December 25th One Year Bible Readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Zechariah 8:1-23 ~ Revelation 16:1-21
Psalm 144:1-15 ~ Proverbs 30:29-31

Merry Christmas!  I am traveling this weekend for Christmas - full posts will be back on December 27th.

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 16 titled "The Bowl Judgments" is at this link and "The Super Bowls" is at this link.  Below is artist Pat Marvenko Smith's "The Seven Bowl Judgments" and "The Plagues of the Seven Bowls:

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site. Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site.

Psalms - Psalm 144 verses 3 & 4 are fairly well known: "O LORD, what are mortals that you should notice us, mere humans that you should care for us? For we are like a breath of air; our days are like a passing shadow."  If our days are like a passing shadow, how then should we be spending our days?  What types of things should we be investing our time & money into?  What should we be investing our very hearts and minds into?  Are you wisely spending your passing days in godly ways?

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!

I will close out this Christmas day blog entry with a quick reflection here on A Charlie Brown Christmas.  :)  I think sometimes many of us wonder the same things that Charlie Brown did during this time of year.  "What is the meaning of Christmas?"  Well, I'll leave you will Linus' wonderful answer to Charlie and the Peanuts gang straight from Luke 2:8-14 (King James Version):

^"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

God bless,
Mike

Comments

[Mae]

Psalm 144:3-4 stood out for me: "O LORD, what are mortals that you should notice us, mere humans that you should care for us? For we are like a breath of air; our days are like a passing shadow."

I really try the best I can to invest wisely into Gods ways. And I have to say that it really helps me to invest in my relationship with God. I emmidiatly know when I'm 'off path' so to speak. It not necerally means that I'm doing godless and sinfull things, but I kind of 'fade away' for a bit and then there's moment that I think "God, where are you?". But I realize that He's always there, but I'm the one that turns away for a bit. I'm not going to say what I think other people should invest into, I just know for myself what I have to invest into, to feel that I'm living 100%. I need to invest in my relationship with God, that's what keeps me going. Just like investing in my relationship with my husband and my son. It's a 24/7 'job'. Got to be working on it all the time to make it work. But I get soooooooooooo much in return ...

[Jenny]

Wow! I definately dont wanna be here during the Great Trib...i know i wont. I have pics of the Valley of Armageddon (Megeddo) from my Israel trip i will send...seeing that valley in real life...knowing the future events that will occur there...."wow" doesnt suffice!

Does the Charlie Brown Christmas still come on? do they edit out that part of it yet? I'd be shocked to see that on tv in this evil day and age. sad sad sad :(((

Yes, i agree, life is short and everything here will pass away except for the things of the Lord. lets remember that in all we do, our decisions in day to day life, our time, money, investments. Lets keep our eyes on the prize!! =)

I love the Ps. He refers to God as his rock, fortress, deliverer, stronghold, shield, refuge. God is all this and more!!! The further down the narrow road i go, the more i see God as each and every one of these to me. Its so awesome, how God is so personal to us. Ppl may think He is far...well He is for those that dont know Him (but He's a prayer away), but once you have Him in life, indwelling you...He is a personal, loving God that knows us so intimately. A love like no other!!!

Thank u Lord!!!