciples out with these instructions: "Don't go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel--God's lost sheep."  Gentiles are anyone who is not a Jew.  Samaritans are a race that resulted in intermarriage between Jews and Gentiles after the Old Testament exiles and captivities - as we see in 2 Kings 17:24 - "The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took over Samaria and lived in its towns." The Matthew 10 verse 7 above does indicate that Jesus' disciple's ministry was first to the Jews, but soon thereafter the ministry and the gospel message clearly was for all people.  As we see in Acts 10:34-35 - "Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right." And certainly as we see in the Great Commission at the end of Matthew, in chapter 28 verses 19 & 20: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."  Below is a Spanish wood panel painting by an unknown artist from the early 12th century of Jesus and the twelve disciples:

One interesting note on the listing of names of the 12 disciples in Matthew.  Peter is listed first and Judas Iscariot last.  We'll read various listings of the 12 disciples throughout the New Testament.  And numbers 2 through 11 always vary in order of how the disciples are listed.  But in all of the listings, Peter is first.  And Judas Iscariot is always listed last.  Below is a painting titled " The Sending of the Twelve" by Duccio di Buoninsegna from the early 14th century - (looks to me like Duccio only painted in 11 here... )

Matthew 10 verse 16 stands out: ""Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. Be as wary as snakes and harmless as doves."  This is good advice for us today as well.  Jesus is still sending us out today as his followers.  And I do think this teaching is wise - for us to be wary and harmless at the same time.  It's an interesting line to walk, but I believe a very wise one.  I believe the only way to really walk this line well is through the blessing of the Holy Spirit.  I don't think we can do it on our own...

 

Psalms - Psalm 12 verses 1 & 2 are intriguing verses for me - "Help, O LORD, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth! Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and insincere hearts." Are there days when you feel like this?   I think there are some days when I do... but not too many.  I guess I sometimes wonder about the state of my heart - or if I've gotten enough sleep the night before :) - when I feel like this Psalmist does.  It is interesting how this verse goes into people talking with "flattering lips and insincere hearts".  I do notice right away when that's happening... particularly the insincerity.  Maybe this is something we should ask of ourselves - do we talk at times with flattering lips or insincere hearts?  Or are we sincere people?  I like that thought... being a sincere person.  I pray that we all are and can become more and more "sincere" in our dealings with each other and that we would just simply be sincere people.  Are you a sincere person?  Do you want to be sincere?  Was Jesus a sincere person?

Proverbs - Proverbs 3:13-15 are amazing truths for each of us to learn!  I think these Proverbs are so different from what our world often preaches...  "Happy is the person who finds wisdom and gains understanding. For the profit of wisdom is better than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her."  Where are your true wages coming from in our life?  Wisdom or money?  Are you investing in things eternal - or things material?  Which will give you ultimately a better return on investment?  Do you believe that wisdom = happiness?  Are you happy?

Worship Video: Today's readings reminded me of Lincoln Brewster's song, "Everlasting God:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT0UodmNhKk

Do you know our Everlasting God?  Click here to know Him forevermore!

Please join me in memorizing and meditating on three verses of Scripture today: "Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her." Proverbs 3:13-15 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray for wisdom in your life. Pray that you would value wisdom much much more than money. Pray for wisdom in your family life.

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  Just curious if anyone has any Biblical fiction books that you might be willing to recommend?  Sometimes I find Biblical fiction books can augment our imaginations and understanding of our readings in the Bible.  Also, 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. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today and also consider financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

January 13th One Year Bible Readings

Genesis 28:1-29:35 ~ Matthew 9:18-38 ~ Psalm 11:1-7 ~ Proverbs 3:11-12
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or ESV.org: OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs or Daily Audio Bible ~

Old Testament - Today's Genesis chapter 28 readings begin Jacob's adventure as he leaves the land promised to Abraham and Isaac and heads for Paddan-aram to stay with his uncle.  Jacob's dream at Bethel is awesome in this chapter! While this dream is often referred to as "Jacob's Ladder," many commentaries say it was probably stairs that Jacob dreamt of - similar to the stairs of a ziggurat (think tower of Babel) that winded around the outside of the tower on the way up.  Have you ever had a dream anything like this one? :)

I do have to admit - Jacob's story and the parallel stories of his uncle Laban, Jacob's wives, and his sons - culminating with Joseph in Egypt - is one of my favorite parts of the Old Testament.  This is just good narrative!  I think one thing that really opened my eyes to all of the small details of the story of Jacob is that I was in an amazing Bible study for about a year going through this part of Genesis.  I don't know if you've been in a group Bible study before?  If not, let me encourage you to join one!  They are incredible.  You get so many different perspectives from each person in the group - similar in some ways to what you are getting here on this blog - but more personal and I think far better.  You get to go through the text with other people and really dive into things - and even have some fun joking around about things.  If the church you attend has some sort of Bible study, will you consider checking it out this month of January?  I know you will be incredibly blessed by this decision!

