~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Exodus 12:14-13:16 ~ Matthew 20:29-21:22
Psalm 25:16-22 ~ Proverbs 6:12-15
Month One - Today we wrap up Month One of our One Year Bible readings in 2007! Congratulations! Your marathon pace is looking great. The wonderful habit of reading from God's Word every day is starting to settle into place in your life. Keep your eyes forward on the path before you this year and your eye on the prize! As Paul tells us in Philippians 3:14 – "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Let us each press on toward the goal!
Old Testament - This is a big day in our readings today - The Israelites officially begin their exodus from Egypt! Today in Exodus chapter 12 we read about God instituting the Festival of Unleavened Bread along with Passover. These both are still observed today by practicing Jews. Verse 14 states the importance of these festivals to the Israelites: "You must remember this day forever. Each year you will celebrate it as a special festival to the LORD."
Chapter 12 verses 29 & 30 tell us: "And that night at midnight, the Lord struck down all the firstborn sons in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn son of the prisoner in the dungeon. Even the firstborn of their livestock were killed. Pharaoh and all his officials and all the people of Egypt woke up during the night, and loud wailing was heard throughout the land of Egypt. There was not a single house where someone had not died." Below is Dutch painter Laurens Alma Tadema's "Death of the Pharaoh's Firstborn Son" from the year 1872:
Verses 37 & 38 are amazing: "That night the people of Israel left Rameses and started for Succoth. There were about 600,000 men, plus all the women and children. And they were all traveling on foot. Many people who were not Israelites went with them, along with the many flocks and herds." 600,000 men equals probably at least 1.2 million people all together - and probably close to 2 million. This is a massive Exodus! Verse 38 is very interesting in that some Egyptians were joining the Israelites in this Exodus! Think these Egyptians believed in God?
In Exodus chapter 13 we read about God's instructions for the dedication of the firstborn. Note that based on this law that Jesus, the firstborn of Mary & Joseph, was dedicated to God in the Temple in Jerusalem as we read in Luke chapter 2 verses 21 through 24: "On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”" I think it's also interesting to note that Mary & Joseph did not present a lamb, but a pair of doves or two young pigeons. This portion of the law came from Leviticus chapter 12 verse 8: "If she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering."" Below is an image of Jesus being dedicated in the temple:
Bible.org's commentary on "The Passover and the Plague of the Firstborn" is at this link.
New Testament - Today in Matthew chapter 21 verse 22 we read these words from Jesus: "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."" This is a powerful verse if you really stop and think about it... Do you believe Jesus' teaching here? Do you believe that if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer? I do believe this... but then there is always in the back of my mind - "but what about so-and-so who was ill and was praying in belief that they would be healed. But then they weren't..." I don't have any easy answer on this one. I have to believe there are probably some good resources out there for this tough question? If you know of any resources / books on this subject of prayer - or, more specifically, unanswered prayers - please post up in the Comments section below? Thanks.
Whoo-hoo! Today is Palm Sunday in our Gospel reading today! :) Hosanna in the Highest! Hosanna means "Save Now" - Amen!
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 21 titled "The Triumphal Entry" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 25 verse 22 really stood out to me today: "O God, ransom Israel from all its troubles." As I read this, the Christmas carol, "O Come O Come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel" comes to my mind. Indeed, God would answer this prayer of King David's and send his Son to ransom Israel!
Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 6 verse 14 today tells us: "Their perverted hearts plot evil. They stir up trouble constantly." This is a powerful reminder of the utmost importance for us to guard the condition of our hearts continually!
Comments from You and Questions of the Day: It's interesting to me how fast January 2007 seems to have flown by. February 2007 is now before us. I don't know about you, but I set some big goals and resolutions for 2007 and somehow I'm suddenly a month behind on progress on those goals. However, even though I am feeling behind on some goals for 2007, I know that ultimately my life is in a very good place because I am moving forward with my relationship with God. Reading and studying God's Word every day is a higher priority than any of my other goals and resolutions. Those other goals and resolutions can wait. My relationship with God cannot wait. As long as I am in a growing and loving relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, nothing else really matters. How about you? Are there some goals and resolutions for 2007 that you feel like you might be behind on? Do you agree that reading from God's Word each day and growing in your love relationship with God is more important than those goals and resolutions? 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
Our minister did a sermon on the passage of, if you believe and ask anything it will be given to you. It was a powerful message to me, and I could hardly wait to get somewhere alone to start asking for "things" but when I started to pray, I realized God had already given me more than I could even think to ask for, two children that no amount of money could replace, a wife that loves me, a place to worship that I leave knowing that God was there speaking to me. All I could do was say thank you Lord, thank you Lord...
