~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Zechariah 6:1-7:14 ~ Revelation 15:1-8
Psalm 143:1-12 ~ Proverbs 30:24-28
Traveling this week for Christmas - full post's with images will be back on December 28th.
Old Testament - Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Zechariah titled "Oracles Concerning Hypocritical Fasting" is at this link.
New Testament - Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Revelation chapter 15 titled "Prelude to the Seven Last Plagues" is at this link and "The End is in Sight" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 143 verse 8 stood out to me today - "Let me hear of your unfailing love to me in the morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I have come to you in prayer." I read somewhere before - I think it was Bruce Wilkinson's book "Secrets of the Vine" - that many great men and women of our Christian faith connect with God in the morning through prayer, reading the Bible, and other quiet time activities. Bruce even suggested that this is the preferential way to go - to start your day by spending time with God in the morning, rather than at night. Because he said this would then transform the rest of your day - in terms of being more conscientious of our relationship with God. This does make sense to me - and in fact, I have started reading the One Year Bible now in the mornings, and it is a beautiful way to start the day! I like what this Psalmist says - "Let me hear of your unfailing love to me in the morning." And it reminds me that somehow, someway, it almost seems easier to me to connect with God in the morning. Actually - one other thing I used to do in the morning is read a page or two from Oswald Chambers "My Utmost For His Highest." And I am thankful that I did this in the morning for a season. How about you? Do you have some way that you connect with God in the morning? Are you able in some way to hear of God's unfailing love for you in the morning?
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
In the morning for me is a better time to connect with God and read his word because most times I get really tired after work in the evenings....I am excited to begin Genesis and pray to see everyone who's been on this journey as well as meet some new people...God's word truly does change us and allows the Spirit of God to work more in us to do His will.....
God bless you all and may the Light of the world light your hearts and bring you peace......
Posted by: Anka | December 24, 2006 at 12:23 AM
Heh Mike, safe travels. I always like the traveler's psalm (Psalm 121) when we travel--"The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in." May the Lord bless you for your faithfulness in helping all of us to do what Proverbs 8:33 says, "Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don't ignore it. Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me DAILY at my gates...whoever finds me finds life and receives favour from the LORD."
One other recommendation is David and Renee Sanford's brand new book called How To REad Your Bible. This is a superb resource to keep alongside your ONe year bible and blog. For those who still feel like they're 'rookies' and on the 'bunny hill' of Bible reading/understanding, this is a welcome resource.
merry Christmas to all my fellow OYB bloggers!!!
Posted by: luciano Del Monte | December 24, 2006 at 07:05 AM
Mike,
Thank you so much for giving us this blog. Your insight and work from the Holy Spirit into this project shows with every posting. Safe travel to you.
My time with God has been in the morning for several years. It sure does keep my day close to Him. I think I started to do this because of what Jesus said to love Him with all our heart and soul and mind and strength. All of these seem to function best in the morning for me because there are no other distractions.
It's funny how your verse today is verse 8 in Psalm 143. I have never seen that verse, even after just reading it. I'm keeping that one within easy reach for sure!
God has been speaking to me about purpose and direction over the course of this year. I am trusting God to direct and teach me to follow his will. As it says in Psalm 143:10: "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing."
May you and your family have a blessed Christmas.
Posted by: Johnnie Ruth Hamill | December 24, 2006 at 07:32 AM
Psalm 143:8 stood out for me today: "Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in You.
Show me the way I should go,
for to You I lift up my soul".
This is how I pray when I do my prayers in the morning. Well, not the exact words, but I really love my day to start with the word of the unfailing love from God. I really want Him to show me the way I should go that day ... or in my life for that matter. It's important for me to stand up each morning and feel blessed, feel blessed that I'm God's child and filled with His unfailing love. How wonderful is that to start your day with?
I smiled when I read Proverbs 30:25 "Ants are creatures of little strength,
yet they store up their food in the summer;".
Does this prove that we're all God's creatures or what??? We shouldn't underrestimate creatures that seem to have little strength, because somehow they know how to survive! God will show them the way ... like He shows us the way. Right? He will protect us ... no matter if it's human beings or small insects!
Merry Christmas to you all!
~Mae
Posted by: Mae | December 24, 2006 at 10:30 AM
God bless for journey's mercies and a peaceful and joyful Saviour's Day celebration. Romayne
Posted by: Romayne | December 24, 2006 at 02:30 PM
Although I am still reading the daily readings, commenting may be difficult over the next week as we have traveled the "joyous" 800 miles north to Ohio to be with family and friends for Christmas.
In todays readings, you mentioned My Utmost For His Highest. If any of you have never read from this devtional before, I HIGHLY suggest it! I have been using it for about 3 years and it has really blessed me.
Psalm 143, kind of a continuation of 142 (for me anyway) - in that 142 we cry out to God because we are overwhelmed and desperate...and in 143 we are reminded that if we seek God first and hide His word in our hearts, meditating on all He has already done for us...we can receive His peace. He will rescue us!
Christmas blessings to all of you!! :0)
Posted by: Gina | December 24, 2006 at 06:39 PM