I found verses 21 & 22 intriguing: "Then Jacob made this vow: "If God will be with me and protect me on this journey and give me food and clothing, and if he will bring me back safely to my father, then I will make the LORD my God."  Do you notice the "if" / "then" statement in this vow from Jacob?  Jacob is putting some conditions on what it will take for him to make God his God.  Do we do this in our lives sometimes?  Do we try to put "conditions" on God?  Does this really make sense to do?  What if our conditions are not met?  What if things don't go as planned?  Will we still love God as our God, even if the "conditions" in our life are not met or are not ideal?

In Genesis chapter 29 Jacob arrives at Paddan-Aram, which was close to Haran.  See this map below for where Jacob will spend the next 20 years of his life.   All 12 of his children besides Benjamin will be born in this land!  Note that this map below shows arrows going from right to left - because it's really a map of Abraham's early journey.  :)  But, you can see how far Jacob traveled from Bethel - where he had the dream discussed above - to Haran / Paddan-Aram at the top of the map.

In this chapter Jacob meets Rachel and Laban, and works for 7 years to marry Rachel - except for the fact that Jacob was deceived by Laban on the wedding night!  Which is a bit ironic, as we have seen in recent chapters that Jacob did some deceiving himself...  I read one commentary that said for most of his life Jacob was so focused on getting the rights of the first born from his father Isaac - and now he must accept the rights of the first born in this surprise marriage to Leah!  At the end of today's readings we see that Leah is beginning to have sons - including Levi who will be the ancestor of the Aaronic priestly line of Israel, and Judah who will be the ancestor of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ.  Below is an oil painting from 1836 by Bohemian painter Joseph von Fuhrich of Jacob encountering Rachel with her father's herds in verses 9 - 11:  "As this conversation was going on, Rachel arrived with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherd. And because she was his cousin, the daughter of his mother's brother, and because the sheep were his uncle's, Jacob went over to the well and rolled away the stone and watered his uncle's flock. Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and tears came to his eyes."

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Genesis chapter 28 titled "The Seeker Is Sought" is at this link and commentary on chapter 29 titled "I Led Two Wives" is at this link.

New Testament - In Matthew chapter 9 today we read about Jesus healing in response to people's faith - the faith of the father, the faith of the woman, the blind men, and many others.  It is amazing to remember that the Old Testament prophet Isaiah predicted these types of healings would take place in the Messianic age.  Check out Isaiah chapter 35 verses 5 & 6: "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy."  This image below of the woman reaching for Jesus' tassels from today's readings is one of my favorite images of faith.  Have you ever reached out in faith to Jesus like this woman did?

Verses 37 & 38 are so powerful in today's readings: "He said to his disciples, "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields."  I think each of us can reflect on this teaching from Jesus.  Do you agree with Jesus that the harvest is so great?  And the workers are few?  Will you pray to God for more workers for his kingdom work?  Are you one of God's workers in his kingdom work?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 9 titled "Authority Over Death" is at this link and "The Authority to Give Sight" is at this link.

Psalms - Today we read Psalm 11, which is one that you might miss the full meaning of if you didn't know some of the commentary behind this Psalm.  Basically in this Psalm King David is expressing his unshakable trust in God to other people around him who are very scared of enemy attacks.  Knowing this - check out verse 1: "I trust in the LORD for protection. So why do you say to me, "Fly to the mountains for safety!"  Like David, do we really trust in God for our protection?  Or do we sometimes rely on others or our own cunning - or, our own fear - for protection?  Are there times when we are faced with a challenging situation that we feel like running away from it?  “Fleeing to the mountains” for safety?  When, instead, should we simply trust in God for our protection and move forward in spite of the fear within us?  Is there an area of your life where you need to turn over more trust in God for ultimate protection?  Will you flee to God only instead of fleeing to the mountains?