I am truely enjoying this trip through the bible, and the interesting commentary. I read it early in the morning and it realy helps me start the day with a positive mind-set.
Thank you,
Rick
Posted by: Rick | January 30, 2007 at 08:27 PM
My thoughts on God answering prayer if we believe. I feel that if it is God's Will he will answer the way we want Him to answer the prayer. His answer is not always what we want. We must pray for His will, not ours. I do believe also that death is a form of healing. Remember when Paul prayed three times for God to heal him, but God said my grace is sufficeint. It's hard when a loved one is sick and dying, but we must know that God is in control and He knows what is best. Thank you again for this site and I am really enjoying it. The pictures make the scripture come alive for me. God Bless You.
Posted by: Nancy | January 30, 2007 at 08:27 PM
Matthew 21:22 - "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
I am a minister, and I have prayed with people and see them miraculously healed, I have prayed for others who died. Including my mother who died in 1988 of cancer that came back from years before. When my mom was first healed many years before, many doctors, etc., could not understand it. She was supposed to be dead.
Finally, after many years 100% free of cancer the church she attended felt enough time had passed and knew she was healed, the very week days before she was to testify she had pain (cancer) attack her. She went forward in pain and gave glory to God. But she started to get sicker and sicker, until finally she went home to be with Jesus at the young age of 57!!! What happened? This was a woman of faith, a woman who walked with God. The most Godly woman I have ever known. My mom touched many lives. I miss her so very much. So now do I pray for sick and diseased people, absolutely! AND when I pray I believe for the LORD to touch their bodies. I have seen gradual healings and instant. But REAL healings all the same. I feel that the LORD wants me to leave my mom's situation with Him. No questions asked, in eternity I will understand it fully and will see my Lord NEVER failed me.
I love to pray for the sick and believe for God to move. And to see other cancer patients or sick people whom God isn't finished with yet get healed. So no matter what the outcome continue to pray for the sick. Just like we pray for the lost regardless of the outcome.
Also my brother-in-law got saved at my moms funeral, as my pastor was told by my mom before she died, to have an alter call at her funeral. My brother-in-law now over 17 years later is a strong Christian in the LORD. AMEN! AMEN!
Posted by: Jim | January 30, 2007 at 08:28 PM
I think we think by praying that we will convince God our way is right. But we don't see the big picture we are to wrapped up in our little pictures/stories. At the end of that verse it says to know God. And to know somebody is to let them be themselves. We have to let God be God because he does see the big picture/story
Posted by: kate | January 31, 2007 at 04:01 AM
HEALING: God always heals the believer – either here on earth or in heaven. We should always pray for healing but for healing as God knows is best for the one that is ill. Mike, the thing that we forget is that this earthly body was not meant to last for eternity. Yes, God can and does heal here on earth but God also knows when it is time to condemn and dispose of our temporary housing. Just as an engineer determines if a building can be made safe for future occupation or if it should be condemned and torn down, our Great Engineer knows what the body would have to withstand in the future and if it is worth preserving. God determines whether to heal the physical body here on earth or whether to replace our temporary housing with a beautiful spiritual body. Only He knows what the physical body would have to endure in the future and what pain the person would have to face should the body be healed of its immediate illness. Only He knows what is best for all concerned in the long term and only He can determine the type of healing that is best for everyone. God always answers our prayers regarding healing and He heals in the way that it is best for the one that is ill! When God replaces the body with a spiritual body, He leaves behind for their loved ones beautiful memories and the strength to endure the separation. When a Christian passes, they step off the earth and into the hearts of all that love them so the deceased is forever with them until the time we are all reunited in the heavenly realm.
God Bless!
Pat
Posted by: Pat | January 31, 2007 at 04:30 AM
In regards to prayer I think verses like matthew 21:22 "you can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it." tough verse. I have not seen this happen much in my life. I have prayed for many things. Some small some big. Did God answer? I'm sure He has but there have been times His answers have not been forthcoming inspite of all the faith i mustered up.
Do I pray any less? No. Like C.S Lewis once said words to this effect, "I pray because it's the air I breathe. I can't help myself. I just pray."
I have recently read Philip Yancey's latest book called Prayer: Does it make any difference? I have to believe this is one of Yancey's best. He has done those of us who don't have a 'rabbit's foot' approach to prayer a big favour by dealing with the hard issues of prayer.