Proverbs - Wow! Proverbs chapter 3 verses 11 & 12 today are so amazing and true...  Please meditate on these verses and what they mean to you and your life: "My child, don't ignore it when the LORD disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights."  I have come to realize in recent years that correction and discipline from God is such a blessing!  No, it is not fun at the time that you are going through it.  But, it is so necessary for us to move forward in our relationship and walk with God this side of heaven.  We need God's holy and divine discipline!  I think oftentimes we avoid it.  Or run away from it.  Or refuse to go through it.  Can you see why this Proverb starts off with "My child,"  :)  Please let me encourage you to joyfully accept and go through God's discipline in your life.  In some areas of your life it may be the only thing that will break you through to victory.  One book I found helpful in thinking through the benefits of discipline from God - or pruning as the author called it - is Bruce Wilkinson's "Secrets of the Vine".  If you'd like to learn more about staying close to God and Jesus - and allowing God to discipline you, please check out this book!  It's a quick read - yet very thought provoking.  You'll love John chapter 15 forevermore after reading this book...

Worship Video: Today's readings in Matthew 9:37-38 about the harvest being plentiful but the workers being few reminds me of the Brandon Heath song "Give me your Eyes:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5AkNqLuVgY

Do you have eyes for the harvest?  Click here for new eyes!

Please join me in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:37-38 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you would see the harvest in our world today as God sees it.  Pray that you would be a worker in God's fields this year. Pray daily for your family and friends that don't yet know Jesus. Pray that they would come to know Him.

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  Based on our Proverbs reading today, do you believe there is such a thing as godly discipline?  Do you believe that God corrects those that he loves?  Can you think of any areas of your life or times where God has corrected you?  Is there perhaps an area of your life today where God is correcting you?  Will you not ignore this correction any longer?  Will you allow God to correct you?  Also, 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. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today and also consider financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

January 12th One Year Bible Readings

Genesis 26:17-27:46 ~ Matthew 9:1-17 ~ Psalm 10:16-18 ~ Proverbs 3:9-10
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or ESV.org: OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs or Daily Audio Bible ~

Old Testament - Today's Genesis chapter 26 readings open up with Isaac digging wells - and then moving on when the Philistine's contest the wells.  This shows an incredible amount of patience on Isaac's behalf.  In this arid region of Gerar, water was like gold and people often battled over water.  Filling in someone's well was akin to declaring war.  Below is an aerial map of where Gerar and Beersheba are located, just on the northern edge of the Negev desert (see lower left corner of map):

Verse 22 stood out to me in these readings about the wells: "Abandoning that one, he dug another well, and the local people finally left him alone. So Isaac called it "Room Enough," for he said, "At last the LORD has made room for us, and we will be able to thrive.""  For me this was reminiscent of Abraham giving Lot the choice of lands when there was disputes between their herdsmen.  Abraham was confident that God would provide even with "2nd choice" of the lands - and Isaac here seems to be following in his father's footsteps of wisdom.  I also like the naming of the well - "Room Enough."  I think sometimes in our world today we can get so competitive with each other, thinking that there is a limited sized pie and we have to get our piece of it!  "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" author Steven Covey calls this the "scarcity mentality" - and he encourages us to instead operate with an "abundance mentality" - that there is ultimately enough pie for everyone.  That there is Room Enough.  (perhaps we do need to do a better job sometimes of sharing our pieces of the pie however... see our Psalms & Proverbs today on this point)   How do you find yourself operating in your own life - more often out of the scarcity mentality or the abundance mentality?   Do you see the risk of the scarcity mentality?  And the blessing of the abundance mentality?  Do you believe that there is Room Enough?  A well near the entrance to Beersheba that is believed to be the well Isaac and his servants dug in chapter 25 verses 23-25: "From there Isaac moved to Beersheba, where the Lord appeared to him on the night of his arrival. “I am the God of your father, Abraham,” he said. “Do not be afraid, for I am with you and will bless you. I will multiply your descendants, and they will become a great nation. I will do this because of my promise to Abraham, my servant.” Then Isaac built an altar there and worshiped the Lord. He set up his camp at that place, and his servants dug another well."

Genesis chapter 27 today is a very interesting and challenging chapter...  both Jacob and Rebekah are deceitful.  And Isaac is suspicious of the whole charade.  And yet, Jacob receives the verbal blessing from Isaac, which was binding back in those days.  I think this chapter is challenging in that it can bring up the question of sin - and can sin be used to fulfill God's will?  You know I'm going to defer to our resident-expert on Genesis - Bob Deffinbaugh from bible.org.  :)  Check out this quote from Bob in his summary of this chapter: "The purpose of God as expressed to Rebekah in Genesis 25:23 was perfectly accomplished without one alteration. The sins of Isaac and Esau and Rebekah and Jacob did not in any way thwart God’s will from being done. In fact, their sins were employed by God in such a way as to achieve the will of God. God’s sovereignty is never thwarted by man’s sin. To the contrary, God is able to achieve His purposes by employing man’s sinful acts to further His plans."  Then, check out everything Bob has to say on this challenging chapter at this link.   Surf down to Bob's Conclusion at this link if nothing else - it is very intriguing! Please let me know your thoughts on this chapter in the Comments below.  Below is an oil painting from 1639 by Dutch Baroque painter Govert Teunisz Flinck (who was a pupil of Rembrandt) of Isaac blessing Jacob:

New Testament - In Matthew chapter 9 we read about Jesus not only healing - but also forgiving sins.  This is a power and an authority - forgiving sins - that only God could truly have.  It is true that Jesus would be blaspheming, per the teachers of religious law in this passage, if Jesus was not God.  So, perhaps for some reading this blog, this might be a good point for you to ask yourself: do you believe that Jesus is God?  If this is your first go through the Bible or the gospel of Mathew, you may not feel ready to answer this question yet.  But ask it of yourself now - and again as you continue to read this gospel:  do you believe that Jesus is God?  Do you believe that Jesus, as God, could not only heal the paralytic but forgive his sins as well?

In today's readings, Jesus calls Matthew (or "Levi"), the author of this Gospel, and a Jewish tax collector at the time of his call.  Note that while Jerusalem was under the authority of Rome at this time, Rome would hire Jews to collect taxes from other Jews that would be paid to Rome.   The Jewish tax collectors were allowed to keep a commission or percentage of the taxes they collected - however, they were notorious for overcharging and making more than they should have in their collections.  As such, Jewish tax collectors were typically not allowed to be in the temple - nor were they even trusted as witnesses in trials.  And this is our Gospel writer!  :)  (yes, I still trust Matthews writings - he, like us, was forgiven & changed after meeting Jesus)  Below is a painting of Jesus calling Matthew at his tax collector booth - I love how Matthew is very attentive in this image toward Jesus in the midst of all the chaos around him.  Are you this attentive toward Jesus in your life today?

In this chapter Jesus has a meal with "tax collectors and other notorious sinners."  And the religious leaders ask Jesus why he eats with such "scum."  I do hope that you see that this is such an amazing thing about Jesus - he will have a meal with anyone - the "scum of the earth" as one translation calls sinners who believe in Jesus in one of Paul's letters.  Jesus loves the "scum".   And he gets frustrated with the religious leaders who are righteous in their own eyes.  Why the difference?   I think verses 12 & 13 answer this well: "When he heard this, Jesus replied, "Healthy people don't need a doctor--sick people do... For I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough."  So, this leads to some questions we may want to ask ourselves today.  Are we spiritually healthy or are we sick?  Do we need a spiritual doctor?  Do we need Jesus?  Are we sinners?  Or, do we think we are already "good enough" on our own?  Like Jesus, will we talk and dine with "sinners" in our lives today?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 9 titled "The Authority to Forgive Sins" is at this link.

Psalms - I love Psalm 10 verses 17 & 18 today: "LORD, you know the hopes of the helpless.  Surely you will listen to their cries and comfort them. You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so people can no longer terrify them."  The Psalmist here tells us that God knows the hopes of the helpless.  Do we?  Do we care?  The Psalmist says God will listen to their cries and comfort them.  Are we listening?  Are we comforting?  God will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so people can no longer terrify them.  Should we do this as well?  Will we?  Will you?

Proverbs - Proverbs 3:9-10 teaches us today:  "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything your land produces. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with the finest wine."  This is a wonderful reminder to bring our tithes and offerings to God, and he will bless us immensely.  We are not called to bring our leftovers - but our first fruits.  Are the first checks we write each month our tithes and offerings?   Do we write these checks with a joyful and thankful heart to God for this opportunity to give back to Him?  Or do we wait and see what we have left over to give each month... and maybe give not so joyfully or thankfully?  Which way is the most honoring to God?