As a result I pray more rather than less in spite of prayers not being answered.
Posted by: luciano Del Monte | January 31, 2007 at 05:42 AM
Greetings to all!
Jim, I really appreciate what you wrote concerning your mom. My mom became paralyzed four years ago. Though the paralysis is limiting, the pain is like acid burning on the inside of her. I left working with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Africa (which I loved) to care for her (which is not a burden for me). Initially I responded well, but seeing the pain steadily increase up close and personal paralyzed my faith. I had truly believed Matthew 21:22. But I became unable to pray for physical healing and really believe I'd see results. I could pray for strength, peace, endurance etc. or for healing for others, but not for my mom who is a beautiful godly woman. This really grieved my heart.
Last week I just started a wonderful study by Beth Moore called Believing God. It hasn't answered all my questions about healing, but as I delve into who God is and meditate on the completeness of His compassion, and the greatness of His power within us, who believe, my hope is being restored and the fire of my faith is being fanned once again. I want to shout "God You are good!" I'm excited to continue this study and would recommend it to anyone who is struggling with questions like, "Is God who He says He is? Can He do what He says He can do?" Now I say, indeed He is and indeed He can, whether my physical eyes see it or not.
Posted by: Penny K / NJ | January 31, 2007 at 06:16 AM
Mike,
I think you site is awesome, I have been going through some rough times with my faith, and I reach out for help, it is hard for me for some reason to keep focus. I am 52 and I do not have a relationship with the lord to me this is sad. I struggle everyday.
Posted by: Faith O'Hara | January 31, 2007 at 08:14 AM
"When a Christian passes, they step off the earth and into the hearts of all that love them so the deceased is forever with them until the time we are all reunited in the heavenly realm."
God Bless!
Pat
Pat I truely love what you stated above....I lost my father 2 years ago and my father in law a year ago...it has been a tough adjustment but this statement makes it much easier. Thank You.
I too enjoyed the passage of believe and you receive. You may not always get the answer you want but God knows best.
Melody
Posted by: Melody | January 31, 2007 at 08:55 AM
Verses that stood out for me today:
Exodus 12:51 "On that very day the Lord brought the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt like an army".
Matthew 21:16 "Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.”
Matthew 21:22 "You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”
Psalm 25:21 "May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you".
Proverbs 6:14 "Their perverted hearts plot evil, and they constantly stir up trouble".
I didn't start the readings on January 1st, I started October 29th 2006, which means that today is my 94th day on this study. My relationship with God defenitly grows by reading from God's Word each day. I've come to understand the services in church better, I'm more aware of the Holy Spirit within me and my life changed so much! I love reading the Bible so much! You have to see my Bible ... so funny! Different colors Post-its stick out of it, all verses and chapters that I wanted to mark. Too bad I can't post pictures, but it's hilarious to see, believe me! I'm on 3 Biblestudies and I enjoy all 3 of them, for me it's important to be guided. I'm still a baby, reborn not even 6 months ago ... I need someone to guide me during my little baby-steps! I had a wonderful talk yesterday with my Pastor, he told me that my enthousiasm (spell check please) made him happy and that he wished that everybody was like me. My enthousiasm is infectious, he can tell that, so he hopes that I will 'infect' a lot of people by just doing the things I love to do for God. "You're doing good!". I was so happy to hear that! I listen to my heart and my heart is where God is ...
Posted by: Mae | January 31, 2007 at 09:11 AM
I have always prayed and I believe that all prayers are answered, sometimes the answer is yes, sometimes it is no, and sometimes it is wait-not now. I know God answers-when I was pregnant with my twins it was high-risk and I was told my babies would die, but they were born healthy and will be 17 next week. My son is in Iraq, 2 days ago his hum-vee was hit by a road-side bomb but he and his team are all fine-the hum-vee had just been outfitted with special armor [the armor of God :)] the day before!!!
My sister's husband is not a believer-we have been praying for him for many years.(My sister turned to Christ several years after their marriage). He is a manager of a band and the leader of the band has just been diagnosed with cancer-37 yrs old and it is bad. He was married last Saturday in the hospital chapel and it was a very God-filled service; my brother-in-law was very shaken. Maybe God is using this man and his illness to bring my Brother-in-law to Him. I pray for them all and God's wisdom-and His plan and His will. Would you please pray for them as well.
Posted by: Cheryl K. | January 31, 2007 at 09:31 AM
Hello! How are you today? I found an interesting parallel Bible site here: http://bible.cc/exodus/1-1.htm
Maybe you will find it interesting and useful.