Worship God: Today's readings about tax collector Matthew and Jesus reminded me of Christy Nockels beautiful song "Waiting here for You:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3OEGnH5x8g

Are you waiting on God?  Click here and wait no more!

Please join me in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine." Proverbs 3:9-10

Prayer Point: Pray about your tithing to God. Ask God if you are tithing in the ways and in the amounts He would have you. Pray that God would lead you to the specific amount you should be tithing each month and to the specific church(es) and ministry(s). And pray that you would be obedient to God's leading in your life in the area of tithing.

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  From our Matthew readings today, Jesus dining with sinners did make me wonder this question, which I posted above: Like Jesus, will we talk and dine with "sinners" in our lives today?  Or, do we consider ourselves somehow "above" talking and dining with sinners?  One thing that I have to be careful of - and maybe all of us do - is not getting myself stuck in the "Christian bubble" or the "Christian ghetto."  Meaning, I think we can sometimes find ourselves just spending time, just talking with, just dining with our Christian friends.  And then after a while find ourselves completely removed from the world that needs to experience Jesus' love and light and truth through us.  I think we are called to minister in the world.  Yes, there is a time and place for sure to fellowship with our Christian brothers and sisters.  But, I think we do well to find some occasion to talk and dine with "sinners" (not so unlike ourselves, also sinners...) like Jesus did.  So, how are you doing with finding time to talk and dine with folks who perhaps do not yet know God or Jesus?  Do you think this is something you should be doing?  Also, 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. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today and also consider financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

January 11th One Year Bible Readings

Genesis 24:52-26:16 ~ Matthew 8:18-34 ~ Psalm 10:1-15 ~ Proverbs 3:7-8
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley's terrific NLT 19996 readings at this link or ESV.org: OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs or Daily Audio Bible ~

Old Testament - Rebekah and Isaac meet and marry in today's readings!  Below is Italian painter G.B. Castiglione's oil painting titled "Meeting of Rebekah and Isaac" circa 1640:

Before the meeting & marriage - I love the very opening verse 52 in Genesis chapter 24 today: "At this reply, Abraham's servant bowed to the ground and worshiped the LORD."  This just made me think - when was the last time that I actually bowed to the ground and worshiped the Lord?  I have to confess it was a long time ago.  This may sound strange, but one time I was listening to the David Crowder song "Deliver Me" and for some reason I literally fell to the ground, bowed, and worshiped God.  It was an experience that's hard to forget.  But why is it so hard for me to get back down on the ground and worship God once again?  When was the last time you bowed to the ground and worshiped the Lord?

Genesis chapter 25 has a lot going on in it today!  We read about Keturah, the death of Abraham and the descendants of Ishmael.  In verse 19 we begin reading about Jacob and Esau.  Jacob we will read about for a large portion of the remainder of Genesis - there is actually not that many chapters we will read about Isaac.  In verse 34 we read this about Jacob & Esau: "Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate and drank and went on about his business, indifferent to the fact that he had given up his birthright."  Below is Dutch Baroque Era painter Hendrik Martensz Sorgh's beautiful "Interior with Jacob and Esau" painting from the year 1662 (the bright foreground almost takes away from the background with Esau swearing off his birthright):

In Genesis chapter 26 we can see where the old adage, "like father, like son" could have come from.  Isaac like his father Abraham told foreigners that his wife was his sister.  However, the artist Raffaello captured verse 8 from King Abimelech's perspective in this painting from the year 1519 below: "But some time later, Abimelech, king of the Philistines, looked out a window and saw Isaac fondling Rebekah."

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Genesis chapter 25 titled "The Principle of Divine Election" is at this link and commentary on chapter 26 titled "Isaac Walks in His Father's Steps" is at this link.

New Testament - Matthew's readings in chapter 8 today are powerful in so many ways.  The first section of our readings focuses on the costs of following Jesus.  And I do think that we all probably realize that there are some costs associated with faith.  However, there is also eternal reward, which outweighs all the temporary costs we might have to pay in this life.  In some ways, I do ask myself this - are we really participating in a true faith if there are no costs associated with it?  I have heard and read books and listened to speakers about how faith can bring us health & wealth & happiness.  And I know there are many times when this is true (see our Proverbs reading today for a good truth to this) - but I do think these would be dangerous goals of faith in and of themselves - we could end up serving health, wealth and happiness as mini-gods of our own design if we're not careful.  We could find ourselves following our own plans rather than God's Perfect Will for our lives.

Our faith must simply be about following Jesus and God's Perfect Plan & Will for our lives and accepting the costs - and the benefits - that come along with this Walk.  What are the costs in your life of following Jesus?  Do you believe that suffering might be part of the package in this life of following Jesus?  I do believe the costs are all worth it - no matter what they may be.  Here's a really really heavy question to put out here... but I think it is something that at some point we need to ask ourselves.  I hope you don't mind this blog bringing this question to you if you've never asked this of yourself before...  :) 

The question is this: Are you willing to die for your faith? This would be the ultimate cost in this life for any of us.  Our life.  And it may well be that this cost will never be asked of you.  But - many people in our world today are indeed paying this cost of their lives for their faith in Jesus.  There have been martyrs throughout the centuries, and there still are martyrs in our world today.  Certainly, as we proceed through this gospel of Matthew we will see that Jesus is willing to die for his faith.  So, again, it's a tough question - but are you willing to die for your faith?  I think if you can get to an affirmative answer to this question between you and God, you will be able to more readily accept all other "lesser" and temporary costs that will come your way in this life by following Jesus.  And you will know without a shadow of a doubt that the costs are well worth the reward of an eternity spent with God.  Will you follow Jesus no matter the cost?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 8 titled "Peace, Be Still" is at this link and "The Demons and The Pigs" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 10 is a prayer for rescue from attacks from the proud and wicked. Wisely, you'll note that this Psalmist is not taking punishment into his own hands - but asking God for punishment.  We would do well to remember that punishment is the Lord's...   For some reason much of this Psalm reminded me way too much of our world today - and I realized that not much has changed over 3,000 years!  Verse 4 in particular rang true to me about much of our world today: "These wicked people are too proud to seek God.  They seem to think that God is dead."  Only about 100 years ago the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche uttered those exact words - "God is dead."  And I know that this viewpoint of many expressed in this Psalm 3,000 years ago, and 100 years ago by Nietzsche, is still a viewpoint of many in our world today.  What a sad thing.  What can we do in our lives today to show the world that God is not dead?  How can we live our lives to demonstrate that God is alive?  Let us share with this hurting and dying world with all that we are that God is not dead.  Obviously, He Lives.  What are you doing with your life today to show others that He Lives?

Psalm 10 verse 1 also stood out to me today: "O LORD, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I need you the most?"  Have you ever felt like this?  I know I have.  However, I also have realized later on that just when I thought God was no where near me, he was actually as close as could be taking care of me.  Even though it may have seemed that God was "hiding" from me, he was actually right there with me all along!

Proverbs - Today we read this in Proverbs 3:8 (just after the verse on fearing the Lord and turning away from sin): "Then you will gain renewed health and vitality." I think this is so true.  I have been a much healthier person - mentally, physically, spiritually, etc. - since I came to faith in Jesus.  Through God's wisdom and grace, I have been able to discern what is healthy for me and what is not.  I have let many bad habits go. How about for you?  Has your faith brought you renewed health and vitality?  Are there some areas in your life where you still have room to turn some bad habits over to God, and to let them go? Will you do so this year? Will you pray to God for renewed health and vitality in those areas of your life where you need God’s grace and healing?

Worship Video: Today's readings in Matthew Chapter 8 about the costs of following Jesus reminded me of the awesome song "Burn the Ships" by for KING & COUNTRY:

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

Have you burned the ships of sin in your life?  Click here to burn the ships!

Please join me in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones." Proverbs 3:7-8 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you won't be wise in your own eyes. Pray that all you do today brings glory to God, and not to self. Pray that you will truly be healthy in your body and soul through your following Jesus and by shunning evil.

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  Based on our readings in Matthew today, do you believe there is a cost to following Jesus?  Is it worth the cost?  Are there any limits to the cost of following Jesus that you couldn't agree to?  Would your life be too much?  At the same time, we see in Proverbs today that in addition to costs, faith brings benefits - renewed health and vitality being two mentioned in today's Proverb.  Is it fair to say that faith brings with it both costs and benefits?  Do you think that the benefits outweigh the costs?  Also, 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. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today and also consider financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!