I have not been keeping up with these readings durng the past week and a half or so. I have read these chapters in the past. Maybe God will lead me to review them again soon. I really do enjoy reading about Moses.
I have been assembling a small home music recording studio. I am not sure exactly what I will use the studio for, but I have enjoyed making music since I was a young boy.
I also tested yesterday for an apprenticeship with the Elctrical JATC of Southern Nevada. Please pray with me that God will help me secure this job, if He wills.
Mae: I am encouraged by your faithfulness. May God continue to bless you as you study His Word!
God bless you all.
Thank you Mike for your steadfastness.
Posted by: Brad | January 31, 2007 at 03:13 PM
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Oh yes, I struggled with this so much! I have prayed for things that God said no too many times. from guys, to passing my cpa exams, to my mom beating cancer. God said no to all.
Was it my lack of faith? No...lets take a look at this. "Whatever we ask for"...well, we could interpret this to mean, anything we want (well, Is God our personal genie? that I can go to and he'll give me anything I want. No!)
we have to factor in, God has our best interests in heart. We often pray for 'our' will to be done. In fact we should be praying that our will would conform to His! Our wills have to be in line with what God wants to do and many times he will say no, or say wait.
BUt thats not my will, I want what I want now!!! haha, But its His will. we may want things that God knows will destroy us, we may want things, but God says wait...when you are inline with Me, you will have it. He often time has bigger and better things in mind for us. a silly example, but say I pray for a flower. God may say no, when it the end, He wanted to give me a gigantic rose garden.
An example my pastor used last sunday was Samuel's mother. This woman was barren and prayed and prayed for a child. Never happened....God made her wait. Why? We go on in the readings and see she came to a point where she was desperate, so she said to God, if you bear me a son, I will give him back to You!
(1 Samuel 1:11 Then she made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”)
This is what God wanted from her, but she didnt come to this place til she waited and waited. God wanted a man to use and this woman was so desperate for a son, once HER will was in line with God's, He granted her request.
Even if our requests are totally reasonable, like for healing, not something silly like to win the lotto, haha. But God knows the outcome, He knows how to grow us, He has a plan and our wills must be in line with His. Many things I pray for God says wait. ugh! But everytime He has made me wait, when He finally answers my prayer with an affirmative, I see it was best this way and sooo worth it. I couldnt have leanrned the things I did had I not waited. When God says no, somethings I think. WHY GOD? I just dont understand!
But I see later God had my best interests in mind, things I couldnt see or know at the time. many times I can look back and say, whoa! thank you God for saying no! I'm sooo glad He didnt give me what I so desperatly 'thought' I wanted.
Bottom line, God knows what we have need of and He knows us better then we know ourselves. He knows the whole picture, we only see part and its often distorted. In the end, its to His glory that He fulfills His plan in our life and this is very joyous for us.
there are times when God says yes right away and honestly I'm shocked cause I'm so used to waiting. I'm still waiting on the Lord...that is the Christian life, to wait on the Lord. and we will see in Exodus a great example of waiting on Him and the consequences of murmuring, complaining, and being ungrateful. Lets be grateful no matter what, thank God for his answer whether it be yes, no, or wait (my least fave is wait) but whatever His answer, it is PERFECT!
awesome in matthew, His hour had finally come for Jesus to present Himself to the people as the Messiah. We read this at church last night sunday in the book of John. My pastor was saying, this is the most radical statement anyone made. He made Himself to be equal to God which was blasphemy in the Pharisees eyes. (therefore they sought to kill Him). Some peopl say Jesus was a good man, a good moral teacher. But here He proclaims Himself to be the promised messiah! He is either a lunatic or really is the Messiah...one cant take neutral ground on this. He no doubt is the promised one of God! God Himself, incarnate.
I love Jesus' answer to the chief priests when they were outraged by the ppl worshipping Him: "Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have perfected praise’?”
Love Psalm n Proverbs too!
Posted by: Jenny | January 31, 2007 at 09:06 PM
QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:
“…How about you? Are there some goals and resolutions for 2007 that you feel like you might be behind on? Do you agree that reading from God's Word each day and growing in your love relationship with God is more important than those goals and resolutions?…”
Well, I did fall a behind a bit in the ‘One Year Bible ‘ course for 2007. I think that I may have missed about six days this month but I intend to go back and make it up. One of my goals is to stay committed to it to the very end. I had purposed at the beginning of this year, one way or another, to spend more time in the Word of God and in prayer. I have understood for many years that this is vital to spiritual growth and cultivating a personal, intimate relationship with the Lord. Whenever in times past that I neglected that I suffered spiritually because of it. I have more free time now than ever before so there is no excuse.
EXODUS 12:14-13:16
“Leaven” is symbolic of sin. The children of Israel were commanded to eat “unleavened bread “ because it foreshadows Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life ( John 6:35, 48 ), who was without sin ( Hebrews 4:15 ). For the Church it represents how we have been purged of our sins by the blood of Christ and how we have been made “a new lump” ( 1 Corinthians 5:7 ) or a new creature in Him. It reminds us that we are called to live holy lives and to adhere to sound doctrine for Jesus warned us to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees ( Matthew 16:6-12 ). The Passover feast is intended to be a “memorial” ( 12:14 ) for the Jews in much the same way that the Lord’s Suppers is intended to be celebrated in the Church “…in rememberance “ of Jesus ( 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 ). The Church doesn’t celebrate the feast of Passover because Jesus Christ Himself is our Passover lamb. He is the blood-stained door by which we enter into salvation and by which we will be preserved when the wrath of God passes over us. Glory to the Lamb of God for He is worthy to be praised!
“ Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as YE ARE UNLEAVENED. For even CHRIST OUR PASSOVER is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with THE UNLEAVENED BREAD OF SINCERITY AND TRUTH.”
- 1 Corinthians 5:7 ( KJV )
I don’t think it is any coincidence that almost immediately after all of the firstborn of Egypt died by the plague of the Lord that God ordained that the firstborn of Israel be consecrated to Him ( 13:1-16 ). There is also a foreshadow of Christ in the consecration of the firstborn as well:
Jesus was “ the firstborn of Mary” ( Matthew 1:25; Luke 2:7 )…“ the firstborn among many brethren” ( Romans 8:29 )…” the firstborn of every creature” ( Colossians 1:15 )…” the firstborn from the dead” ( Colossians 1:18 ) …and by Him is the “church of the firstborn” ( Hebrews 12:23 ).
MATTHEW 20:29-21:22
The day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on donkey and was hailed by the multitudes as “the son of David “ ( 21:9 ), the rightful heir to throne of David, he fulfilled the messianic prophecy spoken by prophet Zechariah of Him ( 21:4 ) more than 400 years before His birth:
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.”
- Zechariah 9:9 ( KJV )
It wouldn’t be long though until the multitudes would turn against Him. The shouts of “Hosanna” ( 21:9 ) would soon be turned to shouts of mocking and the crying out to “crucify Him!” ( 27:31 ). Instead of being crowned the King of the Jews He would wear a crown of thorns. So He was crucified for the sins of the world, rose again on the third day and ascended back into Heaven to wait until the Father sends Him again back to the earth. In contrast, when Jesus comes again the second time, He will be riding a white stallion ( Revelation 19:11 )and He will be wearing many crowns ( Revelation 19:12 ) and He will sit on the throne of David in Jerusalem ruling over the nations with a rod of iron for a thousand years. He will be universally acknowledged and worshipped as the “ KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS “ ( Revelation 19:16 ).
PSALM 25:16-22
‘ O Come O Come Emmanuel ‘ is my favorite Christmas carol. I love the lyrics to that song! I have a burned CD with no other song on it but that one, sung by various contemporary christian music artists.
“Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles” ( v.22 ). What a timely Scripture for the world today as we find the nations gathering against Israel in these last days over the controversy of Zion! The Jews have had nothing but trouble for 2,000 years in the nations where God had scattered them after their rejection of their Messiah and now that the Jews are returning to the land as God foretold would happen in the latter days, the prophesied “time of Jacob’s trouble” ( Jeremiah 30:7 ) seems to be drawing near. That prayer of David says it all. I am praying today in agreement with David‘s prayer and my prayers are with the Jewish people and the state of Israel. I feel in my heart that God is going to answer this prayer very soon.
PROVERBS 6:12-15
Verse 13 always makes me think about non-verbal body language sometimes speaks louder than words and which everybody is expressing in one way or another. Many people can read it and interpret it very well. Even if some cannot, God always can. So it says to me that I need to be more aware of how I am carrying myself. Obviously the body language spoken of here is wicked in God’s sight.
Posted by: Bill | January 31, 2007 at 09:30 PM
One of my goals this year, amongst many others, is to read through the Bible once again, and follow this blog. I agree with you Mike, growing in the Lord should be our priority, hence reading His word daily is of paramount importance.
Posted by: Kitty | February 01, 2007 at 06:24 AM